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Small Black Tick: Identification & Control Guide

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
a deer tick

Do you know how to identify a small black tick? These pests, also called deer ticks or black-legged ticks, are among the most common tick species. While they may be tiny, they can carry and transmit a host of dangerous diseases, including Lyme disease.

Small Black Tick: Identification & Control Guide

Ticks can become major annoyances for both humans and animals, so homeowners need to be able to identify these pests. The most common type of tick is a small black tick, also known as a deer tick or a black-legged tick.

You can identify this type of tick by its black legs, which is where it gets its name. Small black ticks are also smaller than other tick species. An adult is around the size of a sesame seed, while a nymph, a younger tick, is no bigger than a poppy seed.

Next, as the name suggests, most small black ticks are black. … Read Full Post »

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Why Does My AC Keep Tripping the Breaker?

. Posted by in • San Antonio
a breaker box

The AC is our best friend on blistering hot days. But it can also be our worst enemy if it keeps tripping the breaker and interrupting our cold air supply. It can be tempting to keep resetting the breaker so you can feel comfortable again, but that will only do more harm.

So, what should you do if your AC keeps tripping the breaker? Here are some ways to troubleshoot the issue and enjoy cool air again. If none of them work, there’s a more complex underlying problem that requires the attention of a pro. Contact an HVAC specialist who can get to the root cause and fix it.

What To Do If Your AC Keeps Tripping the Breaker

Breakers are safety devices in your home that prevent short circuits and overloads. Your AC’s breaker will trip when the unit pulls in more amps than the breaker can take. For example, a 20-amp … Read Full Post »

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Oven Not Heating Up but Stove Works: What’s Wrong?

. Posted by in • San Antonio
an oven

Ovens are essential in the kitchen. You can get over a decade’s worth of delicious cakes, cookies and other baked goodies out of them. But as with any appliance, ovens can malfunction. One puzzling issue homeowners experience is that their oven isn’t heating up, but the stove works.

You don’t have to replace your oven just yet if you’re dealing with this problem. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can take to figure out why your oven’s acting up. If all else fails, call in a pro. An appliance repair specialist can identify the cause and perform the necessary repairs and replacements. Then, you’ll be baking again in no time.

What to Do If the Oven Is Not Heating Up But the Stove Works

If your stove’s working but your oven shows no signs of life, something could be broken or malfunctioning inside. The broiling and baking elements are likely working fine, but … Read Full Post »

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Your Guide to EV Charging at Home

. Posted by in • San Antonio
an EV charger

One of the best perks of driving an electric car is never going to a gas station. With a Level 2 home charging station, you can plug in your EV before bed and wake up to it fully charged and ready to hit the road. This is a luxury that all drivers aspire to have, but to enjoy this lifestyle, you must install a home charging station.

Like other home improvements, many things can go wrong with a home charging installation. The best way to prevent mishaps and unnecessary expenses is by hiring an experienced electrician.

To help you, here’s everything you need to know about EV charging at home.

What Features Should a Home EV Charging Station Have?

Why is EV charging at home so important? The number of public EV charging stations continues to grow in the U.S., but it will take years before they become as accessible as gas stations. Home … Read Full Post »

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Simple Landscaping Ideas

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
a garden bed

Adding landscaping to your home is a daunting task for many homeowners. Luckily, there are some easy landscaping ideas that go a long way in improving your home’s curb appeal without requiring too much manual labor.

One way to boost the visual appeal of your backyard is to add a garden pergola. Not only do they create wonderful seating areas, but they also provide shade for your plants.

Adding a backyard patio is another way to enhance your home and create your ideal outdoor living space. Keep reading for simple landscaping ideas to improve your home, and keep in mind that working with a professional landscape service is the best way to create your dream home.

Simple Landscaping Ideas to Improve Your Home

If you want to increase the curb appeal of your home, adding landscaping can go a long way. The following simple landscaping ideas are easy ways to improve your property to … Read Full Post »

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Why Do I Have Foamy Pool Water?

. Posted by in • San Antonio
foamy pool water

Foamy water is good when you’re relaxing in your bathtub. But it’s not something you want to see in your pool. Foamy pool water can happen overnight, which can alarm homeowners who want to take a morning dip. Normally, foam comes from phosphates that have gotten into the water. Unlike bath bubbles, pool foam is dense and doesn’t pop when you touch it. That’s because it’s organic material, not air.

The organic material oversaturates the water, explaining why it won’t dissolve. That results in a cloudy-looking pool. You don’t have to worry too much because it won’t harm you. But it does make your pool look less than desirable, and your swimming experience won’t be as enjoyable.

There are some methods you can try to fix this issue, but it’s best to contact pool technicians. They will clear up your foamy pool water so you can return to your swimming routine.

Why Is … Read Full Post »

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My Pool Is Still Green After Shock and Algaecide

. Posted by in • San Antonio
A pool with green water

Nothing is more refreshing than taking a dip on a blistering hot day. But the excitement can turn to frustration when you see that your swimming pool has turned green overnight. It can happen for various reasons, but algae are the most likely culprit. The best thing you can do is to shock the pool or use an algaecide. However, it can remain green even after these treatments. Let’s go through some possible reasons for this issue and what you can do to prevent it from happening again.

Why Pools Turn Green

It can be a puzzling experience when your pool turns green seemingly overnight, but it is likely due to a chemical imbalance. Here are some explanations behind the mysterious change in your pool’s color.

Algae Overgrowth

Algae is the most probable reason for your pool’s green hue. These organisms are usually kept in check by proper chemical balance, transitions to colder weather … Read Full Post »

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Heat Tolerant Plants for Texas

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
Heat Tolerant Plants for Texas

https://blog.abchomeandcommercial.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/heat-tolerant-plants-video.mp4

Living in Texas is wonderful most of the year. Enjoying time in the garden in the spring and fall and having flowers blooming all year round make Texas yards the envy of those living elsewhere.

With all the advantages of living in Texas, there is one undeniable fact–it can be very hot, especially during the summer. When there are long stretches of warm weather, it can be harder to keep your yard looking nice, especially when there’s little or no rain for long stretches of time.

You’ve spent a lot of time, energy and money on your lawn and garden, though, so you don’t want your plants to suffer in the relentless Texas heat. What types of plants should you have in your yard that will survive a Texas summer? Are there particular flowers and grasses that are drought and heat-resistant? What steps should you take to make sure these species last … Read Full Post »

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My Garbage Disposal Is Leaking Water

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
a sink

Is your garbage disposal leaking water? This is a problematic experience for homeowners because it can lead to a big mess and disrupt your regular kitchen activities. The good news is that most garbage disposal leaks are easy to identify and fix.

My Garbage Disposal Is Leaking Water

A leaky garbage disposal can quickly turn into a messy and annoying interruption for homeowners, so it’s best to get down to the bottom of the problem right away. First, it’s important to understand the signs of leaky garbage disposals so that you can catch the problem as soon as it starts.

There are three common signs that indicate your garbage disposal is leaking water: wet cabinets, foul odors and mysterious puddles of water.

First, it’s normal to find moisture around your lower cabinets when you have a leaky garbage disposal. If the cabinets around your kitchen sink are consistently damp, it’s likely due to your … Read Full Post »

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Watering Lawn At Night: Good or Bad Idea?

. Posted by in • San Antonio
Watering lawn at night

If you’re a person that doesn’t like waste, you’ve probably heard that watering your lawn at day is a bad idea because the sun evaporates the water. Then, you probably switched the timer on your sprinkler system to water at night.

After a while, though, you notice some bare brown patches developing on your lawn. You think your grass must need more water, so you extend your watering time. However, the problem has only gotten worse. 

By the time you call in a professional who tells you it’s root rot, the problem has gotten bigger. Or, maybe you hear you have brown patch. Both conditions can turn into massive headaches.

Some homeowners water their lawns based on a common misconception: that our hot summer days make daytime watering useless. If water evaporates before it gets to the roots, you would only assume you should change to night watering. The truth is: watering at … Read Full Post »

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