Skip to content
thisoldhouse-logo
  • Log In
  • Join Insider
This Old House main menu
  • Home Improvement A-Z
    • Mega menu container
      • mega menu colum
        • Attics
        • Basements
        • Bathrooms
        • Bedrooms
        • Cabinets
        • Ceilings
        • Cleaning
        • Closets
        • Countertops
        • Curb Appeal
        • Decking
        • Dining Rooms
        • Doors
      • mega menu colum
        • Driveways
        • Electrical
        • Entryways & Mudrooms
        • Fans
        • Fences
        • Fireplaces
        • Flooring
        • Foundations
        • Furniture
        • Garages
        • Gardening
        • Green Home
        • Gutters
      • mega menu colum
        • Heating & Cooling
        • Home Finances
        • Home Offices
        • Home Safety
        • Inspections
        • Insulation
        • Kids’ Rooms
        • Kitchens
        • Landscaping
        • Laundry Rooms
        • Lawns
        • Lighting
      • mega menu colum
        • Living Rooms
        • Masonry
        • Molding & Trim
        • Natural Disasters
        • Painting
        • Pathways & Sidewalks
        • Patios
        • Pest Control
        • Pets
        • Plumbing
        • Porches
        • Roofing
      • mega menu colum
        • Sheds
        • Siding
        • Smart Homes
        • Solar & Alternative Energy
        • Stairs
        • Storage & Organization
        • Tools
        • Walls
        • Windows
        • Woodworking
        • Workshops
        • Yards
  • Watch
    • This Old House
    • Ask This Old House
    • Live Channel
    • TV Listings
    • Ways to Watch
  • Houses
    • Project Houses
    • Idea Houses
  • Reviews
    • Mega menu container
      • mega menu colum
        • Best Gutter Guards
        • Best Home Warranty
        • Best Lawn Care
      • mega menu colum
        • Best Window Brands
        • Best Moving Companies
        • Best Solar Companies
  • Insider
  • App
  • Podcasts
  • Newsletters
  • Seasonal Checklist
  • House One
  • Makers Channel
  • Dime Cómo Hacerlo
  • Team Rubicon
  • Shop
  • Search
Follow This Old House online:
Site search
Kevin O'Connor and Richard Trethewey look at PVC pipes that are part of a plumbing project.

Plumbing

Navigation
  • Overview
  • How To & DIY
  • Ideas & Inspiration
  • Installation
  • Maintenance
  • Planning
  • Video
  • Reviews
drain_xl_0
Play

How to Clear a Clogged Bathtub Drain

This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows how to fix a slow draining tub.
Professional plumber giving a tutorial

How to Find and Hire a Qualified Plumber

Need a plumber? Avoid getting soaked by hiring an experienced, licensed pro. Here’s what you need to know before hiring a plumber.
bath_faucet_toutX

How To Change a Bathroom Faucet

Need to replace your bathroom faucet? Check out our step-by-step guide on how to change your bathroom faucet and give your bathroom an updated look.
howto_ktchnsink_08

How to Install a Kitchen Sink

Interested in adding a new kitchen sink? We’ve created a 10-step guide on how to install a new kitchen sink like a pro. Read on to learn more.
Faucet running to slow-draining tub drain and a plunger to ready to unclog the drain. Plunger_iStock_1133616931

How To Fix a Slow-Draining Tub

Dealing with a slow-draining shower or tub? Learn more about the causes of slow-draining issues and discover DIY methods to fix your drain quickly.
S21 E18, Richard Trethewey helps install a vented microwave
Play

How to Install a Vented Microwave

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey teams up with a local plumber to install a new stove and a vented microwave to exhaust the fumes.
S22 E21: Richard Trethewey takes Kevin O'Connor on a tour of his HVAC showroom
Play

Touring Richard Trethewey's HVAC Showroom

Host Kevin O’Connor heads out on the road with plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey to learn more about his HVAC showroom and educational facility.
S22 E21: Richard Trethewey demonstrates his 'hand-y' teaching style
Play

Richard’s Passion for Teaching

Join us as we sit down with plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey to discuss his passion for teaching and the mentors he’s had along the way.
Richard gets a tour of a plumbing facility.
Play

Understanding the History of Modern Plumbing

In this video, This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey tells us about the modern marvel that is plumbing, and why he enjoys it so much.
Richards helps a homeowner install radiant floor heating.
Play

How to Retrofit Radiant Heating in a Bathroom

In this video, This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner install a radiant floor system in their bathroom.
S22 E3: Richard Trethewey repairs a leaking shower valve
Play

How To Repair a Leaking Shower Valve

When a shower valve in a perfectly preserved original bathroom started leaking, a homeowner reached out to Richard Trethewey for help fixing it.
richard_kevin_pump
Play

How to Get Hot Water with a Recirculating Pump

This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey explains how a recirculation line can save energy, money, and time.
Moen, YoLink, and Zircan water leak detectors against a blue graph paper background. Lead image for the Best Water Leak Detector guide.

Best Water Leak Detectors (2024 Guide)

Identify water leaks in your plumbing pipes before they cause major damage. In this guide, we look at today's best water leak detectors.
How to Clean a Clogged Faucet Aerator
Play

Filed under:

  • Plumbing

How to Clean a Faucet Aerator

This Old House plumbing and heating contractor Richard Trethewey shows how to go with the flow by replacing a plugged-up aerator
Shower Drain, Bathroom, Home, P-Trap

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
Play

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.
S21 E22, Richard Trethewey installs a reserve tank
Play

How to Install a Reserve Tank

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey installs a reserve tank so a homeowner can finally fill their tub with hot water for a relaxing bath.
S21 E19, Richard Trethewey discusses irrigation systems with Kevin O'Connor
Play

How to Make Simple Irrigation Repairs

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey teaches host Kevin O’Connor everything he needs to know to make simple irrigation repairs on his own.
bathroom, sink, stopper
Play

How to Fix a Bathroom Sink Stopper

A stuck sink plug causes a major hassle. Luckily, it’s a DIY that can be taken care of in an hour or two. In this video, we join plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, who shows a homeowner how to fix their bath sink stopper.
best water softener guide and review

Best Water Softeners (2024 Guide)

Water softeners are filtration systems that remove hard minerals from your water. In this review, I evaluate the best water softeners available.
ASK_1005022AT_0588_2400x1350
Play

Understanding Septic Systems

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey teaches host Kevin O’Connor everything he needs to know about septic systems, how they work, and how to maintain them.
Water_Tank_iStock_1263464381

All About Water Storage Tanks

Learn the differences between the common kinds of tanks found in home well-water systems, how they work, and what type you’ll need.
water_heater

The 5 Best Water Heaters (2024 Review)

You can’t shower comfortably without a hot water heater. In this review, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the best water heaters on Amazon to help you find the product that’s right for you.
Stiebel Eltron Tankless Water Heater and Rheem Tankless Electric Water Heater isolated on a white grid paper background with blue lines; lead image for the best tankless water heaters buying guide

7 Best Tankless Water Heaters (2024 Guide)

Our guide to the best tankless water heaters compares the top models and provides guidance on how you can save space, money, and time.
A man kneeling down in front of a water heater to work on replacing it.
Play

Everything You Need to Know to Replace a Water Heater

In this DIY Smarts segment, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner replace their old tank water heater before it fails.
bottle_trap_2103_posterframe
Play

Understanding Bottle Traps

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows host Kevin O’Connor how to handle sink drains in tight places.
S21 E1, Richard Trethewey shows how water heaters can fail
Play

3 Reasons Water Heaters Fail

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey gives host Kevin O’Connor an inside look at why a water heater fails.
2037_basements
Play

Easy Solutions for a Damp Basement

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey teaches Kevin O’Connor what he needs to know about handling wet basements.
ASK_2033_airflow
Play

Understanding Air Flow in Your House

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and home technology expert Ross Trethewey explain everything you need to know about balancing airflow within a home.
Sink_iStock_1393490605

How to Keep Your Garbage Disposal Running Smoothly

Don’t let improper use and deferred maintenance prevent your garbage disposal from working optimally. Follow these expert tips to learn how to maintain this pulverizing powerhouse, so it stays clean and performs to its potential.
ASK_2028_plumbing01b
Play

Tips for Controlling Plumbing Emergencies

This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey explains some of the most common plumbing emergencies and how homeowners can handle them.
AdobeStock_313494367

How Much Does Plumbing Cost?

Your home’s plumbing works hard to keep your home a comfortable and clean place to live. Usually, it’s well worth hiring a professional plumber to fix problems with pipes, drains, and fixtures.
Pagination
Page 1 of 11 Next
This Old House Logo
  • About This Old House
  • In the News
  • Our Partners
  • Accessibility
  • Contact Us
  • Cookie Preferences
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • CA Privacy Notice
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
  • X
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2024 This Old House Ventures, LLC. All rights reserved.