Jul 1, 2013 | Atlanta GA Plumber, Blog, Plumbing History
Plumbing was and is one of the most valuable skills for the development of cities, homes, and entire civilizations. People based their entire lives around where the closest major water source was. Plumbers developed methods to harness the most precious resources in the world to irrigate crops. The success or fall of any one civilization often depended on their access to and control of a water source. One way leaders showed their control was through extravagant displays that everyone would recognize. For example, reports show that Sargon the Great had six toilets in his privy, and his seat was higher than the rest. However, they were quite different from modern toilets in that they had no water to fill the toilet or wash away the waste. We took one major concept from these ancient privies: sewers and cesspools, which provided the blueprints for the sewers used in Atlanta, GA. One of the greatest advances for sewers was the ability to reduce the smell because early cesspools and sewers had no ventilation and stank up the houses they were under. Thankfully, outhouses went from rudimentary structures to more complicated structures, and some became symbols of distinction, as would bathrooms of the well-to-do. Someone even developed a two-story model for when heavy snowfall blocked the entrance to the lower level. Thomas Jefferson devised an indoor privy at his Monticello home by rigging up a system of pulleys that servants used to haul away chamber pots. By 1845, the installation of sanitary sewers began to pay off. When plumbers developed an outlet for waste water, indoor plumbing and working water became possible....
Jun 15, 2013 | Disaster Preparedness
After the tornado hit in Moore, OK many of us reached out to help and also started looking around our own communities to make sure we are ready. In fact, Atlanta, Georgia’s risk of having a tornado touch down is higher than the state and national average. If a tornado does strike there are a couple things you can do to help prevent further damage to your Atlanta, GA home. If your home is hit by a tornado the first thing you need to do is concentrate on taking care of anyone who was injured and to help any neighbors who were hurt. But once the injured are taken care of and everyone is safe you can start to address the damage in your home. If the electric is not working do use a battery powered flashlight to survey your home for any structural damage. Don’t use a flame of any sort in case a gas pipe was damaged. While surveying your home if you smell gas you should immediately turn off the gas, open all the windows, and evacuate the home. Call the police, fire department, or gas company to report the gas leak and don’t return until you have been told it is safe. If you have a gas leak you will most likely need to call an experienced plumber like Fulton to come out and repair the lines. If you see any gushing water or visible leaks you will want to shut off the water valve. Again you will need to call a plumber like Fulton Plumbing. If you don’t notice any visible leaks keep an...
Jun 1, 2013 | Coupons and Specials, How to Become a HVAC Technician, How to Become Plumber, Plumbing and Tech Employment
Fulton Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning has provided exceptional service for over 90 years. Our clients regularly complement our team on their friendliness, cleanliness, and timeliness. As a growing company, we are always looking for good men and women to join our team. We make sure our employees are prepared to give our customers the highest in customer satisfaction and expertise. In exchange, we make sure our employees and their families are shown respect and consideration. If you are interested in joining a team like ours, but are not sure what the necessary qualifications are, we’re going to provide you with information regarding how to become a licensed Plumber or HVAC Technician. Fortunately, a college education is often not required. Many local trade or vocational schools and community colleges offer certificates in Plumbing or HVAC systems. Some of the same schools do offer an Associate’s degree with more information and courses training you in the given field. These types of programs take about 2 years, depending on your schedule and course load. Once you finish your chosen program, you can become an apprentice to a licensed plumber. You should work as an apprentice for 2-5 years. This critical requirement provides you with valuable hands-on knowledge that can only be gained through experience. Licensed plumbers can also teach you tips and tricks that you may not learn in a classroom. The biggest benefit to training as a Plumber or HVAC technician is the ability to get paid while you learn. Although you will often not receive full pay as an apprentice, you are still receiving more money than those who...
May 18, 2013 | Air Conditioning Installation, Coupons and Specials, Uncategorized
The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of your Atlanta, GA air conditioner is basically the efficiency number. It is sort of like the milers-per-gallon number of your car. It is calculated by taking the cooling output and dividing it by the electric input during normal seasonal use. The higher the number…the more efficiently your unit is running. The more efficient your unit is running, the more money you are saving. When choosing a central air conditioner unit this is a very important number. If you choose a unit with a high SEER you can save hundreds, even thousands, of dollars during the life of the air conditioner. Atrained technician from Fulton can help you find the right air conditioning unit with the highest SEER number that will fit your budget and home. As it stands all central air conditioners are required to have a SEER of at least 13. Energy Star central air conditioners start at a SEER of 14. Units that use geo-thermal or ductless units can have extremely high SEER numbers, as high as 75. The higher the number, the more efficient the unit. However, the higher the number the more complex the machine, and therefore the more expensive the upfront costs will be. Window unit are not required to have a SEER of 13 and can still be found as low as 10. This is one of the things you will want to investigate when purchasing a window unit if you go this route. The more maintained your air conditioning unit the higher the SEER will remain. But if you allow the air conditioner filter to...
May 4, 2013 | Air Conditioning Installation, Air Conditioning Maintenance, Coupons and Specials
As the weather gets hotter many of us in Atlanta, GA are beginning to think about our air conditioners. An air conditioner is a vital piece of equipment in the hot Atlanta, GA summers, both for one’s comfort and, in some situations, health. If you own a home in Atlanta, GA then the type of air conditioning unit(s) you choose can also be an investment in your home’s value. There are many different air conditioning options to choose from. Below are a few of the most popular air conditioning units that people use. Unitary air conditioning systems Window air conditioners and portable air conditioners are considered unitary air conditioning systems because they contain all the refrigeration parts in one box. Window air conditioners can be placed in the window or in a hole in the wall. These units can be quite noisy and inefficient. It is important to use an energy efficient air conditioner to keep your power bills down. The same is true for portable air conditioners. They are similar to window air conditioners and can be very noisy, except they are ground units that have a hose running out an exterior wall or window. These are often used in rooms that are not being reached by central air conditioning. A properly chosen and installed central air conditioning unit should reach all the rooms. At Fulton Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling we have trained experts who can help you with a problem room or air conditioning system. If your home is cooled using these units they do not add value to your home because you most likely will take...
Apr 19, 2013 | Air Conditioning Maintenance, Coupons and Specials, Maintenance
If you ever rented a home or apartment, you’ll remember those monthly notices about checking the air filters. Some complexes check more frequently than others, but this is an important part of keeping your HVAC unit running efficiently all summer long. We all enjoy that cool feeling of walking into our homes after a day in the sun. In order to ensure this feeling lasts, even on the hottest days of summer, there are a few things you can do for the air conditioning system in your Atlanta, GA home or business. First, if you haven’t already, consider investing in a programmable thermostat. These thermostats can be set at a higher temperature during the day but it can lower at a certain time to be cool by the time you get home. Also, they can help reduce energy bills because they keep the unit from running during the day. To maximize your energy efficiency, you can also schedule a home or business examination to determine if any of your windows or seals leak. These leaks decrease your energy efficiency and increase your energy bills. Trained technicians from Fulton can help determine the efficiency of your home or office, and recommend a plan to maximize that efficiency. There are also checks you can perform before turning your air conditioning unit on. Try to examine these items at least 1-2 months before summer begins. As time passes and summer gets hotter, technicians often receive urgent calls from customers needing immediate assistance because their units are not working. Checking early can detect problems and ensure their resolution before things really heat up....
Mar 29, 2013 | Atlanta GA Heating, Atlanta GA Plumber, Coupons and Specials, Heating Inspection, HVAC Inspection, Plumbing Inspection
Summertime is the busiest home shopping time of the year. Many are preparing their homes, staging rooms, and finishing up getting their homes ready to put on the market. But don’t just take looks into consideration. You can’t tell a book by its cover. The plumbing system and the Heating and Cooling Systems in the home are often hidden from view and may have some serious problems you can’t see. That is why we suggest having a professional plumber from Fulton plumbing inspect any home you are considering purchasing in Atlanta, GA. A professional technician will determine the age of the water heater, furnace, boiler, heat pumps, and air conditioner. They will also determine if they are in working order, need repairs, or replacement. The technician will also test the air and water qualityand make filtration suggestions and inform you on cost if there is a problem. They also will check for slow leaks and pipe leaks, and examine backflow preventers, faucets, tubs, toilets, valves and all the other components of the water, sewer, and gas pipes running through, in, and out of the home. You depend on the plumbing, heating, and cooling systems in your Atlanta, GA home every day. They keep you comfortable, safe and provide you with needed resources. It is important that you have someone inspect the plumbing, heating, and cooling system before a home purchase so you can make sure you are getting what you expect when you buy a new home. Don’t be like the 44 percent of homeowners who end up having to call a plumber during the first year of owning...
Mar 11, 2013 | Atlanta GA Plumber, Coupons and Specials, Uncategorized, Water Conservation, World Plumbing Day
Plumbing is important to the health buy ambien online and safety of the community, the nation, and the world. That is why The World Plumbing Council designated March 11th asWorld Plumbing Day in 2010. The purpose of World Plumbing day is to raise awareness in the public consciousness of the importance of the plumbingindustry in alleviating disease and in the conservation of our natural dwindling resources. Plumbers are on the front lines when it comes to water safety and conservation. People often take plumbing for granted until something goes horribly wrong. When Carnival’s cruise ship Triumph suffered an engine fire, the plumbing system stopped working. Sewage was everywhere and the people suffered greatly in dangerous conditions. The earthquake in Haiti destroyed their sewage systems and many people continue to die from water borne illnesses. Even in more developed nations like China, we continue to see the effects of plumbing systems gone awry. It is believed that the SARS epidemic in Hong Kong is believed to be due to a failed P-Trap and mounting bolts in the Amoy Gardens plumbing system. From design and production, to installation, inspection, and maintenance,plumbing is important to the health buy ambien online and safety of everyone around the world. With this in mind, Fulton Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning is proud to be part of such a wonderful industry that serves the Atlanta, Georgia area. We deeply understand the importance of our craft to keeping our customers safe, healthy, and comfortable. From water heaters to air conditioners and furnaces, we are committed to providing excellence in craftsmanship and customer satisfaction. We hope you will celebrate...
Mar 6, 2013 | Atlanta GA Heating, Atlanta GA Plumber, Coupons and Specials, Maintenance
This year we suggest adding some basic items to your Spring Cleaning to-do list for your Atlanta, GA. home or business. Simple maintenance can help prevent bigger and more expensive problems down the road. In your kitchen and bathrooms we suggest making sure all the sinks and showers have strainers to prevent debris from clogging the drains. This is also a good time to clean or replace your showerhead. Also, check under sink cabinets to make sure there are not any leaking pipes, garbage disposals, or pipe seals. Also check and around faucets. You should also make sure your toilet handle is working correctly, and if you have had a dripping faucet or running toilet now is the time to get repairs made and lower your water bill. In basements we suggest testing sump pumps and back up sump pumps. You should also flush out your water heater by draining a couple gallons of water. If you have boxes and items on the floor, we suggest putting them on metal shelves to prevent them from being invaded by pests or damaged by water. If your basement is moldy you may need to call a plumber to make sure there isn’t a major problem, and also start running a humidifier. Spring is also a good time to have your vents cleaned. You will be running your air conditioner all summer, so now is a good time to make sure it is in working order and that the vents are cleaned for optimum air quality. If you have an older unit, now is the time to replace it before the summer...
Feb 14, 2013 | Atlanta GA Heating, Atlanta GA Plumber, Coupons and Specials, Emergency Plumber, Heating Installation, Plumbing
Picking the right plumber can be a daunting process. Many homeowners are so desperate in the moment that they jump into a relationship without asking the right questions or getting to know the company on the other end of the phone. Below are three common mistakes Atlanta, Georgia homeowners make when looking for a plumbing, heating, and cooling expert. They care more about cost than quality Often times homeowners will search for the cheapest plumber instead of looking for a qualified plumber. Many plumbing, heating, and cooling “specialists” offer low pricing because they aren’t licensed or insured. Often times these “specialists” will show up, take your money, and either leave before the job is done, or worse yet, make the problem worse. Then you will call them back, they will charge you more money, and possibly leave you hanging once again. It is so important that you make sure the company you are working with is licensed and insured. A great plumbing, heating, and cooling expert will also be upfront about his or her pricing and put an estimate in writing. They should also be able to offer different options based on your budget, especially if you need new equipment. Instead of looking for a cheap plumber, look for a plumber who will offer you value for your money. Fulton is known for our reliable Client Assurance Pricing. All our pricing is clearly outlined in a catalog so you know exactly what the price is before the work starts. They skip the references Many homeowners are too intimidated to ask for references. You shouldn’t be. A good solid company...