Professional Drain Cleaning In Woodstock, GA

Professional Drain Cleaning In Woodstock, 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 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).

drain cleaning in woodstock ga

Not convinced, yet? Here are some reasons why you need a professional drain cleaning in Woodstock, 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 Woodstock, GA. At Masterflo Plumbing, 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!

How To Drain A Hot Water Heater In 4 Easy Steps

How To Drain A Hot Water Heater In 4 Easy Steps

Today we’re going to run through a few easy steps on how to drain a hot water heater. But first- why would you need to drain a hot water heater? Over time, sediment builds up in your hot water heater. This can lead to energy inefficiency, clogs, or eventually no hot water in your home! Draining your hot water heater each year as part of your yearly home maintenance is a good idea.

Here’s how to drain a hot water heater-

 

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

how to drain a hot water heater

Don’t forget- for the month of December, Masterflo Plumbing is offering you a great deal on water heater installation in Atlanta, GA! This month ONLY we will install a 40 gallon electric water heater for you for only $699! Don’t get stuck without hot water this winter! Call (678) 822-7095!

What Is A Tankless Water Heater?

What Is A Tankless Water Heater?

We’re willing to bet you’ve heard of a tankless water heater before, but do you really know what it is? Tankless water heaters are gaining in popularity and come with some great benefits.

A tankless water heater provides hot water as it is needed instead of holding on to a bunch of hot water that isn’t needed (which costs you extra money). Its a similar concept to running the heat in your home during the winter- if you aren’t home you don’t run it. If you don’t need the hot water, don’t heat it up. This simple concept can save you tons of energy and money on your utility bill. You can read more about the energy efficiency of tankless water heaters at Energy.gov.

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

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

Don’t get stuck without hot water or high energy bills this winter! Call Masterflo Plumbing today for your brand new tankless water heater at (678) 822-7095!

tankless water heater

 

 

Water Heater Installation Special

Water Heater Installation Special

Don’t forget- for the month of December, Masterflo Plumbing is offering you a great deal on water heater installation in Atlanta, GA!

This month ONLY we will install a 40 gallon electric water heater for you for only $699!

Don’t get stuck without hot water this winter!

Plumbing Services Canton GA | Water Heater Repair Canton GA

At Masterflo Plumbing we’re bringing you deals that can’t be beat by trusted, professional plumbers you can count on! December will be over before you know it, so don’t hesitate to contact us today for your water heater installation in Atlanta, GA at (678) 822-7095!

How to Caulk a Toilet in 9 Easy Steps

How to Caulk a Toilet in 9 Easy Steps

Now that the weather has cooled off and outdoor projects aren’t top on the to do list, its time to tackle some projects inside the home! Whether you’ve got a brand new toilet to install, or you need to touch up an old one, caulking a toilet is easy! Today we’re going to teach you how to caulk a toilet in 9 easy steps!

toilet-repair-services-canton-gaToilets should always be caulked to the floor in order to prevent any movement of the toilet. When a toilet moves, the wax seal could get broken and water can collect under the toilet and rot the floor. Oftentimes, homeowners will set a toilet and then caulk around the outside edge. This method generally isn’t strong enough to hold and it also leaves a large, visible line of caulk. Read on to find out the best way to caulk a toilet!

  • Set the toilet in place, making sure its square against the wall
  • Use masking tape to make an outline of the toilet on the floor
  • Remove the toilet and lay it on its side
  • Measure the depth and width of the gluing edge of the bowl
  • Use your caulk gun to apply caulk directly to the floor using the depth you measured in the previous step
  • Install the wax ring
  • Lower your toilet onto the floor
  • Stand on the toilet to make sure its properly adhered to the wax ring
  • Use a paper towel to clean up any extra caulk

If you love to tackle DIY home repair projects (or even if you don’t!) these 9 steps will make caulking a toilet easy! For any plumbing projects you don’t want to tackle yourself, call Masterflo Plumbing today at (678) 822-7095!

 

Water Heater Installation Atlanta, GA

Water Heater Installation Atlanta, GA

For the month of December, Masterflo Plumbing is offering you a great deal on water heater installation in Atlanta, GA!

This month ONLY we will install a 40 gallon electric water heater for you for only $699!

canton ga plumber

December will be over before you know it, so don’t hesitate to contact us today for your water heater installation in Atlanta, GA at (678) 822-7095!

Canton, GA Leak Detection Services

Canton, GA 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.

With winter coming, its especially important to make sure there are no hidden leaks in your home or on your property. A small leak can quickly become a big problem during the harsh winter weather and low temperatures.

canton-ga-leak-detection

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.

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

 

Water Heater Wednesday: Dip Tube Problems

Water Heater Wednesday: Dip Tube Problems

We’ve talked a lot about hot water heaters, hot water heater maintenance, and hot water heater repair on our Masterflo Plumbing blog. Today we’re going to focus on dip tube problems- something we’ve talked about before, but you may not be totally familiar with.

Your hot water heater supplies hot water to your home by heating up cold water and then storing it for future use. The dip tube is essential to the functionality of your hot water heater. Dip tubes are a component of every hot water heater that has a storage tank, and can sometimes experience problems that can lead to you having no hot water.

So, what is a dip tube? A dip tube is a long plastic tube that is attached to the cold water intake valve at the top of your hot water heater. The dip tube extends to approximately 8 inches from the bottom of the tank. Cold water enters your tank through the dip tube and is pushed to the bottom so that the hot water can be at the top of the tank. This process ensures that the water you receive through the hot water taps in your home is only hot water and not cold. If the dip tube was too short, the cold water and hot water would mix inside the tank and you would have luke warm water all the time in your home.

Unfortunately, just like any other plumbing item in your home, dip tubes can sometimes experience problems. The most common problem with dip tubes is that they can crack and break. If your dip tube has cracked or broken, you’ll notice that there will be a decrease in the temperature of your hot water inside your home. Another sign is that you may notice small pieces of plastic in your water or in the mouths of your faucets. These are small pieces of the disintegrating dip tube.

Certain dip tubes made and installed between 1993-1997 were not manufactured correctly and are more likely to break than other dip tubes. If you believe your dip tube may be one of these, check out the serial number on your hot water heater. If the last two digits are 93, 94, 95, 96, or 97 then your hot water heater may have a faulty dip tube inside.

If you have dip tube problems, then chances are that you don’t have the hot water that you need! Its important to hire a professional plumber to solve this problem for you. If you need a plumber because you don’t have hot water, call the trained professionals at Masterflo Plumbing today! We understand that hot water is vital to your everyday life and will come fix your hot water heater quickly! Call us today at (678) 822-7095!

Plumbing Services Canton GA | Water Heater Repair Canton GA

5 Easy Plumbing Tips

5 Easy Plumbing Tips

 

Owning a home can be one of the most rewarding yet challenging opportunities of your adult life. All kinds of things can go wrong that can end up costing you a lot of money. Plumbing problems plague many homeowners, but there are a lot of plumbing tricks that can help save you big bucks.

canton ga plumber

 

Here are a couple of money saving plumbing tricks that every homeowner should know-

  • Maintain your septic tank. Having a backed up septic tank can cost you tons of money. Make sure to only flush things that are flushable. Its a good idea to have your septic tank professionally checked yearly and have it pumped out as needed.
  • Make your own drain cleaner. If you’ve got a bad clog, you can easily make your own drain cleaner. Combine half a cup of baking soda and half a cup of vinegar and pour it down the drain. Make sure to flush it out with hot water afterwards. Store bought, chemical drain cleaners can be dangerous for your health and your pipes.
  • Use the right plunger. For sinks, a rubber bowl plunger works best. Toilet plungers have additional plastic that allow them to get inside the opening.
  • Know how to shut off your main water supply. If you have a plumbing emergency, you may not be able to prevent the disaster or prevent any damage, but you can drastically reduce the damage by knowing how to shut off your main water supply. Shutting off the water supply can stop the flow of water if you’ve got a broken pipe or leaky toilet.
  • When cold weather is coming, know how to protect your pipes from freezing and know what to do if they do freeze.

Using these 5 easy plumbing tips can make home ownership just a little bit easier! While following our plumbing tips can help you out, our best tip is to always call a plumber if you aren’t sure what you’re doing or if you have a plumbing emergency! If you need a Canton, GA plumber, call Masterflo Plumbing today at (678) 822-7095!

Yearly Home Maintenance Checklist

Yearly Home Maintenance Checklist

Winter is looming just around the corner, and its time to make sure you and your home are ready for the harsh weather! Keeping up with your home maintenance 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.

We know you’ve got a lot going on, and its not always easy to remember what needs to be done each year! To help you out, we’ve come up with a handy home maintenance checklist for you!

plumber-canton-ga

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 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.

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!