Mike Roberts, Author at Masterflo Plumbing - North Georgia Plumbing Company

5 Things To Do At Daylight Saving Time

Daylight Saving Time is this weekend! Earlier this week, we ran through a quick history of DST. Today, we’re going to go over 5 things to do when you set your clocks forward each spring. Remember, keeping up with your home’s maintenance will ensure that your home is working efficiently and can prevent major maintenance issues.

Replace the batteries in your smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector. Don’t forget, these are life saving devices that are installed in your home, but they will only work if they are properly maintained!
Schedule a professional furnace inspection. This will ensure that your furnace is working as efficiently as possible, and that there are no major safety issues with it.
Have your chimney professionally cleaned. This is especially important if you use your fireplace regularly. When soot and other debris builds up inside your chimney, you could be facing a major fire hazard.
Replace the filters in your heater and air conditioner. This should be done several times a year in order to ensure maximum efficiency from these units, but at the very least change them out when you set your clocks forward.
Drain your hot water heater. This can prevent sediment buildup and can help prevent other hot water heater issues. For other plumbing maintenance services you should call your local professional plumber.

Keeping up with your annual home maintenance can cut down on your utility bills, as well as save you money in costly repairs. Don’t forget to set your clocks forward one hour before you go to bed this Saturday, March 11, 2016! For any plumbing maintenance issues, contact us at (678) 822-7095!

What is Daylight Saving Time?

We’ve all heard of Daylight Saving Time (DST), and we all know that its time to spring forward this weekend. Its that time of year when we can all enjoy an extra hour of daylight each day. DST is a common practice that most of us don’t put too much thought into, but its actually got a long, rich history.

Approximately 232 years ago, Benjamin Franklin suggested that towns should ring their church bells at sunrise so the citizens of the town could take full advantage of the sunlight. Rumor has it that he was only kidding, but two centuries later, we still participate in the practice. Twice a year, we change our clocks (and our sleeping habits!) to squeeze more daylight into the hours that we’re awake.

Although Benjamin Franklin is recognized in history as being part of the DST movement, British citizen William Willett is known as the godfather of DST. Willett used to go for horsebacks rides early in the morning and noticed no one else was awake enjoying the sunlight. He published a pamphlet called “The Waste of Daylight” and spent many years lobbying Parliament to adopt official DST laws.

Germany picked up on Willett’s ideas before England did and adopted DST laws in 1916 in order to conserve energy and resources during World War I. Soon after, many other nations in Europe adopted the DST laws, including England. Soon after DST laws swept Europe, the United States adopted similar laws during WWI and again during WWII. After WWII, Americans lobbied Congress to repeal the DST laws. However, President Wilson vetoed two separate bills to repeal DST laws. In 2007, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 went into effect. This Act extended DST in the United States by 3-4 weeks in the spring and by 1 week in the fall. Since then, studies have been taking place in the U.S. to see if increased use in air conditioning may be negating any energy saving benefits.

Don’t forget to set your clocks forward one hour before you go to bed this Saturday!

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Slab Leak Repair

Any homeowner knows that any plumbing problem is an unneeded and unwanted hassle, but slab leaks are one of the worst possible plumbing problems! What makes slab leaks one of the worst possible plumbing problems to have is that even a small slab leak can end up causing quite a bit of damage. Unfortunately, slab leak repair can be quite costly sometimes. The amount of damage caused by a slab and the amount of money it will cost you to fix it can sometimes depend on the location of the leak.

So, what exactly is a slab leak? Your home sits on a concrete foundation called a slab. This helps to keep your home stable and prevent it from shifting over time as it settles. Underneath the slab are many pipes, including your water and sewer lines. If one of these pipes develops a leak underneath the slab, the water from the leak will travel up through the slab and into your home, coming up through the floor. This is a slab leak.

Slab leaks are a huge problem. Sometimes, they can be really large and can create tons of damage underneath your home. Also, they can go unnoticed for long periods of time. The longer a slab leak goes unnoticed, the worse it gets and the more damage it causes. Unfortunately, its next to impossible to recognize a slab leak before its had the opportunity to fester and create extensive damage.

As soon as you believe you have a slab leak, turn off your water! This will aid in keeping any more water from leaking out of the pipes and creating further damage. The next thing you should do is call a plumber in your area for slab leak repair immediately! A professional plumber will be able to tell you for sure if you’ve got a slab leak. If you do, a professional plumber will be able to pinpoint the exact location of the leak and will be able to begin working to fix it immediately.

For slab leak repair, call the trusted experts at Masterflo Plumbing immediately! The longer you allow a slab leak to continue underneath your home, the more damage you will have. For a Canton, GA plumber call Masterflo at (678) 822-7095 or send us a message!

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6 Spring Home Maintenance Tips

Its finally March which means that spring is just around the corner! We’ve made it through most of the harsh winter weather and can finally start looking forward to warmer temperatures, sunshine, and lots of time outdoors. Before it gets too hot outside, there are some maintenance items that you should take care of around your home. Remember, your home is just like your car- the better you maintain it, the more efficiently it will run.

Here are 6 spring home maintenance tips to keep your house running smoothly-

Check your gutters. Spring is notorious for bringing lots of rain. If your gutters are full and the rainwater can’t drain properly, you risk damage to your siding or to your lawn.
Check the caulking around your windows and re-caulk them if necessary. This is an important step to do in the fall before winter comes, but its also an important maintenance item that should be done in the spring as well. A tight seal around your windows can keep cool air in during the summer, lowering your utility bill.
Check the soil around the base of your home. Make sure the soil around the base of your home is built up so that rain water runs away from your home. If necessary, add extra soil to the base of your home. Allowing rainwater to pool around your home’s foundation can compromise the structural integrity of your home.
Check your air conditioning unit. Make sure your AC unit is clean or have a professional come out for a routine maintenance visit. Keeping your AC unit maintained will help prevent you from needing a whole new unit.
Check your attic! Winter is prime time for rodents such as mice, rats, and squirrels to look for warm shelter. Unfortunately, this can sometimes be your attic. Look through your attic for signs of chewing or holes. You should also look for any signs of mold that may have come from melting snow or rain during the winter.
Check your roof. You can do a preliminary check of your roof on your own. If you see anything concerning such as loose shingles or warped spots, call a professional roofer.

Keeping up with your home’s maintenance can save you money on utility bills and in future repairs. Follow Masterflo Plumbing’s 6 spring home maintenance tips to keep your home in great shape! For any plumbing maintenance issues don’t forget to contact the trusted professionals at Masterflo Plumbing!

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Tax Credits 2016

Don’t forget- tax season is just around the corner! Here at Masterflo Plumbing we’ve got a couple of hints to help you make the most of your tax return!

Did you know that you can qualify for tax credits based on having certain appliances installed in your home? If you’ve already upgraded your appliances you may be eligible for these tax credits this year. If not, you may consider making this changes in the coming year.

For more information, you can check out Energy.gov. There’s also a local database so you can find incentives specific to your state! Check it out and save yourself some money!

For other ways to put more money in your pocket, contact Masterflo Plumbing at (678) 822-7095 for an affordable, professional plumber in your area!

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Kitchen Appliance Maintenance

Earlier this week we talked about some easy yearly home maintenance tips. Today we’re going to focus in on kitchen appliance maintenance! Before spring comes and the warm, sunny days are here to stay, get caught up on your home maintenance items indoors! Once spring comes, you’ll be able to enjoy the outdoors and be able to rest assured that your home is in excellent condition and is running in top shape.

Refrigerator

Check the gasket on your refrigerator to ensure that it is sealing properly. Place a dollar bill between the gasket and the door. Once the door is closed, you should be able to pull the dollar bill out, but there should be tension.
Check the interior shelves for cracks or to see if they are ill fitting. If they are cracked or shaky, replace them to avoid a collapse inside your fridge.
Clean the back panel of your refrigerator and the coils.

Dishwasher

Check the door gasket for any water leaks while a cycle is running.
Make sure to rinse large scraps of food off your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher to prevent clogs and smells.
Load your dishwasher carefully with larger items around the exterior of the dishwasher so that you don’t block the spray arm.
Put knives with the blade down. For other utensils, put the handles down for maximum cleaning.
Check the spray arm to make sure there are no clogs in the tiny holes.

Stove and Oven

Clean your drip pans periodically to prevent food buildup from causing a fire. If your drip pans are extra dirty, you can replace them.
Clean the interior of your oven to prevent food buildup on the bottom of your oven.
You can use a mixture of baking soda and water to clean your drip pans, as well as the inside of your oven.

These easy kitchen appliance maintenance tips can keep your kitchen running more efficiently and can greatly extend the life of your kitchen appliances. When performing your kitchen appliance maintenance tasks, if you notice a leak or any other plumbing issues, make sure to call the trusted experts at Masterflo Plumbing! (678) 822-7095! Our professional plumbers have the skills and experience necessary to get the job done right the first time!

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10 Yearly Home Maintenance Tips

We all know that our cars need regular maintenance to keep running smoothly and efficiently, and our homes do, too. If you do some regular maintenance items each year, you can help prevent damage and stave off costly repairs. You’ll also keep your home running in tip top shape. Your home provides comfort, safety, and security for your family. Keeping it running well should be a top priority for you.

Here are 10 (easy) yearly home maintenance tips:

Replace your furnace filters. This should be done 3-4 times each year to help reduce dust and allergens in your home and keep your furnace running more efficiently.
Clean the condenser coils behind your refrigerator. This should be done once a year. It can be done easily with a vacuum cleaner. Not only will it keep your fridge running efficiently, it can also reduce your risk of a fire hazard.
Replace the batteries in your smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector yearly. This is an easy tip and is vital to the safety of you and your family.
Check your water heater for leaks, cracks, or rust. Many problems with your hot water heater can be repaired if they are detected early enough. If left to fester, you will have to replace your entire unit.
Check your furnace for any signs of wear or rust. Furnaces can also be repaired if problems are detected early enough at a fraction of the cost of replacing your entire unit.
Clean your oven. Most ovens are self cleaning. Cleaning your oven can help eliminate obnoxious odors while you cook and can lower your risk of a fire hazard.
Check your toilets and faucets for signs of a leak. Leaks can cause major damage to the integrity of your home and your home’s foundation if they are not caught and repaired.
Clean your gutters. Depending on the amount of surrounding foliage and the area in which you live, this should be done at least once a year and as many as 4-5 times per year!
Have your chimney professionally cleaned. This is particularly important if you plan to use your fireplace during the winter. Using your fireplace can be a huge fire hazard if your flue has not been cleaned out.
Check your flashlight for batteries. Even if you don’t see any major natural disasters that affect the power where you live, power outages are common and can occur anywhere. Don’t get caught in the dark!

Remember to follow these 10 year home maintenance tips to keep your home safe and running efficiently for you and your family. For help with any plumbing maintenance around your home, don’t forget to call the trusted professionals at Masterflo Plumbing. Contact us at (678) 822-7095 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

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Common Plumbing Problems (And Some Solutions)

Hearing the words “plumbing problems” is never a good thing. No one wants to deal with plumbing problems. Generally plumbing problems result in calling a professional plumber and sometimes spending hundreds (or thousands!) of dollars for a solution.

While its almost certain that you will face a number of plumbing problems throughout your life time, the good news is that there are many common plumbing problems that can be solved fairly easily and without a plumber. If its not a problem that can be solved completely on your own, there are some things you can do to prevent the problem from worsening and causing further damage.

Today let’s take a look at some common plumbing problems and their solutions. Chances are that you’re not alone!

Hot Water Heater Problems

No hot water? Or do you have luke warm water? Are you running out of hot water too quickly?

Make sure your pilot light is lit
Double check your temperature setting
If you’ve got a big family or you use unusually large amounts of hot water, you may need a larger hot water heater or a second hot water heater installed

Clogged Drain

Is your drain clogged up? Is the water backing up into your sink?

Try not to pour hot grease or oils down your sink drain
If its already backed up, try to use a different sink
Don’t use chemical drain cleaners that you find in the store
Try using a plunger to move the clog

Stinky Drains

Do you cringe every time you’re near your sink? Are there foul odors coming out of your drains?

If you have a garbage disposal run it every time you put food in it
Try pouring vinegar and baking soda down the drain and flushing it with hot water

Leaky Pipes

Do you see water damage on your floors, walls, or ceilings? Do you hear a leak coming from your pipes?

Leaky pipes occur due to age
If you notice a leak shut off the water supply to that area
Pipe repair should only be done by a licensed, professional plumber

If you live in Woodstock, GA and are facing any of these common plumbing problems, call us today at (678) 822-7095! At Masterflo Plumbing we have a huge team of professional plumbers who have the knowledge, training, and experience necessary to deal with your plumbing problems correctly the first time!

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Preventing Plumbing Emergencies

Plumbing emergencies can happen to anyone at any time. While many plumbing issues like replacing a hot water heater or having old sewer lines replaced are mostly specific to homeowners, plumbing emergencies can affect homeowners as well as renters! While plumbing emergencies are generally rare, they can happen at any time and are usually unpredictable.

Although preventing plumbing emergencies is impossible, there are some steps you can take that may help reduce your risk of finding yourself faced with a plumbing emergency. Plumbing emergencies can have many unwanted consequences. Depending on the nature of the emergency you may potentially face health hazards, the integrity of your home may be compromised, you may find some of your possessions have been damaged, and you may find yourself shelling out thousands of dollars to fix the problem.

Today we’re going to talk about ways of preventing plumbing emergencies.

Use drain covers in your kitchen to keep food and utensils from clogging your pipes or damaging your garbage disposal
Use drain covers in your showers to prevent hair from clogging your pipes
Avoid pouring grease or oil down your kitchen sink drain
If you believe you have a leak or a serious clog, call a plumber immediately
If you are aware that you have old pipes or fixtures, have them replaced and upgraded
Have an experienced plumber check your whole plumbing system for leaks (including pinhole leaks)
Keep up with regular home and plumbing maintenance
Have your hot water heater inspected every year
If you have problems with your hot water heater have them repaired as soon as possible
Winterize your plumbing if you live in an area with below freezing temperatures in the winter

While these tips can certainly help with preventing plumbing emergencies, there is never a guarantee! At Masterflo Plumbing we pride ourselves on being available to our customers. If you have a plumbing emergency, don’t hesitate to call us. We are available for plumbing emergencies throughout the metro Atlanta area 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Call us now at (678) 822-7095 for all your plumbing needs!

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Draining A Hot Water Heater

We recently talked about some maintenance tips for prolonging the life of your hot water heater. One of our most important tips is to drain your hot water heater twice a year. If you’re not a professional plumber, draining a hot water heater may sound like a daunting task.

Today we’re going to run through a few easy steps on how to drain a hot water heater. You may be wondering if this is truly important or necessary. Your hot water heater is possibly the most used appliance in your home. Over time and through normal use, sediment builds up in your hot water heater. This can lead to energy inefficiency, clogs, or eventually no hot water in your home! We can’t stress enough the importance of draining your hot water heater each year as part of your yearly home maintenance.

Here’s how to drain a hot water heater-

Turn off the water supply- If its electric, turn off the power at the breaker box. If its gas, turn the thermostat to the pilot setting. Connect a drain hose to the valve near the thermostat and turn off the cold water supply.
Drain the water- To prevent forming a vacuum, turn on one of the hot water faucets in your hosue (the tub, the sink, etc.). Open the drain valve on the hot water heater. Make sure the end of the hose that the hot water is draining out of is far away from anything that could be damaged by hot water.
Get rid of any remaining sediment- Once all the hot water has drained out of the water heater, turn the cold water supply back on to flush out any sediment that remains in the hot water heater. Once all sediment has been washed out, close the drain valve and turn off the faucet inside your house. Make sure to read all the warning labels and instructions that go with your hot water heater- some hot water heaters need to remain full in order to prevent any damage.
Check the pressure release valve- Turn your power supply back on once your tank has refilled. Once the temperature has come back up, check your pressure release valve by using the instructions that came with your hot water heater.

Remember, if you don’t feel comfortable draining a hot water heater yourself, at Masterflo Plumbing we will be more than happy to come out and do it for you! We boast a large team of qualified, experienced professionals who would love to come out and see you for a hot water heater maintenance visit. Draining a hot water heater is an important step in prolonging the life of your water heater. For all your hot water heater needs contact us today at (678) 822-7095!

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