Quick and Easy Plumbing Fixes

Having a plumbing problem is always an inconvenience. No one ever wants to be faced with plumbing problems- especially near the holidays! Generally plumbing problems result in calling a professional plumber and sometimes spending hundreds (or thousands!) of dollars for a solution. 

While its almost certain that you will face a number of plumbing problems throughout your life time, the good news is that there are many common plumbing problems that can be solved fairly easily and without a plumber. If its not a problem that can be solved completely on your own, there are some things you can do to prevent the problem from worsening and causing further damage. 

In an effort to save you some time, money, and frustration this holiday season, we’re going to talk about some quick and easy plumbing fixes! While there are hundreds of plumbing problems that can plague a homeowner, these are some of the most common. 

quick and easy plumbing fixes

Hot Water Heater Problems

No hot water? Or do you have luke warm water? Are you running out of hot water too quickly?

  • Make sure your pilot light is lit
  • Double check your temperature setting
  • If you’ve got a big family or you use unusually large amounts of hot water, you may need a larger hot water heater or a second hot water heater installed

Clogged Drain

Is your drain clogged up? Is the water backing up into your sink?

  • Try not to pour hot grease or oils down your sink drain
  • If its already backed up, try to use a different sink
  • Don’t use chemical drain cleaners that you find in the store
  • Try using a plunger to move the clog

Stinky Drains

Do you cringe every time you’re near your sink? Are there foul odors coming out of your drains?

  • If you have a garbage disposal run it every time you put food in it
  • Try pouring vinegar and baking soda down the drain and flushing it with hot water

Leaky Pipes

Do you see water damage on your floors, walls, or ceilings? Do you hear a leak coming from your pipes?

  • Leaky pipes occur due to age
  • If you notice a leak shut off the water supply to that area
  • Pipe repair should only be done by a licensed, professional plumber

If these quick and easy plumbing fixes don’t solve your plumbing problem, you need to call a professional plumber. At Masterflo Plumbing we have a team of professional plumbers who have the knowledge, training, and experience necessary to deal with your plumbing problems quickly and correctly the first time! Don’t let plumbing problems add to your stress just before Christmas, give us a call at (678) 822-7095!

8 Steps To Prevent Frozen Pipes

8 Steps To Prevent Frozen Pipes

Plumbing problems never seem to come at a convenient time, but not having hot water during the harsh winter months is the ultimate in inconvenient plumbing problems. Besides being inconvenient, frozen pipes can present serious compromises to the health, safety, and integrity of your family and your home and property! Frozen pipes plague millions of Americans each year, and if you live in an area that sees freezing temperatures during the winter, you are at risk of having frozen pipes. Although north Georgia sees milder winters than some places in the United States, many homeowners here still end up with frozen pipes. 

Don’t get stuck with frozen pipes and no hot water this winter, just follow our 8 steps to prevent frozen pipes!

frozen-pipes

8 Steps To Prevent Frozen Pipes- 

  1. Insulate pipes that are in colder areas of your home with foam.
  2. Wrap pipes that are at risk of freezing with heater tape.
  3. Seal any gaps in insulation near your pipes.
  4. Replace older plumbing.
  5. Call a professional plumber to reroute plumbing that is exposed to the elements.
  6. During particularly freezing temperatures, allow warm air to circulate around pipes in cooler areas of your home. This may mean opening cabinet doors or opening the door to your basement or your garage from your main living space.
  7. Consider keeping the temperature in your home slightly warmer than normal overnight when outside temperatures drop the most drastically.
  8. Turn on your faucets to allow a slow drip overnight. This will ensure that water continues to flow through your pipes.

While these 8 steps can surely help prevent frozen pipes, nothing is guaranteed! If you find that your pipes are frozen and you are without hot water, call a plumber immediately! Many times frozen pipes can be fixed easily and without resulting in any problems, but sometimes frozen pipes can cause major damage to your home and property.

For more information about the safety of you, your family, and your home during freezing winter temperatures, read more from the Red Cross.

For an emergency plumber in your area, call Masterflo Plumbing immediately at (678) 822-7095! We’re on call for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Winterize Your Home

Winterize Your Home

We’re a week into November, and for those of us in Georgia, we’ve had some mild temperatures so far! Don’t be fooled, though! December, January, and February are just around the corner. January and February are traditionally the harshest of the winter months and can bring freezing rain, sleet, ice, and snow. Getting your home prepared for winter is important for the safety and comfort of you and your family! Knowing how to winterize your home is important, even in the south! Learn how to winterize your home and get started early so that you can rest easy during the winter months! 

winterize your home

Follow our winter home prep checklist to learn how to winterize your home and make sure that you, your family, and your friends stay safe and warm this winter!

  • Invest in a new door mat. During the course of the year, your doormat can get worn down and is no longer functional. A new door mat will encourage guests to wipe their feet and will help to reduce slips and falls.
  • Stock up on outdoor supplies. Make sure you have a snow shovel, and an ample supply of salt or sand BEFORE winter weather hits. If you wait till harsh weather hits your area, stores are likely to sell out of the supplies you need.
  • Pay attention to your home’s humidity. Dry air that occurs in your home during the winter can be damaging to your health and the health of your children. Consider purchasing a humidifier if you don’t already have one. If you do, make sure its clean and ready to be used.
  • Get your fireplace professionally cleaned. If you have a fireplace that you plan to use to heat your home during the winter, make sure you have a professional chimney sweep clean it for you first! This small step can drastically reduce your risk of having your home catch on fire or carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • Clean your gutters and downspouts. Having your gutters cleaned before winter weather hits will keep that winter precipitation flowing and can prevent clogged gutters. Clogged gutters can eventually lead to siding damage, gutter corrosion, and foundation damage.
  • Fix all the leaks in your home. If you’ve got a leaky roof, a drafty window seal, or worn out weather stripping on a door, now is the time to fix all those leaks! Fixing all those holes can help keep you warm and will cut down on your winter utility bills.

Know how to winterize your home and follow these tips to help keep you safe and warm this winter! For any winter plumbing emergencies, make sure to contact Masterflo Plumbing today at (678) 822-7095!