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The Best Plants to Landscape Around Your Pool

. Posted by in • Houston

Poolside Landscaping

The Best Plants to Landscape Around Your Pool

Creating a Beautiful and Functional Poolside Landscape

Creating a beautiful and functional landscape around your pool is essential for enhancing the overall appeal and usability of your outdoor space. The right pool landscaping ideas can transform your backyard pool into a luxurious oasis that provides privacy, shade, and a perfect setting for relaxation and fun.

This guide will walk you through the best plants to landscape around your pool, considering factors like maintenance, aesthetics, and pool safety. Whether you have a new pool or are looking to remodel your existing pool area, these suggestions will help you create a stunning pool design.

When planning your pool landscaping, consider the focal points you want to highlight. Trees, shrubs, and flowers can create a visually appealing environment, while small plants and ground covers add texture and color.

Using natural elements like rocks and stones can enhance the … Read Full Post »

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A Homeowner’s Guide to Termite Prevention

. Posted by • Dallas-Fort Worth

Subterranean termites cause billions of dollars in damage to structures every year. Learn how to prevent termites and protect your home with this straightforward guide to recognizing signs of a termite infestation. Join our termite specialist, Reece, as he walks through a home inspection to help you learn more about these pests and termite prevention treatments to protect your property from destructive subterranean termites found in North Texas.

What Are Subterranean Termites?

Subterranean termites are a type of wood-destroying insect that lives underground. They are known for their ability to cause significant damage to homes and wooden structures, accounting for 95 percent of all termite damage in North America. These termites build their colonies in the soil and create mud tubes to access above-ground food sources. Subterranean termites are particularly prevalent in warm and humid climates, making North Texas a hotbed for termite activity.

How Termites Damage Structures

Termites damage structures by … Read Full Post »

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My Gas Stove Igniter Keeps Clicking: What Should I Do?

. Posted by in • Austin
Gas Stove Igniter Keeps Clicking

You’re rushing to get dinner ready on a weeknight. You grab your favorite burner, turn the knob to “Light,” and… nothing. Just endless clicking from the gas stove igniter. 

My Gas Stove Igniter Keeps Clicking: What Should I Do?

If you’re like most homeowners, the last sound you want to hear coming from an object that uses gas and gets hot is ticking. What should you do?

This is a common problem, primarily with stoves with a spark ignition system. The most important thing to know is that a clicking stove isn’t dangerous, though you should deal with it promptly.

A normal igniter clicks up to three times before it sparks and lights your stove. However, the igniter will sometimes experience constant clicking, even after the stove is lit. The following are some of the possible causes:

  • Problems with the burner
  • Problems with the spark ignition switch

Let’s go over these … Read Full Post »

Pool Safety Tips for Families with Young Children

. Posted by in • Houston

Pool Safety Tips

Pool Safety Tips for Families with Young Children

Ensuring pool safety for families with young children is crucial to prevent accidents and avoid serious injuries. By following these guidelines, you can create a safe and enjoyable environment around your swimming pools.

Pool safety is not just about preventing accidents but also about fostering a positive and secure experience in and around the water. Whether you have a backyard pool, an above ground pool, or use public pools, taking the right precautions is essential.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to swimming safety tips:

Establish and Follow Swimming Pools Rules

Setting clear pool rules is essential for maintaining safety around your swimming pool. Rules should include no running, no pushing, and no diving in shallow areas.

Additionally, emphasize the importance of not playing near pool drain, which can be a safety hazard. Make sure that all family members, including kids, understand and follow these rules … Read Full Post »

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Eco-Friendly Pool Maintenance Tips

. Posted by in • Houston

Eco-Friendly Pool Maintenance Tips

Maintaining your swimming pool doesn’t have to come at the expense of the environment. At ABC Home and Commercial, we are committed to eco-friendly pool maintenance that ensures clean and efficient pool water while minimizing your ecological footprint. One effective approach is to invest in energy-efficient pool filters, which help reduce electricity consumption while keeping your swimming pool clean. These filters, such as sand or cartridge models, are designed to maximize water flow and filtration efficiency, ensuring that your pool remains crystal clear with less energy usage.

Additionally, covering your pool when it’s not in use can significantly cut down on water evaporation, reducing the need for frequent refilling and conserving valuable water resources. A pool cover also helps maintain consistent water temperatures, which can reduce the need for additional heating and lower energy costs. This simple step not only helps in maintaining water levels but also … Read Full Post »

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What Is a MERV Rating?

. Posted by in • Corpus Christi
a thumbnail from the video featured in this blog

Have you heard of the MERV rating? It’s a system that measures the effectiveness of air filters at removing particles like dust and allergens. It’s helpful for homeowners to understand this rating system so they can choose the right air filter for their home. For more advice on selecting and replacing your air filters, contact an HVAC specialist.

What Is a MERV Rating?

The term MERV rating stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value Rating, and it’s a system for measuring the effectiveness of an air filter in removing particles from the air. MERV ratings range from 1 to 20, indicating filter efficiency levels.

While a higher MERV rating sounds good, it’s not always what you want. The higher your air filter’s rating, the more particles it will catch, including dust, pollen and bacteria. Higher MERV ratings effectively trap smaller particles such as bacteria and allergens. However, a higher rating also means that less … Read Full Post »

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The Benefits of Saltwater Pools vs. Chlorine Pools

. Posted by in • Houston

Saltwater pools vs. chlorine pools

The Benefits of Saltwater Pools vs. Chlorine Pools

When choosing a swimming pool for your home, the debate between a saltwater pool and a chlorine pool often arises. Both saltwater pools and traditional chlorine pools have their unique advantages and cater to different preferences and needs. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the benefits of saltwater pools versus chlorine pools, helping you make an informed decision that aligns with your lifestyle and maintenance preferences.

Saltwater pools are becoming increasingly popular due to their ability to create a safe swimming environment with fewer harsh chemicals. These swimming pools use a salt system to produce chlorine through a process called electrolysis. This process involves passing the pool water through a salt generator with electrically charged plates that convert salt molecules into sodium hypochlorite, which acts as a disinfectant.

One of the key benefits of saltwater pools is that … Read Full Post »

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How to Make Lawn Green and Thick

. Posted by in • Bryan-College Station
a green lawn

As soil temperatures warm up and grass blades emerge from their dormant state, making your lawn green and thick becomes a concern for many homeowners.

If you share this dream for your lawn, you’re closer than you think. With the right steps, anyone can achieve a flawless, envy-worthy yard.

How to Make Your Lawn Green and Thick: A Guide to a Healthy Lawn

Developing a healthy lawn is not as difficult as you might think. Here are five simple things you can do:

  • Improve your lawn’s soil
  • Fertilization
  • Mowing properly
  • Overseeding for thickness
  • Irrigation

Let’s dive into each of these a bit more.

Improve Your Lawn’s Soil

Soil holds the nutrients, air and water that grass needs to grow. Sadly, some homeowners do not have soil healthy enough to grow a rich lawn. But luckily, any soil can be improved.

Adding organic material is a solid move. … Read Full Post »

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Trends in Pool Design: What Homeowners Are Choosing

. Posted by in • Houston

As summer approaches, homeowners are increasingly investing in their outdoor space, with swimming pools at the forefront of this trend. With evolving pool trends and advancements in swimming pool design, modern pools offer more than just a place to swim.

Discover the latest swimming pool trends that are captivating homeowners in Houston and learn how top pool builders are shaping the future of luxury pools.

1. Infinity Pools: A Touch of Elegance

Infinity pools continue to be a popular choice for their stunning visual appeal and seamless integration with the surrounding landscape. These luxury pools create the illusion of water extending to the horizon, making them ideal for properties with scenic views.

Incorporating an infinity pool into your backyard can transform your outdoor space into a breathtaking retreat.

2. Natural Pools: Eco-Friendly and Beautiful

Embracing eco-friendly features, natural pools use biological filters and natural elements to … Read Full Post »

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How to Avoid Lawn Damage This Summer

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth
The best foundation for a landscaping display is a green lawn

Summer is an excellent time to enjoy the outdoors, but it can also be challenging for your lawn. The heat and dry conditions, coupled with high-traffic outdoor activities, can stress your grass and cause damage, leaving it looking brown and unhealthy. However, homeowners can take several steps to help keep their lawns green and vibrant throughout the season with our summer lawn care tips.

Mow Efficiently

Mowing your lawn correctly can significantly impact its health. During the summer, mow just enough to maintain the optimal height for your warm-season grass. Letting your grass grow too long can be problematic, as well as removing more than one-third of the total leaf blade height at one time could stress your lawn. 

Summer Mowing Recommendations: 

  • Bermuda grass – 1 to 1.5 inches 
  • St. Augustine grass – 2.5 to 3 inches 
  • Read Full Post »
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