The Real Reason You Suffer from Indoor Allergies

Most people welcome spring with open arms, but if you suffer from allergies, this season can be a nightmare. Many of us seek shelter in the sanctuary of our homes, but sometimes even that isn't enough.

But why? There are no trees or flowers spreading pollen around your living room, yet you still can't escape the constant sneezing and sniffling.

If you can't seem to shake your allergies, your air ducts may be to blame.

An afterthought for most homeowners, air ducts are a common hiding place for many allergens such as pet dander, dust, pollen, and mold. These contaminants can enter your air ducts in a variety of ways.

• Take dust for example: the average three-bedroom home generates over 40 pounds of dust per year through everyday activities. Much of this can get sucked into your vents and collect in your ducts.
• Pollen, on the other hand, commonly enters through your fresh air intake.
• Pet dander can be found in abundance in air ducts. Even if you don't have pets, dander could still be present from a previous homeowner.
• Mold can grow virtually anywhere moisture is present. The inside of air ducts are often wet with condensation due to the cold air passing through them. The dust provides food for the mold, and the dark environment is the perfect climate for it to thrive.

No matter how the pollutants get in your ducts, they can use them as a transportation system to spread throughout your entire home. This could be the reason you experience your outdoor allergy symptoms, even when you are inside.

If you are looking to improve the air quality in your home, experts recommend having your air ducts professionally cleaned every 3-5 years. If you are overdue for a cleaning for your Long Island home, contact the experts at GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration at (631) 940-8100.

5 Ways to Clean Up the Air in Your Office

Indoor air pollution isn't limited to just your home, it can be found anywhere with four walls and a roof – including stores, hospitals, schools, gyms, and even your office. Since many of us spend 40 hours a week (or more) in our workplace, clean air is important.

Use these five tips today to start improving the air quality in your office:

1. Keep your workspace clean. It is crucial to keep up on cleaning your work area, as accumulated dust, dirt, and moisture can all impact air quality. Make sure not to neglect germ hot spots such as your keyboard, mouse, and phone.

2. Use natural cleaning products. Don't use store-bought products for your cleaning needs, they are loaded with harmful chemicals (even the ones labeled “all natural”). Instead, use baking soda, vinegar, and lemon – you'd be surprised at everything you can clean with these simple ingredients.

3. Boost ventilation. Do anything you can to improve the air flow in your office: use fans and open up your windows when the weather permits. This keeps air moving and can even vent some toxins to the outside.

4. Add more plants. Did you know that house plants can improve air quality by naturally removing airborne toxins? Some plants are more effective than others – these five in particular are very useful for air purification.

5. Have the air ducts cleaned. The air ducts in your office could be harboring all kinds of contaminants such as cigarette smoke, pet dander, dust, pollen, and mold. These pollutants can use the ductwork as a transportation system to circulate through your entire office.

Not only does poor air quality affect employee health, it affects their productivity too. If you are a business owner on Long Island, cleaning your air ducts can provide you with real, tangible benefits. Want to learn more? Give GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration a call at (631) 940-8100.

Signs You Need to Clean Your Air Ducts

Cleaning your air ducts is an important part of any home maintenance routine, but unfortunately it is not very high on the priority list of most homeowners. One of the main reasons for this is because people simply don't know when their air ducts are in need of a cleaning. Luckily for you, the duct cleaning professionals at GreenPro are here to offer their advice.

Here are the signs they say you should be on the lookout for:

• It has been more than 3 years since your last cleaning. Experts recommend cleaning your air ducts every 3-5 years to ensure they don't accumulate high levels of pollutants. If you are past your due date, you should look into cleaning your ducts as soon as possible to promote good air quality.

• You have pets that shed, or you smoke in the home. You may need to clean your air ducts more frequently than suggested if you have pets or smoke inside your home. Pet dander and chemicals from cigarette smoke can both be found in abundance in air ducts that have not been cleaned for a while.

• Your house gets dusty quickly. Have you noticed that it only takes a day or two for a layer of dust to collect on your furniture? It might be because your air ducts are dirty and circulating this dust throughout your house.

• You suspect rodents may be nesting in your ducts. If you have seen rodents entering your air ducts from the outside, or think you may have heard movement in them, don't wait to get your ducts cleaned. Particles from their droppings and carcasses could be present in your air supply.

• Your vent covers are dusty. If your vent covers are coated in dust and grime, it's only a small glimpse of what is hiding on the inside.

Spring cleaning? Let GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration give you a hand! Duct cleaning requires specialized tools and equipment not available to homeowners. If you want a thorough cleaning, you need a professional service! If you live on Long Island, contact us for a free quote at (631) 940-8100.

How Humidity Affects Your Home

Humidity is a tricky thing – too much or too little of it can have a negative impact on your home and family. Long Island in particular is known to have high humidity levels in the summer, but very low levels during the winter. Here is how that humidity (or lack thereof) can affect your home.

When the humidity is too low

• The temperature feels cooler. Dry air feels colder than damp air. Adding humidity during the colder months can make your house feel warmer without turning up the thermostat.
• Static electricity is prevalent. If you get shocked every time you touch a doorknob, it could be a sign that your home's humidity levels are too low.
• Wood and paint deteriorate. When the humidity is too low for too long, the paint on your walls starts to chip and your wood floors and furniture can actually split from being so dry.
• Skin, eyes, and throat dry out. Low humidity can affect our bodies, too. Dry skin, eyes, nose and throat are some symptoms of low humidity.

When the humidity is too high

• The temperature feels warmer. Just like low humidity can make you feel cold, high humidity can make you uncomfortably warm. You have probably experienced this on a hot, muggy day.
• You find condensation in your home. When warm, humid air comes in contact with a cooler surface (like your windows), condensation occurs.
• Wood expands and can become damaged. Excess moisture in the air can seep into wood beams, floors, and furniture, causing it to expand and sometimes creating irreparable damage.
• Mold begins to grow. Long-term humidity problems can eventually lead to mold growth. Mold can grow and spread virtually anywhere moisture is present: indoors or out.

Some of the most common areas in the home for mold are basements, crawl spaces, attics, and bathrooms. Mold spores can be inhaled and cause serious health problems, allergic reactions, and respiratory infections.

If you find mold growing in your Long Island home, don't attempt to remove it yourself. Give the professionals at GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration a call. We serve all of Nassau and Suffolk County; visit our website to learn more or dial (631) 940-8100.