What You Need to Know About Indoor Air Pollution

We often hear about the dangers of pollution, but many of us are under the impression that this only applies to outdoor air. The truth is, the air in our homes can be just as polluted – or worse – than major cities. Here are a few things you need to know about indoor air pollution.

Indoor air pollution is a common problem in homes across North America.

The EPA tested the air quality of homes across North America, and the results were disturbing. A whopping 96% of homes examined had at least one indoor air quality problem, meaning the issue is more prevalent than most of us are aware of. Chances are, unless you are taking specific steps to minimize pollution in your home, your air could be up to 10 times more polluted than even the dirtiest of cities.

Indoor air pollution can negatively impact your health.

Indoor air pollution has several undesirable health effects – in both the short-term and the long run. Immediate side effects of indoor air pollution mimic those of allergies: including sneezing, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, headache, and fatigue. Long-term health effects are much worse, as indoor air pollution has been linked to various cancers, heart disease, and COPD.

Indoor air pollution is caused by everyday products.

Seemingly harmless products are one of the main contributors to household air pollution. Common culprits include commercial cleaning products, candles, heating equipment, paint, carpets, hardwood floors and cabinetry, furniture, and (ironically) air fresheners. It is important to know what products contribute to indoor air pollution so you can remove them from your home.

GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration offers a variety of cleaning solutions to help promote better indoor air quality in homes across Long Island. Some of our services include air duct cleaning, mold removal, attic cleaning, and crawl space cleaning. Whether you live in Nassau or Suffolk County, call us for a free quote at (631) 940-8100.

How to Keep Mold Out of Your Home

Mold isn't just unsightly – it's dangerous for your health and your house. Mold left untreated can trigger allergic reactions and respiratory infections, not to mention the structural damage it can cause to your home. Here are a few tips and tricks you can use to help keep mold out of your home.

Use dehumidifiers in problem areas.

The number one cause of mold growth is excess moisture. This is why humid spots in your home, such as your basement and bathroom, are the most susceptible to a mold infestation. Use a dehumidifier in these areas to keep your humidity levels in check and ward off potential mold problems.

Clean up all spills and leaks immediately.

Any standing water invites mold to grow. If you notice water forming on any surfaces in your home, clean them up immediately. This goes for spilled drinks, leaky pipes, and puddles that form next to your shower.

Run your exhaust fans when necessary.

If you have an exhaust fan in your bathroom, run it for 15 minutes after every shower to remove the excess moisture from the air. The same goes for your kitchen when cooking on the stovetop – the steam that is generated can promote mold growth.

Have your air ducts cleaned every 3-5 years.

Air ducts are an afterthought for most homeowners, but they are one of mold's favorite hiding spots. The combination of darkness, moisture, and dust form the perfect breeding ground for mold. Have your air ducts professionally cleaned every 3-5 years to remove mold, dust, and other common allergens.

Have you spotted mold growing in your Long Island home? Don't attempt to remove it alone. Mishandling of mold can cause illness and increases the likelihood of reinfestation. If you are in need of a professional mold removal service on Long Island, look no further than GreenProCleaning & Restoration. We serve all of Nassau and Suffolk County; call us today for a free quote at (631) 940-8100.

4 Signs of a Clogged Dryer Vent

Most of us know that dryers produce lint as they operate, which is why we need to clean the lint screen before every load of laundry. However, many of us don't know that this lint can make its way past the filter, all the way into the exhaust vent, where it can accumulate over time.

This build up of lint can lead to several problems, including reduced efficiency and the increased risk of a fire. In fact, clothes dryers are responsible for more than 15,000 house fires each year – that's more than chimneys.

Luckily, this usually doesn't happen out of nowhere. Lint usually takes several months to accumulate to this level, and there are plenty of warning signs along the way. Here are four signs that your dryer vent might be clogged:

1. Your clothes are taking longer to dry. Are small loads of laundry suddenly taking two or three cycles to dry completely? This could be due to a clogged exhaust vent hindering your appliance's efficiency.

2. The dryer gets unusually hot when it operates. It's normal for your dryer to get warm when it runs; but when it feels hot to the touch, that is cause for concern. In extreme cases, a dryer with a clogged vent can even heat up an entire room.

3. You notice lint around the dryer vent. Is there lint collecting around the outside of your dryer vent attachment? If so, the inside is likely much, much worse.

4. It's been more than a year since you've cleaned your dryer vent. Experts recommend having your dryer vent cleaned at least once per year to keep your home safe. Since specialized tools and equipment are needed, it is best to leave the job to the professionals.

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

3 Things Impacting Your Home's Air Quality

If you didn't already know, your home's air supply could be more contaminated than even the dirtiest of cities. While indoor air pollution can come from a variety of places, these three sources seem to be the biggest culprits.

Household Cleaning Products

Cleaning products make your home cleaner, right? Not necessarily. The truth is, many commercial cleaners actually contain harmful chemicals that release into the air when used. Surprisingly enough, the worst kind of cleaning products are air fresheners. They don't “freshen” your air at all, they just mask it with dangerous toxins.

Air Ducts

Air ducts are an afterthought for most homeowners, but they are actually harboring all kinds of pollutants and allergens. It is not uncommon to find high levels of dust, pollen, mold, and pet dander in home air ducts. Once these particles make their way into your ducts, they can use them as a transportation system to spread through the rest of your home.

Crawl Space

If your home is built atop a crawl space, it could be greatly impacting the air quality of your home. In fact, up to 50% of your first floor's air supply comes from your crawl space. As we have discussed in the past, many crawl spaces suffer from humidity problems – which often leads to mold growth. This is bad news, as exposure to mold spores can cause asthma attacks, allergic reactions, and respiratory infections.

If you live on Long Island, GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration can help you with all of these problems and more. We offer specialty cleaning services such as crawl space and attic cleaning, air duct cleaning, water damage restoration, and more. We only use environmentally cleaning products and procedures to ensure your home is safe and free from harmful chemicals. If you live in Nassau or Suffolk County, call us today for a free quote at (631) 940-8100.

Why Do Crawl Spaces Have Moisture Problems?

Crawl spaces aren't very high on most homeowner's priority lists, but they can lead to some serious consequences if neglected.

One of the most prevalent problems in crawl spaces is high moisture levels, and the subsequent issues they can cause. Keep reading to learn why excess moisture is a bad thing, and what you can do to prevent it in your crawl space.

Why is moisture in my crawl space a bad thing?

Excess moisture means high humidity, which is never something you want in your home. Here are just a couple problems that can result from high humidity levels in your crawl space.

• Mold growth. High humidity is almost always associated with mold growth. Mold can not only compromise the structural integrity of your home, it can cause health complications if it is not removed in a timely manner.
• Indoor air pollution. Did you know that half of the air you breathe on the first floor of your home comes from your crawl space? If yours is infected with mold, your air quality – and health – could be suffering.
• Pest problems. Many creepy crawlies are drawn to dark, humid climates. An insect infestation isn't just gross, certain bugs (termites) can cause damage to your home.

What causes crawl space moisture problems, and how do I prevent them?

Moisture in your crawl space can come from a variety of sources, but the most common is groundwater evaporation. This is especially true in areas where the water table is barely below ground level. In these regions, the ground can evaporate more than 12 gallons of water per day – you don't want that to get trapped inside your crawl space.

So, how can you as a homeowner minimize groundwater evaporation and keep your crawl space moisture levels in check? The most effective solution is investing in a vapor barrier. When properly installed, these thin polyethylene sheets keep water in the ground and out of your home.

GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration is Long Island's premier crawl space cleaning company. If you are experiencing mold, structural damage, or pest problems in your home's crawl space, look no further than us for help. Call for a free quote at (631) 940-8100.

Common Myths About Mold, and the Facts Behind Them

There is a lot of controversy surrounding the health effects of household mold. Some argue that it’s perfectly harmless and has been hyped a few bad cases, while other believe it is hazardous no matter the size or type.

Hopefully, this article will help clear up your misconceptions by debunking some of the most common myths surrounding mold and mildew.

Myth: Cheese is mold and people eat that, so it can’t be harmful

Fact: There are over 300,000 types of mold, most of which are harmful
While yes, many of us eat – and love – cheese, those are just a handful of safe molds, and are completely different than the kind that grow in your home.

Myth: I have a clean home, there can’t be mold here

Fact: Even the cleanest of homes can have mold
Mold only needs three things to grow: oxygen, moisture and food (such as dust or dirt). Even the cleanest homes can unknowingly have mold growing within walls or underneath carpets.

Myth: Killing mold is enough; I don’t need to remove it

Fact: The best way to eliminate mold is to physically remove it
Despite what many think, cleaning mold with bleach is not the best nor safest way to eliminate it. Even in dead mold, there are toxins that can continue spreading throughout your home. The best way to clear your home of mold is by eliminating it. A professional service is usually the best way to go, as they know how to properly remove the mold and discard of it according to EPA regulations.

Myth: Toxic or black mold is the only bad mold

Fact: Visible household mold is unhealthy
Aside from cheese in the fridge, any mold in your home is bad mold. While some mold is worse than others, they are all harmful in some way, and if left untreated can develop into toxic mold.

Myth: Mold is natural so it can’t be that harmful

Fact: Mold can ruin your health and home
Due to the recent boom in organic and all natural foods, many people have assumed natural is synonymous with healthy, but that is not the case with mold. Mold is very dangerous if inhaled for long periods of time, and can eat away at your home or building.

Myth: I can get rid of mold myself

Fact: Certain molds require safety equipment and professional cleaning
Cleaning a small spot here and there may be fine, but tackling dangerous types of mold alone can be detrimental to your health. For serious mold infestations, you need protective gear, air purifying systems, special cleaning solutions, and much more.


If you are searching for high-quality mold removal 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.

What You Don’t Know About Your Crawl Space

Your crawl space is something most people don’t think about, but when ignored, it can become a major problem. Crawl spaces generally have very high humidity, which is open season for mold and other microbial infestations. Mold needs the same things we do to grow: food and water. Its food is the wood around your crawl space, and its water is contained within the humidity in the air.

Let's take a deeper look into common crawl space problems and potential solutions!

Bulk Water

Standing water in your crawl space is a huge no no. Builders sometimes ignore crawl spaces because they are not used frequently, but you can’t afford make that mistake. If a crawl space is not water-proofed, any kind of drainage problem or leak could lead to disaster.

Moisture Evaporation

Soil evaporation can also be a significant source of crawlspace moisture. In areas where the water table is only slightly below ground level, this is a particularly big problem. In these types of areas, the ground can evaporate up to 12 gallons of water a day.

Outdoor Air

Some people think that bringing in air from the outside will help alleviate the moisture problems in your crawl space, but this isn’t always the case. When you bring in air through the use of vents, you are actually increasing the relative humidity in your crawl space. Cold air can not hold as much moisture as warm air, so when you bring hot summer air into a colder environment (like your crawl space), it increases the humidity. This is bad news for you because as we know, mold and bacteria love humidity!

The Solution

There are a few things you can do to alleviate your crawl space moisture problems; the first is properly maintaining your plumbing. Drainage leaks lead to severe water damage that can permanently derail a crawl space. To solve the evaporation problem, you should equip your crawl space with a professionally-installed vapor barrier. This thin sheet of high-density polyethylene keeps groundwater in the ground and out of your home.

If you live on Long Island, trust GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration to help you with all of your crawl space problem. We offer vapor barrier installations, mold removal, and crawl space cleaning services to homes across Nassau and Suffolk counties. Call us today for a free quote at (631) 940-8100.