The Best Way To Deal With Leaky Appliances In Your Home Or Business

The Steam Team Austin Training

Steam Team technicians have years of experience working on leaky appliances and repairing water damage, and we’ve learned a lot. One important thing we’ve learned is that every home or business owner needs to keep a close eye on their appliances for potential damage and leaks. Far too often, people don’t notice leaky appliances until the water has already done significant damage to the property. Let’s talk about how The Steam Team can help when you’ve found a leak in your appliance.

Leak Repair Process

When you catch a leak in your home or business, whether it's just starting to drip or it has already caused flooding, call in The Steam Team and our technicians will be there in no time. They’ll arrive with only the most effective equipment for water extraction, leak cleanup, water damage restoration and even structural drying. We can handle any burst or overflowing appliances including AC units, water heaters, dishwashers and sinks. Any overflowing drain or p

ipe in the home will be easily handled by our technicians as well. 

Steam Team Difference

When it comes to plumbing and leaky appliance issues, certainly there are other companies or contractors that you could hire for repairs, so you might be wondering what it is that sets The Steam Team professional technicians apart from other groups. Well first of all, our pricing policies. We offer direct insurance billing for your convenience, as well as free inspections and free onsite estimates from all of our technicians. But if that isn’t enough to convince you, you should also know that we always have someone available to take your call and we always have technicians ready to be sent to fix your leaks, since we have 24 hours a day, 7 days a week availability when it comes to water damage. We know that your leaky appliances and plumbing issues are time sensitive, so we strive to have a team of skilled and readily available technicians.

For more information on appliance leak repair and our many other services, please visit The Steam Team website.

5 Dangers To Remember After Fire Damage in Austin, Texas

When you’ve had a fire in your home or business and it's just been put out by firefighters, you’ll need to have someone go in the property and do some intensive cleaning and restoration, and you’ll probably need it very quickly. You might be thinking you can go in and handle the job yourself, but here are 5 things you should know about if you’re thinking of attempting this.

Immediate Threats

If you enter a fire-damaged property, there’s likely still smoke in the air inside the building. By entering, you’re putting yourself at risk of irritation to the eyes, throat and nose, and possibly nausea due to the odor of the smoke.

Long-Term Threats

By exposing yourself to smoke inside the property, you could potentially increase your chances of negative long term effects like developing cardiovascular diseases. It's important to know what’s at risk when inhaling smoke.

Dangerous Chemicals

What makes the smoke even more dangerous is that you may not know the source. In many homes, there are cleaning products or other harsh chemicals that could have combusted during the fire or mixed in such a way that they become toxic to inhale.

Weak Immune Systems

Anyone with a weakened immune system such as infants, children or the elderly are at even higher risk of having negative reactions to smoke and soot. Keep anyone with a weakened immune system far away from the property in the aftermath of a fire.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

And perhaps the most immediate and obvious threat, if you enter the property and it's filled with smoke, you could suffer from a lack of oxygen and experience carbon monoxide poisoning, which could cause you to pass out.

The Steam Team

But none of these dangers will be a problem for you or your family at all if you call in The Steam Team! Our professional technicians are trained and given the right equipment to enter these fire-damaged properties and completely clean and restore them. For more information, please visit The Steam Team website.

Refinishing Hardwood Floors The Right Way

Anyone who owns a hardwood floor in their home or business most likely tries everything they can to keep it in the best shape possible. But do you know what you should do when you notice that you hardwood floor has become discolored in some areas? What about when your floor has tons of little scratches and marks that won’t go away? Or what if your hardwood floor has become completely dull, and won’t be sleek and shiny again no matter how much you clean it? These are all signs that your floor needs professional refinishing.

Our Refinishing Process

When you call in The Steam Team’s trained technicians to handle the refinishing of your hardwood floors, they won’t just enter your home or business and start working without keeping you informed, like some other companies may do. Instead, our professionals will give your hardwood floor a thorough inspection first, asking you questions along the way and walking you through the best solutions for your floor. Then they’ll begin extensive damage repair, fixing all cracks and splits in the hardwood before they move on to a full cleaning. Once the floor has had a full cleaning and abrasion, it’ll be ready for refinishing.

For the actual refinishing, two separate coats of sealer will be applied. Once they’ve both had time to dry, your hardwood floor will be cleaner and brighter than ever before, and it’ll be strengthened for years to come.

Why The Steam Team?

When you choose us for your hardwood floor refinishing, you’ll be choosing the most highly trained technicians with years of experience, using only high-powered professional equipment for a completely dust-free refinishing process. For more information on how we can help you with hardwood floor refinishing, or our many other services, please visit The Steam Team website.

The Steam Team Guide For Leather Furniture Care

Despite what you may have heard, leather furniture can actually be very easy to take care of and maintain its good condition as long as you have the right knowledge. Luckily for you, The Steam Team knows all about leather cleaning and conditioning, and we’ve compiled this short guide to help you take great care of your leather furniture.

Cleaning Spills

First and foremost, keeping your leather in good condition will require that you don’t let it get any spills or stains on it to begin with. When wiping a spill on leather furniture, use a soft, dry cloth and allow the area to air dry. If you aren’t able to find a cloth quick enough for whatever the reason may be, simply spread the spill towards the edge of the furniture and brush it off. Though this may sound like you’re just spreading the stain around, you’ll actually eliminate the outline of the watermark, which is the most obvious sign of a stain.

Conditioning

If your furniture is made out of real leather, then that means the material of your furniture was once part of a living animal. Since that animal is no longer able to condition the leather with its natural body oils, the burden of conditioning the leather falls on you, and you’ll have to do it regularly to keep the leather in good condition. It should be about every 6 to 12 months. For specifics, contact the manufacturer of your specific piece of furniture.

Professional Cleaning and Conditioning

While keeping your leather furniture cleaned and conditioned shouldn’t be too difficult, we understand that not everyone has the free time to do cleaning and conditioning on their own. That’s why we offer professional leather cleaning and conditioning services! For more information, please visit The Steam Team website.

Steam Team Tips For Battling Water Damage And Mold

The most common cause of damage to homes across the world is water damage. Odds are, you’ve already experienced some form of water damage in your home, but are you prepared if it happens again? And would you be prepared for the mold growth that water damage often brings with it? If not, remember theses useful tips we’ve compiled for dealing with water damage and mold.

Preventing Water Damage

Sometimes water damage can occur within walls or within the floor, and can cause structural damage that you may not notice for quite a while. To make sure you catch it early, keep an eye on your water bill. If you’re hit one month with an unusually high water bill, you may have a leak somewhere in the home. Be sure to have your pipes and appliances inspected for leaks if you can’t find one yourself.

Always keep your roof gutters clean. As long as you clean your roof gutters every few months, you should be okay. But if you allow your roof gutters to build up with leaves or other debris, they could become clogged and water may leak through your roof and cause damage to your home.

Use a drain snake rather than chemical pipe cleaners. While chemical products may be effective at cleaning out a pipe, they may also damage it over time. A drain snake is a safer way to keep your pipes clear.

Preventing Mold Growth

Since water just needs darkness, moisture and time to grow, always make sure you dry up water in the home as soon as possible. If flooding has occurred in your home and your carpet and walls were soaked, you’ll need high-powered fans to dry it out and a steam cleaner to sanitize walls and other flooring as quickly as possible.

Help From The Steam Team

If you’ve recently experienced water damage in your home and don’t have the high-powered fans, steam cleaners and other equipment necessary for the job, or you otherwise can’t do the work yourself, give us a call and we’ll send our best technicians. For more information just visit The Steam Team website.

Expert Tips for Bathroom Tile Cleaning

Tile Cleaning

On cleaning or chore day, the bathroom is the one room  that we honestly don’t want to deal with, especially when it comes to battling the grime on the tile and grout! Mold tends to be an issue in the bathroom especially, which is why taking care of tile and grout is so important! And even though sometimes it isn’t an simple job, we believe we can make the process easier on you by providing a few simple tips on tile cleaning and care. Read further to find out how to best clean and care for your tile!

DIY with Natural Cleaners

Start off with the most simple, basic, least acidic cleaning solution and work your way up, if you need to. You can try mixtures of vinegar and water, or a paste of baking soda. This is the hard part: use a stiff cleaning brush to scrub the grout, putting in your best effort! Don’t forget to rinse the grout with water, and thoroughly dry the area to prevent mold growth.

Steam Cleaning Tile & Grout

Steam cleaning is a much easier way of cleaning grime and debris off of grout! Using only pressurized water and intensely hot steam, a steam cleaner easily extracts grime from the pores of grout- and you don’t have to put in nearly as much effort! Consider either renting a steam cleaning machine, or hiring the professionals to come out and restore your bathroom to its original, pristine condition!

There are many ways to handle this project, and we believe that steam cleaning is the most efficient way. For an expert steam cleaning job that you know you can rely on, contact The Steam Team! We’re you’re leading cleaning and restoration company in Austin, Texas, and we’d love to give you a hand! If you have tile cleaning needs call us today. 512-451-8326

5 Secrets to Cleaning Around the Home

Carpet Cleaning In Round Rock, Texas

It’s cleaning day! Time to break out the supplies: a vacuum cleaner, your trusty cleaning solution, and these five tips on eliminating grim around the house:

For Dust, Dirt, & Dander

There’s simply no way to avoid it. When it comes to keeping our floors clean (or at least, presentable) we must establish a regular vacuuming routine! Of course, how frequently you need to vacuum will depend on the level of foot traffic in your home. On average, you should be vacuuming at least once a week- it’ll make the chore much easier in the long run!

We suggest vacuuming for its convenience: it’s easier on the body, will save time and energy, etc. If you do not own a vacuum cleaner suitable for tile and hardwood, a broom or floor duster will suffice.

For that Stubborn Soap Scum

Removing soap scum requires an intense amount of pressure- a pressure easily achieved by a steam cleaner. If the soap scum in your bathroom has hardened, we recommend saving yourself time and frustration by either renting a steam cleaning machine, or giving a professional a call!

For Spills & Stains

Keeping spills and stains off upholstered furniture is no easy task!

It’s all about quick reflexes! Not really- just be sure to tend to spills and accidents as quickly as you can. This will help prevent permanent staining.

For Gruesome, Grimy Grout

Grout: the sole reason you procrastinate cleaning the bathroom. Grout is porous in nature, and absorbs grime very quickly. Cleaning grout is a tiring process, and oftentimes we struggle to achieve the results we desire. If your regular mopping and scrubbing isn’t cutting it consider hiring a professional.

For Anything & Everything Else

For everything else… Call in The Steam Team! If we haven’t said it already- steam cleaning is one of the most efficient, most effective methods of cleaning. Whether we’re deep-cleaning your kitchen after the holidays, or replacing that grimy grout, you’ll be amazed at The Steam Team’s results!

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!

Keeping Your Grout Stain-Free

The Tile And Grout Cleaning Professional Austin, Texas

Grout is notorious for taking the sparkle out of the newly-installed tile in our homes. Because grout is porous in nature, it easily absorbs substances such as oil, grease, dirt- you name it! This is ultimately what causes our grout to stain. Fortunately, there are still ways to restore grout to its previous, more pristine condition. With a touch of determination, and a bit of elbow grease, we can help you stay on top of grout stains and keep your floors looking fabulous!

Cleaning

Grout isn't all too difficult to clean- simply grab your best, most durable scrub brush (or discarded toothbrush), and a bottle of your favorite cleaning solution. If you don't have a cleaning solution that is safe to use on grout, you can create your own by mixing together baking soda, ammonia, and vinegar! Let this solution settle onto your grout for 2-4 minutes before scrubbing.

This is when your elbow grease becomes a hot commodity! You'll need to scrub intensely enough to lift the dirt and grime from deep within the porous grout. Scrub with all your might!

While scrubbing, you may need to stop to wipe up the dirty, soapy solution over your grout, and begin again. Remember, slow and steady wins the race! Taking your time will pay off in the end.

Sealant

The best way to protect your grout from staining is to use a grout sealant. Sealant provides an extra protective layer over your grout that helps to prevent the grout from absorbing liquids- thus keeping your floor from staining as easily.

Of course, to achieve top-notch, professional results, you'll need to call in your local steam cleaning company! Steam cleaning is a fast, effective method of cleaning and removing stains. Your grout will become completely hassle-free when you call in the professionals!

Commercial Cleaning: Keeping Your Restrooms Clean

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Restrooms can sometimes be a harsh reality. In order to continuously keep commercial restrooms clean and sanitary, it’s likely that you’ll have to implement systems or bring in outside help.

Bringing in Outside Help

Deep Cleaning

One of the most common complaints with cleaning high-traffic restrooms is keeping the tile and grout clean. In some cases, this could on the floor, backsplash, or even countertops. Grout can be especially difficult to clean around moisture, but steam cleaning will undoubtedly do the trick.

Targeting Trouble Areas

Of course the tile and grout aren’t the only areas that need attention around the bathroom - especially with how damage-prone the environment already is (from the constant waterflow). Cleaning around the bathroom becomes much more efficient when you target the sinks, floors, counters, toilets, trash cans, etc.

Additionally, if you take preventive measures to keep these target areas from collecting grime, you’ll find that a deep clean can turn a sort-of clean restroom into a room that looks brand-spanking-new!

Cover Every Surface

Last, but certainly not least, don’t leave any surface behind! When you make sure to touch every surface before leaving the restroom, you’re guaranteed a spotless environment.

Now, remember when we talked about bringing in outside help? That’s really the secret to ensuring that your commercial restrooms are continuously spotless. It’s not as daunting as you may think - in fact, it’ll take a huge stress off of your shoulders!

Are you looking for a commercial cleaning company? We’d love to take a look at your office! Give us a call, here at The Steam Team, today.

3 Fun Facts About Steam Cleaning

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Who said cleaning can’t be fun? Steam cleaning may not seem like it could be exciting to you, but when you see the effects it has on various surfaces and environments everyday - it’s certainly intriguing.

Check out these awesome facts about steam cleaning!

1. Steam cleaning can help improve air quality around the home.

Ridding flooring (and other surfaces) of common allergens, dust particles, and grime build up keeps these things from circulating around the home. With all of these particles, the air quality around your home will start to improve.

Don’t forget to clean your air ducts and you’re sure to breathe clean air!

1. The steam cleaner was first invented over 150 years ago.

Since then, it’s come a long way! The technology integrated with steam cleaners now is entirely different. Machines are able to be used on various surfaces, materials, and fabrics for a variety of reasons, too. Not only can flooring be steam cleaned, but furniture, window treatments, appliances, air ducts - you name it!

What we know now versus what we knew when steam cleaning was initially invented is monumental.

1. Carpet should be professionally steam cleaned every 12-18 months.

Regularly cleaning carpets with a steam cleaner helps to eliminate any grime build-up but also keeps allergens and pollutants at a minimum around the home. Remember; steam cleaning is a much more thorough and deep clean versus regular vacuuming. Scheduling a professional to come into your home every 12-18 months has shown to be the most effective and efficient way to protect, clean, and maintain carpet flooring.

If you need a professional to take a look at your carpets, give us a call at The Steam Team today!