Restoration and Cleaning Tips

Protecting Wood Floors From Salt – Commercial Cleaning – Janitorial Services

Do you have hardwood floors in your home? Hardwood flooring may give your home a touch of upscale elegance and showcase your stylish décor without clashing with the rest of your home. However, this is the time of year when hardwood flooring may begin to become a pain and could take a beating if you are not vigilant at keeping them clean. If you live in a temperate climate that receives a fair amount of precipitation in the winter months, you may be used to seeing the salt trucks that jam traffic during rush hour. When salt is tracked into your home, these industrial salt crystals can be ground into flooring. This will destroy the finish and luster of your investment, and is expensive to replace. Take note of these recommendations to protect your hardwood flooring by eHow.com: • Pl...

Safety Tips

Candle Safety and Fire Damage Restoration Tips

Did you know that on average, a candle fire is reported to a U.S. fire department every thirty minutes? This holiday season, you can achieve a warm glow in your home without calling the fire department later if you follow these steps for candle safety, as recommended by the NFPA: • Use candle holders that are sturdy, and won’t tip over easily and put candle holders on a sturdy, uncluttered surface. • Don’t burn a candle all the way down — put it out before it gets too close to the holder or container. • Never use a candle if oxygen is used in the home. • Have flashlights and battery-powered lighting ready to use during a power outage. Never use candles. Occasionally, something catches on fire even though you may be taking the precautions listed above. For example, more than half o...

Water damage remediation

Winter Storms are Coming – Seal Your Home from Water Damage

The first snow has already started in some areas of the United States this season! While there have not been any reports of snow blizzards or heavy accumulation just yet, this is definitely a great time to begin putting together a plan of attack to combat water damage from melting ice, blowing snow and winter storms. The best way to prevent water damage from melting snow is check the construction and condition of your home or office exterior. Here is some great advice for winter proofing your shelter from the storm, courtesy of The Weather Channel: 1. Windows and doors: Check for leaks around your windows and doors, especially near the corners. Check for peeling paint, which can be a sign of water getting into the wood. Inspect for discolorations in paint or caulking as well as swellin...

Air Duct HVAC Cleaning

Turn Down the Heat – Should You Have Your HVAC System Checked?

Halloween has passed, so now it’s time for the cold weather to settle in. What is your favorite indoor activity with family when the weather gets chilly? Do you watch old movies and laugh together? Maybe you prepare dinner and tell stories about growing up? Could you have a talented musician who plays the soundtrack for the evening while every listens or joins along in song? No matter the activity you select, you probably will incorporate central heating into the picture. If your vent duct system is clogged, it can cause your HVAC system to work much harder and could potentially fail, just in time for the season’s first frost. It’s best to call in a professional to examine your system and offer HVAC cleaning services if the issue requires immediate attention. Here are three things to kn...

Cleaning and restoration tips

How Often Should You Deep Clean Your Home?

Are you hosting Thanksgiving in your home this year? Do you have guests coming from out of town or children returning home from college for the holiday break? Are you about to change up your décor and furniture in your residence? This is an opportune time to consider deep cleaning your home. Deep cleaning is a comprehensive and thorough cleaning that can be maintained with light dusting, vacuuming and wiping down of surfaces. When you deep clean a home, everything is touched, from the ceiling, down to the baseboards and the floor. You can deep clean your home once a month, once a season or once a holiday season, depending on the amount of traffic your home receives. Deep cleaning a home can take hours, but here are some helpful hints to make this process go smoothly, courtesy of Mrs. Cl...

Cleaning and restoration tips

How Often Should You Clean Your Chimney?

As we approach the holiday season, it will be time to start up the fireplace again. The warmth of the fire, the crackling of the flames and the bright amber flickering around the room is very comforting and relaxing when spending time with family and friends. What you may not expect is a pungent odor, billowing smoke or tenants in the form of birds. Fireplace is one of the most valued features in a home, however, many families will label their fireplace "non-working" and it sits unused, because the homeowner doesn't know what to do about a variety of issues or how to clean it properly. Here are some of the frequently asked questions about chimneys and the answers, courtesy of the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). How often should I have my chimney cleaned? The National Fire ...

Air Duct HVAC Cleaning

How Often Should You Clean Your Air Ducts and Vents?

Take a deep breath… and exhale. Did that hurt your lungs at all? If you have not had your air ducts and vents cleaned in a while, you may be harming your health and you don’t even know it. While the immediate damage may be as simple as additional sneezing, it can extend to prolonged allergic reactions to dust and mold and eventually, a respiratory infection. Air ducts and vents carry and filter cold air and warm heat through your home and office throughout the year. Just as the air filter in your vehicle and the lint trap in your dryer must be replaced or cleaned, the same attention must be paid to your air ducts and vents. The question remains…how often should you clean your air ducts and vents? Having your heating and cooling system cleaned as a preventative measure is wise in resp...

Carpet Cleaning, Upholstery Cleaning

How Often Should You Clean Your Carpet and Upholstery?

In your home or office, the décor says a lot about you. What also reflects upon you is the condition of the items in your space, from the furniture down to the carpeting and rugs. To offer a great presentation and maintain the life of your upholstered furniture and carpeting, as well as maintain a healthy indoor environment, it is important to keep these items clean. But how often should you have your carpet cleaned? This depends on a number of different factors. Here are some tips (courtesy of Creative Homemaking) that will help you decide how often to clean your carpet and upholstery. Depending on the traffic and inhabitants of your space, your cleaning needs will vary: Who should have carpets and upholstery cleaned once a year? This scenario applies to a space with one or two ...

Cleaning and restoration tips

3 Reasons to Contract with a Professional Cleaning Service

The thorn in the side of most hosts and hostesses for a large party is deep cleaning their home in advance and afterwards. A high traffic area, such as the kitchen, can take hours alone. When you are preparing your home for sale, you are inviting potential buyers in for open houses every weekend, which is very similar to having a party. You want your home to appear perfect and clean, as this will be the first impression one has about the space. Do you have time on Fridays to clean your home extensively… every week until your home is sold? If not, it may be time to contact a professional. Week 4 – 3 Reasons to Contract with a Professional Cleaning Service Can you budget for a professional cleaning service? Here are three reasons why it may make sense for you: 1. A professional clean...

Fire Damage Restoration, Smoke Damage Cleanup

Preparing Your Home for Sale: How to Remove Smoke Damage

Did your last attempt at culinary greatness get out of hand? Did you get distracted while leaving a dish on the stove? Did an errant candle burn too brightly (and right through your curtains)? Even a small fire can produce a lot of smoke, leaving soot and odors that penetrate carpet, upholstery, clothing and other porous materials. If you are planning on selling your home, it is really important to remove any past evidence of smoke damage. Week 3 – The Dos and Don’ts of Removing Smoke Damage Cleaning smoke damage is not an easy task, but it can be completed successfully if you keep the following tips (courtesy of ServiceMaster) in mind: DO: • Cover carpeted traffic areas with towels or old linens to prevent additional soiling. • Discard open food packages. The food could be co...

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