Category: Plumbing

3 Important Water Heater Maintenance Tasks Every Homeowner Can Perform

Posted on | by The Bosworth Company | Leave a Comment on 3 Important Water Heater Maintenance Tasks Every Homeowner Can Perform

The holidays are here! And with them comes cooler weather and more need than ever for reliably hot water. Most water heaters should last between 8 and 12 years if properly maintained. In this post, we’ll take a look at some simple ways you can keep your water heater running strong for years to come. Before you get started on water heater maintenance, make sure to turn off the power (for electric heaters) or the gas!

FLUSH THE TANK

One simple way to maintain your water heater is by occasionally flushing the tank. This can be done as what’s called a “mini-flush” which enables you to leave the heater running the whole time. Follow these simple steps:

  1. Put a bucket underneath the drain valve at the bottom of the tank.
  2. Turn the valve counterclockwise and allow a gallon or two of water to drain into the bucket. Caution: It could be VERY hot!
  3. Close the valve. You’re already done!

These simple steps will help reduce rust and corrosion from building up in your tank.

T&P VALVE

The T&P (temperature and pressure) valve is a safety feature that relieves pressure on the tank if it gets too high. This malfunctioning could be a real danger, so testing the valve annually is recommended. Find the valve on the top or side of the tank, then:

  1. Put a bucket at the end of the discharge line.
  2. Lift the lever to open the valve, thus releasing water into the tube. Again – the water will be hot!
  3. Let it flow for a few seconds, then let go, which will cut off the water.

TEMPERATURE ADJUSTMENT

Turn down the water temperature a few degrees. This shouldn’t impact your comfort, and could mean big savings on energy! If yours is set higher than 120, here’s how to dial it down:

  1. Turn off the power at the breaker box.
  2. Remove the thermostat panel (may need a screwdriver) and adjust the temp.
  3. Replace the panel and turn the power back on.

If you see two thermostats, set the lower one the same as the upper one.

WORTH THE CALL

Easy, right? If you do have issues with your water heater – or maybe are considering a tankless model – call The Bosworth Company for a water heater maintenance appointment at 432-570-5233 or schedule an appointment online. The Bosworth Company. Worth the Call. Always.

Thanksgiving Drain Prep

Posted on | by The Bosworth Company | Leave a Comment on Thanksgiving Drain Prep

The holidays are here and Thanksgiving is right around the corner. We hope you and yours have something special planned. While Thanksgiving can be a great time for food and family, it can also be a dangerous time – for your drains! In this post, we’ll talk about what NOT to put down the drain while cleaning up from Thanksgiving dinner.

DON’T GREASE THE SKIDS

Hopefully, you know not to put bones or other things down the drain that could clog up your pipes or garbage disposal. This includes things that could turn to sludge.

It’s also important that you avoid pouring any sort of grease down the drain. While traces won’t hurt, pouring grease or other oils down the kitchen sink will definitely build up over time. This grime will eventually cause your pipes to clog.

While boiling water can be a good way to help keep your drain clean, it doesn’t work when it comes to eliminating grease. Those oils will solidify and turn into a sticky mess.

A MODEST DISPOSAL

Can I pour grease down the drain if I have a garbage disposal? No! Again, a little grease won’t hurt, but the sludge buildup will eventually get to the gears and blades of your garbage disposal. Keep an eye out for slow drainage, a bad smell, or gurgling noises – those are all signs of a problem.

PROPER DISPOSAL

Ok, so how are you supposed to get rid of grease? One option is to let it solidify in your pan. Once it cools, it’ll harden on its own (better there than in your pipes). From there you can just scrape it up and throw it in the trash.

Another option is collecting grease in a can or a jar after cooking. That way you can dispose of large amounts all at once. You might even be able to salvage some of the oil and use it for cooking later.

WORTH THE CALL

The Bosworth Company can help you with all your plumbing needs – just in time for Thanksgiving. Schedule an appointment online today or call us at 432-570-5233 for 24/7 emergency service. It’s Worth the Call. Always.

What Type Of Plunger Do I Need?

Posted on | by The Bosworth Company | Leave a Comment on What Type Of Plunger Do I Need?

It’s the quintessential symbol for all things plumbing; the plunger. If you’re thinking about a DIY plumbing project (that’s a fancy way to say unclogging your toilet yourself), you know that the plunger is the go-to tool of choice. But did you know there are actually different types of plungers for different jobs? Sinks and showers require different plungers than toilets do. In this post, we’ll take a look at a few different types, and when each should be your tool of choice.

THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB

The two primary types of plungers are sink plungers and toilet plungers. Sinks or showers that have flat surfaces require flat-bottomed plungers. These are typical, no frills plungers. Plungers designed specifically for the curved bottom of a toilet include an additional flange at the bottom. You can see this extra piece of rubber by looking at the bottom of the plunger.

TIGHT SEAL

That flange at the bottom of the toilet plunger serves a very important purpose. It enables you to create the most possible suction on the curved bottom of the toilet. The plunger creates a vacuum in the drain, which will then help vacuum out that unwanted clog. Conversely, the sink plunger helps make a tight seal on sinks and shower floors. The suction is the most important function of any plunger, so one with cracked or chipped rubber probably won’t work very well.

GET A GRIP

When selecting a plunger, make sure it’s one you can manage. A good grip will go a long way in helping you solve your plumbing problems.

WORTH THE CALL

The Bosworth Company is here for all your plumbing needs. Maybe the right plunger is enough to help you fix your clog, but maybe it’s not. If you need a pro, schedule an appointment online or call us at 432-570-5233. It’s Worth The Call. Always.

Cigarettes in the Toilet

Posted on | by The Bosworth Company | Leave a Comment on Cigarettes in the Toilet

You’ve likely noticed that we write a lot of posts about what NOT to flush down the toilet. Trying to put something down the toilet that doesn’t belong is a surefire way to cause backups and potentially create big plumbing problems. In this post, we’ll continue that conversation and discuss why cigarettes, though seemingly small, should be safely disposed of in the trash and not your toilet.

NON-BIODEGRADABLE

Before we get to your plumbing, flushing cigarettes is bad for the environment as a whole because they are not biodegradable. Mouthpieces and foam filters will not dissolve over time. This means that even if they do make it through your pipes, and they can still build up in a septic tank, or even the sewer if they make it that far. These materials also contain contaminants that could eventually end up in the water supply.

EXPANSION

The reason that cigarette butts can cause problems in your pipes is due to expansion. Just like a sponge, when the foam filters of a cigarette get wet, they expand and hold water. They can get caught in the U or S trap and if you keep flushing them, they will accumulate until they cause a clog.

TAKE THE PLUNGE

As with other clogs, a plunger is a good go-to solution, especially for your toilet. Make sure you keep some water in the bowl while plunging. This will help make sure that enough force is targeting the area. You should be able to unplug the clog in a matter of minutes. 

WORTH THE CALL

If you have a major clog in your toilet that you think was caused by cigarettes, and you can’t fix it, it’s probably time to call the pros. Cigarettes can create some unique problems that require unique solutions. The Bosworth Company has experts that can help. Make an appointment today by scheduling it online or calling 432-570-5233. It’s Worth the Call. Always.

Renovation Mistakes: Drain Dangers

Posted on | by The Bosworth Company | Leave a Comment on Renovation Mistakes: Drain Dangers

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

Posted on | by The Bosworth Company | Leave a Comment on 3 Easy Tips For Saving Water

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.

3 Simple Ways to Remove a Clog

Posted on | by The Bosworth Company | Leave a Comment on 3 Simple Ways to Remove a Clog

A stubborn bathroom or kitchen sink that won’t drain can be a real annoyance. It may drain slowly, or not at all. Either way, you’ll want to get to the root of the problem before it stops up completely. In this post, we’ll discuss ways you can investigate and eliminate the clog that’s causing the backup.

CLEAN IT OUT

The first step is to clean out the sink stopper. That’s the centerpiece at the bottom of the bowl that can be opened or closed when desired. Toothpaste foam, whiskers, soap scum, and other debris can get caught in this area and cause it to drain slowly, or even stop the drain completely. The stopper can be easily removed by hand. From there, just clean out all the gunk and grime. Warning – the odor may be very unpleasant!

TAKE THE PLUNGE

Everyone knows a plunger is a great tool for clogged toilets, but they work on sinks too! There are even plungers made especially for sinks. Let the water run for a couple of minutes before trying it. The plunger will help push out any grime that’s stuck in the pipes below.

IT’S A TRAP

If the first two solutions haven’t worked, there’s a third, albeit messier one. Open up the cabinet doors and have a look below. Put a bucket underneath the sink to catch any water that may spill out. Then remove the “trap” portion of the pipe. This is the U-shape below the sink that helps “trap” debris from going any deeper. If you can remove and clean the trap, that should fix your clog.

WORTH THE CALL

If you still have a clogged drain, it’s probably time to call the experts. You can make an appointment by calling the Bosworth Company at 432-570-5233 or scheduling one online. Our experts can professionally examine your pipes and get everything running smoothly for years to come. It’s Worth the Call. Always.

4 Tips For Improving Water Pressure

Posted on | by The Bosworth Company | Leave a Comment on 4 Tips For Improving Water Pressure

It’s the end of a long day and you’re ready for a hot shower. You’ve got the water, you’ve got the heat, but the pressure is lacking. Poor water pressure can cause frustration in the shower, the sink, the kitchen, and even the garden. Is there anything you can do? In this post, we’ll take a look at what you can do at home, and when you should call an expert.

PRESSURE BALANCE VALVE

The first place you can check is the pressure balance valve. This is what balances the hot and cold mix of water coming into your shower. Checking it involves removing the shower controls from the wall, a task you may or may not feel comfortable doing on your own.

DIVERTER VALVE

The diverter valve is the function that enables you to switch the bathwater and shower water (if you have a bath/shower combo). If this is not working properly, your water pressure will suffer.

UNEXPECTED CLOGS

Clogs are easy to fix. If a pipe is blocked, or the shower head is clogged, you can detach it to take a closer look. If the problem is the shower head itself (often caused by hard water) this can be taken care of with a cleaning solution, a brush, and some elbow grease. Want to prevent hard water to begin with? Check out our posts on R.O. or water softeners!

BROKEN PIPES

Broken or cracked pipes delivering water to your home would obviously cause a decrease in water pressure. But the problems could be much worse than that. It can lead to water damage that could be much more costly. If there’s a leak you don’t know about, the damage could get worse before you discover it.

REVIEW

  • The pressure balance valve and diverter valve can be checked by you or an expert to make sure the settings are correct.
  • Dirty or clogged shower heads and pipes can be cleaned to improve water pressure.
  • Weak water pressure can be a sign of cracks in pipes that you may not realize!

WORTH THE CALL

The Bosworth Company can help you check your water pressure and make sure your next shower provides the relaxation you need. You can reach us at 432-570-5233 or schedule an appointment online. It’s Worth the Call. Always.

Spring Maintenance

Posted on | by The Bosworth Company | Leave a Comment on Spring Maintenance

Spring is here, and along with the warmer weather comes big changes for your home. Specifically your HVAC. Switching from using your heat to using your air conditioning requires some preparation and is a great time for some routine maintenance. In this post, we’ll share some practical spring maintenance ideas for your home.

HVAC MAINTENANCE

Changing filter: This is an easy thing you can do yourself! Swapping out or cleaning the filters on your HVAC will help to make sure that clean air is able to be recycled throughout your home. It’ll also keep your unit from working too hard, which will save you money!

Exterior A/C unit: In the winter months, leaves or other plants can fall into or grow around your exterior air conditioning compressor. Sweeping or picking up this debris will help your unit run at peak efficiency.

Window screens: Spring and fall are great times to consider leaving windows open to save on energy costs. To prepare for this, make sure to clean your screens and make any necessary repairs.

Windows and Doors: Speaking of windows, keep the cool air inside by making sure seals around windows and doors are secure!

Refrigerator: When you clean your kitchen, don’t forget to get under the fridge! Dusty coils make your refrigerator work harder to keep your food cold. A quick dust is an easy fix!

PLUMBING

Hot water heater: Draining your water heater can help clean out the sentiment that’s built up over the past year. Find the spigot at the bottom of the tank to drain it. This could add years to the life of your hot water heater.

Washer fill hose: Look for cracks or leaks in the hose that brings water into your washer. As with anything, excess water can cause major problems!

Driveway cracks: Cracks in your driveway or asphalt are common with age. However, if it’s sudden, getting worse, or appears to be sinking, that could be a sign of pipe problems. A water line leak under your driveway should be checked out.

WORTH THE CALL. ALWAYS. 

The Bosworth Company has the experts to help your system get ready for spring! In fact, we offer a Spring Clean & Check specifically geared to keeping your HVAC in tip-top shape. Schedule a spring maintenance appointment online or give us a call at 432-570-5233. It’s Worth the Call. Always.

Common Water Stain Causes (And How We Can Help)

Posted on | by The Bosworth Company | Leave a Comment on Common Water Stain Causes (And How We Can Help)

In our last post, we looked at some of the signs of a leak in a wall or ceiling. We really want to emphasize that water leaks in these areas can cause major damage that can be expensive to fix. The longer you wait, the worse the damage can get! In this post, we’ll take a look at what causes a water stain and how to fix what’s causing it.

CAUSES OF WALL AND CEILING STAINS

Here are just a few of the common causes of wall and ceiling leaks:

Pipe fittings and/or plumbing connections: This can include faucets in showers or sinks. A loose faucet can cause a leak every time you use it.

Leaky appliances: A leaky toilet base is a sign of a problem. If water is continually around the base, look out. A leak in your dishwasher hose can also allow water to get on the floor. If you live in a two-story home, these leaks can show on the ceiling of the room directly below the leak.

Frozen pipes: As outlined in many of our posts, frozen pipes can burst, causing severe flooding in some cases.

Roof leaks: In a one-story house, water spots on the ceiling may mean you have a leak in your roof or chimney.

DETECTION AND REPAIR

Sometimes, determining the cause of a leak can be tricky, especially if it’s behind a wall. A break in a pipe in one area may lead to a spot in another area, even another room. The experts at The Bosworth Company can identify what needs to get fixed. Here’s how:

  • Turn on and check all plumbing fixtures for leaks.
  • Using state-of-the-art plumbing tools, we can find the source of the leak, with minimal disruption to your home.
  • We have the know-how to evaluate the best way to fix the leak, based on what’s causing it and where it’s located in your home.
  • Once we’re through, we’ll make sure to clean up and leave your home better than we found it.

If you’ve got a suspicious water stain or some potential leaks damaging your home, give us a call today! You can set an appointment by calling the Bosworth Company at 432-570-5233 or scheduling one online. It’s Worth the Call. Always.