I don’t know about you guys but nothing brings me comfort at times quite like sitting down and munching down on some snacks, specifically a PB&J sandwich. If you’re a fan of Peanut Butter like we are here at Metro-Flow Plumbing then we’d like to wish you a very Happy National Peanut Butter Day (January 24th). Today we’re going to share some of our favorite peanut butter sandwich recipes and also why you shouldn’t wash peanut butter down the drain. The answer is simpler than you think.

Smooth or crunchy? What’s your favorite way of consuming the peanut buttery goodness we grew up on? Peanut butter owes its creation to a number of people through the late 1800s. You might’ve thought no way, I thought it was George Washington Carver. So did I! Today we’re both learning something new. Although credit goes to Carver more often than not, what he actually did do was develop literally hundreds of ways to use peanuts. He was a pioneer in his field of agricultural science, peanut butter or not. 

Let’s get right to it though, you’ve made yourself a PB&J and your butter knife is covered in peanut butter. Just do your drain a favor and go to town on it instead of rinsing it down the drain. The problem is peanut butter contains a lot of fats. Healthy fats mind you, but fats nonetheless. When fats are washed down a kitchen sink without enough water they will stick and solidify. Overtime, this will cause your drain to clog and drain very slowly. Other products that contain this are a wide variety of dairy products such as cheeses and meats for obvious reasons. If your drain is clogged, trust us you don't want to use the over the counter cleaning products that will damage your drain overtime. Give Metro-Flow Plumbing a call at 214-328-7371. We’ll be more than happy to assist as well as check the status of your home’s plumbing if you’d choose to.

Now that we’ve covered that little tidbit, let’s get to the good stuff shall we. Below you will find 3 of our favorite sandwich recipes containing peanut butter! Simplicity is key with these!
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Ingredients: 1 apple, 2 slices of bread, and of course Peanut Butter.
Directions: Core and cut an apple into thin slices. Spread peanut butter over one slice of bread and make sure that it’s spread thick so the apple slices stick. One layer is sufficient so there’s no mess. Top with another slice of bread and enjoy!

Ingredients: Peanut Butter and 2 slices of bread.
Directions: We’ve had grilled cheese sandwiches before but what about grilled peanut butter? Heat a pan or skillet over medium heat. Spread the peanut butter on one slice of bread and place the second slice on top. Easy enough. Now butter both sides of the sandwich on the outside and place on the skillet until golden brown. Enjoy! If you want to add jelly, it takes it to another level!

Ingredients: 1 banana, 2 slices bread and peanut butter.
Directions: Slice one banana into thin slices. Spread peanut butter on both slices of bread, be generous with it so the banana slices don’t go anywhere and stick. Place banana slices on the peanut butter on the bread and close it up with the other slice of bread. For a more flavorful (but messier) experience add honey. Enjoy!

We hope you enjoyed celebrating National Peanut Butter Day with us! Remember to pace yourself eating these delicious sandwiches and of course be kind to your plumbing. Don’t wash down foods with too much fat (that includes peanut butter) and your pipes will love you in the long run. Check back with us next month for another edition of our blogs.

We here at Metro-Flow Plumbing appreciate your support Dallas! We have your back for any of your plumbing needs! Give us a call at 214-328-7371 today. Our plumbers are ready to assist you!

Our 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee includes a 5 year warranty on parts and labor.  At Metro-Flow Plumbing we will respond quickly, especially to tend to emergency services, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are committed to working until you are completely satisfied with our work. Please enjoy $50 OFF on work performed.​​ Mention METROFLOWCARES for us to apply this discount to your invoice. If you find yourself face-to-face with a plumbing problem, please call us at 214-328-7371. One of our certified plumbing technicians is ready to assist you 24/7.

Welcome to 2022 Dallas! We hope your New Year’s celebration was memorable. We here at Metro-Flow Plumbing are excited to have you back reading our blog and exploring our website. As we all remember, Texas made the national news around this time last year for all the wrong reasons. Our power grid failed and in turn many of us went through a very tough couple of weeks due to the weather we were experiencing. Reports of broken pipes due to the deep freeze were everywhere and Metro-Flow was on the scene helping our community out.

Though this abnormal drop in temperature shouldn’t be an annual problem, it is always better to be prepared than to be sorry later on. That’s why we have compiled a list of tips for next time the weather surprises us like it did.

1. Thermostats. Not constantly fooling around with them and keeping them at the same temperature will make your air conditioning system operate its best.
   
2. Open the doors below your kitchen and bathroom sinks. The warmer air circulating will help the pipes stay at room temperature and prevent them from freezing, expanding and bursting from being in an enclosed, dark environment.
   
3. Air Leaks. The rubber seal on windows can deteriorate over time allowing for cold air to come in. A quick inspection of your windows could save you money down the road as the cold air sneaking in will have your heating system working overtime. Look out for cracks as small as the width of a nickel around the framing edge, if any are found some caulk will fix them.
   
4. Turn off exterior faucets and drain the water completely from any hoses you might have outside. Water that remains in the pipes and/or hose will freeze and expand causing it to break.
   
5. If you own a chimney and haven’t turned it on in a long time it might be a good idea to get it inspected before the long winters. If necessary get someone to clean it. This will prevent all sorts of problems but more importantly it’ll prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and chimney fires.
   
6. Let your faucets drip just a bit overnight. The continuous flow of water, no matter how small, will prevent the water from freezing inside of the pipes.
   
7. Check your roof homeowners. Especially if it hasn’t been maintained in recent years. Missing shingles or wildlife crawling in could have exposed your home to the elements.
   
8. If you still have power and have fans that have a reverse mode, switch it on a low setting to keep warm. As we all should know heat rises which means the heat near the top of your room will be blown down at you. This is extra helpful in rooms with high ceilings and will keep your heating system from being on all day.
   
9. Check that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. With no power, fires are go to’s for warmth. Undetected smoke or carbon monoxide can be deadly particularly in the middle of the night.
   
10. Clear small branches from trees around your property. With strong enough winds these can break and fall on your property causing damage.
    
11. BONUS TIP - Review your home insurance coverage. There are many different types of home insurance and you want to make sure you’re covered on all bases. Following these steps, may prevent your home from experiencing extensive damage.​

To summarize, it’s better to be prepared than to go through the headache of fixing things that could be preventable. Sometimes we even lose irreplaceable belongings in these unfortunate situations and we certainly want to avoid that. We hope this blog helps you along the way to be better prepared for harsher weather situations.

From your friends here at Metro-Flow Plumbing, we can’t wait to have you here for the next blog. Have a great day Dallas! Let’s make this year a great one - and remember that your friends at Metro-Flow Plumbing are available 24/7 and are only a phone call away. You may reach us at: 214-328-7371.

Our 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee includes a 5 year warranty on parts and labor.  At Metro-Flow Plumbing we will respond quickly, especially to tend to emergency services, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are committed to working until you are completely satisfied with our work. Please enjoy $50 OFF on work performed.​​ Mention METROFLOWCARES for us to apply this discount to your invoice. If you find yourself face-to-face with a plumbing problem, please call us at 214-328-7371. One of our certified plumbing technicians is ready to assist you 24/7.

Happy Thanksgiving Dallas! Get that turkey in the oven on time, get those yams and mashed potatoes ready to go, and don’t forget the sweet potato casserole and pumpkin pie for that member of the family with a sweet tooth. We have so much to be thankful for here at Metro-Flow Plumbing. After a trying year we are here, healthy, and ready to serve the Dallas community the best way we know how: by offering top of the line plumbing services to you. We are forever thankful to be a part of this city.

We have compiled a list of holiday movies for the whole family to enjoy because we know people of all ages will be running around trying to prep for everyone's favorite turkey meal. Remember to wear your stretchy pants and read on!
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If you’re planning on watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade this year you are sure to recognize the most famous cartoon beagle floating around New York. Snoopy and his owner Charlie Brown have been a part of America since their debut in the comic strips by Charles M. Schulz. Written by the man himself, ‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving’ follows the ever famous Peanuts gang as they prepare their “Friendsgiving”. 
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If you’ve never watched ‘The Addams Family Values’ then you’re probably thinking, how is this a Thanksgiving movie? I assure you it is, you just have to pay attention. In fact, a pivotal scene in the movie is Thanksgiving related… with an Addams Family Twist of course. Follow America’s favorite family of oddballs as they try and come together to save their Uncle Fester from his new love, who very clearly only wants him for his money.

‘You’ve Got Mail’ is one of those perfect rom-coms that comes around every so often, filled with quotable lines that won’t leave your brain for the foreseeable future. Taking place during autumn in the city this movie just feels like Thanksgiving. Throw in a bit of nostalgia for those of us that lived through the eclectic craziness which was the 90s in addition to solid performances from both Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan and you’ve got the recipe for a memorable movie.

Thank you for sticking with us here at Metro-Flow Plumbing. Be sure to check our website for new offers and check out the various plumbing services we provide. 

We hope that you spend Thanksgiving surrounded by loved ones and make the best of your time together. If the last year has taught us anything it’s how important and precious family can be for us. Thank you for joining us for another entry into our ever growing blog! Happy Thanksgiving!

Our 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee includes a 5 year warranty on parts and labor.  At Metro-Flow Plumbing we will respond quickly, especially to tend to emergency services, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are committed to working until you are completely satisfied with our work. Please enjoy $50 OFF on work performed.​​ Mention METROFLOWCARES for us to apply this discount to your invoice. If you find yourself face-to-face with a plumbing problem, please call us at 214-328-7371. One of our certified plumbing technicians is ready to assist you 24/7

Happy November Dallas! We are going heavy into the holiday season. Many of us couldn’t do a big Thanksgiving or Christmas last year due to the circumstances so this year we are ready to see our extended family again who we missed dearly. So what better task to complete the first half of November than to get our home’s appliances running right!

Appliances around our home can work overtime with the extra people, food, opening/closing, extra flushes etc. Some sadly don’t make it past the holidays and need to be replaced. 

Understandably so, this isn’t always the most convenient thing to do for most households so appliance upkeep is important. Keep in mind that Metro-Flow Plumbing can take care of any plumbing issue around your home. Feel free to reach out to us and explore our website to check out all the plumbing services we provide. 

When it comes to appliance upkeep we’re going to list a few of the usual suspects below and how we can properly take care of them so they last us until next year, beginning with everyone's favorite appliance in the house: the refrigerator.
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If your family is anything like ours then they like to eat! Continuous opening and closing of the refrigerator door during the holiday season can take its toll on the temperature settings and more often than not older models will break down right when we need them the most.

A little TLC (tender loving care) never hurt, keep your refrigerator in top shape by removing all the food and doing a deep clean of every nook and cranny. Remove the drawers and wash them. When you put everything back you want to make sure that you’re organizing as you go and reset the temperature settings to properly accommodate the food inside of it.

Keep the fridge between 37 and 40 degrees, the freezer at 0 degrees. You also want to check the seal around the door, making sure there’s a proper seal around it and there are no cracks so the coolness from inside can’t escape.

One last thing to take into account is the refrigerator coils. They are usually located in the back of your unit. Pull your refrigerator slightly out and UNPLUG IT FIRST. The coils should be cleaned at least twice a year to remove any dust on them using a vacuum with a brush attachment. Dirty coils can prevent your refrigerator from operating it’s best.
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The big problem with toilets and repeated use are two things: the greater the chance it’ll clog and the water consumption. When throwing big parties toilets are working overtime and many times it is reflected in our water bill. One of the best things to do is convert your flushing system to a dual flush system. A dual flush system moderates how much water is used. For example, you do not need a full flush if you’re just using a toilet for a number one, so you would select the first option. The second option is of course a number two that requires a full, or regular flush. This moderation of water consumption will help save a ton of water in the long run.

Another thing to look out for with toilets is flushing things down it that don’t belong. People flush a lot of toilet paper that doesn’t always break apart and can cause serious clogs. The same thing with “flushable” wipes. No matter what the packaging is telling you, we can give you our professional opinion on the matter: Do NOT flush these “flushable” wipes down there. They don’t break apart and can become a headache for you as well as for your pipe system.

​Finally, make sure your guests flush properly. What do we mean by that? In today’s society we are often in a rush and tend to give a quick flush/push of the handle and go on our way. To avoid serious clogs, hold the handle down and properly flush the toilet by releasing all the water inside the tank. In some models the whole tank doesn’t always empty unless we do this.
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First and foremost, if you have little ones around the house it’s always a good idea to either keep them away from potentially dropping something of value down the sink drain or better yet, teach them how a drain works and why we have to take precautions around them.

We get calls all the time about something of value falling down the drain, and although we’re happy to come out and service it for you it’s better to avoid the headache altogether. That being said we cannot stress the following enough for sink upkeep: Do NOT pour grease from foods down the drain in order to get rid of it. This can cause terrible clogging problems for your pipes.

You might also think to buy generic chemicals at your supermarket to help unclog a clogged drain. That’s also a big no-no as the harsh and abrasive chemicals can damage your pipe system over time. Especially when you use them as directed and leave them down there to break up the mess. These temporary fixes will be a big headache later on when you have to replace your cracked pipes altogether. We also recommend a quick daily cleaning when possible after doing the dishes or anything of the sort. Daily upkeep will prevent grime from forming which will eventually make its way down your drain.

We hope these quick tips will help you in the near future. Some are quite simple to complete but if you feel like you need a professional opinion do not hesitate to call us. As always, our doors here at Metro-Flow Plumbing are always open and we are more than happy to assist you with your plumbing woes.

Thank you for always trusting us with your plumbing needs Dallas! From our family here at Metro-Flow Plumbing to yours, we wish you a happy and fulfilling holiday season!

Our 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee includes a 5 year warranty on parts and labor.  At Metro-Flow Plumbing we will respond quickly, especially to tend to emergency services, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are committed to working until you are completely satisfied with our work. Please enjoy $50 OFF on work performed.​​ Mention METROFLOWCARES for us to apply this discount to your invoice. If you find yourself face-to-face with a plumbing problem, please call us at 214-328-7371. One of our certified plumbing technicians is ready to assist you 24/7

It’s that time of the year again, time to break out the Jack-O-Lantern’s, the fake skeletons and spiderwebs because Halloween is here again! We’ve learned a lot these last few months here on the Metro-Flow Plumbing blog, so today we thought we’d slow things down a bit and do something a little different. You guys seemed to enjoy last year's Halloween movie recommendations and we do love celebrating holidays along with you Dallas, so we thought we’d give you a couple more. We got classic movies for the whole family to enjoy (just keep an eye on the rating) so let’s get started!

First off, something for the younger members of the family…

Follow the story of Edward (Johnny Depp), a misunderstood protagonist who never got the chance to be completed by the scientist who created him due to the latter’s untimely death, leaving him with giant “scissors” for hands instead of normal ones. Now Edward must venture out into the real world learning as he goes, sharing his talents with people he meets along the way while being harassed by others for being different. A feel-good movie about friendship and compassion for the whole family.

Are you troubled by strange noises in the middle of the night? Do you experience feelings of dread in your basement or attic? Do you or any of your family ever see a specter or ghost? If the answer is yes, then don’t wait another minute, pick up your phone and call the professionals: Ghostbusters! From the comedic minds of Dan Aykroyd and the late Harold Ramis, comes one of the most popular movies from the 80s! Easily, one of Bill Murray’s best and an absolute good time full of fun paranormal activity.

Now something for when the kiddos finally go to bed...

Follow the Lambert’s as they try to do everything they can to keep their son from being possessed by malicious spirits after he falls into a coma. If demons and paranormal activity is more your thing, Insidious is the movie to get the jump scares and goosebumps going. Have fun!

Hope you guys enjoy these movies with the family. If horror isn’t quite your thing, stick around and we’ll have more fun in blog entries down the road. Remember, if you have any plumbing needs before those trick or treaters start coming around give us a call and we’ll take care of your plumbing issues. It is our pleasure to serve you Dallas!

Happy Halloween from Metro-Flow Plumbing! Stay safe and have a spooky good time!

Our 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee includes a 5 year warranty on parts and labor.  At Metro-Flow Plumbing we will respond quickly, especially to tend to emergency services, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are committed to working until you are completely satisfied with our work. Please enjoy $30 OFF on work performed.​​ Mention METROFLOWCARES for us to apply this discount to your invoice. If you find yourself face-to-face with a plumbing problem, please call us at 214-328-7371. One of our certified plumbing technicians is ready to assist you 24/7.

It’s that time of year again Dallas! Metro-Flow Plumbing would like to welcome you to another blog entry on our website's blog. Please be sure to explore the site while you’re here and read about all the different services we provide to keep your home’s plumbing in tip-top shape! 

Now, we wouldn’t know it because it’s still so hot outside, but fall is creeping up on us. Today we will look at the various ways you can prepare your house for fall. As you know, we always like to offer tips and tricks to help you prepare your homes for the seasonal changes we experience. Fall can be a perfect time to prepare your home for winter. Now we know we don’t experience much snow here if any, but if last winter showed us anything it is that weather can be unpredictable. 

So without further ado, let’s get started!

1. Check your gutters. Fall is both a great time to do a deep cleaning of your gutters or replace them altogether. If you live in a home heavily surrounded by trees it is important you clean your gutters often and don’t let things pile up. You can also fix any and all imperfections with your current gutters in case they’re sagging, etc.
2. ​Keep your grass short by mowing it more often. This will help when it comes time to rake up dead leaves on the ground. It will make the process of disposing of them a breeze and you’ll thank yourself with the time gained.
3. If your home has a chimney that hasn’t been cleaned in a while, soot and other particles can build up and cause chimney fires. Avoid this by scheduling a deep cleaning of your chimney, especially if it has been a while since its last thorough cleaning. 
4. Store any and all furniture in your yard that isn’t cut out to the harsher elements. Lawn chairs etc. can be stored in your garage and/or shed. While you’re at it, why don’t you try reorganizing these places. It will certainly make it easier for you to find things at a moment's notice if there’s an emergency. Tidying up the garage in spring and fall will save many headaches down the road.
5. Paint your house. Another task that fall makes easier is painting the exterior of your home. The cooler weather won’t take so much out of you if you can avoid the sunny days, and potential snow will certainly not get in the way.
6. Empty out your hoses. Now is the time to begin the practice of completely emptying out your hoses once you turn off the water valve feeding it. Why do this? Simple. Water can accumulate and cause serious damage to those expensive hoses if it freezes. The freezing can cause the hose to rupture. Close the valve then release the water from your hose until nothing comes out.
7. Trim or cut dead branches from the trees surrounding your home. This is a good one that will save you a headache later. By getting rid of them you prevent serious damage come winter time. If a branch breaks and falls it can damage vehicles or your home. A quick trimming will save you some money down the road if/when the accident occurs.
8. Check carbon monoxide and smoke detectors around the inside of your home to make sure they’re in working order. Why do this? Well the cooler weather usually makes some of us break out the space heaters, etc. If something were to happen to them and a fire starts you will want plenty of warning. Remember, carbon monoxide is odorless and deadly. You’ll want those detectors to wake you up or alert you if something went wrong.
9. Do a full roof inspection. We recommend hiring a professional to test your roof for potential leaks, etc. In the event of heavy rain or snow the last thing we want is a leaky roof.
10. Inspect to see if there’s any cracks in your driveway you can fix using concrete crack sealer. Leaving cracks open to the elements will sometimes make them bigger as water can get lodged in there, freeze, and expand. ​

One thing is certain about fall, it makes those big projects you’ve been putting aside for so long a lot easier to accomplish when you’re not battling the harsher elements. You can do it! Being prepared is never a bad thing and prepping your home for the colder temperatures ahead can only be a good thing.

Remember, if you happen to run into any plumbing problems along the way while taking care of your home, we here at Metro-Flow Plumbing are only a phone call away. We are happy to assist and look forward to connecting with you!

Keep it interesting Dallas and make every day your own!

Our 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee includes a 5 year warranty on parts and labor.  At Metro-Flow Plumbing we will respond quickly, especially to tend to emergency services, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are committed to working until you are completely satisfied with our work. Please enjoy $30 OFF on work performed.​​ Mention METROFLOWCARES for us to apply this discount to your invoice. If you find yourself face-to-face with a plumbing problem, please call us at 214-328-7371. One of our certified plumbing technicians is ready to assist you 24/7.

We’ve all been there at some point. It’s been a long day at work, you’ve been miserable in your car on the commute home, all you want right now is a warm meal and a hot shower. You get in your shower and realize the water pressure isn’t its best. The water comes out of your shower head with little pressure and doesn’t give you the desired effect when wanting to clean yourself. So how does low water pressure occur? How do we prevent it? You’ve come to the right place, we’re going to discuss all things water pressure in today’s blog so sit tight and read on.
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1. Before we begin you should check your main water shut-off valve and make sure it’s fully on. This will solve most problems of sudden low water pressure. Whether it’s a wheel or handle make sure it’s on all the way. Sometimes someone may have closed it for one reason or another and neglected to fully open it all the way again.
2. What kind of water pipes does your home have? Depending on how old your home is you might have steel water pipes. These tend to corrode over time and it takes literally decades for you to notice any change in water pressure, but if you’re moving into an old house you’ll notice right away. Replacing these can become very expensive, so we recommend looking into it when looking for a new home.
3. Cracked or leaked pipes. This is a headache no matter where they are, especially when they’re located inside walls or under flooring making them hard to reach (and the work to fix them twice as long). If there is a leak call Metro-Flow Plumbing and we’ll come out to inspect your home, figure out where the leak is and fix it.
4. We don’t think much about this, but a routine maintenance of your hot water heater will eliminate any water pressure problems that may arise. A certified plumbing professional will know when it’s working properly and will give you a heads up on when it’s time to replace it. Nowadays, there are many affordable options for you to pick from and we’ll happily go out to your home to install them.
5. If you have a low water pressure problem in a particular faucet make sure the aerator isn’t clogged. The aerator is that little mesh/screen at the end of your faucet. You can unscrew the tip of your faucet and clean it out before reinstalling it and that will usually fix the problem.
6. Check your pressure regulator. The pressure regulator manages how much pressure is coming into your home from the outside line and manages it to a safe level for usage. A faulty pressure regulator can be identified by a certified plumbing professional and replaced if need be. Don’t hesitate to call us if you suspect this might be the case.

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Thank you for reading and learning about the causes of low water pressure in your home. We are happy to provide our services if you are suffering from any of the above. Metro-Flow Plumbing always has your back Dallas! If you have any questions give us a call and we’ll help. 

Our 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee includes a 5 year warranty on parts and labor.  At Metro-Flow Plumbing we will respond quickly, especially to tend to emergency services, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are committed to working until you are completely satisfied with our work. Please enjoy $30 OFF on work performed.​​ Mention METROFLOWCARES for us to apply this discount to your invoice. If you find yourself face-to-face with a plumbing problem, please call us at 214-328-7371. One of our certified plumbing technicians is ready to assist you 24/7.

Welcome back to another month of our blog! In today’s blog we are going to discuss pipes! We all see them around the house, especially when we look under our sinks. We thought we’d learn about the history of pipes in construction and plumbing specifically. The inventions that came along because of pipes and innovations that have made pipes better as well as safer over time.

Pipes have been around for a long time. The first men made pipes out of clay and straw, while the Egyptians are credited for making the first ever copper pipes around 2500 BC. The Roman Empire improved on many designs, these included aqueducts to get water around the large cities as well as inventing fountains to decorate their busy streets. This all happened around 500 to 312 BC. So when you watch movies like ‘Gladiator’ know plumbing was around in those times!

It was going to be quite some time until mankind got creative. We had the pipes and were able to get water from point A to point B, but we were still going to the bathroom in large holes. That is until 1596 when the first toilet was invented in England, and in good time, too. Disease and plagues had ravaged the English island and being able to manage waste better after using the bathroom allowed for more hygienic surroundings. However, we finally got tired of lugging around hot water to take baths in and 214 years later the first working shower came along in 1810. It was also around this time many large European cities in both Europe and the United States began running pipe systems for use at home. Talking about the USA…

Still then there was much room for improvement. As technology slowly evolved and man was limited to the inventions of his time we now skip across the pond to the good old U. S. of A. where in 1855, the sprawling city of Chicago implemented the first city wide sewer system! One thing to note, sewers had been around before then, but never organized and treated like it was here. Before then, sewers would guide waste toward bodies of water to be washed away and forgotten… except the use of local rivers to do this resulted in cholera epidemics that killed thousands. Aren’t you glad we got our stuff together?

The more modern ceramic toilets with workable flushing capabilities didn’t come around until 1870 in England, where only middle class and upper income families were able to afford to have them in their homes. Fast forward almost 60 years later! In 1928 the first plumbing code was published and called the “Hoover Code” after the man that pushed the code into existence, Herbert Hoover.

America is now a booming economic power, but with growth comes growing pains, and with those come innovation once again! Pipes had been made of copper for as long as they had been around. In 1952, the first plastic and PVC piping was introduced in the United States. These came in handy a decade later in 1962 when shortage of copper forced us to start building more and more with plastic pipes, which to this day are used and incorporated in most above ground plumbing. 

As new inventions come along in the world of plumbing we here at Metro-Flow Plumbing jump at the chance to be ahead of the game. You might’ve heard us mention our cured-in-place pipe system technology. This state of the art trenchless pipe repair system allows us to repair your old pipes running under your home and yard without having to do any pesky excavation. 

We hope you enjoyed going through a bit of the very rich history of plumbing. We look forward to revisiting this topic sometime down the road, so we can learn some more together! Until next time Dallas, stay safe and have a great September!

Our 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee includes a 5 year warranty on parts and labor.  At Metro-Flow Plumbing we will respond quickly, especially to tend to emergency services, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are committed to working until you are completely satisfied with our work. Please enjoy $30 OFF on work performed.​​ Mention METROFLOWCARES for us to apply this discount to your invoice. If you find yourself face-to-face with a plumbing problem, please call us at 214-328-7371. One of our certified plumbing technicians is ready to assist you 24/7.

A home’s pipe system can vary in deterioration depending on how old the property is. Earlier this year in February, Dallas experienced an unprecedented ice storm that left a lot of old infrastructure around the city temporarily frozen. In many cases these pipes burst releasing massive amounts of water into residential areas, which also froze leaving some of our fellow Texans temporarily displaced while things got fixed up.
 
Metro-Flow Plumbing was there to help and we saw a lot of the damage first hand. So what can we do to prevent something like this from happening? Though temperatures like the ones we experienced are a rare occurrence, they will happen again with time. To prepare for these kinds of temperature extremes we have compiled a short list on how to keep your pipes in working order before and during these storms.

1. Insulate your pipes. Pipe insulation will help save you money down the road and is an efficient way for you to keep your pipes from freezing.
2. Make sure anything which uses water outside your home is closed up. If you can disconnect it, such as a hose, drain it completely after shutting the valve close and then wrap it up. This will keep the pipes outside from breaking.
3. Be aware of where the main shut off valve is and how to operate it. If a pipe does indeed break you will know where and how to shut it off.
4. Open the faucets around your house slightly so water is able to drip out slowly, thaw any icy build up and relieve pressure from the pipes. This is key to help prevent a pipe from freezing and bursting.
5. Use heat tape or heat cables to warm up the pipes. This is mostly used for pipes that are easily accessible to you. Make sure you follow the instructions on how to use them or give us a call.
6. Keep an eye on your thermostat. Try to keep the thermostat settings consistent throughout the day AND night. 
7. Call us to inspect your pipes, so we may help to better prepare you. A check up of your pipes once in a while is always a good move. Cracks can be found and addressed before they may become a bigger problem.

We hope these tips help you down the road. If you have any questions, let us know! Check our website for any services or tips month to month that will clear some things up for you. 

See you next time, Dallas and remember Metro-Flow Plumbing is here for you!

Our 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee includes a 5 year warranty on parts and labor.  At Metro-Flow Plumbing we will respond quickly, especially to tend to emergency services, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are committed to working until you are completely satisfied with our work. Please enjoy $30 OFF on work performed.​​ Mention METROFLOWCARES for us to apply this discount to your invoice. If you find yourself face-to-face with a plumbing problem, please call us at 214-328-7371. One of our certified plumbing technicians is ready to assist you 24/7.

Welcome to the month of August, in today’s blog here at Metro-Flow Plumbing we’d like to talk about water conservation efforts in our city of Dallas. Water conservation efforts are crucial for the development and sustainability of a society in times of drought and water scarcity. Needless to say without programs like this we would feel it bad during the hot summer months we experience here.
 
The Dallas-Fort Worth area is expected to grow by 48% by the year 2040. This means water usage will go up exponentially and it is everyone's task to do their part to conserve water. By now we all know small tips and tricks on just how to do this around the house and we will list some below as a recap, for example how and when to water your lawn so the water isn’t wasted and you get the most use of it. 
 
For more of this and how to maintain your lawn check out our previous post from June, here.
 
In 2001, the City of Dallas Water Utilities adopted an irrigation ordinance. This ordinance included a time of day water restriction, because of this among other things they were able to reduce gallons per capita per day by 26%. This saves an estimated 22 billion gallons of water annually. 
 
Here are some ways for you to conserve water in your bathroom:

1. Turn the water off while brushing your teeth. This one is easy, but we’ve all been guilty of it at one point or another. While you brush, make sure to turn the faucet off so you may conserve the water in between rinsing.
2. ​Take shorter showers. We know this ones hard, especially after a long day at work but let’s keep it honest, none of us need to be in there that long no matter how good the acoustics are during our one man/woman concerts.
3. Install a dual flush toilet. Dual flush toilets have been known to save owners money in the long run and also reduce water waste. A dual flush toilet gives you the option to flush depending on the kind of waste you need to flush down. Contact us should you need help installing it.

Water conservation efforts do work and Dallas has been doing an excellent job with its efforts. In fact, in 2021, Dallas won the award for most “water wise large city in the United States” in the Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation for the third time! This was in the category of 600,000+ population. Go Dallas!
 
We hope you learned a little something about water conservation in our beautiful city and continue to do your part. We know we will! From our family here at Metro-Flow Plumbing to yours, have a good one Dallas!

Our 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee includes a 5 year warranty on parts and labor.  At Metro-Flow Plumbing we will respond quickly, especially to tend to emergency services, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are committed to working until you are completely satisfied with our work. Please enjoy $30 OFF on work performed.​​ Mention METROFLOWCARES for us to apply this discount to your invoice. If you find yourself face-to-face with a plumbing problem, please call us at 214-328-7371. One of our certified plumbing technicians is ready to assist you 24/7

We love our pets here at Metro-Flow Plumbing and understand that the Texas summer heat can be brutal for our furry friends. Dogs and cats can get seriously injured even when they’re wandering around our backyards. It is important to keep them in mind on especially hot days.

​Today we are going to go over a few things we can do to help them out when it gets relatively hot, such as signs we can look out for and how to be a little more proactive with their care during the summer months.
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This one is a no brainer, when letting them go free in your backyard make sure they have an area available to them that offers plenty of shade, so they have somewhere to retreat to when the heat gets to be too much. The shade will help lower their body heat.
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Make sure to provide plenty of cool water for our four legged friends by keeping it in the above mentioned shade. Dogs and cats, like us, need plenty of fluids to survive and be healthy. On especially hot days, keep the water coming and they’ll appreciate you for it.
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These are clear signs that your pet could be very close to a heat stroke. Other signs include vomiting and diarrhea. It is also good to keep in mind for owners of pets with flat faces such as pugs, these animals cannot pant as effectively as other dogs and should be kept in well ventilated and cool areas as much as possible. Same goes with cats that have this facial feature. ​
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A trim during the summer months is recommended, but no one should ever shave their pet thinking it’ll help it with the heat. Coats help dogs and cats regulate body temperature, without them they are even more exposed to the harsher effects of the sun such as sunburns. If you opt to shave them, please use pet-friendly sunscreen. Contact your veterinarian for more information.
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We love walking our pets, but be vigilant of the hot asphalt on some roads as well as the time you choose to walk them. If exposed to it for a considerate amount of time their paws will get burns and seriously injure the animal.
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Never, ever leave your pets unattended in a parked vehicle. Even with the windows cracked open the heat inside the car can reach dangerous temperatures. ​
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Dogs (and yes cats) can swim, but some can’t do it very well. A pet that isn’t familiar with a family pool's exit can get disoriented, panic, and even drown. We want to treat them like we would any other small member of the family and give them the proper attention they deserve.​
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Finally, keep your dogs and cats protected from pests and parasites such as ticks, fleas, heart worms, and mosquitos. A vet visit before the summer heat kicks in to make sure everything is a-okay with our furry companions might save them from certain complications later on. Make sure your pet is up to date with their shots and treatments. This is beneficial for you as well, as a parasite left untreated in an animal can sometimes make its way to you.​
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We hope these tips and recommendations help you get your pet summer ready. Remember that we here at Metro-Flow Plumbing are happy to help you keep your homes cool and ready for the hot months ahead. Call us for an inspection or to install your new appliances. Having issues with your sinks, refrigerator, garbage disposal? We’re the team to call. Make sure to ask about the revolutionary Cured-In-Place Pipe System if you need any underground pipes replaced in your yard with minimal digging involved and at a fraction of the time and cost. We’ll come out to inspect that as well.

We are happy to help our Dallas community in any way we can! From our family to yours, have a great fun summer and see you next time right here for more plumbing and helpful tips!

Our 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee includes a 5 year warranty on parts and labor.  At Metro-Flow Plumbing we will respond quickly, especially to tend to emergency services, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are committed to working until you are completely satisfied with our work. Please enjoy $30 OFF on work performed.​​ Mention METROFLOWCARES for us to apply this discount to your invoice. If you find yourself face-to-face with a plumbing problem, please call us at 214-328-7371. One of our certified plumbing technicians is ready to assist you 24/7

Happy Independence Day! We are excited to celebrate the 4th of July with you during what has already been a very hot summer. You may be planning to spend the day with friends and family, some which you probably haven’t seen in a while, continue to master the art of the American BBQ, and of course shoot some fireworks into the night sky before retiring into your home for a fun movie to watch with the family.

We here at Metro-Flow continue to work tirelessly to provide the best plumbing services we can to the Dallas area and are happy to assist you and yours in any way we can with plumbing routine checks and emergencies. We pride ourselves in our thorough and speedy service in case of a plumbing mishap. 
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During summer, we tend to rely on our appliances to keep us comfortable through the hot days. The wear and tear can cause some of them to malfunction right when you need them the most. One, if not, the most important one during this hot climate time is our air conditioning (A/C) unit. Make sure your A/C system is running smoothly and cost efficiently when you need it most.

The U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting your A/C to 78 degrees during the summer to keep cool and avoid an unusually high electric bill. Remember that setting the thermostat to cooler temperatures will not cool your home faster, you just have to be a little patient with it. Certain other appliances that may act up, such as your dishwasher or refrigerator, have water lines that may break or need replacement. If so, don’t hesitate to call us at 214-328-7371 and we’ll be happy to get one of our certified and insured plumbing technicians out there to fix your plumbing problem.
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Please remember to stay hydrated while you throw some burgers on the grill. The summer heat can sneak up on you and water is recommended as it is both healthy and plentiful (though we totally understand cracking a cold one due to the circumstances).

As the sun goes down and you got the family gathered around at a safe distance from the firework display, remember to use caution when handling fireworks. If fireworks are the projectile kind, face them away from the crowds of people and always make sure they’re standing upright to take off properly. Mishandling of fireworks can cause serious burns and unintentional fires.
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If you want to keep the festivities going why not find a movie to watch to help you celebrate the holidays. Below are some of our favorites (and all 3 are family friendly!)

Captain America: The First Avenger (PG-13), 2011
What better way to celebrate the 4th of July than with the Star-Spangled hero himself, Captain America. This first entry in the Captain America trilogy explores Cap’s origins fighting in World War 2. This entry in Marvel’s ever expanding cinematic universe leaves you wanting more as we follow Steve Rogers from his neighborhood in Brooklyn to fighting the good fight overseas when his country needed him most. 

Independence Day (PG-13), 1996
This movie is literally called Independence Day and an instant classic and staple of 90s action movies. Will Smith is at his best fighting alien invaders. We also really enjoy Bill Pullman’s performance and speech as President Thomas J. Whitmore: “We will not go quietly into the night…Today we celebrate our Independence Day!”. Chills every time.

The Sandlot (PG), 1993
Is there anything more American than our favorite pastime? Scottie Smalls moves into a new town and befriends some local boys who share a passion for baseball. Between adventures during a hot summer month, the boys play the sport in the neighborhood sandlot. The personalities within the group is why we think this movie is so memorable and you’ll find yourself quoting this movie years after you’ve watched it! “You’re Killing Me, Smalls!!!”

Thank you once again for joining us. We hope you’re enjoying reading our blogs as much as we enjoy writing them. Don’t forget Metro-Flow Plumbing is here when you need us. Discover all of the services we offer. 

From our family to yours, we hope you enjoy the festivities today and continue to celebrate through the month of July!

Our 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee includes a 5 year warranty on parts and labor.  At Metro-Flow Plumbing we will respond quickly, especially to tend to emergency services, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are committed to working until you are completely satisfied with our work. Please enjoy $30 OFF on work performed.​​ Mention METROFLOWCARES for us to apply this discount to your invoice. If you find yourself face-to-face with a plumbing problem, please call us at 214-328-7371. One of our certified plumbing technicians is ready to assist you 24/7

We love our home appliances don’t we? Particularly during the summertime when we have guests over more frequently and we get good use out of them. The toilet gets extra flushes, the washing machine gets extra cycles, and the sinks around the house are working overtime. Like any appliance that gets used often, recurring problems usually arise. We try our best to fix them ourselves, with little luck, but sometimes the help of a professional is absolutely necessary. We here at Metro-Flow Plumbing have your back and are just a phone call away. However, we also like to give our customers tips and tricks so they can prevent plumbing problems from arising at their homes.

Today we are going to look at some of the usual suspects: the toilet, the garbage disposal, and our sink drains - as well as what we can do to prevent some of their usual plumbing problems.
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Toilets are pretty reliable, but what happens in the event you’re having a few people over to watch a playoffs game and that one friend is in the bathroom for a little too long because the chips and salsa didn’t sit well. You need to be able to rely on your bathroom and make sure it’s in perfect working order. DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT, flush sanitary items down the toilet. This goes double for any packaging that reads “flushable”. Yes in theory you can flush whatever fits down there, but the mess and stress you’re causing on your pipes is going to cost you down the line. Also, do go easy on the chemical cleaners. Some people use too much of these products. A little known fact with these is that the chemicals will stay in your pipes over time, heat up, and potentially corrode your plumbing system.

If you follow our blogs you know we bring this one up quite often, but it is because of its very frequent use. The garbage disposal was meant to be used when you have a few LIGHT pieces of food left on your plate, it was NOT meant to be used as a go to for all your food disposal needs. In fact, grease will pile up if you just go ahead and dump it down in there regularly. It will cause your pipes to backup, which is why you get that stinky water coming back up into your sink. At this point, you need professional help and we’re happy to be there, but it’s a simple problem to avoid. Make sure you refer to this Garbage Disposal Do's and Don'ts blog where we break down the do’s and don’t’s of garbage disposal use.

This is a fairly regular problem, especially in the summer months when we tend to use our sinks repeatedly. From cleaning some dirt off of us after a sweaty session of yard work, to giving our small pets warm baths. Even our own hair betrays us when it comes to a clogged sink. Makeup products and hair products will all build up in your bathroom sink. Combine them with hair it’ll create a mess in your pipes. As always we push for water conservation efforts here at Metro-Flow Plumbing, but an easy tip to solve these problems is let your water run some time before closing it and moving on to the next activity. A lot of times we are in such a rush we barely use water to get something down the drain and don’t take into consideration that toothpaste, makeup, etc. is just going to sit in our pipes all day hardening. Think about it like cholesterol filling up your arteries, it’s never good.

Remember to call us at 214-328-7371 should you you notice leaks coming from any of them. A leak will cause irreversible damage to a home if left unfixed. What’s more, it’ll cause mold to form which isn’t great to have around in any situation. If you're wondering if you have mold in your home, check out this blog where we explain what to look for and what to do about it.

Thank you once again for taking the time to read this and we hope that our advice continues to help you. From our family here at Metro-Flow to yours, we hope you have a fun and productive summer ahead!

Our 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee includes a 5 year warranty on parts and labor.  At Metro-Flow Plumbing we will respond quickly, especially to tend to emergency services, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are committed to working until you are completely satisfied with our work. Please enjoy $30 OFF on work performed.​​ Mention METROFLOWCARES for us to apply this discount to your invoice. If you find yourself face-to-face with a plumbing problem, please call us at 214-328-7371. One of our certified plumbing technicians is ready to assist you 24/7.

Being a homeowner comes with a lot of responsibilities and upkeep that some people simply don’t take into account when buying a house. It can be overwhelming at times. We here at Metro-Flow Plumbing are here for you and we compiled a short list to help deal with an area of your property that sometimes goes overlooked: the yard.

​Before we begin talking about yards, we’d like to point out our Perma-Liner™ system, which will let you replace old water pipes running under your front and backyards without doing unnecessary or extensive digging. Digging will sometimes ruin your lawn. All that being said, let’s move on to our lawns and how to maintain them especially during the summertime when the unrelenting sun can cause serious damage to it if we’re not careful.
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1. Clean Your Yard. First and foremost clean your yard! This should be a biweekly task. You’ll have less to do if you clean regularly. Leafs from surrounding trees can be raked up and disposed off in your waste bins. Now that it's clean, let's give it some TLC!
2. Apply Organic Fertilizer and Weed Killers. Winter can be harsh on our lawns and many nutrients our yard needs are lost with the extreme temperatures. It’s always a good idea to apply fertilizer as directed. If you want to skip this step you can even hire professional help to pass by on a schedule and fertilize your lawn. Services like this also provide weed killing maintenance to keep your yard weed free throughout the summer and beyond. If you opt to do this yourself we encourage you to look for eco-friendly options. Some fertilizers and weed killers can be great for your yard, but terrible for the environment. Organic fertilizers and weed killers are the way to go - especially when you have kids or pets. We found this list that includes the best organic lawn fertilizers to help you find the right one for you: https://www.backyardboss.net/best-organic-lawn-fertilizer-reviews/
3. Let Your Grass Grow. Did you know leaving your grass a little longer during the hot summer months can help it retain moisture? Even allowing your lawn to get half an inch longer than usual can go a long way. While you're at it, make sure your mower is kept in proper shape. A dull blade can damage grass by not cutting, but ripping the blades off. 
4. Know When to Water Your Lawn. In the summer especially, we want to make sure our lawns get plenty of water. Water in the early morning before the sun comes up, so the lawn retains the moisture necessary to battle the summer heat. Watering in the middle of the day can heat up the water and evaporate it before it has had a chance to be absorbed by the grass. You can also wait till sunset to water your lawn. This will allow the water to penetrate and hydrate your lawn throughout the night.
5. Careful When Walking on Your Yard. If you’re like us you love to BBQ! Having a few friends over, opening a beer, and hanging out by the grill is an American pastime. If you don’t have a deck and are barbecuing out in your yard, foot traffic to and from your house can sometimes wear grass down and kill it. Consider putting stepping stones down, so your friends and family don’t damage your lawn. Stepping stones come in a variety of shapes, colors, and prices - and can add a nice touch to your yard.
6. Be Aware of Hungry Bugs. Treat for pests, but be wary of which bugs you have hanging around your yard. Not all bugs are bad bugs. We want to look for the ones that will specifically use your lawn as their dinner, as these bugs tend to lay eggs that become grubs. Grubs love to munch on grass! The usual bug offenders in the state of Texas are chinch bugs, army worms, and bermudagrass mites. Fortunately, most of these pests can be avoided altogether by frequent upkeep of your lawn, but if you need extra help to get rid of these pests, lawn services usually offer an option for that. 
7. Consider Aerating Your Lawn. Throughout the months soil can become compacted. This can prevent nutrients from reaching certain areas of your yard as easily as they once did. A professional can check your lawn and recommended where and how you should aerate it. Aerating your lawn can help by literally breaking up the compacted soil, which will allow for nutrients to reach precious areas of your yard.
8. Attention Dog Owners. This is only for the dog owners out there. It is very important to pick up after your dog when they go to the bathroom. The combination of a dog's stool and the summer sun can burn your grass. We also recommend to keep an eye out for their usual peeing spots around the yard and make sure there are no dead spots of grass forming. A good work around for pet owners is training your dog to pee in a specific spot.

We hope these tips help you keep your yard looking its best. Always remember that we are here to help you with your plumbing problems and are only a phone call away. Keep those yards looking great and healthy - and remember to fun this summer, you've earned it! From our family here at Metro-Flow to yours, until next time Dallas!

Our 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee includes a 5 year warranty on parts and labor.  At Metro-Flow Plumbing we will respond quickly, especially to tend to emergency services, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are committed to working until you are completely satisfied with our work. Please enjoy $30 OFF on work performed.​​ Mention METROFLOWCARES for us to apply this discount to your invoice. If you find yourself face-to-face with a plumbing problem, please call us at 214-328-7371. One of our certified plumbing technicians is ready to assist you 24/7.​​​

What a month it’s been, we’re keeping busy here at Metro-Flow Plumbing and assisting the Dallas community with all their plumbing needs. However, we - like anyone else really, love to take time off and go on vacation. If you’re like us, then you need to know certain tips to follow when you leave your home for an extended period of time. Some of them can really save you money in the long run!

This one is a given: Take out all the trash. Leave your home smelling fresh. You don’t want to leave something rotting away in your trash (or refrigerator) while you’re gone and come back to a smelly home or room. Trust us. You don't want this to happen.

Check expiration dates on food in your kitchen. Some things might spoil while you’re gone and it’s better to be proactive and get rid of them now.  No one likes moldy bread, ants crawling in the kitchen - or fruit flies paying you a visit.

If you’ve got a smart network through your home you can set the thermostat to not turn the AC when you’re not there or set your outside lights on a timer, so you don’t use up too much power while you’re gone. Unplugging appliances you won’t be using also helps. You can also set your thermostat at a healthy 74 degrees, so it helps keep your home cool without breaking the bank. Some prefer to set their lights to turn on for an hour or two in the evenings to give the illusion that there is someone home.

Turning off your main water supply while you’re gone is also a good way to avoid unexpected flooding of any kind. A leaky pipe can burst and you won't have to come back to a flooded home. Don't know where your main water supply is? Give us a call at 214-328-7371 and we'll help you find it.

Before you leave, check all windows and doors and make sure they’re all in working order and locked before finally setting your alarm as you leave. If you have a trusting neighbor or relative that lives nearby, ask them to swing by and check on the house from time to time. Though not needed, it can help give you additional peace of mind.

Being proactive when prepping your home before you take off on that much needed (and well earned) vacation is the way to go. The peace of mind each of these tips will bring you while you’re relaxing will be worth it. So order that drink and have some fun!

Do you need ideas of places you can vacation to close to Dallas? Don’t want to go too far? Here are 20 road trip destinations!

Big shout out to D Magazine for the great advice. It takes a village.

Remember to contact us for any plumbing emergencies or if you’re looking to fix some old pipes. We’re wrapping another month here with the blog and just want to thank you for sticking with us. From our family here at Metro-Flow Plumbing to yours, have a great and safe week Dallas! See you next time!

​If you find yourself face-to-face with a plumbing problem, please call us at 214-328-7371. One of our certified plumbing technicians is ready to assist you 24/7.​​

Increase the value of your house and sell it faster with these 8 simple tips that won't break the bank. We’re at the halfway point in May and we thought we might reach out to all the homeowners reading our blogs. Have you been thinking of selling your home? It’s a thought that might cross our minds sooner or later, so we thought what better way to help out than to list some things we can do to spruce the place up and get it in better shape to sell. We’ve compiled a few things together for you to look over and check off as you prepare your house for the market. Some are very easy to do and some require a little extra help but rest assure, whatever you put it into making your house better you will get in return when it’s time to sell.

Some people opt out of carpets altogether and get wood floors, laminated floors, or tiles - but if you want to keep the carpets around make sure they’re cleaned. Stains and odors can really turn someone away when they’re looking for a potential place to live. No one wants to be left wondering what that weird stain is where you dropped a plate of spaghetti 3 years ago.

Make sure all your appliances work. This is something Metro-Flow Plumbing can help you with. Whether it’s a leaky fridge, sink or tub, give us a call and we’ll take a look at it. You always want a professional opinion when dealing with water leaks.

This one is a biggie and it can get pricey, but old roofs can be a huge drag on your homes price tag. They won’t pass a home inspection if they’re in really bad shape.

Replace or fix the cracks on a wall or a window or even a floor tile. You do not want cracks anywhere. Cracks will age a place and give it an old feel. What’s worse is they are very noticeable. Windows are a little trickier to replace, but things like walls and ceilings can be patched up quickly with a quick trip to the home improvement store.

​Replace all window drapes and blinds with modern versions. This one is not so bad and will make the feel of your home seem newer than what it actually is. Windows can be our main focal points when we enter a room and we don’t want the focus to go towards old, falling apart aluminum blinds. Can't afford to replace them? Remove them all together.

​Replace dated light fixtures and ceiling fans or offer to provide them with an incentive for their replacement at closing. The 70s were a great time, but as time passes, styles change. Same thing happens to our homes. New homeowners can be turned off from seeing the rest of your home if they see your aged trimmed lights and fans. Same thing with light switch plates that look dated. These are all very simple to replace. As a side note: if you’ve had a flickering old light or hear a weird sound when you turn it on, it might indicate you have some faulty aged wiring that can be a fire hazard waiting to happen. This leads us to our next point.

A house will go through an inspection to make sure everything is in working order before selling. Fixing faulty wiring or plumbing will save you many headaches. You probably should’ve done it years ago, but thought "I can manage". A new homeowner doesn’t want to deal with that. Give us a call at 214-328-7371, so we can check out your plumbing!

Paint! This one is a given. Once you have all those cracks in your walls and ceilings patched up, paint those walls a neutral light color to make the space in your home seem bigger. The feel a space gives you is as much if not more important than the actual size of the room. This also allows the house hunter to clearly envision their decor in the room.

​Well, there you have it! Some tips for you to fix your homes and get a bigger selling price out of it. We here at Metro-Flow Plumbing want to help you get rid of any problems regarding pipes or water related appliances. We’re here for you, so you can take the next step towards a future you are happy with! Call us at 214-328-7371. One of our certified plumbing technicians will be ready to assist you. We hope you join us next time as we continue to explore the world of plumbing and have some fun along the way! See you later Dallas!

​If you find yourself face-to-face with a plumbing problem, please call us at 214-328-7371. One of our certified plumbing technicians is ready to assist you 24/7.​​

Happy May and welcome to one of the nicest months weather wise here in Dallas. If you’re anything like us you’re enjoying these sunny days and that nice breeze that seems to be lasting all day lately. Today we are going to talk about Mother’s Day! It’s that perfect holiday to help make your Mom feel extra special. We know this should be happening on a regular basis anyways, but Mother's Day is a great way to go that extra mile!

A great way to celebrate your wife or mother today is by showering them with gifts. These can be big or small depending on what’s right for the individual. Some moms love to decorate their homes, some actually enjoy cooking for their families, some have talents or hobbies. One thing all those moms have in common though? They want a working home. They want to open a sink in the bathroom while they’re getting dressed to the nine for their special dinner and not seeing it backed up with a clogged pipe. They want the ice machine to be in working order when they’re making themselves a well deserved drink at the end of a long day. They want their washing machine to work properly when they’re doing a last minute load running out the house to get their busy day started. We’ve all been there. We love our Moms here at Metro-Flow Plumbing and we got your back for all of your plumbing needs, just give us a call!

That being said, there are things you can get Mom that Metro-Flow Plumbing can’t help you with. So here are a few more suggestions for gifts for that special lady in your life:

Flowers, chocolate and jewelry are gifts you can't go wrong with, as long as you’re attentive to the mother in your life and know what kind of each you want to get. These suggestions are more from the heart. One of our favorite chocolate places in Dallas Coco André Chocolatier in Oak Cliff, which is owned and operated by a mom and daughter. They have some great options for Mother's Day: https://cocoandre.com/mothers-day. Here are some of them:

Cook for her, doesn’t matter who it is. Human beings love to be fed! A gift unlike any other is something you can personally whip up in the kitchen.

This one has always been a cute idea. We all know how much Moms do for their families every day, so we suggest making a good old fashioned coupon book for her. A book they can rip “coupons” from in exchange for a day off from chores they do around the house, a manicure, a massage, maybe a night out in the town. You work, while they kick their feet up.

Whatever you decide on doing for Mom, just make sure you’re present and shower her with love. They definitely deserve it. From our family here at Metro-Flow Plumbing to yours, Happy Mother’s Day to all the special ladies in our lives!

​If you find yourself face-to-face with a plumbing problem, please call us at 214-328-7371. One of our certified plumbing technicians is ready to assist you 24/7. ​​

​As you can imagine water is a major part of our business here at Metro-Flow Plumbing, so in celebration of Earth Day we would like to talk about water conservation efforts and how each of us can do our part to make the Earth a better place. Make sure to stick around until the end to hear about Metro-Flow’s Perma-Liner™ system, a new method for replacing the pipes running through your yard with minimal excavation!

So what can we do? Who has the time for this? If you’ve ever asked yourself these questions then you’ve come to the right place. There are very simple ways of pitching in the global effort to conserve clean water around our very homes. Some of these were second nature to us and some of them surprised us as well!

• Close the water while you’re shaving or brushing your teeth until it’s time to rinse off.
• Take shorter showers or opt to take a bath instead. We use far less water taking baths than we do taking showers.
• Use an empty soda/pop bottle with sand or dirt in it and close it tight. Then put this in your toilets water tank. The dirt will weigh it down and your toilet won’t fill up with as much water per flush. This can save gallons of water a day, especially if you have a big family.​​

• This one is simple enough, only wash clothes when you have a full load ready to go. Small, frequent loads will use more water than needed over time.

• Like your washing machine, wait until you have a full load of dirty dishes before using your dishwasher. Smaller dirty dish loads made frequently will use more water over time. 
• When you wash vegetables, make sure to shut the faucet off while you clean. Only open it back up to rinse. The same thing goes while you’re washing dishes by hand.

• Plant trees and plants that don’t require much water. There are many great plants one can choose from that aren’t the usual cacti you’re probably thinking of and they will spruce up your yard quite nicely.
  
• Water your lawn when needed and only during the cool parts of the day. Make sure you deep soak your lawn, so water reaches down to the roots. A light sprinkle over the top will just evaporate as the sun comes out and not do anything.​

Talking about lawns, this leads us to one of our new services here at Metro-Flow! We are proud to show you our Perma-Liner™ system. A new way of replacing damaged or dirty water pipes running through your yard with minimal excavation. 

That’s all for today friends! Our family here at Metro-Flow Plumbing would like to wish you all a Happy Earth Day! We have one Earth, let’s do what we can to maintain it.

​If you find yourself face-to-face with a plumbing problem, please call us at 214-328-7371. One of our certified plumbing technicians is ready to assist you 24/7. ​​

We think everyone is going to enjoy the topic of today's blog. Our pets! That’s right, National Pet Day is on April 11th, so whether you have a dog, cat, bird, lizard or rodent of some kind, who doesn’t love to pamper their pets? One of the issues we see time after time in the plumbing industry are hair clogs. Yes us human beings can shed a lot of hair, but nothing quite like our pet pals when it’s their bath day. 

Maybe you have a big dog and prefer to use the hose outside to give your pet a relaxing shampoo shower, but for some pet owners a sink or bathtub tends to be our go to spot for giving our faithful animals some TLC. Cats and dogs alike shed a lot, so if you don’t have a hypoallergenic pet that doesn’t shed, clogs may be a normal thing for you. Pesky hair clogs can be more or less controlled by giving your pet a bath and plugging your drain, preventing that hair filled water from going down the drain. However, that’s not always the case and hair accumulates creating a problem down the line. 

Be mindful of what you’re putting down the drain and avoid the problem altogether. Remember, chemicals found in popular products to get rid of clogs tend to damage pipes over time by causing heat, which will easily warp or damage your pipes over time. Also, as a side note, if your pet develops a rash sometime after getting their bath it might be time for a change of shampoo for your hairy family members. Some pets skin reacts differently to harsh chemicals than others. An oatmeal shampoo is usually a good solution, just remember to consult with your veterinarian. 

Pets brighten up our lives by providing comfort, partnership, and can even help some us tackle anxiety and depression. They’re our pals for the rest of their lives and we remember the memories we made with them long after they’re gone. If you feel like you are capable, have the time and are responsible enough to bring one into your life, you should consider adoption. There are many healthy, lovable pets at your local shelter like the Dallas Animal Services (DAS), who are always looking for a home. 

If you find yourself face-to-face with a plumbing problem, please call us at 214-328-7371. One of our certified plumbing technicians is ready to assist you 24/7. ​​

Today we’re going to talk about one such appliance, the refrigerator. I know we have all gone through this. You open your fridge numerous times and there are jars and containers in there we haven’t touched for longer than we care to admit. It’s always a good practice to check expiration dates on such items. Most of the time we end up clearing out space for new items we really need. While cleaning out your refrigerator, whether it’s an old or a new one, you’re going to want to set your fridge and freezer temperatures to an appropriate setting. You don’t want to damage items you buy if you set things too low. If you’re upgrading to a new refrigerator this year, call us at 214-328-7371 and we’ll properly hook up those water lines for you.
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As you move around your home cleaning, make sure to check appliances we tend to overlook or pay little attention to. Inspect your water heater and make sure there aren’t any leaks and under your sinks to make sure everything is nice and dry. If you see water damage anywhere under your sink or suspect a problem, turn the water fully on and watch for a leak to begin. Call us at 214-328-7371 and we’ll happily come over and fix the problem for you! Our certified plumbers are always here to help you.
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The last two things we’re going to talk about don’t have much to do with plumbing, but we promise it’ll help to make your home feel new. Have you ever heard of Feng Shui? It is an ancient Chinese practice where you move the furniture in your home around, so you can feel more harmonized to your surroundings. A living room or a bedroom set up differently can make it feel like a totally new home! Try it, it really works. Interested? Get the details here.

​Another thing we would like to mention are clothes donations. As we all know, Dallas went through a rough period recently, along with the state of Texas, due to the severe cold weather. What better time than during Spring Cleaning to get rid of clothes we don’t use anymore and donate them to local shelters for those in need. You’ll have space for new things you may want to buy and someone else will stay warm next time there’s a cold night thanks to you.
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Need a little motivation? Check out these playlists and get moving:
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Well Metro-Flow family, I think we’re beginning our April off right and we look forward to the year ahead. Remember our Metro-Flow phone number 214-328-7371 next time you have a plumbing problem. Our helpful team will take your call and we’ll have a certified plumbing technician out there in no time to help out. Until next time Dallas!

If you find yourself face-to-face with a plumbing problem, please call us at 214-328-7371. One of our certified plumbing technicians is ready to assist you 24/7. ​​

​Welcome back! Today we are going to be addressing an issue we all face from time to time: clogs. Our sinks can be testy from time to time and back up. We’ll be addressing what causes these clogs in our sinks and how to prevent them. 

Here are some of the usual suspects:

Number 1: (as if there is any doubt) Hair.
Be it from man or woman, hair seems to be the number one offender. Men’s first instinct to is to shave over a sink and wash it down, but a lot of these short, coarse hairs get stuck in the scum lining our pipes and becoming a bigger issue. Same thing with women and the long strands of hair we’ve all seen pulled out when things get, for lack of a better word, hairy. It might not be as convenient, but it might be a good idea to practice an alternative method of disposal for our hair waste.

Number 2: Toothpaste and Gels.
This one isn’t as obvious but toothpaste/gels/just about any thick substance can build up in our pipes over time creating perfect traps for hair and other cleaning products. Making for a perfect formula for clogs. The pipes can usually handle it, but people tend to not keep the water open long enough to wash the substance through the pipe resulting in it lingering not too far from the sink surface. 

Number 3: Make up.
Ladies, this is one we know all too well. Make up. If it falls on the sink, scoop it up with some toilet paper and put it in the trash. 

Number 4: Soap scum.
This one is pretty self explanatory and fairly simple to resolve. As with toothpaste, rinse the sink or tub thoroughly allowing for the water to wash everything away. Nowadays we are always in a rush and tend to not have the extra seconds to do this.

Freebie Tip: Drain cleaners.
Now, our first instinct is to use things like generic drain cleaners. We suggest against these, especially with plastic pipes. The chemicals used in drain cleaners can cause damage on plastic pipes by creating heat. Overtime these drain cleaners can be the cause of leaks and they can also cause damage to our septic tanks. In addition, drain cleaners are terrible for the environment.
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​If you find yourself face-to-face with a plumbing problem, please call us at: 214-328-7371. One of our certified plumbing technicians is ready to assist you 24/7. ​​

We’d like to think the chilly weather is behind us, but as unpredictable as Dallas weather is we thought we’d run over some tips other people around the country have pitched to us, so we can keep warm in the event our power goes out again. In addition, we have a tasty bisque recipe you’ll enjoy, as well as some tips to keep your garbage disposal in tip top shape!

First off, last month was pretty rough for many of us out there, because of the lack of power and burst pipes due to the snowstorm with below zero temperatures that we faced. Most of us don't have access to generators, so here are some tips:

1. If you have a fireplace, this is the best time to use it. Make sure to open the damper, so the smoke has somewhere to go and have plenty of firewood for such emergencies. 
2. Layer your clothing, but don't overdo it and start sweating. Gloves, thick socks, and a hat to keep heat in will help.
3. Find blankets you can prop up over windows to keep heat from escaping. Late at night this helps big time.
4. Exercise. A quick round of jumping jacks will get the body heat going.
5. If you have a tent and the space inside, set your tent up inside and sleep in there.
6. Sleeping bags are also a big help at night, they are designed to keep heat inside. 
7. Keep your pets warm as well. Wrap them in their favorite blanket and throw on a sweater and socks. They get cold, too.

Another great way to stay warm is with a delicious bisque. This is an easy 15 minute Butternut Bisque recipe that will warm up the whole family. Let's get cooking!

Ingredients

• 3 Tablespoons of butter
• 1 Medium Onion, chopped
• 2 sliced garlic cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• Salt to taste
• 1 large butternut squash (around 4lbs)
• 1 can of chicken broth
• 1 cup of half-and-half
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
• 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper for garnish (depending how hot you want to go)

Optional: Croutons or a sliced, toasted baguette to serve with

Directions

• Peel, seed and cut the butternut squash into 1 inch cubes.
• In a large saucepan heat and melt butter. Add the onion, garlic, thyme, cinnamon and cayenne. 
• Season with salt and cook. Be mindful to stir it once in a while until the onion is fully softened, 5-7 minutes.
• Add the cut up squash, broth, half-and-half, and 3 cups of water.
• Bring mixture to a boil and reduce to simmer. Continue cooking the mixture until squash is tender. This is usually about 20 minutes.
• The mixture won’t all fit inside a conventional kitchen blender, so in small batches. Pour mixture in blender and puree until smooth.

From this point on, just serve and enjoy! It should look somewhat like this…

We talk a lot about garbage disposals on this blog, and that is because they are an essential part of our kitchen - and a part of the kitchen we often see breaking due to the things we put in it while cooking. It is always good to keep in mind what foods can be disposed of through this method and what foods need to be thrown away in the garbage. If you are just throwing away anything you can think of in there you are going to have trouble sometime down the line with your pipes. As much as we like to come by and visit to fix it, we thought we’d give you a heads up!

​Friends, we hope March is turning out to be a relaxing, but productive month for you all and we hope to see you next time right here on our Metro-Flow Plumbing blog. Thank you for your continued support, Dallas.

If you find yourself face-to-face with a plumbing problem, please call us at: 214-328-7371. One of our certified plumbing technicians is ready to assist you 24/7. ​​