Clothes Dryers and House Fires: Facts & Figures

Can you picture laundry day without your trusty clothes dryer? Probably not. Since first becoming mass produced in the early 1900s, the clothes dryer has become a household staple and are now found in more than 4 out of every 5 of American homes.

While it is viewed as a laundry necessity, this appliance isn't has safe as it appears to be – in fact, it is one of the most dangerous appliances in your house. Without proper maintenance and attention, your clothes dryer can quickly become a fire hazard.

Not convinced? Check out some of these facts from the National Fire Protection Association:

• Clothes dryers are responsible for more than 15,000 house fires each year.
• One out of every 22 residential fires is caused by a clothes dryer.
• The number of fires caused by clothes dryers each year has surpassed those caused by chimneys.
• Some of these fires were caused by mechanical failure, but by far the leading cause was failing to properly clean components.

So what can you do to protect your home from a fire courtesy of your clothes dryer? Clean the lint filter before every load of laundry, and have your exhaust vent professionally cleaned each year.

If you live in Long Island, you can depend on GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration to thoroughly clean your dryer exhaust vent and reduce your risk of a fire. A clean dryer vent can also help your clothes dry quicker and increase your appliance's energy-efficiency and operating lifespan. Same day appointments are available, call us at 631-940-8100 to schedule yours.

10 Things to Know About Mold

Mold is a type of fungus that can grow virtually anywhere moisture is present. Although it is very common outdoors and a vital part of the ecosystem, mold can be a serious health hazard when found inside your home. Here are ten things you need to know about mold:

1. The most effective way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
2. Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposure include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory problems.
3. If mold is present in your home or office, contact a professional removal service immediately!
4. Prevent mold growth by fixing any and all water leaks as soon as possible.
5. Reduce indoor humidity to 30-60% to effectively decrease mold growth. Some ways to do this include:

• venting all bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside.
• using air conditioners and dehumidifiers during the summer.
• increasing ventilation in your home by opening windows, using fans, and installing an attic vent.

6. Clean and dry all damp building materials and furnishings within 24 hours to prevent mold from growing.
7. Clean mold off of hard surfaces using water and detergent. Absorbent materials (such as ceiling tiles) may need to be replaced.
8. Reduce the potential for condensation in your home by adding insulation. This can help prevent mold from growing on your windows, pipes, ductwork, roof, etc.
9. Don't install carpeting in areas where there is a consistent moisture problem, such as bathrooms.
10. Molds can be found almost anywhere, indoors and out. They can grow on virtually any surface where moisture is present, including carpet, wood, walls, paper, and food.

Do you suspect that mold is growing in your Long Island home? Don't wait to take action; long-term exposure can cause all kinds of respiratory problems! Call the mold removal experts at GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration – we will thoroughly survey your entire home for mold and take the appropriate action to remove any that we may find. Call us today for a free estimate at 631-940-8100.

What's Hiding in Your Crawl Space?

If your crawl space is like most, it is small, dark, dirty, and even a little scary. It is easy to see why crawl spaces are often neglected, but most homeowners don't know how important they are to maintain. As much as 50% of the air you breath on the first floor comes from your crawl space, do you know what you are breathing in? Here are three contaminants commonly found in people's crawl spaces.

Mold

Exposure to mold can be dangerous for your health – especially over a long period of time. Mold spreads by reproducing microscopic spores, which can be inhaled and cause side effects such as sneezing, wheezing, itchy eyes, and even respiratory infections. If you notice mold growing in your crawl space, call a professional service to remove it immediately.

Pests

All kinds of animals can infest your crawl space; from ants and termites to mice and raccoons. These pests can not only damage the foundation of your home, they can cause terrible odors by leaving behind their urine, feces, and decomposing carcasses.

Water

Excess moisture in your crawl space can come from a variety of sources; evaporation of ground water, cracks in the foundation, and leaky pipes just to name a few. Standing water can lead to all sorts of problems such as mold growth, musty odors, and rotting wood – which can harm the structural integrity of your whole home.

If you haven't had your crawl space inspected in more than one year, grab a flashlight and take a peek as soon as you can. Don't want to do it yourself? Call GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration. As Long Island's leading crawl space cleaning service, we will not only thoroughly inspect your crawl space for you, we will report our findings and resolve any issues we come across. Visit our website for more information or call us at 631-940-8100.

5 Signs You Need to Get Your Air Ducts Cleaned

Having the air ducts in your home professionally cleaned can offer significant benefits to you and your family – but only if they are dirty in the first place. If your ducts are currently infested with dust, pollen, mold and pet dander, having them cleaned can purify your home's air, alleviate allergies, and even lower your monthly heating and cooling costs.

But how can you tell if your ducts are in need of a cleaning? Be on the lookout for these five signs.

1. It's been 3+ years since your last cleaning.

Did you know that the average six-room home produces more than 40 pounds of dust every year? Much of this dust settles in your HVAC ductwork, where it can recirculate throughout your house. For this reason, it is recommended that homeowners have their air ducts cleaned every 3-5 years.

2. You have recently renovated or remodeled.

If you have recently renovated your home, including a bathroom or a kitchen remodel, you should consider getting your air ducts cleaned. Any kind of construction project done inside the house creates a large amount of sawdust and other debris, much of which never actually leaves your home.

3. Your air filters don't take long to get dirty.

Depending on size and material, the filter for your HVAC system should last anywhere from 1-3 months. If you notice that your air filters are constantly needing to be changed before the manufacturer's recommended time period, it is a sure sign that your ducts are filled with contaminants.

4. The airflow coming out of your vents seems weak.

If you have central air conditioning, put your hand in front of various air vents throughout your house. Does the airflow seem weak, even though your thermostat is set to high? This could be because large amounts of dust in your ductwork are preventing your HVAC system from operating to its fullest potential.

5. You frequently suffer from allergies inside your house.

If your allergies are acting up, your home is supposed to be the one place you can go to escape them. But what if spending several hours inside doesn't help your allergies, or even makes them worse? According to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology, more than half of American homes contain traces of at least six detectable allergens – a professional duct cleaning could help remove them.

Do any of these symptoms apply to your Long Island residence or business? If so, contact GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration today. We serve all homes and businesses in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, and we only use environmentally-preferred cleaning products and procedures. Click here to visit our website or give us a call at (631) 940-1800 for a free quote.

10 Surprising Facts About Indoor Air Pollution

Pop quiz. Which do you think is more polluted: outdoor air, or the air inside your home?

The truth is, unless you are making a conscious effort to purify your home's air, it is probably more polluted than the air outside.

Think that's surprising? Check out these 10 facts about indoor air quality.

1. The EPA has ranked indoor air pollution as a top five environmental risk to public health.
2. The quality of indoor air can be up to 10x worse than outside air.
3. Indoor air pollution has been linked to allergies, asthma, respiratory illness, and heart problems.
4. Air “fresheners”? The NRDC determined that most of them contain high levels of toxins.
5. The WHO states that over 4 million people prematurely die each year from indoor air pollution.
6. Common sources of indoor air pollution include heating equipment, cleaning products, paints, and pesticides.
7. Cigarette smoke contains about 4,000 chemicals – over 200 of which are known to be poisonous.
8. 96% of homes tested by the EPA had at least one indoor air quality problem.
9. The average human breaths about 3,400 gallons of air every day.
10. You spend about 90% of your time indoors.

If you are looking for a way to improve the air quality in your home, having your ducts professionally cleaned is a great first step. By removing contaminants such as dust, pollen, and mold from your home's air ducts, you can alleviate your allergies and lower your energy bills at the same time.

Long Island homes and businesses can count on GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration for a high quality duct cleaning at an affordable rate. Visit our website or give us a call today at 631-940-8100 for a free quote.

3 Tips for Finding a Good Duct Cleaning Company

If you have decided that it is time to have your air ducts cleaned, finding a reputable company in your area can be challenging. Unfortunately, the duct cleaning industry is ridden with “blow-and-go” companies who offer insanely low rates, but actually do little-to-no real work.

Next time you look for a duct cleaning contractor, use these three tips to separate the good companies from the impostors.

Use Your Resources.

When it comes to finding a good duct cleaning company, the best advice is to use your available resources. If any of your family, friends, or neighbors have recently had their ducts cleaned, ask them if they can refer you to a company. If not, the internet is a great tool to use in your search. Online resources such as the Better Business Bureau, Merchant Circle, and Home Advisor all offer reviews and allow you to see complaints from real customers.

Look at Their Portfolio.

Just like any other contractor, a good duct cleaning company should be more than happy to show you their portfolio. A portfolio is a collection of images which displays actual work that a company has done for their past clients; this will not only show that they have experience, it should also give you an idea of the quality of their work.

Ask Questions.

After you have narrowed your search down to two or three companies, calling each one and asking in-depth questions can better help you determine their knowledge and experience level, and ultimately select the one that is right for you. Some good questions to ask include:

• How long have you been in business?
• Are you properly licensed and insured?
• Why do air ducts need cleaning?
• Can you quickly explain your duct cleaning process to me?
• How long can I expect the cleaning to take?
• Do you use environmentally safe products and procedures?

If you live in Nassau County or Suffolk County, Long Island and are searching for a reliable duct cleaning company, look no further than GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration. We are A+ certified by the BBB and have rave reviews on Merchant Circle and Home Advisor.

Visit our website for more information or call us for a free quote at (631) 940-8100.