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What Is a GFCI Outlet?

. Posted by in • San Antonio
a GFCI outlet

While electricity is a must-have at home, it comes with safety concerns. Fortunately, GFCIs or ground fault circuit interrupters significantly reduce the risk of getting shocked or electrocuted. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), electricity-related accidents have fallen by 80% since the 1970s because of these quick-to-react outlets. Today, the law requires GFCIs in all new homes. It is also a good idea to have them installed in older houses.

Here’s everything you need to know about GFCIs, including what they are, how they work and how to troubleshoot issues.

What Is a GFCI Outlet and How Does It Work?

Before learning how a GFCI works, it helps to define what ground faults are first. Electricity runs through insulated wires to reach wall outlets, switches and appliances inside our homes. But when it is in its raw state, it is impossible to control how electricity behaves. As shown by lightning, electricity … Read Full Post »

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My Dryer Won’t Start: What’s Wrong?

. Posted by in • San Antonio
a stackable washer and dryer

It’s laundry day. You gather up the dirty clothes, towels and linens and spend hours washing them, only to find the dryer won’t start. There could be a simple reason why your dryer has stopped working. Let’s go through the most common causes behind this issue and how you can troubleshoot them.

If you’ve tried everything and it’s still not working an appliance repair specialist can come to your rescue. The appliance technician will diagnose the issue and have your dryer turning out warm and fluffy clothes again.

Possible Reasons Your Dryer Will Not Start

There are various reasons why your dryer won’t start. Some are easy to diagnose, while others need more detective work. If you can’t get to the bottom of things, you can always let an appliance repair professional take over.

Tripped Circuit Breaker

The first thing you should check if your dryer isn’t running is the circuit breaker. It may have … Read Full Post »

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Do Bed Bug Bombs Work?

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
two bed bugs on a rug

Bed bugs can wreak havoc in any home, biting us and leaving itchy bite marks. These pests can spread like wildfire because of their small size and impressive hiding skills. It can be tough to control them once they have invaded your space.

If bed bugs are ruining the peace in your home, it might be tempting to use a bed bug bomb. But there are better ways to manage an infestation. The best option is to contact a pest control professional. Pest control specialists have the expertise and tools to get the situation under control.

Are Bed Bug Bombs Effective?

Do bed bug bombs work? They may seem like a fast and convenient way to eliminate pests in your home. But unfortunately, they’re ineffective against bed bugs. They might even do more harm than good.

Bed bug bombs are aerosol cans that contain pesticides. Once you activate them, they spray the pesticide as … Read Full Post »

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How To Identify Grass Grub Damage

. Posted by in • San Antonio
grass grub damage

Homeowners know that having a perfectly manicured lawn is very satisfying. Grass grubs can wreak havoc in your yard, digging up your grass and damaging it at the root level. They are every gardener’s worst nightmare, so knowing how to identify and control grass grubs is important. It can be hard to manage a grass grub infestation yourself, so contact a lawn care professional if you notice these lawn pests. They have the tools and expertise to restore your lawn to its pristine state.

Most Common Signs of Grass Grub Damage

If your yard has seen better days, grass grubs might be responsible for its deterioration. Here are the most common signs of grass grub damage to help you confirm your suspicions.

Brown Patches

If you see irregular brown patches on your lawn, grass grubs are likely the culprit. Grass grubs cause the grass to thin and turn brown. It’s a common problem during … Read Full Post »

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What To Do About Ants in Your Lawn

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
ants in a lawn

Are ants invading your lawn? Ants are pesky nuisances, but there are ways you can manage their population to protect and preserve your lush lawn.

Ants in lawns are often an annoyance for homeowners during warmer months, particularly as nest-building ants may damage your lawn by building nests and tunnels in it. Some species can even bite or sting. Therefore, it’s important that you act when you see ants in your lawn.

What Conditions Attract Ants?

Ant species typically prefer lawns with dry, well-drained soil and low water-holding capacity. These conditions allow ants to easily build nests for food storage, colony defense and protection.

Ants are drawn to lawns that contain organic matter, such as dead leaves, grass clippings and debris. These materials give them the essential nutrition needed to survive and reproduce.

Finally, ants need water for survival. That’s why they are drawn to lawns with access to collected sources of moisture like sprinkler … Read Full Post »

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Spray Foam Insulation Versus Fiberglass

. Posted by in • San Antonio
spray foam insulation

Proper insulation is one of the best ways to regulate the temperature in your home and keep everyone comfortable. But with the variety of insulation materials available, it can be hard to settle on one. The usual dilemma homeowners have is choosing between spray foam insulation versus fiberglass. The former is the more traditional option, while the latter has been rising in popularity recently. Here’s an in-depth comparison of the two insulation materials to help you decide.

Fiberglass Insulation

Fiberglass is a combination of fine fibers from recycled materials and melted glass. An adhesive agent, such as aluminum foil or glass, holds these small components together. This bonding of materials creates a vapor barrier. Most American homes use fiberglass because it is an effective and affordable insulation.

Fiberglass can come in batts, which look like cotton candy blankets. They are light and portable, making them perfect for adding insulation to an attic. A … Read Full Post »

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Garbage Disposal Is Jammed: What Should I Do?

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
a kitchen sink

A jammed garbage disposal can interfere with a lot of your activities in the kitchen. If there is a humming sound, but the blades are not turning, that is a sign of a clogged motor. Sometimes, all it takes is pressing the reset button to get it running again. But other times, it requires more effort.

Here’s an in-depth guide to help you troubleshoot a jammed garbage disposal and understand why it happens in the first place. If you are having trouble fixing the issue, contact a professional plumber. They have the tools and expertise to get the job done.

How To Fix a Jammed Garbage Disposal

Safety should always be your top priority. While a garbage disposal’s blades are dull, they can cause harm if you don’t practice basic safety measures. Never put your hands inside the garbage disposal, even if you think something is lodged inside.

Additionally, never work while the garbage … Read Full Post »

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Why Is My Air Conditioner Blowing Out Water?

. Posted by in • San Antonio
an air conditioning vent

“Why is my air conditioner blowing out water?” This is one of the many problems AC owners can encounter. It can be frustrating when your AC unit isn’t working as it should, especially on summer days when you want relief from the heat. If yours is blowing out water, that means there’s an underlying issue. It can be a problem with the condensation drain, evaporator coil or air filter.

Here’s an in-depth guide to help you troubleshoot the problem and get your AC running normally. While you can try to fix it yourself, it is always best to contact an HVAC specialist. A professional will evaluate the issue thoroughly and provide a long-term solution.

Issues That Can Cause an Air Conditioner to Blow Out Water

It’s never normal for an AC unit to blow out water. The AC works by sucking hot air into the unit and flowing it through an evaporator coil. … Read Full Post »

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Can I Mow and Fertilize on the Same Day?

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
Lawn mower on green grass

Proper lawn care is a vital part of owning a home. All homeowners want their lawns to look lush and green, and one way to do that is to fertilize them a few times a year properly.

Can I Mow and Fertilize on the Same Day?

Whether or not you should mow and fertilize your lawn on the same day depends on which activity you do first. Professionals typically advise mowing your lawn right before you fertilize it; however, you should not mow your lawn after you fertilize it on the same day.

Mowing your lawn the same day before fertilizing helps the soil absorb more nutrients from the fertilizer. Mowing removes debris that can get in the way and opens up the soil’s pores. Another benefit is that your grass will be at the ideal length right before fertilizing it, so you won’t have to mow it for at least a week.

The yard … Read Full Post »

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How To Fix Patchy Grass

. Posted by in • San Antonio
a brown patch of grass

There’s nothing quite like warm weather. The smell of freshly cut grass, the sound of the sprinklers and enjoying time outside in your yard.

It can be disheartening when you see a patchy area or a couple of spots close to the house where the grass just isn’t green and healthy.

It may save you some time to know that simply watering bare or brown patches won’t help. If watering were the only problem, you wouldn’t see irregular patches. Instead, you would notice some pattern related to your sprinkler system. Barren and brown patches indicate something else is happening in your lawn.

Fixing bare patches in your lawn can be simple once you’ve figured out the root cause of why the patches are present.

What Causes Patches of Dead Grass?

There are many reasons why you may have patches of dead grass and some are easier to fix than others. Here are the reasons why … Read Full Post »

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