5 Reasons You Need Professional Fire Damage Restoration

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If a fire has occurred in your home or business and the firefighters have just finished putting it out, you’ll need to have it professionally cleaned and restored, and you’ll probably need it very quickly. You might be thinking you can go in and handle the job yourself, but here are 5 things you should know about if you’re thinking of attempting this.

Immediate Dangers

If you enter a fire-damaged property, there’s likely still smoke in the air inside the building. By entering, you’re putting yourself at risk of irritation to the eyes, throat and nose, and possibly nausea due to the odor of the smoke.

Dangers in the Long-Term

By exposing yourself to smoke inside the property, you could potentially increase your chances of negative long term effects like developing cardiovascular diseases. It's important to know what’s at risk when inhaling smoke.

Hazardous Chemicals

What makes the smoke even more dangerous is that you may not know the source. In many homes, there are cleaning products or other harsh chemicals that could have combusted during the fire or mixed in such a way that they become toxic to inhale.

Vulnerable Immune Systems

Anyone with a weakened immune system such as infants, children or the elderly are at even higher risk of having negative reactions to smoke and soot. Keep anyone with a weakened immune system far away from the property in the aftermath of a fire.

Carbon Monoxide

And perhaps the most immediate and obvious threat, if you enter the property and it's filled with smoke, you could suffer from a lack of oxygen and experience carbon monoxide poisoning, which could cause you to pass out.

The Steam Team

But none of these dangers will be a problem for you or your family at all if you call in The Steam Team! Our professional technicians are trained and given the right equipment to enter these fire-damaged properties and completely clean and restore them. For more information about our cleaning services, please visit The Steam Team website.

Indoor vs Outdoor Air: Which is More Polluted?

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It may be difficult to believe that the air you breathe indoors may be more polluted than the air you’d encounter outdoors. This fact is absurd, and only grows more unsettling as we consider that the amount of time we spend indoors versus outdoors is only increasing. All of this may leave us wondering where we can escape to, or at least what can be done to increase air quality. But first, let’s take a glance at a handful of causes to these indoor air pollutants!

What’s Polluting Indoor Air?

1. Tobacco Smoke

Tobacco smoke is a major pollutant, and its second hand smoke lingers in the air far longer, only to settle onto every surface present.  

2. Mold

Mold grows in lickity split and spreads even more rapidly. If you notice a mold issue in your home you’ll need to act quickly! It’s a good idea to call in a professional cleaning and restoration service to ensure that your home is thoroughly treated.

3. Poor Ventilation

Inadequate ventilation is one of the most common causes of indoor pollution. This also explains why you may feel worse in humid climates, or in the winter when the air conditioning isn’t running as frequently. Be sure to properly ventilate your home by utilizing kitchen fans or other exhaust fans, air conditioning units, ceiling fans, etc.

What Can Be Done?

Indoor pollutants can put our health at risk by causing irritated mucous membranes in our eyes, nose, or throat, and an array of other medical conditions. Symptoms are often masked by colds, flus, and other illnesses.  The best thing you can do for indoor pollutants is to eliminate the source(s), and thoroughly ventilate your home.

For a professional touch, consider hiring The Steam Team to thoroughly clean your home and reduce indoor air pollutants!. In no time at all, we’ll have your home looking and feeling pristine and, most importantly, healthy.

5 Tips for Making Sure Your Home is Free of Mold

Certified Mold Remediation Austin, Texas

Mold can easily spread to take over our homes, compromise our health, and strain our budget. It’s worse for those of us who have allergies, asthma, or financial restrictions. The very last thing you want for your home and health is for mold to go undetected. But don’t worry; today the professionals have a few tips to help you detect and prevent mold growth within your home.

1. Monitor Humidity Levels

Mold likes to set up camp in wet, humid environments. It thrives and spreads the fastest in moisture. You may have a humidity problem if you notice condensation collecting on windows or walls. Dry these areas immediately and address any problems that may be causing them!

2. Check for Broken Appliances & Other Issues

It’s important to check your home for broken pipes, malfunctioning appliances, or puddles/damp areas. All of these could be creating excess moisture in your environment.

3. Dry Spills & Damp Areas Immediately

We don’t want to alarm you, but keep in mind that mold only requires 24 hours to grow! This means that all spills and wet areas should be tended to immediately.

4. Run Exhaust Fans While Showering

This is a very simple routine you can add to your day. Exhaust fans are installed in our bathrooms and kitchens to prevent moisture from lingering too long, so be sure to run them while you shower. Also make sure your shower curtain is adequate and not causing any water to spray onto the floor.

5. Call in the Professionals

Mold isn’t something to play around with. If you notice a growing problem in your home, don’t hesitate to call in the experts! That’s us, The Steam Team! We’re confident that we can defeat any mold infestation, no matter its severity.

3 Reasons to Clean Your Drapery

Window treatments certainly add an incredible appeal to your home wherever they are - there’s no doubt about that. However, they are also one of the most neglected areas when it comes to cleaning in the home. No matter the material of your drapes, you can guarantee that allergens (like dust and pet dander) are going to be drawn to them. That’s why it’s imperative to take regular care of your drapery. Well, that’s one reason at least - the others are to protect their lifetime and, of course, to keep them aesthetically appealing. So, let’s explore these a bit further!

Eliminate Allergens

Those allergens that we just talked about will only collect as long as you let them. So, put a stop to them! Keeping your drapery clean prevents any buildup of allergens and enhances the fabric to be vibrant and fresh.

Elongate Lifetime

Drapery and other window treatments typically have a certain sentimental value along with them. Whether they be family heirlooms, a steep investment, or anything else - it’s important that they last as long as they can, right?

Consistently keeping up with cleaning helps to prevent damage and eliminate buildup of grime. This ensures that the drapery will last longer and keeps it in better condition throughout it’s elongated lifetime.

Maintain Appearance

Lastly, but certainly not least - the aesthetic appeal of window treatments is one of the main (if not, the main) reason homeowners decorate with them. That’s why maintaining their appearance is almost always high on the priority list for drapes. The best way to do this? Schedule a regular cleaning!

There you have it, folks. Don’t ignore your drapes! Give The Steam Team a call today to schedule your next cleaning.