We had a great time at Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie during our company's summer event. As you may imagine it was very hot, but thankfully we had air conditioning to keep us going. Some of us had been before and some hadn't. It gave us the opportunity to learn something new and share on our wins - and sometimes, our losses. Speaking of losses, even when they happened, we laughed, ate, and enjoyed ourselves.

Check out the pictures from the event and leave us a comment. We love to hear from you. 

You know the noise. That never ending hissing noise coming from your toilet. It's a noise that once heard, it can not be unheard. It could be two in the morning or four in the afternoon. The house could finally be quite and you could be getting ready to take an afternoon nap or finally fall asleep after a long day at the office. That constant noise coming from your toilet could mean that the water tank is never getting filled, it's wasting a lot of water, and it could skyrocket your water bill. 

Though this could be an "easy fix you can handle yourself", our experience would advice you to call a plumbing professional. Many times what seems to be an "easy fix" could turn into a bigger headache that could have been prevented if fixed right by a certified and insured plumber the first time around. If things were to get complicated or if you were to find yourself not having the time to fix the problem, you can always give us a call at 214-328-7371. In the meantime, here are a few things you can do at home to get you started:

Test the Flapper
One cause of a toilet running is a flapper that doesn’t seal. If water from the tank seeps around the flapper and into the bowl, the flapper is probably shot. Shut off the water supply valve under the toilet (or the main water supply if the valve is leaking). Flush the toilet to drain out most of the water, and call your plumbing professional. This should make the hissing noice stop while the plumbing professional is able to arrive and help you fix the problem.

Another thing the plumbing technician may check for is the valve as it could sometimes have a leak and be the source of the problem. 

If you have questions, give us a call at 214-328-7371. One of our certified plumbing professionals will be ready to assist you.

Last week we celebrated National Red Rose Day in a big way. We presented all the ladies at the office with red roses and then took on the road and distributed red roses to our customers. It was a fun and meaningful surprise for all.

Imagine having your plumbers show up on time, smelling good, treating your home with the ultimate respect, perform the job, and give you a beautiful red rose at the end. All of our customers loved the surprise and happily took photos with us.

Customer satisfaction is incredibly important to us. 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. This professionalism and devotion has resulted in an 80% customer retention rate; where many client relationships have turned into friendships over the years. 

We are here for our current and future customers. Give us a call. We are here to assist you 24/7 at 214-328-7371.

Mold problems are more common than you think - and there are ways to spot them before they become harmful to your health and expensive to fix. 

Contact a certified plumber to inspect your house and confirm you don't have hidden or undetected plumbing leaks. A certified and insured plumber will be able to accurately locate hidden plumbing leaks, not only the obvious ones. Moisture and leak detection is key to making sure your home is not at risk or affected by mold. According to the US EPA, the best way to control mold is to control moisture. Mold can grow in 24-48 hours if building materials are not dried out quickly and properly. 

Though not all molds are toxic, you need to make sure your home is mold-free. Many times mold will develop, attack your walls, closets, mattress, and even clothes. At this point, you will need to not only fix the mold problem, but replace your mattress and clothing - making it an expensive and problematic experience you will not want to go through. Prevention is key.

Per the Texas Medical Association, "Infections health issues related to mold exposure can occur in both normal and immuno-compromised individuals." There are potential health issues related to mold exposure. In theory, there are five ways in which molds could produce or aggravate human illness or otherwise contribute to symptoms:

• Type I immune reactions, which can lead to allergic rhinitis (nasal discharge, sneezing, conjunctivitis) or asthma (bronchospasm, wheezing, mucous secretion and plugging).
• Irritation to mucous membranes through mold production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a manner analogous to non-mold irritants, e.g., tobacco smoke, gas/kerosene stove emissions, ozone.
• Type III immune reaction, examples including hypersensitivity pneumonitis, which includes "farmer's lung" (lung tissue inflammation occurring from exposure of an inhaled antigen), and allergic aspergillosis (a rare lung tissue inflammation involving both airways and tissues in the lungs). 
• Toxic reaction from mold products (mycotoxins).
• Toxic reaction from microbial byproducts (endotoxins). 

For more information about health related issues caused by mold, please visit the Texas Medical Association, here. 

Per the Texas Mold Removal company, there are a few ways to control indoor mold growth, such as:

• Keeping humidity levels in the home low with proper air conditioning and ventilation;
• Keeping damp areas such as bathrooms, showers, washrooms, and basements clean and dry; 
• Promptly fixing any leaks that may occur and regularly checking the roof, plumbing, and windows for possible leaks;
• Keeping high moisture areas such as laundry rooms and cooking areas well ventilated;
• Thoroughly dealing with flood damage by cleaning and drying all surfaces and fixing any damage done.
• Replacing carpets, upholstery, and curtains that have become damp.
• Regularly removing visible mold from surfaces such as countertops, walls, and wood with commercial products or normal soap and water and household bleach.

If you think you may have an undetected leak or need someone to evaluate your house for moisture, please contact us at 214-328-7371. Our certified and insured plumbing technicians are ready to assist you 24/7.

BBQ season is here. Day-long pool days, family, friends, cold beer, and rosé. While everyone is getting ready to come over,  you have a list of things to take care of and can use all the help you can get to make everything look effortless, enjoyable, and delicious.

Here are some simple things to remember:

1. Bluetooth Speaker (and charger): Music is crucial to the success of every party and you want to make sure the music - just like the burgers - never runs out.
2. Food List: It may sound crazy, but be as detailed as possible. You don't want to pause halfway through the party to go get more jalapeños at the store. 
3. Garbage Bags: Believe it or not, this is an item many people forget to replenish before the big day.  #BagIt #Recycle
4. Ice, Ice, Ice (baby): How many times have you been on the way to a party and have gotten a call from the host asking to bring more ice. So now that it's your party, make sure to have as much ice as possible - and a friend you can call for more just in case.
5. Seats: Texas' Springs and Summers can be very hot. Make sure you have half the amount of chairs as people. You want them to seat (in the shade), but you also want them to dance and enjoy themselves.
6. Say No to Bugs: Mosquito repellent is another must. Make sure you have some for everyone, and if possible, chemical-free mosquito repellant for the kids.
7. Games: Outdoor games and board games; from Monopoly, to dominos, and playing cards. Be ready for the party to last longer than planned and keep your guests entertained.
8. Lights: Set the mood. String lights are cheap, easy to put up, and can set a magical mood once the sun goes down.

​Last, but definitely not least. Try a new recipe. Here is one from Tip Hero: Bacon-Wrapped Pineapple Burger Recipe.

At Metro-Flow Plumbing we wake up early and are available 24/7 to give our customers the best of us. To do this successfully, we need to stay energized and keep a positive attitude. If you're struggling with your energy, here are some tips that may help you:

1. Music: Wake up to your favorite music. This is a great way to not only wake up, but to also get in a great mood.
2. Drink Water: Drink a glass of water when you wake up. This will help your body wake up and give you energy. Make sure you stay hydrated throughout the day. This will help keep your energy levels up.
3. Reduce Your Sugar Intake: The key to keeping your energy up is to keep your blood sugar balanced so energy is constant. Eat grains instead of sugar. Grains provide a slow and steady release of fuel.
4. Have a Snack: Enjoy a power snack that combines protein, a little fat, and some fiber - like peanut butter on a whole-wheat cracker, or some yogurt with a handful of nuts.
5. Go for a Walk and Stretch: Get up, stretch, and go for a walk - even if it's a quick one. This will help your body wake up and get a boost of energy.
6. Sleep: We know it can be hard, but try to get at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep. This will help your body rest and spike your energy levels.

Discover more ways to increase your energy, here.

You're thinking about putting your house on the market and you want to make sure you fix the right things to help it sell; but you don't want to spend too much money? We understand and have done some research of our own.

Here are 10 tips to help you sell your house: 

1. Patch holes and cracks in walls and ceilings.
2. Fix all broken appliances and HVAC systems.
3. Repair leaky faucets.
4. Replace worn or stained carpeting. 
5. Repaint dark or marred walls with neutral paint (not white).
6. Replace broken windows.
7.  Repair the roof.
8. Change out any dated light fixtures and ceiling fans. 
9. Replace old drapes and window coverings.
10. Fix code violations.

​To review the full article, visit The Balance, here.

In January, we got together to celebrate the holidays, vegas style. We invited our significant others to join us, as well as some close family friends that have seen us grow the Metro-Flow Plumbing business since its conception. We ordered food from the Olive Garden - who doesn't like Italian food - had a raffle with prizes from 60" TVs, to tools, coolers, bonuses, and recognitions.

Our holiday party was fun and emotional. We had the opportunity to recognize our employees who help us deliver the best plumbing service to members of our Dallas community. There was laughter, singing, and even some tears; the good kind. 
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We believe that a story is sometimes better told with images, so we leave these here for you to browse through and see your Metro-Flow Plumbing family celebrating the holidays and opportunity to continue to help customers like you.

Have questions? Call us at 214-328-7371 or email us at metroflow@metroflowplumbing.com 

Even though spring is around the corner, we continue to get hit with very cold fronts that require more than yourself to put on a coat. You also need to protect your pipes, otherwise, they could freeze and burst, which can result in an unfortunate situation.

1. Let cold water drip from faucets served by exposed pipes.
2. Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and night.
3. Keep the garage door closed, especially if there are water supply lines in the garage.
4. Open the cabinet doors in the bathrooms and kitchen to let warmer air circulate around the pipes.
5. Make sure your house has insulation, particularly in the basement, attics, crawl spaces, and exposed water pipes.

Have questions? Call us at 214-328-7371 or email us at metroflow@metroflowplumbing.com.