Category: Home Improvement

Renovation Mistakes: Drain Dangers

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The COVID-19 pandemic has a lot of us hurting. If not from physical illness in ourselves or loved ones, the economic impact has hit us. During this time that many are stuck at home, one thing is actually rising in popularity: home renovations! A fresh new look could increase your comfort and your home’s value. But before you dive into your next big project, there are a few things you should know. In our next couple of posts, we’ll explore some common renovation mistakes that can actually hurt your home’s infrastructure. Let’s specifically look at ways to protect your drain.

DON’T DUMP IT

Renovation projects often produce a lot of debris. This includes things like sawdust, nails, or even scrap pieces of drywall or other building materials. It is critical that these items are disposed of properly. That means, don’t flush them down the toilet. Don’t let them go down drains, whether inside or outside storm drains. These items can cause extensive, and often expensive, damage to your pipes and your entire plumbing system.

Whatever you do – do not put wet concrete down any drain! It will eventually harden, so doing this is essentially like putting rocks down your drain. This could easily clog your entire plumbing system, meaning it would have to be completely replaced.

MAKE IT MATCH

Getting a new bathroom is a great way to increase the value of your home! An updated shower, tub, vanity, and/or toilet can make any home shine. But what you can’t see is important too! That’s why it’s critical that you avoid a common mistake by making sure your fixtures match with your drain size. Drain sizes are not standard; they are not one-size-fits-all. Make sure fixtures are measured and that they fit your drains properly. Mismatches can cause a disruption in water flow that will ultimately cause leaks or damage your drains.

WORTH THE CALL

The Bosworth Company has the experts to assist you with all your plumbing needs. Whether you’re planning a renovation, or need help getting out of a jam, make an appointment online or by calling us today at 432-570-5233. It’s Worth the Call. Always.

3 Easy Tips For Saving Water

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It doesn’t take a genius to know that West Texas is one of the driest climates in the U.S. Folks out here are even more aware than most of the importance of saving water. Not only is it good for the environment, but it’ll also save you money, too! In this post, we’ll offer some practical tips on how you can start saving water today!

USE THE DISHWASHER

Appliances like your dishwasher use a lot of water, right? Well, not necessarily. Leaving your sink faucet running for several minutes while thoroughly washing a sink full of dishes actually uses more water than a full cycle on the dishwater. Give your dishes a quick rinse to get rid of grease, crumbs, or other stuck-on food, then place them in the dishwasher rack and wait for it to fill up. An ENERGY STAR certified dishwasher only uses about 5 gallons of water, but washing by hand takes up to 25 gallons! As an added bonus, you’ll eliminate the clutter caused by leaving dirty or drying dishes sitting around your kitchen.

LOOK FOR LEAKS

If pools of water start appearing in your kitchen or bathroom, that’s a telltale sign of a leak. They can show up anyplace water is used, including the toilet, bathtub, sinks, showers, and the laundry room. Many fixtures have emergency shutoff valves that can also leak. Even if you don’t notice a leak, check your water meter. If the reading seems unusually high, you’ll know there’s an issue. Call an expert who can get to the root of the problem!

WATER HEATER MAINTENANCE

Your hot water heater is the heart of all the water that pumps through your home. Making sure it’s running efficiently can save water, and is easy to do with a little maintenance.

WORTH THE CALL

If your water bill is inexplicably going up, The Bosworth Company can help. Schedule an appointment online or give us a call today at 432-570-5233. It’s Worth The Call. ALWAYS.

The Benefits Of Remodeling

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If you’re thinking about remodeling your home, you may be hesitant. Trying to determine the best remodel for a return on your remodel, as well as the benefits you and your family will receive when the remodel is complete are both hard decisions. There are actually multiple statistical remodeling benefits, whether you are selling or staying! Check out our benefits of remodeling and recommendations below.

 

How To Solve Common Household Problems

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Many of the most common household problems you encounter have quick and simple fixes. In fact, you can even take care of them yourself! Check out this list (and remedies) to solve common household problems!

Flickering lights

This problem is rarely complex. Although it’s possible this may be a sign of bad electric wiring – a problem best addressed by professionals – it probably isn’t all that complicated. First, just try tightening the bulb. That could do the trick! However, if you find yourself always needing to buy new light bulbs, you should start by checking the specified wattage that the socket calls for. We often make the mistake of thoughtlessly buying light bulbs, leading us to destroy too many.

Low water pressure

Why isn’t there a heavier stream of flow? This may seem like a serious issue, but before you panic, lean over and look at the faucet mouth. A buildup of calcium can accumulate inside the aerator reducing the water’s pressure as it exits the sink. Simply remove the aerator and scrub! Calcium can be pretty tough sometimes. A simple trick to save yourself the muscle work: soak the aerator in vinegar for a few minutes. Vinegar? Yes, it stinks, but it works like magic.

Sink/tub isn’t draining

Water is getting backed-up? This one’s easy! (Just a bit grimy…) As you can probably imagine, food, debris, and hair can often clog the pop-up at the drain…YUCK! To save yourself the hassle, it’s suggested you regularly un-clog your pop-ups. That way it doesn’t have to get so bad. All you’ve got to do is remove the pop-up. Many pop-ups are latched to the bottom of the sink. Every design is slightly different but you can usually figure out how to unlatch and wiggle it out in a few tries. Once detached use needle-nose pliers or a zip-it to breakup and remove debris.

Leaky toilet base

This problem can seem daunting and drive homeowners away. Your first reaction might be to call the plumber. But, be assured that toilets are surprisingly simple mechanisms. You don’t have to be a trained home repair person to deal with this issue. If you’re lucky this can be fixed with a simple tightening of the tee bolts (the capped bolts on and along the base of the toilet). If they seem loose, use a crescent wrench and fasten them more securely. Hint: The bolts should be “snug.” Tightening them too much could cause hairline fractures.

Contact The Bosworth Company

Hopefully, this helps you solve common household problems! At The Bosworth Company, we believe in giving homeowners control of what’s theirs. By sharing what we know, we hope to form a lasting relationship with you. This way we can be a part of making your house a HOME. Contact us for your next (unmanageable) repair or installation!

Tips For Attic Maintenance

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The condition of your attic determines your home’s ability to keep warm or cool. It’s important that this area is properly maintained to help your home stay healthy and comfortable. Use these tips as a guide to understand the basics of attic maintenance.

Look for leaks

Unfortunately, attic leaks are not always noticed until an exterior issue shows up. For example, an ice dam that builds up on the exterior of a gutter can cause water to back up and drip into the attic area. This will eventually cause mold and mildew to become present on interior walls but this takes time. To keep problems like this from happening, make the effort to go up to your attic at least once a month to look for leaks.

Insulation

Looking to make their home more energy efficient? Start with the attic! Properly insulating the attic, sealing leaks, and ensuring that the attic isn’t damp is a great way to increase energy savings in your home. The condition of your attic can also affect your roof. In fact, one of the best ways to prolong the life of your roof is by having a well-insulated attic area. Why? Attic insulation reduces the amount of moisture build-up in the attic space, which could negatively affect the roof with excess mold or mildew.

Insulation Types

There are a variety of attic insulation types (blanket rolls, loose-fill insulation, and sprayed foam polyurethane). Do your research on which one is best for your attic space. Sprayed foam polyurethane is best for attics being converted into a living space. Loose-fill (or blown-in) insulation requires a professional to install, but is great for filling in small holes. Fiberglass  insulation is also good for insulating your attic, but can get into your skin and cause irritation. When handling insulation or other chemicals, make sure to always protect yourself by wearing a face mask and gloves.

Mold Prevention

Roof leaks can lead to trapped moisture in your roof. This can cause mold to develop and trigger harsh allergens. Keep these irritants from seeping into the air in your home by inspecting your roof for missing or damaged shingles. If necessary, hire a roofing professional to replace damaged pieces as soon as possible.

Pests

If pests such as rats, mice or bats find their way into your attic, it is important to know how to get rid of them. While spring traps work best for getting rid of most small pests, some may require the help of a professional.

The tips above will not only help you to maintain your attic, but also to keep your home healthy and comfortable! However, crawling into the attic space can be somewhat tricky; usually without flooring and obstacles such as wires and loose insulation. If you need help with an attic inspection or insulating your attic, we would be happy to help! Schedule service online or call 432-570-5233 today!