ABC Blog
Austin

Featured Posts

What Does BTU Mean? Understanding Your AC

. Posted by in • Austin
an AC unit

You’ve probably seen the term BTU on the label when shopping for an air conditioning unit. But what do these three letters mean? And should you pay any attention to them?

BTU stands for British Thermal Unit. It’s a way to measure how much heat an air conditioner can remove in one hour. The higher the BTU, the more powerful the cooling.

But bigger or smaller isn’t always better, as choosing the wrong BTU can lead to higher bills, poor cooling or a humid home.

What Is BTU in an Air Conditioner?

BTU is a way to measure heat energy, specifically how much heat an AC can remove from a room in one hour.

Think of it like this: one BTU is the heat needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. In air conditioning, the higher the BTU, the more heat the unit can move out of your … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

How Long Does It Take for Bed Bug Bites to Appear?

. Posted by in , • Austin
a bed bug

Bed bug bites often appear as unexplained bites on your skin. The time it takes them to appear after an infestation varies, so it’s important for homeowners to understand what bed bug bites look like.

The sooner you can catch a bed bug infestation, the easier it will be to kick these pests out of your home. Besides bites, there are other signs to watch for that can help you catch them early.

How Long Does It Take for Bed Bug Bites to Appear?

How long it takes for bed bug bites to appear varies from person to person. Every immune system responds differently to bed bug bites, and it’s likely that you won’t have an immediate reaction. Bed bug bite reactions can take up to 14 days to appear, while some people have no reaction to bed bug bites at all.

Noticing bites is typically the first sign of a bed bug infestation, … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Patio Paver Ideas to Update Your Outdoor Spaces

. Posted by in , • Austin
patio pavers

When the weather is warm enough to spend time outside, homeowners love to spend their evenings reading or spending time with friends or family on their patio. If you’re looking to upgrade your patio and refresh it, new patio pavers are a great option. With a few simple changes and upgrades, you’ll have a welcoming outdoor space to enjoy with family and friends.

One way to change the look of your patios is to install new patio pavers. New pavers also add durability to your patio and can increase your home’s value.

A professional landscaper can talk you through your paver options so you get the style and functionality you want. Then, they’ll install them the right way to ensure durability and functionality for years to come.

If you’re ready for a patio upgrade, contact a local landscaping service about installing new patio pavers.

Patio Paver Ideas to Update Your Outdoor Spaces

Are you looking … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

What You Need to Know About Black Carpet Beetles

. Posted by in • Austin
a black carpet beetle

As a homeowner, you might be worried about black carpet beetles, since their larvae can cause damage to your belongings. The black carpet beetle, or Attagenus unicolor, is a common household pest. Black carpet beetle larvae eat just about anything, from animal by-products (wool, hides and feathers) to natural fibers and plant products (vegetables, grains and cereals).

If you’re dealing with a black carpet beetle problem, your best option is to contact pest control professionals to handle these pests. You can also ask them questions like, “When do mosquitoes come out?”

What Do Black Carpet Beetles Look Like?

Adult black carpet beetles are small, oval-shaped insects, typically one-eighth to three-sixteenths of an inch long. They are dark brown or black, with a shiny, smooth appearance. Their larvae are light brown to black and covered in bristly hairs, growing up to a quarter inch long. The larvae have a long, elongated and carrot-shaped body … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

How to Identify Brown Patch Fungus

. Posted by in • Austin
brown patch on grass

Is brown patch fungus damaging your lawn? This fungal disease can wreak major havoc on not just the appearance of your lawn, but the health.

An expert can identify the root cause of the brown patch fungus in your lawn, create a personalized treatment plan and put prevention methods in place to help maintain the health of your lawn for the long-term. Additionally, they’ll advise you on proper lawn maintenance techniques to avoid fungal diseases in the future.

How to Identify Brown Patch Fungus

Brown patch is a fungal disease that can turn a beautiful lush lawn into a patchy and brown one in a short amount of time. This disease typically appears in mid to late summer and affects some types of grasses more than others.

Brown patch fungus appears as circular or irregular brown patches of grass across your lawn. The grass will look dead, and the patches range in size from … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

What Is Flea Dirt?

. Posted by in , • Austin
flea dirt on a pet

What is flea dirt, and does it mean a flea infestation is nearby? Unfortunately, the answer is yes.

Flea dirt is the feces of fleas, and it’s made up of their waste and the blood of the host they feed on. It looks like regular dirt, but it’s an undeniable sign of a flea infestation. If you see flea dirt on or around your pet, you need to treat the flea problem.

The most effective way to deal with a flea problem is to call in a pest control specialist. The experts can treat the fleas and put prevention methods in place to deter them from coming back.

What is Flea Dirt?

Have you spotted mysterious flecks of black or dark brown dirt in your pet’s fur? It could be flea dirt, which is the feces of fleas. When fleas feed on the blood of their hosts, they excrete black, crumbly flecks that resemble … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

What is the Preferred Generator Wattage for a House?

. Posted by in • Austin
a generator being installed

When choosing a standby generator, one of the most common questions is, “What is the preferred generator wattage for a house?” 

Simply put, there’s no “preferred” generator wattage for a house. Selecting the right generator size requires careful consideration of individual household needs. For example, would you like your generator to support just a few appliances, like your fridge and your HVAC unit? Or, are you looking for a generator that can power your whole home? A licensed electrician can consult with you on what your needs are to determine what generator wattage will work best for your home. 

Selecting the right wattage is important because it ensures your home is comfortably functional during an outage without straining the generator.

How do generators work? In simple terms, they operate like small power plants. A generator engine creates mechanical energy, which is then converted into electrical energy to keep your home running. This electrical … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

How to Fix Hard Water

. Posted by in , • Austin
a glass of water

With so many other responsibilities, many of us forget to pay attention to our water supply at home. However, water quality is important and should be a priority. It affects everything, including your pipes, clothes, hair and skin.

Hard water is a common problem you shouldn’t ignore. It might seem like no big deal, but it’s the notorious culprit behind many household problems.

If hard water is causing problems for you at home, don’t hesitate to contact a professional. A licensed plumber will provide an effective solution to improve the quality of your water.

How to Fix Hard Water: Here’s the Best Solution

You might not know it, but hard water might be why you have frustrations with your home. Hard water can affect every aspect of your home life, including energy consumption, longevity of appliances and the look of your skin and hair. Problems start popping up one by one when minerals accumulate … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Is Well Water Hard Water?

. Posted by in , • Austin
a glass of water

Because water is part of our everyday lives, we often don’t put much thought into the quality of it. However, water quality should be at the top of every homeowner’s priority list because it affects almost everything. From the shine of your hair to the longevity of your appliances and plumbing fixtures, your water at home has an impact.

If there’s a well near your home, can you use it instead of your city’s public water? While it’s an option, it’s important to first determine if the water is hard or soft. If it’s hard, it can cause various issues at home. That’s where a water softener can help. Contact a licensed professional to install one so you can enjoy clean well water.

Is Well Water Hard Water? Here’s Everything You Should Know

If you’re thinking about using well water for your home, you might be wondering: is well water hard water?

First, let’s … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

How to Test Christmas Lights

. Posted by in • Austin
Christmas lights

Time flies by fast, and it’ll be the holiday season again before we know it. That means making our homes as festive and cozy as possible. But it could also mean struggling to fix holiday lights. If you don’t want that kind of stress during the holidays, test your lights beforehand and ensure they work before you install them.

If you’re wondering how to test holiday lights, we have easy methods you can try at home. They only take a few minutes and can save a lot of time during the decorating process. However, it’s easiest to leave these tasks up to lighting professionals. They’ll handle the entire decorating process from start to finish.

How to Test Christmas Lights: Six Methods for Homeowners

Imagine spending hours putting up your holiday lights only to find out some strands don’t work. To save yourself the hassle, test your lights before installing them by following these … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed