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So, you need to turn off your water shut off valve. This sounds like it should be an easy task, but for many homeowners, turning off the water can be a challenging. Finding the valve alone can be difficult, if you’re not sure where to look. The location of the main shut off valve may depend on the location of your home and its construction. Know Where to Look First Look in the front of the yard, close to the street. In your yard, you’ll see a plastic or metal plate in the ground, like a small manhole cover. This […]
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One of the great decisions that many homeowners must make at some point is whether or not to repair their plumbing or to replace it. In many homes, plumbing repairs remain a viable option for years. Clogged drains and the occasional leaky pipe are acceptable and expected, and can be repaired by a knowledgeable plumber or even a capable DIYer. However, at some point pipes become more trouble than they’re worth. Replacing old, leaky, brittle pipes can save homeowners hundreds of dollars wasted on repairs. Know the Lifespan Of Your Pipes Pipes don’t last forever. Copper pipes may last anywhere […]
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Spring is a time when many homeowners engage in maintenance tasks like spring cleaning and home renovation. It’s also a good time for homeowners to check up on their plumbing system to protect their home from clogged drains, leaks and water damage. Keeping up with this basic maintenance on a yearly basis can help keep your home functional throughout the year. Perform a Water Heater Check Up You may have turned up the temperature on your water heater when the weather got cold this last winter. As a general rule, professionals recommend keeping your home’s water heater set to 120 […]
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Hard water stains are among the most difficult types of stains to eliminate. If your home has hard water, very likely hard water stains have appeared on your dishes, windows, in your bathtub, on your faucets and on your shower heads. Given enough time, scale from hard water can fill the holes in your faucets and clog your plumbing, costing hundreds or thousands of dollars in damage. Getting rid of hard water scale can help you protect your home from damage. Dishes Hard water can make dishes look cloudy and dull. Vinegar is the perfect cleaning product to get rid […]
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Depending on what’s wrong, a leaky garbage disposal can be a challenge to repair. Before you can fix the issue, you’ll first need to find the source of the leak. At Terry’s Plumbing, we handle these problems on a regular basis. If you’re an experienced DIYer who is confident with your ability to work with your home’s plumbing, the steps below will help you fix the problem and repair your garbage disposal. Know the Anatomy of Your Garbage Disposal Before you can identify the source of your leak, you should first know the anatomy of your garbage disposal. Look underneath […]
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It may be winter now, but spring will be here soon! When the weather changes, the experts at Terry’s Plumbing recommend checking and maintaining your home’s plumbing. Many of these suggestions are best done when the winter is finally over and temperatures are almost certainly not going to drop below freezing again. Test Sump Pump Functionality Your home’s sump pump may have been inactive in recent weeks or months. When spring arrives and rain starts to fall, sump pumps tend to see more action. Now is the time to test your sump pump and ensure that it has lasted through […]
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At Terry’s Plumbing, we talk to a lot of homeowners who have misconceptions about plumbing. Belief in some of these myths can cause breakdowns, leaks and other plumbing problems. We do our best to educate our customers about these problems. Understanding how your home plumbing system works can help prevent maintenance problems and plumbing emergencies. It’s a Good Idea to Put a Brick in Your Toilet Tank It’s true that putting a brick in your toilet tank can displace water, saving water with every flush. However, bricks deteriorate with time, especially when submerged. As the brick in your toilet tank […]
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Hot water tanks have a limited lifespan, so even the most well maintained unit will eventually give out. If your water heater seems to be leaking, finding the source of the leak can help you decide whether or not your water heater truly needs to be replaced. In this post, we’ll talk about water tank leaks and basic maintenance for your heater, so you can avoid problems that cause serious damage to your home and possessions. Determine the Source of the Leak Inspect your water heater on a regular basis to look for signs of trouble. Doing this monthly can […]
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So, you’re thinking about installing a utility sink. There’s a lot to consider when choosing the right utility sink for your laundry room. Knowing the options and giving thought to your particular needs can help you choose a sink that you’ll be happy with for many years. Think About Your Needs The type of sink you choose will most likely be determined by your budget, the size of your utility room and the type of cleaning that you’ll be doing in your utility sink. Is your utility room very small, or do you have a lot of space to dedicate […]
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Your washer probably seems like a basic machine requiring little or no special knowledge for proper operation. In many ways, this is true. However, knowing a few special tricks and tips will help you get better results and can even help lengthen the service life of your appliance. Below are some of the most useful and practical tips to help you get the most out of your clothes washer. Avoid Overloading Your Machine Even large capacity washing machines have their limits. Cramming one last shirt or pair of jeans into your washer can result in reduced efficiency from your washer. […]
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