What Is a Short Circuit?

August 2, 2023. Posted by Les Stobart in Electrical • Austin

Many people know that a short circuit is a sign that something isn’t working properly in their electrical system, but aren’t sure exactly what happens or what it is. A short circuit is a condition in an electrical circuit where the electrical current does not follow the correct path but unintentionally finds a different pathway. Within your home, your light sockets and outlets are part of the circuit. Under normal conditions, outlets and sockets use electricity to power lights or appliances but don’t break the circuit.

Most household wiring is made of copper because it conducts electricity efficiently. Not all metals conduct electricity as well, but they will conduct better than other household materials. Sometimes, a short circuit can happen through a less-ideal material if something has disrupted the main circuit.

Short Circuit Causes

Several things can cause a short circuit in your home. Typical short circuit causes that homeowners encounter include the … Read Full Post »

My Dryer Won’t Start: What’s Wrong?

July 31, 2023. Posted by Les Stobart in Appliance Repair • San Antonio

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 »

Identifying Flying Fire Ants Versus Termites

Have you noticed small insects with wings around your property and wondered whether they are termites or fire ants?

Although distinguishing the two can be tricky, knowing which pest you are dealing with can help you better control them. If you’re dealing with any pest problems, contact a pest control professional. These experts have the knowledge and experience to tell the difference between flying fire ants, pictured above, and termites and can help you control both of these pests.

Flying Fire Ants

Flying fire ants are often known as reproductives, and they are the members of the colonies that reproduce and create new colonies. Unlike worker fire ants, who don’t have wings, reproductive flying ants’ wings allow them to move independently and take flight.
Appearance

Flying fire ants’ wings can extend twice the length of their bodies. Their body color is usually reddish-brown or dark brown. These insects possess segmented bodies with distinct head, thorax … Read Full Post »

Do Roaches Die in the Cold?

July 24, 2023. Posted by Russell Jenkins in Pest Control • Dallas-Fort Worth

A roach infestation is every homeowner’s nightmare. These pests are extremely resilient and can live for a long time. They are also very hard for homeowners to control on their own.

Many homeowners notice a decline in roach activity during the winter and wonder if the cold got rid of the population. While roaches do not like cold weather, they have ways of surviving it.

Roaches enjoy living indoors, but they may also infest your yard. An outdoor roach infestation should still be taken seriously.

Finally, understanding the signs of a roach infestation, such as spotting roaches on the wall, is important for homeowners. Bringing in professional pest control services is the best way to reduce roach populations.

Do Roaches Die in the Cold?

Homeowners with an annoying roach infestation often hope the pests will be gone as soon as the temperatures drop. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. While roaches do not like … Read Full Post »

My Toilet Is Leaking Into the Bowl: What’s Wrong?

July 21, 2023. Posted by Russell Jenkins in Plumbing • Dallas-Fort Worth

Many homeowners take their toilets for granted, but just like any plumbing fixture, they need proper maintenance. Toilets can cause major indoor leaks, wasting as much as five gallons a minute. You can save a lot of water when you pay attention and catch problems early.

If you suspect your toilet is leaking into the bowl, here’s how to confirm your suspicions and troubleshoot the issue. But as with most plumbing issues, contacting the pros is the best solution. Professional plumbers have the tools and expertise to determine the cause and provide an effective solution.

How To Know If Your Toilet Leaks Into the Bowl

If you think your toilet leaks into the bowl, the first telltale sign is a massive spike in your water bill. Here are other ways to determine if you have a leaking toilet.

Use Food Coloring

Pour a bit of food coloring into the toilet tank and mark the water … Read Full Post »

How To Identify Different Types of Carpet Bugs

July 19, 2023. Posted by Russell Jenkins in Pest Control • Tyler

Carpet beetles are destructive pests that no homeowners want to deal with. The first step in getting rid of carpet beetles, often called carpet bugs, is identifying and understanding the various species.

Next, it’s important to catch the signs of a carpet beetle infestation, such as holes or thinning areas of your carpets and rugs. Keep in mind that these pests infest all types of natural fibers.

Finally, keep reading to learn a few do-it-yourself methods that can help reduce a carpet beetle infestation. Since these pests reproduce rapidly, it’s best to use a professional pest control service to fully control the problem before more damage is done.

How To Identify Different Types of Carpet Beetles

Carpet beetles are small beetles that like to infest carpets to lay their eggs. While they are most commonly found in carpets, these pests will also infest wool, leather, felt and silk.

These fibrous materials make perfect places for … Read Full Post »

My AC Is Not Blowing Cold Air: What’s Wrong?

July 18, 2023. Posted by Les Stobart in Air Conditioning & Heating • Austin

Air conditioning systems are designed to keep our homes comfortable during hot weather. However, they are prone to faults from time to time. So, when you notice the AC not blowing cold air, it means something is wrong. If you’re having this problem, you’ll want to get to the root of the issue and contact an HVAC specialist to help.

If you’re tired of sweating in your home, keep reading to find out what’s wrong with your air conditioner unit.

What Are Some Common Reasons?

Some common reasons your AC isn’t blowing cold air could include the following.

A Clogged Air Filter

A clogged air filter can cause various problems with your air conditioning unit. Dirt, dust and other debris can get trapped in your air filter as the air gets sucked in through your air ducts. Over time, this debris can build up, making it harder for the air to get through. A dirty … Read Full Post »

Do Bed Bug Bombs Work?

July 17, 2023. Posted by Les Stobart in Bed Bug Control, Pest Control • San Antonio

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 »

How To Find a Water Leak in Your House

July 14, 2023. Posted by Russell Jenkins in Plumbing • Dallas-Fort Worth

Your home may seem like a serene haven, but there might be sneaky leaks ready to wreak havoc. Leaks can cause massive spikes in your water bill and damage your beloved house. The key to preserving the peace in your home is early detection.

The sooner you sniff out a water leak, the less trouble it can cause. To help you, here are the common signs of a water leak you should look out for. Contact the professional plumbers immediately if you notice anything suspicious. They have the tools and expertise to perform the necessary repairs.

How To Find Water Leaks in the House

All homeowners will face a leak at some point. It’s a common problem even in new homes. Unfortunately, leaks aren’t always obvious, so you have to be extra attentive to find a water leak. Here are the most common signs of a leak.

Changing Water Meter

If you think there’s a … Read Full Post »

How To Identify Fire Ants With Wings

July 13, 2023. Posted by Vanessa Jenkins Green in Ant Control, Pest Control • Orlando

Fire ants are annoying pests that can cause pain when they bite and sting. It’s important for homeowners to understand the different types of fire ants, particularly winged fire ants versus non-winged fire ants.

Fire ants with wings are the reproductive members of the colony. You may see them swarming between the spring and fall seasons when they mate. Spotting a fire ant swarm is a sign that a fire ant colony is nearby. Keep reading to learn more about how to identify fire ants with wings.

How To Identify Fire Ants With Wings

Fire ants with wings are called “reproductives” because they are the sexually mature male and female members of the ant colony that reproduce. Unlike other colony members, they have wings so they can fly away from the nest to mate and establish new colonies.

Reproductive fire ants look similar to other fire ants with the addition of wings. They have … Read Full Post »