Hydro Jetting Services

Hydro Jetting Services

Summer is halfway over and there’s no better time to take care of all your home maintenance issues well before any type of inclement weather sets in this fall or winter. If you’ve got clogged pipes or sewer lines, hydro jetting services may be the answer you’ve been waiting for! If you’re not familiar with hydro jetting, read on to find out more about this great service!

Hydro jetting is a highly effective method used by professional plumbers to clean out clogged sewer lines. A blast of water at an extremely high pressure- usually about 4000 psi- is sent into the lines. This blast generally removes any and all clogs, blockages, and buildups.

Oftentimes your plumber will do a video inspection of your lines to determine what has caused your clog and exactly where the problem is located. Even if tree roots are the cause of your problem, hydro jetting will usually cut right through them. Sometimes, if the tree roots are extra heavy and thick, your plumber may need to run a snake through the line first. Video inspection prior to hydro jetting is also a good idea to check for broken pipes or weak areas. Hydro jetting weak pipes can wreak havoc on your plumbing system.

Hydro jetting can be used in residential or commercial settings. For residential purposes, hydro jetting can clear out sand, silt, lime scale, and even hair clogs. Yearly hydro jetting can help maintain your plumbing system in a way that routine snaking can not. Hydro jetting not only breaks up clogs, it also completely clears the pipes of any residual buildup. Its also very environmentally friendly as no harsh chemicals are used!

Hydro jetting is a great way to maintain your plumbing system and get rid of pesky clogs or slow pipes. It should only be done by a trained professional in order to avoid causing any damage to your plumbing system. A trained plumber will know exactly how to use the hydro jetting system in order to maximize benefits and prevent damage.

If you find yourself with frequent clogs or a generally slow plumbing system, our hydro jetting services may be right for you. This service can greatly improve older plumbing systems and is great for sand, silt, and limescale buildup. Contact the local professionals at Masterflo Plumbing today to discuss our hydro jetting services. You can call us 7 days a week at (678) 822-7095!

10 Pool Safety Tips

10 Pool Safety Tips

Spending time at the pool is a great way to keep your kids active during the summer and can help prevent your kids from uttering those two words every parent dreads hearing- “I’m bored!”. Hanging out at the pool is always a family favorite and is a great pastime for all members of your family no matter how old they are.pool-safety-tips
Although spending time at the pool is the perfect family friendly summer activity, it does come with certain risks. Nearly 400 children drown each year in the United States, and 58% of those drownings occur in pools. This is a scary statistic, but it shouldn’t keep you from soaking up some sun and enjoying your family poolside this summer!
Today we’re bringing you some pool safety tips that can help keep you and your family safe all summer long. Whether you have your own pool or you’re hanging out at a neighborhood pool or a public pool, its important to take all the necessary precautions and safety measures. 

10 Pool Safety Tips-

1. Swim lessons! Swim lessons are a great way to keep your kids safe at the pool. A child who knows how to swim is at a significantly lower risk of drowning than a child who can’t swim. You can start swim lessons with babies as young as 6 months!
2. Supervise, supervise, supervise! Always make sure there is at least one set of responsible eyes on your kids when they are in or near a pool! While one set of eyes is a must, two sets are even better! You can never have enough supervision when it comes to pool time.
3. Know CPR! This is a life saving tip that everyone should know! Check with your local county rec center, fire department, or Red Cross chapter to find a CPR class.
4. Create physical barriers. If you have your own pool, installing fences and other physical barriers is a great way to prevent young kids from accidentally falling into your pool.
5. Create pool time rituals. If you create a process your child has to go through before entering the pool (swim diaper, swim suit, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, life vest, etc.) it can hinder them from making impulse decisions and jumping into the pool on a whim.
6. Teach your kids to swim without flotation devices! Flotation devices definitely serve an important purpose, but when you’re actively trying to teach your kids how to tread water, stay afloat, or swim, its important that they learn these skills without the assistance of flotation devices.
7. Forget the goggles. This may seem counter intuitive, but teaching your kids (and yourself!) to be comfortable looking around under water can be crucial. If your child is comfortable opening his or her eyes under water, it will help them feel less disoriented if they do accidentally fall into the water.
8. Blow bubbles! Teach your kids to put their face underwater and blow bubbles in the bathtub. This encourages your kids to not inhale or drink the water in the pool.
9. Set some rules. You should always have pool rules that your kids are familiar with. If you have guests over, no matter how old your guests are, you should make sure your guests are familiar with your pool rules, too.
10. Use proper flotation devices. If you and your kids are on a boat or any other type of watercraft or are in an open body of water, life vests are a must!
Following our 10 pool safety tips can help ensure that you and your family have a safe, fun filled summer at the pool this year. Don’t let plumbing tasks around the house take the fun out of your summer. Relax with your friends and family at the pool and contact Masterflo Plumbing today for all your residential plumbing needs! Give us a call at (678) 822-7095!

Fire Safety Tips

Fire Safety Tips

Earlier this week, we talked about the drought in Georgia and ways you can save water and reduce your monthly water bill. Along with the drought comes a higher risk for fire. Fire safety tips are generally drilled into us in elementary school through demonstrations by the local fire department, but how many of us still remember what we learned all those years ago? The risk of you and your home being involved in a fire increases during the summer due to things like drought and fireworks during the 4th of July. Did you know that if your home catches on fire you may have less than 2 minutes to escape?

fire-safety-tips

Today let’s go over some quick refresher points so that you’ll be prepared in case of a fire in your home!
Fire Safety Tips-
1. Make sure you and your family members have a fire escape plan and that you practice it a couple times a year. Try to seek out two ways to escape from each room in your home. You should also have a designated meeting spot outside of your home so you can account for all family members if you do have a fire in your home.
2. If your home does catch on fire, get out immediately and don’t go back in. 
3. Teach all your family members to stop, drop, and roll in case their clothing catches on fire. This one is basic, but it can be life saving!
4. Check your smoke detectors once a month. If they aren’t working, replace the batteries. All of your smoke detectors should be completely replaced every 10 years.
5. Make sure your home is equipped with enough smoke detectors. You should have at least one on each level of your home.
6. Know the difference between a smoke detector and a carbon monoxide detector. Both are important and life saving and neither can be substituted for the other!
7. Ensure that everyone in your family- especially young children- is familiar with the sound of a smoke detector! The high pitched sound can be scary, especially to children, so making sure that everyone is familiar with the sound is crucial.
8. If you use space heaters in your home, make sure all flammable objects are at least three feet away from the heaters. If you leave your home, make sure all heaters are turned off.
9. Having a portable fire extinguisher handy can be key to stopping a fire before it gets out of control. However, you should be properly trained in how to use it!
10. The word PASS can help you remember how to use a fire extinguisher. 
       -Pull the pin and hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointed away from you.
       -Aim low. You should always point the fire extinguisher at the base of the fire.
       -Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
       -Sweep the nozzle from side to side.
Make sure to review these fire safety tips to help keep you and your family safe this summer and all year long! If you have experienced a fire in your home and need plumbing restoration help, call the local professionals you can trust at Masterflo Plumbing. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (678) 822-7095!

Drought In Georgia: Water Saving Tips

Drought In Georgia: Water Saving Tips

According to the AJC, Georgia is in a severe drought that is continuing to expand. Most places in Georgia are down approximately 2″ in rain so far this year. You can always monitor the severity of the drought in your area by using the United States Drought Monitor. So far, there are no imposed water restrictions, but that doesn’t mean we should ignore the fact that we are in a drought. Doing your part to conserve water is important all year long, but especially during a drought. Following some water saving tips can have an ecological impact and can also have an economical impact by saving you money on your water bill. Let’s all help fight through the drought in Georgia and follow some water saving tips this year!

drought-in-georgia

Water Saving Tips:

  1. Install water saving shower heads and try to keep your showers under 5 minutes each.
  2. Only run full loads in your washing machine and your dishwasher.
  3. Don’t use your toilet as a trash can as this results in extra flushes each day.
  4. Install a low flow toilet.
  5. Don’t leave the water running while you’re brushing your teeth, shaving, or doing dishes.
  6. Water your garden, yard, or other plants during the times when there will be minimal water evaporation such as early in the morning or late at night.
  7. Don’t let your tap run while you’re waiting for cooler water, instead keep some water refrigerated.
  8. Make sure to stay on top of your home’s plumbing system and check for leaks!

Do your part to try and follow these water saving tips during the drought in Georgia this year! If you check your plumbing system and find that you have plumbing leaks or want to learn more about ways you can install more eco friendly plumbing appliances, call the experts at Masterflo Plumbing today! (678) 822-7095!

 

Save Money On Your Water Bill

Save Money On Your Water Bill

Summer is halfway over, and if you’re like many parents, you may have noticed you’ve been spending more money than usual. Going on family vacations, taking your kids to participate in local activities, and summer camps all cost money! Keeping your kids engaged and occupied all summer is worth the extra spending, so today we’ve come up with some ways to help you save money in another area! Our tips all focus on ways that you can save money every month on your water bill. The only thing better than saving money is finding ways to save money consistently, every single month. At the end of the year you’ll be amazed at how much money you can save.

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.

save-money-every-month

5 Ways To Save Money On Your Water Bill:

1) Install A 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.

2) Keep Up With Your Home 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.

3) 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.

4) Take 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.

5) 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!

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!

5 Tips For Avoiding Hot Water Heater Replacement

5 Tips For Avoiding Hot Water Heater Replacement

Running out of hot water is not only a nuisance- its costly, as well. We often take our hot water heaters for granted. Just stop and think about how many times each day you use your hot water! Its probably quite a bit more than you’d think. While its not possible to completely avoid ever needing to repair or replace your hot water heater, there are certain steps you can take to lower your risk.

At Masterflo Plumbing we like to save you time and money, so today we’re going to talk about some tips for avoiding hot water heater replacement.

tips-for-avoiding-hot-water-heater-repair-and-replacement

5 Tips For Avoiding Hot Water Heater Replacement-

  1. Check the temperature setting a couple times each year. Your hot water heater temperature should be set to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. If you’ve got it set any higher, you will definitely see an increase in your utility bill. You’re also working your hot water heater harder, and it’ll be more likely to need repairs or total replacement.
  2. Drain your hot water heater twice a year. Sediment build up on the bottom of your hot water heater is normal and occurs naturally. If too much sediment is allowed to build up, you may be increasing your risk of needing hot water heater repair or replacement. Draining your hot water heater allows you to remove most of the sediment.
  3. Make sure you have proper ventilation that is in working condition. If your hot water heater is heated by using gas, it needs to be vented. If the ventilation is not working properly, toxic byproducts could be invading the air in your home.
  4. Check the pressure relief valve twice a year. The pressure relief valve is a safety feature that relives excess pressure if the water heater has overheated. Relief valves can leak or corrode which can cause them to malfunction and could possibly lead to more damage. Catching any leaks or corrosion early can save you time and money.
  5. Schedule a maintenance visit with a professional plumber annually. A professional plumber will be able to check out your unit to make sure its in proper working condition. Someone with a trained eye may be able to catch and fix small problems before they turn into large ones.

Although there is never a sure way to avoid all hot water heater problems, following these 5 tips for avoiding hot water heater replacement can minimize your risk. If you need a professional plumber in Woodstock, GA, don’t hesitate to contact Masterflo Plumbing today at (678) 822-7095!

Home Buying Checklist

Home Buying Checklist

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

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

homebuying-checklist

Here is a helpful home buying checklist specific to plumbing:

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

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

 

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July!

The 4th of July is, perhaps, the most patriotic of all American holidays! We often celebrate with fireworks, backyard BBQ’s, and parties. While most of us believe July 4th is the day we received our independence from England, this is not entirely true.

Before the USA was the United States of America, it was actually a group of colonies, an extension of England. As the colonies began to develop and change and differ from England, conflicts started to arise between the colonies and England. In 1764, Britain decided to impose new rules on the colonies. This did not sit well with the people in the colonies. Eventually, these disagreements led to the war we know now as the American Revolution.

During the course of the American Revolution, a Congress was formed in the colonies. The people who made up this Congress drafted the Declaration of Independence. On July 4th, 1776, this Declaration of Independence was officially approved and adopted by Congress. This is where the “4th of July” comes from. Even though the people living in the colonies officially declared their independence on that date, the American Revolution did not end until later.

4th of july

Happy 4th of July from all of us at Masterflo Plumbing! We hope you have a happy, safe, and relaxing holiday weekend. Remember, if you find yourself in need of an emergency plumber this holiday weekend, you can count on us! Contact us at (678) 822-7095!