Carrara Companies Cleaning & Restoration Services Blog

Detecting Mold in Your Home or Office

Do you think you have mold in your home or office building?  The following are some tips that may help you by investigating that suspicion. There is a myth that every building has mold. This is only half-true, as every building has mold spores within the indoor airflow. This does not mean there is mold growing!  If a mold spore lands on a material, which supports growth, it can flourish. Keep in mind spores are the reproductive stage for mold, and need an organic food source with a moisture content of 17% in order to grow. The moisture allows the spore to absorb the food source, and since most building materials are organic, the mold cannot grow without moisture.

To start your investigating you should use your sense of smell and vision. Active mold growth produces a microbial volatile organic compound (MVOC), also known as a musty odor. If you smell it, growth could be present. After the nose test, use your eyes to look for any growth.

Some common areas in a building for mold to grow are:

• Attic space, with poor insulation or lack of ventilation leading to condensation
• Potted plants can be a good environment for growth.
• Leaky pipes in the home
• Is the basement humidity controlled? Indoor air humidity should be between 30 and 50%. If humidity exceeds 60%, it may pose a problem.
• A leaking roof

These are all areas, which may be checked fairly reasonably. If you think you have mold growth in your building, you should contact a professional for advice.

Cleaning Services Tips for Selling Your Home

A down economy hurts sellers when trying to sell your home. Making your home more desirable to a buyer can make all the difference, as many buyers today are not looking for the fixer uppers. Historically, the buyer will paint and change flooring after purchasing a home, but by doing a few small things as a seller, you can make your home more marketable.

First, have a professional carpet cleaning company clean all the carpets. If you have ceramic tile get a professional clean on it too, since having clean floor may entice the buyer as they will not think about replacement.

Second, have neutral colors on the walls. This may mean painting, but in the end, the goal is to sell. Your taste may differ from others, and a buyer thinking they have to paint, may be overwhelming.

Third, have extra furniture removed, as minimal is all you need. If furniture causing clutter it will make the room look smaller, and by having less furniture, the room appears bigger.

Finally, the outside (siding, brick) and the inside of the home should be clean. The first impression of the buyer should be a good one, and by having the outside and inside of the home clean it will reflect a well maintained and cared for home.

The cost of doing these is inexpensive and may help move the home to close quicker.

Best Way to Clean Outside the Home: Pressure Washing

Over time, mildew, dirt, and grime collect on the vinyl and aluminum siding of your home. Algae can grow not only on the shingles of the roof, but on brick, block, and wood as well. Oxidation may also occur on aluminum siding, due to the elements of the weather. These issues make the home uninviting, and may cause extensive damages.  A simple and economical way to help prevent unnecessary damages, which may lead to the replacement of the materials, is pressure washing.

Pressure washing is the application of water with a high-pressure spray. Using a specially designed pump combining water and cleaning detergent, the spray becomes over a hundred times more powerful than a regular garden hose.

There are two major misconceptions of pressure washing:

"Pressure washing is all the same - I will go with the lowest price."

This is not true. Some contractors bid jobs very low to ‘hook' the customer, then cut corners to save cost or do strategic add-ons.  After starting the pressure washing, they will point out extras which will increase the price of the job. Examples are: having the gutters cleaned, using special cleaning agents along with the water, covering the plants. This is something the customer assumed was included in the pressure-washing price, but not included in the low basic price.

"Honest companies should be able to give an estimate over the phone."

While this would be much easier and less expensive for us, it is not true. An honest company will want to come out to the home, to provide you an accurate estimate. There are many variables, which may affect the price of pressure washing. Landscaping, the amount of dirt, algae, mold, the type of wood (sealed or not), and is there water accessible onsite, are all things an estimator will need to see to determine the cleaning products needed, as well as, writing a correct estimate.

Many areas of the home may be pressure washed, such as the majority of decks, concrete driveways, porches, patios, siding, roofs, block, brick, and sidewalks. For best results and determination of ability to clean by pressure washing, you should contact a professional pressure washing company.

Mold Prevention in the Home

Several different elements can lead to the growth of mold; high humidity (relative humidity), water pipe leaks, flooding, mildew, leaking roof, condensation, poor ventilation, and wet materials. If you see or have these issues present in your home, you are highly susceptible to mold growth.

The bathroom is a natural area where mold growth occurs, with constant heat and moisture along with the lack of proper ventilation. Condensation has nowhere to evaporate and then absorbs into the walls, woodwork, and ceiling creating the perfect foundation for mold growth. 

Mold produces allergens, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances with symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash for allergic people.  Mold exposure can also irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of non-allergic people, and usually occurs once mold becomes airborne.

If you have a visible mold problem, first find the source of the water that is causing the mold to develop and eliminate it. Call a certified professional mold remediation company for an estimate and consultation for removal of the mold. Certified professionals have the experience, knowledge, training, and resources to identify moisture sources, evaluate the mold, and remove the contamination.

To prevent mold from growing in your home make sure that the home does not have excess moisture, and keep the relative humidity below 60 percent. Fix any leaks from the roof or pipes, and make sure the basement or crawlspace is not damp. Keep heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) drip pans clean, flowing properly, and unobstructed. Maintain your HVAC system with professional inspections and cleaning. Also, ensure that foundation has proper drainage to allow water to drain away and dry out.

Hot Water Extraction for Eco-friendly Carpet Cleaning

Today many people are looking for an Eco-friendly approach when cleaning their home. If this is something that you are striving for, why settle for anything less when it comes to having your carpets cleaned? With the many professional carpet cleaning companies in the industry there are numerous processes and even more types of chemicals that can be used.

What process is best?

Hot water extraction is the most utilized cleaning process in the carpet cleaning industry according to Cleanfax Magazine, the frontrunner cleaning magazine in the business.  Shaw Industries and Mohawk Industries, the two largest carpet manufactures in the world, recommend hot water extraction for the maintenance cleaning of carpet. Other processes include, but are not limited to, the application of moistened materials and chemicals to the carpet for vacuuming.

How can you determine if the process is environmentally friendly?

If the company is using hot water extraction and the water is hot enough, virtually no chemicals will be needed to clean the carpet. The water needs to reach at least 200°F to achieve optimal cleanliness. The extremely hot water penetrates the carpet fibers loosening the dirt, soil and grease while the vacuum extracts the dirty water.  Keep in mind, for every 15° increase in temperature the cleaning ability of the water doubles! Not all carpet cleaning companies can achieve this intense temperature level for cleaning and in turn, will revert to using chemicals on the carpet.

Consult your professional carpet cleaning company to find out what process they use to clean your carpets.

Beginning Steps to Bathroom Remodeling

Remodeling a bathroom can be an expensive endeavor, regardless of the size. Typically, it is the second most expensive room in the home following the kitchen. The benefit to this expense is that your return on the investment is approximately eighty-five percent, meaning if your spend ten thousand dollars; you will boost your home value by eight thousand five hundred dollars!

The first thing you have to allocate is a budget. After you have decided the amount you want to spend, make a list of what you would like to change in the bathroom.  Are you doing an aesthetic upgrade or a structural change? Is your list realistic to your budget? Look through magazines, visit local home improvement stores, even check on the internet to help find ideas for your updates. Sometimes the smallest changes make a huge impact. Changing the paint color, shower curtain, sanding and refinishing the cabinets, and even just new towels can transform your old bathroom into a sparkling spa!

Utilize your personal skills; you may be able to do some or all of the remodeling yourself. If you need to hire a contractor, be sure to research several in your area, and look at previous remodels they have completed if possible. Have the contractor provide a detailed estimate showing the materials cost and the labor separate. This will help you determine if the materials may be able to be purchased at a store other than the one used by the contractor for a lesser amount. If electrical or plumbing alterations or upgrades will be completed, confirm to see if any building codes need to be met, or any permits are required.

Now that you have the ground work completed you are ready to begin your bathroom remodeling project. Keep your project on track by using your budget and the list you made for what you want to accomplish. Never hesitate to ask your contractor questions, remember he is working for you. 

Upholstery Cleaning For Leather Furniture

When properly cared for, leather furniture can last up to five years longer than most fabric upholstered furniture. Two of the most important things to know: the grade of leather, and the finish applied to the hide.

The two most popular grades of leather used for furniture are top-grain leather and split leather. Made from the top layer of the hide, top grain leather is the premium grade. Leather, which is not buffed or sanded to correct markings with a smooth appearance, is corrected leather. Split leather, from the lower layer of the hide, is stiffer and less durable than the top grain, with suede and coated split-level leather used on areas of furniture not seen.

Four different finishes of leather are aniline, semi-aniline, Nubuck, and pigment-dyed. Aniline is a dye used to give the hide color without covering over the natural markings, while semi-aniline has the same amount of dye, and has a small amount of surface coating. Nubuck has a slight nap, creating a suede look (but more durable), but is treated with chemicals to resist stains and water. Pigment-dyed refers to leather with a coated surface, much like painting. Scratches are more likely to show on this type of finish.

Check the tag(s) on your furniture for the leather's grade and finish, as they will note the different cleaning agents and conditioners required. Before the use of cleaning or conditioning products, test a small inconspicuous area, and if in doubt about a spill, stain, or mark, contact a professional cleaning company.

To further help maintain your leather furniture follow these tips:

• Keep the furniture at least two feet away from heating vents, and radiators.
• Protect the furniture from the sun, keeping it from windows and direct sunlight.
• Dust or vacuum the furniture weekly.
• Turn and fluff the cushions weekly to prevent wrinkling.
• Blot spills immediately with a dry, white cloth.
• Do not place newspapers, or magazines on the furniture due to ink bleed through.
• Clean and condition the leather twice a year.

Mold Removal Outside the Home

Have you ever seen small dark spots on the siding of a home, which look like tar? If you have, or if you have it on your home, it is known as shotgun mold a sticky, artillery fungus. Artillery Fungi, is a dark brown spore packet that sits on top of a specialized cup-shaped cell, which accumulates water and cell contents. When enough liquid is accumulated, the cup inverts causing the cell to burst and ‘shoot' the spores as high as six meters! This fungus primarily grows in wet organic mulch and other organic matter when the temperature is between 50 and 68 degrees. The disk shaped fungi is very sensitive to light, which is why it shoots toward reflective and light colored objects such as siding, windows, and vehicles.

Although artillery fungi spores do not normally do any structural damage, removing the fungi is very difficult, and discoloration may occur. The most effective way to rid your siding of the shotgun mold is to detect it early, and have it professionally power washed. Certain cleaning agents, along with heated high-pressure water and scrubbing may do the trick.

 These helpful tips may keep your home shotgun mold free:

• Stir your mulch periodically to keep it dry
• Try to keep mulch at least 30 feet away from your home
• Use pea gravel, stones, or other inorganic items around the home
• Do not apply more than 2 inches of mulch

If you have shotgun mold on your siding, contact a professional power washing company for remediation of the mold.

Eliminate Fire Damage Restoration by Cooking Outdoors Safely

Cookouts are a summer time favorite among Americans and one of the most popular ways to cook food! During the many cookout festivities people forget about how dangerous a grill can be if precautions are not taken.  Approximately 7,900 house fires occur each year due to a grilling accident, causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in fire damage restoration. We would like you to enjoy your summer with multiple cookouts, please remember these safety tips:

• Grilling is for outdoors!! Keep your propane and charcoal BBQ grills outside.
• Keep your grill well away from the home, deck railings, and out from under the eaves and overhanging tree branches.
• Keep children and pets away from the grill area.
• Never leave the grill unattended while you are cooking.
• Keep your grill clean from excess buildup grease and fat in the trays.

For charcoal grills:

• Never mix charcoal lighter fluid with any other flammable liquids.
• When finished grilling let the coals completely cool before dispensing into a metal container.

For propane grills:

• Check the hoses each year for leaks by using a soapy water mixture. (bubbles indicate a leak)
• If you smell gas while cooking immediately shut off the burners and get away from the grill and call the fire department. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MOVE THE GRILL.

Preventing A Fire With Proper Air Duct Cleaning

According to the U.S. Fire Administration clothes dryer fires account for approximately 15,600 structural fires, 15 deaths, and over $99 million dollars in damages annually. The leading factor contributing to the clothes dryer fire is "failure to clean".  Surprisingly, the majority of these fires could be prevented with a simple phone call to a professional air duct cleaning company. Annual cleanings of your dryer vent allows proper airflow from the dryer to the outside of the home. If lint and debris are blocking the pathway the hot air has nowhere to escape.

The following are some other helpful tips for your dryer:

• Install metal dryer ducts rather than foil or plastic ducts which may sag and collect lint easier. Also, if a fire were to start in the duct, metal is more likely to contain the fire than the foil or plastic.
• If your clothes are going through two or three cycles to dry you should call a professional air duct cleaning company to come out and rid your dryer vent of the built up lint and debris.
• Clean under and around your dryer to get rid of any lint that has accumulated.
• Clean the lint filter after every dryer cycle.
• If you have clothing with volatile chemicals (gasoline, cooking oils, cleaning agents) wash the clothing more than once to minimize the amount of the chemicals on the clothing and line dry them rather than placing them in the dryer.
• Do not operate the dryer without being home.

If you have any questions, or if you would like to have someone look at your dryer vent call your professional air duct cleaning company.