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Where To See the Best Austin Christmas Lights

. Posted by in • Austin
the Austin trail of lights

As the holiday season approaches, many Central Texans wonder about where to find the best Austin Christmas lights displays. Everyone loves the holidays, and they’re even better with festive, twinkly lights to warm up the chilly evenings as you spend quality time with family and friends.

Best of all, Austin has a wide variety of places and ways to enjoy Christmas lights. From small, intimate neighborhood displays to ticketed events boasting spectacular winter wonderlands, there’s something for every Central Texan. Just remember that a little advance planning goes a long way. Austin’s most popular ticketed holiday events sell out quickly. Even the free, smaller neighborhood lights displays can draw nightly traffic and crowds of revelers, so be sure to plan accordingly.

Here are some of the best Austin Christmas lights displays, from incredible neighborhood displays to spectacular ticketed events with millions of sparkling LED bulbs:

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Low Water in Toilet Bowl: What’s Wrong?

. Posted by in • Dallas-Fort Worth
a white bathroom

There’s nothing more frustrating than using the toilet and realizing there’s barely any water in the bowl for flushing. That means there’s something wrong with it, and you have yet another thing to add to your to-do list.

Fortunately, troubleshooting this issue can be straightforward. And if things don’t work out, you can always count on a professional plumber to solve the problem.

How to Troubleshoot Low Water in the Toilet Bowl

Low water in the toilet bowl? Before assuming your toilet has a problem, check that the water supply is on. Also, see if someone had accidentally turned off the toilet’s shut-off valve. If these two things are fine, you can move on to these troubleshooting methods.

Broken Fill Valve or Flapper

The toilet fill valve is the most common culprit behind low water in the toilet bowl. This component controls how much water enters the tank. If it’s damaged or malfunctioning, the tank … Read Full Post »

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Why Does My GFCI Keep Tripping?

. Posted by in • Bryan-College Station
A GFCI outlet

If you want to make your home as safe as possible for everyone, installing GFCIs or ground fault circuit interrupters in your outlets will bring you closer to that goal. Areas like the kitchen, laundry room and bathroom, are at higher risk for electrical mishaps, but these quick-acting safety devices can significantly reduce the dangers.

But as with any device, GFCIs can malfunction. They typically last 10 to 15 years, but some can start failing when they hit the 5-year mark. If your GFCI keeps tripping, it’s a sign that something is wrong. While you can try troubleshooting it yourself, it’s always best to let a licensed electrician handle electrical issues.

What’s Causing Your GFCI to Keep Tripping?

It is good when your GFCI occasionally trips because it’s a sign that it is doing its job. But, if it’s tripping constantly, there is an underlying problem you need to look into. Here are … 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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Do Mice Sleep?

. Posted by in , • Corpus Christi
a mouse

If you think you have mice at home, it can be hard to confirm your suspicions. You might hear their squeaking and scurrying, but it’s rare for homeowners to see these sneaky pests in action. That’s because their sleeping habits help them stay concealed from people and grow their population without us knowing.

Here’s everything to know about mice, including the answer to the question: “Do mice sleep?”

It is best to contact pest control professionals if you suspect or have discovered a mouse infestation on your property. They have the tools and expertise to control these rodents.

When and Where Do Mice Sleep?

Just like humans, mice need to sleep. But their sleeping patterns are different from ours. When these pests are active in a home, mice are typically nocturnal creatures, meaning they’re active at night. However, that can change depending on their environment and when their predators are active.

Mice in the wild … Read Full Post »

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Why Do Some Ants Have Wings?

. Posted by in , • Orlando
a group of winged ants

Did you know that there are over 15,000 known species of ants? With that many different types of ants, it’s understandable to see some that don’t look like the rest. For example, some ants actually have wings. Keep reading to learn about ants with wings and the ant life cycle.

Why Do Some Ants Have Wings?

Some homeowners are surprised to learn that certain ant species have wings and can fly. Some ants have wings because they use them as part of the reproductive phase of an ant colony.

For example, like other insects such as wasps and termites, some ant species mate in flight. Reproductive ants in an ant colony leave their nest at the same time to find a mate and establish new colonies.

Winged ants, also known as alates, take part in the “nuptial flight” to protect their species’ survival. Specific environmental factors are required to develop sexually mature winged ants, … Read Full Post »

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What To Do About Rats in Backyard

. Posted by in , • Houston
a rat in a backyard

For many homeowners, the backyard is their favorite part of their home. Many memorable activities happen there, including playtime with kids, family gatherings and weddings. Unfortunately, rats can ruin all of that.

These pests thrive in backyards and can cause significant damage to your property fast. If rats are taking over your backyard, here’s how to deal with the infestation. But, the best solution is to contact the pros. Pest control specialists have the expertise to efficiently control rats.

Rats in the Backyard: What Should Homeowners Do?

Rats can destroy your garden, plants and vegetables and eventually enter your home. Once inside, they’ll chew on practically anything, including drywall, wires, wood and plastic. They are not picky at all. They can also contaminate your food and spread disease.

Fortunately, there are some things homeowners can do to keep rats out of their garden and backyard. Here are some preventative tips you can apply.

Proper Backyard … Read Full Post »

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Why Is My Furnace Light Blinking?

. Posted by in • Dallas-Fort Worth
a furnace

Furnaces make cold weather bearable. The last thing you want to see during the cold months is a blinking light on your furnace. That means there’s something wrong happening with it, and your home might soon lose all its warmth and coziness. A blinking furnace light can indicate various problems, so it can be hard to pinpoint the cause.

To help you, here are the top possible reasons your furnace light is blinking and how you can troubleshoot each issue. If all else fails, let HVAC professionals take over. They have the knowledge, tools and experience to fix your furnace and make your home comfortable again.

How to Troubleshoot a Blinking Furnace Light

Furnaces communicate with us by blinking their light when there’s an issue. Every code has a different meaning, so try to catch it and jot it down. You can refer to your furnace’s manual to help you decode it. Here … Read Full Post »

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Why Does My Toilet Keep Clogging?

. Posted by in • Austin
a bathroom

We all take our toilets for granted because it’s always there. But we realize its value when we ask, “Why does my toilet keep clogging?” A clogged toilet is frustrating and even embarrassing, especially when you have guests over. Several things can cause this problem, but the usual culprit is excess toilet paper down the drain.

If your toilet keeps clogging, here’s how to troubleshoot the issue and have it running smoothly again. If these solutions don’t work, it’s time to seek the help of the pros. Professional plumbers will diagnose the problem and perform the necessary repairs and replacements.

Reasons Your Toilet Keeps Clogging

Here are the common answers to the question, “Why does my toilet keep clogging?” and how to address these issues.

You Flush Foreign Objects Down the Toilet

Many homeowners think they can get away with flushing various items down the toilet. But, many of these things can cause clogging. Paper … 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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