Why Should You Choose Marble Flooring?

So you’ve set out to choose a new flooring for your home, have you? Have you considered installing marble flooring in your living areas or entry ways? It’s known for its elegance and ability to elevate any living space. It’s an obvious contender. Let’s take a glance at why you should choose marble flooring in your home. 

It’s Stylish

To start, marble flooring is very stylish! We know this, but let’s talk why! Marble is available in multiple different colors, and even color mixes. You have plenty of options for decorating your living area and we know you’ll find the perfect colors for your home. 

It’s Polished

When treated properly, marble is silky smooth and shimmering. It’s a truly unique look that looks beautiful in flooring, as well as countertops and other spaces in your home! Keep it nice and polished (you can always let the professionals do this for you) and you’ll be good to go. Always make sure you’re using the correct formulas on your marble! 

It’s Easy to Care For

Our last advantage for you is that marble is relatively easy to care for as long as it’s sealed and polished properly. Just make sure you’re using cleaning formulas that are safe for marble, and you’ll be all set. You can also rely on The Steam Team to clean and polish your marble for you! Isn’t that the easiest option? We certainly think so!

The best news is, you can always call in the professionals. The Steam Team has all of the right products to clean and protect your marble flooring, countertops, vanities, and more. So when it comes to installing marble in your home and making all of the right decisions, don’t sweat it; The Steam Team has your back! Give us a call for all your water damage needs. We have been serving Austin, Texas since 1983!

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

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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.

Caring for Floors in Your New Home

Luxury Home Cleaning

Alas- after much anticipation, preparation, and hard work, you’re all moved into your brand new home. And you stand in the entryway, marveling at its immaculate state, you wonder… How am I supposed to keep my house this clean?

While we can assure you that this task is totally doable without the acquisition of superhero strength, there are still a few tools of the trade that we think you should know!

Hardwood

Well Friends, there’s no easy way around it: you’re going to be doing a ton of vacuuming. On the bright side, this is more efficient than sweeping, and isn’t as demanding on the body. You can use an attachment to reach dusty corners, or those creepy dark spaces beneath appliances. After the dust and dirt has been removed, use a spray mop to finish it off! Spray mops are typically lightweight and very simple to use.

Carpet

In addition to frequent vacuuming and spot treating, we recommend hiring a professional steam cleaning company. Occasionally, carpet collects enough dust, dirt, and general wear that it needs a professional’s touch: this includes expert technique, and professional-grade equipment!

Tile

Tile flooring should be periodically mopped with warm water and a cleansing solution, but in the interim, a dry dusting mop will be your secret weapon.

Marble

To maintain that new, spotless look in your marble flooring, you’ll need only two things: a soft sponge, and a cleanser that is specially formulated for marble/stone. With warm water, sponge away spills immediately after you discover them. With this habit in place, and frequent dust mopping, your floors should sparkle!

Don’t dwell on all of the accidents, spills, scrapes, chips, and scrubs that will inevitably take place all over the flooring in your new home. Instead, gear up to establish a thorough, effective cleaning routine to keep your home looking like the day you moved in. And of course, for a professional’s advice and expertise, contact The Steam Team today!

Indoor vs Outdoor Air: Which is More Polluted?

Steam Team Marketing Team at Trade Show

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.