Richard Trethewey

Richard Trethewey is a plumber, HVAC contractor, and television personality, best known for appearing regularly on Emmy Award-winning home improvement show on PBS, This Old House (1979-2019).

A trusted plumbing and heating source for home enthusiasts, Trethewey has been on This Old House since 1981 when he became a series regular in its second season. Richard is the third-longest series member after Russell Morash, the show's creator, and master carpenter Norm Abram.

Trethewey has also appeared on the This Old House's well-known spin-offs: Inside This Old House (2003), Ask This Old House (2007-2019), and This Old House: Trade School (2018-2019).

Richard got his start with This Old House after Morash reached out to Trethewey's father, Ron, proprietor of the family plumbing and heating business, Trethewey Bros. Inc., with an idea for a home improvement show in 1978. Serving the Boston community since 1902, Trethewey Bros. Inc. enjoyed a tremendous reputation and was highly recommended. After one season, Ron was in love with This Old House, but not with the pressure of filming before cameras, so he asked his Richard to take over.

Born and raised in Dedham, Massachusetts, Richard learned from his father and others involved in the family business by working summers and school vacations. He is a licensed master and journeyman plumber in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and has long been an advocate for professionalism in the building trades. Richard is president of RST Inc., a manufacturer's representative company that provides training to the skilled trades, and is on the editorial board of This Old House Magazine, published by This Old House Ventures, Inc.

Richard has contributed to Complete Remodeling, published by This Old House Books in conjunction with Sunset Books in 2004, the Homeowner’s Manual, published by This Old House Books in 2000, and the heating and plumbing sections of This Old House Bathrooms and This Old House Kitchens, published by Little, Brown and Company in 1992 and 1993. He has authored This Old House Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning, also published by Little, Brown and Company in 1994.