Ho to relight a pilot light | Pittsburgh | Terry's Plumbing

How to Relight a Pilot Light


Today most gas appliances have electric starters instead of pilot lights. However, if one morning you wake up to a shivering cold house or no hot water it’s wise to know how to relight your older appliance’s flames. Keep reading for the proper steps to take to relight pilot lights in a gas furnace and water heater.

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The Top 3 Most Horrifying Plumbing Problems | Pittsburgh | Terry's Plumbing

The Top 3 Most Horrifying Plumbing Problems


The year 2020 is almost over, but you shouldn’t let your guard down. These three horrifying plumbing problems are sure to make your skin crawl and could happen when you least expect it!

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Hand checking shower water temperature | Terry's Plumbing Pittsburgh

Why Does It Take So Long for My Water to Get Hot?


There’s nothing worse than waiting for your hot water to kick in…and waiting…and waiting. Whether you’ve got dishes to do or were just looking to hop in the shower, no one likes cold water—especially in the middle of winter. So, if you’ve ever asked yourself “why does it take so long for my water to get hot?” we’ve got a few things for you to consider. 

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Failing Water Heater | Terry's Plumbing

Failing Water Heaters: Common Signs


Nothing in your home lasts forever, and your water heater is no exception. While 10 years is the typical lifespan of any unit, various signs could point to a failing water heater even before that time. Odd bumps in the night, cold showers and poor water quality could all be signs of trouble. 

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How to Make Your Hot Water Heater More Efficient


For most people, hot water is precious. From bathing to laundry to doing the dishes, hot water keeps us clean and healthy. However, it just never seems like there’s enough to go around. While your hot water heater does its job, there are always ways to make it more efficient to stretch the warmth a little longer. Another benefit is reducing your energy bill. Who doesn’t love saving money? Insulate Your Pipes As hot water leaves your heater and travels to your faucet or shower head, it will inevitably lose a little of its heat on the way. Taking the […]

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What To Do When Your Water Heater Bursts


Water heaters don’t last forever, so if yours bursts, you may panic and not know what to do. But before you call us at Terry’s Plumbing, there are some essential steps you need to do to avoid further damage and flooding to your home. Turn It Off If you have an electric water heater, can safely turn it OFF at your electrical box by finding the circuit breaker marked “Water Heater.”. If you have a gas water heater, locate the thermostat and turn it from the ON position to the OFF position. Shut Off the Water Your next step will […]

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Why Is My Hot Water Tank Leaking?


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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What is a Tankless Water Heater?


Tankless water heaters are one of the latest inventions to become popular in modern homes. There are many benefits to these appliances. At Terry’s Plumbing, we’ve started seeing more of these heaters in homes around Pittsburgh. Knowing the advantages, disadvantages and the details of the way these appliances function can help you decide whether or not tankless water heaters are for you. All About Water Heaters (With and Without Tanks) To understand tankless water heaters, it helps to know how a traditional water heater works. A traditional water heater is a large tank designed to hold between 30 and 50 […]

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How To Remove An Ancient Water Heater


Having your ancient water heater removed can add to the cost of a water heater replacement, so if you’re hoping to save money, taking out the water heater yourself can help you save cash. To have your water heater removed, follow these steps. Before You Can Get Started Some state and local governments may require you to pull a permit in order to remove or install a water heater on your premises, so unless you’re intimately familiar with your local building codes, you should research your local requirements. If you live in Allegheny county, you’ll need to pay $10 for […]

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Water-Heater-Is-Lukewarm

My Water Heater Water Is Lukewarm


Winter is the worst time for your water heater to be on the fritz! If your water heater is only producing lukewarm water, there are several factors that could be causing your problem. Knowing why your appliance Is behaving this way and and how to fix it can be a big help. In this post, we’ll explore the the potential reasons that a hot water heater would produce only lukewarm water, and discuss potential solutions. No Fuel If you recently shut off the gas to your home, the pilot light in your gas water heater will have gone out, thus allowing […]

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