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Here in Odessa and Midland, one of the most common problems plumbers deal with is how to handle hard water. Water is considered “hard” when minerals and other contaminants such as calcium deposits, etc. infiltrate your water as it makes its way from the source, through the ground, into your home, and eventually out of your faucet. Those minerals aren’t necessarily dangerous, but they do impact the taste and smell of your water. One telltale sign of hard water is that chalky build-up you may have noticed on your faucets and showerheads. If the build-up is not cleaned regularly, it can lead to stained fixtures and sinks, and faucets not working properly.  This is where water softeners come in.

There are two common solutions to battling hard water: reverse osmosis, commonly called R.O, for short, and water softeners. These two systems function differently and can be installed separately, but they are highly recommended to be used together. Also, though some R.O. units can “soften” your water, that isn’t their true function and it can lead to their filters wearing out more quickly than they should. In this post, we’ll specifically take a look at water softeners.

HOW IT WORKS

Water softeners use what’s called an ion-exchange unit. Without getting too scientific, it removes the minerals that make the water hard and substitutes them with sodium (salt), which neutralizes the minerals and makes the water feel (and taste, and even smell) softer. Systems can include single or dual tanks depending on the need in your home. For example, a two-tank system can continuously deliver soft water to the home, while a single-tank system contains brine that needs to self-clean once a week.

Salt-free alternatives are also available, which modify the minerals instead of actually removing them to make the water soft. The alternatives do help prevent visible buildup around fixtures and faucets but don’t protect piping and appliances like a traditional water softener.

WORTH THE CALL

The Bosworth Company offers both state-of-the-art water softeners as well as reverse osmosis systems. Remember, for the cleanest, safest water, you’ll want to get both! Make an appointment online, or call us today at 432-570-5233. Our certified professionals can provide full details and help you diagnose your home or business to determine the system that works best for you. It’s Worth the Call. Always.

 

So you finally invested in a generator (or you’re just about to). They’re great for providing power when the electricity goes out. But what do you do when the generator itself goes out? While unlikely to happen there is one thing that can cause your generator to burn itself out: a power surge. In this post, we’ll discuss some of the causes of a power surge, and how you can prevent it from impacting your generator.

WHAT A SURGE LOOKS LIKE

A sudden surge of energy in any device (generator, appliance, or other devices) will cause it to clearly malfunction, and possibly damage or even disable it. In the case of a generator surge, your lights may pulse and burn much brighter for a moment, before dimming and flickering or completely burning out. An appliance experiences a power surge similarly – it may run must faster than normal before crashing.

WHAT CAUSES A SURGE?

If you know some of the factors that can cause a generator to surge, it will help you prevent it from happening. Here are a few possibilities:

• Using the wrong fuel, low-quality fuel, or the wrong amount of fuel can cause a surge. This is because, like any other machine, generators are designed for specific fuels. Make sure you’re using the right one!
• If the capacitor or other components of the generator are malfunctioning, the entire unit could surge. The capacitor may just be old, which will cause fluctuations in power that can lead to a damaging surge.
• Generators should last for many years, but you should definitely consider the age if you start noticing an occasional surge. If it’s around 10 years old or more, you should consider a replacement.

WORTH THE CALL

Regular maintenance is critical to avoiding a power surge. To make sure your generator is ready for anything, it should probably be checked out by an expert as often as once a month. Even a little rust on the exterior could be an indicator that problems are on the horizon. Be ready for the next outage with regular maintenance! If your generator is showing signs of surging. The Bosworth Company can help! Make an appointment online or call us today at (432) 570-5233. It’s Worth the Call. Always.

One of the great conveniences we take for granted is instant access to water at the flip of a switch. There’s nothing like coming home after a hard day and relaxing in a long hot shower. But some showers are a lot more satisfying than others. Maybe the water’s warm and lasts as long as you need, but something is still missing. If your shower doesn’t have good water pressure, you may get clean, but the experience will suffer. In this post, we’ll examine some of the things that can cause low water pressure, and how you can improve it.

UNDER PRESSURE

There are a variety of factors that can potentially cause your home to experience a drop in water pressure. One common problem, and thankfully an easy fix, is water valves that aren’t fully open. It’s easy to check and adjust your home’s water shut-off valves on your own. Just make sure they’re fully open for maximum water flow.

Other common causes include old or leaky pipes. If water is leaking where it shouldn’t be, that means it isn’t getting to your faucet or showerhead and thereby decreasing the flow rate of the water as it leaves the fixture.

TAKE THE TEST

If the water pressure in your home is low, it’s likely low at every faucet. That includes showers, sinks, and even outdoor spigots where you would attach a hose.

Depending on your usage, it’s likely that you’ll notice low (or high) water pressure the most when you’re in the shower. However, when it’s time to test, you’ll want to head outside to one of those spigots for your hose. Pressure tests can be done by hiring a professional or by using a pressure gauge. If using a gauge, just turn the water up all the way. The pressure should read between 45 and 55 psi. A psi above 55 could be damaging to your pipes and faucets.

WORTH THE CALL

If you’ve checked your valves, and they seem to be adjusted properly but your water pressure is still consistently low, it’s likely that the water pressure you’re getting from the city just isn’t that strong. Give the utility department a call so they can check into it.

Licensed plumbers like the ones at The Bosworth Company can help, too. We’ll investigate the causes and figure out a practical solution that works for you and your home. Make an appointment online or call us today at (432) 570-5233. It’s Worth the Call. Always.

Even if you aren’t one of the lucky ones who’ve started working from home in the past couple of years, chances are you have thought about upgrading your home office. If you want to do it the right way and give your home that professional feel, you’re going to need help from a certified electrician. In this post, we’ll discuss some popular upgrades options, and how they can help improve your work-from-home vibe!

LIGHT IT UP

Lighting may not be the first thing you think of when it comes to a home office, but it should be. Proper lighting can make every area of your office a more productive workspace. An overhead light and a desk lamp likely aren’t enough. Think about how overhead, ambient, and task lighting will make you look during your next Zoom call! Proper lighting helps you see your work, which is good for your energy and focus and helps prevent drowsiness. It can even help prevent headaches caused by straining to read in low light.

COMPUTER LOVE

When working from home, it’s critical to get enough power to your computer. Older homes typically don’t have the capacity to handle multiple powerful devices at once, which can lead to overloading the current circuit. If the circuit trips, it could be damaging to your equipment and cause you to lose work on your device. A circuit breaker is great, but is yours working properly? It can be a good idea to update the wiring in your home, and provide a circuit exclusively for your home office to guarantee you won’t have any problems.

HARD-WIRED

In the information age, it’s critical to have uninterrupted internet access. Many homes have moved away from a hard-wired connection and toward Wi-Fi. However, if you are working from home, getting your system hard-wired may be a safer option. A weak or spotty Wi-Fi signal is bound to crash at a critical moment – and a hard-wire solution fixes most potential internet issues completely. It also assures better connectivity on multiple devices without slowing down.

OVERALL UPGRADE

Choosing to upgrade your entire electrical panel will help deliver reliable power to your entire home, not just your home office. That means all appliances, as well as your HVAC system, lights, TV, and anything else that demands energy. This can help improve performance and reduce the risk of overheating and the potential for electrical fires.

WORTH THE CALL

If you’ve just started working from home and are interested in a home office upgrade, or maybe you just need some electrical work done around the house, The Bosworth Company is here to help. We have certified technicians to help you with all your electrical needs. Make an appointment online, or call us today at (432) 570-5233. It’s Worth the Call. Always.

In a properly working bathtub or sink, it’s not uncommon to hear the sound of the final bit of water being sucked down the drain. However, if the water is slow to drain and you hear a bubbling or gurgling sound as the water runs out, that could be a sign that you have a plumbing issue. In this post, we’ll discuss what causes that sound and what you can do to fix it.

There are two primary reasons that you may hear a gurgling sound coming from your sink: the formation of a clog or a blocked vent pipe.

PARTIAL CLOG

Once a clog is complete, it will stop up your sink completely. But a clog in the making will mean slow draining and possible gurgling sounds. Those noises are a result of inhibited flow as the water drains.

Want to prevent the clog in the first place? Avoid putting certain things down the drain that can stop up your drain. This can include grease, hair, wipes (even “flushable” ones), floss, paint, paper towels, wipes, feminine hygiene products, or other materials. A sink plunger can help solve some of these clog issues, otherwise, you may need to call a professional plumber like ours at The Bosworth Company.

VENT PIPE BLOCKAGE

Vent pipes are designed to allow sewer air to escape through your plumbing system. If one of those pipes is blocked, it can restrict water flow and lead to that gurgling sound. Think about pouring water (or soda) out of a two-liter bottle. Instead of a free flow of water, you hear a “plop, plop, plop,” because air needs to get into the bottle in order for the water to escape.

Your primary vent pipe is likely on the roof of your home. Things like leaves, trash, or other debris can cover it, limiting airflow, and thereby limiting water flow and causing the gurgling. If your water pipes appear to be clear, it’s possible the problem is on your roof! Check to make sure the vent pipe’s clear.

WORTH THE CALL

That gurgling sound can be annoying, confusing, and cause for alarm. If you’re not sure what’s causing it or want to make sure it doesn’t become a bigger problem, give The Bosworth Company a call. Our licensed professionals can check out your entire system to make sure everything’s in working order. Make an appointment online, or call us online at (432) 570-5233. It’s Worth the Call. Always.

 

When it comes to home appliances, your hot water heater plays a unique role. If everything’s working properly, you probably don’t think much about it. However, a cold shower or water damage will have you investigating right away! In this post, we’ll discuss some of the features of our state-of-the-art Rheem water heaters, and how they can help make your home more comfortable without breaking the bank.

LEAK INSURANCE

Water damage in your home is unsightly, expensive, and a huge hassle to repair. But what if there was a way your water heater could actually help prevent leaks and the damage they cause? Rheem’s newest smart electric water heaters have the answer with their LeakSense and LeakGuard technologies.

With LeakSense, the water heater connects to your smartphone through an app. If a leak is detected, it will send you an alert in seconds. This enables you to address the problem immediately and avoid costly damage.

The LeakSense feature partners with the LeakGuard to automatically shut off the water – preventing any more than 20 ounces of water from spilling!

HOT SHOWERS

Traditional water heaters are often criticized because the amount of hot water can run out unexpectedly. That’s no fun if it’s your turn in the shower. Not with Rheem! The Hot Water Availability feature tells you exactly how much hot water is in the tank. This helps manage shower lengths so that even the last person to bathe still has plenty of hot water left!

EFFICIENCY

Comfort is king when it comes to home appliances, but efficiency is a close second. Similar to HVAC apps that let you adjust the temperature in your home remotely, Rheem’s smartphone app can do the same thing for your hot water heater. Not only can you turn the heat off and on when you’re not home, but you can also schedule it to start heating up so it’s ready and warm when you need it! This can result in energy savings, as the tank is not constantly needing to be heated.

WORTH THE CALL

The Bosworth Company is proud to offer Rheem tank water heaters. You can learn more about their Smart Electric and ProTerra Hybrid models on their website. Make an appointment online, or call us today at (432) 570-5233 to learn more about what a new smart water heater could mean for your home. It’s Worth the Call. Always.

Spring is here, and that means it’s about time to make the switch from heating to cooling. But just like with heating, there are two different types of AC – and don’t let the name fool you: Heat pumps provide both hot and cold air! In this post, we’ll discuss the differences between heat pumps and air conditioners, and how to decide which is best for your home or business.

THE BASICS

The airflow within a heat pump can be reversed, which is why it’s able to both heat and cool your home. Air conditioners are completely separate cooling units and are usually paired with a gas furnace that provides heat.

Heat pumps, which run on electricity, have become much more popular in recent years because of the ease of switching between heating and cooling. However, some home or business owners may be reluctant to make the switch. Here are a few things to consider:

OVERALL COSTS

The cost to purchase and install a heat pump or air conditioner can vary greatly depending on your current setup. If your home or business currently uses electric heat, it is probably less expensive to go for a heat pump, while an air conditioner may be more cost-effective with gas power.

EFFICIENCY

Both heat pumps and air conditioners use refrigerants for cooling, and both circulate that air throughout a space to help keep it fresh. When it comes to cooling, the efficiency between the two is pretty compatible.

When it comes to heating, the efficiency can be determined by the weather. Here in West Texas, where we enjoy relatively mild winters, the electric power of a heat pump can keep you warm more efficiently than a gas furnace. However, during times of prolonged freezing weather, a gas furnace can prove more efficient. Some home or business owners may choose to combine these two systems for efficiency and comfort year-round.

For an easy way to check efficiency, you can consider Energy Star models, which are available for AC units and heat pumps. And don’t forget to look for models with high SEER and HSPF ratings.

LIFE EXPECTANCY

Arguably the most important part of purchasing any appliance or HVAC system is knowing how long it will last. Since heat pump systems run year-round, they tend to need replacements more often than an air conditioner that’s only used during the summer. Of course, any unit will last longer with regular maintenance to catch any potential small problems before they turn into big ones.

WORTH THE CALL

If you’re considering a new HVAC, and aren’t sure if a heat pump or AC/furnace combo is right for you, let The Bosworth Company help. Our certified technicians can diagnose the needs of your home or business to help you decide what works best. We’re proud to be premier dealers of LENNOX HVAC systems, including heat pumps, ACs, and furnaces. We even install mini-split systems! Make an appointment online, or call us today at (432) 570-5233. It’s Worth the Call. Always.

Backyard grills are great, but if you really want to impress, how about a complete backyard kitchen? Not only is it a great entertainment spot for friends, but it will instantly increase the value of your home. When considering the design of your dream layout, don’t forget to take into account the electric work necessary to make it a reality! As with any electrical project, it is highly advisable to hire a professional, even for small tasks. In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the ways a certified electrician can help you turn your backyard into the chef’s dream you’ve always wanted.

PERMITS, PLEASE

A project such as an outdoor kitchen will likely require the proper building permits from the city. Permits generally can be purchased through a city’s building department and may be required for construction, including plumbing and electric work. You may also need to get a separate inspection once the work is finished. Professionals will be familiar with the permit process and can make sure you don’t get yourself in legal trouble by not following code.

ALL ABOUT POWER

Exactly how much power do you need? It depends on the size and scope of your outdoor kitchen – including the number of appliances you plan to install. But don’t forget about additional outlets, lighting, ceiling fans, etc.! The need for power really adds up quickly! A professional electrician can help you accurately determine how much electricity you need!

MAKE A MAP

Once you know how much power you need, you have to figure out a way to deliver it to your outdoor kitchen. This means mapping the route from your circuit breaker to your newly constructed kitchen. This is definitely a job for an electrician, especially if challenges arise getting the power where you need it.

GFCI BREAKER

The GFCI outlet, also known as the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, is a crucial safety feature for outlets around water. They are designed to shut off automatically in the event of an electrical imbalance. A GFCI breaker outlet would be required for an outdoor kitchen to prevent the risk of an electric shock. You’ll need a pro to set up a GFCI breaker.

WORTH THE CALL

Whether you’re building your dream kitchen, or just need general electric help around the house, The Bosworth Company can help. Our certified electricians can assist you with any of your electric projects. Make an appointment online, or call us today at (432) 570-5233. It’s Worth the Call. Always.