Do You Need A Plumber in Canton, GA?

Do You Need A Plumber in Canton, GA?

Because your modern day plumbing system is designed to be “out of sight, out of mind”, its sometimes hard to know if you need a plumber. There are, of course, some obvious reasons why you would need to call a plumber in Canton, GA. We all know that major leaks require a plumber, as well as having a broken hot water heater. There are some other, less obvious reasons, why you would also need a plumber in Canton, GA. Are you happy, overall, with your plumbing system? Do you have a problem with hot water supply or low pressure? All these things are vital to the functioning of your home and your personal comfort. Everyone remembers to keep their house pressure washed or their grass cut because those are things that are seen everyday, but your plumbing system can sometimes become an after thought. Keeping your plumbing clean and in tip top shape is crucial. A working plumbing system is key in your personal comfort, health, cooking, cleaning, etc.

Here are a few reasons why you may need to call a plumber-

  1. Leaks. This one is probably fairly obvious. All leaks should be taken care of immediately! If a leak is allowed to continue on, it will more than likely get worse and can lead to further damage, costing you more money! There are pipes running all underneath your house as well as your yard, so oftentimes small leaks can go undetected. Sometimes leaks can only be found by a professional plumber. To prevent damage from leaks, its a good idea to have an annual plumbing inspection.
  2. Low water pressure. While most of us think that low water pressure is simply a minor annoyance, the truth is that it can be a sign of a much larger plumbing problem. If you’re on well water, it could be a well pump issue. If you have a municipal water supply pipe, you may need to call a plumber in Canton, GA to test your pressure. Low water pressure can also be a sign of a leak.
  3. Reoccurring or tough clog. Clogs that can’t be taken care of by using a plunger or clogs that continue to come back quickly definitely require a visit from a plumber! Professional plumbers have tools and are knowledgeable about other drain cleaning techniques that can take care of your problem and keep your drain pipes safe.
  4. Energy efficient appliance installation. Low-flow toilets, faucets, and shower heads can save you tons of money each month! If you’re not 100% positive you know how to install these appliances, its a good idea to call a plumber so you don’t accidentally cause any damage.
  5. Water heater maintenance. If you find that you’re suddenly having a hot water supply issue or that your water heater is making a strange sound, call a plumber immediately! Oftentimes these issues are minor and can be repaired. However, if you notice these issues and don’t call a plumber, the situation can fester and turn into a huge issue, resulting in a costly repair or the need for a whole new unit.
  6. Strange sounds. Its not just your imagination, those strange gurgling noises from your sink drains, screeching sounds from your faucet, or rattling pipes can be an indicator of blockages or trapped air.

If you have any of these plumbing issues and are in need of a plumber in Canton, GA, contact us today at (678) 822-7095 so we can find a solution for your plumbing problem!

Bathroom Clogs

Bathroom Clogs

Most of us are all too familiar with clogged drains- especially in the bathroom! If your house is anything like mine, bathroom clogs occur all too frequently. Chances are, most of us deal with a bathroom clog at least once or twice a year! Most of the time, these clogs can be fixed by using a plunger. Other times, however, tough clogs may require a visit from a professional plumber. 

Chemical drain cleaners seem like an easy fix for bathroom clogs, but its important that you don’t use them! These cleaners are acidic and can be very harmful to your drainpipes. They also create toxic fumes, which can be harmful to you and your family.

What causes these tough bathroom clogs?

  • Hair- This is the main cause of tough bathroom clogs! Hair can easily get trapped in your pipes by the sludge that lines them or in the p-trap (the curved pipe section below the sink) and begin to accumulate. As the accumulation continues, the hair will eventually form a thick plug. Sometimes, even professional plumbers can have difficulty dealing with a large hair clog. Having a drain cover for your sink and your shower drain can greatly reduce your chances of getting a hair clog in your bathroom!
  • Soap scum- Soap scum is a very common problem, but in a bathroom its next to impossible to prevent. Soap scum goes down the pipes and builds up along the inside of the drain pipes. As well as causing clogs, soap scum also creates acidic chemicals that can damage your drain pipes.
  • Stuff- People who have kids know all too well that little objects can definitely cause a clog in your bathroom drain pipes. However, even people without kids may have experienced this problem. Small caps, like shampoo bottle caps, can get knocked off ledges in the shower and go down the drain. While small objects can cause big clogs, a professional plumber will find a way to extract the object.

The best remedy for a tough clog is to call on a professional plumber, who has experience dealing with these issues. Professional plumbers have the skills, experience, and tools necessary to tackle your tough clogs without causing any further damage.

At Masterflo Plumbing, we have experience with all kinds of bathroom clogs and are available to come tackle your bathroom clog immediately! Contact us today at [callout add_button=”no” button_text=”Learn More” button_url=”#”]

(678) 822-7095

[/callout]!

 

 

Why Should You Have A Plumbing Inspection?

Why Should You Have A Plumbing Inspection?

The modern day plumbing system can be a tricky thing. Your plumbing system is (fortunately) designed to be “out of sight, out of mind”. 99% of the time this is a great thing- no one wants to look at their pipes! However, if something is wrong with one of your pipes, you may not know about it until its caused a lot of damage. Oftentimes, problems with your plumbing start small. When they go undetected and are able to persist, they become larger and can eventually cause huge problems.

Having a plumbing inspection on a regular basis can save you a lot of headache- and money! Here are a few common plumbing problems that can go unnoticed unless you get a plumbing inspection:

Pinhole Leaks

Pinhole leaks are holes in the pipe caused by pitting corrosion. After the corrosion begins, these leaks can occur quickly. However, because these leaks begin with one or two drops at a time, they can go unnoticed for quite some time. After a few months of dripping one or two drops here and there, these leaks can rot out your insulation, studs, and sheetrock. The only way to prevent extensive damage from pinhole leaks is to have a plumbing inspection once a year! If a small pinhole leak is detected, repairing it early is much cheaper than repairing the extensive damage it can cause later.

Clogs

We’re all familiar with clogs, especially those in our shower drain or sink drain. Contrary to popular belief, clogs don’t form spontaneously! Clogs form slowly as debris gradually builds up from the inner walls of the pipe towards the center. If you pay really close attention over a period of time, you may be able to notice clogs starting to form because your water may begin to drain more slowly. Clogs are common occurrences and usually can’t be helped. An annual plumbing inspection is a great way to catch clogs as they start to form, instead of after they’ve already formed and caused you a big headache.

Lime Scale

Water with a high mineral content is known as hard water. Hard water is common to many areas of the country, as evidenced by this map, put out by the US Geological Survey. Hard water is more common in areas that have high amounts of certain mineral deposits. As hard water flows through the pipes in your home, it deposits small amounts of these minerals on the walls of your pipes. As the years pass and this process continues, these mineral deposits grow into lime scale. Lime scale is a substance that can restrict the flow of water through your pipes. If this process is allowed to continue, lime scale can harden and can no longer be removed. At this point, entire pipes in your plumbing system would have to be replaced. If you have your plumbing inspected regularly, lime scale can be caught early and removed before it does any serious damage.

Routine plumbing inspections can keep your plumbing running smoothly and can help you avoid costly repairs. For help with a plumbing repair or for your annual inspection, contact us today at [callout add_button=”no” button_text=”Learn More” button_url=”#”]

(678) 822-7095

[/callout]

 

 

Signs of Sewer Problems

Signs of Sewer Problems

Thanks to modern developments in sanitation and plumbing, the sewer system in your home is designed to be out of sight and out of mind. Thank goodness, right? In a perfect world, you really aren’t supposed to have to deal with your sewer system at all. Its designed for you to just send waste to it for disposal, and not have to mess with it. This is a really great concept, but it also means that if you do find yourself having to deal with your sewer system then chances are that something went extremely wrong.

If something is wrong with your sewer system, the faster you can get it repaired, the better! If you take care of the problem quickly, you can decrease your odds of doing any further damage (which would cost you extra money!).

Here are some signs that you may have sewer problems and that your sewer system may need to be repaired:

  1. Smell. If you’re noticing a bad smell coming up through one of your drains (or multiple drains!) it can be a sign of a problem with your vent system. Your home is designed with a sewer gas vent (these are generally on the roof). The vent allows the gas to escape your home, but if the vent becomes blocked, the gas is forced back through the pipes and into your home. It travels through the pipes and out the drains, resulting in a bad odor in your home.
  2. Backflow. Backflow occurs when sewer water moves backwards through the sewer system and up into your home. Because sewer water is not sanitary, it contaminates the pipes it moves back through. If backflow occurs, your whole pipe network has to be cleaned out. Most homes today are built with backflow prevention devices (these are required by law) that will ideally prevent backflow. However, if the one way valve becomes stuck, backflow can still occur.

If you are experiencing either a bad odor in your home or backflow, its imperative that you call an experienced professional immediately! Getting a professional plumber experienced in sewer problems and repair who can help diagnose and fix your sewer system is a must!

Call the experienced professionals at Masterflo today at [callout add_button=”no” button_text=”Learn More” button_url=”#”]

(678) 822-7095

[/callout]

Water Heater Wednesday: Tankless Water Heaters

Water Heater Wednesday: Tankless Water Heaters

Last week on Water Heater Wednesday we talked about the benefits of tankless water heaters and how they can save you money. Today we’re going to talk about selecting a tankless water heater.

There are several things to consider when thinking about purchasing a tankless water heater for your home- fuel type,  demand, and purpose.

Fuel Type

Tankless water heaters can be electric or gas. If you’re going to purchase an electric tankless water heater, you have to consider voltage, amperage, and your circuit breaker.

  • Voltage- Most units sold will accomodate 110V, 208V, 220V, and 277V.
  • Amperage- Different units will have different requirements. Make sure you can support the electrical demands of the unit you choose.
  • Circuit breaker- Make sure you have a circuit that will support an electric water heater. You may have to put your water heater on its own circuit.

If you’re going to purchase a gas tankless water heater , there are also a couple of things to consider.

  • Gas type- You need to determine if your gas type is natural or propane. Make sure you have thoroughly checked out your current gas line to determine whether or not it meets the requirements of the new water heater you plan on buying. The requirements of your new gas tankless water heater may exceed those of your old water heater.
  • Venting requirements- Venting is very important and these requirements should not be overlooked. Make sure to purchase Category III stainless stell (UL1738 certified) venting for your new gas tankless water heater. Type B venting accessories are not ok! Its also a good idea to check out your local building code for any specific needs. Some tankless water heater manufacturers sell gas venting kits. While these kits are handy, make sure you’ve checked out the specific installation requirements for the tankless unit you’ve purchased to ensure that kit will meet all your needs. There are many things to consider when installing a gas tankless water heater such as the vent route, where the discharge will go, access to air for combustion, etc.

Demand

When you’re choosing a tankless water heater, its a good idea to think about how many fixtures you’re trying to heat water for. Are you looking for a unit to heat water for just one sink? A whole bathroom? An apartment? A whole house? You may need to do some research on the typical flow rates for all the fixtures you are going to be heating water for.

Purpose

When shopping for a tankless water heater, you may have a specific purpose or need in mind. Here are some examples of the most common purposes and which model may work best.

  • Single Point Application- This is when only one fixture (one sink, one shower, a washing machine, etc.) will need to have water heated by the tankless water heater.
  • Thermostatic- A thermostatic tankless water heater boosts the temperature of the water if it has cooled off due to a long pipe run or for sanitation purposes. These units are great if precise temperature control is needed.
  • Whole House Use- Large tankless water heaters are designed to heat water for whole houses where many fixtures will need hot water.

Join us next Wednesday for our final installation of our mini series on tankless water heaters!

 

Plumbing Tips: Garbage Disposal Repair

Plumbing Tips: Garbage Disposal Repair

We all love our garbage disposals, but none of us truly realize how much until it breaks, right? Without a doubt, the garbage disposal is one of the greatest inventions because it can make your life in the kitchen a thousand times easier. While its not one of the most common plumbing issues people have, your garbage disposal can break just like a toilet or shower head can. Here are some great, simple tips for keeping your garbage disposal healthy and avoiding the need for garbage disposal repair!

  1. Make sure you know what’s safe to put down it and what’s not. There are definitely some obvious things that you shouldn’t be putting down your garbage disposal- namely, plastic and metal. Solid objects like forks, spoons, and serving utensils definitely shouldn’t go down your garbage disposal. Although these things are obvious, there are some other objects that shouldn’t go down your garbage disposal that aren’t so obvious. Fibrous vegetables like celery and onion skins can get tangled up in the disposal. Fats, oils, and grease can also clog up the garbage disposal because as they cool off they solidify. Bones and fruit pits are also not supposed to go down your garbage disposal.
  2. Flush is out with boiling water. Pouring a pot full of boiling water down your garbage disposal every once in a while will flush it out. The boiling water will help break up and loosen and waste that has collected in the disposal chamber or the drain pipe. We recommend doing this once a month to help clean out old waste and prevent future build up.
  3. Don’t push your luck, get it repaired! This one may seem obvious, but we’re ALL guilty of it. How many times has one of your appliances started acting up and you just ignore it and hope it goes away on its own?? If your garbage disposal is making a funny sound or vibrating more than normal, call a plumber for garbage disposal repair! Contrary to popular belief, garbage disposals CAN be repaired- they don’t always have to be completely replaced! Having a garbage disposal repaired quickly can prevent having to have it totally replaced, saving you lots of money!

If you need help with your garbage disposal or need garbage disposal repair help, call Masterflo Plumbing today at [callout add_button=”no” button_text=”Learn More” button_url=”#”]

(678) 822-7095

[/callout]

 

Water Heater Wednesday: Tankless Water Heaters

Water Heater Wednesday: Tankless Water Heaters

Last week we talked about what a tankless water heater is and how it works. Today we’re going to discuss some benefits of tankless water heaters and how they can save you money.

Because of the way a tankless water heater works, it can be installed in a tight space, unlike a traditional water heater. This saves you a lot of space and is less of an eye sore. Also, since tankless water heaters deliver hot water on demand as opposed to storing hot water, they can save you a ton of energy. Another benefit is that they generally last twice as long as traditional water heaters as long as they are properly maintained.

 

Tankless Water Heater Comparison
(graphic from Compact Appliance)

Another great benefit of a tankless water heater is the amount of money you can save! Your up front cost for the purchase and installation can range anywhere from $2,000-$4,000. The price will depend on the size you need and which model you choose. Though initially this may sound like a lot of money, looking long term a tankless water heater will make up this cost and save you extra. Within two years, a tankless water heater will begin to pay for itself because of how energy efficient it is. The average home uses around 41 gallons or less of hot water each day. Based on this number, tankless water heaters can save you up to 34% more energy each day. A properly maintained tankless water heater can last more than 20 years….that’s a lot of savings!

Next week on Water Heater Wednesday we’ll talk about selecting the right tankless water heater for your home!

If you need help selecting or installing a new tankless water heater or maintenance help with your current tankless water heater, call us today at (678) 822-7095!

 

 

History Class: Plumbing Repair and Maintenance

History Class: Plumbing Repair and Maintenance

Although modern day plumbing and advances in sanitation technology are fairly new, plumbers and the plumbing industry have been around forever. Today we’re going to run through a quick plumbing history lesson with some fun facts. You can check out some of our other fun fact posts about toilet paper, plumbers, or plumbing terminology.

  • The Egyptians were skilled in plumbing drainage construction as far back as 2500 B.C.
  • In 1700 B.C. the Minoan Palace of Knossos on the isle of Crete featured four separate drainage systems that drained into giant sewers made of stone.
  • Aqueducts to supply water to the Roman Baths were first built in 312 B.C.
  • In 800 B.C. the first Roman sewers were constructed.
  • In 1738 JF Brondel introduced the first valve type flush toilet.
  • The Tremont Hotel in Boston became the first hotel to have indoor plumbing in 1829.
  • The National Public Health Act was passed in England in 1848. It became the world’s first model for a plumbing code.
  • In 1870, Thomas Twyford designed the one piece toilet.

For all of your plumbing repair and maintenance needs in the Woodstock, GA area, make sure to call Masterflo Plumbing at (678) 822-7095!

Toilet Repair Tips- Caulking

Toilet Repair Tips- Caulking

Let’s face it- toilets can get nasty. There’s really no way around it. The caulking that seals your toilet to the floor can get nasty as well, so today we’re going to talk about a way to remedy that.

  1. First you’ve got to remove the old caulk. A flat head screwdriver is a great way to do it.
  2. Once all the old caulk is gone, clean the area really well.
  3. Let the area dry out really, really well. If its not completely dry before you re-caulk, you’ll just be inviting mold to grow back quickly.
  4. Using an adhesive bath caulk, re-caulk the toilet to the floor in sections. Smooth out each section with your finger as you go.
  5. Once you’re completely done, clean up any areas that need it with a wet sponge. Make sure to rinse your sponge so you don’t spread wet caulk around.
  6. Try to let the area dry for at least two hours and try not to get it wet for 36 hours.

In 6 easy steps you’ve got yourself a brand new looking toilet!

Water Heater Wednesday: Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless Water Heaters

 

This Wednesday we’re going to begin a mini series on tankless water heaters. Today we’re going to talk about what a tankless water heater is and how it works.

A tankless water heater provides hot water as it is needed instead of holding on to a bunch of hot water that isn’t needed (which costs you extra money). Its a similar concept to running the heat in your home during the winter- if you aren’t home you don’t run it. If you don’t need the hot water, don’t heat it up.

Tankless water heaters work by heating water directly as opposed to heating up a stored tank of water. When a hot water faucet is turned on in your home, cold water travels through a pipe into the water heater unit. Tankless water heaters can be electric (an electric element heats the water) or gas (a gas burner heats the water).

Tankless water heaters provide hot water at a rate of 2-5 gallons per minute. While this is a great rate, some tankless water haters can’t keep up with the demand for hot water in a large household. To circumvent this problem, you can install two or more tankless water heaters to keep up with demand. Since you’re not paying extra money to heat water that isn’t needed, the only additional cost to you is the initial cost of the water heater. You can also install tankless water heaters that are designated for certain appliances.

 

Next week, we’ll talk about more benefits of tankless water heaters and how they can save you money!