ABC Blog

Please choose a city to view local blog posts:

How To Make Grass Green

green grass

Want to learn how to make your grass green? Achieving the lawn of your dreams starts with proper planting and maintenance methods. There are several steps that homeowners can take to ensure a beautiful lawn, including fertilization, weed management, aerating, mowing and more.

How To Make Grass Green

All homeowners desire a luscious, beautiful yard, but not everyone understands how to keep their grass green. When not properly cared for, grass can turn brown or yellow, which reduces the curb appeal of your home.

Achieving healthy, green grass starts with proper care and maintenance, which includes fertilization, weed management, pest control, proper mowing and more.

Fertilization

Healthy grass growth cannot be achieved without proper fertilization techniques. In order for your grass to grow and stay green, it needs the right nutrients. Additionally, the nutrients must be dispersed in the right amounts over time. That’s why it’s important to know more about the different types of … Read Full Post »

What Size Generator Do I Need?

a generator on a truck

Having a standby generator can help keep you comfortable and worry-free during a power outage. If you experience a loss of power during extreme temperatures, it can keep your family protected from the harsh temperatures outside. Having a standby generator can give you peace of mind.

If you want to equip your home with one, the first step is figuring out what size your generator should be and how much power it should generate. You should consult a licensed electrician and plumber when inquiring about standby generators. That way, you’ll ensure your generator will run smoothly and safely.

How to Determine Generator Size for Your Home 

What size generator do I need? It’s important to let a licensed electrician figure this out. They have the knowledge and experience to find the right size standby generator for your home and needs.

To determine the correct size, they will take note of your appliances at home. … Read Full Post »

How Many Ants Are in a Colony?

an ant colony

If you have pesky ants at home, you know how they can feel impossible to control. Since it can seem like they are always around, many homeowners wonder how many ants are in a colony.

If ants are invading your space, contact pest control specialists. Ants are hardworking and resilient pests but are no match for the pros. They have the tools and expertise to control these pests and help prevent future colonies from invading.

How Many Ants Are in a Colony?

Ants are social insects, and each of them belongs to a colony. Unlike other insects, you’ll never find an ant that operates solo. These colonies come in different sizes depending on species, colony age, climate and other factors.

The number of ants in a colony can vary depending on the species, age of the colony and the weather. Most ant colonies will have a few hundred ants, while some ant species, like … Read Full Post »

What is an Insulation R-Value?

an attic insulation

Many homeowners don’t realize how essential insulation is to their homes. It keeps hot air from entering or leaving, ensuring the temperature inside stays consistent. With poor insulation, you never know when a draft is about to surprise you.

But insulation does more than keep you warm and toasty. Your wallet will thank you because it can help improve energy efficiency and lower utility bills. It can even control indoor moisture and help keep mildew at bay.

If you are just learning about insulation and R-values, here’s everything you need to know to select the best insulation for your home. You can also contact an insulation specialist for help.

What Is an Insulation R-Value and How Does It Work?

The R-value represents an insulation material’s resistance to heat flow per inch of thickness. The higher the R-value, the better the material is at insulating. R-values can be as low as R-10, typical of flooring … Read Full Post »

Simple Landscaping Ideas

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 »

Low Maintenance Modern Front Yard Landscaping Ideas

a front yard

While homeownership has its perks, it’s no walk in the park. It can feel like there are a million things to manage inside and outside the home. When times get busy, yard maintenance is often the first to fall through the cracks. If yours is starting to look unruly, maybe it’s time to update it with a low-maintenance look.

With low-maintenance landscaping, you can save yourself hours of yard work. Not only is it practical, but you will have a beautiful yard you can show off to your neighbors and guests. If you need extra help, contact a landscaping specialist.

Too Busy to Maintain a Yard? These Low-Maintenance Modern Front Yard Landscaping Ideas Can Help

As life gets busier, more homeowners turn to low-maintenance modern front yard landscaping. If you want to do the same, the ideas below can help transform your yard into a hassle-free oasis.

But before you get started, think about … Read Full Post »

Toilet Flapper Is Not Sealing: What’s Wrong?

a white bathroom

If you notice that your toilet is making sounds like gurgling and whining, it can be annoying as well as wasteful. If your toilet makes all kinds of gurgling and whining noises, you probably have the flapper to blame for that. It’s a small piece of rubber or plastic hiding in the murky depths of the toilet tank. If it’s not sealing well, it can cause problems for your toilet.

Fortunately for homeowners, flapper issues are usually easy to fix. Here are some troubleshooting methods you can try. But if none work, you can let a professional plumber come to the rescue. They’ll get to the bottom of things and provide the best solution.

What to Do If Your Toilet Flapper Is Not Sealing

The toilet flapper might not be visible, but it plays a crucial role in the toilet system. It seals off the opening below the toilet tank, preventing water from … Read Full Post »

Why Is My Light Switch Hot?

a hot light switch

Light switches usually don’t cause any trouble for homeowners, but that doesn’t mean they can’t have issues. If you notice that a light switch in your home is hot to the touch, that usually means too much electricity is running through it. Don’t ignore this issue because it can lead to dangerous consequences like an electrical fire.

There are various possible causes for a hot light switch. But whatever the reason, it’s best to let a licensed electrician deal with it. Even if you have DIY experience, electrical problems aren’t something homeowners should ever attempt to fix on their own.

The Possible Causes for a Hot Light Switch

Before you panic, it’s normal for light switches to get a little warm, particularly dimmer switches. Electricity first goes through the switch to get to the light fixture, explaining the slight temperature increase. But it should never be hot. If it does, these are the … Read Full Post »

Why Do I Have Foamy Pool Water?

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 »

How Long Do Tankless Water Heaters Last?

Tankless water heaters are gaining in popularity. Tankless water heaters heat water on demand instead of pulling hot water from a storage tank. That means you can enjoy a nice hot shower even if you wake up late and everyone has had their turn. But, that’s not the only advantage of tankless units.

Another benefit of investing in a tankless water heater is its durability. Tankless models can be a better value for your money because they can easily outlast tanked units. You might have to pay more upfront, but its longevity makes up for that.

How Long Do Tankless Water Heaters Last? How Can You Maximize Their Lifespan?

They’re not cheap, so many homeowners want to know how long tankless water heaters last before taking the plunge. You’ll be happy to know they can work efficiently for 15 to 20 years. That’s a significant improvement from standard models, which tend to max … Read Full Post »