Water Damage Restoration is Important to Your Health and Structure

In regards to water damage, the old saying “What you don’t know can’t hurt you” is not correct. When a home has suffered water damage, microscopic organisms begin to build and grow, forming mildew and mold. It will grow behind the walls, in the ceiling and under the flooring.

After your home or office has been flooded by any number of reasons, the services of a professional water restoration specialist is needed. They will come in and take a survey of the area affected by the flood as well as any adjacent areas. They will document what has been affected by the water damage and provide their recommendations on what should be done.

A professional water restoration service dries out the structure as well as carpet, curtains, furniture and other belongings if they have not determined they are a total loss. They then sanitize those areas and deodorize it all.

A professional water restoration company will have equipment such as air movers and air scrubbers, and dehumidifiers. They will have a wood floor drying system as well as equipment and a process to dry the sub flooring. This process can take up to a week depending on the size of the area that was affected. The drying process is monitored by the team and equipment moved as needed for the best effect.

When water damage restoration isn’t done properly, the mildew and mold will grow and spread. It will damage the wood and other materials, making the structure weak. It also puts out bacteria and germs that when breathed in can make animals and humans sick.

Keep Those Baby Wipes On The Changing Table!

Today, most parents are using moistened wipes, which are a great tool. They are great for not just diaper changing, but cleaning faces and hands, too. As such, many parents leave the box of wipes in the den or living room and may have one in every room.

Carpet Renovations advises you to be careful where you lay them down, though. The cleaning chemicals that baby wipes are soaked in not only clean your baby, but they will damage your leather sofa. The chemicals that are contained in these wipes may be gentle on your baby’s skin, but they are not leather furniture’s best friend.

With the combination of Benzyl and Cetearyl alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Citrate and Hydroxide as well as various acids and other ingredients, is it any wonder? The alcohol content in the solvent breaks down the lacquer finish which is a protectant of your leather sofa’s color.

Once the surface of your leather sofa is broken, it is vulnerable to any “attack” such as drink, food, soil and sweat. Even the dye used in jeans can be damaging to your leather sofa.  So, while it may be tempting to grab those wipes to clean a spill on the sofa, think again.

Carpet Cleaning and Insurance

Everyone knows how important insurance is, right? That’s why you have auto insurance, health insurance and homeowners insurance. You also make sure that any contractor that does work in your home has insurance, too. Or, at least you ask them if they do.

Then, when the carpet cleaning company finishes your job, you notice a tear in the sofa or the carpet has come loose in a corner. You call the office where you made the appointment and file a complaint. They tell you they’ll turn it over to their insurance company.

Their insurance calls you and you find out that their business insurance policy will only cover the carpet repair. So now what? If you’re lucky, that really good deal you got on full house carpet cleaning will be with a reputable company who is honest and will pay to repair or replace your sofa.  You know deep down this is probably not going to happen, though.

For this instance we’ve described, it’s hard to say how to handle it or what will come of it all. For anyone that has not experienced anything like this, they’re things to do going forward to make sure that doesn’t happen.

A reputable carpet cleaning company will be glad to show you proof of insurance upon arrival. Take a look at this insurance to make sure you are going to be covered. You want to see what is called ‘'double insurance' policy. This means that their insurance isn’t just Liability Coverage, but they also have Treatments Risk Coverage.  That second part of the insurance provides coverage that protects anything that is damaged while the company is doing the carpet cleaning.

Winter is Coming to a Close – Get Those Mattresses Cleaned

Most people don’t realize that their mattress needs to be cleaned from time to time. We buy them, sleep on them for years, sometimes many, many years and then buy a new one. By having a professional clean them from time to time, though, you can get a lot more mileage from your mattress and be healthier, too.

Those allergies, headaches and other illnesses can be linked to your bed. Regardless of mattress covers and changing the sheets, your mattress will still collect dust mites. Those dust mites leave feces behind and you’re breathing those in while you sleep. By having a deep cleaning of your mattress, you will eliminate those pests and the nasty bacteria and germs they leave behind.

It is no doubt that after a winter like the one we’ve had this year, those dust mites have bedded down into your mattresses. We’ve been closed in day and night for months and they have, too. So, as winter comes to an end, schedule a deep cleaning service for all the mattresses in your home, now. You’ll be surprised how much better you’ll breath and sleep and possibly ease those springtime allergies, too.

Is Your Living Room Carpet Outlined Along The Walls?

Have you noticed dark lines along the edges of your carpet at the walls? Those are what here at American Cleaning & Restoration call filtration lines. Your home's carpet is much like a filtration system that collects dead skin flakes, dust, pollen, etc. What your air system doesn't catch, settles in the carpet as well as on the counters, drape and furniture.

Even what your HVAC system catches will eventually be broken into smaller particles and blown out, landing on the carpet, counter, drapes and furniture. This is one of the many reasons you need to change that air filter on a regular basis.

Air is forced into your home in different areas then settles on the floor into cracks or crevices. Most likely, your home's walls aren't sealed at the floor, most aren't. Then when the air is pushed in, it filters to the lowest point and leaves super fine particles behind that bond into the carpet fibers.

Even homes with radiant floor heat or other means of cooling and heating experience this. Each time doors or windows are closed and opened, there are changes in the pressure or the room causing this filtration process. All that stuff in the air lands and works its way to the edge of every room creating those dark lines.

American Cleaning & Restoration can clean your carpet and remove those dark lines. This will not only make your carpet and room look better, but make your home healthier and smell better as well.  Start your New Year off right and give us a call today to schedule a professional carpet cleaning.

After You Schedule Your Carpet Cleaning, Get Ready For Us!

The holidays are over, the kids are back in school and you're back at work. Now is the time to get your carpets cleaned by a professionals like American Cleaning & Restoration. You are ready to get those winter stains out and your house smelling fresh again. After you call us and schedule that appointment, there are a few things you may want to do before we arrive.

Start by vacuuming as thoroughly as possible. This will help our technicians be able to do the best job possible if you have the top layer of dirt out. Next, note all the areas that need special attention, such as
specific stains, we will need to do pretreat those stains first.

We recommend that you schedule your carpet cleaning appointment when you won't be home or can leave. We are bonded and insured, so you won't need to worry about safety and security with us. Many of our clients leave a key and lock code for us, or meet us there and leave after we have arrived.

By following these few suggestions, you'll get the most of your carpet cleaning budget, which will give
you a pleasant experience.

Things to Know About New Carpet

Buying new carpet is an intense thing to go through. It’s one of the most expensive additional investments you'll do to an already expensive investment, your home. You want to choose the right color, the right fiber and select a construction of carpet that will bode well with your home's traffic.

However, when the big day comes to have it installed, there are some issues American Cleaning & Restoration believes you should be aware of that come along with new carpeting:

It Will Shed 

New carpet sheds, usually for about the first year. You will find balls of fluff here and there in the air or balled up on the floor. This is normal and with regular vacuuming, it will minimize the amount of shedding. If you notice a tuft of carpet growing, use sharp scissors and cut it off. Do not pull the tuft!

Buckling, Rippling and Wrinkling 

When improperly installed, carpeting may buckle, ripple or wrinkle. Should you notice this, call the carpet installer immediately to have it corrected. They will most likely have a power stretcher come out to correct the problem. Before they leave, check the carpeting for any defects.

Crushing 

Normal wear and tear and foot traffic as well as heavy furniture will begin to crush carpet fibers and this is normal. Some grades of carpet will crush easier and quicker than others. Frequent vacuuming of the heavy traffic areas will help keep it fluffed up and on a regular basis, move the heavy furniture just a few inches. You can also purchase froth blocks and protecting tabs.

Loss of Color 

The sunlight and cleaning chemicals will eventual fade or yellow carpeting. Avoid using harsh chemicals and use window shades to minimize the sunlight will keep your carpet looking bright and vibrant.

Marks and Stains 

No matter how careful you may be, what type of protectant you use, stains can happen. To keep your carpet in good condition, stains should be treated immediately. Services of a professional carpet cleaning service such American Cleaning & Restoration are always your best bet when the stain is deep as well as regular cleaning.