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How Do Mice Get in the Attic?

. Posted by in , • Austin

Key Takeaways

Mice often enter attics through small openings around roofs, vents and utility penetrations. Identifying and sealing these entry points is the best way to prevent infestations and protect your home from damage.

How do mice get in attics? They can easily squeeze through even the smallest gaps and are drawn to your attic for protection, nesting material and to avoid Texas weather conditions. Even if your home seems secure, you’d be surprised by how many mouse entry points you have. Understanding mice in attics can help you learn how to keep them away for good.

To get expert insight, we spoke with Manuel Ortiz, Certified Applicator and General Manager at ABC Home & Commercial Services.

The Most Common Ways Mice Get Into Attics

“Mice will normally target entry points on the lower portion of your home. Once they’re in the walls, they make … Read Full Post »

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Why Does My Garbage Disposal Smell?

. Posted by in , • Austin

Key Takeaways

Garbage disposal smells are usually caused by food buildup, grease or bacteria and can often be controlled with regular cleaning and maintenance. However, persistent sewage odors, leaks or drainage issues may signal a more serious problem that requires professional attention.

Have you ever walked into your kitchen and immediately noticed a foul odor coming from your sink? The culprit is likely your garbage disposal.

For Texas homeowners, heat and humidity can make garbage disposal odor even worse, especially in the summer months. The good news is that garbage disposal smells are common and usually due to harmless buildup that’s easy to fix. 

However, sometimes a foul odor coming from your sink can indicate a deeper plumbing or sewer problem. While DIY fixes can work in some cases, some situations require professional diagnostics and service. 

This guide covers the most common causes of garbage disposal smells … Read Full Post »

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How To Winterize Your Pool

. Posted by in • Austin

Key Takeaways

Texas pools often still need some winterizing. Even mild freezes can damage pumps, pipes and filters. This guide walks you through how to protect your pool before the next cold snap hits.

If you think you don’t need to winterize your pool in Texas, you may be wrong. Most Texas pools with functioning equipment don’t need full winterization, but knowing when it does matter can save you from costly damage.

Winterizing protects your pool from freeze damage, preserves equipment and makes spring reopening much easier. But, the Texas approach looks different from what northern states require.

This guide will walk you through everything Texas homeowners need to know about winterizing their pools. This includes preparing the water, protecting your equipment, adjusting your maintenance routine and safeguarding your pool against Texas freezes.

Terry Valderas, General Manager of the Swimming Pool Division at ABC Home & Commercial Services, contributed Texas-specific … Read Full Post »

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Where Do Roaches Hide?

. Posted by in • Austin
a roach crawling up a wall

 

Key Takeaways

Roaches are experts at hiding in dark, damp and cluttered areas throughout your home, from kitchens and bathrooms to attics and garages. Regular inspections and targeted prevention are essential for keeping these pests under control.

Even one roach scurrying across your floor is an unsettling sight. These pests are sneaky, and they reproduce at an alarming rate. Even a single roach sighting is a clear sign it’s time to act.

To better understand where roaches hide and what signs to look for, we spoke with Alan Brown, Board-Certified Entomologist and Technical Director at ABC Home & Commercial Services.

Brown explains that cockroaches prefer tight, enclosed spaces because of a behavior known as positive thigmotaxis. “Roaches like to be in contact with surfaces at all times, so they prefer to be tucked into cracks and crevices when resting,” … Read Full Post »

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Why Is My Furnace Making Noise?

. Posted by in • Austin
a furnace

Key Takeaways

Some furnace noise is normal, like soft hums, brief startup clicks and gentle ductwork popping, but banging, grinding or persistent squealing usually mean it’s time to call a pro. When in doubt, don’t wait: catching issues early keeps small problems from turning into costly repairs.

You turn on your heat during a Texas cold front and suddenly hear banging, squealing or rattling coming from the furnace. After months of barely thinking about your heating system, a strange noise can be unsettling, especially when temperatures start dropping.

The good news is that not every noisy furnace points to a major repair. Some sounds are normal when a furnace starts up, while others can signal a maintenance issue or a part that needs attention.

In Texas, furnaces often sit unused for months while AC systems do most of the work. In this guide, we’ll explain which furnace noises are … Read Full Post »

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What Size Water Softener Do I Need? A Texas Homeowner’s Guide

. Posted by in , • Austin
a glass of water

 

Key Takeaways

Choosing the right water softener size comes down to three factors: 

  1. How many people are in your household 
  2. How much water you use daily 
  3. How hard your local water is

Getting the size wrong, too big or too small, can lead to wasted salt and water, higher utility bills and a shorter system lifespan.

When it comes to choosing a water softener, size matters. Your household size, daily water use and the hardness of your local water all play a role in what size water softener you need to install.

Plus, choosing the wrong size water softener can lead to several problems, including frequent regeneration cycles, inefficient salt usage and poor water softening performance.

Texas homeowners should keep in mind that Texas water is often hard, so choosing the right water softener is important. This guide covers everything you need to know.

Keep reading to learn how water softener sizing works, … Read Full Post »

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Tankless Water Heater Not Heating? Causes & Solutions

. Posted by in • Austin

Key Takeaways

A tankless water heater that stops heating is often caused by something preventable. Staying on top of annual maintenance is the best way to avoid the most common problems, especially in Texas, where hard water accelerates scale buildup inside the unit.

Few things get your attention faster than turning on the shower and realizing the water isn’t getting hot. It’s even more frustrating when you have dishes in the sink, laundry waiting or people in the house asking if something is wrong with the hot water. If your tankless water heater stops working suddenly, most homeowners want an answer right away because there is no stored tank of hot water to fall back on.

Tankless systems work differently from traditional water heaters. Instead of holding heated water in reserve, they warm water only when you open a tap. Inside the unit, water moves through a heat … Read Full Post »

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AC Not Blowing Cold Air? A Texas Homeowner’s Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

. Posted by in • Austin

Key Takeaways

A broken AC during hot, humid weather is never something you want to deal with. ABC Home & Commercial Services offers HVAC repairs from experienced technicians who take the time to find and fix the real problem.

What should you do if your AC isn’t blowing cold air? This situation can be stressful for Texas homeowners, especially during extreme summer heat.

Luckily, there are several ways to troubleshoot the issue before calling in a professional. This guide breaks down the common causes of your AC not blowing cold air, what you can check for and when to call in assistance.

It also includes expert insights from Gary Cremeans, HVAC Operations Manager at ABC Home & Commercial Services.

Why Is My AC Not Blowing Cold Air?

According to Cremeans, the most common reasons your AC isn’t blowing cold air is due to a clogged drain … Read Full Post »

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What Do Flea Bites Look Like?

. Posted by in , • Austin

Key Takeaways

Flea bites typically appear as small, itchy red bumps in clusters around the ankles and legs, and can often be mistaken for bites from other insects. Acting quickly and taking a comprehensive approach is the best way to control fleas.

Have you noticed itchy red bumps on yourself or your family members? Maybe you’ve noticed your pets scratching more than usual? These are common signs of a flea infestation.

To help you understand what flea bites look like, how to differentiate them from other bug bites and what to do about them, we spoke with Alan Brown, Board-Certified Entomologist and Technical Director at ABC Home & Commercial Services.

What Do Flea Bites Look Like on Humans?

Flea bites can look very different from person to person, so it can be difficult to determine if you’re dealing with flea bites or another type of bug bite. … Read Full Post »

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Are Mosquitoes Attracted to Light?

. Posted by in , • Austin

Key Takeaways

Many homeowners think mosquitoes are attracted to light, but they’re actually drawn to you. Things like your breath, body heat and scent are what attract them, so that’s where you should focus your prevention efforts.

It’s a common assumption that mosquitoes are drawn to light, but is it actually true?

To find out, we spoke with Alan Brown, Board-Certified Entomologist and Technical Director at ABC Home & Commercial Services. No, mosquitoes aren’t attracted to light. Light may have a small effect on these pests, but factors like carbon dioxide, body heat and your scent are what really draw mosquitoes in. 

Since mosquitoes are attracted to people, and people are often around lights, it’s easy to see why we tend to blame light for mosquito activity. Here’s a closer look at mosquito behavior.

Why People Think Mosquitoes Are Attracted to Light

Many homeowners assume that mosquitoes are … Read Full Post »

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