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Your Guide To Christmas Events In San Antonio

. Posted by in • San Antonio
San Antonio

Want to know the best way to celebrate the holiday season in San Antonio? You’re in luck, because San Antonio bursts at the seams with holiday spirit, and there are many Christmas events in San Antonio to enjoy.

Whether you want to hit up the River Walk, get some shopping done or find an activity the whole family will love, San Antonio is the place to be over the holidays.

Your Guide To Christmas Events In San Antonio

San Antonio is a lively city all year long, but it radiates fun and festivity during the holiday season.

Homemade Christmas at the Alamo

On Saturday, December 13, the Alamo is hosting a free Christmas event that will transport you back in time. Homemade Christmas showcases what it was like to celebrate the holidays as an early settler on the Texas frontier in the mid-1800s. 

The whole family can enjoy Christmas-themed crafts, storytelling, living history demonstrations, caroling, candymaking, … Read Full Post »

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Roof Rat vs. Norway Rat: How Are They Different?

. Posted by in • San Antonio
a roof rat

You’ve probably heard of roof rats and Norway rats, but do you know what sets them apart? These two species are the most common types of rats in Texas and the southern U.S., so it’s important to learn what you can about them.

While it’s not always easy to tell rat species apart, roof rats and Norway rats have several key differences.

If you suspect that you have a rat problem of any kind, either inside your house or on your property, call in a pest control professional. 

Roof Rat Identification: Habitat, Appearance and Behavior 

As their name suggests, roof rats, pictured above, are known for their climbing abilities. They often climb trees or powerlines to access your roof. From there, they find a small opening to enter your house and set up camp in your rafters, inside your walls or in your attic.

Roof rats prefer warm environments, which is why they like to … Read Full Post »

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Planting With Compost: Expert Advice From The Pros

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
compost

What do grass clippings, dead leaves, coffee grounds and dinner scraps have in common? They can all be used to create or feed a compost pile. Then you can use the compost to help keep your trees, plants, fruit and vegetable garden and soil healthy.

Planting with compost is easy if you know the basics.

What is Compost?

First, let’s talk about what compost is and what it’s used for. At its most basic, compost is simply partially decomposed organic matter. In other words, plant and other material that is nutrient-rich because it’s in the process of breaking down. Over time, this mixture turns into fertile soil.

Gardeners use compost to add important nutrients and microbes to the soil, in order to build its structure and help plants thrive. Compost is often considered one of the most effective soil amendment options.

Compost Can Improve Your Soil

If you live in an area that has clay-like soil, … Read Full Post »

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Heater Blowing Cold Air? How To Solve This Problem

. Posted by in • San Antonio
Heater Blowing Cold Air

Have you ever turned on your heater, only to notice cold air blowing through the vents? Calling in an HVAC technician to repair the unit might be your first move. Before you do that, you can start by understanding why your heater is malfunctioning.

Some issues are easy to fix on your own, while others require help from an HVAC pro.

Common Reasons Why Your Heater Is Blowing Cold Air

A frequent complaint of homeowners during the colder months is noticing that their heater is blowing cold air. There are typically eight reasons why this happens.

  • The heater is still warming up
  • The pilot light is out
  • The heater is not powerful enough
  • Incorrect thermostat setting
  • Dirty air filter
  • Blower motor problems
  • Cracked heat exchanger
  • Blocked or leaky ductwork

Let’s dive into each of these issues.

The Heater Is … Read Full Post »

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Garbage Disposal Humming but Not Spinning

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
a garbage disposal

Is your garbage disposal acting up? A common issue homeowners notice is a humming sound when they turn this appliance on. While this is often a small problem, this sound can sometimes point to a larger problem.

Garbage Disposal Humming: Quick Fix Or Big Problem?

Do you hear a humming sound when you turn on your garbage disposal? The first thing to remember is that this doesn’t automatically mean there is a significant issue with your garbage disposal. Garbage disposals make humming sounds for several reasons. There are ways to troubleshoot the issue yourself before calling in a plumber.

Some common reasons a garbage disposal may hum include:

  • Jammed shredding plate
  • Motor overheating
  • Clogged drain

Let’s dive into each of these more.

Jammed Shredding Plate

If the shredding plate inside the garbage disposal is jammed with food scraps, utensils or other items, it can’t spin properly. When you turn the … Read Full Post »

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Best Temperature For Heater In Winter

. Posted by in • San Antonio
a thumbnail from the video in the blog

As a homeowner, selecting the right temperature for your heater can be a challenging task. On one hand, you want everyone under your roof to be comfortable. And on the other hand, you don’t want a thermostat setting that makes your utility bills skyrocket. So, what temperature do you go for?

What Is the Ideal Thermostat Setting During the Day in Winter?

To keep costs low, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends a temperature range of 68 to 70 degrees in the winter.

However, these figures are not set in stone. Gary Cremeans, HVAC Operations Manager at ABC Home & Commercial Services, says that the best temperature to set your thermostat to in winter is a temperature that is comfortable for you and your family. Additionally, some thermostats may read cooler or warmer depending on a variety of factors. 

That said, if you are looking to cut down on your utility bills, there are … Read Full Post »

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Why Is My Electric Bill So High?

. Posted by in • San Antonio
electric bills

Many homeowners are on the lookout for ways to reduce their monthly utility bills. Electricity costs can add up quickly, especially if your home isn’t running as efficiently as it could be. If you’ve found yourself asking, “Why is my electric bill so high?”, you’re not alone.

There are several reasons your energy usage might be higher than expected, some of which may be hidden issues around your home.

Six Common Reasons Why Your Electric Bill Is Rising

A spike in your electric bill can be alarming. However, if you understand the root cause, you can address the problem directly. You may be dealing with one of these issues:

  • Using older appliances
  • Increased power consumption
  • Standby power use
  • Poor insulation
  • Inefficient light use
  • HVAC issues

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

Using Older Appliances

While an old appliance may still get … Read Full Post »

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Why Is My Furnace Short Cycling?

. Posted by in • San Antonio
a furnace air vent

Have you ever noticed your furnace kicking on, blowing a hot breeze for several minutes and then turning off? This is called short cycling. In other words, the furnace turns off before reaching your desired temperature.

For instance, you could set your thermostat to 72 degrees, but the furnace keeps shutting off at 65 degrees. Short cycling is not only confusing, but can indicate it’s time to get a new furnace.

Reasons Why Your Furnace Is Short Cycling

You might be wondering why your furnace is short cycling. There are several reasons why this happens, including:

  • Faulty thermostat
  • Clogged air filter
  • Overheating
  • Dirty flame sensor
  • Oversized furnace
  • Faulty limit switch

Let’s go over each of these in more detail.

Faulty Thermostat

If your furnace is not kicking on when the temperature drops, check the thermostat. A malfunctioning thermostat sends incorrect signals to your furnace. … Read Full Post »

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Composting Oak Leaves: A Complete Guide

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
Composting oak leaves

Oaks may give us welcome shade in the summer, but they also give us something else throughout the year: lots of leaves. Most people aren’t huge fans of having dead leaves cover the lawn that they’ve spent so much time on. Or maybe you’ve heard that oak leaves are acidic and worry they will damage your grass or soil. If you’re new to the topic, start by learning what compost is and how it benefits your yard.

In the past, you may have raked up the leaves and put them in bags. Fortunately, there’s more than one way to deal with them better. Most options focus on reusing the leaves rather than simply removing them.

Are Oak Leaves Acidic?

There’s a short and long answer to this question. The short answer is that, yes, oak leaves are acidic. 

However, it’s important to explain this a bit more. When oak leaves are fresh, they have … Read Full Post »

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How To Save A Dying Tree: A Closer Look At Tree Health

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
a dying tree

Homeowners often love mature trees for their shade, beauty and boost to curb appeal and property value. But if you notice signs of a dying tree, you may wonder how to help it recover, or whether it’s time for removal.

There are a number of diseases that can infect a tree’s branches, tree roots or foliage. Because the causes of a problem can vary, it’s often best to consult a tree professional to identify the problem. 

The good news is that most tree diseases cause visible symptoms that can be warning signs. This allows homeowners to act early on their trees’ behalf. Many of these signs of tree disease can look like a tree that’s just dormant, which can often make it difficult for a homeowner to tell what is actually wrong.

How To Save A Dying Oak Tree: Common Illnesses

Many types of trees, including oaks, are popular across the US for their … Read Full Post »

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