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 When disaster strikes, a speedy response can save you thousands in repair costs and lost items. If you have been the victim of fire damage, know that your best chance of recovery lies in Steamatic’s post disaster restoration service.

Though calling Steamatic restoration and recovery experts is your best course of action, there are still some steps you can take while you wait for them to arrive. It is important to know what jobs you can tackle, as well as the dangerous ones to avoid. Following these simple recovery steps will help minimize the damages your home may be facing, and will ultimately help the Steamatic team give you the best results.  

What to do in the aftermath of a house fire:

• Cover your carpeted traffic areas with towels or old linens. This will prevent them from being soiled additionally by worker’s boots, and will stop aggravated airborne soot from settling into these absorptive materials.
• Discard all open food packages that you suspect have been contaminated by smoke.
• Wipe down your porcelain bath fixtures to stop the onset of etching.
• Wipe down the leaves of any surviving house plants to remove any trace of smoke residue. The longer this residue remains in place, the more likely your plant is to die.
• Air out the house as much as possible.

What NOT to do in the aftermath of a house fire:

•  Do not attempt to clean any papered or flat-painted walls! Doing so without professional tools and experience can ruin your walls and compound residual soot issues.
• Do not try cleaning carpets yourself! Covering clean carpets is advised, but amateur carpet cleaning attempts can lodge the soot stains deeper in the fabric.
• Do not attempt to clean soiled upholstery, as you risk exacerbating the problem without knowledge of professional techniques.  

 Following these simple steps will help you minimize damages and cultivate the perfect conditions for the best possible recovery results. Contact Steamatic at 1-888-767-7616 today!

 There are a number of high-risk areas for mold and mildew growth inside the home. The bathroom is especially vulnerable because of shower and steam-related humidity. To stop bathroom mold and mildew growth in its tracks, follow these simple Steamatic mold prevention tips!

•   Always ensure your bathroom stays well ventilated, especially when showering. An exhaust fan will circulate the air to rob moisture and humidity of the chance to fester and mold.
   
• Spread your towels and bathrobes out after each use to keep them from getting musty.
   
• Reduce the number of containers you keep in your shower for easy cleaning and to encourage circulation.
   
• Wipe your shower down with either a towel or squeegee after your last shower of the day.
   
• Opt for fast-drying and easy-to-clean shower curtains. This will keep them from building up soap residue, which mold uses to grow.
• Wash any mildewed fabric shower curtains using a solution of 1/2 cup liquid disinfectant and 1 gallon of clean, hot water. Rinse this solution off using one cup of lemon juice and one cup of salt mixed into another gallon of clean, hot water. Finally, rinse your curtain with clean water and spread out well to allow for an efficient dry.

 Pets can ruin furniture in a number of ways. Though we may treat our little creatures like our children, all of the love and affection in the world cannot undo the scratches, left-over pet dander, and fecal stains left by our pets. Unfortunately, damages caused by scratching and clawing cannot be undone despite our best efforts. In an effort to prevent homeowners from suffering expensive damages, Steamatic has compiled 4 simple tips to help keep your pets off of your furniture.

Invest in commercial pet-protection covers.

Many pet stores will sell products designed specifically to keep your pets off of your furniture. These are an excellent choice, and can provide peace of mind to home owners who have to commute into work and leave their restless pet behind. If you would rather not spend extra money, covering your furniture with plastic, blankets, or bed sheets is an effective scratch-prevention method, though staining can still penetrate the non-plastic options.

Use strips of double-sided tape on claw-contact areas.

Double-sided tape is an effective and low-cost solution for most scratch damages. Place two strips along your furniture’s back, arms, and other high claw-contact areas that you have observed. Your pet will not like the adhesive sensation, and will avoid climbing wherever the tape is lain. Skip this method if you have leather furniture, as the adhesive can damage these surfaces.

Lay aluminum foil on your pet’s furniture hang-out spot.

The constant sound of rustling aluminum foil can aggravate your pet and cause them to pick up and move off of your furniture.

Keep cats at bay with citrus smells.

Most cats dislike the smell of orange peels, so leaving some dried orange peel or zest on your furniture can help reinforce your pet’s training.

These 4 simple solutions are effective, but are all a bit of an eye sore. For this reason, they should all be treated as temporary measures until your pet’s training program is finished. If you run into trouble along the way and have pet dander and stains to deal with, Steamatic’s professional furniture and drapery cleaning services can certainly help!

 Fire damage can change your life in an instant, and while Steamatic’s smoke and fire restoration services are top of the line, the best thing you can do is prevent the fire starting in the first place. Read on for some basic fireplace safety tips to keep your family as safe as they are warm this winter.  

•  Avoid removing embers and ash from your fireplace. When mishandled, these often are the cause of house fires. If they must be removed, place them in a metal container with water, and do not dispose of them casually anywhere indoors or near you home.
   
• Exercise caution with fire salts. These create colourful flames when applied to wood fires, but can be problematic when used in excess. Also keep your young children away from these, as they are poisonous when consumed.
   
• Do not throw your holiday wrapping waste in the fire. These often have highly flammable chemical colours and textures, and flash-fires can occur as a result of their sudden and intense combustion.
   
• Always use a fireplace screen to guard against any flying sparks or embers that could ignite your carpet, furniture, or other indoor flammables.
   
• Never use gasoline to start your fire. These flammable liquids are often mishandled and a single mistake can set your home aflame.
   
• Never leave your fireplace unattended, or allow it to continue smouldering. Douse your fireplace with water to ensure that all embers have been put out before going to bed for the night.

 As good as a winter thaw sounds, this time is year is notorious for causing flood damage in the home. Snow and ice piles are stacked high, and when they start to thaw there will be a significant amount of displaced water moving in and around your home. Read on to learn some simple steps you can take around the inside and outside of your home to ensure you stay flood-free during the glorious winter thaw!

Outdoor upkeep for flood-free homes:

• Take time to seal all openings that could be invaded by thawing snow. Cracks and openings in walls, floors, windows, and foundations should be treated. Seal all window wells too.
   
• Clean out your eavestrough and downspouts to ensure proper drainage. As snow and ice melts off of your roof, your gutters will be put to work.
   
• Ensure all downspouts are draining correctly. It is recommended that water is diverted from the home at a distance of two meters from the foundation walls.
   
• Bolster the greenery bordering your home. Aside from adding curb appeal, these plants will drink up rainwater and melting snow to keep it from touching your home.
   
• Clear debris from sewer grates and catch basins to keep water from pooling. Your home can’t thank you for this protection, but your neighbours certainly will!
   

Indoor upkeep for flood-free homes:

• Make sure all plumbing pipes are in good condition. You may need to hire a licensed plumber for this job. Check all sump pumps and their power sources.
   
• Install shelves in your basement if needed to keep valuable items off of the floor. If you have nowhere else to put your valuables than the basement floor, look into water-resistant containers.
   
• Don’t pour cooking oils down the drain. This can cause blockage. Wipe the oil up with absorbent materials and toss it in your green bin.
   
• Do not flush floss, condoms, tampons, Q-tips, or other non-biodegradable products down your toilet. Just because they are used in the bathroom does not mean they should be disposed there. Doing so will block the sanitary pipe and cause you all sorts of headaches.

 Likewise, the general wealth of online DIY information has inspired many home owners to tackle jobs they have no experience with. With the importance of duct cleaning for HVAC savings and indoor air quality being bandied around, fiercely independent home owners have begun to try their hand at DIY duct cleaning.

Steamatic professional air duct cleaning is a sought-after service for a reason. Home owners lack the skills, tools, and experience to get a worthwhile clean. While it may seem like a money-saving endeavor, by the time you factor in the time wasted and cost of cleaning materials you will realize that a professional clean would have been a much better option. This is especially true when you consider the quality of work.

Home owners lack the necessary tools and experience to get the job done right.

A brief evaluation of DIY duct cleaning articles suggests that home owners gather a brush to apply a mastic, and a screwdriver for their home duct cleaning attempt. These required tools should be the first indication of the low-quality clean a DIY attempt will get you. Consider the intricate duct network and sophisticated HVAC system, and ask yourself how thorough of a clean will you really get with a brush and screwdriver? At best, you will be able to clean the very ends of your ducts and change the air filter.

By contrast, Steamatic comes equipped with specialty tools like portable power vacuums, portable air compressors, video inspection systems, and a whole arsenal of duct cleaning accessories. We use an EPA-approved sanitizing liquid to clean every inch of your HVAC system from ducts to HVAC coils.

If you have visible build-up at the ends of your ducts, then cleaning these is the least of your problems. Visible build-up indicates a bigger problem, and a more thorough cleaning is required. In the same way that brushing your teeth does nothing for a lung infection, your DIY attempt will offer little health or money-saving benefits.  

Minimizing flood damages:

• Keep your valuables upstairs. Most flood damage occurs in basements and on main floors when appliances and plumbing goes awry. Moving your expensive belongings and important documents upstairs can be all the difference between pristine possessions and water-logged waste.
   
• Move your soft furnishings. Rugs, curtains, and other soft furnishing items should all be moved if you suspect flooding is on the way due to hostile weather conditions or malfunctioning plumbing. If left in vulnerable basement and main-floor areas, they will quickly be sodden and at risk of molding.
   
• Prepare for the worst. If you are anticipating flooding in your areas, buying sandbags and floor boards to blockade your doorways is an excellent investment. These will stop water spreading through your home unchecked.
   
• Secure your sentimentals. There is nothing worse than losing your photo albums or home videos to a flood. Indeed, these emotional losses can often outweigh financial damages incurred. Move all of these precious items out of harm’s way, as no amount of insurance can replace them.
   
• Keep a list of your contacts. Remember the days when you actually knew a handful of phone numbers by memory? Nowadays, with cell phone and computer contact lists, we rarely bother dialing numbers, but this reliance on technology can be a serious problem in a flood. Keep emergency contact information in hard copy somewhere in your house in case your cell phone or computer suffers water damage.
   
• Pack yourself a flood kit. This kit should have your personal identification, any medication you may need, a flashlight, change of clothing, handful of portable and non-perishable snacks, blanket, and map at the very least. This can be a life saver if you need to evacuate your home.

These easy-to-implement tips can save you big repair costs and prevent many tears being shed. We at Steamatic urge you to be safe, and to contact us to handle your water damage restoration work for best results. 

•  Keep all flammable items at least 3 feet away from your heating equipment, whether it be your furnace, space heater, or cookware. Many homeowners keep dish rags too near their stoves, typically hanging from the oven’s handle, and this can be a serious hazard.
   
• Never use your oven to heat your home. This can be tempting during especially chilly February freezes, but improper oven use is one of the most common causes of house fires, while also taking a toll on your energy bill.
   
• Resist your DIY urges and hire a qualified professional to install all heating equipment including stationary space heaters, water heaters, and central heating units. At the bare minimum, follow all manufacturer’s instructions precisely.
   
• Do not forget to turn off your portable heaters when leaving the room, and do not sleep with them on. Find another blanket or two instead.
   
• Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendation when selecting a fuel source for your heating equipment.
   
• Have your heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected annually.
   
• Inspect the walls and ceiling located close to your furnace unit, as well as the areas near your chimney line. If they feel hot to the touch or show any signs of discolouration, you likely need more insulation for your pipes, or do not have enough clearance space. Contact a professional immediately.   

• Make less work for yourself – The less dirt you allow into your home, the less vacuuming you will need to do, and the longer your vacuum will last. Lay mats at doorways and stick to a shoe-free policy to limit the amount of dirt tracked into your home. Do all of your normal dusting before you vacuum so that you pick it all up in one go.
   
• Maintain a cleaning schedule. A weekly vacuuming schedule is adequate for most homes. This schedule may need adjusting if you have pets or when talking about high-traffic areas.
   
• Use the right attachment for the job. Make use of the basic attachments included with all vacuum cleaners. Crevice tools are best for cleaning under big appliances. Use small upholstery brushes to clean furniture and mattresses. Round brushes are best for steps and windowsills.
   
• Double up on your passes. One single sweep with your vacuum will usually leave behind a significant amount of residual matter. Make the effort to make two sweeps, and you will have to vacuum half as often.
   
• Avoid small objects. It can be tempting to suck up tiny debris to save yourself the trouble of bending over, but this will ultimately just take up more of your time when your hose inevitably clogs. Don’t risk damaging your equipment and wasting time on unclogging efforts. Steer clear of small debris.
   
• Handle area rugs with caution. Improper technique can leave your expensive area rugs with frayed edges. To prevent this, vacuum from the center of the rug towards the edges.
   
• Maintain your equipment. Worn brushes can stiffen up, creating a coarseness that is not welcome on delicate upholstery and floor surfaces. Clean your filter, maintain your rotating brush supports, and inspect the extension cord periodically for safety reasons. Nothing slows down your vacuuming effort like an unexpected malfunction.
   
• Call in the big guns. Even the best vacuums cannot produce the results of a Steamatic steam clean. Steamatic recommends most home owners seek out a bi-annual carpet cleaning routine to eliminate the risks of pollutants and extend the lifespan of your carpets. Click here to learn more.
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While it is a good idea to hang up on these paranoia-predators, that doesn’t mean that all air duct cleaning is a waste of time. In fact, the reason these scam-artists have had so much success is because dirty air ducts do pose real problems. When done properly, air duct cleanings are an excellent way to invest in your family’s health, and can save energy costs to pay back your purchase over time.

Learn how legitimate air duct cleaning service providers like Steamatic can save you money and a stint of sickness with an affordable clean.

Better indoor air quality for you and your family.

It has been estimated that about 90% of our lives are spent indoors, the majority of which involves time spent in the home. A conventional six-room home can generate up to 40 pounds of dust each year just through everyday living. Dander, dust, and chemicals and re-circulated through the HVAC system 5-7 times each day, and this process can cause residual build up of contaminants in your duct work.

While dirty ducts aren’t a death sentence for most home owners, they do pose risk to those suffering from respiratory health conditions. You may notice a tangible reduction in sinus irritation and cold symptoms in the months following your Steamatic duct clean as well.

Enjoy energy savings to make your cleaning costs back.

Steamatic air duct cleaning services can save you serious energy expense. It has been estimated that over 25% of total HVAC energy consumption is “wasted.” This shocking figure is related to the accumulation of dust and contaminants that interferes with your home’s heating and cooling system despite the filters’ best efforts. A dirty HVAC system has to work harder, meaning you are stuck with a bigger energy bill. A Steamatic air duct clean should be considered an investment with a high rate of return, since a few months of slimmed-down energy bills will probably be able to cover the costs of your initial clean.
 

Visit our air duct services page to learn more about how Steamatic air duct cleanings can help you!  

Whether it's the elimination of soot from a fire, restoration after flooding or a simple carpet cleaning, we are ready to help you get started on the right foot.