4 Signs of Water Damage in Your Basement

We’ve all heard horror stories from friends and family about the time they came home to find their basement submerged in six inches of water. In cases like this, it’s very clear that your basement is going to experience some water damage. But believe it or not, most cases of water damage are not this obvious. Even if your carpet is dry, keep an eye out for these tell-tale signs of water damage in your basement.

Changes in your wall’s color and texture. If you have a finished basement, paint can give away water hiding behind your wall. When exposed to water or moisture, paint tends to turn a brown or yellow color and peel. Wallpaper will also start to change color and fade. You should also be on the lookout for warped walls. Though subtle, a slight bulge in your wall could indicate water behind it.

Cracks in your foundation. Especially if your spout doesn’t drain downhill from your house, rain water can seep into your basement through the foundation and cracks in your home. Over time, the problem can get so severe that it threatens the integrity of your foundation.  

Mold or mildew. Most homeowners know that if they find mold, they probably have a moisture problem. Mold is typically a dark green, black, or white color and can actually grow in front of your very eyes. So if you notice a growing, green patch in your basement, call a professional right away!

Strange odors. If mold is lurking behind walls or in crawl spaces, it can be hard to find. That’s why it’s important that you pay attention to any strange or different smells in your basement. Usually, mold will have a distinct musty smell to it.

Water damage can severely impact your family’s safety and comfort. That’s why it’s incredibly important that you act fast at the first sign of excess water. Here at GreenPro Cleaning, we dare to tackle the tough jobs most companies won’t touch! For all of your basement cleaning needs, give us a call at (631) 940-8100 today!

How Mold Can Affect Your Health

Black mold has gotten quite a reputation for being hazardous to your health — and for good reason. But black, or toxic, mold isn’t the only type of mold you need to be cautious of. In reality, all mold, no matter what type or how much, is dangerous to your health.

Mold and Your Health

People who are sensitive to mold may experience congestion, throat irritation, coughing, wheezing, and eye irritation. Those with a mold allergy may have more severe symptoms, like difficulty breathing and sever throat, eye, and skin irritation.   

People who are immunocompromised or have asthma are also more likely to be negatively affected by mold spores. One study found that people with obstructive lung disease were more likely to get a serious lung infection after being exposed to mold.

But mold symptoms are not just related to your respiratory system. Other symptoms include:

• Muscle and joint pain.
• Headaches or memory loss.
• Anxiety or depression.
• A compromised immune system.
• Fatigue.
• Gastrointestinal problems.

Though one, or more, of these symptoms does not guarantee that you have mold in your house, you should speak to your doctor right away, and consider having your house professionally inspected and cleaned.

Controlling Mold

• Control your home’s humidity levels with a humidifier in the winter and a dehumidifier in the summer.
• Fix any leaking pipes or windows the moment you notice them.
• If you experience a flood, make sure the affected room is completely dry and clean before moving furniture and other large objects back in.
• Ventilate your shower and kitchen well.
• Add mold inhibitors to your paint before you paint a room.
• Have your home professionally inspected and cleaned of any mold or mildew spores.

GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration offers professional attic cleaning and mold removal services to homes across Long Island. If you live in Nassau County or Suffolk County, call us to get started with a free estimate at (631) 940-8100.

How to Keep Your Attic and Crawl Space Bug-Free

Whether you live in the suburbs or the city, every home has one thing in common — bugs. While no house can be completely bug-free, there are a few steps you can take to minimize the number of creepy crawlers coming into your house.

• Install screens on your windows. Especially in the warmer months when we’re all trying to fill our homes with a natural breeze, flies can easily get into open windows.
• Seal cracks in the foundation. Not only are cracks in your foundation taking a toll on your energy bill, but they can also let in termites, ants, and cockroaches.
• Caulk around your doors. If air can get through, so can bugs.
• Seal your vents and have them inspected. For the health of your home and the people in it, your attic has to be ventilated. But overtime, vents can start to become loose, leaving room for insects to crawl in.
• Keep food out of your bedroom. It’s true what your mom used to tell you — eating in your bedroom will attract bugs. It’s best to keep all eating and cooking to the kitchen and dining room.
• Keep the kitchen clean. Speaking of eating, you also don’t want to leave food out for too long, even if it’s in the kitchen.
• Keep clutter to a minimum. Even in places like the attic and crawl space, which are primarily used for storage, it’s important you keep them clean and organized. Bugs love to hide, so the fewer hiding spots you give them, the less likely they are to stick around.
• Take the garbage out often. Live by the rule: If you can smell it, so can bugs.
• Rinse your recyclables. The sticky, sugary remains of a soda can sitting in the recyclables next to your house can also attract bugs. And they probably won’t stop at just the recyclables.
• Prune your trees. Even if you don’t have much of a green thumb, pruning your trees is incredibly important. Branches that hang close to your house act as a bridge for insects and small animals.
• Use a natural deterrent. Before you spray your house with traditional insect repellents that are littered with chemicals, try a few natural alternatives, like:
• Citrus oil
• Eucalyptus oil
• Neem oil
• Place egg shells in the flower beds around your house.

While natural remedies are great for everyday use, sometimes at the beginning and end of a season, you need something a bit more powerful. That’s where we come in! GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration offers duct cleaning services to homes and businesses across Long Island. Our methods have been tested and proven to be 100-percent eco-friendly. If you live in Nassau or Suffolk County, contact us today for a free quote at 631-940-8100.

What Are The Best Green Cleaning Products?

Walk down the aisle of any home goods store and you’ll find dozens, dare we say hundreds, of cleaning products, all claiming to get your house sparkling clean. But don’t be fooled by their flower and meadow-covered labels. Traditional cleaning products are filled with chemicals that can not only damage your clothes, machines, and countertops, but contribute to poor indoor air quality.

Luckily, there are a number of natural, organic products that you probably already have, or can find at your local supermarket, that can get the job done as well as (if not better than) chemical filled cleaners.

• Baking Soda. Baking soda can do a lot more than just keep your fridge smelling clean. A paste of baking soda and water can clean your oven, brushes and combs, and even patio furniture. 
• Lemon. Lemon typically doesn’t help with the actual cleaning, but it will make your home smell lemony fresh! 
• White Vinegar. From clogged shower heads, to dirty microwaves, white vinegar can cut through even the toughest scum and leave your house naturally clean. 
• Borax. Borax is a natural mineral that’s found in most cleaning products today. Years ago, most people used a scoop or two of Borax to boost their laundry detergent's cleaning power. Years later, we’ve found that it also helps to clean (and unclog) toilets, brighten countertops, clean mold and mildew stains, and wash dishes. 
• Hydrogen Peroxide. Just like hydrogen peroxide is great for cleaning out cuts, it’s a great disinfectant to use around the house. A little bit of hydrogen peroxide and water makes a powerful toothbrush and sponge sanitizer, as well as a grout whitener. 

While natural remedies are great for everyday use, sometimes at the beginning and end of a season, you need something a bit more powerful. That’s where we come in! GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration offers duct cleaning services to homes and businesses across Long Island. Our methods have been tested and proven to be 100-percent eco-friendly. If you live in Nassau or Suffolk County, contact us today for a free quote at 631-940-8100.

5 Myths About Attic Ventilation Every Homeowner Should Know

We know — attic ventilation probably isn’t priority number one on your list of home repairs and updates. But unbeknownst to most homeowners, attic ventilation has a huge impact on the overall health of your home. That’s why we’re breaking down the most common myths surrounding this sometimes overlooked, but incredibly important, function.   

Myth #1: Only homes in warm climates need attic ventilation.

Fact: Not only is proper ventilation needed in homes in every climate, but it’s actually more important in colder climates. Where there’s cold weather, there’s moisture. And where there’s moisture, there’s an increased likelihood of mold. Meaning ventilation will actually help keep your attic mold and mildew free.

Myth #2: Ventilation drives up energy costs.

Fact: We can’t fault people for thinking this. It makes sense that having “holes” for ventilation in your roof will just let all of the air you’re paying to heat or cool straight out of the house. But oddly enough, proper ventilation actually helps keep your house cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

Myth #3: One vent is enough.

Fact: There’s no set number of vents that a house should have, but it’s rarely one. The number of vents a home needs is dependent on the attic's size, purpose, insulation, and location. Typically, a four person house with an attic will need multiple vents.

Myth #4: Powered fans are the best at ventilating attics.

Fact: In some cases, a powered fan is a great addition to an attic, but they’re not universally considered the best option. If you’re using a powered fan, but don’t need to be, you can be sucking air out of other rooms in the house, and pushing it outside.

Myth #5: The type of vent you get is all that matters.

Fact: As we learned, the type of vent you have is important, but it’s far from the only thing you need to consider. You also need to pay attention to how the vent is installed, where it’s installed, and how large it is.

GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration offers professional attic cleaning and mold removal services to homes across Long Island. If you live in Nassau County or Suffolk County, call us to get started with a free estimate at (631) 940-8100.