What to Do If Your Home Suffers Water Damage

Water damage can lead to wood rot and mold growth. Whether your home has suffered a burst pipe or a flash flood, it's important to address the issue at once. That’s why GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration is here to explain how homeowners should handle water damage.

Things to Do Immediately

• The single most important thing to do when dealing with a flood situation is to turn off the electricity to your home before entering. In addition, don’t turn your electricity back on until a professional has inspected your electrical system.
• Remember, there is a strong possibility that rodents will be present in the water. Be aware of this and wear protective clothing when you're wading through floodwater.
• Determine whether the floodwater is contaminated. If necessary wear a vapor respirator, rubber boots and gloves, and eye protection.  

Why You Need a Professional

It's always wise to hire a professional to identify all of the affected areas when it comes to water damage. However, if the damage covers a large area or is very deep it’s even more necessary. Insulation materials easily absorb water. This causes the surrounding drywall to become saturated and weak. The biggest challenge when it comes to dealing with water damage is locating all of the damaged areas.

If your home suffers water damage, the professionals at GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration will identify the areas of concern and safely restore your home.

The quicker you call, the better – for the sake of your health and your home! So what are you waiting for? If you suspect water damage in your Long Island house, contact us today at 631-940-8100.

Things to Look Out For When House Hunting

Congratulations! You’re ready to purchase a new home, but do you know what to keep an eye out for? Just because you got your dream home inspected, doesn’t mean they’ve caught every potential problem. Educate yourself on what to look for so you don’t risk facing any expensive surprises down the road.

1. Bad Wiring: Overused and aging systems, as well as DIY additions, are the most common causes of faulty wiring. Not only is it unsafe, but it can be expensive to repair. 
2. Roofing Issues: To the untrained eye, a standard looking roof may seem like it’s not a problem, but it’s important to make sure it doesn’t need to be replaced. Repairs can be manageable, but depending on the materials a new roof can cost thousands. Find out if the roof has ever been replaced. If so, was the old roof removed or was a layer (or layers) of shingles installed over the original? If the base layer is over 20 years old, odds are you’ll need a new roof in the near future.
3. Plumbing Problems: Be on the lookout for leaky pipes and find out if the home is using any outdated plumbing systems, like polybutylene. For the most part, plumbing problems can be addressed and repaired, but every so often you’ll find the system needs to be completely replaced.
4. Poorly Maintained: Think twice before you pour your life savings into that fixer upper. If the entire home is poorly maintained, there’s a good chance you’ll have to blow your renovation budget on an unforeseen issue lurking under the surface.
5. Inadequate Insulation/Ventilation in the Attic: Don’t neglect the attic. Make sure it has proper ventilation and insulation. If not, you’ll be throwing money away every month on your utility bill.
6. Heating/Cooling System Defects: Be sure your inspector thoroughly checks both your heating and cooling systems. It’s easy to neglect one or the other depending on the time of year.
7. Mold: It’s bad for your health and bad for your home. Be sure to carefully inspect a house for mold before closing on the property. Mold digests organic material and eventually destroys it before moving on to bigger and better surfaces. It can cause permanent, irreversible damage and make your home dangerous to live in. Mold left to fester in your ceilings, crawl space, and/or support beams can cause the wood to rot, weaken, and compromise the structural integrity of your home.

If you’re 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 contact us today for a free quote at 631-940-8100.

How to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

Home is where the heart is — but if you don’t take the proper precautions, it can become full of airborne contaminants. That’s why GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration is here to provide some life-changing tips to help you improve your indoor air quality:

• Adopt a Houseplant: Nurture that green thumb. Healthy houseplants naturally clean the air in your home and help balance humidity levels throughout the day. Our top picks include the peace lily, reed palm, English ivy, Boston fern, tillandsia, and cactus.

• Control your Moisture Levels: High humidity levels can lead to mold. In addition to houseplants, invest in a dehumidifier for those extra muggy days.

• Be Sure to Dust and Vacuum: A clean home is a happy home — and it has cleaner air. Free yourself from indoor allergies by dusting and vacuuming regularly. (Pro Tip: Use a microfiber cloth when you’re dusting. They’re specially designed to trap particles as you clean.)

• Avoid Burning Candles: Those precious scented candles we all know and love are actually releasing harmful carcinogens into the air with every use. For that fresh scent you desire, try diffusing essentials oils instead. Lavender, eucalyptus, and tea tree oils begin eliminating airborne fungi in under an hour.

• Make Your Own Cleaning Solutions: Even if they are marketed as “all-natural,” store bought cleaning products are full of harmful chemicals. Instead, mix up your own. Vinegar, baking soda, and water should do the trick.

• Have Your Ducts Cleaned: Be sure to have your air ducts cleaned thoroughly every 3-5 years. Over time, they can accumulate a number of contaminants like dust, mold, and pollen.

• Open Your Windows: Proper ventilation is the key to maintaining good indoor air quality. In addition to regular duct cleanings, be sure to let the fresh air flow through your home by opening your windows when the weather permits.

GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration offers specialty cleaning services that can help improve the air quality in your home. If you live on Long Island, contact us today at (631) 940-8100 to learn about our mold removal and air duct cleaning services.

5 Mistakes New Homeowners Make

Homeownership is hard. That’s the understatement of the year, but with time comes knowledge and experience. Until then, you have to rely on trial and error, or the wisdom of family and friends. Once you finally purchase your dream home, don’t make these five faux pas when it comes to maintaining it.

1. Ignoring Your Gutters: If your gutters are clogged, water begins to dump out along the foundation of your home. This allows moisture to absorb into the cracks and crevices, which can compromise your home’s stability over time. Remember to thoroughly clean your gutters every spring and ensure that they haven’t been pulled away from the fascia throughout the winter.   
   
   
2. Painting On Top of Rust: Have rusty patio furniture? Slapping any old paint on rusty metal surfaces seems like a no-brainer, however, there are certain steps to follow before doing so: 1.) Be sure to use a scraper to remove the corrosion. 2.) Feather paint edges with 100-grit sandpaper. 3.) Use rust primer to treat spots. 4.) Use only direct-to-metal (DTM) paint. This will ensure a longer lasting paint job every time!
   
   
3. Using too Much Drain Cleaner: Back away from the Draino! Using too many clog-dissolving liquids can eat away at the pipes themselves. Try using baking soda and vinegar is an effective DIY drain cleaner. In addition, be sure to routinely snake your drains to avoid build up. 
   
   
4. Choosing the Wrong Outdoor Rug: The rubber and vinyl backings present on many rugs trap water, making them a breeding ground for mildew and mold. This can cause the wood on decks and porches to rot, as well as attract creepy-crawlers. When choosing an outdoor rug this spring, make sure it has an open-weave design so water can evaporate naturally.
   
   
5. Closing Your Vents: Closing vents in various rooms to redirect the air conditioning can create an imbalance of pressure in your air ducts and cause the cooling coil to freeze. Have branch dampers installed your ductwork, which allow you to force cool air to the second floor in summer and warm air to the ground floor in winter. In addition, be sure to have your air ducts professionally cleaned every three to five years.

Not sure when the last time your ducts were cleaned? New homeowners should schedule a duct cleaning before moving in. GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration offers professional air duct cleaning services to homes and businesses across Long Island. If you live in Nassau or Suffolk County, contact us today for a free quote at (631) 940-8100.