Hidden Dangers of Smoke Damage

Smoke & Fire Damage Insurance Claims Austin

By now, you probably understand that there are many dangers when a fire occurs - including the dangers of smoke. However, smoke can actually be more damaging than the fire itself in some cases. If soot and ash are left around the house, it could cause discoloration to your walls, materials around the home, damage to electronics, and worst of all - health problems. It doesn’t help that it spreads rapidly, either.

Let’s dive a little deeper…

Effects on Your Home

The smoke damage has the ability to weaken the overall structure of your home - especially in big house fires where it travels into the walls. On the other hand, your HVAC system isn’t protected from smoke damage and can cause the smoke to spread throughout the entire home through your air ducts - affecting every foot around the house.

Effects on Your Health

With the way smoke damage can spread throughout the home through your HVAC system, there are many health risks from breathing in the air in and around the house. First and foremost - the toxic fumes from the smoke are unsafe to breath. They can cause lung irritation, scarring, among many other dangers inside your body.

Handling Smoke Damage

It can be detrimental to your health to attempt fire damage restoration on your own - unfortunately, it could even lead to death if the home is re-entered before the professionals have a chance to assess the damage because you won’t know the severity of smoke in the area. Whether it be weakened structure or spreading smoke damage - it’s just not worth the risk.

So, who do you call in a time like this to avoid the smoke damage?

A professional restoration company - like The Steam Team. The professionals have all of the right equipment, training, and expertise to handle these situations in the safest way possible.

A Quick Guide to Drapery Cleaning

24 Hour Water Damage Restoration San Marcos, Texas

They’re often one of the most forgotten fabrics in the house - your drapes. Unfortunately, this also makes them one of the dirtiest. They often collect lots of dust, dirt, and even mold as it makes it’s way around the house, but are then neglected - leaving you sneezing or itching your nose. Just as your carpet benefits from regular cleaning, so do your window treatments. So we’ve put together a quick (and simple) guide to drapery cleaning to lend you a helping hand!

What Kind of Drapes Do You Have?

Window treatments are often made from different fabrics like; cotton, wool, polyester, silk, etc. Just as carpet fibers vary, these fabrics should be cleaned accordingly. In some cases, you may be able to take the drapes off of your windows and throw them in the wash. However, whether or not they can be washed like your laundry can depends on their pattern and material. Do not wash pleated drapes!

Regular Cleaning

When you’re doing your weekly (or biweekly) regular cleaning around the house, you can include your drapes. The fabrics can be vacuumed with the attachment regularly to keep grime buildup at a minimum. However, professionals do have better equipment to ensure for a more thorough clean.

Deep Cleaning

Just as any other fabric - whether it be furniture or flooring - needs occasional deep cleaning, so do those window treatments. Fortunately, they can be steam cleaned like other fabrics! When you’re planning on steam cleaning your carpets - throw the drapes in, too, and we promise you won’t regret it. You likely already know the benefits that come with steam cleaning, but just in case - we’ll remind you. Lack of chemicals, quick drying time, thorough clean, kids and pet friendly, we could go on and on.

So, is it time for a good, thorough, deep clean for your drapes? You tell us - we think it’s probably safe to say; yes! Don’t hesitate to give us a call!

Is There a Difference Between a Spot & a Stain?

Water and Fire Damage Pflugerville

We’ve all been there - whether you dropped or spilled something, you kids did, or maybe mud was tracked through the house by an (unnamed) animal - will the mess come out of the carpet fibers? There’s one question to ask yourself; is it a spot or a stain? Now you may be a little confused - after all, what is the difference between the two?

All About Spots

Spots are made from substances that won’t permanently  harm the carpet and its fibers. However, they can become permanent if left to sit or the wrong cleaners are used. On the other hand, they can also be easily treated with the right cleaners and if they’re treated immediately.

All About Stains

Stains are formed from permanent carpet damage - often from heavily dyed foods or drinks that are rich in color. Other things that can cause stains are substances like makeup and paint. Unfortunately, stains are harder to remove and just as spots - can also be made worse from the wrong cleaning agents and techniques.

What do you do when you face a spot or stain?

First thing’s first; if you don’t know what you’re looking at - don’t hesitate to contact a professional. Attempting to deal with the spot or stain yourself could end up ruining the carpet entirely, from spreading the stain to hurting the carpet fibers.

So, if you’re facing a tough spot in your carpeting, we’d be happy to help! Steam cleaning is often the most thorough way to tackle those pesky stains. Plus, by hiring a professional company, a clean carpet is guaranteed. Our technicians know each and every technique to try and lift those substances from the carpet fibers - it helps that they all use state-of-the-art equipment, too!

If you ever have a water or fire damage in Pflugerville ? Give us a call, here at The Steam Team.

When Should You Have Your Carpets Professionally Cleaned?

Round Rock, Texas Carpet Cleaning

Ah, the great mystery of carpet cleaning - how should it be done? How often should it be done? Sure, you probably vacuum once (or twice) a week and spot treat as necessary - especially if you have kids and/or pets - but we’re talking about having those carpets professionally cleaned. Is it necessary? One word: absolutely. However, it’s frequency is determined by numerous factors.

How Dirt & Soil Can Shorten the Lifespan of Your Carpet

Unfortunately, dirt, debris, and soil buildup long before you can actually see it with the naked eye. As you probably already know, the more traffic that occurs on the carpets will move around these small particles of debris. This ruins individual fibers and can actually cause bald spots over time.

So, what does that mean for frequency of professional Round Rock Carpet Cleaning?

There are a few things you’ll want to remember about carpet cleaning. But first, it should be done before you begin to notice dirt buildup. However, this depends on how much traffic is in each area of your carpeting - but typically, your carpets should be thoroughly and professionally cleaned every 6 to 12 months (but obviously more frequently if you have children or pets).

Carpet Warranty

Let’s take it a step further. Many homeowners are unsure of whether or not they have a carpet warranty - if this sounds like you, you’ll definitely want to check! In fact, without professionally steam cleaning every so often, you could be voiding your warranty.

So, how long has it been since you’ve had your carpets professionally steam cleaned? Let’s get that dirt and grime out before it really starts to affect your flooring - or worse, ruin it. Give us a call, here at The Steam Team, we’re always happy to help!

Can You Actually Remove Pet Urine in Carpet?

Westlake Hills, Austin Texas Carpet Cleaning

This is a question we hear quite often as it’s a pretty common issue among those who own pets. Accidents happen! Every situation is different though, and there are several factors to consider. For example, the amount of time the urine has been left to soak into the carpet plays a huge role in its ability to be removed. For this reason, any accidents should be dealt with immediately - no matter the size.

Now, how can you deal with accidents immediately? It’s rather simple, actually! First: make sure to soak up any excess with a clean towel. This keeps the urine (or any other liquid, really) from soaking too far into the carpet and the padding below. You can also use a vinegar and water mixture to treat the spot immediately, although it’s not recommended for the cleaning process to stop there. After you’ve done this, call a professional!

Hiring a professional to deal with urine contamination is always your best bet, regardless of how large or small the stain is. When there have been multiple accidents or excess amounts of pet urine, you may be wondering; is my carpet salvageable?

Unfortunately, not always. In some cases, you may need to replace your flooring - especially if the carpet padding has been entirely soaked - as it can be extremely difficult to remove not only the stains but also the odor. However, when you hire a professional cleaning company (like The Steam Team), our technicians can examine the extent of the damage to determine the best course of action (whether that’s cleaning, repairing, or replacing).

Dealing with urine contamination and stains is no fun, but we all know accidents can happen. Give us a call if you’re facing some of these pesky stains, we’re always happy to help!

Can You Use Water to Clean Your Upholstered Furniture?

Round Rock, Texas Carpet Cleaning

This may seem like a no-brainer to some of you, but no - you cannot use water to clean your upholstery. Water often damages these fine furnishings, which you likely paid a pretty penny for! In order to elongate its lifetime, upholstered furniture needs to be properly taken care of. So, how do you clean it?

For quick, light (and regular) cleanings, you can use a vacuum and a clean cloth to remove any dirt or dust. However, to properly maintain this kind of furniture - whether it’s a sofa, loveseat, armchair, or even drapery - a deep, thorough, steam cleaning is always recommended throughout the year.

Depending on the amount of dust, dirt, and other debris around the house, your professional technician can advise a good deep-cleaning schedule for you. As always, every situation and piece of furniture is different - your armchair may not even need to be deeply cleaned as often as your sofa, or vice versa. Although, one thing is for sure - it’s always recommended to hire a professional steam cleaning company for these types of cleanings. Your technician is properly trained, certified, and is even covered by insurance - so you won’t have to worry at all! In fact, the equipment they use is far stronger than any do-it-yourself techniques, which is why you’ll immediately notice the difference in cleanliness.

So, if you’ve learned anything from this blog - please don’t use water to clean your furniture (whether it’s large, small, or upholstered with fabric or leather). Water can be extremely damaging, leave spots, and will absolutely shorten the lifetime of your precious (and expensive) furniture. If you’re in need of steam cleaning, The Steam Team is always happy to help and at your service. Just give us a quick call and we’ll send out a technician to inspect and clean your upholstered furniture!

What Causes Wear in Carpet?

Over time you may notice that your carpet is thinning - maybe even getting bald patches! Is there a way to control this? You may be wondering; what even causes these bald patches?

This kind of wear and balding is often caused by excess buildup of dirt and debris, mostly in areas with high traffic. This happens because the particles of dirt and debris get stuck between the carpet fibers, then when the carpet is walked on, the particles can damage the fibers. Without proper cleaning and maintenance, these particles may stay in the carpet fibers for extended periods of time - causing more and more of a problem for your carpet.

If you see these balding patches, you may be quick to try and fix the problem yourself - but wait! Sometimes, do-it-yourself techniques and cleaning products can actually be more harmful, especially in this situation. The best way to ensure all of these particles are carefully removed from the carpet is to hire a professional steam cleaning company. They’ll be able to inspect the damage to properly treat the problem and further protect your carpet.

Carpet Repair & Restoration

Over time you may notice that your carpet is thinning - maybe even getting bald patches! Is there a way to control this? You may be wondering; what even causes these bald patches?

This kind of wear and balding is often caused by excess buildup of dirt and debris, mostly in areas with high traffic. This happens because the particles of dirt and debris get stuck between the carpet fibers, then when the carpet is walked on, the particles can damage the fibers. Without proper cleaning and maintenance, these particles may stay in the carpet fibers for extended periods of time - causing more and more of a problem for your carpet.

If you see these balding patches, you may be quick to try and fix the problem yourself - but wait! Sometimes, do-it-yourself techniques and cleaning products can actually be more harmful, especially in this situation. The best way to ensure all of these particles are carefully removed from the carpet is to hire a professional steam cleaning company. They’ll be able to inspect the damage to properly treat the problem and further protect your carpet.

Can you prevent this issue in the future? Actually, yes! There are several ways you can keep bald patches from occurring. Keeping the amount of dirt and debris that collect in your carpet fibers at bay is the best form of prevention. This could mean you put out extra mats for guests (and household members) to wipe their shoes on, or maybe you don’t even allow shoes on your carpet! Additionally, performing regular (proper) maintenance can help - vacuuming weekly (or a couple times a week in high traffic areas) and ensuring that your carpet is professionally deep cleaned a few times throughout the year.

If your carpet is extensively damaged, it may need to be repaired. But don’t worry! Your professional steam cleaning company can help you to determine the best course of action.

Can You Damage Your Carpet with Do-It-Yourself Cleaning?

Protect Rugs and Carpet

It’s no secret that you can buy your own carpet cleaning products, steam cleaners, and even rent industrial-grade machines from your local hardware store. But, could all of these do-it-yourself methods actually hurt your carpet more than clean it? Without the proper training, techniques, products, and machinery - you could end up damaging your carpet fibers. Many homeowners believe they can save money by going the DIY route, but it can often result in a cleaning process that requires extensive work - leading to further expenses.

So, how do the wrong tools and techniques ruin your carpet?

Well, there are a couple questions you should ask yourself when looking at carpet cleaning machinery, starting with the size of the cleaner itself. Larger steam cleaners often have more power, more power equals more suction - which obviously gives your carpet a better clean. When you’re dealing with poor suction and power, your carpet is often left with excessive moisture. The more water that’s left behind can actually attract more dirt - leaving you with a dirtier carpet than before.

How are professional steam cleaners different?

Beginning with the machinery, with a professional steam cleaning company, it’s truck-mounted. This means that it has much more power than any steam cleaner you could buy or even rent - leaving your carpets with as little moisture as possible. Add on the fact that you have a trained technician working to clean your carpet fibers and it’s the best recipe for fresh, clean carpets. Every type of flooring is different - carpets are made up of different types of fibers that each need their own tender love and care.

When it comes down to it, you could save yourself money from the get-go by hiring a professional first instead of attempting to clean your carpets with your own do-it-yourself method. Plus, it’ll save you tons of time, too! Don’t hesitate, call us today! Protect your carpets with something like 3M Scotchgard® or DuPont Teflon®

3 Common Causes of House Fires

Austin Fire Damage Contractor

Fortunately, or unfortunately - however you choose to look at it - almost all household fires are preventable. We wanted to go over the top 3 most common causes for house fires to (hopefully) help homeowners become more aware of these dangers around the house. So, let’s get started!

1. Smoking

While this is likely no surprise, thousands of people ignite fires in their home every year from falling asleep while smoking cigarettes or cigars inside or near the house.

The best way to prevent a fire caused from smoking is to take extreme caution when choosing to smoke. Don’t be careless! Never smoke in bed or somewhere you can lay down - like the sofa or a recliner.

1. Candles

The aroma that candles can fill the house with, along with such a calming atmosphere, obviously make them a very loved addition to the house. However, candles are often used improperly - put in the wrong holders or too close to flammable fabrics and objects, making them one of the most common reasons behind house fires.

If you love to have candles around the home, don’t worry! You still can, just light them with caution. Use sturdy candle holders, be aware of where the candles are placed - ensuring that they won’t tip over and light something on fire. Lastly, never (EVER) leave candles lit around the house overnight or in your absence.

1. Cooking

Even though we’ve saved it for last, cooking is the number one cause of household fires - usually caused by leave the stove on unattended.

If you’re cooking, do not leave the house - it is as simple as that. You may be thinking, “well of course, I would never!” but it happens so often. Many people think they’ll run somewhere super quick - just a minute or two, maybe it’s just next door - what could go wrong? You could get caught up and it take longer than expected, something could burn, a grease fire could start, there are so many things that could go wrong when the stove is left unattended during cooking - don’t risk it!

If you’re facing fire damage, give your local restoration company - The Steam Team - a call!

How Should Your Clean Your Leather Furniture?

Leather Cleaning Austin, Texas

The biggest concern when it comes to leather furniture is finding a way to properly clean it so as to not dry it out. Leather needs to be treated carefully and - like other furniture - regularly cleaned and maintained. Since it’s a material prone to drying out, you’ll want to stay away from chemicals that could reduce any moisture.

So, what products should you use?

There are many leather-specific cleaners and conditioners that are made specifically to take care of your leather furniture and keep it from drying out. Using these every so often will keep your furniture in its best condition, but don’t forget the other maintenance you can do! Dusting often and even vacuuming will keep any dirt and debris from damaging your leather over time. Leather isn’t known for it’s elasticity - in fact, quite the opposite. Keeping the material conditioned will keep it from tearing and becoming damaged.  

Now, let’s talk about stains for a minute. Depending on the spill that’s causing the stain, it may need professional attention. For example, with grease, you’ll want to call in the professionals. Water can make grease stains tremendously worse and you wouldn’t want to ruin your furniture just because you’re trying to clean it! However, any spill should be treated immediately - the sooner you’re able to clean up the excess liquid, the easier the stain will be to remove.

You likely spent a good amount of time shopping for your furniture - and a pretty penny on it, too. With how expensive leather can be, maximize your investment by taking proper care of it and elongating the lifetime of your furniture! Don’t try to clean and condition it yourself if you aren’t sure what you’re doing - don’t be afraid to call in the professionals!

What Causes Carpet to Soil?

Carpet & Rug Cleaning

1. Nicotine

Just as nicotine can yellow your teeth, it can do the same to your carpets. Unfortunately, the color of your carpet isn’t the only thing that nicotine can affect. When you smoke indoors, your carpet fibers can soak up the odor of smoke pretty easily - just as many other fabrics do.

1. Direct Sunlight

Not only does direct sunlight fade the color saturation of your carpet, but it also can cause it to turn yellow-ish in color (no matter the color of fibers).

1. Overly Aggressive Cleaning Agents

It’s always important to use the proper cleaning products and techniques for your carpet fibers. When you don’t, the chemicals could be too aggressive for your carpet specifically, and end up damaging it further. In fact, not only can it weaken the fibers themselves, but it can also turn them yellow (we bet you never saw that coming)!

1. Dirt Build Up - Soil Abrasion

It’s no secret that dirt gets tracked through the house - why else would you clean your floors so frequently? Whether it’s by the dog, the kids, or yourself - it’s going to happen. However, soil and debris build up can cause abrasion in the carpet fibers, leading to yellowing.

1. Urine

For obvious reasons urine can turn carpet yellow, but it also carries a heavy odor that is often difficult to get rid of.

So, what can you do about yellowing carpet?

In some cases, like soil abrasion, you may need to look at replacement carpet. But - you can prevent it by using entry mats or taking your shoes off before walking on the carpet (especially in areas with heavy traffic). In other situations, your best bet is to hire a professional steam cleaning company to inspect the damage and point you in the right direction (whether that be cleaning or replacement).

Don’t hesitate to give us a call, we’re always happy to help!

A Simple Guide for Day-to-Day Carpet Cleaning

Cleaning 

Taking care of your home involves a lot of work - and we’re not just referring to your flooring, but that’s obviously a huge part of it. Placing flooring in your house is undoubtedly expensive - no matter the material (tile, wood, laminate, or carpet). With such an investment, you likely want to take good care of it! Unfortunately, many homeowners either don’t know how to or are misinformed. So today, we’re going to dive into the details of caring for and maintaining that fresh, new carpet look.

First Step: Minimize Dirt and Debris

It’s easy to leave your shoes on from outside and track dirt all through the house - many, many people do it, you probably see your kids do it all the time! But, how can you minimize that dirt? The more dirt and debris that’s brought into your carpet fibers, the dirtier it becomes - but also, the more likely it is to become damaged. Reducing the amount of dirt tracked through the house does wonders for keeping your carpet clean and fresh.

A couple tips are to keep entry mats by the front door or even request that shoes be taken off before walking on the carpet. Without shoes, there shouldn’t be any dirt or debris nestling itself in your carpet fibers!

Second Step: Reduce Direct Sunlight

Direct sunlight can fade the color of your carpet or even cause it to turn yellow over time. It’s best to keep curtains over your windows if your carpeting is in a place where the sun hits it directly for extended periods of time. If not, then you don’t even have to worry!

Cleaning Tips

Keeping your carpet clean is relatively easy; regularly vacuum (maybe even daily in high-traffic areas) spot treat, and immediately tend to stains.

Periodically, you’ll want a professional company to come out and give your carpets a good, thorough, deep cleaning so you know they’re well taken care of and are undoubtedly fresh - give us a call!

The Best Way to Remove 'Permanent' Stains

Carpet and Rug Cleaning

Stains happen - it’s inevitable. However, some are more stubborn than others - like red wine or puppy accidents. But, that doesn’t always mean they’re ‘permanent!’ Don’t worry, you won’t have to look at that stain or smell that odor forever - but it certainly will need some good tender love and care.

Don’t reach for just any cleaner! Especially with tougher stains or grease stains, you could end up damaging the carpet further or spreading the stain wider.

First, blot the stain with a dry cloth and remove any excess liquid. If this is not done immediately, the liquid can soak into the pad underneath the carpet (and then the odor is extremely difficult to remove). With that being said, this should always (always) be your first step to treating any stain - regardless of its permanency.

But next, it’s best to call in the ‘big guns’ and by that - we mean professionals. They know the best products and techniques to use to remove these kind of pesky stains. Plus, they have access to the latest technology and top-quality equipment that’s going to get the job done best. Sure, it may sound like a gimmick, but it really is true. Too many times have we seen people try to pour their own cleaners on stains to only make them worse and end up spending more money than expected to remove a ‘permanent’ stain from their carpet.

Even though it may feel like it, many stains aren’t actually permanent and can be removed with the right equipment. Of course this depends on the exact situation, but a true professional will be able to help you determine what the best route of treatment would be for you.

Above all, don’t try to do-it-yourself! Just give us a call, here at The Steam Team - we’re always happy to help.

Finding the Right Restoration Professional Austin

Water Damage Professional

Now that you know all of the situations in which a restoration professional should be contacted - how do you know who to pick? It would be easy for us to say, “pick us!” but when it comes to damage restoration, our main concern is that you’re working with someone who you trust, who will get the job done right and in a professional and timely manner because they care about you and your family. Of course, this describes The Steam Team to the ‘T’ but we know that there are many other companies out there that you may want to look at, as most consumers do.

So, what should you look for in a professional restoration company?

Availability

When it comes to disaster, it can strike at any time. When looking for a company to help you, you want someone who’s available to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - because you never know what’s going to happen!

Insurance

These are also the people who will be helping you through the insurance claims process, detailing the damage that was done, so experience with insurance companies is a must!

Experience and Training

Do you know what kind of training damage technicians go through? Do you know how much experience they have? If a company is trying to hide these facts from you, don’t trust them. Any professional you trust with your home - especially in the event of damage - should have extensive experience and undergo rigorous training.

License

Lastly, but certainly not least - a professional damage restoration company will have a license under their belt that says they’re certified to do the work they’re promising to you. If you’re unable to see their license for whatever reason, it’s important that you find a company who’s willing to show you that they are certified to work on your home.

If you have any doubts, please don’t hesitate to contact us here at The Steam Team - you know we’re always ready and willing to help!

Are You Suffering From Allergies? Clean Your Air Ducts!

Air Duct Cleaning Austin TX

Allergies often accompany the season of Spring, especially here in Austin which is often referred to as the ‘allergy capital of the world.’ With all of the allergens that are stirred up around us, you may be experiencing a stuffy nose or horrible congestion. While this certainly has to do with the outdoors, that doesn’t mean you’ll feel better the instant you walk indoors. However, there may be something you can do - have you cleaned your air ducts lately?

Air ducts are a commonly ignored part of the house, but they also hold onto many allergens within your home. Not only does dust, dirt, and other grime build up within your air ducts, but mold can often be found as well. If this is the case, you could be having an allergic reaction to the mold buildup or even the dust that continues to circulate throughout your home.

How Can You Clean Your Air Ducts?

Cleaning your air ducts should be done correctly, if not - it could actually cause more harm than good. So, your best bet is to hire a professional cleaning company. Not only will they inspect the ducts themselves, but they’ll also look at your HVAC system altogether to make sure there isn’t anything abnormal causing these issues.

Are There Other Benefits to Air Duct Cleaning?

Absolutely! If you think it’s time to clean your air ducts, give us a call here at The Steam Team. We’re happy to take a look and advise what would work best for your situation. There is one major added benefit to this type of cleaning, besides getting rid of allergens around your home, and that is - a more efficiently working HVAC system! When this kind of excess buildup occurs, it can actually cause the system to work harder to try and circulate the air throughout your home. Removing that build up, allows the air to flow more freely.

Is there dust collecting around your ducts? Don’t wait - give us a call today!

A Quick Guide to Water Damage Restoration

Water Damage in Austin Texas

You already know that water damage can be caused from a number of things; malfunctioning appliances, busted pipes, and natural disasters - but how can you handle these situations? When faced with a flood, homeowners often feel overwhelmed, and understandably so. The good news is that your local restoration company, The Steam Team, understands the devastating effect of this damage and is only a phone call away! 

Assessing The Damage

The first step when it comes to any kind of damage, whether it be from water or a fire, is for a professional to assess the damage. This helps with insurance claims and coverage, but also gives you an idea of how long it will take for them to restore your home and how much it’s going to cost. Additionally, they’ll be able to tell you how safe the environment is (and whether you need to stay somewhere else).

Water Extraction

Next, the water needs to be fully extracted from the home. It’s always advised to contact a professional to do this because of the contamination of floodwater. If the flood was caused from a natural disaster, it’s hard to know what is in the water itself. But, on the other hand, if it was from a sewage pipe - you could be dealing with highly contaminated water. Either way, it’s best to leave this part (and every part) to the professionals.

Drying the Moisture

Then comes the drying process. Using the latest technology and equipment, The Steam Team will begin drying out your flooring, belongings, and other furniture around the home. However, the drying process doesn’t stop there. Your technician will continue to monitor the area over time to ensure a smooth process and recovery.

Has your home been affected by water damage? Don’t hesitate to call a professional restoration company, like The Steam Team!

Can You Steam Clean Tile?

Tile Cleaning

Most people think of steam cleaning when they notice their carpet begins to look dirty, but steam cleaning works for more than just carpet. In fact, you can steam clean many aspects around your home - from furniture to drapery, and of course - flooring. So maybe the better question here is; what can’t you steam clean?

How Steam Cleaning Tile Works

You may already know that grout is porous, meaning it absorbs spills and stains extremely easy - but you may not know that tile can become stained too. Not only does steam cleaning lift these stains and clean the tile (and grout), but The Steam Team finalizes the process by applying a sealant over the flooring.

So let’s talk about how steam cleaning actually cleans tile and grout:

The machine uses high-pressure water to flush the stains in conjunction with a vacuum that extracts the water from the floor, removing the stains altogether. Not only does steam cleaning remove stains, though, it also balances the pH level of your floor.

In some cases, grout can become discolored - especially if it hasn’t been cleaned for a while. But, the grout can undergo a colorizing process to restore its original color and bring the flooring back to life.

Why Should You Hire a Professional?

While you can rent steam cleaning machines from your local hardware store or even buy your own - there’s nothing like a thorough cleaning from a professional company. Often times, these machines are mounted in the vehicles, allowing for added pressure behind the cleaning - unlike other machines. Even further, your technician undergoes extensive training, becomes certified, and has years of experience.

Bottom line; you can’t go wrong hiring a professional to clean your tile and grout! If you notice that it’s starting to look dull or visibly stained, give us a call here at The Steam Team - we’re always happy to help.

How Does Soot Damage Your Home?

Fire Damage in Austin Texas

When it comes to dealing with a fire and its aftermath, many homeowners are concerned about the damage the fire itself causes. However, what you may not think about, is the damage the soot that’s left around your home can cause.

After firefighters finish putting out the fire, soot immediately begins to absorb into the walls, belongings, flooring, and other materials around the home.

Why is this dangerous?

Soot is acidic - not only does it cause discoloration, but it can also cause deterioration in these materials themselves. For example, the structure of your home is made out of wood - when soot is absorbed into the walls and left untreated, it can begin to break down that wood, causing harm to the overall structure.

But, wood isn’t the only material that soot can damage. In fact, within seconds, any materials that are affected will become discolored. While some of these are only temporarily stained, others could suffer permanent yellowing.

Now, these are only the damages that soot can cause to your home - what about the damage it can do to your health? Since the particles that make up soot are so tiny, they can very easily find their way into your lungs. Unfortunately, this can cause a number of respiratory issues and even heart disease.

So, what do you do?

When treated promptly by a professional restoration company, the soot can be removed altogether. But, it’s important to remember that professionals know the proper precautions to take so as to protect themselves from any health complications - because of this, it’s always advised that you stay out of your home until a restoration company is able to come and assess the damage.

If you’ve suffered from fire damage, the best thing you can do is call your local restoration company!

5 Tips To Handle Water Damage

24 Hour Emergency Water Damage Restoration Austin Texas 

1. Move your belongings out of the way of water.

The quicker you’re able to get to your belongings that are in the way of the water, the better chance you have at salvaging them. If you have a second floor, that could be the place for many of your belongings from downstairs.

1. Stay away from any electrical appliances, including the TV.

In fact, it’s better if you can unplug anything electrical - even your personal electronics. Using any of these appliances or devices could be extremely dangerous, especially if they’ve been touched by the water damage.

1. Eliminate excess water (if possible).

Depending on the cause and size of the water damage, you may be able to get rid of some of the water yourself before the professionals arrive. However, if the damage is extensive and caused from a natural disaster (like a hurricane, tornado, heavy rain storm, etc.) it’s always safer to wait for the professionals.

1. Remove water from wood furniture.

You’ll likely need to move some things around, especially your furniture (or things on your furniture). Wood can absorb the water if left for extended periods of time, causing extensive damage to the furniture and putting it at risk for mold growth. If you can remove any excess water from your wood furniture, it’s highly recommended.

1. Move all objects away from carpeting.

Often times, you don’t have time to prepare for a disaster like a flood. That means you may have objects laying around your home, specifically on the floor. If there are colored items on your carpeting - like magazines, books, rugs, etc. - it’s best to move all of these objects away from the floor and to higher ground.

Has your home been affected by the recent weather? Are you dealing with water damage? Don’t hesitate to contact your local restoration company, The Steam Team!

Should You Get Carpet Protection?

Carpet Protection Austin Texas

When you’re shopping for new carpet, chances are you’re expecting some stains to occur over its lifetime - let’s be realistic. Those chances increase if you have kids, pets, or are putting the carpet in a high traffic area, right? So, should you get carpet protection?

What Is Carpet Protection?

Protection for your carpet can be applied at the time of purchase or even long after you’ve owned the carpet. In fact, if you’re carpet is prone to stains, you may choose to have it reapplied after a thorough cleaning. The layer of protection acts as a shield against spills and dyes, preventing stains from setting. However, that doesn’t mean you can leave spills on the carpet and expect there to be no stain left - you’ll still have to clean up the messes.

How Long Does Carpet Protection Last?

Unfortunately, carpet protection won’t last forever. This is especially true when the carpet experiences lots of foot traffic. While cleaning your carpet regularly is absolutely necessary and helps to elongate its lifetime, vacuuming can actually weaken the protective layer on top of the carpet fibers over time. But, don’t stop vacuuming your carpet because of this, since dirt particles and other grime have the same effect. So, the bottom line when it comes to the lifetime of carpet protection really depends on where the carpet is in the house and how much traffic it gets.

How Often Should You Apply Carpet Protection?

Each time your carpets are professionally cleaned is a good time to add a layer of protection! It’s simple, quick, and easy. Plus, it makes cleaning up spills and avoiding stains that much easier - it’s a no-brainer for many homeowner’s. If you haven’t looked into steam cleaning or carpet protection yet, don’t hesitate to contact us here at The Steam Team.