Plumbing Maintenance

Our plumbing maintenance tips can help you keep your home cost efficient, safe & cozy.

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How To Fix a Wobbly Toilet

This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner diagnose and repair a wobbly toilet.
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How to Get Hot Water with a Recirculating Pump

Watch as This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey explains how a recirculation system can save energy, money, and time.
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Why Does My Shower Drain Smell Like Rotten Eggs?

The smell of spoiled eggs doesn’t exactly bring to mind the thought of fresh, clean towels and a relaxing bath time experience. And no amount of candles can truly mask the odor. Luckily, there are ways to rid your bathroom of a shower drain that smells like rotten eggs. These are some of the easiest, most common methods for taking care of the problem.
S21 E23, Richard Trethewey shows Kevin O'Connor how to troubleshoot a leaky showerhead
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How to Troubleshoot a Leaky Showerhead

Water coming out of a showerhead every time the tub fills can be annoying. Here’s a helpful way to troubleshoot the issue.
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How to Keep Your Garbage Disposal Running Smoothly

In this guide, we show you how to keep your garbage disposal running smoothly and what items you should never put down it.
A frozen septic tank in the winter.

Preventative Measures to Stop a Septic System from Freezing

Frozen water pipes are bad enough, but a frozen septic system is worse. Here’s how you can avoid this wintertime nightmare.
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Septic Tanks: A Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners

If your home has a septic tank, this is everything you need to know about your septic system, from installation to pumping.
S19 E24: Richard Trethewey discusses why and how to install a shutoff valve in an upstairs laundry room
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How To Prevent Flooding in an Upstairs Laundry Room

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert, Richard Trethewey, explains how to prevent flooding in an upstairs laundry room.
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Home Inspection Nightmares | Untamed Roof

The Ask This Old House crew share more Home Inspection Nightmares with Kevin O’Connor including some wild growth on a roof and chimney and an over-caulked plumbing fix.
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How to Clean a Toilet Tank

Does your toilet tank need a deep clean? Learn how to sanitize it using our simple technique and common household tools.
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How To Repair PVC Pipes: A Comprehensive Guide

Need to repair a broken or leaking PVC pipe? Check out our comprehensive breakdown of how to repair pipes and the most common causes for leaks.
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How to Fix Washing Machine Drain Overflows

Water that pools around your washing machine can be caused by several issues that lead to structural damage within your home. In this guide, we detail steps that you can take to identify and fix this problem.
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What Does a Gas Leak Smell Like?

In this article, we’ve compiled important information on how to identify, respond to, and prevent natural gas leaks.
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Sewer Line Repair and Replacement

Intact sewer and water lines are essential to a clean and comfortable home. Read on to learn what causes sewer lines to break and how they are repaired or replaced.
Richard Trethewey and Kevin O'Connor looking at a toilet before fixing its gurgling noise.

How To Fix a Gurgling Toilet

Is your toilet making a gurgling sound? Read on to learn what might be causing the problem and learn a few DIY tips to help.
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Septic Warranty Coverage and Costs

A home warranty can protect your septic system if it unexpectedly breaks down. Keep reading for our top septic warranty coverage recommendations.
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How to Increase Water Pressure on City Water

Having issues with your water pressure? Here’s how to troubleshoot and improve your water pressure if you’re on city water.
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How You Can Unclog Any Drain: Sink, Toilet, and Tub

Armed with the right tools and techniques, here’s how You Can unclog a sink or toilet easily without having to call in a pro.
Image of a sand and gravel filter bed for a septic system. Septic systems are complex and require regular maintenance.

Septic Systems: How They Work and How to Maintain Them

Septic systems are complex and require regular maintenance. In our guide, we'll explain how a septic system works and how to take care of it.
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What to Do When Your Sewer Backs Up

When it comes to sewer backups, it’s always smarter to be prepared. Here are a few tips for handling a sewer backup.
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Everything to Know About Frozen Pipes and Why They Burst

In this DIY Smarts, Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey demonstrates how and why frozen pipes burst.
Kevin O'Connor and Richard Trethewey look at PVC pipes that are part of a plumbing project.

Everything You Need to Know About Plumbing

From when to call a plumber to saving on your water bill, and more, we cover all you need to know about your home's plumbing.
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How To Fix a Leaky Faucet With Easy to Follow Steps

Read our guide to learn how to fix a leaky faucet step by step, including instructions for different kinds of faucets.
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How To Fix a Noisy Baseboard Heater

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner diagnose and solve a baseboard hot water system that makes noise.
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A Step by Step Guide to Snaking Any Clogged Drain

In our guide, This Old House plumbing expert Richard Trethewey demonstrates how to clear a stopped bathtub or shower drain.
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How to Rotate a Toilet and Address Potential Issues

Moving a toilet to a new location can be a challenging task, but homeowners can handle it with the right approach. Read how to reorient your toilet in our step-by-step guide.
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How to Fix a Wobbly Toilet

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner diagnose and repair a wobbly toilet
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How To Change a Toilet

Changing a toilet doesn't have to be unpleasant. With this DIY project, you can enhance your bathroom’s functionality.
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Why Dishwasher Soap Matters and to Avoid Damaging Appliances

Do you put dish liquid into your dishwasher? You could be damaging the appliance. Here's a quick look at why dishwasher soap matters.
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How to Maintain a Furnace

Ask This Old House heating and plumbing expert Richard Trethewey explains the best practices for keeping your furnace up and running during the winter
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How to Choose and Maintain a Garbage Disposer

This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shares some tricks for removing—and avoiding—stubborn disposer jams
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How to Fix a Leaky Shut-Off Valve

Learn how to fix a faulty water valve in a snap with the help of This Old House Plumbing expert Richard Trethewey.
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How To Fix a Noisy Faucet

This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey quiets a noisy facet that's making a hammering sound.