Home Maintenance Checklist

Home Maintenance Checklist

Summer is coming to a close, and fall is just around the corner! Fall is a great time to do some routine maintenance around and in your home. Unfortunately, a lot of times we fall behind on home maintenance. Much like your car, though, your home needs some general maintenance done on it periodically so it can keep running smoothly and efficiently. When we have the oil changed in our car, the mechanic puts a little sticker in the windshield so we’ll remember when to come back. Our homes don’t come with little reminder stickers, so its up to you to remember! With the kids back in school and the weather beginning to cool off, fall is a great time to work on some home maintenance.

Here are some key things to check off on your home maintenance checklist-

  • After you cut your grass the last time for the year, drain all the extra gasoline out of your lawn mower and make sure any extra is properly stored.
  • Aerate, fertilize, and reseed your lawn. It may seem counter intuitive, but fall is the perfect time to get a jump start on a beautiful lawn for next year.
  • Roll up your hoses and store them indoors. Nice hoses can be expensive, and properly storing them indoors and out of the elements can add years to the life of your hoses.
  • Insulate any outdoor faucets and winterize your sprinkler system. This one is easy to forget, but frozen pipes can be very destructive to your home and property!
  • Have your chimney professionally cleaned and inspected before lighting it up for the year. Creosote can build up in the flue and cause a fire. Better safe than sorry!
  • Check out your roof and repair any loose shingles and replace any missing nails. Many roofing companies offer free inspections, so call around if you’re uncomfortable going up on the roof yourself.
  • Be sure to cut down any branches hanging over your roof. If the branches ice over during the winter, they may get too heavy and fall on your roof.
  • Clean your gutters and downspouts.
  • Check out the caulking and weather stripping around all doors and windows. This is an easy, cheap fix and can save you tons of money on your utility bills by making your home hold heat more efficiently during the fall and winter.
  • Have your HVAC unit checked out. If you wait till the first cold night to check it out and discover there’s a problem, you may have a hard time getting an HVAC technician to come out quickly as they’re sure to be busy.
  • Change your air filters. Old, clogged air filters can decrease the efficiency of your unity, which increases your utility bills. Also, its gross. Changing the air filter can help improve the quality of the air you’re breathing.
  • Insulate any exposed water pipes to avoid burst pipes inside your home.
  • Drain your hot water heater. Sediment in your hot water heater can cause major problems. Read our post on draining your hot water heater!

Keeping up with yearly maintenance on your home is important and can go a long way in saving you money. Performing maintenance tasks can make your home run more efficiently, saving you money on utility bills, and can prevent you from needing major repairs.

If you need help with any of your home maintenance plumbing tasks, call Masterflo today at (678) 822-7095. We’re family and locally owned and operated and we have your best interest at heart! Call the plumber you can trust!

 

Drain Cleaning in Cherokee County, GA

Drain Cleaning in Cherokee County, GA

Drain cleaning- I’m sure the word evokes sighs in many of you accompanied by the words “yuck”, “gross”, or “ew”. Drains are a vital part of the modern day plumbing system that allow our waste water to escape our homes. This is a crucial part of maintaining our comfort, health, and sanitation in the home.

In an ideal world, our waste water would escape down the drain and we’d never have to give the process a second thought. However, this isn’t realistic for most of us. 99% of us have dealt with a clogged drain before- whether in the bathroom or kitchen- and some of us deal with recurring clogged drains on a semi regular basis. To combat clogged drains, we’ve all done a little DIY drain cleaning. Who hasn’t attempted to use a chemical cleaner or snake purchased at the store or a homemade baking soda remedy? Chances are, if you’re using one of those methods your clog keeps coming back. Drain cleaning is serious business!

Think about how much you put down your drain everyday- soap, hair, food waste, etc! Because we put so much down our drains, its important to have a professional drain cleaning scheduled as part of your annual home maintenance. If you’re dealing with tough clogs or recurring clogs, you’re past due for your professional drain cleaning! If you aren’t dealing with these pesky problems yet, schedule your professional drain cleaning to head the problems off before they start! When tackling drain cleaning, a professional plumber will take into account the age and location of your plumbing, as well as the nature of the clog (if there is one).

Not convinced, yet? Here are some reasons why you need a professional drain cleaning in Cherokee County, GA!

  • Commercial drain cleaners- Commercial drain cleaners are widespread, readily available, and affordable. But did you know that they’re also dangerous and not always effective? Store bought drain cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can be extremely dangerous. They’re also “one size fits all”. These chemicals aren’t custom designed for the nature of your clog. Every clog is different and won’t respond the same to commercial drain cleaner.
  • Roots- While many clogged pipes are caused by debris washed down the drain, some clogged pipes can be caused by plant roots. Plant roots can slow or prohibit the flow of water making repairs necessary! Oftentimes if you have pipes that are being clogged by roots, its more than a simple DIY fix. A professional, experienced plumber can clear the roots causing the clog quickly and without causing unnecessary damage.
  • Maintenance- The main reason to have a professional drain cleaning is to prevent any future problems! Clogs don’t happen overnight; they build up over a long period of time. If left to fester, clogs can cause a lot more damage than just slow water drain. Having your drains professional cleaned once a year can keep you from having to shell out money for repairs that could have been avoided. Eliminate the problem before it starts!

If your drains are clogged or if you’d like to stay ahead of the curve and prevent them, contact us today for your professional drain cleaning in Cherokee County, GA. At Masterflo we have years of experience doing drain cleaning and guarantee we’ll get your pipes in working order and keep them that way. Remember, you can call us any time, day or night, seven days a week!

 

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Leak Detection Services

Leak Detection Services

Plumbing leaks should be easy to detect- you see water dripping from a pipe and you know you’ve got a leak, so you call a plumber. Right? Sometimes it is that easy, but what about when you have a tiny pinhole leak? Or what about if you’ve got a leak in a pipe that’s not exposed?

Most of your plumbing system is hidden. Nearly all of the pipes that supply fresh water to your home or remove waste water are hidden behind drywall, studs, floorboards, concrete, or dirt. Fortunately, this means you don’t have to look at your plumbing system. However, it also means that you may have a hard time detecting some leaks. Even small leaks can turn into big problems, so its important that you make sure you know about any and all leaks and have them taken care of.

The first sign of a leak is an increase in your water bill if you haven’t knowingly increased your water consumption. There may also be some outward signs such as discolored spots on your walls, warped floor boards, or an increase in the humidity in your home. If you notice any of these signs, call a plumber immediately as it may be time for some professional leak detection. Leaks that are occurring in hidden pipes have to be detected and repaired by a professional before they cause major damage to your home or property.

While some of the outward signs of a leak may give you a general idea about where the leak is, actually reaching the pipes can be problematic unless you’re a professional plumber. Sometimes, in order to reach a leak, you may have to cut through drywall, break through concrete, or dig through large amounts of earth. This can cost tons of money and could also create more damage than the leaky pipe. In order to avoid large amounts of excavation, its best to have a professional come pinpoint the exact location of the leak. If the leak is small enough, even if its hidden, a professional plumber may be able to fix it without doing any excavation.

Plumbers can perform leak detection in a variety of way. Most of these ways employ the use of technology such as acoustic listening devices, ground microphones (these can detect the sound of water leaving the pipes) and pressure detectors (these find areas of rising pressure coming from leaks).

Perhaps the most effective way to find a hidden leak is by using video pipe inspection equipment. Video pipe inspection equipment uses miniature cameras mounted on the ends of fiber-optic cables that can be run down a water or sewer line. The image from the camera is then fed back to a monitor so your plumber can find the exact location of the leak. Being able to view the leak will also allow your plumber to determine its exact size and magnitude.

Trying to detect and fix a hidden leak on your own can be tricky and can result in further damage. If you’ve got a hidden leak, your best choice is to call the professionals right away! At Masterflo Plumbing we have the technology, skills, and experience necessary to find your leak and find a solution for you.

Contact us today at (678) 822-7095, 24 hours a day 7 days a week, for all your plumbing needs!

 

 

 

 

Do You Need An Emergency Plumber?

Do You Need An Emergency Plumber?

While many minor plumbing issues can be handled by a homeowner, there are many more plumbing issues that can’t. Sometimes these issues aren’t pressing and can be handled by your plumber during a routine appointment, but other plumbing issues may require an emergency visit from your plumber. Although its rare to need an emergency plumber, its important to have the number of a trusty worthy and responsive plumber on hand, just in case! 

Knowing when to call an emergency plumber is crucial! Plumbing problems can cause a wide variety of problems for homeowners. A plumbing problem that may seem minor to a homeowner could actually cause serious complications. Plumbing problems can affect the integrity of their home and property, affect the health of the occupants in the home, and can affect how high your water bill is.

Because its not always completely obvious when you need to call an emergency plumber, we’ve put together a list for you.

  1. Flooded basement: This one is pretty obvious! A flooded basement is usually caused by burst pipes. Without immediate attention, your house and property could be subject to even further damage.
  2. Clogged drains: Clogged drains are fairly common place, so this one isn’t as obvious! If your drains do not unclog when you use baking soda, a plunger, or commercial drain cleaner (which we do NOT recommend using), you should call a plumber immediately. Stubborn clogs can lead to burst pipes and are unhygienic.
  3. No water from the faucet: This generally occurs during low temperatures when pipes have frozen. When water freezes and becomes ice, it expands which can cause burst pipes. If your pipes have frozen, call a plumber immediately to avoid burst pipes and even more damage.
  4. Bad smell: If there is a bad smell coming from your drains, this is a sign that your sewer pipes may be leaking. Leaking sewer pipes can cause damage to your property and is also a huge health risk to humans and pets.
  5. Exceptionally high water bill and/or the sound of running water: If you don’t believe that your water consumption has gone up (be sure to take into account if you’re doing any outdoor watering!), but your water bill has increased or you can hear running water even when all faucets are turned off, you may have a slab leak. A slab leak can lead to extensive damage and repairs can be costly. To avoid any further damage, you should call an emergency plumber as soon as possible.

At Masterflo Plumbing, we pride ourselves on being extremely responsive and available to our customers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! If you need an emergency plumber, or even if you think you may need an emergency plumber, don’t hesitate to call us any time of the day or night! We’ll come out immediately to assess the problem, determine your needs, and find a customized solution just for you!  Call your dependable, local emergency plumber today at (678) 822-7095!

 

Water Heater Wednesday: Tankless Water Heaters

Water Heater Wednesday: Tankless Water Heaters

Today is our final installation of our mini series on tankless water heaters! If you haven’t been following along, make sure to check out our past posts! You can read about what a tankless water heater is and how it works, the benefits of tankless water heaters, and selecting a tankless water heater.

We’re going to wrap up the series today by running through some facts that will sum up just how awesome tankless water heaters are!

First let’s talk about hot water usage:

  • 18% of your average utility bill accounts for water heating
  • water heating is the 2nd highest energy expense in the average home
  • the average shower uses 10 gallons of hot water
  • the average load of laundry uses 7 gallons of hot water
  • the average dishwasher cycle uses 6 gallons of hot water
  • including appliances and faucets, the average home uses 64 gallons of hot water each day

Moving right along to longevity:

  • a conventional hot water heater lasts approximately 8-10 years
  • a tankless hot water heater lasts approximately 25-30 years

And on to speed and efficiency:

  • a conventional hot water heater may take awhile for the water to heat up
  • a tankless water heater heats water on demand
  • a conventional hot water heater wastes hot water when you run the faucet
  • a tankless water heater can provide unlimited hot water
  • a tankless water heater is up to 34% more efficient than a conventional hot water heater because it heats water as you need it

And finally on to cost:

  • a tankless hot water heater saves you at least $100/year over a conventional hot water heater
  • with a lifespan of 30 years, that’s at least $3,000 in savings

 

We hope you’ve learned something from our mini series on tankless hot water heaters. Remember, for all your hot water heater needs, call Masterflo Plumbing at (678) 822-7095!

 

 

Kitchen Plumbing Maintenance

Kitchen Plumbing Maintenance

When you think of your home’s plumbing system, what’s the first room that comes to mind? Probably your bathroom, right? The word “plumbing” often gets associated with bathrooms, but how often do you associate it with your kitchen? Sure, we all know that there are pipes in the kitchen, but most of us don’t realize that the plumbing in our kitchens does a huge amount of work every day! The plumbing in your kitchen brings fresh cold water to your tap, brings fresh hot water to your tap, carries out waste water containing food parts from the sink, and supports appliances like a dishwasher and a garbage disposal.

With all the hard work that your kitchen plumbing does, it should come as know surprise to you that your kitchen plumbing is at a high risk to break down and potentially cause huge problems for you! Problems with your kitchen plumbing can get quite costly. To help avoid a costly kitchen plumbing repair, its important that you schedule a kitchen plumbing inspection and maintenance visit with Masterflo Plumbing. Annual kitchen plumbing maintenance and a check up will help safeguard you from potentially huge problems.

During an annual check up from an experienced plumber, your whole kitchen plumbing system will be thoroughly inspected. This includes checking all pipes for leaks (including small, hard to detect pinhole leaks), sagging or raised spots in your cabinets or floors that could indicate a leak, and a thorough drain cleaning to prevent debris from building up and causing a clog.

Here are some reasons why kitchen plumbing maintenance and an annual check up benefit you-

  • Early leak detection- Some leaks, like pinhole leaks, can be hard for homeowners to detect before they become large, problematic leaks. If a minor leak is not repaired quickly, it can become a huge leak and cause many other costly problems. During an annual maintenance visit, an experienced plumber can catch these small leaks early and fix them before they can cause any more damage or cost you any more money!
  • Clogs treatment and prevention- No matter how careful you are at your kitchen sink, a certain amount of organic debris will make its way down your kitchen sink drain. Over time, this organic debris (fat, grease, food waste, etc.) can build up in your kitchen pipes and cause a major, problematic clog. During a maintenance visit, our plumbers will clean out all the debris in your pipes, leaving you with better water pressure and a much lower risk for those aggravating, and potentially hazardous, clogs.
  • Appliance maintenance- All those expensive appliances in your kitchen- your dishwasher, garbage disposal, sink faucets, etc- are at risk if you don’t have your kitchen plumbing regularly inspected and maintained. By having kitchen plumbing maintenance done, you can drastically decrease the odds that something will go wrong with your appliances and increase their lifespan.
  • Lower water bills- In the end, we all really just want to save some money and have some extra cash in our pockets, right? An annual maintenance visit will keep your kitchen plumbing working efficiently! If your kitchen plumbing isn’t being maintained chances are that its working inefficiently. If its working inefficiently, that means its costing you extra money!

Call Masterflo plumbing today to schedule your annual kitchen plumbing maintenance visit! If you’re having an emergency kitchen plumbing problem, we are available to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! We boast a team of highly skilled, experienced plumbers who can find a solution for you right away!

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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

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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

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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

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