Finding A Plumber

Finding A Plumber

Finding a plumber can be overwhelming. There are so many plumbers to choose from on Google and so many different directories out there claiming to provide you with the best plumber possible. There are also advertisements on tv and the radio boasting their skills. Chances are, if you need a plumber, you’re already under enough stress! Here are some key factors to look at that can help you easily choose the best plumber for you. 

right-plumber

1. Ask for referrals. Referrals from trusted family and friends are a great way to choose a plumber. Its likely that your family and friends already have experience with the company they are recommending, so you can get a good idea of what to expect.

2. Read reviews. The internet has made it easy for you to check out hundreds of reviews of plumbers local to you. Check out Yelp, Google, and Facebook!

3. Check out their website. A good website can give you an idea of the company’s history, their services, and what to expect from them. Check out how long they’ve been in business, and what kind of certifications they have. You can also find out whether its a small family owned business or a large chain business and choose what’s best for you.

4. Ask questions. Once you’ve narrowed it down to a few companies, call them up and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Find out the answers to things that are important to you to make sure they’re a good fit for you and your home’s plumbing needs.

5. Ask for referrals. Its also okay to ask them for referrals! Any good, reputable plumbing company should be comfortable giving you referrals to some of their satisfied customers.

6. Expect a home evaluation. Once you’ve called a plumbing company to come out to your home, expect them to spend a significant amount of time looking at your current plumbing system to evaluate your specific needs. No two plumbing systems are the same, and your needs won’t be exactly like anyone else’s. The company you choose should spend a significant amount of time personalizing a solution just for you.

7. Get itemized quotes. Its also okay to get several quotes for the work you need done. Make sure to have the quotes itemized and written out so you can easily compare them. The cheapest solution may not always be the best one. Look for price, efficiency, and any parts warranties included.

 

Choosing the right plumbing company can be tricky, and its a really important decision. Your plumbing system is a key component to your security,  comfort, and health at home. Having plumbing work done incorrectly can be disastrous, and your plumbing needs should be met correctly the first time. At Masterflo Plumbing, we look forward to customizing a plumbing solution just for you! You can call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (678) 822-7095!

Common Plumbing Problems: Rusty Water

Common Plumbing Problems: Rusty Water

In today’s world with all of our advancements in science and modern technology, we generally expect to turn on our taps at home and see clean water. However, sometimes you may turn on your taps and see rusty water running! Sometimes, rusty water may occur if your local water authority is doing work on the pipes or has some kind of leak or burst pipe. However, depending on the age of your home’s plumbing system, the rust could be coming from right inside your own plumbing system. Before panicking and calling a plumber, here are some things you can look for.

rusty-water

  1. Is it definitely rust? You don’t have to be a scientist or a plumber to figure out if its definitely rust in your water. Rusty water should have a metallic odor and be reddish brown in color.
  2. Where is the rust coming from? Its important to try and determine where the rust is coming from. Sometimes, you may get a notice from your local water authority that there is rust in the water and they’re working on a solution. However, if none of your neighbors seem to have the same problem, it could be coming from inside your home. Here’s an easy way to check- Fill a glass with cold water. Check the water in the glass for a metallic odor or a rusty coloring. Let the cold water run for a few seconds and check with another glass. Then, run the hot water and check it in another glass. If the rusty water appears in the hot water or if it goes away after a few seconds, the rust may be coming from your home. If the rust appears continuously, you should call your local water authority. If the rust only appeared in the cold water, the rust could potentially be coming from the pipes in your home. If it appeared in the hot water, it could be coming from your hot water heater.
  3. What next? Whether its your pipes or your hot water heater, it must be replaced! You simply can’t repair a rusty pipe or a rusty hot water heater. Rust and corrosion will simply get worse and worse if the problem pipes or hot water heater aren’t replaced. If you replace your hot water heater, replacing the anode rod every few years on your new hot water heater can potentially prevent the issue in the future and greatly extend the life of your new water heater.

For help finding the source of rust in your home’s water or for help replacing rusty pipes or a rusty hot water heater, call the professionals at Masterflo Plumbing today at (678) 822-7095!

 

 

 

 

 

Water Heater Reset Button

Water Heater Reset Button

The recommended temperature at which to set your water heater is 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is hot enough to kill harmful bacteria while doing dishes, washing your hands, or taking a shower, but its not hot enough to cause serious harm to your skin. If your water heater overheats the water in the tank, the emergency cut off (ECO) kicks in and shuts your water heater down completely. Fortunately, you can reset it yourself by simply pressing the reset button on the ECO. Generally, this can be found attached to the upper thermostat. While its not uncommon for your water heater to occasionally need to be reset, if you notice that you are having to reset it frequently, you may need to call a plumber. If you are having to reset your water heater a lot, this means that the water in your tank is frequently overheating, which is usually a sign of a larger problem. 

water-heater

Here are a few of the most common reasons you may be having to reset your water heater:

  1. Bad thermostat. Your water heater has two thermostats. One is located at the bottom of the tank and the other is located at the top. Each thermostat is associated with a heating element. When the water is the right temperature, the thermostat is supposed to shut off the heating element. If one or both of your thermostats have gone bad, the heating elements could run continuously, over heating your water.
  2. Bad heating element. On the other hand, you could have a bad heating element. Heating elements are not designed to last forever, and its common for older ones to break. Usually, they just stop working causing you to only have cold water. In some cases, however, they can develop a short which will cause them to run continuously, over heating your water. 
  3. Bad ECO. You could simply have a bad ECO. This could be a result of wear and tear from frequent over heating, or it could just be a random failure. 
  4. Bad wiring. If your thermostats, heating elements, and ECO are all in good shape, you could have faulty wiring causing your water to overheat. If you believe this to be the problem, you should call a plumber immediately. Not only can this cause your water to overheat, but it also puts you at serious risk of fire or electrical shock.

If you’re having to use your water heater reset button frequently, we’ve got you covered at Masterflo Plumbing. Our team of highly skilled and trained plumbers is available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you’ve got a problem with your water heater call us now at (678) 822-7095!