January 2025 (281)

Featured Video:

Temporary Fix for Burst Pipe

Jim Dutton demonstrates how to utilize available fixings to repair burst or leaking pipe. Freezing weather across Texas and the south led to burst pipes in the walls and attics of many homes. This temporary fix will allow you to use water in the house while waiting for the plumber to come out.

During the winter Sandra finds the floors uncomfortable with the cold. Jim reviews why this is the case and practical solutions for those living in Texas.

Beth wants to replace her front door. Jim goes over the advantages of metal vs fiberglass when replacing an exterior door.

Smoke Alarms Save Lives

Five Things You Need to Know

1. For over 30 years now, city, county and state jurisdictions have been adopting the NFPA 72 standard of smoke alarms in the bedrooms. This specifically meets the lawful requirement to provide a minimum of 75 decibels of fire alarm sound AT THE PILLOW in the event of a fire. If you own a home, live in a home, sleep in a home or even lay your head on a pillow, making sure your 75 decibels are there when you need them might be a good idea.
2. Smoke Alarms in the bedrooms (required by law) may be lawfully replaced by Smoke Detectors. Smoke Detectors are a part of a Fire Alarm System which in almost every case is part of your Burglar Alarm System. You can identify if you have Smoke Detectors because they won’t have a Push-To-Test button. A Fire Alarm System with Smoke Detectors that replace the Smoke Alarms MUST produce your lifesaving 75 decibels at the pillow with all bedroom and hallway doors closed.
3. Unplugging your burglar alarm system because you have a Rottweiler, and a Remington may also disable your fire safety if you have Smoke Detectors and not Smoke Alarms.
4. Home Inspectors who are a part of a home purchase are not permitted to test a Residential Fire Alarm System with Smoke Detectors that requires a code to reset the alarm.
5. A Smart Home system can monitor your Smoke Alarms as well as your Smoke Detectors, it can turn on the lights for you, turn off the air conditioner blower, call the fire department and text your cell phone.

Texas Home Improvement listeners are informed and prioritize their home and family’s safety. So, take the time to have an expert look at your home, and make sure that those in your care are truly cared for!

Protect your family and home.

In the Houston area call Securac - the experts in home safety. 855-SECURAC.

What Can Go Down the Garbage Disposal?

While your garbage disposal is up for almost any task, items that lead to clogs in your plumbing is what you really need to be careful of. Minimize the amount of FOGs - Fats, Oils and Grease, you put down the drain. Even if they start out as liquid they will congeal and create clogs downstream in your sewer system. And yes, that includes the creamy stuff like butter, ice cream and peanut butter.

So what do the experts say can go down there?

When running the disposal always use cold water. That causes the small amounts of grease to solidify enabling the disposal to break them up and reduce the chance of a clog.