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Exposure to sewer gas can have a negative effect on a person’s health, causing migraines, respiratory problems, fatigue, dizziness and more. Fortunately, a sewer smell in your house is something that you can do something about. The most challenging part of taking care of a sewer smell is determining where the smell is coming from. In this post, we’ll explore a few of the issues that often accompany sewer smells and what can be done about those problems. Dried Up P-Trap The P-trap part of a drain is a curved bit of pipe that holds water. That water creates a […]
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When it rains, water is supposed to roll down the side of your roof and into your gutters, through the gutters to a downspout, into the downspout and away from your home’s foundation. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work that way. On some homes, water tends to drip behind the gutters, down the fascia and soffit and then either down the side of the house, or straight to the ground. If you’re not closely attuned to the behavior of your home’s water drainage system, you may not notice this occurrence. To be sure that your gutters are functioning the way they’re […]
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You could say it was only a matter of time before this was going to happen: Robots have taken over the city of Pittsburgh. …the sewers, anyway. On June 22nd of this year, a robotic sewer inspector called the Solo launched its career underground. The Solo is described as looking like “R2-D2’s accessory dog” or “a little tank with a camera on it,” but at Terry’s Plumbing, we think it looks like a hotdog in a bun, kind of like what you would buy at PNC Park. The Solo is a creation of the RedZone Robotics, a “provider of waste […]
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Buying a toilet is not as simple as you might think it is. We’ve put together this toilet buying guide to help educate you about your choices and help you make the right toilet purchase for your bathroom. Low Flow: What You Should Know Water usage standards have changed a lot in the last several years, and low flow toilets are now more than a novelty: they’re a standard. Toilets that use only 1.6 gallons per flush are the federal standard and are available for sale basically everywhere that toilets are sold. Low flow toilets have come a long way […]
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A French drain is a perforated tube that allows water to enter while keeping soil out. Exterior French drains are buried in the soil and surrounded by gravel. The gravel acts like a filter, allowing water to sift down to the pipe while providing support for the soil. The entry point for a French drain is usually found at the top of a grade, maybe or maybe not connected to a home gutter system downspout. Over time, French drains can be compromised by tree roots, stray soil, gravel and other debris. Regardless of whether or not your French drain has […]
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Dishwashers have many moving parts. If your dishwasher stops filling with water, there are many little things that could potentially be going wrong to cause the problem. In this tutorial, we’ll walk you through some of the basic problems your dishwasher could be experiencing. Check The Water Supply and Power Before you start replacing parts, it’s a good idea to confirm that your dishwasher has power and water. You can check that the water is turned at the local valve under your sink. Check that the valve is open. Remember: righty-tighty, lefty-loosy. Next, use a multi-meter to check that the […]
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When you need to put in a new sewer line, there’s no doubt that the work needs to be done. Whether it’s broken fittings or tree roots growing into your lines, restoring proper service is the only way to get your plumbing back into shape. But what about the mess a big trench will make of your yard? Fortunately, there are other options available. Trenchless sewer lines connect your home to the main sewer lines without damaging your landscaping. Here are some details on what a trenchless sewer line is, the benefits and drawbacks and what to expect during installation. What is […]
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Replacing a cracked bathtub can cost thousands of dollars, but repairing a cracked bathtub is an inexpensive DIY project. In this post, we’ll go over the step-by-step process of fixing a bathtub crack, then we’ll help you prevent the problem from happening again. Overview To repair your cracked bathtub, you’ll need to buy a bathtub repair kit. Note: the following tutorial is specifically geared toward repairing a plastic or fiberglass bathtub. If the bathtub you’re trying to repair is made out of cast iron, this isn’t the tutorial for you. There are several different brands of bathtub repair kits available […]
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Everything sweats when temperatures rise in the summer, and cold water pipes are no exception. It may sound trivial, but sweating pipes can cause serious water damage, and can lead to mold and structural rot. Luckily, pipe sweating is a relatively simple fix and can be taken care of by DIYers. What Causes Pipes to Sweat? Pipe sweating occurs because cold air holds less water vapor than warm air. When a cold pipe touches the hot, moist air around it, the temperature around the pipe drops and the air reaches its dew point. This causes the water vapor in the […]
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During long, hot, dry summers, tree roots go searching for water in all the wrong places. Sewer pipes can be very attractive for thirsty trees because they provide everything necessary for survival: oxygen, nutrients and a plentiful source of water. Unfortunately, tree roots can do irreparable damage to old clay pipes. At times like this, many homeowners search for the easiest and least expensive solution to the problem, and that leads many people to try tree root killer. How it Works and What it Does Tree root killer is pretty much exactly what it sounds like: it’s a chemical that […]
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