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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 »

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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 »

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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 »

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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 »

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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 »

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How Long Does It Take to Charge an EV Car?

. Posted by in • Austin
an EV charging

Charging our gadgets is part of our daily routines, whether it’s our phones, laptops or headphones. However, charging a car is something many of us are still getting used to. One challenge you might face is figuring out how long it takes to charge your EV so you can schedule your day appropriately. There’s no straightforward answer to this question because there are various factors to consider.

If you’re new to the EV world, here’s your guide to EV charging at home. Contact an electrician if you’re ready to enjoy the convenience of home charging. A licensed electrician will assess your electrical panel, upgrade it if necessary and install the charging station correctly.

How Long Does It Take to Charge an EV Car?

Your EV’s charging time is dependent on a host of variables. Even the weather and your charging cable’s length may have an impact. But if we’re narrowing it down to … Read Full Post »

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What Is Forced Air Heating?

. Posted by in • Austin
a living room

Deciding on a heating system for your home can be overwhelming. There are boilers, radiators, mini-splits and baseboard heaters, to name a few. However, the most popular choice among homeowners is forced air heating.

What is forced air heating? While you’ll find it in countless homes, not all homeowners know how it works. Here’s everything you need to know about it, including how it works and its pros and cons.

If you decide on forced-air heating, contact a licensed professional to install it in your home. The HVAC technician can also perform regular maintenance checks to keep it in tip-top shape. Plus, this pro can help address other HVAC issues, like when you ask, “Why am I not getting power to my thermostat?”

What is Forced Air Heating? Here’s How It Works

Forced air heating is a component of an HVAC system that heats homes. It uses a heat source like a furnace or … Read Full Post »

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How Long Can a Mouse Live Without Food?

. Posted by in , • Austin
a mouse

If mice are scampering around in your home and stressing you out, you’re not alone. These resourceful rodents can be challenging to control because they rely on our homes for food and shelter when temperatures drop. They can thrive even if resources are scarce.

If you have a mouse problem, you might wonder if starving them out will encourage them to leave your house. It’s best to contact pest control professionals if you want these rodents out of your life. These experts know how to manage the mouse population in your home and keep them from bugging you. They can also answer questions like “How many mice are considered an infestation?”

How Long Can a Mouse Live Without Food? Here’s What You Should Know

Mice depend heavily on food for survival, and that’s likely why they are in your home. They’re scouring for whatever food they can get their paws on.

Depending on their … Read Full Post »

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Where To See the Best Austin Christmas Lights

. Posted by in • Austin
the Austin trail of lights

As the holiday season approaches, many Central Texans wonder about where to find the best Austin Christmas lights displays. Everyone loves the holidays, and they’re even better with festive, twinkly lights to warm up the chilly evenings as you spend quality time with family and friends.

Best of all, Austin has a wide variety of places and ways to enjoy Christmas lights. From small, intimate neighborhood displays to ticketed events boasting spectacular winter wonderlands, there’s something for every Central Texan. Just remember that a little advance planning goes a long way. Austin’s most popular ticketed holiday events sell out quickly. Even the free, smaller neighborhood lights displays can draw nightly traffic and crowds of revelers, so be sure to plan accordingly.

Here are some of the best Austin Christmas lights displays, from incredible neighborhood displays to spectacular ticketed events with millions of sparkling LED bulbs:

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GFCI Outlet Not Resetting: What’s Wrong?

. Posted by in • Austin
a GFCI outlet

Ground-fault circuit interrupters, or GFCIs, are essential in preventing electrical accidents at home.

What is a GFCI outlet? It is a device used to replace a standard electrical outlet. It monitors the amount of power going into plugged appliances. GFCIs trip whenever they sense irregularities in the electrical current, needing as little as 1/40th of a second to react.

While GFCIs keep us safe from electrical shocks and electrocution, they can malfunction like any other device. Sometimes, they won’t reset, which can be frustrating and potentially dangerous.

If your GFCI outlet is not working as it should, here are some possible reasons behind the issue and how to troubleshoot them. It’s best to call in a licensed professional to handle electrical components in your home.

GFCI Outlet Not Resetting? Here’s What to Do

Homeowners should investigate if a GFCI outlet won’t reset. There are various possible causes for a GFCI outlet that won’t reset. Here … Read Full Post »

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