Restoring Resilience: Water Damage Cleanup and Restoration in Austin, Texas

Austin, texas water damage restoration repair contractor

Austin, Texas, with its vibrant culture, scenic landscapes, and diverse communities, is not immune to the challenges posed by water damage. Whether it's the aftermath of a severe storm, a burst pipe, or flooding, the need for swift and effective water damage cleanup and restoration services is crucial in preserving the integrity of homes and businesses across this thriving city. In this article, we delve into the process of cleaning up water damage and the subsequent restoration efforts in Austin, emphasizing the unique considerations of this Texan metropolis.

Understanding the Landscape:

Austin's geographical location, with its proximity to the Colorado River and susceptibility to intense weather patterns, makes it prone to water-related challenges. Flash floods during heavy rains, hurricanes, or even the occasional plumbing failures in residential and commercial spaces can lead to significant water damage. Understanding the specific risks associated with the region is essential for crafting effective cleanup and restoration strategies.

Emergency Response:

The first critical step in water damage restoration is a prompt emergency response. Whether it's a sudden storm surge, a burst pipe, or a leaky roof, water damage requires immediate attention to prevent further destruction. Austin-based restoration services often operate round the clock, equipped with rapid response teams ready to deploy at a moment's notice.

Emergency response teams assess the extent of the damage, identify safety hazards, and implement immediate measures to mitigate further harm. This may include water extraction, securing the affected area, and initiating the drying process to prevent mold growth – a common concern in the warm and humid climate of Austin.

Water Extraction and Drying:

Water extraction is a pivotal phase in the cleanup process. Powerful pumps and vacuums are employed to remove standing water from the affected premises. In Austin, where flooding can be a significant concern, efficient water extraction is vital to prevent structural damage and the onset of mold infestations.

Once the standing water is removed, the drying process begins. High-capacity air movers and dehumidifiers are strategically placed to eliminate residual moisture from walls, floors, and other affected surfaces. This meticulous drying process is crucial for preventing secondary damage and ensuring the long-term structural integrity of buildings.

Mold Remediation:

Austin's warm and humid climate creates an environment conducive to mold growth. Mold spores can flourish in damp conditions, and water damage provides an ideal breeding ground. Therefore, mold remediation is a key component of the restoration process.

Specialized teams in Austin assess the extent of mold infestation, identify the type of mold present, and implement targeted strategies for remediation. This may involve removing contaminated materials, applying antimicrobial agents, and ensuring thorough ventilation to inhibit the return of mold.

Salvaging and Restoration:

Once the affected area is thoroughly dried and sanitized, the focus shifts to salvaging and restoring damaged possessions and structures. This phase involves a detailed inventory of items, assessing their condition, and determining the feasibility of restoration. In Austin, where homes and businesses often hold sentimental value, the emphasis on salvaging possessions becomes particularly poignant.

Restoration efforts encompass repairing or replacing damaged building materials, refinishing surfaces, and restoring the affected space to its pre-damaged state. The goal is not only to recover the physical structure but also to provide emotional reassurance to those affected by the water damage.

Coordination with Insurance:

Navigating the complexities of insurance claims is a crucial aspect of the water damage cleanup and restoration process. Austin-based restoration services often work closely with homeowners and businesses to facilitate the claims process, ensuring that the financial burden of water damage is mitigated. From documenting the extent of the damage to providing detailed reports for insurance claims, these services play a pivotal role in helping individuals and businesses recover their losses.

Community Involvement and Support:

Austin is known for its tight-knit communities and a spirit of mutual support. In the aftermath of water damage, this community ethos becomes particularly evident. Local restoration services in Austin often collaborate with community organizations, leveraging their expertise to contribute to broader recovery efforts.

In addition to the physical restoration of properties, community involvement may include educational initiatives on disaster preparedness, sharing resources for coping with water damage, and providing support networks for those affected. This collective approach reinforces the resilience of Austin's communities in the face of water-related challenges.

Preventative Measures and Future Preparedness:

Given the recurrent nature of water-related challenges in Austin, preventative measures and future preparedness play a significant role in the restoration process. Restoration services often provide recommendations for safeguarding homes and businesses against potential water damage, such as reinforcing structures, implementing effective drainage systems, and investing in early detection technologies.

Educational programs in Austin focus on empowering residents and business owners with the knowledge needed to minimize risks and respond effectively to water-related emergencies. This proactive approach contributes to building a more resilient community that can withstand and recover from the impact of water damage.

Conclusion: Nurturing Resilience in the Face of Water Damage:

In the heart of Texas, where the spirit is as robust as the challenges are diverse, Austin's response to water damage reflects a commitment to resilience and community well-being. The process of cleaning up water damage and subsequent restoration efforts in Austin is not merely a technical endeavor; it's a testament to the city's ability to come together in the face of adversity.

From emergency water damage response teams working tirelessly to mitigate immediate risks to restoration services collaborating with local communities, the process involves a synergy of expertise, compassion, and a shared commitment to rebuilding. As Austin continues to grow and evolve, so too will the strategies for cleaning up water damage, ensuring that homes and businesses can weather the storms and floods while preserving the unique spirit that defines this iconic Texan city.

The Only 100% Effective Method For Tile and Grout Cleaning

cleaning in austin texas

Tile flooring can help create a lovely space in your home, whether it's in your kitchen, bathroom or anywhere else in the home. But how should you go about cleaning it? That’s an especially important question when it comes to the grout, which can catch bits of food and dirt in it that may be hard to get out. Many people get on their hands and knees and scrub the tile with a brush. But is that the most effective method?

Professional Help

For a more effective tile and grout cleaning, call in professionals with the right equipment. When you give a call to The Steam Team, we’ll send in professional technicians, and 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.

The Right Tools

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.

Sealing and Inspection

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 services we provide, visit The Steam Team website.

How To Safely Clean Up After Fire Damage in Austin, Texas

Austin Cleaing Professionals

​Nobody wants to think they’ll have a fire occur in their Austin, Texas home or business, but they’re more common than you may think. It's important to know how you’re going to clean up after such a disastrous event, and how to do it safely. You might be thinking of cleaning up the mess yourself and restoring your home or business to its former glory. But before you get in there and start scrubbing, here are some things you might want to know. Call your fire damage cleaning Austin, Texas headquarters.

Harmful Chemicals For Fire Damage Clean Up

The modern home in Austin is filled with all sorts of chemical compounds that can become dangerous when they combust or combine with other chemicals. In the event of a fire, the smoke can contain many of these dangerous chemicals and should under no circumstances be inhaled.

Carbon Monoxide

Inhaling carbon monoxide (which is in smoke) can decrease your body’s supply of oxygen. This can cause reduced alertness, headaches, aggravate existing heart conditions and cause a variety of other health concerns.

Irritation and Nausea

There are also more immediate effects that almost anyone will have when exposed to smoke, such as irritation in the eyes, nose and throat, as well as an odor that can sometimes cause nausea. These are all signs from your body telling you to stay far away from the smoke.

At-Risk Individuals

Infants, children, and the elderly are particularly at risk of health issues as a result of smoke and soot. No children, seniors, or anyone with a weakened immune system should get near a room or building that has just had a fire.

Long-Term Health Risks

Long term exposure to smoke has been associated to an increase in cardiovascular diseases. Some studies have shown that firefighters, for example, are more likely to develop long-lasting respiratory issues and cardiovascular disease.

A Safer Way To Clean Up After Fires in Austin, Texas

Because of all of the reasons listed above, and many more, it is highly unsafe to try cleaning and restoring a fire damaged home yourself. To keep you and your loved ones safe, hand the job over to the professionals. The Steam Team of Austin who are experts will be able to safely restore your home, business or room, without your safety or the safety of your loved ones at risk.Call for a free fire damage restoration estimate in Austin.

How To Prevent Disastrous Water Damage In Your Austin Texas Home Or Business

Water Damage Service Repair Austin

Nobody wants to think it’ll be our Austin, Texas home affected by severe Austin water damage, but it's more likely to happen then you may think, and you’ll want to be prepared. Severe water damage can also cause mold growth, which may be harmful to those in your home. With expertise from Austin restoration professionals here at The Steam Team of Austin, Texas , we’re going to talk to you about preventing water damage and mold growth in your Austin, TX home or business.

Best Practices For Preventing Water Damage in Austin, Texas

If you follow these steps, you may be able to prevent having to deal with water damage in the first place.

• Clean roof gutters every few months. If your roof gutters are clogged with leaves, sticks, or anything at all, the water may build up, leak in through your roof, and cause some serious damage.

• Purchase a drain snake. You might be using powerful chemicals to unclog drains in your kitchen or bathroom, but these chemicals may actually do damage to your pipes and cause them to leak. A drain snake is an inexpensive, safer alternative.

• Pay attention to your water bill. Of course, you should be paying close attention to your bills anyway! But if you notice any particularly high water bills coming in, it’s likely you have a leak and need to get an inspection as soon as possible.

How To Stop Mold Growth in Austin

For mold to grow, all it needs is a little bit of water and a dark space. If the water damage is already done, you can still prevent mold growth by;

• Removing water as quickly as possible with a wet/dry vacuum.

• Use high-powered fans to dry the carpet.

• Use a dehumidifying machine to dry out the air in the room or rooms.

• Sanitize all carpet flooring using a steam-cleaner.

• Sanitize all walls and hard surface floors with soap and water.

Professional Austin Water Damage Restoration

If you’re already too late and water damage or mold has already taken hold in your home, call The Steam Team of Austin and we’ll send our best water damage and mold remediation professionals your way! We are the leader in Austin, Texas for cleaning and restoration. We are having our 40th Birhtday this month. We started right here in 1983!

Worried About Plumbing Overflow In Your Home in Austin? Read This

Water Damage austin texas

One of the most damaging things in homes and businesses today is plumbing overflow and the flooding it can cause. Here at The Steam Team, we want to help you fully understand the dangers of plumbing overflow, what steps you should take, and how we can help.

Damage From Plumbing Overflow

Whether you have tile, carpet, or wood floors, you probably already know that water will damage your floors. But water can also damage the subfloor underneath your flooring if it isn’t cleaned up soon enough. With spills this is easy to do, but in the case of plumbing overflow you won’t be able to prevent the water damage, and the floor and subfloor may need to be removed. In cases where the plumbing overflow occurred on a second or third story, the water may leak through the floor and drip from the ceiling of the lower floor, causing further damage to whatever surface it lands on.

Having your home damaged is awful enough, but unchecked plumbing overflow can also cause serious health risks. If the floors are wet, keep that in mind and take all precautions so that you can try not to slip if you must walk on the wet floor. Also, be sure to stay away from any electrical outlets that may have gotten wet, as they might electrocute you.

Dangers of Mold

Unchecked plumbing overflow can also cause mold to grow in certain places. It can happen anywhere dark with just a little bit of moisture, and it can quickly become a health hazard for anyone in the home.

When it comes to mold growth, but also floor damage and the other jobs required when you have plumbing overflow in your home, The Steam Team can help you! Our professional technicians are trained to use high-powered technology and expert methods to fix all of your plumbing overflow problems. For more information on how we can help, please visit The Steam Team website.

Who Cleans Up After Construction and Water Damage In Your Home?

Commercial Water Damage in Austin, Texas

After any major construction or remodeling in your home, 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 water damage mess. Here’s our team’s process:

Detailed Surface Cleaning

Construction is a messy process after flooding, and your home or business may have been left covered with layers of dust and debris after a water damage. 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!

More From The Steam Team

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.

Finding The Right Method To Clean Your Leather Upholstery

Water Damage In Austin Texas

When you’re cleaning something that people will be sitting on every day, you want to make sure it’s done right. But there are many different types of leather upholstery, so the first step is figuring out which type of upholstery you have, and only then can you find the right method to clean it. Let’s talk about how The Steam Team’s highly trained cleaning professionals can help you when you’re unsure about cleaning your upholstery.

The Right Method

We train our technicians to offer excellent service to all of our customers. When you call them for upholstery cleaning, they’ll start by recommending only the most appropriate cleaning method for your specific type of upholstery. Then, to be absolutely sure that we’re providing the best service we can to meet your needs, our technicians will test the cleaning method on a small area of the upholstery for you to see and make sure you approve. If the upholstery is easy to clean, our prices will be lower to match. More expensive upholstery requires more expensive cleaning methods.

Powerful Fabric Protectant

Once the upholstery has been cleaned, you’ll have the option to have our technicians apply a powerful fabric protectant. This is a recommended part of our total cleaning program and will save you money in the long run. Over time, spills, pets and children will wear down your upholstery and soon you’ll have to have it cleaned again or even replaced, but not if we apply a fabric protectant. The protectant will easily resist anything that might dull your upholstery over time.

Total Clean and Replenishing

Our technicians even come prepared for leather upholstery. They’ll carefully and properly clean the leather, removing all dirt and grime, and replenish the natural oils that help keep the leather in good condition. We’ll bring your leather back to the sleek shine it used to have in no time. For more information on upholstery cleaning and our other services, visit The Steam Team website.

Everything You Need To Know About Leather Cleaning And Conditioning

Professional Cleaning Austin, Texas

Leather furniture is highly sought-after, but far too many homeowners buy leather items without realizing how to properly care for them, and sometimes end up overwhelmed by what’s required. To make things easier for you, here’s our expert advice on proper leather treatment.

Know Your Leather

Many people think all leather requires the same treatment, but that’s not true! It's very important to know what kind of leather you have before attempting to clean it.

Protected Leather- This makes up the majority of leather upholstery. Protected leather may also be labeled finished, semi-aniline, or pigmented leather. Protected leather, as the name suggests, is topped with a protective coating and is more durable than other leathers.

Unprotected Leather- Also called aniline, pure aniline, or unfinished leather, this leather has a more soft and luxurious feel. This type of leather is more sensitive to staining and is also more expensive than protected leather.

Cleaning and Conditioning

When cleaning unprotected leather, you may use a slightly dampened cloth with distilled water, a dry cloth and vacuum (make sure you’re using the small brush attachment), or an approved leather cleaner. The specific manufacturer may have their own instructions, so be sure to check that out. But no matter what the method is, clean very gently with unprotected leather, as it is much more susceptible to staining.

Protected leather can handle a lot more, but you should still be careful to not use certain products. Clean with a vacuum and damp cloth, but only use approved leather cleaners.

An approved leather conditioner should be applied every six to twelve months. To properly condition, add a small dollop of conditioner onto a small cloth and gently rub the conditioner all over the leather. This will keep your leather looking shiny and moisturized.

The Steam Team Method

You might be thinking all these steps are too much to deal with yourself, but that’s what we’re here for! The Steam Team can completely clean and condition your leather furniture for you. Feel free to call any time!

What's Better: Mopping or Steam Cleaning?

Cleaning in Austin, Texas

People have been mopping their floors clean for centuries, and it's a very simple and mostly effective way to clean your floors. But in more recent years, more and more people are using steam cleaners. If you’re still on the fence, let’s discuss what makes steam cleaning different, and then you can decide for yourself whether you want to stick with the mop.

More Possibilities

One of the things that makes steam cleaning more popular than mopping is that it doesn’t require any chemicals. Whereas mopping usually involves mixing some kind of chemical cleaner with the water, steam cleaning is just water and heat, but achieves an even better clean! This also means that steam cleaners can be used on a wide variety of surfaces, even things like upholstery and curtains. They’re also great for getting rid of fat and grease, cleaning tiled floors and walls, and even cleaning the inside of your car!

Better Against Mold

One of the most significant benefits of using a steam cleaner over a mop is how effective they are against mold. Many people use bleach to get rid of mold, but in fact, bleach only turns the mold white so that it blends in with the surface. The high temperature of steam cleaning kills the mold while the bristles help remove it from those hard to reach places.

Safe For The Home

Because only water and heat are used in steam cleaning, your home or place of business will remain free from the chemical residue or pollution that some cleaners may leave behind. This will make the environment much safer for you and those around you.

Allergies

Steam cleaning significantly benefits people with allergies and asthma, since it uses all natural steam to remove dirt and grime from all surfaces. Therefore, it won’t aggravate any allergies or cause respiratory issues.

Professional Steam Cleaning

It should be clear by now that steam cleaning has mops and other chemical cleaning methods beat. However, steam cleaners are expensive, and you may not want to go through the work of buying one and doing the cleaning yourself. But don’t worry, that’s why The Steam Team is here. Our professional technicians will use top-of-the-line steam cleaners and other methods to rejuvenate your home. For more information on the services we offer, visit The Steam Team website.

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.

A Few Great Tips For Maintaining Marble Floors

Most people who have marble floors absolutely love them- they’re an elegant and natural beautiful flooring option. However, marble is quite a delicate material that can easily scratch or stain, and to polish it the right way you’ll need to use great care and the proper materials. Here’s some advice from the experts:

Avoid These Mistakes

Marble cleaning isn’t as easy as some other flooring options, so before we get into our suggestions, you need to know what NOT to do with your marble to ensure that it won’t become damaged.

Spills can certainly do damage to your marble floors, but mopping them up with a soaked mop can do even more damage. Be sure to only use a slightly damp mop for spills on a marble surface.

Marble is especially sensitive to acidic cleaners. For this reason, you should only clean marble with cleaners specifically designed for marble floors. Other store-bought products or DIY methods like vinegar, lemon, or ammonia could cause irreversible damage to your floors.

Never leave or drag heavy furniture or sharp objects on a marble floor, as they can easily cause damage.

Proper Marble Polishing

To prepare for polishing your marble, a polishing compound specifically designed for your kind of marble (cultured or uncultured), a low-speed polisher and a marble sealant is used. Once the surface is perfectly clean, the compound is applied in small sections. It can be a tedious job since it needs to be done with expert care throughout- you don’t want to leave any room for damage to the marble!

The Steam Team

If you want your marble floors to look the best they possibly can, you’re in luck. At The Steam Team, we have our very own complete line of products for marble floor cleaning that’s guaranteed to get the job done right.

The Steam Team: Master Rug Cleaners

When it comes to having your rugs cleaned, professionals with the right equipment are the safest hands to put your delicate oriental or persian rugs in. But- which rug cleaning service should you choose? If you live in Austin TX or the surrounding areas, choose the company that has been certified as “Master Rug Cleaners”, choose The Steam Team!

Your Valuable Rugs

Our technicians know your rugs are important to you, so they’ll use only the most effective and safest equipment available when it comes to cleaning and drying your rugs. We know that many oriental and persian rugs are investments that will increase in value over time, and we want to help you keep them in great condition!

Inspection and Surface Cleaning

Our professionals will begin the cleaning process with a careful inspection of the rug to find all the solid dirt and debris, before removing it from the rug’s surface. Pressurized air, a vacuum and a pile lifter will be used to carefully remove all solid debris and prepare the rug for washing.

Thorough Washing

With the solid debris removed from the textile, our technicians will move on to using a preconditioning agent on the rug and a special rug cleaning agent to shampoo deep within the fibers of the rug. All the shampoo will be rinsed out along with any stains, additional debris or other contaminants before the fibers of the rug are groomed by hand to ensure proper drying.

Final Touches

To ensure maximum drying, your rug will be put into a controlled atmosphere drying room and inspected to make sure drying is complete and that the fibers remain in good condition. Only after the drying is complete and one additional inspection proves that your rug is perfectly clean, then our professionals will comb the fringes with a specialized tool to brighten their color and they’ll be on their way!

For more information on our rug cleaning services or water damaged rugs, as well as our many other services, please visit The Steam Team website.

Caring for Marble Surfaces: A Guide from The Experts

Marble flooring sparkles and shines throughout a home, creating a unique appeal other floorings can’t. For centuries it’s been used in flooring, countertops, and other surfaces around the home- but if you’ve installed marble, you probably know that it takes work to maintain that perfect sleek look. Unfortunately, the material of marble is far more sensitive than other flooring options, so taking care to ensure you’re treating it properly is imperative. Today, we’ve put together some tips and tricks to keep your marble looking brand new and better than ever.

All About Marble Polishing

After a few years of owning a marble floor, you may start to notice that it doesn’t look quite the same as it did when you first got it. Maybe it has dull or dirty patches, or is generally less shiny than it once was. These are all signs that the marble needs to be polished, and that the protective seal may have been worn down, making the marble more sensitive to spills or other damage. To keep this from happening, a good rule of thumb is to have your marble floors polished every one to three years. The most well maintained floors may only need to be polished every five years.

Hiring The Steam Team

It’s important to remember that marble is a sensitive material, and can’t handle most common household cleaners, or anything acidic. For this reason, we suggest leaving the marble polishing up to professionals like The Steam Team technicians to prevent your floor from being damaged. Our technicians will only use products that are specifically designed for marble polishing. In fact, we happen to have our own full line of products designed for marble floor tile. Our professional technicians will use the best products and methods to restore your marble floor to its original shine.

For more information on marble floor cleaning and the many other services we offer, visit The Steam Team website.

One Important Tip To Prevent Fire Damage

For years here at The Steam Team, we’ve been helping people all around the central Texas community in the aftermath of serious fires to clean and restore their home with high-powered equipment and highly-trained technicians. Over the years, we’ve learned a lot about how these fires have started all across homes and businesses everywhere. Here’s one very important tip to help prevent these fires from occuring in your home:

Keep A Close Eye On Your Dryer Vent

Thousands of fires start in a place you may not even think about very often day-to-day; your dryer vent. Lint and debris buildup in the vent of your dryer can easily become flammable and prone to fires if left unattended for too long. Even if it doesn’t always start a fire, the buildup of lint and debris can cause your dryer to work harder, increasing your monthly energy bill. So for both personal safety and financial reasons, it’s smart to keep your dryer vents as clean as you can.

Many professionals recommend that you have your dryer vents and all connected systems inspected and cleaned out every year. As it turns out, The Steam Team professional technicians offer this very service. All vents, ducting and connected systems can be cleaned by our team to help prevent fire damage from ever occurring in your home.

The Steam Team

Our highly-trained team of professional technicians will be ready for your call and thoroughly inspect and clean your dryer vents in no time. We’ll use only the most powerful and effective equipment possible, and we’ll offer you fair pricing backed with a guarantee. We offer not only residential, but commercial dryer vent cleaning as well. So if you’ve been neglecting to have your dryer vents inspected or cleaned this year, what are you waiting for? Call in The Steam Team.

Should I Steam Clean My Fabrics with Steam Team?

Next time you’re cleaning your house, don’t forget about your curtains! They accumulate dust easily, just like other surfaces in your home—and particularly during times of the year when you like to keep the windows open. But is it safe to steam clean them?  

What material are your curtains?

If your curtains are a delicate material or sheer, you’ll want to give them a good shake, then follow up with a duster or low-power vacuuming using the appropriate nozzle attachment. 

If your curtains are a heavier-weight material, check the care instructions. If they are machine-washable, they are also candidates for a steam cleaning, which saves you the hassle of needing to wash, dry, and iron them yourself.    

If they are dry-clean only, attempt washing them yourself at your own risk! If you’re willing to give it a go, try handwashing or using the gentle cycle and line drying. 

Whichever cleaning method you decide on for your curtains, don’t forget to clean the curtain rod, windowsill, and window moldings, too! 

Do you have allergies?

It’s especially important to keep your curtains clean if you are sensitive to common allergens. 

Here in Central Texas, we are subject to a variety of outdoor allergens year-round: mountain cedar in winter, oak pollen in spring, grasses in the summertime, and ragweed in the fall. So if your windows are open in the spring, don’t be surprised if you notice a fine layer of yellow-green oak pollen coating your windowsill and likely your curtains, too. You might also be sensitive to dust or mold. 

A steam cleaning will be able to pick up the fine particles of any airborne allergens more effectively than a regular wash cycle. If you suffer from allergies, you may also want to consider keeping your windows closed year-round.

Contact our experts at The Steam Team here in Austin if you have any questions about steam cleaning your window treatments! 

Stained Upholstery is No Problem for The Steam Team

It’s no secret that accidents happen frequently, and can rarely be avoided. The same is true for our upholstery; sometimes we spill things, or the dog jumps onto our furniture with wet and muddy paws! Luckily, The Steam Team is here to remedy the situation! Our team of trained professionals will happily come out to your home and work at removing stains from your upholstery. Here’s how: 

Getting Started

First of all, The Steam Team recognizes that certain types of upholstery have needs that vary from other types. Fortunately for everyone involved, our team of trained experts can easily recommend the appropriate cleaning method for your upholstered furniture. You can sit back and relax while we begin the process of removing those pesky stains! 

The Steam Team Method

Steam cleaning uses nothing but hot water high water pressure to effortlessly and effectively lift stains from upholstery (but also carpet, grout, natural stone, you name it!). We’ve perfected our methods by now, and can’t wait for you to see our results! 

Along with making sure your upholstery is spotless and stainless, The Steam Team can also apply a fabric protectant. Over the years, your furniture has seen some action (especially if you have children or pets, who like to jump on furniture). Stains, spills, and ultraviolet radiation all cause your furniture to eventually appear lackluster. Why not protect your upholstered furniture by applying a fabric protectant? It’s a great investment! 

Cleaning upholstery is just one of our many talents. We have over a decade of experience cleaning and caring for all types of flooring, from carpet to hardwood to natural stone. We also help the cleanup process after disasters strike, like floods or fires! No matter what you need, you can rely on The Steam Team. Just give us a call today! You won’t regret it.

How The Steam Team Handles Pet Odor

We love our pets but there are few things as irritating as coming home to find that your floor is riddled with urine stains and the air is filled with pet odor. In many cases, the urine can even soak through the carpet into the padding underneath, or even the subfloor underneath that, causing the odor to linger and allowing for bacterial growth. But don’t worry, The Steam Team can help.

Treatment

To begin treatment, the urine stained area must be removed or neutralized. In some cases, the entire carpet, padding, or even subfloor may need to be removed, and sometimes the odor still persists. But if the urine is allowed to sit in the carpet long enough, the odor will settle into other furniture in the home over time. Luckily, The Steam Team has a wide range of solutions for these issues.

Urine Control

Keep in mind, the cleaning and removal of urine spots and stains may not entirely remove the odor from the home. Pet urine is easier to clean when it is fresh, if it is allowed to sit for days or weeks it will become “alkaline”, and will permanently stain the carpet. This means that it may not be possible for all urine spots to be removed. To prevent permanent staining, blot urine spots with a white cloth or paper towel as soon as you notice them.

The Professional Method

In the case of deep “alkaline” urine stains that are harder to remove, The Steam Team professionals will follow all of these steps for stain removal. In less extreme circumstances, some of these steps will be left out:

• Pulling up the carpet.

• Removing the affected padding.

• Cleaning the back of the carpet.

• Treating the floor with a specialized enzyme treatment.

• Sealing the floor with an odor barrier.

• Treating the back of the carpet with an enzyme treatment.

• Installing new tack strip.

• Installing new padding.

• Re-installing carpet.

• Clean carpet.

• Topically apply enzyme.

For more information of what we can offer including full service water damage, visit The Steam Team website.

5 Reasons Why Steam Cleaning is Essential

Steam cleaning is becoming increasingly popular as people continue to search for better, safer cleaning methods to use in their home or place of business. If you haven’t yet jumped on the trend, here’s some helpful information from The Steam Team on why this cleaning practice might become the new norm.

A Variety of Uses

One thing that makes steam cleaners so easy to use is that they don’t require any chemicals, just water and heat. This also means that steam cleaners can be used on a wide variety of surfaces, even things like upholstery and curtains. They’re also great for getting rid of fat and grease, cleaning tiled floors and walls, and even cleaning the inside of your car! 

Great Against Mold

One of the most significant benefits of using a steam cleaner is how effective they are against mold. Many people use bleach to get rid of mold, but in fact, bleach only turns the mold white so that it blends in with the surface. The high temperature of steam cleaning kills the mold while the bristles help remove it from those hard to reach places.

Safer For You and Your Family

Since only heat and water are used in steam cleaning, your home or place of business will remain free from the chemical residue or pollution that some cleaners may leave behind. This will make the environment much safer for you and those around you.

Allergies

Steam cleaning significantly benefits people with allergies and asthma, since it uses all natural steam to remove dirt and grime from all surfaces. Therefore, it won’t aggravate any allergies or cause respiratory issues.

Professional Steam Cleaning

Now you see the benefits that steam cleaning offers to anyone in search of a better, safer clean. However, you may not want to spend all the money on buying your own expensive steam cleaner, or the effort of cleaning your property yourself. But don’t worry, that’s why The Steam Team is here. Our professional technicians will use top-of-the-line steam cleaners and other methods to rejuvenate your home. For more information on the services we offer, visit The Steam Team website.

The Dangers of Leaky Appliances

When an appliance begins to leak, even just a small amount, it can be a huge deal. A small drip can turn into a major leak, and a major leak can evolve into a flood. As soon as you detect a leak in your home, contact the professionals! It’s never too early to tackle a leaky appliance, and the last thing you want on your hands is a flood inside your kitchen! The Steam Team has several years of experience handling leakly appliances! Don’t hesitate to give us a call.

The Dangers of Leaky Appliances

The foremost danger you’ll be faced with when it comes to leaky appliances is mold. This may not come as a surprise to you if you know anything about how mold grows! It thrives in damp, dark environments… like wet cabinets from a leaky dishwasher, or wet floorboards from a leaky refrigerator! Once mold begins to grow and spread, it can pose many threats to your health. Avoid all of this by calling in the professionals right away!

Calling in the Professionals

Because mold can be such a dangerous factor in this scenario of leaky appliances, you want to contact the pro’s as soon as you detect a leak, or any issue. Doing so will save you a ton of hassle in the long run. Obviously the longer you let a leak fester, the more you risk mold growing. A professional steam cleaning company, like The Steam Team can help you out in times like these.

How The Steam Team Can Help

When your appliances go kaput, we’re the people you want to call! The Steam Team can help with appliance leak clean up and water extraction, structural drying, and water damage restoration for the following: your water heater, washing machine, AC Unit drain, refrigerator and ice maker, and sink and dishwasher!

Again- never hesitate to give us a call! We’d love to help you out!

Sprucing Up Your Office for the Spring

Well friends, it’s that time of year again! It’s time to start spring cleaning, and this includes your office, too! Whether you’re decluttering a home office or getting your hands dirty in a high rise building, The Steam Team is here to help! Regardless of the location of your office, it still needs to be deep cleaned this season, so let’s take a glance at a few areas to focus on!

Blinds and Draperies

It’s allergy season, and if you live in Austin then you know that it’s not going away anytime soon, unfortunately. That’s just one reason why it’s so important to rid your office of dust! Window blinds and draperies are notorious for hoarding allergens like dirt, dust, and pollen. Clean them out this spring and you won’t regret it!

Surfaces

Over the weeks, grime can begin to develop on our surfaces like tables, desks, and end tables. This is especially true if you’re guilty of enjoying a meal or two at your desk! But don’t worry; most surfaces can be steam cleaned, and we’re experts at that! You can rely on The Steam Team to thoroughly clean the surfaces in your office.

Flooring

Do you have carpet in your office? Then it’s time to give it a good old fashioned steam cleaning! Seriously- doing so will not only do wonders for your allergies, but it’ll also reduce the amount of dust, dirt, crumbs, and general grime that exists in your office! And of course, after The Steam Team is finished with your flooring, it’ll look as good as new!

If you need a hand this spring, don’t hesitate to give The Steam Team a call! We’re constantly standing by (24/7!) and would love to help out! Just contact us today or log online to view our list of services. You know you need a hand this spring in your office; just rely on The Steam Team!