How to Protect Your Carpets From Water Damage

Whether you are dealing with a flood or some other form of water damage, it is important to take steps to protect your carpets. These steps include drying the carpets thoroughly, calling a professional flood response service, and preventing mold growth.

Scotchgard TM

Using Scotchgard TM is a great way to protect your carpets from water damage and stains. The protector will extend the life of your carpets and upholstery. Scotchgard TM is an invisible coating that makes it harder for dirt to attach. The coat also protects your carpets from wear.

Scotchgard TM is applied to your carpets and upholstery after cleaning. Depending on the amount of traffic, you may need to have the protector reapplied every six months. The reapplication of Scotchgard TM will preserve the “just cleaned” look.

You may find that you are not needing to clean your carpets as often as you used to. With Scotchgard TM, your carpets will last longer and be easier to maintain. This will save you time and money.

The Scotchgard TM formula is tested by the Environmental Protection Agency. It is safe to use and can be applied to residential and commercial carpets.

Scotchgard TM has a number of different products to choose from. Scotchgard TM OXY Spot & Stain Remover is perfect for cleaning up messes and preventing stains. It will remove tough stains without leaving behind a sticky residue.

Call a professional flood response service

Whether your home has experienced one small flood or a major disaster, it is important to call a professional flood response service to protect your carpets and belongings. These services can make cleanup and restoration easier.

Leaving standing water on your carpet for too long can cause mold and mildew to grow. Also, if the carpet gets wet for longer, you will have a tougher time drying it out.

Using a submersible pump is one way to remove water from your carpet. These pumps can remove large amounts of water quickly.

A wet/dry vacuum is another way to speed up the drying process. This can also help to prevent mold and mildew from growing.

A wet/dry vacuum is also a great way to get rid of excess moisture. It can also be useful for lifting heavy items such as wood furniture from wet areas.

Using a dehumidifier can also speed up the drying process. You may also want to increase ventilation in your flooded home.

One way to prevent such problems is to call on the help of a local Amherst plumber to fix plumbing leaks before they destroy your flooring.

Dry the carpets thoroughly

Getting your carpets dried properly is important if you want to avoid mold growth. The moisture in the carpet can be a breeding ground for bacteria and mold, which can cause serious illnesses.

There are several ways to dry your carpet, but one of the best is to get a dehumidifier. This will help reduce indoor humidity levels and speed up the drying process.

A fan is also a good idea. Fans can create air currents that help dry the carpet. They also help evaporate moisture, which is a big help if your carpet is still damp.

A blow dryer is another good way to speed up the drying process. This method is not as effective as a fan. It will not work as well if the carpet is placed underneath the fan. However, if the fan is placed on the carpet, it can help dry it faster.

A fan may be an obvious way to dry your carpet, but you could also use a box heater. Box heaters can help dry the carpet, but they won’t get rid of moisture like a fan.

Prevent mold growth

Keeping your carpets clean can protect you and your home from mold growth. If you’re dealing with water damage, it’s important to take action as soon as possible. Mold spores can be passed from one surface to another, and can cause serious health problems.

Mold thrives in a damp, warm environment. It’s not only harmful to your health but can damage your carpeting. There are several things you can do to keep your carpet clean and mold-free.

The first step to preventing mold growth is to understand how it grows. Mold is a fungus that’s composed of branch-like structures called hyphae. They produce tiny spores that can infect your home. The spores spread to other surfaces in your home, such as your carpets.

The hyphae also feed on dirt buried deep within your carpet. This can lead to premature wear and tear of your carpet fibers. It’s also important to clean your carpets regularly, to avoid mold growth.

How to prevent mold after basement flooding

Indoor exposure to mold has been found to cause different upper respiratory tract problems, wheeze, and cough even in healthy people.

A cracking foundation, humidity during summer, spring showers, and flood can all take their toll in your basement, particularly its moisture levels. And when there is moisture, you can expect mold to thrive as well.

To prevent mold after basement flooding, there are several steps you can take to keep you and your family safe from different health problems mold can cause.

Turn Off Electricity in Your Basement

Human skin, electricity, and water don’t play well together so always steer clear and switch off your home’s electricity before you go to your basement. As it will naturally be dark in the basement, make sure you use battery-operated and high powered flashlight. There are new affordable LED versions that can give you enough lumens.

Pump Water Out of the Basement

Pump out the water from your basement with a gas-powered water pump. While it may still leave some standing water on the floor, the water pump will at least let you step into your basement. Try fixing your sump pump then and let it pump out the rest of the water. You can also use dry or wet vac to pump out the water. Don’t forget to remove the filter of your vac if it got one since it is not meant to get wet and water will only ruin it.

Get Rid of All Wet Items

It is a painful step but is extremely necessary. Move all the stuff you have in your basement to a dry spot. The driveway or your garage will do. This is because you have to clear up enough space for the rest of the steps. Ask help from your family or friends for this step since you will move furniture or boxes. Working with several pairs of hands can get things done faster as you only got 48 hours before mold starts to grow.

Clean the Floor and Walls

Use soapy and warm water to clean basement floors and walls. Give them a nice scrub to get rid of any grime or dirt. If your carpet is soaking wet, pull it up and allow it to dry separately by placing it outside or in your garage. You will also want to pull up the padding as it can act like a large sponge and hold up lots of water. Form a tent with the pads and carpets for air to travel over on both sides.

Allow Air to Move Around and Eliminate Excess Moisture

After you removed all water from your basement, you should allow air to move around to get rid of excess moisture. You can expect the fastest results from industrial blowers. But, if you are on a tight budget, fans will do as long as they are powerful enough and are close to your floor. You can use a dehumidifier to wick excess moisture from air. Make sure you change the dehumidifier fan on a regular basis since a flooded basement can create lots of air moisture and this pan may fill up quickly.

A wet and moldy basement could be a sign of more significant problems. In that case, contact a foundation repair specialist in Cleveland, Ohio for assistance.

Why It’s Important to Have Carpets Cleaned When Moving Into a Home

Purchasing a new home is definitely something that you should celebrate, but it may also mean lots of work to do. Between cleaning, organizing, painting, and moving, everything is a bit overwhelming. But, there’s no better time to get your new home in great condition. Having your carpet cleaned before moving in can ensure that your house is clean, sanitized, and fresh from the start.

Below are some of the reasons why you should never neglect the importance of cleaning carpets when moving into a new home:

Free from Stain, Odor, and Bacteria

You can’t be sure of what’s in carpets, no matter how clean your home appears once you purchase it. It’s essential to have your carpets cleaned to make sure that they’re free of bacteria, stains, and odors, particularly if the home your moving into belonged to smokers or pet owners. Clean carpets will provide you peace of mind knowing that your carpets in your new house are free of dirt, germs or bacteria. You will also love the thought that your carpets are properly sanitized before using them.

No Furniture to Deal with

For beginners, it’s much simpler to clean when you don’t need to move various pieces of furniture. When your furniture is moved in, areas under your furniture won’t get cleaned and it will not feel fresh once you cleaned the carpet before moving furniture in.

Lessens the Work for You

You do not want to add another thing to your never-ending to-do list. Instead of renting a carpet cleaning unit, why not make everything easy for you by hiring carpet cleaners? These professionals can visit your place and clean your carpets properly and thoroughly. Through hiring carpet cleaner, you can be assured that your carpets aren’t just cleaned, but they’re super neat and free from any dirt particles.

Clean homes start with clean and fresh carpets and floors. Although the thought of carpet cleaning may seem daunting, it doesn’t need to be. Hiring professional carpet cleaners will take the stress off of you and would provide you more time to do and focus on organizing and unpacking all your things for your new home.

Remember that clean home starts with clean carpets. Don’t make your life complicated by dealing with carpet cleaning. Save yourself from the hassles and enjoy your new home with clean carpets. Professional carpet cleaners will do the job for you and will save you from doing extra efforts on cleaning carpets.

There are other perks of getting your carpets cleaned before moving in. However, when hiring a carpet cleaner, make sure to choose the one that is reputable and reliable. Never choose the one with the cheapest rate because more often than not, they provide poor quality service. If you want to get the best value of your investment, settle with the carpet cleaners that are renowned for their good reputation and outstanding carpet cleaning service around your local area.

In addition to hiring a trusted carpet cleaner, we also recommend calling on one of the one of the top moving companies in Amherst, NY.

Effectively Remove Moisture From Your Basement

Rain and flash floods don’t only pose risk to your safety because it can also potentially cause serious water damages to your house. There are times when your sump pump might not be able to keep up with the rain and water ends up accumulating in your basement. Storms can clog your storm drain as well, allowing the storm water to backup into your house that can cause a flood.

Knowing how to get rid of water in your basement is the first thing you should know to avoid having an instant swimming pool in this unlikely part of your home. Sadly, you should wait for the rain to stop so that you can deal with this damaging and messy aftermath.

Cut Off the Power

Before anything else, turn off the power on the floor where water gathered. You have to do this before you even set foot in the room because the last thing you want is to end up electrocuted. After turning off the power, protect your feet by wearing closed toed shoes.

Find the Source

To efficiently and quickly remove water from your basement, you have to determine the how the water got into your house in the first place. Make sure you check your basement floor drain to know if it got clogged during the flood. If ever this is the case, you should unclog it to give the water a place to escape.

If you don’t have a basement drain, you can use a pool pump, dry/wet shop vacuum, or sump pump to get rid of the water. The water amount present will help you determine what you should use to remove the water. In case the water is more than 6 inches deep, you can contact a water removal company as they can help you get rid of the water.

It could also be that you have foundation damage that requires basement crack repair by a professional contractor.

Check the Damages

If you still need some items that were submerged in water, allow 48 hours for them to completely dry out. Put the water logged items outdoors or in a properly ventilated area to dry if possible. Check the items after 48 hours to ensure that bacteria or mold will not grow or develop on them. When the item looks damaged beyond use or repair, throw it in the trash. Tear up the carpeting in the basement if there is any. Most of the time, water will cause permanent damage on the carpet and you have to tear and replace it.

Drying Time

Prior to cleaning your basement, wait for several days for it to completely dry out. See to it that you open as many windows and doors to allow fresh air to enter and help dry the place faster. You can also use a dehumidifier and fans to speed up the process but ensure that you empty the dehumidifier on a regular basis.

Cleaning

Wash the floors and walls to remove dirt, mud, and other debris that the water left behind. Any damaged drywall and insulation could spread mold and you have to throw them away. Use an anti-mildew spray once everything has completely dried out.

While removing moisture can provide temporary relief, it may not prevent future water damage. If you believe foundation issues are leading to basement moisture contact our proud partners Detroit Foundation Repair for a free estimate.

How to prepare your carpets for professional cleaning

Carpets are one of the most important elements that help in enhancing the beauty, looks and elegance of any home as it is available in a wide range of colors, designs, shapes and sizes that can complement the look of any place. But with regular use carpets tend to get dirty due to dirt, dust, stains or any other contaminants that might damage the look of your exotic carpets.

Therefore, it is very important for you to hire experienced and trained carpet cleaners who will clean your carpets professionally. This is especially important because the carpets of your home can look dirty and grungy over time as dirt and dust gets accumulated on the fibers of the carpets that need the assistance of a professional carpet cleaning service.

Ways to prepare your carpets for cleaning

It is important to get your carpets cleaned regularly because it might attract a large amount of dust and dirt which might make the carpets to look unattractive. Therefore, the most important thing that you will need to do is to look for the most effective and affordable carpet cleaning method that you need to opt for so that you can get the desired results.

There are different methods that include vacuuming, shampooing, steam cleaning and dry cleaning which can be selected according to the carpet materials and your budget. Moreover you will also need to select experienced, skilled and trained professionals from a reliable and

reputable carpet cleaning company.

But firstly you will need to the price of their services so that your carpet can be cleaned in affordable prices so that you will not have to spend your hard earned money on getting the carpets cleaned.

Important tips for carpet cleaning

After hiring professional carpet cleaners, you will also need to rent the machine that will help in getting your

carpets cleaned because buying a machine might not be a cost effective option.

If you want get professionally cleaned carpets, you will need to ask the professionals to use good quality chemicals and right methods so that deep cleaning of the carpet can be achieved. You should never consider using harsh chemicals for cleaning the carpets because it might damage the delicate fabrics of the carpet. Therefore you will need to follow the right methods for cleaning the carpets so that it will adorn the beauty and elegance of your home.

How to remove spots and stains from oriental rugs 9-26-17

If spots and stains from food spills, foot traffic, and pet messes are obvious in your oriental rug, then it’s probably time for a deep cleaning.

You can call a professional and spend hundreds of dollars. Or, you can do the job on your own (but only if you’re confident) with two simple ingredients:

Water
Dish soap (we recommend colorless Ivory soap)

Do not use clothing detergent!

Follow these steps to have your handmade rug looking like new again:

Ready the cleaning solution

Fill a jug, pitcher, or garden watering can with a good amount of dish soap. Dilute the dish soap with cold water.

Find an area to clean the rug

We recommend using a driveway or other cement pad if you have access to one. Make sure the area is free of all oil and any type of vehicle fluids. Having those seep into your rug will only make it worse. Consider power washing the driveway.

Rinse the rug

Using a garden hose or power washer, rinse the rug with cold water. Spray the back side as well.

Start pouring

Pour the dish soap-water solution over the rug. Don’t be afraid to douse the entire rug, adding extra to the stained areas.

Scrub and scrub

Scrub the solution deeply into the rug, using a firm scrub brush or clean push broom. Make sure to scrub the fringes of the rug as well. (You might notice that a fair amount of yarn might be removed while scrubbing. It’s not a big deal.)

Rinse the rug (Part 2)

Rinsing is the most time-consuming part of cleaning an oriental rug. You don’t need a pressure washer to do this. Use a hose with a nozzle or your thumb to increase water pressure.

Rinse top to bottom several times

Suds migrate down the rug as you rinse. When there are suds only at the end of the rug, you’re almost done rinsing. Rinse the backside of the rug as well

(Note: Though you wet and rinse the back of the rug, you should never scrub it. The back consists of yarn knots that must be protected from possible damage. For this reason, you should also use a rug pad under a rug on any hard floor surface.)

Remove the water

Flip over a push broom or use a carpenter’s level or any other straight surface to push the water out of the rug. Repeat this step a few times. Use a wet-dry vacuum to remove the remaining moisture.

Let dry

Leave the rug out in the sun to dry. If it is cloudy, cold day, you can dry in a garage area using saw horses or PVC pipe (don’t set on sharp services as this will create creases in the rug). Flip the rug over occasionally. This will help the rug dry thoroughly. Sun drying will help to whiten your fringe, which is an added benefit.

How to remove carpet stains & odors with home ingredients

Crude looking carpets in your home are embarrassing and can ruin a good day. They’re an eye sore and oftentimes foul smelling.

You won’t want to invite over company, and you won’t truly feel at home.

There’s good news, however. You can remove stains, spots, and odors from your carpets easily, affordably and in as little as a few hours.

If you are prone to dropping food, you walk around in your muddy work boots, or have a pet that has been urinating everywhere in your home or apartment, we have a recipe to make your carpets look and smell great again.

It not only eliminates the odor, it totally removes all existing stains. It’s a really simple process, and stains that have been there for years will never return.

The best part? We’ll show you how to have a super clean carpet while only spending $5 in ingredients that you probably already have under your kitchen sink or somewhere else in your home.

Ingredients needed:

Distilled white vinegar
Tap water
Baking soda
Hydrogen peroxide
Dish soap

Follow these steps to restore your carpets and have them looking like new again:

Mix half distilled white vinegar and half water in spray bottle.
Soak the stained area with mixture. Don’t be afraid to pour it on. Get it soaking wet.
Wait a few minutes and soak up the excess moisture with a terry cloth towel. A terry cloth is very absorbent and pulls all the moisture out, but you can also use paper towels or a wet-dry vacuum to get the job done.
Cover the entire stained/smelly area with baking soda.
Mix hydrogen peroxide and dish soap (we like using Dawn) into a spray bottle. For every cup and half of hydrogen peroxide, mix in a teaspoon of dish soap.
Saturate the entire area. Don’t be afraid to cover it thoroughly.
Use a firm bristled brush to push baking soda and hydrogen peroxide/dish soap mixture deep into the stained area.
Let sit for 15 minutes, and use terry cloth towel again to soak up excess moisture. Do not use wet-dry vacuum at this point, because you do not want to remove the baking soda from the carpet.
Wait for the carpet to dry. This may take several hours. Use fans to speed up the drying process.
Once dry, take a hard bristle brush to the carpet and break up any ingredients that might have hardened together.
Vacuum the area to remove the excess baking soda.

Yes! Your carpets are beautiful again.

This process also works on mattresses, furniture and upholstery – if those happen to be funky, too.

Amherst Carpet Cleaners

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