How To Prevent Frozen Pipes

How To Prevent Frozen Pipes

With our recent chilly temperatures, common winter home problems may be at the forefront of your mind. Plumbing problems are never convenient, but not having hot water during the harsh winter months is the ultimate in inconvenient. Besides being inconvenient, frozen pipes can present serious compromises to the health, safety, and integrity of your family and your home and property! Frozen pipes can happen to you, even here in Georgia! 

Don’t get stuck with frozen pipes and no hot water this winter. Read on to find out how to prevent frozen pipes. 

how-to-prevent-frozen-pipes

How To Prevent Frozen Pipes- 

  1. Insulate pipes that are in colder areas of your home with foam.
  2. Wrap pipes that are at risk of freezing with heater tape.
  3. Seal any gaps in insulation near your pipes.
  4. Replace older plumbing.
  5. Call a professional plumber to reroute plumbing that is exposed to the elements.
  6. During particularly freezing temperatures, allow warm air to circulate around pipes in cooler areas of your home. This may mean opening cabinet doors or opening the door to your basement or your garage from your main living space.
  7. Consider keeping the temperature in your home slightly warmer than normal overnight when outside temperatures drop the most drastically.
  8. Turn on your faucets to allow a slow drip overnight. This will ensure that water continues to flow through your pipes.

Taking the necessary precautions to prevent frozen pipes is important, but its still not a guarantee that your pipes won’t freeze this winter. If you find that your pipes are frozen and you are without hot water, call a plumber immediately! Many times frozen pipes can be fixed easily and without resulting in any problems, but sometimes frozen pipes can cause major damage to your home and property.

For more information about the safety of you, your family, and your home during freezing winter temperatures, read more from the Red Cross.

For an emergency plumber in your area, call Masterflo Plumbing immediately at (678) 822-7095! We’re on call for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

How To: Winterize Your Home

How To: Winterize Your Home

We’re a week into December, and temperatures are finally starting to drop! Some of us in north Georgia have been seeing sleet, and snow flurries are predicted for later this week. Although temperatures are chilly, January and February are traditionally the harshest and coldest of the winter months and can bring freezing rain, sleet, ice, and snow. Time always flies during the holidays, and getting your home prepared for winter before the harshest weather is important for the safety and comfort of you and your family! Knowing how to winterize your home is important, even in the south! Learn how to winterize your home and get started early so that you can rest easy during the holidays and winter months! 

winterize your home

Follow our easy winter home prep checklist to learn how to winterize your home and make sure that you, your family, and your friends stay safe and warm this winter!

  • Invest in a new door mat. During the course of the year, your doormat can get worn down and is no longer functional. A new door mat will encourage guests to wipe their feet and will help to reduce slips and falls.
  • Stock up on outdoor supplies. Make sure you have a snow shovel, and an ample supply of salt or sand BEFORE winter weather hits. If you wait till harsh weather hits your area, stores are likely to sell out of the supplies you need.
  • Pay attention to your home’s humidity. Dry air that occurs in your home during the winter can be damaging to your health and the health of your children. Consider purchasing a humidifier if you don’t already have one. If you do, make sure its clean and ready to be used.
  • Get your fireplace professionally cleaned. If you have a fireplace that you plan to use to heat your home during the winter, make sure you have a professional chimney sweep clean it for you first! This small step can drastically reduce your risk of having your home catch on fire or carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • Clean your gutters and downspouts. Having your gutters cleaned before winter weather hits will keep that winter precipitation flowing and can prevent clogged gutters. Clogged gutters can eventually lead to siding damage, gutter corrosion, and foundation damage.
  • Fix all the leaks in your home. If you’ve got a leaky roof, a drafty window seal, or worn out weather stripping on a door, now is the time to fix all those leaks! Fixing all those holes can help keep you warm and will cut down on your winter utility bills.

Know how to winterize your home and follow these tips to help keep you safe and warm this winter! For any winter plumbing emergencies, make sure to contact Masterflo Plumbing today at (678) 822-7095!

Woodstock, GA Plumber

Woodstock, GA Plumber

Owning a home is a good feeling and is something that many of us work towards. Once you own a home, though, you’re responsible for keeping everything in it working. We’ve all become pretty accustomed to the comforts of modern day plumbing. If your ceiling fan breaks, chances are you can live quite a while without it. If something goes haywire with your plumbing, though, you generally have to fix it pretty quickly. If you need a Woodstock, GA plumber to come help get your plumbing system back on its feet, look no further. At Masterflo Plumbing, we can fix any problems that plague your home’s plumbing. 

Here are a few ways a professional plumber can assist you:

  • Kitchen- properly install your refrigerator so all water lines to the fridge and ice maker are working, dishwasher installation, new sink faucet installation, repair leaky faucets, repair clogged drains, repair slow drains,  and garbage disposal repair and installation

  • Bathroom- install water saving toilets, install new faucets for your tub, shower, or sink, repair leaky toilets, repair dripping faucets, repair clogged sinks, and repair clogged bathtub drains

  • Outside- repair slab leaks, repair broken pipes under your lawn, install new sewer lines and systems, repair existing sewer lines, repair frozen pipes, water heater repair, water heater installation, hydro jetting, gas line repair and replacement, and leak detection

If you find yourself in need of a Woodstock, GA plumber, call the local professionals you can trust at Masterflo Plumbing. Our large team of professional plumbers has the experience and skills necessary to take care of all your plumbing problems! Letting plumbing problems worsen will only cause more damage and cost you more money to repair, so give us a call today at (678) 822-7095!

Limescale 101

Limescale 101

Chances are you may have heard of limescale and you’ve probably seen it, but you may not know much about it! If all of your plumbing fixtures seem like they need cleaning and you often find them covered in a chalky film, you may be dealing with limescale! Limescale is mineral rich deposits that buildup in your plumbing pipes and on your fixtures. Not only does limescale look ugly and dirty, but it can also cause some serious damage to your home’s plumbing system.

 

What causes limescale? Limescale is a naturally occurring by product of clean water with a higher than average concentration of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, etc. This is more commonly referred to as hard water. While hard water is safe to drink and wash with, it may leave a bad taste in your mouth or make rinsing off in the shower more difficult. The leftovers from hard water also buildup on your faucets in the kitchen and bathroom, your shower head, and pipe joints. If left to fester, this buildup can leave you dealing with recurring clogs.

While your first reaction may be to simply wipe limescale away, this may prove tricky. The mineral content in limescale makes it difficult to simply wipe away with a wet rag. You may have to dissolve it using an acidic solution. Fortunately, white vinegar is a great match for dissolving limescale. Soaking any affected shower heads and faucets in a bucket of vinegar for an hour should do the trick. After soaking your fixtures, simply scrub away any remaining limescale with a scrub brush. 

If you find yourself dealing with limescale on a regular basis, you may need to consider a water softening system. Water softening systems add in a sodium based solution into the water supply entering your home. This sodium based solution can counteract the effects of limescale buildup. 

If you need help with tough, recurring clogs from limescale buildup, call the professionals you can trust today. At Masterflo Plumbing we’re available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Call us now at (678) 822-7095!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plumbing Repairs After A Flood

Plumbing Repairs After A Flood

With all the hurricanes that have been in the news lately, flooding has been on everyone’s mind. Even though Cherokee County isn’t on the coast, we did face a major flood in September of 2009! Recovering from a flood can be a long and arduous process. Rebuilding and repairing your home after something as catastrophic as a flood can be stressful and can take quite a bit of time. If your home has been through a flood, there can be tons of hidden plumbing damage. Today, we’ll talk about a few of the most common plumbing repairs you may need after a flood.

 

 

  1. Clogged drains. Floodwater contains all kinds of dirt, silt, and other residue. Once the water recedes and evaporates, all the particles from the water are left behind. Any drains in your home that were covered by floodwater then become susceptible to a clog from all the residue left behind. Generally, you can use a DIY method to clear these clogs. However, for tougher clogs, you may need to call a professional plumber. 
  2. Damaged water fixtures. Your water fixtures can be damaged in a number of ways during a flood- wind, structural failure, floating debris, etc. Any fixtures that are obviously damaged will need to be replaced. Others that don’t need to be replaced may still need to be cleaned. Mold growth after a flood can be a huge problem, and you definitely don’t want mold growing in your faucets and shower heads! A diluted bleach solution should take care of any mold growth in your fixtures.
  3. Broken pipes. Broken pipes can be found inside your home and underground. Floating debris or flying objects during a flood can be hazardous to the pipes inside your home. Sometimes, its impossible to notice broken pipes until all the flood waters have receded and clean up has begun. A good way to spot broken pipes inside your home is any new puddles of water that seem to form after the flood waters are gone. Broken pipes underground can be even trickier to spot. Because wet ground creates a huge amount of pressure on the pipes that are underground, a flood can pose a serious risk to your underground pipes. If you notice a sinkhole on your property after the flood or a random wet patch once the ground has dried out, you may have a broken pipe under the ground. Calling a professional plumber for broken pipes is a must.
  4. Foundation damage. Foundation damage is a common occurrence after a flood. Sometimes the flood itself causes damage to your foundation. Other times, broken pipes as a result of the flood can cause damage to your foundation. And further still, a damaged foundation can cause even more of your pipes to break! If you suspect you may have foundation damage as a result of a flood, its important to get it fixed immediately. 

 

For plumbing home inspections or help with any of the aforementioned problems, call the professionals you can trust at Masterflo Plumbing! We can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year at (678) 822-7095!

Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

Fall Home Maintenance 

Its that time of year, again! The official start of fall is just a week away! Even though fall is a busy time of year for most of us with festivals, celebrations, and holidays, its important that you don’t neglect your house during this time of year. Fall comes with its very own set of fall home maintenance tasks that shouldn’t be ignored! Fall gives way to winter and if you aren’t on top of your home maintenance, the harsh winter weather can be damaging to your home and property. Today we’re going to talk about some easy fall home maintenance tasks that you should make sure to get done this year!

 

Fall Home Maintenance-

  1. Clean your gutters and your downspouts, and make sure your downspouts have plenty of room to drain.
  2. Check all your outside doors for weather stripping. This can make all the difference with the inside temperature of your home and can save lots of money on your utility bills.
  3. Check the grading around your house and walkways. This can keep your basement or your foundation dry in case of lots of rain or melting snow.
  4. Pull weeds and hidden debris in and around your yard and flower beds.
  5. Shut off the water taps and make sure all your outdoor taps are drained.
  6. Trim your trees to make sure none of them are hanging over your home. If your tree branches ice over during the winter and become heavy, they could fall on your home.
  7. Mulch any young or vulnerable plants and trees. This can help them survive the harsh winter temperatures.
  8. Pack up all your outdoor furniture and decor. Winter temperatures and precipitation can be harsh on outdoor furniture.
  9. Check all your outdoor lighting to make sure it works. Winter means colder temperatures and less daylight hours!
  10. Make sure any outdoor trash cans or recycling receptacles are easily accessible. No one wants to trudge through ice, slush, or snow to take out the trash!

Following these 10 easy fall home maintenance tips can get you and your home set up for success throughout the upcoming fall and winter seasons. If your home’s plumbing needs maintenance or any repairs, or if you need an emergency plumber this fall, contact the professionals you can trust at Masterflo Plumbing. We’re available for any of your plumbing needs 24/7 at (678) 822-7095!

Common Water Line Issues

Common Water Line Issues

Last week on the blog we talked about issues with the water pressure inside your home. Today we’re going to talk about some other common water line issues that you may face as a homeowner! The water line is the main pipe that brings water in to your home from your municipal water source. This crucial component of your home’s plumbing system is key to providing safety, sanitation, and comfort to you and your family. Generally, water lines will last a long time as they are designed to last up to a hundred years! While modern water lines are designed to last a long time, they aren’t invincible and under certain circumstances they can encounter problems. These problems can severely limit the lifespan of your water line. 

There are two very common water line issues that you may encounter as a home owner. Let’s take a look at those two issues today so that you can be aware of what to look for. 

common-water-line-issues

Common Water Line Issues

  1. Tree Roots– Tree roots are always growing and looking for water sources. Usually, these water sources are natural, but not always! Tree roots seek out any water source they can find, and sometimes this can be your water line. Once tree roots find their way into your water line, they will continue to grow and expand and can eventually cause some major water line problems. Eventually, this can affect the flow of water through your pipes and can even poke holes in the pipe. Fixing this problem can be costly. The best way to avoid this problem is to have your pipes inspected every year by a professional plumber. 
  2. Corrosion– While modern pipes are designed to resist corrosion, they are not completely immune to every type of corrosion. Formicary and pitted corrosion can still occur in your water line. These kinds of corrosion can significantly weaken your pipes, which will eventually lead to holes and leaks. Again, the best way to combat corrosion in your water line is to have an annual inspection of your home’s plumbing system. If corrosion is caught early, it can be repaired and you can avoid having to replace your water line.

While these common water line issues can be bothersome, with the right plumber they can be fixed! Call Masterflo Plumbing today at (678) 822-7095 to schedule your annual maintenance inspection or if you suspect you may be facing one of these issues!

Water Pressure Problems

Water Pressure Problems

Getting the water pressure in your home “just right” is largely a matter of personal preference. There is a wide range for what’s considered normal when it comes to the water pressure in your home. However, there are all kinds of issues that can lead to water pressure problems in your home. These issues can cause your water pressure to be too high or too low, and should be addressed. Although low water pressure and high water pressure can be misconstrued as simple annoyances, not having the correct water pressure in your home can actually be doing some serious damage to your home’s plumbing. 

water pressure

 

Low Water Pressure

Low water pressure is generally first noticed in the shower. If you’ve got low water pressure in the shower it can be difficult to get clean! You may also notice low water pressure in the kitchen if it takes you awhile to fill your sink or pots. Low water pressure may also give you a whistling sound in your faucets when they’re running. 

You can determine if your water pressure is too low by getting a water pressure gauge from your local hardware store. Use the gauge to test your water pressure at your hose spigot. If its under 30 psi, you could be doing damage to your home’s plumbing.

Low pressure can be caused by several things including leaky pipes, a blockage in your pipes, or a problem with your local water municipality. All of these issues can be fixed by calling a professional plumber. Allowing these issues to fester can cause further damage to your home and property.

High Water Pressure

If the water coming out of your fixtures is painfully hard or if you hear a loud thumping sound when you turn off your water, you may have high water pressure. Anything over 80 psi is too high and could cause damage to your home. If your pressure is too high, you may have excess strain on your pipes, fittings, and fixtures. Short term, this may not be a problem, but in the long run this can cause your pipes and fittings to crack and leak. 

If you live at the bottom of a hill and water travels downhill to get to you, or if you’re near a large building with large water consumption, you may have excessively high water pressure. Generally, these problems can be fixed by having a professional plumber install a pressure regulator on your main line.

If you’re facing water pressure problems in your home, call Masterflo Plumbing today at (678) 822-7095!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top 5 Reasons For A Hot Home

Top 5 Reasons For A Hot Home

We’re about halfway through summer, and the temperatures here in Cherokee County have been sweltering. Combine the Georgia heat with the Georgia humidity, and summer can be downright miserable sometimes. Fortunately, you can beat the heat by finding things to do inside your home this summer. But wait- what if your home is hot, too? If you’ve noticed that your home is hotter than usual this year, you’re not alone. Many homeowners face having a home that is too hot for comfort. 

hot-homeHere are the top 5 reasons for a hot house and some solutions!

Problem: Losing cool air. Do you notice that as soon as your AC stops running, your home is immediately hot again? You may be dealing with a draft that could be causing you to lose up to 50% of your home’s cool air. You can lose cool air through gaps around your doors, windows, and wall vents.

Solution: Having the gaps around your doors, windows, and wall vents repaired can stop the loss of cold air. These may even be projects you can repair yourself with a quick trip to your local hardware store.

Problem: Windows. Windows can let a lot of heat into your home during the summer, even if you’ve got curtains and blinds. Because glass is a great heat conductor, your windows can be radiating heat into your home all summer long. This can be especially problematic if you have lots of windows that face East or West, causing you to catch rays from the rising and setting sun.
Solution: Having your windows reglazed can help reduce the amount of heat that comes through them. 
Problem: Your roof. The heat inside your home could also be a result of your hot roof. As your roof heats up from the sun during the day, the heat is pushed down through the ceiling and into your home. Unfortunately, your roof and ceiling store this heat, causing your home to remain hot even overnight.
Solution: Having extra ceiling insulation installed or installing attic fans if you’ve got an attic can help remedy this problem. 
Problem: Heat from below. If your home is built on stilts (this is common in some of the more mountainous areas in north Georgia and some of the coastal areas of south Georgia), you could be catching extra heat in your home that rises up from the ground during the day.
Solution: This is another problem that can be remedied by adding extra insulation to your home!
Problem: Your walls. One of the main culprits causing your home to be hot is your walls! This can be particularly problematic if your home catches full sunlight during the day. Unfortunately, your home’s outer walls store heat (just like the roof!), and this heat is continuously pushed into your home, even overnight.
Solution: Having extra insulation professionally added to your walls can help reduce the amount of heat conducted into your home from the walls.
Follow our easy solutions for keeping your home cool and comfortable this summer! Don’t sweat any plumbing maintenance issues you may face this summer- just call the professionals at Masterflo Plumbing at (678) 822-7095!

Save Money On Your Utility Bills

Save Money On Your Utility Bills 

Summer is in full swing, and here in north Georgia we’ve got the temperatures to prove it! Its likely that you’re air conditioner is running non stop every day, and if you haven’t gotten a ton of rain, you’re probably watering your lawn several times a week! Each summer, you probably groan when you receive your utility bills. Today we’re going to talk about some easy ways to save money on your utility bills this summer and all year long.
save-money
1. Have a home energy audit done. You can either Google how to do this on your own or you can find a home energy audit professional to come do this for you. Its a good idea to know exactly which parts of your home are already energy efficient and which parts need some help. 
2. Close up any gaps around your doors and windows. When you look at your doors and windows, you may as well envision your hard earned money flying right out them. Doors and windows are the number one spot for energy leakage in your home. Often times, you can simply hold your hand near your doors and windows in the summer and feel the heat seeping in. Sealing up the gaps around these areas is a great way to cut utility bill costs.
3. Use a high efficiency furnace filter. The furnace filter you choose can make a huge difference in how efficiently your furnace runs. A high efficiency filter will better capture dust particles running through your HVAC system and will also help your unit run more efficiently. While high efficiency filters may cost slightly more, you’ll definitely see the savings in return on your utility bills. 
4. Use portable fans in the summer. Running your ceiling fans in the summer as well as portable electric fans can help greatly reduce your utility bills. It takes much more energy and money to run your air conditioning unit at a low temperature than it does to run a portable fan. 
5. Check out your attic’s insulation and install an attic fan. We all know that heat rises, and if you’ve got an attic it can become trapped in your attic, heating your home from above. In the winter, this may be a bonus, but in the summer its definitely a bad thing. It can make you hotter and more uncomfortable and can cause your ac unit to work harder. Check to make sure your attic is properly insulated and that its got an attic fan. If you need more insulation, don’t hesitate to call a professional to come out and add some additional insulation. If you’ve got an attic fan, don’t forget to run it so that it can push some hot air out of your attic. 
6. Have your sprinkler system checked out to make sure all your sprinkler heads are working properly. Any leaks or backups can cause your water bill to increase exponentially as you run your sprinkler system.
If you’ve noticed a drastic increase in your water bills, you may have a leak or other plumbing problem. For help with plumbing issues call Masterflo Plumbing today at (678) 822-7095.