Cloudy Water

It’s one of the most dreaded plumbing issues for any household. You go to turn on the water, and what comes out – is a lot more than just water. Maybe it’s muddy, maybe it’s cloudy, maybe it’s bubbly… but it doesn’t look very safe for drinking, cleaning, or bathing. In this post, we’ll discuss some of the causes, and what you can do about them.

TINY BUBBLES

Small air bubbles in your water will normally clear up on their own a few minutes after leaving your faucet. Once in a glass, it just takes a few minutes for the extra air to escape. Air bubbles mean there is air trapped somewhere in your plumbing system, which is not uncommon if you’ve had recent plumbing work done on your home. Water pressure that’s too high can also cause a spike in bubbles.

Bubbles are harmless, but if they are bothering you, an air eliminator valve can help get rid of them.

HARD WATER

We talk about hard water a lot in our posts because it’s such a problem here in West Texas. Hard water can affect taste and smell, and be hard on your skin and faucets. But it can also cause your water to be cloudy or milky.

There are a couple of primary solutions to hard water: reverse osmosis and water softeners. These are systems that can be added to your existing water supply to make the water tastier and clearer! The Bosworth Company has a variety of solutions, so let us know how we can help you!

OTHER CONTAMINANTS

Hard water can contain trace amounts of minerals that are collected as your water makes its way to your home. This can include elements of calcium and magnesium – things that make your water taste bad, but aren’t really dangerous. However, if your water source is compromised by other things, including algae, clay, and iron, this can be cause for concern. This can happen following construction or even heavy rain. Cloudiness can be a common side effect. If this happens to you, try a bag water filter or standard cartridge filter. The Bosworth Company can help if you have any questions.

OH WELL

If you use well water, and notice sputtering or popping in your faucets or air bubbles that look white – it’s possible that there is methane gas in your water supply. A small amount is considered safe, but if this problem persists, you should get it checked out.

WORTH THE CALL

The few things we’ve listed are just a small selection of potential causes of milky or cloudy water. As we explained, in some cases this is dangerous, but in others, it is just inconvenient. Either way, The Bosworth Company can help. Our experts can diagnose the problem, and fix it. Make an appointment online, or by calling 432-570-5233. It’s Worth the Call. Always.

Spring HVAC Maintenance

Springtime is here, the warmer weather is here, and the hot hot weather is just around the corner? Are you ready? How about your air conditioning? In this post, we’ll explain a few of the reasons it’s a good idea to do some maintenance on your HVAC during the spring months, before summer turns up the heat!

AIR QUALITY

An efficient HVAC unit, with an air purification system, can actually help make the air you breathe cleaner. If you or your family suffer from allergies or other respiratory issues, this can help you breathe easier. Even simple steps like cleaning your condenser coil will help rid the air of dirt, dust, and bacteria. Cool air passes over those coils on its way into your house, so make sure to hire a professional to clean it.

AVOID COSTLY REPAIRS

As with many appliances, getting a regular tune-up will reduce the need for repairs, and lengthen the life of your HVAC. Small things like a refrigerant leak can be caught early, and save you time, money, and comfort in the long run. Don’t wait until the temps are in the 100s to get it fixed! Get it checked out now to ensure you stay cool.

LONG TERM COSTS

If regular maintenance helps reduce costs, so do high efficient systems. These reduce the wear and tear on your home and HVAC unit while keeping you cool at the same time. A regular tune-up will help make sure you’re getting the most for your money. If your system isn’t cared for, it will show up in your power bill.

EXTEND LIFESPAN

Regular tune-ups will extend the lifespan of your HVAC unit. With regular maintenance, your unit should last up to 15 years. Not taking care of it could mean that one major issue could mean you’ll need a whole new system. It’s good to get it checked out once every six months.

WORTH THE CALL

The Bosworth Company is still running our annual Spring Clean and Check promotion. For just $109 we’ll provide the maintenance, and peace of mind, to keep you cool all summer long for years to come. You can make an appointment online, or by calling 432-570-5233. It’s Worth the Call. Always.

 

 

RO for Water Wells

Out here in West Texas, we talk a lot about hard water. The natural mineral deposits that end up in our tap water aren’t necessarily dangerous, but they taste bad, can have a funny odor, and can stain kitchen and bathroom appliances. If you live in town and are on the city’s water line you’ve likely got hard water, and if you get your water from a well, it’s likely just as hard. But there is good news: The Bosworth Company can install a reverse osmosis system on your water supply, regardless of where it comes from even from water wells.

REVERSE OSMOSIS

Reverse Osmosis, or commonly called RO for short, is the opposite of osmosis, where two liquids naturally combine. Since reverse osmosis is the opposite of the natural process, force has to be applied. In a nutshell, an RO system forces the water through a semipermeable membrane (a fancy way of saying “filter”) before it gets to your faucet. This process eliminates any extra chemical or mineral deposits, leaving you with pure, great-tasting water.

WORKING ON A WELL

This process works just as “well” on well water as city water. The installers at The Bosworth Company can determine the exact RO system that you need. It will depend on how much water you use, the hardness of the water, and the size of your tank.

WATER SOFTENER

Depending on the factors mentioned above, a home with well water could be a perfect candidate for combining your RO system with a water softener. Water softeners work in conjunction with RO systems to create the cleanest, smoothest, best tasting and feeling water imaginable. Unlike RO systems, which eliminate harmful contaminants, water softeners add ions to your water that actually neutralize those contaminants. When the ions are added to the minerals, it makes the filtering of the RO process even more effective, making your water even cleaner.

WORTH THE CALL

City water and well water can both use some treatment to taste better and be better for bathing and washing. If your home uses well water, it can be a good idea to get the water tested to see what additional minerals or other contaminants may be present. If you’re ready to invest in a water purification system, whether it be RO, a water softener, or both, The Bosworth Company can help. Make an appointment online, or call 432-570-5233 for a consultation. It’s Worth the Call. Always.

Air Purifiers and COVID

Air Purification systems can lead to cleaner, healthier air in your home. They can be especially valuable for those with allergies, or suffering from respiratory issues. These days, air purifiers have another advantage: eliminating pathogens, including dangerous viruses that cause COVID-19. In this post, we’ll discuss how a home air purification system can protect you, and explain some of the options available from The Bosworth Company.

PUREST AIR POSSIBLE

Imagine taking in a breath of fresh mountain air. Typically, the closest you’ll find to that indoors is at a hospital. Due to infectious diseases carried by patients, hospitals have long used the best air purification systems available. Now, Lennox is offering the same level of protection for your home. The all-new PureAir S Air Purification System, along with the Lennox Healthy Climate Carbon Clean 16 air filter, has been clinically proven to remove more than 99% of viruses from your air, including those that cause the spread and infection of COVID-19.

HOW IT WORKS

The key element of any air purification system is the filter. The quality of the filter determines the size of the particles and other contaminants that get through. What’s left is the purest air you can imagine. The Lennox system removes 99% of common virus particles, including those causing COVID, the flu, and even the common cold. When it comes to common particles, such as mold, pollen, dust, and pet dander, the amount of particles eliminated grows to 99.9%! The PureAir and PureAir S systems do all this without producing ozone, which can be hard on the lungs and environment.

PROVEN IMPACT

The Lennox PureAir system, when combined with Lennox Healthy Climate filters, has been tested by LMS Technologies, an independent filtration research and testing lab, which found Lennox products to offer unrivaled filtration performance and ultimate air purity.

WORTH THE CALL

The Bosworth Company is a proud dealer of Lennox products, including their complete air purification and filtration systems. To make an appointment for a free consultation call 432-570-5233 or schedule one online. The Bosworth Company. Worth the Call. Always.

 

Spring is Here

It was a colder-than-usual winter in West Texas, with multiple snowfalls and even a week-long deep freeze. But Spring is finally in the air, and the daytime temperatures are really starting to heat up. That means it’s time for the big switch: changing your thermostat from a HEAT setting to a COOL setting. During this time of change (just like in the fall), it’s a good idea to do routine maintenance on your entire system. Did you know The Bosworth Company offers an annual Spring Clean and Check? In this post, we’ll go over just a few of the things that our experts can do during the visit to your home, and how it will help keep you cool all summer.

REFRIGERANT CHARGE

Refrigerant is the product that keeps your A/C cool! Your HVAC won’t run efficiently unless you’ve got the right amount of refrigerant in the system. Any unnecessary strain on your system will make it wear out more quickly, break down, and lead to expensive repairs. It will also make your electric bill go up.

AIR FILTERS

You probably have an air filter or two in the ceiling of your home. These should be changed on a regular basis. Air filters that go unchanged block air from getting through meaning your air quality will suffer. It also means your HVAC unit is working overtime to push that air through to try to keep your home cool. If allergies are a problem, you’ll definitely want to get those filters cleaned before blasting them with the air conditioning! The Spring Clean and Check includes one FREE 1” filter.

CLEAN CONDENSER COILS

Before cranking up the cool, the condenser coils and evaporator coils on your outdoor unit should be thoroughly checked and cleaned. This is even more important if your outdoor unit is not covered during the winter months. Dirt, dust, and other debris can build up and prevent the airflow system from working properly.

CALIBRATE THERMOSTAT

The thermostat sits on your wall and is seemingly a minor concern of your HVAC system. NOT TRUE! A faulty thermostat can confuse your system and cost you comfort and money. We’ll check and calibrate your thermostat to make sure it’s ready for summer.

WORTH THE CALL

The Bosworth Company performs each of these services on your HVAC, plus several more, as a part of the Spring Clean and Check. To set an appointment call us today at 432-570-5233 or schedule an appointment online. It’s Worth the Call. Always.

Ventilation

As temperatures continue to creep up and we switch from using our furnace to using A/C, we want to address a common question. Is there a difference between the air conditioning that we’re used to and simple ventilation or air purification systems? The terms are similar, but definitely don’t mean the same thing. Knowing the difference when considering your options will help you decide the best plan for you.

AIR CONDITIONING

Most people have a general idea of how air conditioning works. Hot air from the outside is pumped into your home and cooled on the way. But more than just a fan, coolant is added to “refrigerate” the air and remove any moisture from the air. The general circulation of the air also helps improve quality.

A properly working A/C ensures you’ll stay cool and cozy indoors, even during the hottest parts of the summer. Keeping the air dry also helps reduce mold or other bacteria that tend to grow in moist conditions. You may not think that’s much of an issue in West Texas, but it can help reduce the risk of mold and mildew in bathrooms after a steamy bath or shower!

VENTILATION

The job of a ventilation system is simply to keep the air inside your home fresh by circulating clean air from outside. Ventilation doesn’t impact the temperature, per se, though flowing air will generally feel cooler.  Ventilators improve air quality and eliminate contaminants such as dust, germs, pollen, pet dander, or anything else that wreak havoc on allergy sufferers. They can also help reduce pollutants that cause bad odors. That bad air is flushed out of your home at the same time the good air is brought in.

This can be especially beneficial depending on the layout of your home. For example, smaller rooms can make it more difficult for air to circulate around your home, whereas air can circulate freely around larger open spaces.

WORTH THE CALL

When summer rolls around, not only do you want a working air conditioner, but your life may feel like it depends on it. Having good ventilation is important as well. The Bosworth Company has a team of certified HVAC technicians who can install and repair your system, and let you know if a ventilation or air purification system is right for you. Make an appointment today by calling 432-570-5233 or online at https://bosworthco.com/schedule-now. It’s Worth the Call. Always.

Can a Water Softener Help With Eczema?

Water softeners can provide a lot more than just softer water. You’ll notice smoother, clearer skin, less build-up around your showerheads and sinks, and even softer laundry. But a water softener can be good for your health too – especially for those who suffer from eczema.

SOFT WATER = MOISTURIZED SKIN

It would make sense that water would moisturize your skin, but that’s not always how it works. Especially here in West Texas, the combination of hard water and dry air can leave your skin feeling itchy and dry after every shower.

However, soft water created by a water softener can have the opposite effect. Bathing in soft water can help heal itchy, rashy skin, even for those with eczema. Your skin will stay hydrated long after you leave the tub.

TEST THE TAP

In most homes, the water coming from your shower or bath is the same as what comes from the faucet in your kitchen sink. If you wouldn’t consider drinking from the tap, do you think it’s a good idea to bathe in it?

Hard water is caused by minerals and other contaminants that infiltrate the water as it makes its way through your pipes. While it’s not necessarily harmful to bathe in, it isn’t ideal. The minerals in the water are what will leave you dry and itchy after a long soak, especially if you have irritable skin.

A SOLUTION FOR YOU

Water softeners treat the water to help reduce the effect of those excess minerals. By adding ions (salts) to your water, it literally becomes “softer” on your skin, faucets, and even clothing. In many cases, you can immediately feel the difference when your water has been treated by a water softener.

WORTH THE CALL

If someone in your household is suffering from eczema, or any skin condition, a water softener can offer some relief. The Bosworth Company offers a variety of water treatment products and can outfit your home with the one that’s right for you. Schedule an appointment online today, or by calling 432-570-5233, and start enjoying the benefits of soft water. It’s Worth the Call. Always.

Frozen Pipe Prevention

Any homeowner knows – a busted pipe due to it being frozen is about the worst thing that can possibly happen. It’s a huge mess, possibly ruining many valuables in your home. On top of that, damage and repair costs can get expensive. Fortunately, knowing why and how they can burst can help you prevent them from bursting in the first place. In this post, we are going to discuss the primary culprit for burst pipes: cold weather.

STAY WARM!

Here in West Texas, we typically have mild winters. But not this year! Not only did we get our first snow in October, in February the temperature stayed below freezing for several days in a row! We even had some overnight lows below zero! Anytime the temperature drops below freezing there’s a risk of freezing pipes, so prolonged temperatures below 32 degrees make the risk even greater!

WHY DO PIPES BURST?

When the water inside the pipes freezes, it expands. This causes pressure in the pipes, and they will eventually crack. This seems like a fairly natural phenomenon, but it really isn’t. Scientifically, most matter shrinks when it freezes; water is actually an exception to the rule. 

Without getting too deep into your 10th-grade chemistry class, the molecular structure of water actually causes it to contract as it gets colder, but then expand again when it actually freezes. That means that the pressure on the pipes is constantly changing, making the risk of breaking even greater.

PREVENTION

Here are a few practical tips:

  • Keep faucets running: A dripping faucet will keep water in the line, making freezing less likely.
  • Open cabinet doors: Open the cabinet doors underneath your kitchen sink to allow the air from your home to keep the pipes warm.
  • Disconnect the garden hose: This allows water to drain from interior pipes more easily.
  • Check the temperature: All interior parts of your home should remain above 32 degrees. As long as you have power, this should be easy to accomplish, but don’t forget about your garage and laundry room!

WORTH THE CALL

The Bosworth Company offers a variety of services and treatments for the water that you use for drinking, cooking, or bathing. You can also count on us for 24/7 emergency plumbing in case of burst pipes or any other plumbing problem! Call us today for an appointment at 432-570-5233 or schedule an appointment online. The Bosworth Company. Worth the Call. Always.

Commercial Plumbing Inspections

February’s snow and ice storm was a reminder for everyone that regular maintenance on your home is critical to your comfort and safety – especially in times of crisis. This is also true if you own or operate a commercial business. Closure due to a plumbing problem not only costs you money in repairs but also in lost business. In this post, we’ll discuss some of the reasons why  annual inspections are so important.

MAINTAIN FIXTURES

Keeping an eye on interior pipes will catch small problems before they get worse. Small leaks can often go unnoticed until it’s too late. Regular inspections will make sure they’re caught early.

EXTEND LIFESPAN

Regular maintenance will help make sure that appliances last longer. Even if your business has fewer appliances than a typical home, chances are it does have a hot water heater. Regular cleaning, draining, and general maintenance on the water heater will extend its lifespan.

CONTROL LEAKS

Even a tiny drip can waste lots of water over the course of a year, a week, a day, or an hour! We already mentioned the risk of structural damage, and excess water can lead to mold issues as well. Regular inspections will check for all these issues to make sure they don’t get out of hand.

PREVENT BACKUPS

Regardless of whether it’s at a home or business, sewage backups can be gross. No one wants raw sewage backing up in the toilet, sinks, or drains. Because businesses are likely to have larger sewage systems and longer sewer lines, it’s likely that it could take longer for clogs to show up in the form of backups. Routine inspections will help monitor your pipes and make sure they’re clear.

WORTH THE CALL

Most importantly, routine inspections on your commercial plumbing equipment will tell you if repairs are needed. And if you have a growing business, that means your plumbing is probably being used for more than what it was originally intended for. Take the pressure off your pipes, and yourself, by setting up an annual inspection. Certified professional plumbers at The Bosworth Company can handle all your inspection needs at home or on the job. Schedule an appointment online or call us today at 432-570-5233 to set up your inspection schedule. It’s Worth the Call. Always.

Water Conservation

There are many ways to save money and resources around the house, and some are easier to accomplish than others. If your water bill has been climbing, you may be wondering why. In this post, we’ll offer a few tips on how to save water, help water conservation and keep that bill where it should be!

CHECK FOR LEAKS

Even if you can’t see physical evidence of a leak, that doesn’t mean one doesn’t exist. It may be in a wall, ceiling, or even underground. Even a moderate leak could waste up to 20 gallons of water a day. Not only can that cost you on your water bill, but it will also eventually lead to damage to your home. If you check around faucets, toilets, and dishwashers and can’t find any signs of leakage, it could be a good idea to hire a professional like us to check the situation out for you.

USE YOUR DISHWASHER

Using your dishwasher uses dramatically less water than washing dishes by hand. A typical dishwasher only uses about 6 gallons of water in every load. Think about how much time you would spend at the sink washing those same dishes with the water running. Chances are you use a lot more than 6 gallons. Also, most modern dishwashers don’t require you to pre-rinse dishes. Scraping excess food from the plate should be enough to prepare it for the dishwasher. (Side note: scrape extra food into the trash, not down the drain.)

TOILET UPGRADE 

Low-flow toilets can help save water with every flush. In fact, you can save 2-5 gallons per flush.

FAUCET UPGRADES

Faucet aerators attach directly to the head of your faucet and add air to the water stream. At the same time, this reduces the amount of water coming through the faucet and increases the strength of the flow. The result could save up to 25 gallons of water every day.

DITCH THE DISPOSAL

Garbage disposals do have some benefit – but not when it comes to saving water. Because running water is a must when using the disposal, you’ll save more by just throwing away any food scraps instead of putting it down the drain.

SHOWER TIPS

A low-flow showerhead will cut your gallons-per-minute by up to 50%! An upgraded showerhead combined with shorter showers can result in a noticeable decrease in your bill!

WORTH THE CALL

Have an unexplained increase in your water bill? Need help finding a leak, or any other plumbing needs? Call The Bosworth Company today at 432-570-5233 to make an appointment. You can also schedule an appointment online. The Bosworth Company. Worth the Call. Always!