Air Duct Cleaning Myths Debunked

There is a lot of skepticism and uncertainty surrounding the air duct cleaning industry. Some people think that it is an absolute necessity, while others think that it is a scam. Hopefully, this article will help clear up your misconceptions by debunking some of the most common duct cleaning myths.

Myth: My air ducts don't get dirty.

Fact: Your air ducts can harbor dust, mold, pet dander, and more.

Did you know that the average three-bedroom household generates more than 40 pounds of dust every year? Much of this dust collects in your air ducts, where it can circulate to the rest of your home. Other contaminants that are known to hide in your air ducts include pollen, pet dander, mold, and even rodent droppings.

Myth: Air duct cleaning offers no benefits.

Fact: A professional air duct cleaning can offer many benefits to homeowners.

When there is a buildup of dust and debris in your air ducts, your HVAC system can't operate at full efficiency. Not only does this raise your energy bills, it can also shorten the lifespan of your equipment. Having your air ducts professionally cleaned can solve both of these problems, as well as improving your indoor air quality. Many homeowners report that their indoor allergies significantly improved after having their ducts cleaned.

Myth: All duct cleaning companies are the same.

Fact: Just like any service, there are good and bad air duct cleaning companies.

Buyer beware – don't be fulled by “blow and go” duct cleaning companies offering unreasonably low rates. If you see a $99 special to clean the air ducts throughout your entire home, it is most likely a scam. Look up reviews online to make sure the company you hire is actually doing real work.

If you are searching for a reputable, high-quality duct cleaning for your Long Island home, look no further than GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration. Our methods are environmentally-safe and proven to work. We serve all of Nassau County and Suffolk County, so call us today for a free quote at (631) 940-8100.

Common Causes of Water Damage

Water damage is just what it sounds like, but probably worse. It occurs when too much water begins to pool in areas in the home where it shouldn't. It sounds like a minor problem, but water can easily rack up tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage to your home.

Here are some of the most common causes of water damage, so you know what to be on the lookout for.

Roof Leaks

A leak in your roof could cause water to enter your attic, damaging your ceiling, walls, insulation, and causing mold growth. Roof leaks are especially common during the cold months due to ice dams; rifts of ice that form on the edge of the roof and prevent melting snow from properly draining into the gutters.

Burst Pipes

Busted pipes are one of the most common causes of home water damage due to the variety of ways that they can happen. Pipes freezing in the winter, leaks in supply lines, old worn out pipes, roots growing into sewer lines, and pressure caused by backed up drains can all cause pipes to burst.

Heavy Storms

Sometimes, there is no way to prepare for Mother Nature. Heavy rain storms can cause flooding in your roof or your basement. Many times, an ineffective gutter system is to blame. When your gutters can't handle a high level of rainfall, water can seep into your roof, or pour over your gutters, close to your foundation.

Long-Term Humidity Problems

Water damage doesn't always happen in the blink of an eye, or even overnight. Sometimes it is a long-term process caused by humidity problems. This is common in problem areas such as basements and crawl spaces.

In the event that your home sustains water damage, don't try to fix the problem yourself. GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration will come to your property and restore it to its previous condition, making sure to prevent mold growth and other problems that arise from excess water. We serve all of Long Island, call us today for a free quote at (631) 940-8100.

3 Things to Do After Moving Into Your New Home

Moving into a new home can be one of the most exciting and hectic times of your life. With so much to do, it can be easy to overlook the basics. Here are three of the most important things you should do immediately after moving into your new place.

Unpack your belongings.

The first thing you will want to do after moving into your new house is unpack your belongings. Getting this long, tedious out of the way early will help you settle in as quickly as possible. If you hired a moving service, use this time to compare your inventory list to what was actually delivered. If something is missing, let the moving company know right away.

Change the locks.

As nice as the previous homeowners were, you don't want them having access to your new home. For the safety and security of your family, changing the locks should be very high up on your priority list. Exterior door knobs and deadbolts can be purchased for under $20 each, and are simple to install. If you need help, a professional locksmith will be happy to swap out your locks for about $30 each – a fee that is well worth your peace of mind.

Get your ducts cleaned.

You want your new home to be as clean as possible, and that includes the air ducts. Over time, these ducts can accumulate a build up of nasty allergens such as dust, pollen, pet dander, and mold. These contaminants use the ducts as a transportation system, spreading throughout your home and causing symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, and headaches. Experts recommend having the ducts in your home professionally cleaned every 3-5 years.

Special tools and equipment are required to effectively clean air ducts, which is why you should always hire a professional service. Residents of Long Island can depend on GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration for all of their air duct cleaning needs. We serve all of Nassau and Suffolk County and our methods are environmentally-safe; call us today for a free quote at (631) 940-8100.

How To Keep Your Home Dust-Free

Dusting: loved by none, but done by all.

Nobody likes to dust, however it is a necessary household chore. The worst part about dust is coming home after work to find a fresh layer on your living room table, just a day or two after cleaning it. Use these tips to minimize the dust in your home and prevent this from happening to you.

Work Your Way Down

We all know about the laws of gravity – and dust is no exception to that rule. Dust that's kicked up into the air will eventually fall onto whatever surface is below it, whether that is a piece of furniture or the floor. This will force you to double-dust in some cases if you aren't careful. Combat this by starting at the top and working your way down. Dust your ceiling fans, then walls, table tops, baseboard heaters, and finally the floors.

Ditch the Feather Duster

Traditional feather dusters are inefficient, as they actually collect little-to-no dust. Instead of trapping dust particles, they scatter them into the air. For this reason, you should do all of your dusting with a microfiber cloth. They are electrostatically charged, so they actually attract dust particles, and trap them for good.

Have Your Air Ducts Cleaned

The average three-bedroom household can generate upwards of 40 pounds of dust every year! Much of this dust collects in your air ducts, which it then uses as a transportation system to spread to the rest of your home. Having your air ducts professionally cleaned every 3-5 years can remove this dust from your home, allowing your HVAC system to run more efficiently and your family to breathe easier.

High-powered tools such as industrial rotary brushes and truck-mounted vacuums are essential for a thorough duct cleaning, which is why you should leave it to the professionals. GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration offers high-quality duct cleaning services to homes and businesses across Long Island. If you live in Nassau County or Suffolk County, call (631) 940-8100 for a free quote.

How To Improve Your HVAC System

Fun fact: most of the energy consumed by your home is used for space heating and cooling. In many homes, more energy is used for space heating and cooling than water heating, lighting, appliances, and electronics combined!

Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to improve the energy-efficiency of your HVAC system. Use these tips to stay comfortable all year long without breaking the bank:

• Replace your air filter. Some experts estimate that over 80% of all furnace problems are caused by dirty air filters. Make sure to clean or replace the air filter on your HVAC system every 30-60 days. Refer to your owner's manual for specific instructions.

• Schedule a tune up. Having your HVAC system tuned up every year by a professional can lower your energy bill and extend the lifespan of your unit. In fact, many manufacturers will void their warranty if their equipment is not annually serviced by a licensed technician.

• Insulate your home. Upgrading your home's insulation will slow the air change rate between your home and the outside. This means that your HVAC system doesn't have to work as hard to maintain your desired temperature.

• Control humidity levels. The same temperature can feel very different depending on the humidity level of the air. Humid air feels much warmer than dry air, so using humidifiers in the winter and dehumidifiers in the summer can help keep you comfortable.

• Have your air ducts cleaned. If you have never had the air ducts in your home professionally cleaned, they are probably harboring dust, pet dander, and even mold. Not only can these contaminants affect your health, they can also hinder the energy-efficiency of your HVAC system.

GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration offers air duct cleaning services to homes and businesses on Long Island. Our cleaning methods are 100% eco-safe and have proven to give our clients results! If you live in Nassau County or Suffolk County, call us today for a free quote at (631) 940-8100.

What You Didn't Know About Your Clothes Dryer

Since they first started being mass produced in the early 1900s, clothes dryers have become a staple in our households. If you are one of the 80% of Americans that has a clothes dryer in their home, there's something you need to know...

They are a big-time fire hazard.

It's true – your clothes dryer is one of the biggest fire hazards in your house. But unlike furnaces, ovens, fireplaces, and candles, many people do not know about the dangers of clothes dryers. Check out these facts from the National Fire Protection Association.

• Clothes dryers cause more than 15,000 residential fires every year.
• One out of every 22 house fires is caused by a clothes dryer.
• Clothes dryers are responsible for more fires each year than chimneys.

So, what can you do to protect yourself?

The most common cause of clothes dryer fires was failure to clean. As your clothes dryer spins your clothes around, they produce lint. Much of this lint is trapped in the filter screen, but some of itmakes its way to your exhaust vent. The dryer exhaust vent is the long, winding tube attached to the back of your appliance. It is responsible for releasing excess heat to the outside, but it cannot effectively do this if it's clogged with lint.

Use these two tips to stay safe:

• Clean the lint screen before every load.
• Have your exhaust vent professionally cleaned once every year.

GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration offers professional dryer vent cleaning services to homes and businesses on Long Island. If you live in Nassau County or Suffolk County, call us for a free quote at (631) 940-8100.