Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween Safety Tips

Here in north Georgia we’re facing record setting high temperatures, and it sure doesn’t feel like it but Halloween is here! Halloween is always a holiday favorite among both kids and adults, but it can also pose some dangers. At Masterflo Plumbing, we want to ensure that all of you have a safe and fun filled Halloween! Today we’re sharing some of our best Halloween safety tips!

halloween safety tips

Walking Tips

  • Cross the street at the corners or in the crosswalks where possible
  • Make sure to look both ways before crossing the street and while crossing the street
  • Don’t text or look down at your cell phone while crossing the street
  • Make eye contact with drivers before crossing the road in front of them
  • Always use sidewalks

Have a plan

  • Kids under the age of 12 should always trick or treat with an adult
  • Children who are old enough to go without an adult should go over their plan with an adult first
  • Children going trick or treating without an adult should only go to well lit areas that they are familiar with
  • If your children are going trick or treating without you, make sure you know where they’re going and who they’re with

Costume Safety

  • Costumes and bags should have reflective tape or stickers on them
  • Face paint is safer than face masks, which can obscure vision
  • Glow sticks or flash lights can help your children be seen by drivers
  • Make sure costumes are the right size

Drive Safely

  • Drive extra slowly in neighborhoods and residential areas
  • Make sure to triple check for children before driving through an intersection
  • Back out of parking spaces and driveways cautiously
  • The most popular trick or treating hours are between 5:30-9:30 so drive extra cautiously during those hours
  • Make sure you are not a distracted driver!
  • Don’t drink and drive

We hope you all have a great Halloween! And remember- plumbing emergencies can happen anytime, even on holidays! If you need an emergency plumber this Halloween weekend make sure to call the experts you can trust at Masterflo Plumbing! (678) 822-7095

Slab Leaks 101

Slab Leaks 101

Owning a home is a source of pride and a goal for many of us, but its also a huge responsibility and can sometimes be a huge headache! There are all kinds of problems that can affect your home, and even a home in pristine condition will probably have a few small problems here or there. Plumbing problems are some of the worst problems that can affect your home. Plumbing problems aren’t always cut and dry or easy fixes. They are often hard to detect and can manifest themselves in other ways causing more damage to your home.

Slab leaks are one of the worst problems. Slab leaks are often very hard to detect, are hard to repair, and if a slab leak goes unnoticed it can really wreak havoc on your home. A slab leak can greatly impact the integrity of your home’s foundation, potentially putting the safety of you and your family at risk. After a long dry spell, we’ve had tons of rain so far this spring, and we’re projected to get even more! With all this rain after such a long drought, the ground can quickly become over saturated, and any extra water will quickly make its way into your home through any method possible. If you’ve got even the tiniest beginnings of a crack in your slab, you can bet the rain water will make its way in. Let’s take a look at the basics of slab leaks and what you can do to be proactive if you’ve got a slab leak!

What is it?

A slab is the concrete foundation that your home sits on for stability. Underneath the slab are numerous plumbing pipes, including your water and sewer lines. If one of these pipes beaneath your slab begins to leak, you have a slab leak! The water from these pipes then travels up through the slab and, eventually, into your home through the floor. Because these pipes are buried and not visible to you, leaks can go unnoticed for long periods of time. This allows the leak to cause much more damage to your home than a leak that gets detected early on. Spotting a slab leak before its had the chance to cause major damage to your home’s foundation is nearly impossible.

What can you do?

If you notice that you may have a slab leak, make sure to turn off your water to try and prevent any additional damage. Next, call a professional plumber and have the slab leak fixed ASAP! The longer it festers, the more damage you’ll have and the more money you’ll have to spend to get it fixed. 

At Masterflo Plumbing, we have the skills and experience necessary to fix your slab leak quickly and correctly the first time! If you suspect you have a slab leak, don’t hesitate, call us today at (678) 822-7095! 

 

 

Emergency Plumber Canton, GA

Emergency Plumber Canton, GA

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 trust worthy and responsive plumber on hand, just in case! 

The key to keeping your plumbing emergencies under control is knowing when to call an emergency plumber! Calling a plumber if you’re facing an emergency is crucial to preventing unnecessary damage. 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.

emergency plumber canton ga

Because its not always completely obvious when you need to call an emergency plumber in Canton, GA, 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!  If you need an emergency plumber in Canton, GA  make sure to call your dependable, local emergency plumber today at (678) 822-7095!

Easy Water Heater Maintenance Tips

Easy Water Heater Maintenance Tips

Running out of hot water is everyone’s worst plumbing nightmare. Not having hot water is a huge inconvenience, and can sometimes mean that you’re facing a costly problem. With the holidays quickly approaching, no one needs the added expense of replacing a hot water heater. Although 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 water heater maintenance tips for avoiding hot water heater repair and replacement.

water heater maintenance tips

Easy Water Heater Maintenance Tips-

  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 easy tips for avoiding hot water heater repair and replacement can minimize your risk. If you need a professional plumber in metro Atlanta, don’t hesitate to contact Masterflo Plumbing today at (678) 822-7095!

Fall Lawn Maintenance

Fall Lawn Maintenance

Warmer, summer temperatures are slowly fading away, and chances are you may be tired of doing yardwork. Here in north Georgia we have warm temperatures for a good portion of the year, which means lots of growing grass, weeds, plants, and trees that have to be tended to. Although you may be looking forward to the cooler months when you don’t have to do any yard work, doing a few extra steps now can save you a lot of work in the spring when the temperatures rise again.
Putting in some extra effort now can potentially save you from having to start from scratch with your plants and grass in the spring. Follow these easy fall lawn maintenance tips, and you can rest easy all fall and winter.
fall lawn maintenance

Fall Lawn Maintenance: 

1. Seed your lawn. It may seem counterintuitive, but seeding in the fall when the temperatures are cooler is actually a great idea. Sometimes, super warm temperatures can actually prevent grass seed from really thriving and growing. Patching bare spots in your lawn in the fall when the weather is cooler can help your grass seed better retain moisture and other nutrients. Don’t forget to aerate the soil before laying your grass seed!
2. Don’t forget to fertilize. Giving your lawn one last round of fertilization before winter can set you up for success in the spring. It will also give your lawn one last burst of green, making your lawn the envy of your neighborhood. Fertilizing your lawn before winter can help your grass seed to spread to bare or thinning patches. 
3. Tend to any remaining weeds. Pulling weeds and applying weed killer plus lawn fertilizer will keep any remaining weeds from threatening your grass. Taking pre-emptive measures against weeds will help your grass seed maintain and re-establish before spring. It may also cut down on the amount of weeds you have to tend to in the spring!
4. Rake and mow as usual. Don’t give up on your lawn too soon! While its tempting to begin ignoring your lawn once temperatures cool off, you’ll just end up with twice the work load in the spring. Falling leaves can smother your grass and prevent it from growing and prevent grass seed from taking. Keep the leaves raked, so that your grass will come back nice and full and green in the spring. 
5. Check for any unusually wet or lush patches throughout the fall and winter. Unusually wet or lush patches in your yard that don’t belong can be a sign of an underlying plumbing problem, indicating a pipe leak or sewer line leak. These leaks can be devastating to your property and home and often go unnoticed in the fall and winter when you’re spending less time outdoors in your yard.
Taking a few extra steps now can lessen your work load in the spring, and set your yard and home up for success. If you believe you may have a plumbing leak or sewer line leak, call the professionals at Masterflo Plumbing today by dialing (678) 822-7095 now!

Buying A Home: Plumbing Warning Signs

Buying A Home: Plumbing Warning Signs

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. 
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 plumbing warning signs you can look for as you walk through your home. Today we’re going to talk about a few of these warning signs and the potential implications they can have.
buying a home
k

Plumbing Warning Signs:

  • 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!

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!

Hurricane Evacuation Tips

Hurricane Evacuation Tips

Currently, the United States is experiencing the effects of Hurricane Matthew, a historical, record breaking hurricane. Although here in north Georgia we aren’t expected to experience any weather effects from Matthew, our neighbors in coastal Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina aren’t so lucky. Today we’re going to be talking about some tips that can help keep you and your family safe in case you do ever find yourself in the path of a hurricane.

hurricane evacuation tips

Hurricane Evacuation Tips-

  1. Keep a full tank of gas in your car if you begin hearing news reports of weather that may result in an evacuation.
  2. Be familiar with alternate routes around your area that can take you inland and out of state. Main roads may be extremely clogged and congested during a hurrican evacuation. 
  3. Leave early! Don’t wait until the last minute. You risk not being able to beat the weather or sitting in major traffic delays.
  4. Be familiar with any roads or shortcuts in your area that may be closed due to hazardous weather conditions.
  5. Be on the lookout for washed out roads, bridges, or downed power lines that have not yet been reported to your local emergency agencies. Do not try to drive through abnormally high standing water.
  6. Make sure you have batteries and a battery powered radio in case of power outages.
  7. Take your pets with you if possible, and be prepared to look for shelters and hotels that will accept pets. 
  8. Stay in contact with out of state friends and family. They will be worried about your safety and may be able to provide you with a safe place to stay.
  9. Make sure when you leave your home that you lock all doors and have secured all windows. If time allows, board up your windows. 
  10. Wear sturdy shoes and comfortable clothing.
  11. Check with neighbors to see if you can carpool to reduce road congestion.

For more information and more hurricane evacuation tips you can check out www.ready.gov. If your home has been damaged in a natural disaster and you are in need of an emergency plumber, call the professionals you can trust at Masterflo Plumbing at (678) 822-7095!

 

Fall Activities Cherokee County, GA

Fall Activities Cherokee County, GA

Fall is here and the temperatures are beginning to cool off! We’ve been talking a lot about home improvement and fall home maintenance tasks, so today we thought we’d talk about something a little more fun. October is a favorite month for many people, partly because of all the fun fall activities going on! October is a great month to gather up your family and get outside, so we’ve rounded up some fall activities in and around Cherokee County!

Fall Activities- 

1. The Chick-fil-A Dwarf House in Woodstock is hosting a Pumpkin Party Night on October 10th from 5:00pm-7:00pm. Find out more here.
2. The city of Ball Ground will be having their Spooktacular 2016 festival on October 28th from 4:00pm-9:00pm. You can read more about ithere.
3. Downtown Canton is having their Farmer’s Market closing day along with a Halloween Party and trick or treating on October 29th from 9:00am-1:00pm. There’s more information here.
4. Gibbs Gardens is having a fall festival the weekends of October 8-9 and October 15-16. Read more about all the fun activities on theGibbs Gardens events calendar.
5. Although its a little bit further of a drive, Burt’s Farm is open all month long! You can go on hayrides, pick pumpkins, feed fish, and shop at the country store. You can check their hours on their website.
6. The city of Woodstock will be hosting KidsFest on October 31st from 3:00pm-7:00pm. Read more about it on Woodstock’s website. 
7. Mercier Orchards is having u-pick apples the entire month of October! They regularly post the u-pick schedule on their Facebook page.
We hope you all have a great, fun, and safe fall! Don’t forget, at Masterflo Plumbing we’re here for all your plumbing needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Just give us a call at (678) 822-7095! 
family-owned-plumbing-company