Carrara Companies Cleaning & Restoration Services Blog

Carrara Companies Teams Up With Santa

In the spirit of giving this holiday season, Carrara Companies recently joined in the effort in assisting a local family in their time of need.

The McClellan family of Akron had recently fallen on tough times, including having taking custody of 3 grandchildren ages 1, 2, and 3 who completed a family of 8 when joined by mom & dad and their 3 teenage children already living at home. Life was crazy enough when in late October the family had a basement fire in their home.

As if having to live outside their home and provide for the needs of six children were not enough during the clean-up and repair process, smoke damaged contents in the home included Christmas presents that had been stowed away early for safekeeping by Santa’s elves.

In light of this situation, Carrara Companies’ owners Justin and Julie Sucato decided to help. Plans were put into motion to help with toys, clothes, and food for the McClellan Family. Next, the date was set for a surprise visit at the McClellan residence from Santa’s Helpers along with Santa Claus (proudly portrayed by 28 year Santa Veteran – Nationwide Insurance Agent, Rick Zivsak) following the move back into their home two weeks before Christmas.

On the evening of Dec. 17, the McClellan Family State Farm Insurance Agent, Jennifer Kaiser, joined Carrara Companies Vice President, Julie Sucato with her daughters, Olivia and Ava, help make the McClellan Family Holiday a little brighter by delivering food and toys just in time for the holiday! The smiles and joy shared by all was truly an example of what the holiday season is all about!

Radon Impacts Indoor Air Quality

When you think of dangers in the home or office, radon is not one usually on the top of most people’s lists. However radon is responsible for an estimated 20,000 deaths per year in the United States, with lung cancer being a known effect from exposure.

What is radon? Radon is an invisible gas, both tasteless and odorless. It is produced from the decay of natural occurring uranium in soil and water, and may accumulate in homes, commercial buildings, and drinking water. It usually gets into a building, impacting the indoor air quality, through cracks, gaps, and/or joints in the structure or substructure as well as hidden cavities and a building’s water supply.

The State of Ohio falls into the moderate-high zones for potential elevated radon levels. It is recommended all homes be tested for radon, and if in the market for a new home be sure to ask if the home as been tested. Although many homes today are built to prevent radon from coming in, it is still a good idea to have testing done.

Thankfully, testing for radon is easy. You can purchase a test kit yourself or hire a qualified radon testing company. If there is a radon problem, it probably can be fixed for about the same amount of money as other common home repairs.

For more information about radon, how to obtain a test kit, or find a qualified testing company, visit the EPA’s website along with the State of Ohio’s website.

Upholstery Cleaning Will Revitalize Your Furniture

New upholstered furniture can be very expensive. Considering people, and sometimes pets, sit on furniture it's no wonder furniture gets dirty. Even simple aged furniture can benefit from a good cleaning. Most often, once people have their furniture professionally cleaned, they are amazed at how incredible it looks!

Having your furniture professionally cleaned saves you time and money. Here are some tips to use in between cleanings:

KNOW YOUR FABRICS

Synthetic fibers (polyester, etc) are fairly easy to clean without ruining the color or fabric.  If however, your cushions use more than 50% cotton or if they use Haitian Cotton, you should have them professionally cleaned.  Certain fabrics require special attention to clean and are easily ruined using the wrong product.

USE FABRIC PROTECTION

This helps with maintenance and care.  Always clean spills or stains in a timely manner.  Follow manufacturers' instructions for proper care.

TURN THE CUSHIONS   

Change the cushions around from one part to the other in addition to turning them over.  Some cushions get more usage than others.

VACUUM

Do this weekly for general cleaning.  This will aid in removing surface dust and dirt.

AVOID SUNLIGHT & POLLUTANTS

Too much sun causes fabric to fade.  Also, proper ventilation can help your fabrics from absorbing airborne pollutants.

CALL A PROFESSIONAL

It is best to have a professional clean your upholstered furniture once every couple of years.  Experts recommend having this done rather than wait for your furniture to get visibly dirty.  The dirtier your fabric becomes, the harder it is to restore it to its original glory!

Why Is Steamatic Better Than the Rest?

How do you find a carpet cleaning company? Is your decision based on price, quality, reputation, or word of mouth?  All are great things to consider when selecting a carpet cleaning company to enter your home or business.

Like anything, research is necessary to determine the best fit for you. Personally, I live by the motto, you get what you pay for, and with that in mind I will pay a little extra to make sure I get the best service. The phrase, getting it done the first time, seems to be leaving many companies' business practices. 

Steamatic by Carrara Companies offers a unique process when it comes to carpet cleaning. Our patented process has a proven track record of getting your carpets cleaned, without the use of harsh chemicals. When cleaning, the hotter the water, the better the result. When you wash your dishes, you automatically know to use hot water, as it cleans easily and kills germs and bacteria. Carpet is the same - the hotter the water the better the clean, because every 15 degrees increase in water temperature doubles the cleaning power.

Most carpet cleaning companies use a system wherein water leaves the truck and travels through hoses to the carpet cleaning wand. Once the water leaves the machine, the temperature may be 212 degrees, but by the time it travels to the wand the temperature has significantly decreased. The Steamatic difference is our re-circulating system for the hot water. This means the hot water flows to the wand, and then is sent back to the truck to be reheated. When the steam touches the carpet, it is the same temperature as when it left the truck - 212 degrees.

With our patented system, Steamatic is a GREEN cleaning company for the simple fact less chemical is needed. When selecting a carpet cleaning company make sure you feel comfortable about them sticking by their word, and performing at the level you expect.

Carrara Spreads Holiday Spirit

While the most wonderful time of year has arrived, it has still been a rough year for the economy and peoples' spirits. In hopes of bringing back some of the excitement for the holidays, Carrara's sales team of Ed Duke, Eric Schlaubach, and Jim Dunphy will be out spreading the holiday cheer.

"We have had such a great year, we wanted to give back during this joyous season, and let others know there are still reasons to celebrate," says Ed Duke Sales Director for Northeast Ohio. "People tend to get so wrapped up in what's going on, it's important to remember to laugh, be in good spirits, and just have fun."

This season, the trio will be visiting a lot of local businesses and agencies with goodies in the sack, and smile on their faces. "I look forward in doing this every holiday. I just cannot imagine not doing it,"says Eric Schlaubach, Sales Director of Central Ohio.

Electronic Restoration & Data Restoration Made Simple

After a disaster, either from fire or water, many items can be restored. The key to proper recovery is a quick response. The longer the equipment remains wet or covered in soot, increases the potential for the damage to amplify. Once the damage has occurred, only a qualified restoration company should handle the equipment.

Equipment affected from water damage is at risk from rust and corrosion. The type of corrosion depends on how the equipment is handled after the damage. For instance, if the equipment is powered on before it has been properly restored; there is the potential for electrolytic corrosion. This happens when electricity passes through wet circuit boards, and will damage the equipment. The equipment must be disassembled, cleaned, and completely dried in a baking oven at 110 degrees for up to eight to ten hours.

Equipment affected from fire or smoke damage may be handled similarly, however soot settling on the equipment causes additional hazards. Since soot is naturally acidic, this acid will eat way the metal finishes and erode the connectors, ultimately causing the electronics to fail. Another consideration of damage from a fire is if the equipment was affected by direct heat. This could cause smaller components of the equipment to melt.

Once the equipment is has been properly restored, ensure the company doing the restoration tests it to ensure it is working. Even before the restoration company has restored the equipment, there is still a chance it was rendered inoperable before the restoration began.

Make sure you also know your insurance policy, and if any electronics are not covered. Many times people purchase an expensive electronic and not adjusting their insurance policy to ensure it is covered. Also be sure to let both your insurance company and the restoration company know before the process begins if any equipment is under warranty.

Fire Prevention Tips for Christmas

According to the United Sates Fire Administration (USFA), each year fires occurring during the holiday season injure 2,600 individuals and cause over $930 million in damage. There are simple life-saving steps you can take to ensure a safe and happy holiday. By following these precautionary tips, individuals can greatly reduce their chances of becoming a holiday fire casualty:

Tree Selection & Care

• Special fire safety precautions need to be taken when keeping a live tree in the house. A burning tree can rapidly fill a room with fire and deadly gases. Click here for a brief video provided by the USFA.
• Selecting a Tree for the Holiday: Needles should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch. Old trees can be identified by bouncing the tree trunk on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut too long, has probably dried out, and is a fire hazard.
• Caring for Your Tree: Do not put your live tree up too early or leave it up for longer than two weeks. Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times. Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent. Be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes near a tree.
• Disposing of Your Tree: Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood burning stove. When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly. The best way to dispose of your tree is by taking it to a recycling center or having it hauled away by a community pick-up service.
• Never Put Lit Candles on a Tree: Do not go near a holiday tree with an open flame candles, lighters or matches.

Holiday Lighting

• Maintain Your Holiday Lights: Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up. Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory.
• Do Not Overload Electrical Outlets: Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet. Make sure to periodically check the wires-- they should not be warm to the touch.

Holiday Decorating

• Use Only Nonflammable Decorations: All decorations should be nonflammable or flame retardant and placed away from heat vents.
• Never Put Wrapping Paper in a Fireplace: It can throw off dangerous sparks and produce a chemical buildup in the home that could cause an explosion.
• Artificial Holiday Trees: If you are using a metallic or artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant.

Blinds Cleaning For a Brighter Home

As the leaves continue to fall, many of us are preparing for the upcoming winter months and our annual task of hibernation.

Cleaning your blinds can be a small task that can make a significant difference in the way you view your inside months.  Window blinds and window treatments are designed to brighten up the rooms of your home, but when a layer of dust covers them, you lose the effect and create additional household chore stress. Here are ways to easily clean your blinds and create a positive environment in your home for the winter. 

• Dusting your blinds when you clean your home will decrease the amount of dust build up, thus making it easier to maintain.
• For small amounts of dust, using a moist cloth can prevent the dust from getting into the air and affecting your indoor air quality. Another inexpensive option, to clean your blinds, is to dip the cloth in white vinegar instead of water.
• If you are cleaning vinyl or fabric blinds, use a dry, rubber sponge to easily remove dust. If your fabric or vinyl blinds are extremely dirty, ask your dry cleaner if they specialize in window treatments and seek professional help.
• An important point to remember when dealing with wood blinds: be careful not to over saturate the wood slats. This could lead to water damage, swelling or warping.
• Another idea is to use your vacuum brush attachment and go across the slats versus up and down.

Finally, after the initial blind cleaning is complete, use a fabric softener sheet on them.  This will give a "fresh" smell as well as postponing dust build up.

Infectious Control in Commercial Buildings

Whether a health care facility, school, or office building, you should have a housekeeping program which maintains your location's aesthetics, but more importantly, ensures your building occupants safety and health.

Today, the concern is surrounding H1N1, or swine-flu, but can it be deadly? There have been several cases, some covered by national media, where is has proven fatal, however studies have shown the normal influenza can be just as deadly. Germs, bacteria, and viruses can be a threat to your facility, and need to be controlled in an indoor environment.

If you fear your facility may be at risk, or wish to be pro-active in your infectious cleaning, make sure when selecting a cleaning company you have first done your research. Is the company a janitorial cleaning service, or do they specialize in infectious control? What practices and chemicals are being used in their processes? If you do find yourself in need of a company which provides this service, proceed with caution. Don't get caught spending money and not getting what you actually need.

For more information about different infectious diseases, please visit the Association for Professionals in Infection Control, http://www.apic.org/ and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov/.

Fire Prevention Tips for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and if you are the host of a thanksgiving party then you must know you are bound to face a shortage of time when it comes to dinner preparation. This may force you to hasten cooking times, which can be dangerous.   

Due to the improper storing, cooking, and serving of turkey, sometimes the growth of harmful bacteria such as salmonella, which can cause food borne illness, may occur. Moreover, the chances of injuries and burns are increased.  According to The United States Fire Administration (USFA) cooking is the leading cause of residential structural fires on Thanksgiving.  

To assist in your cooking and serving planning, below are safety tips to remember when preparing your annual feast.

• Be cautious about hygiene and cleanliness while cooking, washing and storing eatables. Make sure the preparation area is clean and you have used a disinfectant before and after cooking.
• While cooking always check lighting and ensure there is ample of light in the cooking area so as to prevent you from cutting yourself or slip away with a sharp knife.
• Always remember to use hot hands or over mitts in kitchen whenever you are going to handle cooked in the oven or on top of the stove. This will prevent you from burning.
• Always keep the food which requires cold storage away from the food that need to be stored in hot to prevent any kind of bacterial growth in your thanksgiving food.
• Always put on a pair of slippers or shoes while cooking thanksgiving food so as to prevent yourself from any kind of injury resulting from dropping of something hot/sharp on your feet.
• While cooking food on the stove, always ensure the handles of the pans are turn off the side. This will prevent any kind of injury to you or to your family resulting from dropping of the hot pans.
• Do not leave stove unattended and be sure to have working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in the kitchen area.