Signs That It Is Time For An Air Duct Cleaning

4/27/2017 (Permalink)

Dirty Air Duct

The air duct system is an important system of the house because it is responsible for air circulation and distributing the heating and cooling throughout the house.  Like most household systems, air ducts need to be cleaned and maintained every now and then to ensure that it continues to function properly and efficiently.  Air ducts do not need to be cleaned as often as other areas of the home but it is beneficial for homeowners to be aware of when they need to be cleaned.  The following are common signs that it is time to get your air ducts professionally cleaned.

Mold or Mildew

If you notice mold or mildew growing anywhere in your home or within the air duct system, it is a good idea to have the air ducts cleaned.  Mold produces spores that spread to other areas by traveling through the air and they can very easily end up within the air duct system where they can get distributed throughout the house or cause mold to grow within the ducts.  Having your air ducts cleaned after eliminating a mold problem will help ensure that the mold growth does not reoccur.

Health and Respiratory Problems

Over time, dirt, dust, and other debris accumulate within the air ducts and end up getting distributed back into the breathing air of the home when the heat or air conditioner kicks on.  Breathing in this debris can lead to allergic reactions such as coughing, runny noses, or trouble breathing and it can also trigger asthma attacks and other more serious health problems.  If people within your home are experiencing these symptoms on a more consistent basis, cleaning the air ducts could help alleviate the symptoms.

Excess Dust and Debris from the Registers

The accumulated dust and debris within an air duct system can reach up to almost 40 pounds on average over the course of one year and this excess dust might gather around the vents or be released back into the breathing air.  If you notice excessive dust build up in the vents and registers, it may be beneficial to have the air ducts cleaned.

Reduced Efficiency

As the dirt and debris builds up in the air ducts, it contaminates the component parts and slows the air flow, forcing the system to work harder to circulate air.  This not only decreases the energy efficiency of the system leading to higher bills, but also increases the risk of breaking down.  If you notice that the heating or cooling is turning on more than normal or that your energy bills have increased, it may be necessary to have your air ducts cleaned.

It is easy for homeowners to forget about their air ducts but it is important to look out for these signs to make sure you have your air ducts professionally cleaned when it is needed.  Professional air duct cleaning can improve the indoor air quality of your home and the energy efficiency of the HVAC system.  Contact a SERVPRO of McAllen to have the air ducts in your home professionally cleaned.

Restore your Carpet with These Spring Carpet Cleaning Tips

4/24/2017 (Permalink)

Carpet Cleaning in Process

During the winter, people close their homes to keep out the cold weather and heat their homes more efficiently. However, with your home closed up, dirt, dust mites, and other airborne debris will circulate through the home and settle into the carpet. By the time the spring arrives, your carpet is full of dirt and debris from the winter that needs to be removed. This is why carpet cleaning should be part of your spring cleaning effort. Effective carpet cleaning will remove the debris that has been accumulating in your carpet all winter and help restore its look. Removing this debris from your carpet will also contribute to a healthier environment in your home. As you begin spring cleaning in your home, make sure you work in the following carpet cleaning tips to clean and restore your carpeting. If you would like additional help cleaning your carpet, you can always call a professional for carpet cleaning services. spring-carpet-cleaning Start by Vacuuming Hopefully, you have been vacuuming your carpet regularly throughout the winter. Regular vacuuming is the most effective way to maintain your carpet and remove much of the embedded debris from the fibers. By removing the embedded dirt and debris, you can prevent your carpet from deteriorating or looking discolored. You must continue to vacuum your carpet regularly in the spring and throughout the year to keep it in good shape. Vacuuming does not remove everything though which is why you should consider annual professional carpet cleaning. Use Welcome Mats One way to protect your carpet from dirt and debris is to prevent the dirt from being tracked into your home in the first place. Placing welcome mats by every entrance will encourage people to wipe their feet when they enter your home, reducing the dirt and debris being dragged in. People will be walking in and out of your home more frequently in the spring and summer so make sure you have your welcome mats in place. Remove Stains Carpet stains are tough to remove and using an over-the-counter carpet stain remover can be damaging to your carpet if you don’t use it properly. There are a couple of ways you can try removing carpet stains yourself without risking damage to the carpet. Try treating the stains with a solution consisting of one cup of cold water and 1/4 teaspoon of liquid detergent with no bleach. You can also try removing the stain using vinegar and an iron. Make a solution that is one part vinegar to three parts water. Dampen a towel with this solution and lay it over the stain. Iron the towel over the stain until the stain transfers to the towel. If these methods do not remove the stain, you can call a carpet cleaning professional to treat the stain with their specialized products. Protect your Carpet from Stains Applying a stain protector will help you prevent stains in the carpet, but these protectors wear out over time. The spring season is the ideal time to re-apply a stain protector to your carpet. Restore your Carpet with These Spring Carpet Cleaning TipsClean Up Spills Quickly If something spills on your carpet, you must clean it up immediately. The longer you leave a spill to soak up in the carpet fibers, the higher the risk for a stain. Make sure you blot dry a spill as soon as it happens to prevent staining. Remove Odors Like other types of fabric, carpeting can absorb foul odors that can make the room smell bad. Fortunately, you can remove odors from your carpet safely using a mixture of essential oils and baking soda. Add 10-20 drops of essential oil to 16 ounces of baking soda and mix the solution so that the oils become absorbed completely into the baking soda. Sprinkle the baking soda mixture onto the area of your carpet with the odor and let it sit for 5 minutes before removing it with the vacuum. If the odors are persistent, you may need help from a carpet cleaning professional. Fluff the Carpet Heavy foot traffic and furniture can flatten or indent the carpet fibers which will make the carpet look worn out. You can fluff the carpet fibers using only an ice cube, towel, and iron. Start by letting the ice cube melt into the flattened or indented area. Once the ice cube melts, use a towel to softly blot up the excess water and leave the moist towel laid over the area. Turn the iron on a low setting and iron the moist towel until the fibers are mostly dry. Let the carpet continue to air dry and then fluff up the fibers with your hands. Call SERVPRO By working these carpet cleaning tips into your spring cleaning routine, you can help you improve the look and condition of your carpet. However, it is important to remember that while these tips do help, it takes professional carpet cleaning services to completely remove embedded debris and tough stains. Carpet cleaning professionals use advanced cleaning equipment and methods that are designed to lift stubborn stains and debris safely out of all carpet types. As you get your spring cleaning started, follow these tips to clean your carpet and call a professional if you need extra help.

Spring Cleaning in McAllen,TX

4/20/2017 (Permalink)

Spring is here

In an effort to assist McAllen residents with their spring cleaning, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 29 the city will provide trash bins at select locations “for those who cannot make it out to the Recyling Center or for those items that do not fit in the trash.”

According to a Wednesday news release, the city will provide six locations for residents to drop off bulky items, trash and debris. Items not included are paints, pesticides, chemicals, motor oil, construction material and electronics.

The event is free and only open to McAllen residents. Residents must bring proof of residency such as a Texas ID or utility bull. For more information, visit mcallen.net or call (956) 681-3111.

Roll-off bin locations:

Bill Schupp Park, 1300 Zinnia Avenue

McAllen Recycling Center, 4101 North Bentsen Road

Las Palmas Community Center, 1925 North 25th Street

Old Compost Site, 4101 Idela Road

Sundance Mobile Park South, 33rd Street and Erie Avenue

Development Center, 311 North 15th Street

Cascade Park, 1000 Bales Road

Unacceptable Items:

1. Paints,pesticides & chemicals
2. Motor oil
3. Construction material
4. Electronics