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Pros And Cons Of Water Softeners

. Posted by in , • Austin
A bathroom

Have you noticed that your dishes are coming out of the dishwasher with spots on them, or your glasses look cloudy? You may have hard water in your home.

Some more common signs of hard water include stiff laundry, even though it’s freshly washed, dry skin and hair, soap scum in your shower and your appliances breaking down sooner than they should.

If you’re dealing with any of these problems, it’s worth looking into installing a water softener in your home. A professional plumber can install and maintain it for you, so you can just enjoy the benefits.

Pros And Cons Of Water Softeners

Is installing a water softener the right choice for your home? If you’ve noticed an increase in scum spots in your showers or spots on your dishes, you may have hard water. This is caused by a buildup of minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, in your water supply.

Hard water … Read Full Post »

Where To See the Best Austin Christmas Lights

. Posted by in • Austin
the Austin trail of lights

There’s no shortage of fun things to do around Austin during the holidays. The city boasts an impressive number of Christmas light displays every year, along with other festive events, such as holiday markets, ice skating, Christmas meals and more.

Whether you want to go out for a night on the town or find an activity the whole family will love, there’s something for everyone. 

If you want to make the holiday season easier on yourself, leave your holiday light display to the pros. ABC can install your lights for you this year and bring your holiday dreams to life. 

Where To See the Best Austin Christmas Lights

Austin is a city full of personality, so it’s no surprise that it goes all out when it comes to holiday lights. There are numerous light displays, both free and paid, to enjoy this holiday season. 

Most of the events listed below begin in November and run … Read Full Post »

Deer Mouse Vs. House Mouse: Which Is The Bigger Pest?

. Posted by in , • Austin

Have you noticed signs of mice in your home? If so, you may want to know what type of mice is taking up residence in your home.

If you suspect that a mouse infestation is taking over your home, contact a pest control service.

Deer Mouse Versus House Mouse: Which Is the Bigger Pest?

Deer mice and house mice, pictured above, are two common rodents that homeowners encounter inside their houses. Deer mice transmit hantavirus, making them more of a problem than house mice. However, you’re more likely to find house mice in or around your home. It’s helpful for homeowners to understand the difference between deer mice and house mice so they can correctly identify a mouse infestation and take the proper steps to control it.

These two types of mice differ in three main ways:

  • Appearance
  • Behavior
  • Nesting and habitat

Let’s examine these in more detail.

Deer Mouse … Read Full Post »

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Rewiring Your Home Electrical System

. Posted by in • Austin
rewiring a home

When renovating, many homeowners focus on improving the home’s aesthetic appeal. They could add a fresh coat of paint, upgrade appliances or replace old furniture. But what about the wires behind the walls? These might be due for a change, too.

Rewiring a home’s electrical system can help ensure that your family is protected from electrical mishaps, especially if you have an older home. A whole-house rewire involves replacing all of the old wiring throughout your home and installing a new fuse box.

Home rewiring is a highly complicated task and should not be attempted as a DIY project. That’s why you should ask a licensed electrician to handle this task. 

How Do Electricians Rewire a Whole House?

A professional electrician follows six key steps when rewiring a house, which include the following:

  • Electrical system assessment
  • Layout planning
  • Outlet and fixture marking
  • Old wiring removal
  • Read Full Post »
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Rats vs. Mice: Which Pest Is Invading Your Home?

. Posted by in , • Austin
rats vs mice

A rodent infestation is often a homeowner’s worst nightmare. Since rodents are sneaky creatures that stay out of sight, it can be difficult to identify exactly what kind of infestation you’re dealing with. 

If you’re dealing with a rodent situation, don’t hesitate to enlist the help of a professional pest control service. The expert can control the population and put prevention methods in place to help deter rats and mice from returning.

Rats Versus Mice: Which Pest Is Invading Your Home?

Do you have rodents in your home but can’t identify what kind? Rats and mice, pictured above, leave behind several of the same signs that they’ve taken up residence in your home, and it can become a guessing game until you actually see a rat or mouse.

However, both mice and rats are nocturnal creatures and are excellent at staying out of sight. It’s helpful for homeowners to learn how to distinguish between … Read Full Post »

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Why Is My Furnace Blowing Cold Air?

. Posted by in • Austin
A furnace blowing cold air through open air vents

Have you ever walked into your home on a cold night, only to realize your furnace is blowing cold air? Many homeowners would find this alarming. In many cases, the cause is something minor you can troubleshoot in just a few minutes. In some cases, it could be a problem that’s best handled by an HVAC expert.

Reasons Why Your Furnace Is Blowing Cold Air

Noticing that your furnace is blowing cold air? This issue could be caused by a number of issues, including:

  • Incorrect thermostat settings
  • Closed supply vents
  • Dirty air filter
  • Furnace hasn’t warmed up yet
  • Faulty gas valves and pilot light
  • Faulty fan limit switch
  • Faulty flame sensor

Let’s take a closer look at each of these potential causes.

Incorrect Thermostat Settings

It’s helpful to think of a thermostat as your furnace’s control panel. It regulates the temperature … Read Full Post »

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Why Is My Dryer Leaking Water?

. Posted by in • Austin
a dryer leaking water

Your dryer can leak water for many reasons. Most of the time, it’s due to a clogged ventilation system or another common issue that can be easily resolved.

A leaky dryer can be more than just an inconvenience. It can sometimes indicate a more serious issue with your appliance. From clogged vents to faulty seals, there are several common reasons moisture may be building up. Learn how to determine if this issue can be resolved on your own or if it’s time to call in an appliance repair specialist.

Five Reasons Why Your Dryer Is Leaking Water

There are typically five common reasons why your dryer could be leaking water, which include:

  • Blocked ventilation system
  • Condensation in the exhaust duct
  • Faulty lint filter
  • Overfilled dryer
  • Unleveled dryer

Let’s examine these a bit more. Before attempting any of these fixes, turn off your dryer and … Read Full Post »

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How Can I Use Compost for My Lawn?

. Posted by in • Austin
compost

Did you know that there are many benefits to using compost on your lawn? It can improve the quality of new and established lawns and help ensure long-term health. 

From your lawn to your garden beds, there are several ways to use compost to benefit your lawn.

How Can I Use Compost for My Lawn?

Are you looking for a simple but effective way to improve the health of your lawn? Try incorporating compost.

Compost is a nutrient-rich organic material made from decomposed kitchen and yard waste.

There are several ways to use compost to improve both new and established lawns and gardens. The benefits of compost include enhancing water retention and soil quality, adding nutrients and helping prevent soil erosion. Compost can also encourage beneficial microbiomes and earthworms. 

Compost as Topdressing on Established Lawns

One of the most common ways to use compost for your lawn is as topdressing, which is when you sprinkle a thin … Read Full Post »

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Pergola Versus Gazebo: What’s the Difference?

. Posted by in • Austin
a pergola

Want to enhance your outdoor space but torn between adding a pergola, pictured above, or a gazebo? These two structures can transform your outdoor space into a cozy and relaxing retreat. But each one has its specific purpose. They differ in design, function and intent. Understanding each will allow you to make a more fitting choice for your outdoor space.

Both pergolas and gazebos provide you with shade and beauty. The real difference is in their shape, roof style and overall purpose.

Pergola Versus Gazebo: What’s the Difference?

Let’s start with the basics. A pergola is an outdoor structure made of upright posts that hold up a roof made of beams or a lattice. Pergolas have an open roof, which allows sunlight to pass through. Some pergola owners grow vines or attach a curtain around their structures. You can attach a pergola to your home, or it can be freestanding.

Meanwhile, gazebos have a … Read Full Post »

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Identifying & Preventing Oak Wilt Disease

. Posted by in , • Austin
an oak tree

Texas is known for beautiful oak trees that live for hundreds of years, so it’s important that homeowners care for their oak trees properly. A threat to oak trees is a disease called oak tree wilt, which can quickly deteriorate your tree’s health.

If oak tree wilt is a problem in your yard, contact an expert. Early detection is crucial to prevent the disease from spreading to more of your trees. 

Identifying and Preventing Oak Wilt Disease

Oak trees make for gorgeous assets in any lawn, and keeping them healthy is important. One common issue that homeowners encounter is called oak wilt disease. This is a fungal disease, caused by beetles or root grafts, that invades the tree’s internal water transport system and causes the tree to wilt. Identifying and managing infected trees is crucial to preventing the spread of oak wilt.

Fungal mats, which are patches of fungal growth, can form under the … Read Full Post »

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