Important Advice On Avoiding Fire Damage In Your Home

Here at The Steam Team, we help people all around the Austin area with our fire damage restoration service. If a fire emergency ever occurs in your home or business, our professional technicians can help you get your home cleaned and restored as quickly as possible. However, if you take the right precautions you won’t ever need to make that call. We want to talk about some important advice when it comes to keeping your home safe; dryer vent cleaning.

Periodic Cleaning

Dryer vents must be periodically cleaned or your vents can cause highly flammable fire damage. Not only is a dirty dryer vent dangerous, but also impacts the efficiency of your dryer. Excessive build-up of lint and debris will force the machine to use more energy, which will cost you more money in the long run. 

Steam Team Inspection and Cleaning

To avoid these problems, it’s recommended that you have your dryer vents inspected and cleaned once every year. The Steam Team can handle that for you. Our professional will give your machine a full inspection and clean all vent ducting and all connected systems, keeping your home safe from fire damage and keeping your dryer running properly.

Why The Steam Team?

We are an Austin, Texas based company with the most experienced technicians available in Central Texas. Our technicians will be ready for your call, to utilize the most powerful and effective dryer vent cleaning equipment available. And we can handle not only residential, but also commercial dryer vent cleaning, and we can offer you fair pricing backed with a guarantee! So if you want to avoid fire damage and you haven’t had your dryer vents cleaned yet this year, call in The Steam Team! For more information on dryer vent cleaning and the other services we offer, visit The Steam Team website.

Steam Team Flood Cleanup and Mold Prevention

Cleaning Austin, Texas

Flooding can cause more damage to homes and businesses than almost anything else. The cleanup after a flood disaster is very challenging, and you can’t handle it on your own. But with the right help from professionals, you can have your home fully cleaned and restored for a fair price. Here’s what Steam Team professionals can do to help your property after flooding:

Extracting Water and Cleanup

When our team of trained technicians arrive at your flooded property, they’ll begin using high-powered equipment to extract the water as quickly as possible before it can cause further problems in the home. But only a few feet of water can be removed every day, otherwise the rapid change in pressure could cause the walls of the house to collapse. Because of this, the process may take several days. When water extraction is complete, the floors and surfaces of the home will be thoroughly cleaned by our technicians. The floors may even be removed.

Mold Remediation

Even with the water removed and the home cleaned, the problems aren’t over yet. Any dark area with excess moisture could become a perfect home for mold growth. Luckily, we can handle that too. Just ask our technicians about our professional mold remediation service.

Finishing Touches

After our professional technicians have removed water and cleaned the floor, walls and other surfaces of the home, some additional action may be required. You might have to clean off mud, small debris or other contaminants left behind on some of the smaller surfaces. And remember to keep the home moisture free to help stop mold growth. And if you need our professional technicians to return for more cleaning or restoration, you can always give us a call. For more information on our many other cleaning services, visit The Steam Team website.

Detailed Post-Construction Cleanup From The Steam Team

If you recently had any major construction or remodeling done on your home or business, there’s probably a big mess that needs cleaning. Luckily, our Steam Team Professionals have the right experience and equipment to clean any post-construction mess. Here’s our team’s process:

Total Surface Cleaning

Construction is messy, and your home or business may have been left covered with dust and debris. Dust knocked off of certain surfaces, pieces of wood, sawdust and chipped paint may be covering your counters or shelves. Our technicians will clean all windows, cabinets, shelves and countertops by hand until all debris is removed. Floors and walls will be sanitized with steam cleaners, vacuumed or mopped as needed to remove debris. Furniture will be cleaned according to its specific material. Our technicians won’t quit until the surfaces of your home or business are spotless!

Finishing Touches

After thoroughly cleaning all surfaces and furniture, our technicians will move on to the more detailed areas. If any debris of any kind remains in the ventilation system after construction, it could enter the air of the property and cause problems for anyone breathing inside the building. All vents will be cleaned and dusted to make sure this doesn't happen. Then our team will move on to things like electronics, small appliances, light fixtures, small decorative items and ceiling fans. At the end of the process, your home will be even cleaner than it was before the construction or remodeling took place!

Other Steam Team Services

We do a whole lot more than just clean up after construction or remodeling! Here at The Steam Team, we provide a wide range of cleaning and restoration services including tile and grout cleaning, pet odor elimination, marble polishing and many, many more. For more information about our many services, visit The Steam Team website.

Steam Team Solutions For Leaky Appliances

Carpet Cleaning

In homes and businesses the world over, nothing causes more damage than water. Water damage can be extremely costly to fix, but you can avoid it altogether with the right practices. One common cause of disastrous water damage is leaky appliances, so keep a close eye on any appliances that use water and look out for the signs of a leak. If you do happen to find a leak, call in The Steam Team. Here’s how we can help:

Quickly Addressing The Leak

When you’ve called in our Steam Team professional technicians, they’ll quickly address the problems of your leaky appliance. They’ll come with all the equipment necessary for water extraction, leak cleanup, water damage restoration and structural drying. Even overflowing or burst appliances like sinks, dishwashers, AC units, or water heaters will be no problem for our skilled technicians. They’ll also provide plumbing overflow cleanup services. Any overflowing drain, burst pipe, toilet, shower or tub will be fixed up in no time! There’s nothing our technicians can't handle!

Why Choose The Steam Team?

If you have leaky appliances, burst pipes, or any of the problems listed above, there are many services and companies to choose from to have your problems fixed, so what set The Steam Team apart?

Well first of all, our services will likely be more convenient for your spending, since we offer free inspections and free onsite estimates for all jobs that our technicians do. We also offer direct insurance billing for your convenience. But more importantly, we always have someone ready to take your call, and technicians ready to meet your needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our technicians will quickly reach your worksite after you’ve called, since most of our services are time sensitive.

For more information on our many other services, visit The Steam Team website.

Why We Offer 24 Hour Service For Water and Fire Emergencies

Carpet Cleaning

You may think that with the right precautions, you’ll never experience water or fire damage in your home. But even with precautions taken, these things occur much more often than we might like to think. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, about one million homes are damaged by fire in the U.S. each year, and water damage is even worth, with over five million homes a year experiencing water damage! With these startling statistics in mind, it's important to have a plan for these possible emergencies, and if you choose to make The Steam Team a part of your plan, you’ll have the comfort of knowing that our technicians are available to clean and restore your home from fire or water damage 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Caring For Our Community

The reason we offer our 24 hour water and fire damage emergency services is that we care about our customers and our local Austin, TX community and our communities beyond Austin. We’ve always wanted to provide our customers with great service and lasting restoration that leaves a positive impact, and that’s why we’re always available to clean and restore your home or business after these damaging events. Whether it's a bust pipe, damaged appliance, flooding damage or the aftermath of an electrical fire, we’ll be right there to fix your problems and get you back into your restored home as soon as possible.

Our Professional Technicians

We wouldn't be the company we are today without our fantastic and highly trained team of technicians and restoration experts. You’ll see for yourself why we have so much pride in them when they show up at your home and assess the problem before using high-tech, powerful cleaning and restoration methods to get your home back in order, remove any water and clean all surfaces. For more information on how we can help with fire and water damage restoration, as well as our many other services, please visit The Steam Team website.

Spring Cleaning with Carpet Cleaning In Any Room

Carpet cleaning services in Austin, Texas since 1983

Even though we’re still experiencing the cooler temperatures of Winter; Spring is just around the corner- at least, we hope so. Once it starts warming up a bit, it’s the perfect time to start purging and cleaning out the house! Decluttering and tidying up is all the talk right now; so we’re here to help you organize your home and clean away any dirt and dust. Steam cleaning is the smartest option, as it can clean just about your entire home, using nothing but hot water and high water pressure! 

The Living Room

Let’s start in the living room, a steam cleaner can help remove stains on upholstered furniture, carpeting, and can also even help clean window blinds and draperies (we don’t even have to remove the blinds from where they hang)! Dust, dirt, and stains are absolutely no match for a professional-grade steam cleaning company! 

The Kitchen

Next, does your kitchen have pesky tile and grout? We know it’s difficult to keep clean; that’s why we recommend steam cleaning! A steam cleaner can effortless reach deep within the pores of grout, and the surface of tile, and extract all that grime that causes discoloration and staining. Your kitchen will look brand new! 

The Bathroom

When it comes to cleaning the bathroom, tile and grout are often our main nemesis. But since we’ve covered how we can help with that, let’s discuss countertops, toilets, sinks, and showers! All can be steam cleaned. Dust, dirt, grime, and soap scum will plague your bathroom no more! Most importantly, it’s completely safe for your environment; steam cleaning doesn’t involve the use of any chemicals.

No matter which area of your home needs a thorough deep cleaning, The Steam Team has you covered. Just give us a call today and we can help you with your spring cleaning!

Everything You Need to Know About Refinishing Hardwood Floors

Hardwood flooring can last for centuries, literally, if properly cared for and maintained over the years. This requires refinishing hardwoods at some point or another- and if you’re finding yourself in this position- then, this guide is for you. On today’s blog, we’ve put together everything you need to know about refinishing those hardwood floors.

Before You Begin

The thickness of the flooring is extremely important. If you have flooring that is ¼ inch thick (or less), it’s not advised to refinish. You might wear through the floor without being able to refinish at all. Instead, this would call for replacing your floors. However, if you have thick hardwoods, you’re in luck! It’s important to check the entire floor first. If there are any gaps in the floor where nails are visible, it’s time to call in the professionals. If not, get ready!

Cleaning And Sanding

First, clean the floor thoroughly, removing as much dirt and debris as possible. Make sure there are no protruding nail heads that could tear the sandpaper. Cover up any doors or areas of the house that dust could fly into while you’re sanding. Then, attach a 20-grit sandpaper to your sander and begin sanding the entire floor thoroughly. Go over your work again with the edge sander, and finally with a power buffer. After you’ve sanded the entire floor three times, use an industrial-grade vacuum to get rid of the dust particles.

The Finish

Now that you’re done sanding and cleaning, it’s time for the big finish. Choose whatever sealant you prefer for the job, and start applying it all around the perimeter of the room. While DIY’s can often be effective and save you money, it’s also important to remember that no one can do the job quite like The Steam Team!

Who Cleans Up After Construction Or Remodelling?

If you’ve recently had a large construction or remodelling job done on your property, whether by yourself or a contractor, you were likely left with quite a mess to clean up afterwards. Construction and remodeling jobs are bound to require lots of cleaning, and we think The Steam Team should be part of your plan for post-construction cleanup. Here’s how our professional process works:

Clearing Debris and Surface Cleaning

After construction, the first thing to clean up will be the large pieces of debris. Pieces of wood, paint chips or other debris may be all over your home counters, floors or furniture. That’s where our technicians will start. Once all large debris is removed, they’ll remove all smaller debris like sawdust or anything else spread around by the construction. All countertops, shelves, windows and countertops will be cleaned by hand, all floors will be sanitized, vacuumed or mopped. Furniture will be thoroughly cleaned with whichever product and method is preferred for your specific material. Our technicians always take great care when cleaning a home or business to meet your needs.

Finishing Touches

Once common problem with construction and remodelling jobs is that small debris can also get inside of air conditioning vents and cause problems for the home as well as health hazards. We’ll keep the air ducts clean, and then move on to smaller things around the property like electronics, light fixtures and small appliances. At the end of the professional cleaning process, your home or business will be not only newly renovated, but completely clean!

The Steam Team

I’m proud to say that our technicians can take on such large, complex cleaning projects that post-construction can sometimes be. But that’s because our technicians have years of experience with a huge variety of cleaning services and methods. For more information on the many services we offer, please visit The Steam Team website.

Cleaning Up After Construction or Remodelling

Have you recently had a construction or remodelling job done on your home or business, and now you’ve been left with a big mess? Are there paint chips, sawdust or other debris scattered around the property? If the answer is yes, who’s going to clean the whole mess up? Do you have the time or the equipment to take care of it all yourself? If not, it's time to start considering hiring professionals to handle the cleaning for you!

Surface Cleaning

After any serious construction or remodelling, you’ll need a deep clean of the property, starting with all the major surfaces. Floors, walls, countertops and shelving will all be cleaned accordingly. Our professional technicians will use high-powered steam cleaners, commercial vacuums and other top notch equipment to make sure that every surface in the home looks even cleaner than it did before the construction job. Furniture will also be vacuumed and cleaned as needed to remove any dust or debris.

Finishing Touches

With all surfaces and furniture thoroughly cleaned, our team will move on to the rest of the property. Since dust and debris from the construction can enter vents, causing respiratory issues, our cleanup crew will be sure to clean out the vents completely so that the air stays clean. Then we’ll move on to the commonly overlooked areas like small appliances, decorative items, electronics, lamp shades, light fixtures and ceiling fan blades. Our cleanup crew is going to make sure every inch of your home or business is cleaner than you’ve ever seen it, no matter how much of a mess the construction made!

The Steam Team

We’re proud of the cleaning restoration services that we offer all across the Austin, TX area and beyond. For a full list of all of our many services, or to contact us so that our team can clean and restore your home, please visit The Steam Team website.

How Do You Refinish Hardwood Flooring?

Will hardwood floors ever go out of style? Doubtful. Between their esthetic appeal, longevity, and easy maintenance, they’re one of the most popular flooring options for homeowners. Speaking of maintenance; refinishing hardwoods may be inevitable, depending on how old your flooring is. Here at The Steam Team, we’ve put together three reasons it should be done.

Refinishing vs. Replacing is Cost Effective

How exactly does this process save you money? Well, it’s simple. You’re refinishing your flooring, not replacing it. You’re actually preventing yourself from even having to replace it! And as always, we suggest having the professionals come out and handle this process. Restoration companies like The Steam Team can come out (quickly, too), inspect your flooring, and get it back into shape!

Less Time Consuming

You know what the professionals say: it’s all about prevention! If you take care of your hardwood flooring the proper way now, then you won’t be replacing floorboards or the entire flooring in the future. It’s all about what you can do now to save yourself time in the long run. At least, that’s what The Steam Team says!

Creates A New Look

Once the professionals are done refinishing your hardwood flooring, it’ll look amazing. You’ll be so excited to have house guests over so you can show off your new dining or living room floor! It’ll look like brand new all over again! Who doesn’t appreciate a freshly finished floor? We certainly don’t know. 

The Steam Team is your leading steam cleaning and restoration company in the Austin area, and we would absolutely love to come out and help you with your hardwood floors. We’re available 24/7 for other services too, like marble polishing, tile and grout cleaning, and even restoration after natural disasters. All you have to do is give The Steam Team a call!

How it Works: The Steam Team Tile and Grout Cleaning

Ceramic tile is one of the most overlooked surfaces in the home when it comes to proper cleaning. That’s because for most people, scrubbing every grout line carefully with a brush can be very irritating. But with The Steam Team, there’s an easier way. Let’s walk through our tile and grout cleaning process to show you how we can help.

Inspection and Preparation

When you call in our professional technicians, they’ll first give your tile a full inspection to come up with a proper cleaning method for every area of the tile as needed. Then, furniture will be carefully moved and all areas of the tile will be prepared for cleaning and separated from other flooring like hardwood or carpet.

Complete Cleaning

When the cleaning process begins, we’ll use only the highest quality products, like high powered vacuums to remove all dry soil from the tile. We will aslo sweep by hand if needed. Then, a scientifically advanced cleaning agent will be sprayed over the entire surface of the tile, ensuring the best clean possible. 

A state of the art self-contained pressure cleaning system, manual brushes and a mechanical rotating brush will all be used as needed to clean the tile thoroughly, reaching even the most complex and difficult areas. Then a final rinse solution will be pumped through the machine, leaving your floor looking shiny and new.

Finishing Touches

When the cleaning process is complete, our technicians will put finishing touches on the floor. Grout colorizing, if needed, will be done before the sealing process. We will then apply the proper sealer for the specific type of tile in your home or business. Technicians will then have one final walkthrough inspection to ensure that everything was properly cleaned. 

For more information on the carpet cleaning or tile cleaning services we provide, visit The Steam Team website.

The Most Efficient and Effective Damage Restoration in Austin, Tx

Water Damage Austin 

It doesn’t matter what the type of damage is, it’s always devastating to your home, your sanity, and many other facets. Floods cause water damage that spreads mold throughout your home. Mold in itself is a damage issue. Fires destroy everything and anything in their wake- we totally understand why these times are stressful, and why you might need to lean on the help and support of professionals!

Water/Flood Damage Restoration

It doesn’t have to be a flood or natural disaster (tropical storm, hurricane, etc). Sometimes all it takes is for a pipe to burst, or an appliance to go kaput, and suddenly everything is soaked and dripping! Your immediate concern is likely mold growth, as it only takes twenty four hours to begin spreading. But with The Steam Team’s help, we can dry out your home in no time- while you get busy getting back to work!

Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration

The thing about fire and smoke damage is that it often involves water damage cleanup, as well. You’ll definitely want to call in the professionals in these scenarios. Our team of restoration professionals will first inspect your property for structural and smoke damage, and determine where to begin. Until we arrive, you can help out by setting up box fans, and opening windows for proper ventilation. This will help air out your home so that it’s a safer environment to work in. We’ll handle the rest!

The Steam Team is your leading water and fire damage restoration company in Austin, Texas, and we’re happy to help turn a disastrous situation into the clean, safe home that you remember. In the case of a fire, flood, or damage from a natural disaster, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We’re available 24/7 to help meet your needs!

The Best Way to Clean Natural Stone in Austin TX

Best Tile Cleaning Austin

Whether we’re talking about natural stone countertops or natural stone flooring -- it all needs to be cleaned and properly maintained over time. Voted best tile cleaning in Austin, Texas. 

If you are having new floors installed, typically the stone is sealed upon installation – but this will only last for a few years, so you’ll need to clean them and seal them again several times over their lifespan. When it comes to cleaning, the best method to use is steam cleaning. We’re not bias, we promise, it’s efficient, effective, and you can hire a professional to get the job done for you!

Regular Maintenance

Like any other floors, natural stone requires a good bit of regular maintenance – sweeping, mopping, dusting, etc. With a regular cleaning routine, your daily filth won’t add up as quickly making your floor cleaner for longer periods of time.  

The biggest problem people can have with natural stone is that it’s porous and can absorb liquids and stains very easily. When it comes to these situations, time is key – quickly wipe up the liquid before it has time to settle.

How to Clean Natural Stone

Stay away from cleaners with harsh chemicals (such as acids) as they tend to have negative effects on natural stone such as scratching and wearing down the stone more than usual. While this may not be an immediate difference, the discoloration can worsen over time. Carpet and tile cleaning in Austin, Texas. 

Efficient and Effective

If your natural stone flooring has damage to it (scratches, discoloration, stains, etc.) you’ll want to hire a professional to ensure that your stone is restored and taken care of properly.

The Steam Team has a team of highly trained professional technicians who only use state-of-the-art equipment. Together with their experience and knowledge, we can advise you on how to best care for your flooring -- whether it’s natural stone, hardwood, tile, or carpet. Contact us today for more information!

The 3 Easiest Ways to Clean Upholstered Furniture

Rug Cleaning Austin

Life is busy and unpredictable, and keeping your upholstered furniture spotless is probably not at the top of your priority list. Before you donate your cat’s favorite armchair or discover a wayward chip in the sofa cushions, consider these tips that make cleaning your upholstered furniture easy enough to fit in before your next Netflix marathon.

1. Vacuuming

Using the upholstery attachment, vacuum on low power. If the material has texture, such as corduroy or velvet, use left to right strokes to make sure you’re getting any dirt and dust caught in the material. Next, use the crevice attachment to vacuum under cushions and along seams. You might want to check first for any larger items, such as coins, before vacuuming. Use a can of compressed air for harder-to-reach nooks, such as button tufting. Be sure to vacuum at least once a week to best maintain the fabric. A good vacuuming might also help fade old stains!

2. Spot Cleaning

In the event of a stain, first check the furniture item’s cleaning tag. You can find this under the cushions or on the manufacturer’s website. W means it can be cleaned with water-based products, so it’s a good option for DIY. An S means use only water-free products, like a dry-cleaning solvent, but be careful, as the chemicals used in these products might be hazardous. WS or SW means that W or S may work, but run the risk of damaging the fabric (in this case, spot test in an inconspicuous area before using the product). An X means professional cleaning only. Be sure to check your warranty: a professional cleaning might be required, or you run the risk of invalidating the warranty.  

If you can use water, mix it with some dishwashing soap in a bowl until frothy. With a clean, damp cloth, blot—don’t scrub—the stain. Avoid soaking it, as too much water could damage the material. In the case of leather or vinyl upholstery, wipe with Pledge (avoid products with silicone, which may cause cracking). For grease stains, try sprinkling a bit of cornstarch or baking soda on the stain and let it sit for half an hour to absorb the oil, then vacuum and spot clean.   

3. Professional Steam Cleaning

This is your go-to option for antique furniture or stubborn stains, or if it’s required by the manufacturer’s warranty. Even if you’re able to DIY for most of the year, consider paying for a professional cleaning for periodic maintenance, to make sure your upholstered furniture is looking its best — and to give yourself a much deserved break!

The Steam Team is a professional cleaning and restoration service, with years of experience handling water and fire damage, disaster cleanup, mold, household odors, and much more. We have the expertise and professional-grade equipment to finish any job, the right way. Don’t wait—give The Steam Team a call today!