3 Secrets to Keeping Your Carpet Clean

Carpet is one of the most widely used materials for flooring across houses and has been for decades upon decades. It’s comfortable and soft, making it perfect for areas like the bedroom, closets, and even living rooms. But- because it’s so often used in these popular areas, it’s also susceptible to all the dirt, dust, and grime that come with foot traffic (and lots of it). That’s why we’ve put together our best 3 secrets for protecting your carpet against those stains, spills, and even regular wear and tear!

Regular Maintenance

As with any other flooring or surface, regular maintenance is always the key to keeping things looking and feeling clean. However, with carpet, the regular maintenance may need to be a little more involved (especially with those extra feet running around). Vacuum multiple times per week, thoroughly, to ensure you’ve picked up those dirt and dust particles from the deep depths of those carpet fibers.

Periodic Maintenance

Another good way to keep the carpet clean and from being damaged is to have the professionals come out and thorough cleanings with their equipment periodically. Steam cleaning is one of the most effective methods for carpeting, pulling out each of those pesky particles with such strong suction.

Check Your Padding

One of the least known facts about carpet, is how much the padding affects its fibers over the course of its life. Without proper padding, your carpet doesn’t have anything to protect it from the bearing the weight from foot traffic. However, if you have proper padding underneath your carpet, it allows the fibers more cushion to absorb the force.

Not sure if your carpets need to be cleaned? Want a free steam cleaning estimate? Give us a call today! The Steam Team is always here to help.

How to Handle Fire And Water Damage in 3 Steps

Fires can be started within seconds and they spread even faster, devastating nearly everything they come in contact with. From personal belongings to fixtures and furniture- while so many things are left behind, it’s often a question of what can actually be salvaged and what could pose potential dangers. Fire damage is not easy to handle, but with the professionals on your side- we promise to make it as smooth as possible for you and your loved ones. Water can cause even more damage. 

Call the Professionals

Fire isn’t just dangerous because of the flames, it also weakens the structure of your home and leaves behind thick smoke and ash that can cause health issues if breathed in for prolonged periods of time. That’s why it’s extremely important to call for help when facing fire damage, let the experienced and knowledgeable technicians do their jobs. DON’T hesitate- call a cleaning and restoration company ASAP (like The Steam Team).

Record Damage for Insurance Purposes

As devastating as the damage may be, it’s always important to record every minor detail for insurance purposes. We want to make sure you’re able to replace everything that was taken with the fire and documentation is the best and most concrete way to do this. When you’re working with a professional restoration company as well, they’ll help facilitate this process so it’s not as overwhelming.

Be Safe and Step Back

Whenever near the affected area, wear a dust respirator (safety mask) to protect yourself against dust, smoke, and other dangerous substances in the air. Otherwise, try to step back and let the professionals do their job.

For over a decade, The Steam Team has been helping homeowners take back their homes after fire and smoke damage. We know exactly what to do, and we have the equipment for it, too! Give us a call today if you find yourself facing fire and water damage, we’re available 24 hours a day, seven days a week!

Steam Team: How to Properly Remove Smoke After Fire & Water Damage

steam clean austin

After a fire on your property, you’re going to want to take precautions to ensure the safety of yourself and your family. A fire can be a truly traumatic experience, so it’s important to take the necessary time to process, and heal, and think clearly. Also sometimes you have extensive water damage so taking immediate action action is necessary. 

First Things First

Once you’ve processed and you’re ready to take action, call your insurance company ASA! Inform them of the event and find out how they will want to proceed. Next, you’ll need to hire a fire-restoration company to help clean up and salvage your property. Since time is of the essence, restoration companies such as our restoration team here at Steam Team are available around the clock to get to work as fast as we can! We’ve covered some tips here on how to handle smoke damage after a fire. Before you do any of it, though, check with your restoration company first.

Ventilate Using Box Fans

Bring several box fans with you, and place them in all open windows to blow the air out of the room (instead of circulating it around your home).  You might need to double-check your window measurements beforehand, just in case they won’t fit. Once you’re all set, leave the fans running during all hours to ensure that you’re clearing out as much dust, dirt, debris and contamination as possible.    

Wear a Safety Mask

Don’t forget to purchase dust respirators (such as these by 3M) while you’re out getting box fans. They will guard you from breathing in contaminants at the scene.

Use the Appropriate Equipment

If you are going to tackle any vacuuming of furniture, carpet, or drapery yourself, use a high-efficiency vacuum cleaner with a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. Have several filters on hand and change them often.

A dry cleaning soot sponge helps remove loose soot contamination. Note that discoloration of porous materials is permanent. You can find these sponges online or at a hardware store.

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.