Top 4 Summer Plumbing Problems

Top 4 Summer Plumbing Problems

Summer is still going strong, which also means potential home issues that pop up in the summer can also still be in full swing! Typically, summer related plumbing problems may not cross your mind when you think of potential summer home maintenance issues. If you’re facing plumbing issues with your home this summer, you’re not alone.

Here are the top 4 summer related plumbing problems:

  1. Garbage disposal issues. Although garbage disposals can make rinsing off dirty dishes easier, you still have to be careful about what you put down your disposal. Any type of produce generally isn’t good to put down your garbage disposal and can cause some major clogs. If you’re having lots of backyard cookouts with things like corn, watermelon, and other types of fruits, make sure to dispose of those in the trashcan before putting your dishes in the sink. Its also important not to dispose of cooking oils from the grill down your disposal. Always make sure to run cold water down your disposal for a few seconds after you’ve used it to make sure any waste is properly cleared.
  2. Sewer problems. Spring and summer rain and thunderstorms can lead to major problems for your sewer lines. If excess rain gets into your sewer pipes, you can be facing a sewer line back up. Signs of sewer line problems include toilet water backing up into your bathtub, slow drains, and foul odor. If you notice any of these issues, its important to call a plumber right away. Sewer line problems can cause extensive damage to your home if left unaddressed.
  3. Toilet problems. Because your children are out of school during the summer and are home more often, you may be more prone to having toilet problems. These problems can include persistent clogs, leaks, constant running, or a tank that won’t refill. Some toilet problems you may be able to solve yourself, but if not, its always a good idea to call for professional help before you find yourself without a toilet.
  4. Sprinkler problems. Before the start of the season its a good idea to check your lawn sprinklers to make sure all the heads are in working order. When you’re mowing the lawn also be sure to watch out for the heads so you don’t damage them!

For help with your summer plumbing problems give Masterflo Plumbing a call today at (678) 822-7095!

 

 

 

 

Finding A Plumber

Finding A Plumber

Finding a plumber can be overwhelming. There are so many plumbers to choose from on Google and so many different directories out there claiming to provide you with the best plumber possible. There are also advertisements on tv and the radio boasting their skills. Chances are, if you need a plumber, you’re already under enough stress! Here are some key factors to look at that can help you easily choose the best plumber for you. 

right-plumber

1. Ask for referrals. Referrals from trusted family and friends are a great way to choose a plumber. Its likely that your family and friends already have experience with the company they are recommending, so you can get a good idea of what to expect.

2. Read reviews. The internet has made it easy for you to check out hundreds of reviews of plumbers local to you. Check out Yelp, Google, and Facebook!

3. Check out their website. A good website can give you an idea of the company’s history, their services, and what to expect from them. Check out how long they’ve been in business, and what kind of certifications they have. You can also find out whether its a small family owned business or a large chain business and choose what’s best for you.

4. Ask questions. Once you’ve narrowed it down to a few companies, call them up and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Find out the answers to things that are important to you to make sure they’re a good fit for you and your home’s plumbing needs.

5. Ask for referrals. Its also okay to ask them for referrals! Any good, reputable plumbing company should be comfortable giving you referrals to some of their satisfied customers.

6. Expect a home evaluation. Once you’ve called a plumbing company to come out to your home, expect them to spend a significant amount of time looking at your current plumbing system to evaluate your specific needs. No two plumbing systems are the same, and your needs won’t be exactly like anyone else’s. The company you choose should spend a significant amount of time personalizing a solution just for you.

7. Get itemized quotes. Its also okay to get several quotes for the work you need done. Make sure to have the quotes itemized and written out so you can easily compare them. The cheapest solution may not always be the best one. Look for price, efficiency, and any parts warranties included.

 

Choosing the right plumbing company can be tricky, and its a really important decision. Your plumbing system is a key component to your security,  comfort, and health at home. Having plumbing work done incorrectly can be disastrous, and your plumbing needs should be met correctly the first time. At Masterflo Plumbing, we look forward to customizing a plumbing solution just for you! You can call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (678) 822-7095!

Common Plumbing Problems: Rusty Water

Common Plumbing Problems: Rusty Water

In today’s world with all of our advancements in science and modern technology, we generally expect to turn on our taps at home and see clean water. However, sometimes you may turn on your taps and see rusty water running! Sometimes, rusty water may occur if your local water authority is doing work on the pipes or has some kind of leak or burst pipe. However, depending on the age of your home’s plumbing system, the rust could be coming from right inside your own plumbing system. Before panicking and calling a plumber, here are some things you can look for.

rusty-water

  1. Is it definitely rust? You don’t have to be a scientist or a plumber to figure out if its definitely rust in your water. Rusty water should have a metallic odor and be reddish brown in color.
  2. Where is the rust coming from? Its important to try and determine where the rust is coming from. Sometimes, you may get a notice from your local water authority that there is rust in the water and they’re working on a solution. However, if none of your neighbors seem to have the same problem, it could be coming from inside your home. Here’s an easy way to check- Fill a glass with cold water. Check the water in the glass for a metallic odor or a rusty coloring. Let the cold water run for a few seconds and check with another glass. Then, run the hot water and check it in another glass. If the rusty water appears in the hot water or if it goes away after a few seconds, the rust may be coming from your home. If the rust appears continuously, you should call your local water authority. If the rust only appeared in the cold water, the rust could potentially be coming from the pipes in your home. If it appeared in the hot water, it could be coming from your hot water heater.
  3. What next? Whether its your pipes or your hot water heater, it must be replaced! You simply can’t repair a rusty pipe or a rusty hot water heater. Rust and corrosion will simply get worse and worse if the problem pipes or hot water heater aren’t replaced. If you replace your hot water heater, replacing the anode rod every few years on your new hot water heater can potentially prevent the issue in the future and greatly extend the life of your new water heater.

For help finding the source of rust in your home’s water or for help replacing rusty pipes or a rusty hot water heater, call the professionals at Masterflo Plumbing today at (678) 822-7095!

 

 

 

 

 

Save Money On Your Utility Bills

Save Money On Your Utility Bills 

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

Choosing The Right Plumbing Company

Choosing The Right Plumbing Company

Choosing a plumbing company can be overwhelming! You may see advertisements on tv, hear advertisements on the radio, and see advertisements online. A Google search can yield page after page of results, and you may get different results whether you’re in Canton, Woodstock, or Marietta! Choosing the right plumbing company can be tricky, and its a really important decision. Your plumbing system is a key component to your security,  comfort, and health at home. Having plumbing work done incorrectly can be disastrous, and your plumbing needs should be met correctly the first time. 

plumbing-company
Here are some things you can do to make sure that you’re choosing the right plumbing company. 
1. Ask for referrals. Referrals from trusted family and friends are a great way to choose a plumber. Its likely that your family and friends already have experience with the company they are recommending, so you can get a good idea of what to expect.
2. Read reviews. The internet has made it easy for you to check out hundreds of reviews of plumbers local to you. Check out Yelp, Google, and Facebook!
3. Check out their website. A good website can give you an idea of the company’s history, their services, and what to expect from them. Check out how long they’ve been in business, and what kind of certifications they have. You can also find out whether its a small family owned business or a large chain business and choose what’s best for you.
4. Ask questions. Once you’ve narrowed it down to a few companies, call them up and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Find out the answers to things that are important to you to make sure they’re a good fit for you and your home’s plumbing needs.
5. Ask for referrals. Its also okay to ask them for referrals! Any good, reputable plumbing company should be comfortable giving you referrals to some of their satisfied customers.
6. Expect a home evaluation. Once you’ve called a plumbing company to come out to your home, expect them to spend a significant amount of time looking at your current plumbing system to evaluate your specific needs. No two plumbing systems are the same, and your needs won’t be exactly like anyone else’s. The company you choose should spend a significant amount of time personalizing a solution just for you.
7. Get itemized quotes. Its also okay to get several quotes for the work you need done. Make sure to have the quotes itemized and written out so you can easily compare them. The cheapest solution may not always be the best one. Look for price, efficiency, and any parts warranties included.
At Masterflo Plumbing, we look forward to customizing a plumbing solution just for you! You can call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (678) 822-7095!

Preventive Drain Care Maintenance

Drain Maintenance

Clogged drains are a nuisance every homeowner deals with at some point. Oftentimes, clogged drains are nothing more than a nuisance that can be cleared quickly. Sometimes, there can be more serious implications. There are lots of options for clearing minor clogs, and there is even drain maintenance you can perform to keep clogs at bay. Keeping minor, annoying clogs at bay can prevent more serious clogs and problems from occurring. Some clog clearing options include chemical cleaners, organic cleaners, plumbing snakes, and plungers. However, its cheaper (and easier!) to do some basic maintenance and keep the clogs away altogether.

If minor clogs continue to present themselves or are allowed to persist, you can be facing some nasty consequences. The first consequence you may notice from a poorly cared for drain is a bad smell. Foul odors are more common to kitchen drains, where food particles have been allowed to rot, but foul odors can occur in bathroom sink and floors drains as well. 
If you don’t care for your drains at the first sign of a foul odor, you will more than likely begin to develop minor clogs. Clog formation first causes your drains to work slowly, and eventually they will become so clogged that they won’t work at all. 
If you still don’t take care of your drains after minor clogs begin to present themselves, you could be facing permanent damage. Drains aren’t built to last forever, but some basic preventive drain care maintenance can greatly extend the life of your drains. 
The most basic step in drain maintenance is to be mindful of what is going down your drains. In bathrooms, the main culprit is hair. You can easily stop unwanted hair from going down your bathroom drains by placing a wire mesh filter over the drain and cleaning it out every few days. In the kitchen, its important to watch what food particles are going down your drain. Many food products can go into a garbage disposal. If you don’t have a garbage disposal, its important that only water goes into your sink drain. Floor drains, such as in the basement or laundry room, should always have drain covers on them as its hard to monitor debris falling into your floor drains. 
Drain maintenance also includes cleaning the inside of your drain twice a year. This prevents the accumulation of biofilm, hair, and other clog inducing things. Cleaning your drains is easy! Simply pour two cups of white vinegar down the drain, wait ten minutes, then flush out the drain with hot water. 
For more help with drain maintenance or if you’ve got a tough clog that won’t go away, call the professionals at Masterflo Plumbing at (678) 822-7095 today!
 

Pipe Corrosion: What You Need To Know

Pipe Corrosion: What You Need To Know

Copper is now the main material used to make modern day plumbing pipes. Copper is sturdy and resilient and will last for a long time. Not only is it a great material, its also cost effective! If modern day copper plumbing pipes are maintained well, they can last for nearly 100 years! Fortunately, your plumbing system is built to last!
While copper pipes are extremely resilient, they aren’t fool proof. Pipe corrosion can drastically shorten the life of your pipes, threatening the lifespan of your plumbing system. With regular plumbing maintenance, pipe corrosion doesn’t have to be a threat to your plumbing system.
There are two main types of pipe corrosion. Hopefully, you’ll never have to deal with pipe corrosion, but let’s take a look at the two types that could threaten your pipes!
pipe-corrosion

2 Types Of Pipe Corrosion-

1. Formicary Corrosion– Formicary corrosion is more commonly call “ants nest corrosion”. This type of pipe corrosion is causted by the interaction of formaldehyde particles in the air coming into contact with your copper pipes. Formaldehyde can eat tiny tunnels through the copper, which weakens the metal. If the metal is weakened, it becomes susceptible to pinhole leaks and larger leaks. Formicary corrosion is nearly impossible to see, so keeping up with your annual plumbing maintenance is extremely important! If formicary corrosion has begun to occur in your pipes, catching leaks early is key. 
2. Pitted Corrosion– Pitted corrosion is focused on a much smaller area of the pipes than formicary corrosion. Pitted corrosion is caused by chlorine particles interacting with the copper pipes instead of formaldehyde particles. Because pitted corrosion affects a smaller area of pipe, it can lead to corrosion and leaks much more quickly than formicary corrosion. Pitted corrosion can quickly lead to pinhole leaks. If pinhole leaks aren’t caught early on, they can turn into larger leaks or cause rotting. Fortunately, pitted corrosion can be seen and detected! Its incredibly important to have your pipes inspected annually to check for this type of pipe corrosion. 
While pipe corrosion can seem like a scary monster just waiting to eat away at your pipes, having your pipes regularly inspected by a professional plumber can keep the problem at bay! If you haven’t had your pipes inspected this year for pipe corrosion, now is the time to act! Give us a call today 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!

Preventing Plumbing Emergencies

Preventing Plumbing Emergencies

Plumbing emergencies can happen to anyone at any time. Plumbing emergencies can be catastrophic to your home, property, and wallet as a home owner. While plumbing emergencies are generally rare, they can happen at any time and are usually unpredictable. Because plumbing emergencies can potentially have such devastating consequences, its important to learn all about preventing plumbing emergencies.

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.

If you’re a new home owner, this post is especially important for you! Learn about preventing plumbing emergencies and try to familiarize yourself with the plumbing in your home. For example, know where your hot water heater is and know where all the water shut off valves are.


  1. Use drain covers in your kitchen to keep food and utensils from clogging your pipes or damaging your garbage disposal
  2. Use drain covers in your showers to prevent hair from clogging your pipes
  3. Avoid pouring grease or oil down your kitchen sink drain
  4. If you believe you have a leak or a serious clog, call a plumber immediately
  5. If you are aware that you have old pipes or fixtures, have them replaced and upgraded
  6. Have an experienced plumber check your whole plumbing system for leaks (including pinhole leaks)
  7. Keep up with regular home and plumbing maintenance 
  8. Have your hot water heater inspected every year
  9. If you have problems with your hot water heater have them repaired as soon as possible
  10. 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!

Hot Water Heater Installation

Hot Water Heater Installation

Today we’re going to talk about why its so important to hire a professional for your hot water heater installation. DIY and money saving hacks are trending these days, but when it comes to your hot water heater installation, hiring a professional is a must. If you need to install a hot water heater, it can be very tempting to just Google it and try to follow a YouTube video and do it yourself. To make sure that your water heater is installed correctly and that it performs correctly and efficiently, its absolutely necessary to hire someone with experience.

Here are a few reasons why its important to hire a professional plumber for your hot water heater installation:

hot water heater installation

Size

Choosing the correct water heater for your home may sound like an easy task, but in reality it involves some advanced calculations about the flow rate and temperature rise that you will need for your home. You might also need to take into account information about the peak hour demand and the number of people who regularly use hot water in your home. If done incorrectly, these calculations can result in you purchasing the wrong hot water heater for your home. A professional plumber who has lots of experience working with these complicated calculations will be sure to get it right and get you the correct hot water heater the first time around. If the calculations are done wrong and you end up with a unit that is too small, you may find yourself lacking hot water on a regular basis. On the other hand, if you end up with a unit that is too large, you may use unnecessary energy, costing you more money up front and on your monthly bills.

Mess

Hot water heaters can be very large and complicated to install. If you don’t have experience installing a hot water heater, you could be in over your head. Professional plumbers know how to safely remove your old hot water heater and dispose of it, so you don’t have to think about it or have it sit around in your garage while you find a way to dispose of it. A professional plumber will also get your new unit safely installed and can ensure that your new tank fills properly and doesn’t leak into your home and foundation.

Less Maintenance

If you have your new hot water heater properly installed the first time around, chances are that you will need to repair it far less frequently than if it gets installed incorrectly. A professional plumber can make sure that all the valves are working properly, the heating element is functioning, and that there will not be any leaks! As long as you have your new hot water heater professional installed by a skilled, experienced plumber, you can rest assured that you won’t have to do any early repairs.

If you need a professional plumber for your hot water heater installation, contact the professionals at Masterflo today at (678) 822-7095! We’ll be there anytime, any day, to help you pick the correct unit and install it!