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How to Clean Trash Bins

. Posted by in • San Antonio
two trash bins

Let’s be honest: no one likes cleaning out their trash bins. It’s one of those chores that’s easy to ignore until the smell makes it impossible. A dirty bin can fill a garage or your yard with an unpleasant odor and can even attract bugs and flies.

The great news is that cleaning your bin doesn’t have to be difficult. With the right tools and a few easy steps, you can remove trash residue and prevent foul odors from accumulating.

Still, this isn’t a task many people enjoy. That’s why more homeowners opt to let a professional do the dirty work to keep their bins tidy year-round.

Step-by-Step: How to Clean Trash Bins

Cleaning out a trash bin is typically not someone’s idea of a fun time, but it is a chore that makes a big impact once it’s finished. Follow these steps to do it right:

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The Best Time To Prune Trees in Texas

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
pruning a tree

Trees offer more than just visual appeal. They add value to your property, enhance curb appeal and provide shade during the Texas heat. They also create more comfortable outdoor spaces you can actually enjoy. Whether you’re maintaining established deciduous trees or nurturing fruit trees, regular care makes a big difference in the long-term health of your landscape.

However, when trees are neglected, they not only lose their appeal but can also cause property damage due to falling limbs, termites or disease. That’s why tree pruning, removing dead or overgrown branches, is essential to maintaining the trees’ beauty and value.

Pruning isn’t only for your home’s safety or the trees’ health. Pruning branches helps to prevent the overgrowth of tree limbs. It also improves overall health by encouraging new growth, but only when done correctly.

Even savvy homeowners sometimes don’t know the best time to prune trees and shrubs or the best techniques to … Read Full Post »

What Is a Split System AC Unit?

. Posted by in • San Antonio
a split system

Keeping your home comfortable with a split system AC shouldn’t feel difficult when the summer heat rolls in. If you are unfamiliar with a split system, it is one of the simplest and most energy-efficient options for cooling and heating indoor spaces. 

What Is a Split System AC: Understanding Its Components

A split system air conditioner is an air conditioning system with two separate parts, called units. Some people even refer to it as a split-unit system.

Every split AC has indoor and outdoor units connected by insulated pipes. The indoor unit is usually mounted on a wall within the space that needs to be cooled, while the outdoor unit is on the exterior of the room or space. Having separate indoor and outdoor units helps improve temperature control and often makes the system more energy efficient.

The indoor and outdoor units work together to cool and regulate the temperature inside your space. Many … Read Full Post »

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How Long Can a Generator Run? Understanding Standby Generators

. Posted by in • San Antonio
a generator

When the power goes out, a standby generator can feel like a lifesaver. These machines offer peace of mind during outages, but like any mechanical system, they need a little attention to stay reliable.

A standby generator can run continuously since it typically runs on natural gas. While standby generators are designed to run as long as they have fuel, it is important to remember that they are not invincible. They require regular maintenance to keep working without breaking down. 

Let’s take it one step at a time and answer these questions: How do generators work? How long can a generator run safely? How can you get the most out of them?

How Long Can a Generator Run: Getting the Most Out of Your Generator

If you reside in a place with unreliable power grids, it’s smart to prepare for extended periods without power. Many homeowners choose a standby generator, which offers longer running … Read Full Post »

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Can Bed Bugs Live In Cold Temperatures?

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
a bed bug

Bed bugs are frustrating pests that can disrupt your sleep and quality of life. Unfortunately, they’re also resilient pests that can survive in harsh conditions.

Can Bed Bugs Live In Cold Temperatures?

It’s common knowledge that bed bugs can’t survive in extreme heat, but what happens to these pests in cold weather? Can bed bugs live in cold temperatures?

Bed bugs are resilient pests that can live in cold temperatures to a certain point. They can survive in cold weather as low as 46 degrees Fahrenheit. Adult bed bugs are particularly resilient and can survive in many conditions.

Bed bugs prefer to live indoors where they have shelter and access to a host for their blood meals, so the cold weather is not a massive threat to their survival. They are especially safe in heated homes when the weather is cold. Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs do not hibernate but enter a state … Read Full Post »

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What Is a PFOA Chemical?

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
a glass of water

As a homeowner, you may use nonstick pans, stain-resistant carpets and waterproof fabrics to make your life easier. These products are easy to clean, heat and chemical-resistant and last a long time, making them popular choices. But did you know that your nonstick pans and household products can contain PFOA? One way to ensure your home’s water is PFOA-free is to consult a water quality expert.

Understanding PFOA

PFOA stands for perfluorooctanoic acid, a man-made chemical that falls under a larger group of substances known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). Often referred to as “forever chemicals,” PFAS are highly resistant to breaking down.

Due to their unique qualities, PFOA has been widely used to manufacture numerous household and industrial products since the 1940s. From fast food wrappers to firefighting foam and nonstick cooking ware, all these products contain this “forever chemical.”

Despite its numerous advantages, recent research has concluded that PFOA can have … Read Full Post »

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Heat Tolerant Perennials for Your Texas Yard

. Posted by in • San Antonio

https://blog.abchomeandcommercial.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Heat-Tolerant-Perennials-for-Your-Texas-Yard.mp4

Texas homeowners want beautiful, thriving yards full of plants; however, it’s important to consider the extreme summertime heat. Luckily, several perennial plants thrive in warm weather and even prefer the full Texas sun.

Heat Tolerant Perennials for Your Texas Yard

Perennials are plants that live for at least two years and return each growing season without replanting. Homeowners love to plant perennials because of their longevity and low maintenance needs.

However, if you live in a hot climate, such as Texas, it’s important to plant perennials that can withstand high temperatures. Otherwise, due to the hot weather and humidity, they may die and not return in their second season.

Luckily, there are a variety of heat-tolerant perennials for your Texas yard. You can still achieve the look you want and ensure that your perennial plants can withstand the Texas heat and thrive year after year. Some options include:

  • Lantana
  • Egyptian star flower
  • Black-eyed Susan
  • Columbine
  • Hibiscus
  • Verbena

Let’s dive into heat-tolerant … Read Full Post »

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How Long Does It Take for Termites to Do Damage?

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
termites

Are you dealing with termites? If you’re noticing signs of wood damage around your home, you may have a termite infestation.

Termites can cause damage for months or years before homeowners notice them. In fact, most homeowners don’t identify a termite infestation until a year or two after the termites first arrived. The reason for this is that termites chew wood from the inside out and are stealthy pests that remain out of sight.

Because of their unseen activity, termites are hard pests to control. It’s important to work with a pest control specialist to control a termite population fully. Experts have the tools and experience to offer solutions for controlling termites.

How Long Does It Take for Termites to Do Damage?

How long does it take for termites to do damage? The length of time depends on several factors, such as the size of the termite colony, the type of termites, what they … Read Full Post »

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Outlet Stopped Working but Breaker Is Not Tripped

. Posted by in • San Antonio
an outlet

Circuit breakers are an important part of our home electrical system. When an outlet stops working, finding a tripped breaker is normal. However, if the circuit breaker is okay, it can confuse you as to why the outlet is not functioning.

It can be difficult to sort out this issue if you are not a licensed electrician. The safest option is to consult a licensed electrician with the skills and training to do it best.

Common Reasons Why the Outlet Stopped Working But the Breaker Is Not Tripped

There are different reasons your outlet stopped working even when your breaker did not trip. Each of these reasons requires a skilled and licensed electrician to diagnose and fix.

Here are the most common reasons.

Faulty Outlet

Electric outlets are extensively used in our homes and can get easily damaged. Since items are repeatedly plugged in and out of outlets over time, they get damaged from repeated wear … Read Full Post »

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Do Carpenter Ants Have Two Sets of Wings?

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
a carpenter ant with wings

Can you identify carpenter ants? The more homeowners know about their appearance, the easier it is to spot and control a carpenter ant infestation. One interesting feature of carpenter ants is that some of them have two sets of wings while others have no wings at all.

If you have a carpenter ant problem, contact a pest control specialist. They will find the nest, treat the colony and can put prevention methods in place to stop the carpenter ants from returning.

Do Carpenter Ants Have Two Sets of Wings?

Do carpenter ants have two sets of wings? The answer depends on the type of carpenter ant. For example, worker carpenter ants do not have any wings.

Reproductive carpenter ants, on the other hand, do have two sets of wings. This type of carpenter ant is also known as the alates. They are the ants that leave their colony to mate and form new colonies.

Alates … Read Full Post »

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