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When is Termite Season?

. Posted by in , • Austin
termites on a wall

Many homeowners wonder about termite season and when they should be on the lookout for these pests. The unfortunate truth is that termites can be active all year long, quietly creating damage to a home. That said, there is a stretch of time when homeowners are more likely to notice termites—when termites swarm.

When a termite nest reaches maturity, reproductive termites will fly out of the nest to go find a mate, find a place to nest and start a new colony. If you are home when a termite swarm happens, you will see these insects flying toward light sources or windows. If you aren’t home when a termite swarm happens, you may find dropped wings near windowsills and on the floor. Flying termites can easily be confused with flying ants. If you find wings around your home and you are not sure what you’re dealing with, it’s wise to contact … Read Full Post »

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Where Is the Evaporator Coil?

. Posted by in
an outdoor AC unit

Homeowners depend heavily on their air conditioners for comfort, especially when it is hot outside. But despite their reliance on this appliance, few are familiar with an AC’s inner workings and how to maintain it.

While you don’t have to understand how the entire AC system works, it can be beneficial to know the basics. That includes locating the evaporator coil and caring for it. Here’s everything you need to know about this essential part of your AC unit.

Remember that you can always contact AC specialists for problems you encounter with your unit. They have the necessary tools and expertise to have it running smoothly again.

What Is the Evaporator Coil, and How Do You Locate It?

Air conditioners don’t produce cold air like a furnace makes heat. AC units have refrigerant flowing inside them, and the refrigerant absorbs the heat and humidity so the air that flows into the home feels cold. … 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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How to Design a Sprinkler System

. Posted by in , • Houston
a sprinkler in a yard

When it comes to having the lawn of their dreams with lush flower beds and a perfectly manicured yard, many homeowners have to make a choice between spending their time maintaining their lawn or finding a way to automate a lot of the care.

With our hot summers, a sprinkler system seems like a perfect solution. Watering your yard can take hours every week, and missing even one day can damage your lawn on sweltering days. It can mean you take twice as long the next day to make up for the day you missed. Sometimes even that isn’t enough to save your plants.

Sprinklers are the obvious solution. Oscillating sprinklers that arc back and forth overhead are quiet but must be moved regularly. These sprinklers do a great job covering a rectangular patch evenly, but that’s all they do. They can’t be tuned for oddly shaped areas and don’t move from … Read Full Post »

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Sprinkler Valve Leaking: Signs and What To Do

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth
a home's yard

A reliable sprinkler system is a vital part of lawn care; luckily, sprinkler systems can work on autopilot when functioning correctly. However, sprinkler system leaks can throw a wrench in your dream of having a beautiful, lush lawn.

Sprinkler systems can leak from multiple places, including valves, underground equipment and heads.

Leaks in your sprinkler system can lead to property damage, such as soil erosion, fungal diseases, root rot and more. It can also cause unnecessary water waste and a spike in your water bill.

The best thing you can do when you notice a sprinkler system leak is to contact a licensed irrigation specialist. They can identify the leak, find the underlying cause and repair the system and any damage done.

Sprinkler Valve Leaking: Signs and What To Do

A leaking sprinkler valve can result in water waste, a more costly water bill and a damaged lawn. Luckily, there are several signs that homeowners can … Read Full Post »

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Can Bed Bugs Bite Through Clothes?

. Posted by in , • Orlando
a bed bug on skin

Bed bugs are pests that can leave behind stains, skins and a sour odor. Some homeowners also worry that bed bugs can destroy their clothes. While bed bugs can travel on clothes and hide in laundry piles, they cannot actually bite through clothes.

However, bed bugs can still crawl under clothing to bite their hosts. It’s important for homeowners to understand the difference between bed bug bites and hives so that they can identify a bed bug infestation.

Bed bug bites also look and feel similar to no see um bites. Even though no see ums are flies, and these two insects are very different, their bites are similar. Keep reading to learn how to tell them apart and what you can do to control both pests.

Can Bed Bugs Bite Through Clothes?

Bed bugs can leave itchy bites on humans. However, it is a myth that they can chew through clothes. Bed bug … Read Full Post »

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My Toilet Keeps Running: What’s Wrong?

. Posted by in • Austin
a toilet in a bathroom

The only time toilets should make noise is when you flush them. If you hear it running continuously, it indicates a problem that requires fixing. A running toilet can cause your water bill to skyrocket and can waste water, so it’s important not to ignore this issue.

Fortunately, the basic toilet design hasn’t changed in decades, and troubleshooting this problem is typically straightforward. However, you should contact a professional plumber if you’ve tried everything but still can’t get your toilet to stop running.

Why Your Toilet Keeps Running

There are a few possible culprits and solutions if your toilet keeps running. But, before you troubleshoot, familiarize yourself with the different toilet parts and understand how they work. You can do this by shutting off your toilet’s water supply and removing the tank lid to see the components inside. You’ll find the following:

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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 Many Bed Bugs Are in One Egg?

. Posted by in , • Dallas-Fort Worth
a bed bug on an egg

Unfortunately for homeowners, in the last 20 years, there has been an uptick in bed bug populations. And, worse yet, they are becoming increasingly resistant to products on the market, which can make controlling an infestation even more difficult than before. Today, bed bugs can be found everywhere. They aren’t isolated to dense population areas or hotels where people come and go a lot.

How Bed Bugs Get In Your Home

It’s easier to bring home bed bugs than one may think. Bed bugs aren’t just isolated to bedrooms. These pests have been found on airplanes, in movie theaters and on public transportation. When you visit a place that has bed bugs, these creatures can crawl into your luggage or other bags and travel home with you. Unfortunately, once bed bugs find their way into your home, their populations can quickly grow.

Bed bugs are tiny. When they are fully grown, they look … Read Full Post »

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How To Tell if Termites Are Active

. Posted by in • Houston
white termites in soil

While an infestation of something like cockroaches, ants, or spiders might be more apparent, knowing whether your home is housing termites can be more difficult. 

For many people, it takes uncovering damage to wood during construction or seeing a swarm to raise the issue of a termite infestation. These insects are largely silent, hard to discover, and found in every U.S. state except for Alaska, where temperatures are too low for termites to survive. Because of how widespread this pest is and the extreme damage it can cause before being discovered, termites cause more than $50 billion in property damage yearly. 

How To Tell if Termites Are Active

Termites aren’t a problem you can fix on your own. A licensed pest control professional will be able to inspect your structure and determine whether:

  • You have termites.
  • There was a previous termite issue that is no longer a threat.
  • Your home … Read Full Post »
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