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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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Where Do Fleas Bite Humans?

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
a flea on skin

Did you know that fleas bite humans as well as pets? These pests can cause significant itching and annoyance. Homeowners should know where fleas are likely to bite humans and how to identify flea bites.

The fastest and most effective way to control a flea problem is to work with a professional pest control service. The experts have the experience and tools to control fleas.

Where Do Fleas Bite Humans?

When you think about flea bites, you most likely think about them biting animals such as pets. However, these pests also bite humans and can quickly become a major annoyance for homeowners. Homeowners can even notice that they have fleas in the house but no pests.

Fleas are known for biting humans and animals for a blood meal. When you have a flea problem, the biting can feel relentless.

Humans can experience flea bites on any part of their body; however, fleas are more likely … Read Full Post »

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Why Do I Have Yellow Spots in My Grass?

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
A lawn that has brown patch, which is a common cause of yellow spots in grass

After putting lots of hard work into taking care of your lawn and creating a lawn care schedule, it’s frustrating to see that all that effort was for nothing. There are unsightly yellow spots in your grass and you’re unsure of what went wrong. You want to know what you can do to fix it.

There are several reasons why you might have yellow spots in your grass. These can include certain fungal diseases that various types of grass can be prone to, as well as pest infestations. Grubs and chinch bugs can cause patches of discoloration. If you have pets, particularly dogs, their urine can also cause yellow spots in grass, especially if they typically “do their business” in one area. Fortunately, there are steps you can take in each of these cases to mitigate the discoloration and help return your grass to a thick, green state.

Pet Urine

One of the … Read Full Post »

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Why Does My Furnace Keep Tripping the Breaker?

. Posted by in • San Antonio
a home's living room

Not all homeowners know that their furnaces need electricity to run smoothly. Yes, even gas furnaces. If your power goes out, so will your furnace, leaving you cold and miserable inside your home. Most of the time, you can reset the breaker, and your furnace will run smoothly again. That means it’s a temporary issue.

But that doesn’t always work. If your furnace keeps tripping the circuit breaker after resetting it, there’s a more serious issue at hand that requires the skills of an HVAC professional. Here are some possible reasons behind this problem.

Possible Reasons Your Furnace Keeps Tripping the Breaker

Don’t ignore it if the furnace breaker keeps tripping. It is a sign that there’s something wrong with the furnace. You have to address the issue before it becomes a safety concern. Here are some possible culprits behind the tripping problem.

Your Furnace Is Overloaded

When your furnace is overloaded, it has to … Read Full Post »

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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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