Fall Home Maintenance

Fall Home Maintenance 

This past Thursday, September 22, was the first official day of fall! Although the temperatures don’t feel very fall like, fall is definitely on the way. When most of us think of fall, we think of pumpkins, hot chocolate, plaid, colorful leaves, and Halloween! Did you know that you should also be thinking about home maintenance in the fall? 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!

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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!

Annual Home Maintenance Checklist

Annual Home Maintenance Checklist

Fall begins in just a couple short weeks. With slightly cooler temperatures coming, its a great time to get started on your annual home maintenance. Keeping up with your home maintenance before the winter months is a great way to make sure that you and your home make it through the winter months unscathed. If your home isn’t ready for winter, you could end up facing some costly repairs.

With temperatures remaining steady in the 90’s this summer, we all know it was hard to get motivated to do anything. Cooler temperatures are on the horizon, and we’ve got your annual home maintenance checklist ready to go! Owning a home comes with a lot of responsibilities, but we’ve made this easy for you! Just follow our checklist below!

annual-home-maintenance-checklist

Here are some key things to check off on your annual 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 gasoline is properly stored.
  • 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 lifespan of your garden 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! Check out more about frozen pipes here and here.
  • 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!
  • 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.
  • 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 throughout the winter or in the spring.

Follow our handy annual home maintenance checklist, and for help with plumbing maintenance or to get a head start on plumbing repairs, call the local professionals you can trust at Masterflo Plumbing. We’re here for you 24/7 at (678) 822-7095!

Home Buying Checklist

Home Buying Checklist

Buying a home can be (and usually is!) very stressful. There are so many steps in the process, so many things to check up on, look at, finish, etc. It seems like there’s always one more thing to do, find out about, or look into before you actually sign those papers and get your keys! Inevitably, the second you get your keys and move in, you discover something that you forgot to check or you see something you didn’t see before.

The plumbing system is a vital component of any home that often goes unnoticed or overlooked. This is because the plumbing system is mostly hidden from view so that we don’t have to look at our plumbing system on a daily basis. Although the plumbing system is hidden from view, it is an incredibly important thing to take a look at before buying a home. An average family of four uses nearly 400 gallons of water each day and more than 25% of that comes from flushing the toilet!

homebuying-checklist

Here is a helpful home buying checklist specific to plumbing:

  • Flush the toilet in each bathroom to make sure they’re in working order (no pre-existing clogs or leaks).
  • Check the size of the pipes. To get proper water pressure the pipes from the water source to your home should be at least 3/4″ and the pipes to your faucets should be at least 1/2″.
  • Check the water pressure in all the showers.
  • Look at the hot water heater to check for signs of damage or corrosion. Ask about its age and when it was last serviced.
  • Ask about the pipes and avoid homes with lead piping.
  • Check out the basement, crawlspace, or attic for any signs of leaks or water damage.

Hopefully this home buying checklist can help you if you’re in the market for a new home. If you’re trying to sell a home or have recently purchased a new home and need a plumber you can trust, call the experts at Masterflo Plumbing today. Our plumbers are available to you for all your plumbing needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Call (678) 822-7095!

 

5 Summer Home Maintenance Tips

5 Summer Home Maintenance Tips

Summer is here, the kids are out of school, and here in north Georgia we’re  seeing recording breaking high temperatures! Summer is a great time to get outside and get active with your family, but its also a great time to do a little home maintenance. No one likes adding to their to do list, but as a homeowner you can save yourself lots of money by doing a little preventive maintenance. Keeping up with regular home maintenance can also help keep your house safe for you and your family!

At Masterflo Plumbing we like to help you keep your life simple. 

Today we’re bringing you 5 summer home maintenance tips–

  1. Test your smoke detectors. You should test your smoke detectors at least twice a year! During the summer there are lots of cook outs! Grills and smokers can increase your risk of having a fire in or around your home. Make sure your smoke detectors are working so that you can keep your family safe.
  2. Touch up the exterior paint on your home. This includes siding, doors, trim, and shutters. Now that its warm outside, its the perfect time to touch up the pain on the outside of your home. Touching up your home’s exterior paint each summer can keep you from dropping thousands of dollars on having the entire exterior of your home professionally repainted. Plus, once the touch ups are done, your home will look great for all those backyard cook outs!
  3. Clean your air conditioner filter. This is an important tip that is often overlooked by most of us! During the summer when your air conditioner is working the hardest, you should try and clean the filter every couple of weeks. This will help your unit to run much more efficiently, saving you money on your power bill. You can clean the filter by using warm, soapy water or a vacuum cleaner. Some newer air conditioner units may have a self cleaning option.
  4. Check your furnace filter. Changing your furnace filter is another great way to save money on your energy bill by keeping the appliance working as efficiently as possible. If the filter needs to be cleaned or replaced, turn off the power and locate the filter. You may need to unscrew and remove a couple of panels. If the filter has a cardboard frame, you’ll need to purchase a replacement. If the frame is not cardboard, you can clean it with warm, soapy water.
  5. Check your hoses. This includes all the hoses to your dehumidifier, washing machine, dishwasher, ice maker, toilets, refrigerator, and any outdoor garden hoses. These hoses should all be visually inspected for any signs of cracks, leaks, or wear and tear. Generally, these hoses will need to be replaced every 3-5 years to prevent any major leaks. 

Follow these 4 summer home maintenance tips for a safe, sunny summer! For any help with plumbing maintenance or emergency plumbing problems contact us at (678) 822-7095. We service all of metro Atlanta and north Georgia 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Interior Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

Interior Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

Spring is in full effect here in metro Atlanta, and we’ve had plenty of nice days to get outside. Although its tempting to blow off home maintenance for more leisurely activities, don’t forget that keeping up with your home maintenance can save you thousands of dollars in repair and replacement costs. 

exterior-spring-home-maintenance

Wednesday we shared our exterior spring home maintenance checklist. Today, we’re sharing our simple interior spring home maintenance checklist:

  • Replace your HVAC filter to ensure that your AC unit is running as efficiently as possible.
  • Clean the grills on your air system ducts.
  • Make sure all your vents are open and there is nothing blocking them.
  • Check for any gaps around your windows and reseal them with caulk if necessary.
  • Check the locks on your windows to make sure they’re working properly. If they aren’t, make sure to replace them with new locks.
  • Test the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
  • Make sure you know where your fire extinguisher is and check to make sure the pressure valve is working.
  • Check all your interior plumbing for any signs of leaks.
  • Look in your attic for any signs of leaking from your roof.

For help with any plumbing maintenance or repairs call the local professionals you can trust at Masterflo Plumbing! (678) 822-7095

Exterior Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

Exterior Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

Spring is in full effect here in metro Atlanta, and we’ve had plenty of nice days to get outside. Although its tempting to blow off home maintenance for more leisurely activities, don’t forget that keeping up with your home maintenance can save you thousands of dollars in repair and replacement costs. 

exterior-spring-home-maintenance

To keep things simple for you, we’ve come up with a simple exterior spring home maintenance checklist:

  • Check on your lawn tools (lawn mowers, weed eaters, blowers, etc.) to make sure they’re in working condition. Many lawn tools can be repaired instead of replaced if they’re not working properly.
  • Look at your roof for loose, missing, or damaged vents or shingles and have them repaired and replaced as necessary so you don’t find yourself with a leak.
  • Check all your siding and trim for loose or damaged spots and have these places repaired as necessary.
  • Check for damaged windows or screens.
  • Make sure your gutters and downspouts are clear and don’t have any damaged or broken places. Spring time can bring lots of rain and if the rain isn’t diverted properly, it can cause damage to your home.
  • Look around your homes foundation and/or basement for any obvious cracked or damaged spots. Any cracks (even small ones) can seriously compromise the integrity and safety of your home.
  • Inspect any exposed wood for signs of damage, rot, or bug infestation. Compromised wood can present structural and safety issues for your home.
  • Make sure all tree branches are trimmed back and away from your home. This will prevent them from falling on your home in case of a storm.
  • Check your yard for any particularly wet or lush patches that seem to stand out. This could be a sign of a pipe leak under your yard.

For help with any plumbing maintenance or repairs call the local professionals you can trust at Masterflo Plumbing! (678) 822-7095

 

How Often Should I…?

How Often Should I…?

How often do you find yourself wondering if something around your home needs to be replaced or how long its going to last? Similar to the groceries in your refrigerator and pantry, many items around your home have a “shelf life” or expiration date. In order to save yourself thousands of dollars in unnecessary replacement costs, make sure you are keeping up with all of your routine home maintenance. If you are up to date on all of your home maintenance, you can prolong the shelf life of many things around your home.

If you find yourself asking how often you should replace certain things around your home, read on to find out the average life span of things around your home.

how-often-should-i

Bedroom Items

  • Windows and window frames should be replaced every 20-30 years
  • Mattresses should be replaced every 8-15 years
  • Interior paint should be freshened up every 7-10 years
  • Real wood flooring should be replaced every 20-30 years
  • Screen doors should be replaced every 10-20 years

Bathroom Items

  • Bath tubs should be replaced every 15-20 years
  • Toilets should be replaced every 15-20 years
  • Linoleum or vinyl flooring should be replaced every 15-20 years
  • Grout should be refreshed every 3-5 years
  • Cabinets should be replaced every 20-30 years
  • Sinks should be replaced every 15-20 years
  • Faucets should be replaced every 15-20 years

Kitchen Items

  • Microwaves should be replaced every 5-10 years
  • Gas ovens should be replaced every 15-25 years
  • Dryers should be replaced every 10-20 years
  • Dishwashers should be replaced every 10-15 years
  • Refrigerators should be replaced every 10-20 years
  • Washing machines should be replaced every 10-20 years
  • Garbage disposals should be replaced every 5-15 years

Living Room Items

  • Carpet should be replaced every 10-15 years
  • Air conditioning units should be replaced every 15-20 years
  • Smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years
  • Carbon monoxide detectors should be replaced every 10 years

Outdoor Items

  • Driveways should be replaced every 20-30 years
  • Exterior paint should be refreshed every 5-7 years
  • Wooden decks should be replaced every 20 years

For help with any plumbing maintenance, repairs, or replacements, contact Masterflo Plumbing today at (678) 822-7095!

6 Spring Home Maintenance Tips

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.

spring home maintenance tips

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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. 
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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. 
  6. 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!