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Your toilet is like a good friend in your bathroom, isn’t it? Or is it an enemy of your household? Some toilets just don’t work very well. Leaks, scratches, wasted water and poor functionality can all make using the toilet a far less pleasant experience. Fortunately, new toilets don’t cost that much, and installation is relatively easy. If your toilet has any of the problems listed below, then it may be time to get a new toilet. Your Toilet is More Than 25 Years Old In the 1950’s, toilets used 7 gallons of water for each flush. That’s a lot […]
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A noisy shower can be caused by a host of problems. At Terry’s Plumbing, we’ve seen it all and we know how frustrating it can be for homeowners who have to deal with noisy pipes and faucets. In this post, we’ll explore some of the main reasons that people experience noisy pipes in their showers. Scale Buildup One of the most common reasons that people experience noisy pipes in their showers is due to a buildup of scale on the shower head. Over time, scale that builds up on the faucet fixture can cause the holes in the shower to […]
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Wet rooms are becoming more common in bathroom remodels and new home constructions, but they’re not for everyone. Knowing the difference between a wet room and a traditional bathroom, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each option, can help you decide which type of bathroom is right for you. What’s the Difference Between a Wet Room and Traditional Bathroom? A wet room is a bathroom that contains a shower with no threshold. Typically a wet room will have a single wall blocking the shower area from the rest of the bathroom. A slope in the floor helps direct […]
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The type of bathtub you own can greatly influence how happy you are with your home’s bathroom. Some bathtubs are luxurious and expansive, others are more compact and practical. Knowing the difference between these types of bathtubs and the type of bathtub materials that are available can help you pick the kind of bathtub that will make you most happy. Different Types of Tubs Everyone is familiar with the standard alcove-shaped bathtubs that are found in homes across the country. These bathtubs are familiar, serviceable and inexpensive, which makes them the bathtub of choice in homes and apartments. Still, there […]
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The Salt Institute reports that almost 90% of households in the U.S. have hard water. But what is hard water, what can it do to your plumbing, and how can it affect you in normal everyday life? In today’s post, we’re going to explore these questions and their answers. What is hard water? Hard water is water that contains dissolved minerals, most notably calcium and magnesium. These dissolved minerals are invisible, generally tasteless, and also harmless to the human body—but not harmless to your plumbing. How can you tell if you have hard water? Hard water leaves behind a film […]
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Drain cleaning seems like the easiest thing in the world, and in terms of plumbing projects, it can be pretty easy. That said, many homeowners who take on drain cleaning for themselves will make mistakes. Mistake Number 1: Using Chemical Drain Cleaners Chemical drain cleaners are hard on pipes, bad for the environment and they’re not even very effective. While it is possible to clear a clogged pipe with chemical drain cleaner, most chemical drain cleaners will only eat away a small portion of the clog, allowing the water to run for a short time only. Often the clogs will […]
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Replacing the shower doors in your bathroom, while not terribly difficult, does require some elbow grease and a few hours of your time. This is a very doable DIY project that many homeowners can handle easily on their own. A word of caution before you get started: Not all shower doors are designed in exactly the same way. Read the installation instructions before you start on this project, and follow all manufacturer’s recommendations. Materials Screw driver Drill Masonry bits Anchors Painter’s tape Putty knife Caulk Shower Door Installation Procedure Remove the shower doors from their track. To do this, lift […]
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So, a faucet is a faucet, right? Wrong! Faucets come in all different shapes, sizes and mount styles. Picking a faucet can easily take hours if you don’t know the advantages of each different style. In this post, we’ll talk about the different benefits of each type of faucet, what the different materials look like, and which type of faucet matches up with which type of sink. Wall Mounted Faucets Vs. Sink Mounted Faucets Wall mounted faucets make counter cleanup very easy, and also look great in vintage-style settings. Sink mounted faucets can be a little more tricky to cleanup, […]
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Grout is a relatively imperfect product which can deteriorate over time. In a shower surround, grout that crumbles can allow water to seep into the drywall behind the tile. This kind of leak can cause hundreds of dollars of damage in a relatively short period of time. Knowing what to do to solve the problem can save you money on a contractor or plumber. In this post, we’ll discuss the best way to fix a leak and repair the damage. Materials Crowbar Drywall Saw Grout saw Sand paper Tongs Utility knife Cement backerboard Hammer Roofing nails Mastic Notched trowel Bucket […]
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Mineral buildup from hard water can be very difficult to remove, especially when it’s staining your toilet bowl. That’s why there are so many tutorials online that discuss the removal of hard water stains. There are a variety of cleaners on the market that can help you get rid of those stains, but you may be pleased to learn that one of the most effective cleaners is also one of the cheapest and most natural. In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to clean your toilet properly and also talk to you about the best methods of prevention. Tools To […]
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