How Do I Unclog My Kitchen Sink?


When the kitchen sink gets clogged, many homeowners reach for the chemical drain cleaner. At Terry’s Plumbing, we encourage our customers to use non-chemical methods of clearing their clogs. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the best methods for unclogging your kitchen sink. Use a Wet Dry Vacuum to Suck Out the Water If your sink is completely clogged, the sink itself might be filled with water. This makes it hard to see the drain to unclog it. To solve this problem, use a a wet dry vacuum to suck the water from the basin. If you have no vacuum that […]

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Prepare Your Bathroom for 4th of July Guests


Fourth of July is coming fast! Are you expecting guests? If so, now is the time to get your guest bathroom ready. A well prepared guest bathroom is one of the best ways that you can show your visitors that you care about their comfort. Cleaning the bathroom, adding amenities to the room and ensuring that the plumbing is in good working order can help your guests happy while they’re in your home. Deep Clean The first thing you should do when getting ready for out of town guests is to clean everything until it shines. Most of the bathroom […]

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A Plumber’s Top Tips For Moving


Are you moving into a new home this summer? If so, we recommend inspecting your home’s plumbing shortly after moving in. Performing a quick inspection of the plumbing can help you familiarize yourself with your new property and can also help you identify problems that need to be addressed immediately. Look for Water Heater Problems Check your water heater for signs of corrosion, staining, rust, dripping water and other indications of a problem. If your water heater has visible problems, this could be a sign that your water heater will need to be replaced soon. Check for Corrosion and Water […]

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Common Types of Sewer Problems


Sewer problems can take many forms. Taking care of your home’s sewer line is important for maintaining your property and ensuring good flow through your home’s drains. Knowing the different types of problems that your sewer line might face can help you avoid problems. Smell of Sewage In The House People naturally assume that if their house smells like sewage, this is a sign of a clog in the making. This is not the case. In fact, a sewage smell in the home is a common problem that can usually be fixed without a plumber. The sewage smell likely comes […]

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What is Dye Testing?


If you’re a homeowner in Pittsburgh, you’ve probably had some experience with a plumbing dye test. If you’re just now thinking about buying your first home in Pittsburgh, you may not be familiar with the dye test yet. The dye test is an escapable part of selling a home in Pittsburgh. Without a dye test, you cannot sell your home within the city limits. Homes In Pittsburgh May Be Connected to One of Two Types of Sewers Within the boundaries of the City of Pittsburgh there are two types of sewers: sanitary and combined sewers. Sanitary sewers are designed to accept wastewater […]

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Help! My Toilet is Overflowing!


An overflowing toilet can be a pretty upsetting problem. Taking quick action can stop your toilet from flooding the bathroom and making a big mess. Fix the Immediate Problem If your toilet is overflowing, turning off the water supply can stop the problem. For many toilets, the water shut off valve is found either behind or to the side of the toilet, protruding from the wall. Turn the shut off valve clockwise to stop the water from filling the tank and overflowing the toilet. If the valve can’t be located, or if the valve can’t be turned, remove the lid […]

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What Not To Put Down Your Drain


Flushing items down the drain seems like an easy enough way to get rid of your liquid and solid waste, but often this can be damaging to your pipes and the environment. The only safe things to send down your pipes are human waste, toilet paper and water. In this post, we’ll give you some examples of things that people commonly flush down the drain but shouldn’t. What Not To Put in The Garbage Disposal Yes, garbage disposals are designed to chop food products into small pieces to be sent down the drain. However, not all food products are safe […]

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Are Chemical Drain Cleaners Safe for Pipes?


Chemical drain cleaners are one of the most popular methods for cleaning residential drains, however, not all chemical drain cleaners are safe for pipes. Many chemical drain cleaners can do damage to pipes. Understanding the potential problems with chemical drain cleaners and what can be used as an alternative to chemical drain cleaners can help you take better care of your pipes. Chemical Drain Cleaners Can Harm Pipes Chemical drain cleaners are caustic or oxidizing. When these drain cleaners are used enough in old pipes they can cause the pipes themselves to degrade. Used in plastic pipes, chemical drain cleaners cause […]

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Are Bath Bombs Safe For Your Plumbing?


Do you use bath bombs after a stressful day at the office? Have you ever heard that bath bombs can be bad for your plumbing? Unfortunately, it’s true: bath bombs can cause clogs in your drains, unless a few precautions are taken. Knowing the danger of using bath bombs and what you can do to prevent problems can help you take care of your bathtub drains. The Good Bath bombs are a scented, fizzy bath salt designed to dissolve in your tub and relax your muscles. Upon placing bath bombs in a bathtub full of warm water, your bathroom will […]

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Things You Should Never Flush Down The Toilet


Your toilet can only safely be used to dispose of two things: human waste and toilet paper. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the most commonly flushed items that should never, ever go down the pipes. Kitty Litter Kitty litter is heavy, absorbent and clumping, which makes it bad for pipes and sewers. Kitty litter also contains cat poop, which can contain a certain type of bacteria that is hazardous for the environment and human health. Wet Wipes Wet wipes are causing the downfall of New York sewers, and they can clog sewers where you live too. Wipes can travel […]

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