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How to Turn Up Your Water Heater

. Posted by in , • Houston
How to turn up water heater

Don’t you hate it when you try to take a hot shower and the water is barely lukewarm? Or maybe your dishes aren’t getting as sparkly clean as you’d like them to be. One easy fix is to check your hot water heater. You might just need to turn it up a bit, or your cold water might be a cry for needed maintenance.

How To Turn Up Your Water Heater

Below we’ll look at where your hot water comes from and what you can do to resolve the cold water blues.  

Water Heater Basics

To know what could be going wrong with your hot water, you must understand what kind of water heater you have.

There are two basic types of water heaters: gas and electric. Most water heaters in the U.S. are conventional tank water heaters—tall cylinders that heat the water slowly at the bottom of the tank and must … Read Full Post »

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Where To Donate Household Items In Houston

. Posted by in • Houston
Where to donate household items Houston

Springtime and the start of the year are two traditional times to declutter your living space, clearing out unused and unwanted items to make space for new, updated ones. But even though January is Get Organized Month, you don’t have to wait for the new year (or springtime!) to roll around before you get started on getting organized.

Any time of year is the right time to organize and declutter—and there’s no time like the present to begin. So what’s your first step? Since one man’s junk is another man’s treasure, your first step should be finding out where to donate household items in Houston.

Where to Donate Household Items in Houston

In Houston, deciding where to donate unwanted clothing, furniture, and household goods is just a matter of choosing which charity you’d like to benefit. Most charities accepting donations serve individuals in need, and your charitable donation is tax-deductible. It’s a … Read Full Post »

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Where To Donate Household Items In Orlando

. Posted by in • Orlando
Where do donate household items Orlando

Spring cleaning? How about any time cleaning?

When clearing clutter from your home, attic, or garage, there’s no time like the present—no matter the month or season. Getting rid of possessions that are broken, unused, or past their prime doesn’t just create space in your closets and storage areas; it also has psychological benefits as well.

You know that sense of inner calm you get from a clean, well-organized desk or room? You can have that feeling anytime you decide to go through your things and let go of items no longer in use. And if you donate your unwanted items, they can positively impact here in Orlando via charity organizations assisting people in need. It’s a win-win!

All you have to do to get started is to find out where to donate household items.

Where to Donate Unwanted Household Items in Orlando

Your closet and dresser drawers are perfect for your de-cluttering … Read Full Post »

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Everything You Need To Know About Rodents in Orlando [INFOGRAPHIC]

. Posted by in • Orlando
Rats in Florida

We feel fortunate to be based here in Orlando. From museums to sporting events to outdoor activities, our city always has something fun to do. While other parts of the country are experiencing freezing temperatures, it’s usually sunny and warm here in Central Florida.

Even living in the best city on the planet, there is one thing we wish we didn’t have to deal with: Florida rats and rice. Rodents might seem cute and furry, but they are considered household pests for a good reason.

Rodents can damage your home by chewing on wood and cause a mess by getting into birdseed, pet food, and your pantry. In addition, these tiny creatures can transmit serious diseases.

What rats and mice live here in Orlando, and how do they enter our homes? What are the warning signs to tell that they might be inside? Perhaps most importantly, how can you eliminate rodents … Read Full Post »

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Everything You Need To Know About Rodents in Houston [INFOGRAPHIC]

. Posted by in • Houston

As the fourth largest city in the nation, Houston is known for its vast array of restaurants, the museum district and as the home of NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

Unfortunately for those of us that live here, Houston is also known as the pest capital of the United States. Why? In addition to a large human population, whose trash provides a plentiful and consistent food source, the city’s warm and humid climate is a perfect place for all types of pests.

One common pest Houston homeowners contact us about most frequently are rodents. In Houston, Texas, rats and mice find their way into your home, eat and chew wood and food, leave a mess and can infect humans with some very serious diseases.

What kinds of rodents are found here in Austin? How do they make their way inside our homes? What are some warning signs? And perhaps most importantly, what can … Read Full Post »

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A Child’s Hope Coffee Featured at Central Market’s Coffee Fest

. Posted by in • Houston
A Child's Hope

Coffee. For many of us, it’s a necessity in the morning. A ritual to get our day off to a good start. A well-deserved break in the afternoon.

Did you realize that a cup of coffee can change a child’s life?

ABC Commits To Helping Haitian Children

After the devastating earthquake in Haiti in 2010, members of the pest control industry in the United States traveled to the island nation to offer humanitarian aid. Haiti has long been the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, so the government struggled to support its citizens as they worked to rebuild after this catastrophic event.

Raleigh Jenkins, the owner of the Houston branch of ABC Home & Commercial Services, decided he wanted to do something more to help, particularly for Haiti’s children. Working together with a few colleagues and friends, A Child’s Hope was born.

Read Full Post »

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Your Guide to Orlando Wildlife

. Posted by in • Orlando
Orlando animals

Florida—the sunshine state. Known for coastline beaches, top vacation destinations, and our Walt Disney World, the state is a destination for travelers worldwide. Florida’s diverse land and ecosystems provide ideal land and aquatic animals living conditions. Here in central Florida, we live alongside different animal species.

Your Guide To Orlando Wildlife

In this post, we’ll look at the array of Orlando wildlife residents and homeowners you can come into contact with. We’ll discuss reproduction, eating habits, and where they choose to make their homes. We’ll even examine ways to ensure these animals stay off your property for good.

Read along as we dive into all there is to know about Orlando animals.

Alligators in Orlando

While it’s not very likely you will encounter an alligator approaching your home anytime soon, the reptile is plentiful around Florida. And because they are known to show up occasionally, it’s best to be prepared.

What Alligators Eat

The Florida alligator looks … Read Full Post »

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How To Get Rid of Fruit Flies

. Posted by in • Orlando
how to get rid of fruit flies

What’s that buzzing around your kitchen? Are little bugs swarming your trash can or congregating on your fresh fruit? If you ever have tiny gnat-like insects hanging out in your kitchen, chances are they’re fruit flies. Once you begin to notice them, fruit flies appear to be everywhere. Not long after you start seeing fruit flies in your house, many homeowners realize they are ready to eliminate these pesky insects.

How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies

Before we discuss how to get rid of fruit flies in your house, let’s learn more about these animals and how they make it into your home.

What Are Fruit Flies?

These insects are small flies of the Drosophila species, and although tiny, when magnified, they look a lot like houseflies. Entomologists describe adult fruit flies as about 1/8 inch long, and although you can’t see them, they have red eyes. They can lay up to 500 … Read Full Post »

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How To Winterize Your Sprinkler System

. Posted by in • Houston
how to winterize your sprinkler system

When colder temperatures are on the way, homeowners can take simple steps to make sure that outdoor spaces are ready to weather any extreme temperatures. What can you do to avoid costly repairs in the spring when temperatures begin to climb? One place to start is your sprinkler system.

How to Winterize Your Sprinkler System

Wondering how to winterize your sprinkler system yourself? Here’s our first tip: Don’t wait for winter’s first freeze! Sprinkler systems should be clear of water before frigid temperatures set in, to avoid burst pipes, broken valves, and the cost and hassle of repair.

Here’s the good news: With an air compressor and a little homeowner know-how, you can avoid the cost of hiring a professional by winterizing your sprinkler system yourself. Most systems are equipped with built-in drain valves to release water from the system, but these may not be sufficient for eliminating water that has pooled in … Read Full Post »

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