Category: Clean & Check

Showerhead spraying water against a vibrant yellow and green tiled wall, illustrating water pressure issues in plumbing.

Fixing Your Home’s Water Pressure

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There’s nothing like a hot shower at the end of a long day. But not all showers are created equal. Poor water pressure can cause frustration in the shower, the sink, the kitchen, and even the garden. But there are a few things you can do. In this post, we’ll take a look at what you can do for better water pressure at home and when you should call an expert.

PRESSURE BALANCE VALVE

The first place to check is the pressure balance valve. This balances the hot and cold mix of water coming into your shower or any of your faucets. Checking this valve involves moving the shower controls within the wall, which can be done with basic tools. It may be necessary to contact a professional if you’re not comfortable doing this on your own.

DIVERTER VALVE

In a bath/shower combo (very common in most homes), the diverter valve switches the direction of the water from the bath to the shower. If this area is dripping, or otherwise not working properly, it could negatively impact your water pressure.

UNEXPECTED CLOGS

If a pipe is blocked, or the showerhead is clogged, you can detach it to take a closer look. Clogs are generally easy to fix. A showerhead clog typically occurs when deposits from hard water prevent water from flowing freely. Once detached, you can soak the showerhead in a cleaning solution, and then give it a good scrub. You can also invest in a water softening system to prevent hard water in the first place.

BROKEN PIPES

Broken or cracked pipes delivering water to your home can cause a decrease in water pressure. They can also 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 showerheads 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 in Kerrville can help you check your water pressure and make sure your next shower provides the relaxation you need. You can reach us at 830-428-2764 or schedule an appointment online. It’s Worth the Call. Always.

Close-up of a kitchen garbage disposal unit with "FOOD WASTE DISPOSAL" engraved around the rim, highlighting plumbing maintenance and leak detection.

Garbage Disposal Leak

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Leaks are a problem wherever they occur. If you notice excess water underneath your kitchen sink, it’s possible you have a leak in your garbage disposal. Sometimes repairing a leak can be an easy fix, while other times it can require professional help. In this post, we’ll cover ways to spot a garbage disposal leak, identify the source, determine the cause, and offer solutions.

THE SOURCE

There are four common parts of a garbage disposal that can leak:

  • The sink flange, which connects the disposal to the sink;
  • The dishwasher hose connection, a plastic hose that connects the side of the disposal to the dishwasher;
  • The drain line connection, usually a curving metal or PVC pipe connecting to the main drain pipe; or
  • The reset button, underneath the primary disposal unit.

THE SIGNS

As mentioned, there are a handful of obvious signs that there’s a problem with your garbage disposal. Things like puddling water, dripping, dampness, or even a musty smell. If you’ve confirmed that the leak isn’t coming from the sink itself or the P-trap, it’s likely the garbage disposal. 

To figure out exactly where it’s coming from follow these simple steps:

  1. Turn off and unplug the disposal.
  2. Fill up the sink about halfway with water.
  3. Add a few drops of food coloring.
  4. Look for leaks in the four locations listed above. The food coloring should help you see any spots!

THE CAUSE

So you figured out where the leak is coming from, but what’s causing it? For the sink flange, dishwasher hose, and drain line, it’s likely a simple plumbing fix. That means common things such as bolts, screws, or other sealants have become loose or started to wear. A few twists of a wrench or some fresh sealant should do the trick. If the leak is coming from the reset button, that’s a sure sign of age and the entire thing needs to be replaced.

WORTH THE CALL

At The Bosworth Company in Kerrville, we know that not every plumbing problem has a do-it-yourself solution. If you have a leaky garbage disposal or any other plumbing issues, we can help! Schedule an appointment online or call us today at 830-428-2764. It’s Worth the Call. Always.

Air conditioning unit with exposed coils, fan, and rust; HVAC system needing maintenance by The Bosworth Company.

How Your Air Conditioner Works

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Fall has arrived, but here in Texas, we’ll still need to run our air conditioning for the next couple of months. In this post, we’ll discuss how your air conditioner works. Knowing how it works will help you know when it needs service and how to keep it running strong. We’ll even tell you how The Bosworth Company in Kerrville can help!

THE PARTS

Remember – an air conditioner is different from a fan. It doesn’t just move the air, it removes the moisture, making a humid Central Texas afternoon a lot more comfortable. This process requires taking the air that’s inside your home and forcing it outside. It’s much more complicated and scientific than this, but here are the five primary “ingredients”:

  • Refrigerant is the cooling agent. It’s pumped through the system and changes the warm air in your home to liquid as it’s moved outside. It also keeps your HVAC unit from overheating.
  • The Compressor is the heart of the system that pumps air throughout your home and the air ducts.
  • The Condenser is the part of the compressor that transforms the refrigerant. Once the refrigerant is pumped into the compressor, the condenser helps turn it into liquid. This all happens when your exterior unit is running.
  • The Expansion Valve is where the refrigerant basically re-cools the refrigerant. When the liquid expands (expansion valve, remember), it cools down and is ready to be pumped back into your home.
  • The Evaporator Coil is the final step. The cold liquid is “evaporated” in the plenum (the metal box in your attic) before it is distributed into the ducts as cool air.

WORTH THE CALL

This could have been much, much more scientific and detailed, but we just wanted to cover the basics. Here’s the good news: you don’t need to know it all, because our experts do! Let the Bosworth Company in Kerrville maintain your A/C by investing in our Fall Clean & Check. It’s a great way to give your entire unit a tune-up! You can make an appointment today by calling 830-428-2764 or scheduling one online. The Bosworth Company. Worth the Call. Always.

Sunset image with text overlay asking, "Is it time to replace your thermostat?" highlighting the importance of thermostat maintenance and replacement in home HVAC systems.

Is It Time To Replace Your Thermostat?

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Quite often, a thermostat gives you some clues that it’s time for replacement. Find out what these clues are to know if it’s time to replace your thermostat!

No Power/Unresponsive

One of the telltale signs that a thermostat is due for replacement is when adjusting the temperature lever produces no change in home temperature. Another sign is an unresponsive interface or unlit display light.

Changing the Batteries Did Not Help

Of course, the first response to an unresponsive thermostat may be to change the batteries. While this may sometimes fix the problem, you may not always be that lucky. If the thermostat is still unresponsive after changing the batteries, it may be too late for a quick fix or simple repair.

HVAC Runs Continually Or Not At All

This could be due to a wiring defect that causes the thermostat to lose its connection to the home’s heating and cooling system may be the issue. It  could also be reading temperatures incorrectly and not turning heating or cooling on when needed. This same defect could also cause the HVAC to not start at all.

Different Temperatures Throughout

If you’ve noticed different temperatures throughout your home, this could be a sign it’s time to replace your thermostat. Shifts in temperature occur when a thermostat switches the HVAC system on and off when it is not supposed to, causing rooms that are furthest from the central unit not receiving an even distribution of the desired temperature for the home.

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Time To Call The Bosworth Company!

If your thermostat is showing any of the above signs, it could be time to call The Bosworth Company. Our expert HVAC technicians will diagnose the problem and provide the best solution for you. If it is time for a thermostat upgrade, you should consider a Nest Wifi Thermostat. Nest learns the patterns of your home and adjusts accordingly…all from the palm of your hand! Learn more about Nest and our current promotion here.

Vacuum cleaner with a clear container and flexible hose on carpet, illustrating spring cleaning tips for home maintenance.

Spring Cleaning Shortcuts

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The birds are chirping, the sun is shining, and the flowers are blooming…spring is finally here! You know what that means…spring cleaning! But who has the time to tackle spring cleaning? We have good news, check out our spring cleaning shortcuts below!

Area Rugs and Carpeting

Don’t worry about emptying a room to vacuum! Just move furniture out of the way and replace as you go. For rooms with area rugs, just roll up the rugs and vacuums beneath. For rooms with wall-to-wall carpeting, use the edger vacuum attachment to clean the space between the baseboard and the floor. (Tip: while you’re down there, use the long-bristle attachment to clean the baseboard.)

Curtains

Remove fabric window treatments and tumble them in a cool dryer for 15-20 minutes. This will shake the dust from them and leave them looking as good as new!

Windows

While the dryer is freshening your window treatments, dampen an eyeglass-grade microfiber cloth with water and use it to clean windows for a streak-free shine. Use a regular microfiber cloth over the woodwork trim.

Ceilings and Walls

To remove cobwebs and dust from painted or wallpapered walls/ceilings, wipe ceilings and walls with a clean microfiber mop. For textured or stucco walls/ceilings use a feather duster instead of microfiber.

Hard-Surface Floors

For quick, deep cleaning on hardwood, tile, vinyl and laminate floors use a steam-cleaner; it’s a perfect tool for pulling up dirt and melting away grime!

Ovens

For ovens without a self-cleaning feature, prepare a paste of water and baking soda. Apply it to the inside walls and floor of the oven, and spritz vinegar over it. Let this set for just a minute or two, and then wipe it down! If you do have a self-cleaning oven, be sure to set it and then go outside for some yard work…this way you can avoid those strong fumes!

Refrigerator

Wipe off the top of the refrigerator with a water-dampened microfiber cloth. If the dust is really thick, moisten the cloth with cleaner. It is also best if you can move the refrigerator away from the wall and clean the coils with the brush attachment on your vacuum. Doing this will help your refrigerator run more efficiently and save money in energy bills!

Dishwasher

Add non-abrasive cleanser to a damp microfiber cloth and run it along the inside rim of the dishwasher door. This will remove any accumulated food build-up. Spritz with water and wipe dry with a paper towel.

Spring Clean & Check

These spring cleaning shortcuts will help breathe some spring air into your home! Now that the inside is clean and tidy, it’s time to tackle the systems. Contact us to schedule a Spring Clean & Check from The Bosworth Company!

Hand wearing yellow rubber glove cleaning a window sill with a yellow sponge, illustrating home maintenance and cleanliness tips.

Show Your Home Some Love With These 5 Must-Do Home Maintenance Tasks

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Valentine’s Day is tomorrow and it’s the season of love…so why not show your home some love, too? Take a look at these 5 must-do home maintenance tasks. Your home will love you for it!

1. Fire Extinguishers

Do you have a fire extinguisher at your home? If not, you should! It’s important that you have one placed at an easily accessible location. It’s also important to maintain them. First, look at the expiration date on your fire extinguishers. Of course, you want to be sure you have one that isn’t expired. Then check to see if it has any wear on it and if the correct pressure is showing. If it looks like it may be defective in any way, consider purchasing a new one.

2. Roof & Gutters

You may not realize it, but your roof gets a lot of attention. (Think about it, it does make up about half of your home!) It gets even more attention when it isn’t well kept. Every few months, get up on your roof and take a look around. Remove any debris that you find, and keep an eye out for missing shingles or damaged spots. If you notice these places getting worse, you may want to contact a roofer for repairs. This is also a good time to clean out your gutters, if you have them.

3. Air Conditioner

After every season – especially fall and spring – it is a good idea to get your air conditioner checked to be sure it is in good working order before the start of a new season. You want to be sure the drainage isn’t clogged and that the coils are clean. Lucky for you, we offer this service at the Bosworth Company! Find out more about our seasonal clean & check services!

4. Refrigerator

You use your refrigerator every day…keeping it clean should be on your priority list! Having the refrigerator clean makes it perform better, use less energy and ultimately last longer! You should deep clean your refrigerator every couple of months by completely emptying it and cleaning out the shelves and drawers. This is also a good time to examine the expiration dates on things like condiments, jellies, etc.

5. Unused Spaces

The less or unused spaces in our homes (guest rooms and bathrooms, storage rooms/closets, garage, etc.) are easy to overlook. Once a month, examine these spaces and clean them up if necessary. If it’s a bathroom, flush the toilets and run the water to make sure everything is flowing properly. The last thing you want is for one of your guests to find out you have a plumbing problem before you do!

Show Your Home Some Love!

Hopefully, these must-do home maintenance tasks help to keep your home (and schedule) working properly! After all it does for you, it’s nice to show your home some love! For other tips and tricks like these, be sure to follow our boards on Pinterest!

Hammer and nail on wooden surface, representing home maintenance tools for plumbing and HVAC tasks.

Home Maintenance For 2017

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While home maintenance may not be your favorite thing to do, it can decrease your chance for costly replacements or emergencies as well as keep your home looking pristine! This new year, why not make a resolution to practice proper home maintenance? Trust us, you’ll be glad you did! Find out how to get started.

Bi Annually

  • Replace batteries in both your smoke and carbon dioxide detectors (not just when it starts beeping at you).
  • To allow your refrigerator to operate more efficiently, vacuum your refrigerator coils. This can save you up to $100 a year!
  • Prevent mineral and corrosion buildup by testing your water heater’s pressure relief valve. This can also help you heater run more efficiently.
  • Deep clean your house (that’s right, appliances, windows, nooks, crannies, etc.). Besides the joy of having a nice, clean house, ridding your home of dust, dirt and grime will keep your home in tip-top shape.

Quarterly

  • Test your smoke and carbon dioxide detectors by pressing the “test” button on your detector.
  • Check water softener and add salt, if necessary.
  • Test your garage door’s auto reverse feature by placing a 2×4 on the ground below the door. Within a second of the door hitting the wood, it should reverse.
  • Run water and flush toilets in your unused spaces. Have a sink in your laundry room or a toilet in your guest bedroom that doesn’t get much use? Test them to be sure they not only work properly but  also to prevent buildup.

Monthly

  • Clean sink disposal. (Vinegar ice cubes is an easy and effective way to do this.)
  • Inspect HVAC filters and replace if needed. While it’s often recommended, it’s not always necessary to replace your HVAC filters monthly. For small households (especially without pets), it’s okay to replace for filter every 2-3 months.
  • Use a degreaser from an auto parts store mixed with hot water to clean your range hood filter.
  • Examine fire extinguisher (be sure it’s easily accessible, no wear and tear, and adequate pressure).

Seasonal

For seasonal home maintenance tips, check out our blogs, Ways To Prepare Your Home For Spring, Fall Maintenance Tasks, Bosworth’s Tips To Prepare For The Winter Season, and Easy Ways To Get Your Patio Ready For Summer…and don’t for get about the seasonal system checks we offer! Schedule yours today!

 

Colorful out-of-focus Christmas lights glowing in a festive display, evoking a cozy winter atmosphere.

Holiday Decor Safety Tips

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We know what you’re thinking…holiday decor safety tips? What is there to possibly know about holiday decor safety tips? You may be surprised, actually. When you really think about it, holiday decor comes with some safety hazards. Knowing the risks and hazards could prevent a holiday emergency…find out more!

Christmas Trees

Don’t place a Christmas tree – either real or artificial- next to fireplaces, heating ducts or radiators, nor place them where they block doorways or high-traffic areas.

If you do have a live tree, keep in watered. A dry tree will burn faster than one that’s been watered.

When placing ornaments on a tree, keep child and pet safety in mind. Put the more fragile or sentimental ornaments closer to the top of the tree, and the unbreakable ones on the bottom.

Lights

When hanging lights on your house, ladders should be on level, firm ground (add leg levelers if you’re on an incline). To hang lights, deploy a ladder extending a minimum of three feet over the roofline or working area. Keep in mind that your ladder should also be able to carry both your weight and any objects you’re carrying.

Be sure your lights have cleared the safety tests conducted by Underwriters Lab or another established testing facility. Lights checked by the Underwriters Lab are marked with a holographic UL label (red label means lights can be used indoors and out, while green means indoor-use only).

Keep in mind, your source of power for your lights should come from a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet. That way, if there is an over current, the outlet will shut the circuit down. If you don’t have an outdoor GFCI, contact The Bosworth team to permanently install one for you!

Cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires and loose connections may pose a fire or shock hazard. Before putting anything up, be sure to check all electric lights and decorations for damage.

Fireplace & Flames

Have your fireplace inspected annually and cleaned (we offer this service as part of our Furnace Check).

Keep candles away from curtains, bedding, paper, etc. or any other areas with the potential to combust. Also, be sure to blow candles out before you leave a room and to warn children of the danger of open flames.

There you have it! Holiday decor safety tips to keep your holiday merry & bright. For more tips and tricks like these, follow our boards on Pinterest!

Colorful autumn leaves in shades of red and orange, symbolizing seasonal change and home maintenance preparation for fall.

Fall Maintenance Tasks

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Can you believe summer is almost over? We sure can’t! Soon, we’ll be trading sunglasses for scarves and the kids will be going back to school! It may be difficult to prepare for the transition, but it’s easy to prepare your home for fall! Check out our fall maintenance tips below!

Fall Maintenance Tasks

1. Caulk Windows

Caulking windows and door frames is one of the least, but most important, fall maintenance tasks. Proper sealing prevents heat from escaping and water from getting in.

2. Check Your Roof

Your roof is your first defense in protecting your home. Inspect for missing or lose shingles and repair where necessary. It’s best to proactively deal with repairs at the end of summer/beginning of fall than to discover a problem in the winter!

3. Reverse Ceiling Fan

Create an upward draft that redistributes warm air by changing the direction of your ceiling fan.

4. Prepare Porch

Clean deck and porch furniture and make any needed repairs. Cover outdoor furniture and barbecue grills and store in a protected area. In addition to furniture maintenance, it’s important to have spare blankets/sheets available for covering outdoor plants.

5. Peeling Paint

Inspect exterior walls for peeling paint. This is a sign that the existing paint can no longer protect the siding of the building. If you don’t repair the peeling paint, the siding will deteriorate and lead to expensive future repairs.

6. Fall Clean & Check

It’s important to make sure all the electrical and heating systems and devices in your home are working properly when fall comes around. Our licensed electricians can help with anything you need, including the following heating and electrical services:

  • Adjusting any necessary connections
  • Replacing filters
  • Checking heat exchanger & thermostats
  • Lubricating motors

…for both commercial & residential!

Worth The Call.

Hopefully, these fall maintenance tasks help to keep your home comfortable during the fall season! If you need help preparing your home for fall and winter, schedule service today!

Cleaning supplies including spray bottles, gloves, and a mop in a blue bucket, representing spring cleaning for home maintenance and plumbing care.

Bosworth’s Guide To Spring Cleaning

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We’re happy that spring is finally here! Spring is the perfect time to “freshen up” your home after the winter season…but where do you begin? No worries, Bosworth has you covered with our guide to spring cleaning!

Bosworth’s Guide To Spring Cleaning

  • dust around mirrors, picture frames, and wall hangings
  • replace light bulbs (consider going LED for the energy/cost savings)
  • replace batteries in smoke detector
  • replace batteries in carbon monoxide detector
  • have chimney swept
  • schedule pest control maintenance
  • dust crown molding and baseboards
  • clean scuff marks from baseboards and doors
  • dust ceiling fans
  • dust light fixtures and lamps
  • dust bookcases and shelves
  • rotate fan direction to counterclockwise
  • touch up paint
  • vacuum or wash window curtains
  • dust window blinds
  • clean windows
  • polish wood furniture
  • wipe down and vacuum furniture
  • condition leather furniture
  • remove stains from upholstered furniture
  • vacuum and wash lampshades
  • vacuum all flooring (don’t forget the corners & edges!)
  • deep clean hardwood, tile, linoleum
  • shampoo carpet (DIY or schedule a professional)
  • remove rugs to shake out, then vacuum, then clean under them

But wait…

…is your AC system ready for the season change? Don’t forget your filters, coils, and connections should all be checked. Don’t wait until a hot spring day to discover a problem with your AC! Prevent dreaded AC problems with a Spring Clean & Check from The Bosworth Company! Schedule yours today!

Happy spring cleaning!