Considering Concrete Cleaning? We Can Help!

Cleaning Austin for 40 years

Possibly the most underrated flooring, concrete can be used in essentially every area of a home. From the garage, to the living areas, to even the back patio- it’s versatile and easily changeable, too. On today’s blog, we’re covering all the reasons staining your concrete can benefit your home.

A Better Look For Less

An ordinary concrete slab might look a little dull, but when you have your concrete professionally stained, it’s able to take on a myriad of appearances. You can make your concrete flooring look just like wood, marble, stone or even leather. And the best part about it is, concrete flooring and staining still costs less than those other flooring options, so you’re getting the same luxurious look for a fraction of the cost!

Easy To Maintain

Not only is concrete flooring and staining easier on your wallet, but it’s also easier to maintain. Unlike other flooring options, the stain on concrete will not chip, fade, or peel over time. Stained concrete floors also require very little cleaning and upkeep to stay in great condition. The only maintenance you’ll have to worry about is occasionally cleaning with a damp mop. Because of all of this, stained concrete flooring is the longest lasting flooring option there is!

Professional Concrete Staining

The job of staining concrete flooring, whether inside or outside, is certainly a big job that you’ll want professional help for. When it comes to The Steam Team, our concrete staining experts’ process involves rigorous polishing, followed by applying an acid-based stain to the concrete slab. When you choose The Steam Team, you’ll be getting the best professionals with years of experience on similar jobs, and they’ll use only the most effective and powerful equipment to get the job done right. For more information, feel free to call or visit The Steam Team website.

The Steam Team: Keeping The Air At Your Job Clean

If you’ve ever gone to work and notice that you seem to have allergy issues, cough, sore throat or difficulty breathing, there may be a serious problem with the air quality in your place of work. If you own a business or are employed for a business in such a condition, you should always make sure the air duct systems are properly cleaned to avoid these health concerns. Let’s talk about how The Steam Team can help:

The Effects of Dirty Air Ducts

There are several different reasons that any business owner should always make sure the air duct and HVAC systems of the building are properly maintained and cleaned. Any buildup of dirt and debris in the ducts can re-enter the air and cause allergy issues and especially affect those in the building with pre-existing respiratory issues. Any leakage in the air ducts can cause mold growth that can also affect the workers, customers, or anyone else in the building, causing a wide range of health issues. Not only is it worse for the people, but it’s also more costly for the business owner. When dirt and debris builds up in the ducts, the HVAC system works harder, creating a higher energy bill.

Steam Team Commercial Duct Cleaning

For all of the reasons we just discussed, any business owner or employee should ensure that the air quality of your building is safe, and if it isn’t, you should call in professionals to get the job done. If you call in The Steam Team, our professional technicians will begin with an inspection to determine the problem, then they’ll give a detailed cleaning to the interior of the air handler cabinet, the blower assemblies and the return and supply plenum. Then they’ll thoroughly clean the cooling and heating coils before finally cleaning the condensate pan and using powerful bactericides and fungicides to treat the interior of the air duct systems, keeping the air safe from any harmful bacteria growth.

For more information on how The Steam Team can help keep the air of your workplace safe, please visit The Steam Team website!

Moving Day: Who Cleans?

Imagine it’s moving day and you’re preparing to leave your past home to enter a new chapter in your life! Let’s talk about it all: cleaning before you move, before you settle into your new home, and areas in your home that you should really focus on! And remember, The Steam Team is always here to guide you through this process. Don’t let it stress you out!

Cleaning Before You Move

Cleaning before you move can sometimes be stressful and overwhelming! But we encourage you not to let it get to you! The Steam Team is always standing by, waiting to help out. And we excel in this area! We know how to restore your home to its original condition using one method: steam cleaning!

Main Areas to Zone in On

When you’re cleaning, focus on areas like bathroom and kitchen tile and grout, your carpet (we recommend having it steam cleaned to make sure that it’s truly clean and properly sanitized), and your ceiling fans and window blinds! These areas often get neglected when cleaning time comes around, so make sure you’re tackling that dust!

Cleaning Before You Settle

Before you settle into your new home, it’s likely that you want to properly clean it. Sure, it looks brand new but you never know how much dust is lurking in the carpet, or on the window blinds! Take some time to really deep clean your home before you settle in; you won’t regret it.

For professional assistance, don’t feel hesitant to contact The Steam Team! We’re a professional cleaning and restoration company that’s been serving the city of Austin, TX for over a decade now! We don’t plan on stopping any time soon, so give us a call today! We’ll help you clean before and after you move.

How to Keep Hardwood Flooring Looking New

Hardwood floors are a great choice when it comes to your new home- they’re beautiful, durable, mostly easy to maintain and last a lifetime (literally). Homes that are centuries old have some of the most gorgeous hardwood floors throughout every room and they still look as gorgeous as they did from day one. But, that beauty doesn’t come without some tender love and care over the years- so, how do you keep hardwood flooring looking new?

Detecting Dirt and Dust

Who knows what’s truly lurking against the grain of those beautiful planks? Dirt and dust can hide quite inconspicuously. Just as grime and other dust particles gather around various surfaces, furniture, and fabrics; it settles on your hardwood floors in plain sight.

When you sweep your floors, the dirt and dust are pushed around and could nestle themselves into the cracks and crevices between hardwood planks. So, instead of sweeping...

Dust and Vacuum

FInd a duster or even just a microfiber cloth and run it over your floors to get all of the dust without being too harsh on your floors. Then, couple this with a vacuum and you won’t have to worry about too many particles lodging themselves between the planks of your floors and collecting over time.

Treating Spills and Stains

Rule #1 of cleaning: if it spills, it stays… until somebody comes to clean it up. To keep your hardwood flooring looking clean and pristine, tackle spills and stains right away!

Steam Clean

Whenever your floors are looking dull or seem to be extra dirty, give us a call at The Steam Team. We’re happy to bring our equipment over and give your floors a deep, thorough cleaning.

Throughout the years, hardwood floors can become scuffed and scratched from shoes, furniture, and just general wear and tear. If you’re noticing these things about your hardwoods, it may be time to talk refinishing. We’ve got your back!

An In-Depth Guide to Properly Refinishing Your Hardwood Floor

With hardwood floors coming back in style, you might be thinking about having it refinished. If so, follow this guide and your hardwood floor will look better than ever!

Set-up And Materials

Before you begin, it’s important to check the entire floor first. If there are any gaps in the floor where nails are visible, don’t bother trying to refinish it at all. You’ll also want to take a look at the thickness of the wood. Some newer hardwood floors are only about ¼ inch thick. If you have a floor like this, it can’t be sanded at all or you might wear through the whole floor!

Refinishing an entire hardwood floor is a big job, and you’ll need a lot of materials. We won’t list them all here, but be sure to do a quick internet search and write down a list of all the materials you’ll need.

Cleaning And Sanding

First, cut the flooring into sections to remove the top layer of flooring, revealing the hardwood underneath. Then 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. Then, 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. When the perimeter is finished, apply the sealant to the rest of the floor. Allow the sealant to dry for 24 hours, buff it with the power buffer, vacuum, and then finally, apply a second coat of sealant with the same procedure as before, and then you’re done!

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!

The Pros and Cons of Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring is a main choice among homeowners for its aesthetic appeal, and other benefits. We’ll go over hardwood floorings pros and cons to help you decide which type of flooring you’d like installed in your own home!

The Pro’s:

Maintenance

For the most part, it’s pretty easy to care for hardwood flooring. They’re durable and can last a long time if cared for properly. And typically proper care means sweeping vacuuming, and polishing with a wood cleaner. Easy peasy!

Value

Did you know that homes with hardwood floors tend to sell faster and easier than homes with carpeting? It’s true! Buyers are willing to pay the most for homes with hardwood flooring installed.

Style Options

Hardwood flooring looks great with all types of decorating, and matches any color scheme! Hardwood floor is also available in many different styles itself, from oak, to cherry, and others. You’ll have no problem finding a style you adore for your home.

The Con’s:

Noise

Simply put, hardwood floor can unfortunately be very noisy. This is especially true if you’re on the second or third floor of an apartment, living with a pet! But don’t worry; there are things we can do to muffle the sound. Place area rugs around your home; these are especially helpful for changing the look of a room, or providing cushioning to family members who are prone to falling (like children).

Cost

Well friends, unfortunately, installing wood flooring is a costly option. And it’s no project to DIY; often it involves the help of professionals, so labor costs will increase your overall bill.

Requires Occasional Refinishing

Occasionally, floors will need to be refinished. Once they’ve been scuffed or scratched, or have started to fade, they’re ready for a refinishing! This is also a con because hiring a professional company to refinish your hardwood floors could be costly.

Contact The Steam Team for all of your hardwood flooring needs! We have all of the right equipment needed for the job, and you’ll love our results!

Carpet Cleaning this Fall?

It’s Fall, ya’ll! As the temperatures begin to drop, both kids and pets are spending more time outdoors- and we probably are, too. This means that our carpet is experiencing more foot traffic, and dirt that’s being tracked in as we exit and enter our homes. It may feel impossible at times to keep your carpet clean, but, trust us; The Steam Team has all of the knowledge and expertise needed to take care of your carpet! Below, you’ll find a few tips for keeping your flooring clean this season, and how we can help, too!

Vacuum and Sweep

Unfortunately, we can’t get around it. Our floor and carpet needs to be swept and vacuumed regularly in order for it to stay clean. Use a strong broom, preferably one with a longer handle so you don’t have to bend over, and a vacuum with an attachment. The vacuum’s attachment can help rid dust and dirt from the corners of baseboards, and you can clean off your furniture! If you do this regularly, you’ll be surprised at how great your flooring looks!

Mop Occasionally

Those paw prints, shoe prints, and skid marks are definitely something for the mop to tackle! Mopping the floor is essential to keeping it clean. Use a bucket of warm water with your handy household carpet cleaner, and your preferred mop- there are so many kinds, from a standard rag mop to a Swiffer. It doesn’t matter what brand you go with as long as the job gets done!

Hire the Professionals

We always recommend hiring the professionals to help take care of your flooring! The Steam Team is your leading cleaning and restoration company in Austin, TX. We have ample experience in taking care of all types of flooring, from carpet to natural stone! Don’t hesitate to give us a call today for the thorough deep cleaning you’ve been trying to achieve!

Cleaning & Restoring the Outdoor Patio with Concrete Staining

Cleaning 

It’s mid-winter; we’re covering plants, igniting our fireplaces, and hunkering down beneath blankets and throws. In our sleep, we can’t help but dream of sun shining days, clear skies, blossoming flowers- and of course- we dream of admiring it all from our picturesque patios.

Spring will be here before we know it. As you’re preparing your home for the change in season, consider extending your efforts to the patio- (where the porch swing awaits, ready for daydreamy visits). A concrete staining is a simple, yet effective way of revamping an old stain job, or changing the atmosphere altogether.

It’s Cost Efficient

Often times, the cost of remodeling, repairing, etc is the most daunting part of beginning a project, but concrete staining is more cost-efficient than most people understand. That’s why we encourage homeowners to have their concrete floors professionally cleaned, and then stained- instead of having them replaced altogether!

It Makes a Difference!

Flooring has a major influence in a room’s aesthetic appeal, and this is no less true outdoors, on the patio. Staining the concrete is a relatively simple way to alter the atmosphere on your patio- you can change the color, shade, or even brightness and tint!

It’s Not Permanent

Concrete staining is not permanent; it’s relatively easy to reverse its effect by layering the flooring with a different shade. A professional cleaning and restoration company can easily do this for you!

With years of experience tackling a wide array of projects, The Steam Team is  your number one choice for cleaning and restoration in Austin, Texas! Our team of experts have over a decade of knowledge and experience, and with the help of our industrial-strength equipment, can complete any project around your home or office! From concrete staining, to tile and grout cleaning, to air duct and upholstery sanitizing, The Steam Team can do it all!