Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

Fall Home Maintenance 

Its that time of year, again! The official start of fall is just a week away! Even though fall is a busy time of year for most of us with festivals, celebrations, and holidays, its important that you don’t neglect your house during this time of year. 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!

 

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!

Common Water Line Issues

Common Water Line Issues

Last week on the blog we talked about issues with the water pressure inside your home. Today we’re going to talk about some other common water line issues that you may face as a homeowner! The water line is the main pipe that brings water in to your home from your municipal water source. This crucial component of your home’s plumbing system is key to providing safety, sanitation, and comfort to you and your family. Generally, water lines will last a long time as they are designed to last up to a hundred years! While modern water lines are designed to last a long time, they aren’t invincible and under certain circumstances they can encounter problems. These problems can severely limit the lifespan of your water line. 

There are two very common water line issues that you may encounter as a home owner. Let’s take a look at those two issues today so that you can be aware of what to look for. 

common-water-line-issues

Common Water Line Issues

  1. Tree Roots– Tree roots are always growing and looking for water sources. Usually, these water sources are natural, but not always! Tree roots seek out any water source they can find, and sometimes this can be your water line. Once tree roots find their way into your water line, they will continue to grow and expand and can eventually cause some major water line problems. Eventually, this can affect the flow of water through your pipes and can even poke holes in the pipe. Fixing this problem can be costly. The best way to avoid this problem is to have your pipes inspected every year by a professional plumber. 
  2. Corrosion– While modern pipes are designed to resist corrosion, they are not completely immune to every type of corrosion. Formicary and pitted corrosion can still occur in your water line. These kinds of corrosion can significantly weaken your pipes, which will eventually lead to holes and leaks. Again, the best way to combat corrosion in your water line is to have an annual inspection of your home’s plumbing system. If corrosion is caught early, it can be repaired and you can avoid having to replace your water line.

While these common water line issues can be bothersome, with the right plumber they can be fixed! Call Masterflo Plumbing today at (678) 822-7095 to schedule your annual maintenance inspection or if you suspect you may be facing one of these issues!

Top 5 Reasons For A Hot Home

Top 5 Reasons For A Hot Home

We’re about halfway through summer, and the temperatures here in Cherokee County have been sweltering. Combine the Georgia heat with the Georgia humidity, and summer can be downright miserable sometimes. Fortunately, you can beat the heat by finding things to do inside your home this summer. But wait- what if your home is hot, too? If you’ve noticed that your home is hotter than usual this year, you’re not alone. Many homeowners face having a home that is too hot for comfort. 

hot-homeHere are the top 5 reasons for a hot house and some solutions!

Problem: Losing cool air. Do you notice that as soon as your AC stops running, your home is immediately hot again? You may be dealing with a draft that could be causing you to lose up to 50% of your home’s cool air. You can lose cool air through gaps around your doors, windows, and wall vents.

Solution: Having the gaps around your doors, windows, and wall vents repaired can stop the loss of cold air. These may even be projects you can repair yourself with a quick trip to your local hardware store.

Problem: Windows. Windows can let a lot of heat into your home during the summer, even if you’ve got curtains and blinds. Because glass is a great heat conductor, your windows can be radiating heat into your home all summer long. This can be especially problematic if you have lots of windows that face East or West, causing you to catch rays from the rising and setting sun.
Solution: Having your windows reglazed can help reduce the amount of heat that comes through them. 
Problem: Your roof. The heat inside your home could also be a result of your hot roof. As your roof heats up from the sun during the day, the heat is pushed down through the ceiling and into your home. Unfortunately, your roof and ceiling store this heat, causing your home to remain hot even overnight.
Solution: Having extra ceiling insulation installed or installing attic fans if you’ve got an attic can help remedy this problem. 
Problem: Heat from below. If your home is built on stilts (this is common in some of the more mountainous areas in north Georgia and some of the coastal areas of south Georgia), you could be catching extra heat in your home that rises up from the ground during the day.
Solution: This is another problem that can be remedied by adding extra insulation to your home!
Problem: Your walls. One of the main culprits causing your home to be hot is your walls! This can be particularly problematic if your home catches full sunlight during the day. Unfortunately, your home’s outer walls store heat (just like the roof!), and this heat is continuously pushed into your home, even overnight.
Solution: Having extra insulation professionally added to your walls can help reduce the amount of heat conducted into your home from the walls.
Follow our easy solutions for keeping your home cool and comfortable this summer! Don’t sweat any plumbing maintenance issues you may face this summer- just call the professionals at Masterflo Plumbing at (678) 822-7095!

Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

Summer is in full swing, and while most of us would rather be sitting poolside, its important to keep up with home maintenance tasks. Keeping up with your home maintenance all year long is a great way to make sure that you and your home make it year after year without needing costly repairs or replacements.

Owning a home comes with a lot of responsibilities, but we’ve made this easy for you! Before you head out to the pool or on vacation, follow our checklist below!


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

  • Make sure all your lawn equipment is working and keep up with your yard work regularly. Extra long grass, weeds, and bushes can cause damage to your lawn equipment. 
  • Keep your outdoor hoses stored properly. It may be a good idea to invest in a hose reel. Nice hoses can be expensive, and keeping them properly stored all year long can add years to the lifespan of your garden hoses.
  • Evaluate your sprinkler system to make sure all sprinkler heads are working properly. 
  • Have your chimney professionally cleaned and inspected. Having this done during the off season when chimney sweep services are in low demand can save you money. 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. Overhanging branches can fall on your home and cause damage during summer thunderstorms. 
  • 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 hot summer months.
  • Have your HVAC unit checked out. Having your unit inspected and professionally maintained can add years to the lifespan of your AC unit and can help it run more efficiently. 
  • 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 summer 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!

Easy Dishwasher Maintenance

Easy Dishwasher Maintenance

Your dishwasher is one of your most over used and over looked appliances in your kitchen! Chances are you run your dishwasher anywhere from 4-7 times a week! If you’ve ever been without a dishwasher, you know how much time and hard work having a working dishwasher can save you. In addition to being convenient, dishwashers often use less energy and water than washing all your dishes by hand. However, like all hard working appliances in your home, your dishwasher needs some regular maintenance to stay in tip top shape. Over time, you may have noticed that your dishwasher doesn’t wash as well as it used to or that it may start to smell. Fortunately, its nothing a little easy dishwasher maintenance can’t fix!

 

  1. Check the seals. Your dishwasher may run long after the rubber gaskets that form a watertight seal around the door are functioning. If you notice any water leaking onto the floor around your dishwasher, don’t panic! It may be a simple case of needing to replace the seal. 
  2. Keep the screen clean. The small screen at the bottom of your dishwasher on the inside is designed to catch any large food particles or fallen silverware or other dishes. Most of us avoid this area like the plague and can think of a million things we’d rather do than clean it, but giving it a good cleaning can keep your dishwasher running efficiently and can prevent smells. 
  3. Clean the spray arm nozzles. Check your user manual from your dishwasher’s manufacturer and periodically remove these arms and clean them in warm, soapy water. You can use an old toothbrush to clean each spray nozzle to make sure you’re getting the maximum water flow to all your dirty dishes. 
  4. Check for mold and mildew. While it sounds gross, mold and mildew in the dishwasher can really be a common occurrence. Mold and mildew can be very easy to combat- just pour two cups of white vinegar or apple cider vinegar into your empty dishwasher and run it once on the heaviest setting. 
  5. Make sure its level. Just like pictures hanging on a wall, your dishwasher can become unlevel, causing it to work at a diminished capacity or leak. You can check to see if your dishwasher is level by placing a bubble level on the floor on the inside of your dishwasher, If needed, adjust the legs to make it level. 

Keeping up with some basic dishwasher maintenance can help keep your dishes sparkling clean and can greatly prolong the life of your dishwasher. For dishwasher repair, maintenance, or replacement call Masterflo Plumbing at (678) 822-7095 today. 

 

 

 

Home Buying Tips: Plumbing

Home Buying Tips: Plumbing

Spring is here, and many people are buying and selling homes! The housing market in Cherokee County is booming, and you may be looking at purchasing a home here and settling down. Buying a home is an exciting process, but it can also be a stressful and daunting one! There are so many steps to take, documents to get in order, checklists to go through, and things to look at. Once you’ve purchased a home you can’t simply return it like a pair of shoes, so its important to do your due diligence before you sign on the dotted line. Before buying a home, its a good idea to check out some home buying tips to make sure you’re completely ready to say yes to your dream home.
Buying a home with pre existing plumbing problems could turn into a huge headache for you. Fortunately, even if you’re not a professional plumber there are a few home buying tips that can help you out a lot when it comes to your home’s plumbing system. Today we’re going to talk about a few of these tips.

Home Buying Tips:

  • Foundation problems. Cracks in the foundation or basement don’t always mean there’s a plumbing problem, but it could be a possibility! Cracks in the foundation can mean there’s a leak somewhere and can greatly compromise the integrity of your home, putting your family’s safety at risk.
  • Bug problems. Here in north Georgia, its nearly impossible to get away from the bugs! However, too many bugs can be a sign of a problem. Some bugs breed and thrive near standing water. If you notice bugs, particularly mosquitoes, that seem to be thriving at your new home, double check for any odd sources of standing water. Standing water can indicate a leak or poor drainage.
  • Random patches of fresh paint. Sometimes random patches of fresh paint can indicate that the homeowner has simply painted over a small nail hole. Other times, it can be the first sign of a larger problem. If there has been a water leak in the ceiling or walls, it may take more than fresh paint to completely repair all the damage.
  • Foul odors. Some bad smells can be a passing fluke, but others can indicate a larger problem. Pre existing plumbing problems like leaks, septic tank problems, or sewer problems can cause foul odors. These problems should not be overlooked as they can be quite costly to fix.
  • Poor drainage around the home. Its important to try and check out a home you’re thinking of buying after its rained. Poor drainage around your home can potentially cause problems for your landscaping and your home’s foundation. Its important to make sure that the grading of the lot allows rain water to drain away from the home. Its also important to check out the gutters and make sure they’re installed and working properly.
  • Mold. Mold doesn’t always come from a plumbing leak, but it certainly can! If you notice mold its crucial to find out the source to see if it will be a continuing problem that needs to be addressed.

If you’ve recently purchased a new home and need a professional plumber that you can count on day or night, make sure to call Masterflo Plumbing! We’re locally owned and operated and are here for your plumbing needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Give us a call at (678) 822-7095!

Spring Home Maintenance: Interior Edition

Spring Home Maintenance: Interior Edition

Spring is in full effect here in metro Atlanta, and we’ve had all the crazy springtime weather to prove it! Spring is a great time of year to do some annual maintenance tasks around your home. Keeping up with regular spring home maintenance can greatly extend the life of many of your home’s components and can save you money in repairs down the road. 

spring home maintenanceWe’ve already talked about home maintenance tasks to be performed on the exterior of your home, but the interior of your home is just as important! Keeping up with these simple spring home maintenance tasks around the interior of your home can make a big difference in keeping you and your family safe, healthy, and comfortable all year long!

  • 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

Spring Home Maintenance: Exterior

Spring Home Maintenance: Exterior Checklist

Spring is finally here in metro Atlanta, and the weather is just starting to warm up! With all the nice weather and sunshine we’re having, its time to start on your spring home maintenance checklist. Today we’re going to talk about the home maintenance tasks you should be doing each spring on the exterior of your home. Don’t forget that keeping up with your home maintenance can save you thousands of dollars in repair and replacement costs. 

spring home maintenanceTo 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

 

Lower Your Water Bills

Lower Your Water Bills

Its no secret that your utility bills tend to climb during the winter months, even in the south! Colder temperatures generally find us cranking up our heat and using more hot water. This usually equates to spending more money on utility bills, but fortunately that doesn’t have to be the case! There are a few things you can do to lower your water bills this winter and all year long! 

lower-your-water-bills

How To Lower Your Water Bills-

  1. Keep up with regular maintenance. Leaks are the number one cause of higher water bills! Keeping up with regular maintenance can help you catch small leaks before they become large and costly. Regularly maintaining your hot water heater can also keep it running more efficiently and cheaply. By keeping up with your plumbing maintenance you can prevent leaks, wasted water, and higher water bills.
  2. Get your repairs done quickly. A great way to lower your water bills is by staying on top of repairs. No one likes to spend money on household repairs, but getting your repairs done quickly can actually save you money. If you let a plumbing problem fester, it can get worse and cause extensive damage to your home and property. Getting your repairs done quickly can minimize any damage and the amount of money you’re putting out. 
  3. Don’t be afraid to replace old plumbing or appliances. Although modern plumbing pipes and appliances are designed to last a long time, everything will need to be replaced eventually! Outdated plumbing appliances can cost more to run than it will cost you to replace them with newer appliances. Replacing your outdated equipment can help to lower your water bills and prevent any plumbing catastrophes. With even colder temperatures on the horizon, its a good idea to replace any old equipment now before you find yourself with sky high water bills or no hot water!

Take charge of your money and lower your water bills today! If you need any plumbing maintenance, repairs, or replacements done, call the professionals you can trust at Masterflo Plumbing by dialing (678) 822-7095! 

 

 

Water Line Repair And Replacement

Water Line Repair And Replacement

Modern day plumbing systems are well built and made to last for nearly a hudred years if properly cared for! You may have small maintenance or repair issues arise occasionally, but most homeowners never need to replace their home’s entire plumbing system. The most common type of residential plumbing pipes are copper, because copper is virtually immune to rust. While you probably won’t have to have your home’s entire plumbing system overhauled, you may need occasional water line repair and replacement. This is to be expected and is a normal part of plumbing maintenance as a homeowner.

water-line-replacement

If you find yourself needing water line repair and replacement, just know this is not something you should Google and try to do yourself! Water line repair and replacement is definitely not a DIY project. Even for a professional plumber, this is a major project! Fortunately, there are a couple of things you can be on the look out for so that if you do need water line repair and replacement you can catch it early. Spotting the problem quickly and having it fixed as soon as possible can save your home and property from extensive damage. 

Signs you may need water line repair and replacement:

  • Loss of water pressure- If you have noticed a slow decline in the water pressure in your home, you could have lime scale buildup in your pipes. This decline can be noticed over a period of several months, or even several years! Lime scale is created when hard water flows through your pipes and deposits small amounts of minerals on the pipe walls. Lime scale buildup happens slowly over a long period of time. Eventually, lime scale can become so built up in your pipes that the water flow to your home has been restricted. Once you have this large amount of lime scale in your pipes, total water line replacement is usually the best way to fix the problem.
  • Corrosion- Although its impossible to visually inspect your entire water line because part of it is buried, its a good idea to check out the portions that you can see at least once a year. Taking a look at any of your exposed pipes once or twice a year for any signs of corrosion can potentially prevent total water line replacement. Signs of corrosion include a white, chalky buildup on your pipes or any leaks. If you catch corrosion issues early, sometimes the pipes can be repaired individually. If you have widespread corrosion in your water line, however, total water line replacement may be necessary.

 water line repair and replacement

If you notice any signs that you may need water line repair and replacement, its important that you contact a plumber immediately! Letting a damaged plumbing system fester can potentially create further issues and damage to your home and property. For a dependable, local plumber you can trust, call the experts at Masterflo Plumbing today at (678) 822-7095!