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!

3 Reasons to Rid Your Home of Smoke and Ash After a Fire

House fires are devastating all around. You lose possessions, you take on structural damage to your home, and smoke and ash feel nearly impossible to get rid of! But with the help of a professional cleaning and restoration company who really knows what they’re doing, you can have your home back to normal in no time! And you definitely want to be hasty about it; here are three reasons to rid your home of smoke and ash after a fire:

Simply put, smoke and ash cause...

Damage to Your Possessions

Smoke and soot can cling to your possessions, causing discoloration, staining, that stench; ultimately the smoke ruins them. It’s important that you immediately contact the professionals for help with the cleanup! You want to make sure it’s done correctly, in order to protect the health of you and your loved ones.

Damage to Your Home

Smoke clings to walls, countertops, and flooring, too. The evidence of that devastating house fire is everywhere. But let’s get rid of it! The Steam Team can come in and effortless steam clean your walls, countertops, flooring, draperies- almost anything. Contact the professionals, like us, and we’ll be out in no time to help restore your home to its original condition!

Damage to Your Health

Finally, smoke and ash pose a health risk. Not to mention, smoked-damaged property slowly and gradually releases toxic gases and chemicals into the environment- that doesn’t sound good for your health, does it? Contact the professionals for help removing smoke and soot completely from your home.

Whatever the issue may be, The Steam Team has your back! From general cleanup and restoration to cleaning up after a house fire, we know exactly what to do! We also have top-notch equipment that we like to bring along; you’ll be shocked at our results!

Eliminating Everything from Mold: Remediation and Restoration

As we’ve previously talked about in other blogs, water damage can cause extensive damage to your property and belongings, often leaving behind mold long after it’s gone. Mold - it’s a scary wor

d. But, an even scarier situation if someone (or yourself) discovers it growing in your home. The perfect environment for mold growth is one full of moisture and humidity- the exact environment created by water damage. With mold, as with other contaminants, you want to take action as soon as possible to ensure that growth is minimized and everything is eliminated properly.

Mold Remediation

If not completely removed, mold poses several health risks to you and your family. The longer it’s left untreated, the higher risk there is of allergy-like symptoms to even toxic contamination, it’s better to not take the risk and ensure the mold is completely remediated properly.

The Steam Team will come in and inspect every inch of your home to ensure that there aren’t any spots of mold that have been left behind. However, removing mold is a dangerous job and should never be tried without proper safety equipment so no one is harmed. Professionals have the right equipment, gear, knowledge, and expertise to accurately remove and stop any mold growth from walls, floors, and other belongings.

Home Restoration

After any sign of mold is gone, it’s time to begin restoring your home to its previous (beautiful) condition. Depending on the severity of the situation, the water damage and mold could have affected the structure of your home- in this case, we call in the professionals to begin restoring its strength.

Restoration so often depends on each individual situation, but having professionals help you along the way will ensure that you’ll be safe and taken care of when all’s said and done. Contact us today for more information- for emergencies with water and fire damage, we’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Is it Time to clean your flooring Austin, Texas?

Floor cleaning in Central Texas

This summer, why not do something new, change something up, and refresh your home or backyard? Summertime is the perfect excuse to stain your concrete patio. Guests will love the new look, and so will you! Do you know about concrete staining? Let’s discuss the subject, and you can decide whether or not you want to spruce up that party section in your backyard!

Here are 3 reasons as to why you should consider staining your concrete:

# 1: It’s an Easy Way to Achieve a New Look

Concrete staining is an all-too-easy way to achieve a new look for your flooring. Whether it’s indoors or outdoors, it’s a simple process to apply. Simply sand down the concrete, and apply the stain. Professionals can do the job if you want to avoid mistakes- which we recommend. But it is certainly possible to do it yourself, and we’ll discuss that later.

# 2: Concrete Staining Refreshes Your Whole Backyard

Tired of that dull, grey patio space? We don’t blame you! Apply a concrete stain and you won’t regret it- your backyard will look fabulous and feel brand new. Because your patio is subject to the weather, applying a sealant is a great idea. It’ll help the stain to last longer!

# 3: Concrete Staining Could be a Fun DIY Project

It’s possible to do it yourself, you just have to have the right tools and know what you’re doing. If the concrete is worn or uneven, sanding may be necessary and this can be tough on your body. When you apply the stain, if you’re dissatisfied with the color, you can simply layer the stain until you find what you’re looking for.

Though you could certainly DIY this project, calling in the professionals is also an option. Don’t hesitate to contact The Steam Team for a job well done! The best cleaning in Austin is at 9901 Burnet Rd. Austin Texas 78758 or call at 512-451-8326 today!

How Long Does It Take to Extract Water After Flooding?

We Love Carpet Cleaning 

We live in Texas, where flooding is unfortunately an all-too-common natural disaster. When your home experiences flood damage, you lose more than just your belongings. The structure of your home might be compromised, depending on the extent of the damage, and you’ll have to clean and sanitize everything once the dirty flood waters subside. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you begin the process of cleaning up after flood damage.

Water extraction takes time...

If your home or basement is flooded, the water cannot be extracted quickly. Only two to three feet of water can be pumped out a day, or else the sudden change in pressure might cause the walls to collapse. Wood floors will need to be dried gradually to avoid warping or buckling, and other types of flooring, such as carpet or vinyl, will need to be removed so the subflooring can dry out.  

Expect the mess...

The water will have left behind a sizeable amount of mud, as well as other contaminants. You’ll need to tackle the mud first, shoveling out as much as possible, and then proceed by hosing down the remains. Next, sanitize everything: glass and ceramic dishes and countertops can be cleaned in a water/bleach mixture, while metal silverware and pots and pans can be sanitized in boiling water.    

Watch out for mold...

Wear a protective mask to avoid breathing in mold spores. If mold and mildew have already developed on some items, clean them outside to prevent the spores from spreading inside. Walls, if soaked by contaminated flood water, will likely need to be removed to avoid health hazards and to ventilate the studs.

Contact your insurance company immediately to find out what they cover. You may want to hire a professional cleaning and restoration company to help with the process. The Steam Team is made up of experts who specialize in cleaning up after water damage, so don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re on call 24/7! Also for quick carpet

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.

Help! I Need A Restoration Company!

Water Damage Round Rock Texas

Water Damage Restoration Round Rock, Texas

Unfortunately, there isn’t any guarantee that water damage will be avoided in the future. Sure, preventive measures can be taken to decrease the risk, but water damage often occurs as a result of an accident.

The Importance of Proper Cleaning

We cannot stress enough how important it is that water damage is handled properly. It doesn’t take long for significant and extensive damage to happen from excess water - and, unfortunately, the longer the water sits, the worse the damage gets.

On the other hand, not only should it be handled properly, but it should also be done quickly - especially because of mold.

Mold grows and thrives in humid, moist, and warm climates (which typically describes the environment following water damage). The spores can multiply and spread faster than you could imagine - and are not easy to get rid of.

Hiring a Professional

Bringing in the right professional guarantees that the job will be taken care of effectively and efficiently. With their knowledge and expertise, going through the home and salvaging your belongings will seem infinitely times easier.

Fire Damage Restoration

In order to properly take care of fire damage, the professionals must be called immediately. From emergency services to a restoration company - you’ll need both to ensure the fire is extinguished and the structure is properly cleaned and restored.

Fire, Smoke, Water Damage

Generally speaking, in most cases, where there is fire damage - there’s likely to be smoke and water damage. With that in mind, it’s important to find a restoration company that specializes in handling both types of damage.

In order to extinguish a fire - no matter how large or how small - water is used at a high pressure. Water damage can cause serious problems to your home or business. Call 512-451-8326 today. 

So, next time you hear of someone struggling with damage to their home, give us a call (any hour of the day, any day of the week)!