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by Amy Sharp

Eventually, even the best-laid carpets must be replaced!

If your carpet is more than 12-15 years old, and hasn’t been professionally cleaned at regular intervals, it most likely needs replacing. Conditions such as filter soiling, crushing, and traffic patterns will have taken their toll on the carpet, and a single cleaning will not undo decades of wear.

If you have had them professionally cleaned regularly, and you still find yourself covering up carpet stains with furniture and rugs because the cleanings fail to remove them, it’s also time to replace them. Most carpets come with a stainresistant finish, but over time, the treatment fades and eventually leaves the carpet unprotected.

Your flooring is an important design element to consider, both for looks and for practicality, and carpet is very much in style for 2023. For more than 30 years, Fort Bend County residents have trusted Lone Star Floors for all of its carpeting needs. Lone Star Floors is locally owned by cousins Mohamed Naser, Ziad Mukhaimer, and Imad Mansour. Mohamed says, “We have more than 30 vendors at our fingertips. Visit one of our three showrooms today to see your new carpet possibilities.”

by Amy Sharp

The American Standard fixture company created a poster in 1924 that read, “The Plumber Protects the Health of The Nation.” This poster, and others like it, brought awareness to the job role that set and practiced hygiene standards and ensured drinking water was safe from contamination by sewage, back flowing water, and other potential contaminants.

This statement is still just as true today as it was 100 years ago. It seems hard to believe that there was a time in the not-so-distant past when plagues wound their way through whole countries, mysteriously wiping out populations…until it was discovered that tainted communal wells or water supplies were the source of the diseases. One could say the importance of the plumber is right up there with some of the greatest medical milestones and breakthroughs in history (like antibiotics and anesthesia) when it comes to protecting the public’s health.

Master Plumber Alan Burkhalter, founder of local Alan’s Plumbing, says, “When you open a faucet, you have no worries on whether the water is safe to drink. When you bathe, wash clothes, or use the bathroom, there are no second thoughts as to where the waste goes or what harm it may cause if left untreated. Your peace of mind comes from the strict codes we as licensed plumbers follow to ensure your water is safe. Many think we merely unclog drains and fix leaky pipes, but your safety is of the utmost importance in our profession.”

Alan’s Plumbing has served as Fort Bend’s honest and reliable family-owned plumbing company for more than 30 years. Back in the beginning, the Alan’s Plumbing team was only Alan and his brother, Master Plumber Chris. Today, Alan and his wife Jennifer’s boys are integral members of the Alan’s Plumbing crew. Luke is also a Master Plumber, Beau is journeyman-licensed and studying for his master plumber license, and Jake is an apprentice close to his journeyman license. This dynamic team includes journeyman-licensed plumber Jaime and tradesman-licensed Trevor and Christian. Longtime family friend Katie McFarland is the voice behind the Alan’s Plumbing phones.

Plumbers may not be “first responders,” but they are “first preventers.” You can do your part by helping to ensure codes are followed: Don’t attempt to fix or reroute water lines or drain pipes yourself, and when buying a house, ask an expert if the plumbing is to code. Your health depends on it.

Alan’s Plumbing

281-261-1064

License M-18995