Home Improvement Archives - Lasiter & Lasiter Plumbing

fall.jpeg

September 4, 2021by Lasiter & Lasiter0

Saturday marks the official start of fall. Most of us at our cooling and heating company love the cooler temperatures. We thought it would be good to share some decor ideas that will add warmth and coziness to your home.

Rustic touches

For rustic accents that are quick and easy, fill a large glass bowl filled with pine cones, colored leaves, and pheasant plumes. You can arrange the pine cones in a pyramid shape and then layer the feathers and leaves over them. For a more striking centerpiece, line the bowl with pine cones. Then arrange the feathers and leaves in a central place. It can add acorns to the bowl!

Glass Gourds

Fill glass cake stands of different sizes (completely covered with dome tops) with gourds in various shapes, sizes, and colors. This is a great way to display the festive fruits and can also be used as a mantlepiece.

Mason Jar Sconces

You can make sconces quickly and easily by filling a few jars with votive candles, either real or battery-operated. Install cup hooks on the ceiling, and then attach twine to each jar. To add warmth and light to the room, suspend the “sconces,” which can be suspended from the ceiling.

Votive Mantlepieces

You can gather a few votive candle holders that are festive in gold, orange, and red. Next, collect some outside leaves that have changed color. Wrap a piece or two of twine around each votive holder to keep them in place. Place one or two small white pumpkins over each votive holder and arrange them on your mantle (as shown in the photo to the right).

Pumpkin tealights

Make mini pumpkins into holiday candle holders. Use a knife or a pencil to trace the bottom of the tealight around the pumpkin’s top. To ensure that the tealight fits comfortably, make sure the opening is slightly larger than the trace. You’re done!

Warm Accents

You can replace any summery blankets or pillows that you have on neutral-colored furniture, such as couches, loveseats, and chairs, with pillows and blankets of warm colors.

Crabapple Branches

Crabapples are in season in the fall (September to October), so you can add a beautiful fall accent to any room in your home with crabapple branches. You can remove a few branches, but only the small fruits. Place a few branches in clear glass vases and fill them with water. For extra warmth, you can dye the water orange or red.

Painted Pumpkins

They don’t last long and are very labor-intensive to carve. Instead, get a few pumpkins in good shape and paint them with fall colors and patterns. For a touch fall, place them on your porch or stoop.

Apple Centerpiece

A table centerpiece is a great way to show off your home when you are entertaining. You can make a festive centerpiece by filling a basket full of small apples (red-green, yellow, or mixed), walnuts, and acorns. Each item can be arranged in a row to provide structure, or you can mix them to create a centerpiece that looks like a cornucopia.

Mumkin

What do you get if you cross a mum and a pumpkin? A mumkin! You can make decorative “pots” to give mums by carving pumpkins and placing them in containers with colorful mums. For a welcoming appearance, place them along the steps leading to your front door.


mold-1280x720.jpeg

Many People don’t understand the power of mold and the damage it can do. Not only can it ruin your home, but it can also make you very sick. Unlike mildew, which forms on surfaces, mold is a fungus that can penetrate porous materials. Mold is likely to be found in darkened areas or black gunk around walls and tiles.

Molds pose a health risk, particularly for those with compromised immunity and acute illnesses. To avoid these risks, we’ll show you how to clean mold from showers. We will also share tips to prevent mold growth in your bathroom or home.

What kind of mold is in your bathroom?

There are 3 Types of Mold

  • Allergenic: It can cause an allergic reaction or similar symptoms to asthma.
  • PathogenicHarmful to those with acute illnesses or compromised immunity
  • Toxigenic: For everyone, it is dangerous or even fatal.

It can be hard to distinguish between different types of mold. Stachybotrys is the most dangerous “black mold,” but Alternaria and Aspergillus are two common household molds that can be found in showers.

Get rid of mold from your shower head.

Showerheads can build up mineral deposits and mold over time. Here’s how to clean those tiny nozzle holes.

In a bag, put a solution of white vinegar to water in a 1:1 ratio. The bag should be placed over the showerhead and sealed with rubber bands. Allow the solution to sit for at least 8 hours before letting your shower soak. Your showerhead will look brand new the next morning, and it will also be mold-free.

How to prevent mold growth in bathrooms and showers

Preventing mold from growing is the best way to eliminate it. Follow these practices to limit mold from growing in your shower.

  • When you are showering, turn on the exhaust fan or open a glass.
  • It would be best if you kept humidifiers at half the average soaking level
  • Use mold-killing products to clean your bathroom frequently.
  • Repair leaks, drips, or other sources of moisture.
  • Regularly change your air filters.
  • Do not leave towels or clothes that are wet on the floor.
  • To prevent mold growth, spray vinegar regularly on your shower walls.

You can reduce the growth of mold by keeping your home clean and dry. Regular cleaning of the bathroom and regular maintenance will ensure that grout and tile are free from dark stains.

Problems with Bathroom Mold Plumbing

Lasiter and Lasiter Plumbing can help mold your bathroom due to leaky pipes, inadequate drainage, or drippy taps. Contact a licensed plumber today to resolve your plumbing problem in Fort Worth, Texas, and the surrounding areas.


Old-Wall-In-The-Bathroom-compressed-1280x854.jpg

October 19, 2020by Lasiter & Lasiter

The growth of mold and mildew in your bathrooms is almost unavoidable. This is because your bathroom serves as the perfect haven for fungi to grow and thrive because of the room’s temperatures and moisture levels.  

Areas in your bathroom and plumbing are often where mold and mildew start to generate and form. Sadly, if you don’t control their growth, it may spread through the walls, vents, and other parts of your home. This may cause damage to your plumbing, leading you to ask for assistance from a licensed plumber. Besides damaged pipes, mold and mildew can trigger severe health conditions as well. 

If you’re concerned about mildew and mold in your home, keep reading. We’ve compiled everything you need to know about them, such as their differences, prevention tips, how they grow, and how to get rid of them.

What’s the difference between mold and mildew?

Mold and mildew are both fungi; however, mildew is a type of mold. Compared to mildew, mold is more invasive and can penetrate and survive inside walls and floors, as long as there are food and moisture. Meanwhile, mildew can only stay on the surface and is much easier to clean. 

Physically, mold and mildew can look quite different. Mildew is usually white, grey, or yellow with a fluffy texture. On the other hand, mold is typically green or black with a slimy or sometimes fuzzy texture. 

The major difference between these two is the damage that can do to your homes. Mildew doesn’t cause great damage to the surface, while mold can even trigger serious health issues. 

How do I get rid of mold and mildew?

Before you start cleaning and disinfecting your surfaces, make sure you know what type of fungi you’re dealing with. Do a spot check by applying a few drops of regular bleach on the affected surface. After a few minutes, if the bleach spot has become lighter, you’re dealing with mildew. However, if it remains black and green, you’re working with mold. 

After knowing what fungi you’re working with, it’s time to take proper action. Mildew can easily be cleaned by cleaning agents and home remedies, such as bleach and vinegar. 

When you’re dealing with mold, it’s much more complex since it’s attaching itself to porous surfaces. Sadly, mold can sometimes be undetectable until the problem is too large and developed. However, if you’re dealing with a small area, you can clean it out using vinegar. 

When mold has started to take over parts of your home and is affecting your health, it’s best to call in licensed plumbers to help you remove and deal with your mold problems professionally and safely. 

How do I prevent mold and mildew?

Mold and mildew travel through the air and land on surfaces where they know they’ll thrive. Even if this is a common household problem, there are different actions that you can do to help prevent their growth and stop them from spreading. 

First, you want to ensure that you have an adequate air supply and airflow in your home since they are airborne. Having a vent in your bathrooms or areas with high condensation levels is ideal. 

Second, you want to control the moisture climate in your bathroom. You can do this by opening your windows and doors and by keeping the exhaust on after you’ve used the bathroom for a shower. 

Another important thing you should do is to track your humidity levels. The ideal humidity level in homes is between 35% to 50%. When it’s over 70%, there are higher chances that mold will form. 

Lastly, regularly inspecting your bathroom and keeping track of your health will help you spot mold and mildew problems.

Conclusion

Mold and mildew are common bathroom and plumbing problems; however, you shouldn’t take this issue lightly. Make sure you remember this information and take the necessary action to prevent mold and mildew from growing. Should you be dealing with severe mold conditions in your home, it’s best to ask for assistance from licensed plumbers, so they can deal with the damage and keep you and your family safe.

Are you looking for a licensed plumber in Fort Worth, TX? Look no further because Lasiter Plumbing is here to help you with your needs. We are plumbing contractors who have over 40 years of experience in plumbing repairs and emergencies. Our 24/7 emergency plumbing service will help you rest easy at night, knowing your pipes are in their best shape. Check out our services today!


ABOUT

Lasiter & Lasiter Plumbing

For more than 45 years, we’ve been serving Dallas – Fort Worth and surrounding communities with outstanding workmanship and high-quality plumbing services, at affordable prices, on each and every service call.


TX Master Plumbers Lic#: M-8331

DALLAS – FORT WORTH’S

Trusted Plumber




FOLLOW US

On Social Media

Stay up to date on the latest plumbing and maintenance tips along with our special offers!


Copyright © 2020 Lasiter and Lasiter Plumbing | All Rights Reserved

Website Design by ProV3 Media