Monthly Archives: May 2009

Ice Dams

Posted on by
Reply

An ice dam is a common problem of maintaining a building properly during winters in cold climate areas. This article explains what are ice dams, how do they occur, what can be done to prevent them and how to deal with them as they occur.

 

Ice dams happen when snow builds up on the roof of a structure with poor insulation and poor attic ventilation. Ice dams often cause leaky roof, stains and cracks in plaster or drywall, and other water damages.

 

The Causes of Ice Dams

 

Ice formed at the transition from a warm to a cold roof surface. Typically formed at the over hang (eave). Snow melts down from the warm area of the roof, over attic space, to the eave where the temperature is the same as the ambiant temperature, where it freezes. For ice dams to occur there must be snow or ice on the roof, and, at the same time, higher portions of the roof’s external surface must be above 32° F while lower surfaces are below 32°F.

 

How to Avoid Ice Dams

Ice dams can be avoided by proper maintenance and insulation. Heat loss from a building must be well controlled by checking the insulation periodically and confirming that it is properly laid out and not damaged. If wet, insulation must be dried out immediately and in some, more extensive cases, completely replaced

 

How to Handle Ice Dams When they Occur

 

 

First Aid

 

First Aid is required if an ice dam creates immediate problems such as water in the building or any other type of water damage. In this case, remove as much excess snow from your roof as possible. By doing so you will eliminate the cause of the ice dams.

You will have to create channels through the ice dam to allow water behind the dam to drain off the roof. Try running tap or warmer water into the drain to melt down the ice.

 

Preventative Measures

 

For longer lasting solutions, increase the roof insulation on both sides to reduce heat loss. Tighten up the ceiling air so no warm air can flow from the house into the attic space. This solution may create a structural stability problem due to increased loads on the roof so be sure to consult with an engineer.

 

Water Damage – Hidden Causes

Posted on by
Reply

If you want to prevent water damage in your home or office, you must first learn where to look for and what are the different causes of this kind of damage. This article covers the invisible causes of water damage, those that are a little harder to detect by simple do-it-yourself inspections. There is additional material about the visible causes of water damage that you need to read in order to fully understand the subject. A good understanding of the subject will not only provide you with great techniques to prevent water damage but also will help you save money and will keep your house in good shape, preserving its value for many years. While you can control some of the causes for damage, others cannot be predicted and therefore cannot be prevented.

 

Plumbing:

Plumbing equipment usually develops leaks due failures in joints or hose attachment.

Internal wall leaks are even harder to discover and can cause major damage.

 

Pipes

The common problems in pipes are blocked toilets and drains (especially kitchen drains), failure of garbage disposals, and roots in sewer lines .

 

Weather:

Unpredictable summer storms, floods, and other water accompanied disasters such as hurricanes, blizzards, and tornados are some more reasons for water damage.

 

Heating Systems and Air Conditions:

Neglecting air conditioners leads to poor performance, expensive operating costs and moisture issues. Moist cooling ducts promote mold and other water-borne bacteria.

 

Appliances:

Water heaters, washers, and dryers tend to crack over time, allowing water to trickle. Although these appliances will start leaking slowly, this leak can grow and cause a flood when completely failed. Hoses tend to deteriorate inside out, resulting in leaks as well.

 

Basements:

A wet basement is caused by moisture accumulations that drip through the foundations. When moisture evaporates, it increases humidity even if there are no leaks or standing water. Another common cause is condensation on the cold concrete walls and floors during more humid time periods.

 

It is recommended to inspect your home periodically to ensure that it stays in good condition and keeps its real market value. A periodic inspection will also help preventing high-costs restoration projects after water related disasters.

How to kill the bugs that live in your carpets

Posted on by
Reply

carpets can be affected in not only looks but they can were out faster due to bugs as well. The relation between Carpet Cleaning and Bugs are very strong. Protection against these bugs is a must for most people.For those of us with pets and children you need to take extra care to do the job right, don't take short cuts.  For great guides check out this carpet cleaning service website.

The types of bugs that live in most peoples carpets are fleas, ticks, dust mites, centipedes and bed bugs. Other critters like mold, mildew, influenza and bacteria are also very harmful for your carpets and can cause health issues.Take caution when cleaning with a steam cleaner, you need to make sure you never soak the pad under the carpets.  Be sure to always extract as much of the water out of your carpets to reduce mold and bacteria from growing.

If you have someone in your house that has bad allergies, then you should consider using a type of alcohol based sanitizer to break up dander and the like as well as pollen.

Essential Understanding about the Subject

The relation between the process of Carpet Cleaning and Bugs is very co-related. Through this article you can easily find out the relationship among them. Female bugs are dangerous for your carpet because they lay their eggs in the carpet. The female bugs can set down five eggs per day and five hundred eggs in their life time. The bugs do not shell like the ants and that make the Carpet Cleaning tough for Bugs removal.

Before you clean your carpets with any carpet cleaning machine.Always tyr to rake your carpet before vacuuming, be sure to use the most powerfull vacuum you have and not a cheap one.Carpet rakes are cheap and often times can be found for under twenty bucks.

If you are steam cleaning and not using any harsh chemicals then you need to make sure you are using hot water to kill off the eggs.We do suggest using high quality cleaning products and not an off brand.  Don’t go for the cheap stuff.  If you are interested in having a pro clean your carpets for you then consider checking out this local carpet cleaning site.  There you will find a wide range of local carpet cleaners in your area.

Removing and Preventing Black Molds From Coming Back

Posted on by
Reply

It is always tough to take control and fight black mold without the right information. Fortunately, there are many products on the market that works well when employed the right way. The problem can be remedied with the right Prevention, Protection, and Perseverance from your part.

Prevention is perhaps the most crucial step to stop the mold from contaminating your whole house. Before dealing with the mold, seal off the room and remove the things inside that could be affected with the mold.

Black mold infection can cause fatal diseases with the respiratory and neurological systems. Never attempt to clean black mold without air-filtering respirator, goggles, and gloves. Therefore, protection from black mold is very necessary. It even continues beyond our health as the rest of the house must be protected as well and thoroughly cleaned including the heating and air conditioning system.

Perseverance is very necessary to have success in eradicating black mold. Be alert if you notice some molds growing in one room, look at the other rooms too. Throw away seeping building materials that might be later contaminated with molds like concrete.

There are many strategies in books and services that provides us with methods on how to get rid of black mold. These resources instruct how to apply products and provide techniques for black mold removal. Never go back to the old days where detergents or bleach are assumed to do a good job. To stop the contamination, special methods must be employed to have success.

Take a peek at the best information for Basement Mold Removal with their corresponding Mold Remediation Companies to offer the mold eradication in your house.

Add a high UV florescent light to the contaminated area for a couple of weeks as a preventive measure after the removal. Remember that mold spores can be dormant after the precautions end to start a different colony. It is therefore crucial to know how to get rid of black mold by preventing them from coming back to your home.

For more details and techniques with their potential solutions, visit this site about Black Mold Removal and learn how to eradicate and get rid of black molds.

Mold Removal and Health Concerns

Posted on by
Reply

Mold and its effects that it has on the body have been well documented.  There are connections between many respiratory conditions and mold exposure.People currently suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are likely to develop lung infections if exposed to mold. And those diagnosed with asthma may develop a sever attack of asthma when exposed to mold. There is also evidence of mold causing rhinitis, urticaria, conjunctivitis and nasal congestion. All of these health concerns lead to the necessary mold removal. Some mold is easily seen, while other mold maybe hiding behind walls, in basements or around pipes. This makes complete removal of mold a challenge.

Now these tips are coming from an experienced water damage San Diego company.

Finding mold is not unusual because it is a common occurrence in nature. The molds you find in nature are part of what we call the life cycle. They are there because they are successful in breaking down organic materials such as leaves. Spores are what reproduces mold and it is also the way it finds its way into our homes and businesses. When spores are blown
onto a moist or wet surface they are able to stick to various structures and multiply. This is why moisture control in buildings is the essential element to mold control. Mold removal can be a daunting task once it has taken hold. And during removal, spores are released into the air, looking for
another target.

Free spores in the air cause health problems. These spores that are airborne cause the allergic reactions, irritations and can be inhaled into our lungs. Anything that spores grow and live on they destroy. Mold removal is a must. You may be able to take on this type of job yourself, but there are some steps you should follow. If the area infected by mold is less than ten feet, the EDA states you should be able to take care o the mold yourself. But if the infected area is larger, they do suggest that a professional should be hired to do the removal.

If the area is something you feel you can handle, there are a few precautions that you must do prior to the mold removal.First, you must protect yourself from breathing in any mold spores by wearing a device called a n-95 respirator. These do cost between 12-25 dollars in most hardware stores or online. Second, you should put on long rubber gloves.Do not allow your bare hands to touch mold. Third, be sure to wear goggles and be sure they don’t have ventilation because this will protect your eyes from the mold spores. Now you are ready to start cleaning. Begin by fixing leaking pipes and then scrub all the mold off with a disinfectant/ water combination or chlorine bleach/water
mixture. Following the cleaning, dry everything. Remember the important key is to control the moisture. If you don’t take care of the mold, there is a high likelihood it will return.

Follow these key steps as  they have been gained from years of experience as a mold removal San Diego company.

The History of Carpet Cleaning Machines

Posted on by
Reply

The very first of carpet-cleaning machines was first brought to light in 1869.  It was called the “sweeping machine” which was invented by Ives Mcgaffey.Not long after that, in 1901, Hubert Cecil Booth came out with carpet-cleaning machines with a British patent, which was a rather large horse drawn, gas driven machine.  This would often be seen parked outside of businesses that were being cleaned; the hose would be pulled through the windows of the building to where the carpet was to be cleaned.  Eventually the machines were made smaller and easier to use.  It would take a whole corps of people to move these large machines from one business to another

The first of portable carpet-cleaning machines came about in 1907, invented by James Murray Spangler.He found he was getting ill from the sweeping machine and went to work on fixing the problems of the dirt and dust being put back into the air.He was the first to use a cloth type filter with attachments for cleaning.  He got the patent for his “portable electric Vacuum” in 1908 and sold it to a gentleman we have all heard of, William H. Hoover.  Hoover® carpet cleaner are one of the leading brands sold still today; at one time or another every household had a Hoover.

The Air-Way Sanitizor introduced the first disposable bag “filter fiber” in 1920 in Toledo, Ohio.  This was perhaps one of the best parts of the carpet cleaning services machines invented.   Another name well known to every household is Bissell.Anna Bissell and her husband Melville ran a crockery shop in Michigan.Melville has severe allergies from the sawdust and Anna fought hard to keep the establishment dust free for him.  Melville eventually developed the first carpet sweeper which got it’s patent in 1876.He later went on to create carpet-cleaning machines, which incorporated the use of detergent and water to clean carpets.  These carpet-cleaning machines were introduced in the early 1950’s.  Bissell products are sold in more than 60 countries today.

Carpet Cleaning Technology Has Come A Long Way

The carpet cleaning machines have sure come a long way from the horse drawn-gas powered cleaners of yesterday.  There are carpet cleaner machines that area small enough to fit into a pocket now.  No home would be complete with out some type of vacuum or sweeper and for those tough stains you will find people using the ever popular steam carpet cleaners.

How To Care For Kitchen Stainless Steel Sinks

Posted on by
Reply

Normal 0

Stainless steel is a tough metal that looks great in a kitchen. That no doubt contributes to the popularity of stainless steel sinks, but they are probably just as popular because of their sleek appearance. Whether you’ve had a stainless steel sink for years or you’ve just installed one, you may want to know how to keep it looking like new, even after months or years of use. It’s not a fussy metal but there are some dos and don’ts when cleaning and dealing with stains. Below are some tips for keeping your stainless steel sink shiny and in good condition for as long as you own it.

Stainless Steel Dos and Don’ts

Don’t use abrasive cleaning products. As you may know, stainless steel can scratch. It may not scratch easily, but apply the wrong kind of cleaning pad or cleaner and you will leave marks. It’s best not to use harsh cleaning tools like scouring pads or steel wool, or abrasive powders. A soft cloth and the right cleaning agent is all you need.

Do clean with the grain. Find the grain in your stainless steel sink and clean with it. It’s easier to clean stainless steel, regardless of the appliance, when you go with the grain.

Do use mild cleaning products. Mild detergent works well for everyday cleaning and can really cut through grease. Baking soda picks up grime and removes odors. White vinegar or ammonia (applied to terry cloth) polishes stainless steel and can remove stains. Bleach can also help clean and brighten stainless steel. Just add a little bleach to a sink full of water and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Then, drain and rinse the sink thoroughly.

Do use rubber or plastic mats to prevent plates and pots and pans from scratching the steel.

Dealing With Rust Stains

If you leave cans sitting in the sink, for instance, you’ll end up with rust spots. So how do you remove them? Most rust stains will come out with a little cleaning and elbow grease. If you get one that refuses to come out, try mixing 1 part cream of tartar with a little lemon juice. Rub the mixture onto the rust stain. Depending on how bad the stain is, either wipe it away shortly thereafter or let it sit for a while, even hours, before wiping it off. For heavy-duty rust problems, you might try a little bit of lighter fluid, wiping at the stain until it comes out. This can be dangerous, though, so be careful.

Stainless steel is a wonderful metal with many applications. With the right tools, household cleaners and products, and some good old-fashioned elbow grease, you can keep your sink spot-free and shining like new for years to come. You can also apply some of these tricks and techniques to other stainless steel appliances, including ovens and refrigerators. Taking a little bit of time to properly clean your sink and appliances will save you time and money in the long-run, benefiting you and your home.

Window Cleaning Tips for Cleaner Windows

Posted on by
Reply

Initially, window washing seems pretty easy.Ask any teen to do your window cleaning, for pay, and they will gladly jump at the chance to make some money. But the big problem you’ll find, is once they do it, they will probably tell you they won’t ever do that again. The problem with window washing is not the work you have to do, it’s how you are going to do it, when you are going to do it, and what tools you will use.  Take it from my years as a San Diego Window cleaning company, if you want someone to enjoy cleaning your windows, or if you want to do it yourself, keep some of these tips below in mind.

If your washing your windows in direct sunlight, you will start to realize that this will cause unsightly streaks that never seem to go away no matter how much you clean them! It’s very frustrating, but knowing something as simple as when to wash them like when the sun passes and is not on the windows, or when the sun is so hot, can save you from a lot frustration.

Some San Diego window washing tips that take the frustration and hassle out of window cleaning are:

How you hold the squeegee counts!

Make sure when you hold the squeegee, you have it angled in the direction the water is flowing. If the water is flowing down towards your feet, pull the squeegee either sideways allowing the water being squeegeed to flow down to the part you haven’t hit yet. For example, if you are on the roof and the down angle is above you, squeegee forward so you can cause the water to flow to the part not yet squeegeed. If you go against the flow water will build up and flow out the sides of the squeegee causing streaks.

Wiping the blade is important!

Some people will be tempted to squeegee the entire window without even considering to wipe the blade until the end. This doesn’t work very well and can cause a streak to form from the water left on the blade. Every time you go to get that (which is twice in the same spot essentially) you cause another streak.You can avoid this problem by just wiping the blade after each strokeand get the window cleaned much faster without retracing steps.

Overlap the streaks

At the end of each stroke, the next stroke should be overlapped of the last stroke (about an inch into the dry area) then make your next stroke. If you are pointing the squeegee to make the water fall downward to the part of the window that is wet and you are drying the blade after every stroke, you won’t make
an additional streak that you have to go back over. Don’t be tempted to just squeegee right on the line, this will make splashes right into the dry area and will be very unproductive.

Use a lot of water

If you are afraid to use a lot of water, you will not have an easy time trying to make smooth strokes with the squeegee. be generous with your water use and always if you can, use sideway strokes on the water that is dripping down towards the wet part of the glass.

So there you have it.  Some easy to apply San Diego window cleaning tips for all you do it your selfers.  Follow these steps and you will be pleased with how your windows turn out.

Electronic Pest Control Review

Posted on by
Reply

If you do have a problem with pests in your home or office then it is time to read every electronic pest control review you can, after you have decided not to use any form of chemicals around the office or home. With reading the electronic pest control review you will soon find out what products sell mostly, and which ones actually work best for what is needed to be done.

Since every manufacturer that has their name in the electronic pest control review should strive to improve their electronic pest control product if the review has been tagged as terrible, overly expensive or useless, or even that way too many other problems occur with the product and therefore may need replacing on a regular basis.

Correct Business Orientation Improves Profits

The electronic pest control review panel can easily put a manufacturer out of business if all the ratings are bad, as they would seriously have to consider going back to the drawing board and actually giving the customer something that they actually want and how they want it, with a reasonable price tag attached. If companies actually read their own product reviews, including those of the electronic pest control review, they would not put what they think is needed on the market. Owners or suppliers of any product, including pest control products should also read these reviews then at least they won’t fall into the trap of purchasing a whole lot of stock that may never sell on their shelves.

Various Electronic Options

The use of the ultrasonic pest repellents don’t seem to work for every pest you may wish to get rid of. However the novelty toy of the Venus fly trap actually does work, a bit unhygienic when it comes to cleaning out, but it works.

Bug zappers for flies and mosquitoes, or just flying insects, in the electronic pest control review seem to work the best but also seem to be in your face continuously and sometimes over priced, and have to be cleaned out on a regular basis from carcasses.

The best electronic pest control review would so far be on the gadget that you plug into the wall, and by adding a tiny wafer of chemicals does keep the mosquitoes and other creatures out of the immediate area shortly after you have switched it on. The wafers are only supposed to last one night, but have been found to work for longer than that for up to three times for the period needed which is usually eight hours at a time.

Carpet And Upholstery Cleaning Services: Make Your Car Look Like New Again

Posted on by
Reply

When you want to improve the look of your car, most people only focus on the outside. When you go to an automatic car wash, the exterior is the only thing that gets clean. However, if you really want to improve the look of your car and get it looking like new again, you should really consider a carpet and upholstery cleaning service. A carpet and upholstery cleaning service will clean your carpeting and upholstery in your car to make it look like you just bought it.

Is Your Car’s Interior Dirty And Ugly?

Constant riding in your car can leave the carpet and upholstery looking old and worn out. Especially if dirt or mud from your or your passengers’ shoes gets on the carpet, it can begin to look really dirty and ugly. If you eat in your car, you can get grease, crumbs and more on your carpet and upholstery. This leaves your car looking like a rolling dumpster before too long. That’s why it would be a great idea to take your car to a carpet cleaning service. These professionals do much more than simply vacuum the interior of your car. They go into great detail to make your carpet and upholstery looking as if you just stepped into a brand new car.

In fact, some carpet cleaning services are so good, you won’t even recognize your car when they’re done. You’ll be glad to hand them the money they deserve when you see how they can literally transform your car. With many people having such hectic lives, we often spend more time in our cars than any other place. This leaves our cars filled with fast food bags, crumbs, dirt, spilled drinks and more. Not only does this leave your car looking nasty, but it can get to smell pretty bad, too. This can affect your mood and can make it so that you no longer want to spend any time in your car. Also, you can forget about giving anyone a ride. You’ll feel too embarrassed to let them see the inside of your car.

After a carpet and upholstery cleaning service, however, you will invite anyone in your car. You will love the way it looks and smells inside your car and you’ll probably want to drive everywhere because it will feel as if you just got a new car. So, stop spending time in your rolling dumpster and get yourself to a carpet and upholstery cleaning service. You won’t regret it.