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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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My Thermostat Clicks but AC Does Not Turn On

. Posted by in • San Antonio
a thermostat

Nothing is more comforting than the clicking sound of the thermostat when it’s hot out. This should mean that cool air is on its way out to relieve you of the heat. But it can be alarming when nothing follows after the click. It might be a sign that there’s something wrong with your air conditioner.

Reasons Your Thermostat Clicks but the AC Does Not Turn On

You don’t have to worry if your AC isn’t switching on despite the thermostat clicking. Most of the time, there is a simple problem behind it that you can solve yourself. However, some issues are more complicated and require the expertise of HVAC professionals. They can have your AC up and running as soon as possible.

Dirty Air Filter

A clogged air filter is the most common culprit behind this issue. Filters purify the air before it travels around your home. Over time, dust, dirt and pollen … Read Full Post »

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Low Maintenance Side Yard Ideas

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
a low maintenance side yard

Are you stumped on how to utilize your side yard? You aren’t alone. Most homeowners don’t know what to do with this space, and they often go unused and overlooked. However, there are several beautiful and functional ways to incorporate your side yard into the rest of your property.

Whether your side yard is big or small, it provides opportunities to get creative and set up the outdoor space you’ve always wanted. For example, you can beautify the side yard with a vertical garden or create a functional pathway with paver landscaping.

Low Maintenance Side Yard Ideas

Homeowners spend a lot of time and money perfecting their front yard and turning it into a beautiful entrance to their home. The backyard also becomes a hub for family activity and gets a lot of love. However, side yards often go overlooked.

Most homeowners don’t know how to utilize their side yard since it is often … Read Full Post »

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How To Inspect for Bed Bugs

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
two bed bugs

https://blog.abchomeandcommercial.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/How-to-inspect-for-bed-bugs-PC-video-for-ABC-blog-2.mp4

Bed bugs may be tiny creatures, but they can cause a large problem if you don’t catch them early on. Unfortunately, they can be hard to spot and identify. It’s easy to mistake other creepy crawlies like ticks, carpet beetles and baby roaches for bed bugs. It also doesn’t help that bed bug bites look similar to other insect bites and skin conditions like fungal infections and eczema. The longer you take to detect them, the more time they have to spread to other parts of your home.

Below is a guide on how to inspect for bed bugs. Learn about the most common signs of an infestation, what they look like, where they like to hide and how to prevent them from invading your space. If you have confirmed their presence in your home, it’s time to contact pest control professionals for help. It is hard to manage an infestation … Read Full Post »

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How to Clean Your Garbage Disposal

. Posted by in • San Antonio
a sink with a garbage disposal

Knowing how to clean a garbage disposal is necessary for the upkeep of a home. Like any kitchen appliance, garbage disposals need a thorough cleaning once in a while, or else bacteria can start to accumulate. Most of the food items you throw into it will disappear for good. But small chunks can get stuck in various parts of the garbage disposal and eventually rot. Oil and certain vegetables can also leave residues that can cause bacteria buildup.

To help you keep your garbage disposal grime-free, here’s an in-depth guide on how to clean it properly. We also include troubleshooting tips that can help address any issues. However, it’s always best to contact a plumber for severe problems so that you don’t cause further damage to your garbage disposal.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Your Garbage Disposal

Cleaning your garbage disposal isn’t a complicated task and should take no more than 30 minutes. … Read Full Post »

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Subterranean Termites Versus Drywood Termites

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
subterranean termites

Do you know the difference between subterranean termites versus drywood termites? These termite species have several similarities in their appearance and behavior, but there are also key differences that can help you tell them apart. 

Identifying which type of termite is infesting your home is the first step in controlling the termite colony. The most important thing to remember is that all types of termites can cause severe structural damage to your home and need to be dealt with quickly.

Not all termites fly, but each species has a type of termite that has wings. They are called swarmer termites, and it is their job to fly away from their current colony to reproduce and form new colonies. These termites discard their wings after mating, and homeowners often spot them around their houses. Discarded termite wings are a sure sign that a mature termite colony is nearby.

It’s important to take the right … Read Full Post »

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