Bosco Home Services

5 Tips For Hiring A Plumber

admin — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 23:56:57 +0000

Hiring a plumber is a challenge many homeowner will face. Unfortunately, most people do not need a plumber until there is a problem. When faced with a serious plumbing issue, you do not need to compound the problem by hiring a plumber that is not reputable. However, most people will find a plumber in the phone book without asking important questions or verifying the plumber’s reputation.

The following are five tips that plumbers recommend you follow before hiring a plumber:

1. Always, check with family or friends to obtain recommendations. Referrals from people you know and trust will usually yield the best results. You may also ask coworkers if they know of a reputable plumber. Most people are happy to share information on service they received that was satisfactory. In addition, people are happy to share bad experiences. This may prevent you from hiring a plumber who did not provide satisfactory services.

2. Even if you have received information on a plumber from someone you trust, always ask if he or she is insured. Reputable plumbers will always maintain the appropriate insurance. The plumber should be able to provide you with a copy of his or her insurance. Most plumbers will have this information readily available.

3. All plumbers should have an active license. Make sure you ask the plumber if he or she is licensed. You can verify if the license is current and active by calling the licensing entity in your area. Many cities will have this information available on their websites. You can check online if it is current and you can see if there are any complaints filed against the plumber.

4. Ask the plumber for references. Any plumber who is reluctant to give references may be an indication his or her work is unsatisfactory. Many plumbers who perform quality work have a list of loyal customers who will gladly share their experience.

5. Request a written estimate for the work to be done. If the estimate does not indicate whether the work is guaranteed, ask for the plumber’s guarantee in writing. Reputable plumbers will back their work with a reasonable guarantee.

If you have an emergency plumbing issue, you may not have the time to complete thorough research. Call family or friends first. If you are in a hurry, you want recommendations from people you trust.

The Benefits Of Duct Cleaning

admin — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 21:36:05 +0000

Cleaning your home’s air ducts on a regular basis goes a long way insuring that your home remains a safe and happy place. Clean air ducts means a healthy air quality within the home free of harmful mold, infestations, and other potentially dangerous occurrences. Many homeowners fail to realize the benefits of regularly cleaning air ducts and only do the chore when it is evident that the ducts really need a good cleaning.

There are a number of benefits that can be gained by having clean air ducts. Below are just a few:

Air Quality

A lot of attention is paid to the air quality outside but not enough people stop to think about the air quality in your own home. The air quality in your home has a direct impact on the health of anyone living under your roof. It is not unusual to find harmful allergens in air ducts. These allergens can be released into the home if the air ducts are not cleaned out regularly. Children that suffer allergies or respiratory problems suffer due to these harmful particles which include pollen, mold, rodent droppings, and even pet dander will find that they are able to breathe a little easier with clean air ducts.

Money

Any little bit of savings can help especially in these current economic times. You can save money on energy savings in the long run if you go ahead and clean those ducts. It might not seem a big deal at first but when you take a look at future utility bills you will understand how important this chore is to your home.

Smell

Have you noticed that your home has taken on an odd smell and you just cannot find the source? Chances are that your air ducts are to blame. Over time mold and mildew can build up in the ducts which cause a strange malodor that will soon dominate your home.

Removing Toxic Mold

Mold is extremely dangerous and prolonged exposure can lead to a host of health complications. By regularly cleaning your home’s air ducts you are reducing the risk of exposure. Removing toxic mold is dangerous so if you suspect that it is present in your ducts make sure you hire a professional.

A home with clean air ducts is a happy home. While you could wait until circumstances force your hand a better solution is to have your duct systems cleaned on a regular basis.

Tips For Maintaining Your Furnace

admin — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 10:04:47 +0000

Before you fire up your home furnace for the first time this winter, there are a few easy routine maintenance checks you can do that may save you a lot of money and a broken furnace in the future. When it’s blustery and cold outside, having a furnace fail will leave you really feeling the chill if a repair service cannot immediately make it to your home to fix the problem.

Before you begin looking through your furnace and cleaning it up, be sure you have your particular furnace’s instruction guide and safety booklet. If you cannot find your physical copy, many companies have them available for download on the Internet. You’ll want to follow these instructions carefully and turn off the breaker and gas at the appropriate times when indicated by the manual.

If your furnace has a pilot that must be lighted by hand, this is one of the first things you can check, especially if your furnace has not been needed during summer months. If you do find the pilot light is out, follow safety instructions carefully to re-light it.

Clean off the front blower vent and the blower blades; a lot of dust and dirt can accumulate on these and make your furnace less efficient. Over time, it can even clog your furnace and cause a possible motor burn out, which will require a motor replacement. You may also want to clean off the heat exchanger surface using a scrub brush. Be sure to clean up any debris from the blower or heat exchanger surface so it doesn’t get directed back into your furnace and clog things up.

Change the filters regularly, too. These can gather quite a bit of debris as well, and make your furnace heat less efficiently. The more times your furnace comes on during the cold season, the more fuel it is burning up, so making sure everything is clean will help save you money on your heat bill.

Finally, check visible wiring for any corrosion, fraying, cracks or other problems. These are a potential fire hazard, so getting a professional to repair any wiring issue is very important. A furnace repairman can also give your furnace a “tune-up” before winter and lubricate the motor, check for flue gaps, dents, or other faulty parts, and make sure everything is in working order.

Maintaining And Extending The Life Of Your Air Conditioner

admin — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 21:17:09 +0000

Extending the life of your air conditioning unit is as simple as performing a thorough cleaning. Regular preventative maintenance such as cleaning keeps small problems from escalating into large problems. In many cases, the parts to actually repair interior components are not readily available from a traditional vendor. Instead, the entire part where the subcomponent is would be replaced. That is an unnecessary expense too many air conditioning owners are hit with.

*Filter Change and Cleaning
Before doing anything to the unit, ensure it is unplugged to prevent accidents. Remove the grill that faces into the building. Behind it will be a mounting that contains a filter. Replace that filter if it is a disposable. Reusable filters should be washed with soap, warm water, rinse thoroughly, and allow to dry before reinstalling it.

The interior of the air conditioner will typically collect dust and debris. A vacuum cleaner can be used to clean off the condenser coils. Any stubborn dirt or debris can be loosened with a soft brush or cloth. Inspect the fins to ensure they are straight and clean. Damaged fins reduce efficiency and will only add to your electric bill.

Reinstall the now dry filter and put the grill back on the face of the air conditioner.

*Increase Efficiency and Comfort
That simple maintenance procedure does quite a few things for your air conditioner, home, and power bill. A clean filter will strain contaminants from the air with greater efficiency. Residents with allergies to dust and pollen should find the atmosphere indoors much more welcoming. Dirt and grime that is allowed to cake on restricts air flow and prevents efficient transfer of energy. The air conditioner must work harder to cool the same body of air, thus resulting in higher electric bills.

Be sure to note if you spot any dripping water or collected puddles while the grill is off. Dripping water can turn into a very significant problem. In the event there is errant water present, it would be best to inquire with a professional. Components within the workings of the air conditioner could be going bad. Get this problem looked at before it blossoms into a much larger problem.

Water and electricity are a terrible mix after all. Stay safe!

Why Your Home May Need Waterproofing

admin — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 11:58:43 +0000

Water, water, everywhere. It falls from the sky, rises in the rivers, flows through the ground, it seems like it is literally everywhere on Earth. Your home is no different. It is constantly exposed to water from rain, snow and humidity. This water can eventually makes its way into your home, causing mildew and mold.

Home waterproofing in the basement can help keep it from getting moisture leak through the walls. In the summer, air conditioning and cool basement conditions can combine to create water pools on the wall. Water can also move through the ground and seep through the building materials. Waterproofing can even help prevent foundation damage in areas where rain is a very common occurrence year round. Saving money and your home from possible collapse is always a great idea. Water in basements is very common, destroying memories and keepsakes stored there. A little waterproofing today can prevent the loss of irreplaceable memories.

Water can also creep its way in through the roof. If the shingles aren’t placed properly, or if there are breaks in the frame, there could be significant water damage to the roof. Water can creep in during heavy rains or prolonged snows, weakening the roof and leading to leaks. Waterproofing can help to reduce any potential water damages to the roof, avoiding costly repairs in the future. If water gets into the roof, it can pool behind drywall and be absorbed in the insulation, helping to grow and spread types of mildew and mold.

The final place that should be waterproofed in every house is where the plumbing enters. This area is where leaks in pipes and drains can collect, breeding bacteria, mold and mildew. Water can also make its way in from the outside, making it double vulnerable to damages. Thorough waterproofing in this area can protect an area that most people never see from becoming the point of housing disaster.

Waterproofing is not just practical, its smart. A home is an investment, and you want to protect your investment for the long haul. A few dollars spent waterproofing a home from mild, mildew and water damage today can prevent costly repairs and expenses into the future. And when you have your own home, wouldn’t you do whatever it takes to protect it, for the sake of your investment and your family?

How To Tell If Your Air Conditioner Needs Replacement

admin — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 10:43:50 +0000

Air Conditioners are not built to last forever, especially those air conditioner units that are operating in humid climates year round. There are a few tell tale signs that warn the owner that their air conditioner needs replacement. Often, the signs are very subtle and sneak up on the owner without warning. This summer take a look at your air conditioner. Take a long look at the outside of the unit. Look for any sign of damage. The next step is to simply turn it on during a very hot day and wait. Here is how to tell if your air conditioner needs replacement.

The air conditioner has been running for several hours, but the house is still very hot and you feel like you are in the middle of the Sahara dessert. Your first thought might be to call a repairman or give the air conditioner a good swift kick. This is the time to stop and take a deep breath. First check the air conditioner filter. Make sure that it is lint free. If not, clean the filter and return it to the air conditioner. Now, turn the unit back on. Wait for several minutes to see if it is cooling the room. If the air conditioner is cooling, you’ve just saved yourself the cost of a repair or replacing the air-conditioning unit.

Many people think that they might easily save a few dollars if they simply have parts of the air conditioner unit replaced. This is not necessarily so in many circumstances. For example, a repairman finds that your condenser on the unit requires replacement. You replace the condenser but the older parts of the unit start to malfunction. The new part seems incompatible with the older part. You can either jump on the merry-go-round and continually repair parts on the older model air conditioner unit or replace the old air conditioner unit.

A new unit is probably much more energy efficient than the decade old model that requires replacement. There are plenty more advantages to replacing those old air-conditioning units. For example, an up to date energy efficient model uses less energy and saves you money on your electrical bill.

Do It Yourselfer?

admin — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 00:40:48 +0000

Valued Client And Friend,

Wow! Summer is almost here and I’d be willing to bet there are some household chores that might be piling up. I am thankful to say that our business at Bosco is still growing strong; something we are proud of.

I know that some of you may be finding the current economic climate a little distressing. To try and be of some help where I can, I have prepared this simple article with some do it yourself plumbing tips which may save you a little cash you can use for your summer vacation.

If you have any questions, please hit reply — I’d be happy to answer them.

3 Handy DIY plumbing Tips for the Home

Due to the economic downturn of recent times there has never been a better reason to save your hard earned money and take to the pipes yourself.

Here is a list of the top 3 D.I.Y plumbing tips that will relieve you of the stress of having to hire the services of a professional for jobs that you can often do yourself.

1. A very common problem that many home owners experience is a blocked drain hole in the bathtub. This is usually caused by hair, a build-up of soap, or general scum that accumulates over time.

Firstly, find a suitable wire coat-hanger and stretch it out leaving a small hook at the end. Simply pull up the drain cover and pull out all the muck and debris. Once everything has been cleared simply pour some bleach down the hole as this will clear the remaining blockages that are perhaps not accessible with your coat hanger.

2. Diagnosing sewer pipe problems.

Another common problem is a leaking sewer pipe. Whilst this is indeed quite common, if a leak is left for a long period of time, this can cause major problems and cost you lots of money.

Make an observation of the sewer clean-out cap and see whether it is sinking as this can be a tell-tale sign that you have a leak.
Once you are confident that you have a problem, take a shovel and dig around the clean-out pipe. Once you have dug deep enough and the pipe is in clear view, have someone flush the toilet inside the house and watch to see if there are any problems.

3. The Kitchen sink is also another problem that many home owners face. By maintaining this unit, you can extend its life and save yourself lots of money in the process.

Even if there are no visible problems with the sink, pour sink-unblocker down the drain at the end of every week. This will help dislodge the smaller debris that can eventually build up and cause a back lodge of water, consequently leading to serious water leaks. If you do however suspect there are bigger problems with your kitchen sink and the drainage system, again use a wire coat-hanger and pull any unwanted debris from the pipes.

Remember, most plumbing projects are not difficult and can be carried out by the average home owner with a few simple tools and a snippet of knowledge.

There are however other aspects of plumbing that may require you to retain the services of a professional and this is usually down to 2 simple questions that you need to ask yourself beforehand:

One: Do I have the correct tools for this job and if not, can I buy or hire them?

Two: Am I endangering my health or even life by attempting this job myself?

As already mentioned, there are many plumbing jobs that you can do yourself but if you do not feel 100 percent confident then seek advice beforehand. Some home D.I.Y plumbing jobs are actually quite dangerous so make sure you weigh up the risks against the money that you propose to save.

Thanks for reading and I hope these few simple tips help you get your hands dirty and most all, save yourself some money in the process.

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Tips to Prevent Mould Growth in Your Home

admin — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 02:12:35 +0000

In this month’s article I wanted to send you some helpful information about the dangers of mould growth in your home. If you are suspicious that you might have mould, it is imperative that you take action immediately. It is also important that you always take the proper precautions to prevent mould in your home at all times. There are many health risks associated with exposure to mould and it can spread rapidly.

Keep reading below to learn more. If you have any questions about this topic, please don’t hesitate to call 1-877-727-1108 and my friendly staff will be more than willing to help you.

What Exactly is Mould?

Mould is a fungus that grows from microscopic spores that float in the air. Mould lives off of any organic matter, and needs a dark, damp surface to grow. These two facts make your basement the ideal place for mould to grow.

The major cause of mould in your home is moisture.

Plumbing leaks, flooding, improper ventilation, wet carpets, water damaged walls and ceilings, and damp basements are all situations that can encourage mould growth. Water escaping from a burst pipe for example, can promote mould to grow within 24 to 48 hours if not dried or discarded promptly.

How Do I Detect Mould?

If you smell a musty odor in your home, there is a good chance that you have mould. Mould can also be visible in many shapes, shades or colours, so be sure to check the areas of your home that have the most moisture such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.

What are the Health Risks Associated with Mould in My Home?

Unfortunately, most of the toxic mould particles floating around in the air is actually invisible to the naked eye, but still may be seriously affecting your health.

Darren Gradus, CEO of certified restoration company 911 Restoration Canada explains the many dangers of mould:

“Mould can wreak havoc on your immune system. Every day, people experience unpredicted sick symptoms and allergic reactions like dizziness, nausea, weakness, sleeplessness, headaches and prolonged flu-like symptoms – seemingly without reason. Inhaling or touching mould or mould spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Allergic reactions to mould are common. They can be immediate or delayed. It can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mould. In addition, mould exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people”

How Do I Prevent Mould?

1. Be sure to find and fix any water problems in your home that can allow mould to flourish
2. As mould prefers to grow in dark places such as in heating ducts or behind walls, it is a good idea to call a professional for regular plumbing inspections to detect potential areas of water leakage or damage
3. If your home has already experienced a great deal of water damage, call a professional such as 911 Restoration Canada to remove the dangerous mould
4. Keep humidity levels at or below 55 percent relative humidity, as mould requires humidity to grow (use a dehumidifier to lower humidity levels if necessary)
5. Keep your home well dusted, as dust particles give mould spores nutrients to feed on
6. Use exhaust fans while cooking and showering, and make sure fans vent to the outdoors
7. Clean, dry, or remove anything from your home that is water damaged within 24 to 48 hours

HAVE QUESTIONS?
Do not hesitate to call Bosco Plumbing!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Roberto Luongo is a Master Plumber in Toronto, Ontario and President of Bosco Plumbing & Drains Ltd.
42 Regan Road
Brampton, Ontario L7A 1B4
1-877-727-1108

Toronto Plumbing Company News! The Value of Peer Groups

admin — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 15:08:46 +0000

Toronto Plumber Roberto Luongo of Bosco Plumbing & Drains Ltd. was mentioned in ContractingBusiness.com’s article on the value of peer groups. Roberto brings this value to all of his area Toronto Plumbing customers.

Know Your Home Owner’s Insurance Policy

Roberto_Luongo — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 15:14:24 +0000

The spring thaw will soon be upon us, and during this time Bosco will start to get an influx of calls from customers with flooding issues. Flooding can be an extremely unfortunate situation for home owners, but to make matters worse, some of our customers will feel another sting if they find out their home owner’s insurance won’t cover their losses.

We’ve always been ready to help our customers through difficult times during a flood, and we want to make sure our customers are armed with the knowledge to best protect their families and their belongings. Keep reading below to learn how, in certain situations, an insurance company could deny your claim for water damage.

Did you know that your insurance company can deny a claim in some situations where water damage has occurred in your home?

There are some cases where your insurance company will tell you that you’re not covered for water damage. When I contacted Darren Gradus, CEO of 911 Restoration Canada, he told me that he encourages all of his customers to verify their home insurance policy before a flooding situation could affect them. He then explained a few scenarios in which a claims adjuster can deny your claim:

If the claims adjuster feels that a lack of regular maintenance has caused the flooding damage, you could be denied. For example, if there was a sudden pipe burst/eruption in your home, then you are probably covered. However, a slow dripping leak due to aging and normal wear and tear that goes ignored over time may not be covered.

In most cases, you may not be covered for damage from seepage in your basement.

Damage caused by overland flooding will depend on your policy. In many cases the wording of your policy is important; however, protection against damage occurring from the resulting sewage back-up is available.

Darren continued to explain that if your home already has two or more water-damage related claims the insurance company may refuse to renew your policy in the future. If your insurer does approve you, it will probably be at a much higher rate. Submitting a small claim today, especially for water damage, could cost you a lot more in the future. If the cost of the repair is within your deductible range, it may be best to pay for the repair out-of-pocket.

Note that each claim is different and you should call your agent to confirm exactly what is covered under your policy.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TODAY TO PREVENT FUTURE CLAIMS?

Schedule an appointment for a Bosco plumber to walk through your home during your free annual plumbing inspection. A professional Bosco plumber can detect where regular maintenance today can potentially prevent disasters in the future.

Install a backflow prevention device to prevent sewage from the main sewer line from backing up into your basement.

Waterproofing services are available from Bosco Plumbing. Waterproofing not only protects your home from flooding, but it also keeps moisture out. Moisture can lead to dangerous mould growth in your home.

About the author

Roberto Luongo is a Master Plumber in Toronto, Ontario and President of Bosco Plumbing & Drains Ltd.
42 Regan Road
Brampton, Ontario L7A 1B4
1-877-727-1108