How Richard Became a Plumber | Ask This Old House

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In this video, Ask This Old House master plumber Richard Trethewey tells all about how his career as a plumber started.

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In some ways, Richard Trethewey feels that his fate as a plumber might have been predetermined from birth. Born to a 3rd generation plumber father, Richard grew up in the trade. His father owned a plumbing company in a Boston suburb known as Trethewey Bros, which Richard’s great grandfather and great uncle started in 1902. In fact, Richard was so sure that plumbing, heating, and air conditioning would be his future that in 3rd grade, Richard drew himself as a plumber.

Richard’s plumbing experience dates back further than most tradesmen. Every summer from around the age of 11 years old, Richard would go to work with his father. He would sweep the floors, cut pipe, or perform other tasks that formed his base knowledge of the trade.

Trethewey Bros was one of the largest non-union plumbing shops in the Boston area when a public television channel came calling. Explaining that they couldn’t pay them, Richard’s father still signed on to a project. When Richard asked his father why, he explained that he felt it was a way to pay it forward. But, since his father wasn’t quite comfortable on camera the first year, 22-year-old Richard stood in for him and was a natural. The rest of his This Old House career is history.

Richard loves his job, both as a plumber and a cast member on Ask This Old House. He loves the challenge of looking at a building, determining what needs to be inside that building, and then finding a way to make those components fit and work within the space. It’s all about problem-solving—something that Richard feels is one of the most important aspects of being a plumber.

Both of Richard’s sons entered the industry as well. He feels that as an industry, there is constantly evolving technology. And, it’s using the technology to ensure that someone is comfortable 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year that really excites the Tretheweys.

Outside of his trade and business, Richard has several interests. Most viewers don’t know, but as a long-distance sailor, Richard has raced to Bermuda (600 miles) several times. He loves the engineering challenge and feels that the sport increases his horizons. Even more important to Richard are his family and grandchildren. He enjoys seeing the new generation of Tretheweys grow while also feeling the connection to his father.

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About Ask This Old House TV:
From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. Ask This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home.

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How Richard Became a Plumber | Ask This Old House