Save Money On Your Water Bill

Save Money On Your Water Bill

Who doesn’t like to save money?? I’m sure there isn’t anyone out there who doesn’t. What if its money you can save consistently, each month? Even better, right? A great way to save some money every month is by looking at your utility bills and finding ways to cut back on them. Today we’re going to talk about ways to save money every month on your water bill.

There are several easy ways for you to save money on your water bill each month, without compromising any safety, sanitation, or personal comfort for you or your family.

Low Flow Toilet

Toilets now days are made to be super low flow, meaning they use less water per flush. If you’re doing some updating, renovating, or buying or building a new house consider installing low flow toilets. There are also ways to retro fit your existing toilet to make it use less water per flush. Also, don’t use the toilet as a trash receptacle and flush it each time you throw a piece of trash in it. Flushing the toilet uses approximately 5-7 gallons of water per flush, so less flushes = a great way for you to save money on your water bill.

 

Maintenance/Check for Leaks

We recommend having your plumbing checked yearly by a professional plumber. A professional is more likely to catch tiny plumbing leaks before they turn into large leaks. Catching leaks and repairing them before they get worse is a way to make sure you are consistently saving money on your water bill. Make sure to check your toilets, showers, and sink faucets for any sinks of leaks. Another great way to catch a leak is to check your water meter. Read your meter, then go two hours without using any water in your home. If after two hours your meter reading is different than it was before, then you’ve got a leak somewhere.

 

Consolidate your laundry loads and dishwasher loads

Only run your dishwasher or washing machine when you have a full load! Doing small, half loads that aren’t full can use tons of extra water. Also, skipping any pre-rinse cycles or additional rinse cycles can save you around 6 gallons of water per wash cycle. If you do have to run a partial load in your washing machine, make sure you change the settings to reflect the size of the load.

 

Shorter showers

Sometimes nothing beats a good, long, hot shower. However, limiting your shower to around 5 minutes is a good way to save money on your water bill every month. If you just love taking long showers and limiting your shower time isn’t an option for you, consider installing a water efficient shower head. Also remember that taking a shower instead of a bath is saving you approximately 50 gallons of water each day.

 

Be mindful of running water

Its a bad habit that many of us are guilty of- letting the water run. Try to be more mindful of wasting water by just letting the tap run. You may surprise yourself by how much water you are able to save just by turning off the faucet when its not absolutely necessary for it to be on. One great example is doing dishes- instead of letting the hot water run continuously while you’re doing dishes, try plugging up your sink and just filling it with hot, soapy water instead of letting the hot water run the whole time. Another great way to save money on your water bill is by turning off the water while you brush your teeth. Turning off the water while you brush your teeth can save you up to 25 gallons per month!

 

Recycle your water

There are all kinds of creative ways you can recycle your water. For example, collecting rain water to water your house plants can save you money on your water bill each month.

 

Follow these helpful hints to save money on your water bill every month! Don’t forget- if you need a trusted, professional plumber, Masterflo Plumbing is here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Call (678) 822-7095!

Bathroom Plumbing Tips

Bathroom Plumbing Tips

Do you want to avoid bathroom plumbing repairs? Of course….who doesn’t? Plumbing repairs can sometimes be costly, and are always inconvenient! Bathroom plumbing repairs in particular always seem to occur at the worst possible time. After all, if your bathroom plumbing isn’t working properly, its not something you can ignore. Most of us need our bathroom plumbing to be working in tip top shape every day! If you let your broken bathroom plumbing fester, you can end up with a huge sanitation disaster on your hands.

Bathroom Plumbing Tips Canton, GA

Because bathroom plumbing problems are such an inconvenience for any homeowner, we’ve compiled a list of helpful bathroom plumbing tips that can help you avoid needing repairs!

  1. Use a drain cover. The main cause of drain clogs in the shower or bathroom sink is too much hair. Hair can get stuck to pipes that are covered in sludge, or the hairs can gather in the the curved section of the pipe below your sink. Hair clog in the bathroom happen to all of us at one point or another! Having a drain cover that prevents all this excess hair from going down the pipes can save you some serious hassle.
  2. Don’t use store bought, liquid drain cleaner! Contrary to popular belief, these drain cleaners are not the answer to all your clog problems! Most of us try to solve the pesky clogged drain problem by going out to the store and buying one of the many liquid drain cleaners on the market. These chemicals are actually not that great at dissolving most clogs, and they can also damage your pipes which will lead to further costly repairs. Also, these cleaners can cause serious injury to your skin or eyes if not used properly. If you’ve got a tough clog that can’t be removed by a snake or plunger, it may be time to call in the professionals.
  3. Use a water softener. Using a water softener is another way to help prevent your bathroom plumbing from harm. Hard water has an excess of minerals, and these minerals can gather in your bathroom pipes and collect until your water pressure is significantly reduced. If this is allowed to occur, you’ll have to call a professional plumber to come descale your pipes, or if the damage is too significant you may need total pipe replacement.
  4. Schedule yearly plumbing maintenance. Scheduling a yearly visit from your plumber is a great way to keep your bathroom plumbing maintained and in good shape. A yearly maintenance visit from a plumber you trust will include a thorough pipe cleaning and inspection. This can prevent seemingly sudden, severe plumbing problems from creeping up on you!

Bathroom Plumbing Tips | Canton, GA Plumber Masterflo Plumbing

Following these bathroom plumbing tips can help save you a lot of time, money, and hassle! If you do happen to find yourself with a plumbing problem, call the trusted experts at Masterflo Plumbing! Remember- you can reach us any time 24 hours a day, 7 days a week no matter what kind of plumbing problem you find yourself facing. Call us today at (678) 822-7095!

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Leaky Sink: Do I Need A Plumber?

Leaky Sink: Do I Need A Plumber?

Do you have a leaky sink?? Is it really that important to fix it? Do you need a plumber? Read on to find out!

Leaky sinks are one of the most common plumbing problems all across America! Chances are, you have a leaky sink that you may not have even noticed! A leaky sink is sometimes not even thought of as a “plumbing problem” and goes ignored. Some of us are guilty of ignoring leaky sink for days, weeks, or even months! Other than the sound of dripping water, what’s the actual harm being done? In reality, a simple problem like a leaky sink can end up costing you thousands of dollars if its not fixed quickly and correctly!

Thousands of dollars wasted may seem extreme for something as small as a leaky sink, but its true! Read on to find out how your leaky sink can end up costing you so much money.

Wasted Water

First off, wasting water is bad for the environment! We all know that, right? But even if you don’t care, wasting water is bad for your wallet! I know we all care about that. For example- you’ve got a leaky sink, but its a pretty slow leak. We’ll say it drips once a minute. That’s over 1400 drips a day. That’s roughly 30 gallons of water a year. That may not seem like a lot, but what if it drips four times per minute? That’s over 130 galls of water a year. In actuality, four drips per minute would be an extraordinarily slow leak. Most leaks are at least double that. Wasted water can end up costing you tons of money each year on your water bill.

Water Damage

If your leak is coming from your faucet, chances are that you won’t end up with any water damage. Sinks are supposed to handle water. Where water damage can really start to affect you is if you have a leak in the pipes under your sink. Many of us think of a leaky sink as being a leak that only comes from the faucet. However, a lot of leaky sinks are actually leaking underneath the counter from the pipes. The most common complication from this is mold growth. The dark, moist area underneath a sink is the perfect breeding ground for mold. Sometimes, this mold can create health complications for those living in your household.

Another water your leaky sink can cause damage to your home is rot. If your leaky pipe goes ignored, the wood underneath your sink can being to rot, leading to structural damage. If enough rot occurs, you may end up having to replace your entire cabinet. If you repair your leaky pipe quickly, you can save yourself tons of time and money. The problem with leaks under your sink is that they can easily go unnoticed. Don’t forget to check under all the sinks in your home every so often for any signs of leaking or damage!

If you’ve got a leak, no matter how small, don’t ignore it! For an experienced, professional plumber you can trust, call us at Masterflo today! You can reach us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (678) 822-7095!

Call today!

 

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Plumbing Statistics

Water Softener Installation Canton Ga

Plumbing Statistics

Its time for another one of our fun fact posts! Today let’s talk about some plumbing statistics that may blow your mind!

  • The average person spends approximately 3 years of their life on the toilet, so this post is completely applicable to every single one of us! That’s approximately 2500 visits to the toilet per year, or 6-8 visits per day.
  • 75% of us use our phones on the toilet. Mobile usage on the toilet is now the most popular bathroom pastime, surpassing reading.
  • On that note, 7 million cell phones are dropped in the toilet each year.
  • 40% of us fold our toilet paper and 60% of us crumple.
  • In America alone, we use 433 million miles of toilet paper per year. That’s enough toilet paper to stretch to the sun and back.
  • 85% of bathroom related injuries occur when someone falls because the toilet seat has been left up. Sorry guys, but this means the ladies are right and you should absolutely be putting the toilet seat down.
  • The majority of people like the toilet paper to hang over the roll, not under, and nearly a quarter of us get annoyed if its done the wrong way.
  • 70% of house guests snoop through other people’s bathroom cabinets. Maybe you should think twice about what you have in your cabinets!

Tune in tomorrow for Water Heater Wednesday!

Easy Plumbing Tips

Easy Plumbing Tips

Today we’re going to run through a few plumbing tips. The best part of these tips is that they’re easy and can save you a ton of time, money, and stress. Plumbing problems can hit you at any time and are usually unexpected. And of course- they usually occur at the most inopportune times. Its important to be prepared and have a few tricks up your sleeve so that you are more prepared to deal with the inevitable plumbing problem that pops up. The more prepared you are, the more likely you are to avoid a huge disaster.

Here are some plumbing tips every homeowner should know-

  • Make sure you know how to turn off the water to your sink, toilet, and main water source. If you’ve sprung a leak it is vital that you know how to turn off the water to prevent further damage. And don’t forget- righty tighty lefty loosey.
  • Be familiar with the different types of plungers and which ones to use where. For inks you should use a bowl shaped rubber plunger. Plungers that should be used for toilets have an additional piece of rubber that allow it to get inside the opening of the toilet.
  • Don’t use an auger if you aren’t a professional plumber so that you can avoid damaging your pipes. On that note, don’t do any fancy DIY plumbing if you aren’t a trained professional! While trying to save money you can inadvertently cause additional damage costing you additional money.
  • Don’t use the chemical drain cleaners sold at the store as they are harmful to your plumbing system! Instead, if you’ve got to use something, use an all natural combination of baking soda and vinegar. Pour in half a cup of baking soda followed by a half cup of vinegar. Once the fizzing stops, pour hot water down the drain to flush it. If this doesn’t work, try plunging. If you still can’t clear the clog, its time to call a professional plumber.
  • Keep up with your septic tank maintenance. Its one of those things that gets forgotten about, but if your septic tank backs up you’ll end up with a major problem on your hands! Have your tank checked out by a professional yearly and don’t plant anything with roots over or near your lines.
  • Lastly- make sure to find a plumber you can trust BEFORE you have a problem and keep their number handy! Plumbing problems can escalate quickly.

Following these tips can potentially save you time, money, and keep you from dealing with a huge headache! For a trusted, experienced plumber in the metro Atlanta area call Masterflo today at (678) 822-7095! Remember, you can call us anytime day or night- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

 

 

Garbage Disposal Problems: Myths

Garbage Disposal Problems: Myths

A couple weeks ago we talked about some common garbage disposal problems. Today we’re going to talk about one of the biggest garbage disposal problems- myths! We understand that doing research on plumbing and garbage disposals isn’t really a top priority for most homeowners, and understandably so! However, having correct information about your garbage disposal can help you avoid many common garbage disposal problems. The garbage disposal is one of the hardest working appliances in the modern day American home- many of us use our garbage disposal multiple times every day without even thinking about it.

Because spending lots of time reading about your garbage disposal probably isn’t how you want to spend your free time, we’ll keep this short and sweet and help clear up some of those common garbage disposal myths.

 

Myth #1

You can sharpen the blades with ice cubes. No, no, no! Many of us have heard that if your garbage disposal is having a hard time grinding up food that you should put ice cubes down it and turn it on. This is a very common garbage disposal myth, and I have tons of friends who do this all the time. In fact, there are no sharp blades in your garbage disposal. The “blades” that grind up your food are actually blunt- surprise! Putting ice cubes down your garbage disposal won’t sharpen these blades because they are designed to be blunt. In fact, if you put ice cubes down your garbage disposal you could potentially cause a lot of damage. If your garbage disposal isn’t grinding up food properly, you should call a plumber to check it out to see if you need repairs.

Myth #2

You should run hot water while running your garbage disposal. The thought process behind this myth is that hot water helps to dissolve grease, food, and other organic matter that’s been put down your garbage disposal. However, if you run hot water while you’re running your garbage disposal, you could cause your garbage disposal to overheat! Its true that you should run water while running your disposal, but its important to try and use cold water whenever possible. If your garbage disposal overheats, you could cause substantial damage resulting in a whole new unit.

Myth #3

Your garbage disposal can grind up any food product you put down it. While your garbage disposal is a heavy duty, durable appliance, it can and will break if not treated properly. Your garbage disposal is designed to grind up SOFT food particles, not hard ones! Your garbage disposal is not built to grind up bones, gristle, corn cobs, popcorn kernels, etc. A good rule of thumb to remember is that if you can’t chew it, neither can your garbage disposal!

If you need a professional plumber to help you out with your garbage disposal problems, don’t forget to call a trusted, experienced plumber. At Masterflo Plumbing we can assess your garbage disposal needs. If your garbage disposal can be repaired, we have the experience necessary to make those repairs. If you need a new one, we can install it for you. No matter how careful you are with your garbage disposal, it may still break down at some point, and we’ll be there to help you out 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For all your garbage disposal needs contact us at (678) 822-7095!

 

 

Do You Need An Emergency Plumber?

Do You Need An Emergency Plumber?

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

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

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

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

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

 

Bathroom Clogs

Bathroom Clogs

Most of us are all too familiar with clogged drains- especially in the bathroom! If your house is anything like mine, bathroom clogs occur all too frequently. Chances are, most of us deal with a bathroom clog at least once or twice a year! Most of the time, these clogs can be fixed by using a plunger. Other times, however, tough clogs may require a visit from a professional plumber. 

Chemical drain cleaners seem like an easy fix for bathroom clogs, but its important that you don’t use them! These cleaners are acidic and can be very harmful to your drainpipes. They also create toxic fumes, which can be harmful to you and your family.

What causes these tough bathroom clogs?

  • Hair- This is the main cause of tough bathroom clogs! Hair can easily get trapped in your pipes by the sludge that lines them or in the p-trap (the curved pipe section below the sink) and begin to accumulate. As the accumulation continues, the hair will eventually form a thick plug. Sometimes, even professional plumbers can have difficulty dealing with a large hair clog. Having a drain cover for your sink and your shower drain can greatly reduce your chances of getting a hair clog in your bathroom!
  • Soap scum- Soap scum is a very common problem, but in a bathroom its next to impossible to prevent. Soap scum goes down the pipes and builds up along the inside of the drain pipes. As well as causing clogs, soap scum also creates acidic chemicals that can damage your drain pipes.
  • Stuff- People who have kids know all too well that little objects can definitely cause a clog in your bathroom drain pipes. However, even people without kids may have experienced this problem. Small caps, like shampoo bottle caps, can get knocked off ledges in the shower and go down the drain. While small objects can cause big clogs, a professional plumber will find a way to extract the object.

The best remedy for a tough clog is to call on a professional plumber, who has experience dealing with these issues. Professional plumbers have the skills, experience, and tools necessary to tackle your tough clogs without causing any further damage.

At Masterflo Plumbing, we have experience with all kinds of bathroom clogs and are available to come tackle your bathroom clog immediately! Contact us today at [callout add_button=”no” button_text=”Learn More” button_url=”#”]

(678) 822-7095

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Plumbing Tips: Garbage Disposal Repair

Plumbing Tips: Garbage Disposal Repair

We all love our garbage disposals, but none of us truly realize how much until it breaks, right? Without a doubt, the garbage disposal is one of the greatest inventions because it can make your life in the kitchen a thousand times easier. While its not one of the most common plumbing issues people have, your garbage disposal can break just like a toilet or shower head can. Here are some great, simple tips for keeping your garbage disposal healthy and avoiding the need for garbage disposal repair!

  1. Make sure you know what’s safe to put down it and what’s not. There are definitely some obvious things that you shouldn’t be putting down your garbage disposal- namely, plastic and metal. Solid objects like forks, spoons, and serving utensils definitely shouldn’t go down your garbage disposal. Although these things are obvious, there are some other objects that shouldn’t go down your garbage disposal that aren’t so obvious. Fibrous vegetables like celery and onion skins can get tangled up in the disposal. Fats, oils, and grease can also clog up the garbage disposal because as they cool off they solidify. Bones and fruit pits are also not supposed to go down your garbage disposal.
  2. Flush is out with boiling water. Pouring a pot full of boiling water down your garbage disposal every once in a while will flush it out. The boiling water will help break up and loosen and waste that has collected in the disposal chamber or the drain pipe. We recommend doing this once a month to help clean out old waste and prevent future build up.
  3. Don’t push your luck, get it repaired! This one may seem obvious, but we’re ALL guilty of it. How many times has one of your appliances started acting up and you just ignore it and hope it goes away on its own?? If your garbage disposal is making a funny sound or vibrating more than normal, call a plumber for garbage disposal repair! Contrary to popular belief, garbage disposals CAN be repaired- they don’t always have to be completely replaced! Having a garbage disposal repaired quickly can prevent having to have it totally replaced, saving you lots of money!

If you need help with your garbage disposal or need garbage disposal repair help, call Masterflo Plumbing today at [callout add_button=”no” button_text=”Learn More” button_url=”#”]

(678) 822-7095

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Water Heater Wednesday: Tankless Water Heaters

Water Heater Wednesday: Tankless Water Heaters

Last week we talked about what a tankless water heater is and how it works. Today we’re going to discuss some benefits of tankless water heaters and how they can save you money.

Because of the way a tankless water heater works, it can be installed in a tight space, unlike a traditional water heater. This saves you a lot of space and is less of an eye sore. Also, since tankless water heaters deliver hot water on demand as opposed to storing hot water, they can save you a ton of energy. Another benefit is that they generally last twice as long as traditional water heaters as long as they are properly maintained.

 

Tankless Water Heater Comparison
(graphic from Compact Appliance)

Another great benefit of a tankless water heater is the amount of money you can save! Your up front cost for the purchase and installation can range anywhere from $2,000-$4,000. The price will depend on the size you need and which model you choose. Though initially this may sound like a lot of money, looking long term a tankless water heater will make up this cost and save you extra. Within two years, a tankless water heater will begin to pay for itself because of how energy efficient it is. The average home uses around 41 gallons or less of hot water each day. Based on this number, tankless water heaters can save you up to 34% more energy each day. A properly maintained tankless water heater can last more than 20 years….that’s a lot of savings!

Next week on Water Heater Wednesday we’ll talk about selecting the right tankless water heater for your home!

If you need help selecting or installing a new tankless water heater or maintenance help with your current tankless water heater, call us today at (678) 822-7095!