Most Common Causes of Mold In Your Attic (And What to do About it)

Mold in the attic can grow completely unnoticed, it’s a place that isn’t visited frequently by most homeowners. Growing mold is a health hazard as well as a detriment to your property’s overall value. Here are a few ways mold grows in your attic and what to do about it.

1.  Leak in your Roof

One of the most common ways mold will grow is a leak from the roof. When rain or snow hits your roof, the moister will pour into any open cracks or leaks directly into the attic. When it is snowing, look for any bare patches on your roof. This could indicate that heat is leaving the attic out through the roof, causing the snow to melt and drip inside. The attic isn’t regularly visited, take precaution next time you go up there. If you encounter any mold, get your roof inspected and repaired.

2. Attic Insulation           

Many DIY homeowners feel a good way to save money on bills is to insulate the attic themselves. If the wrong type of insulation is used or installed incorrectly, it can actually hold in the moisture received from a leaky roof or any moisture from the lower floors. If the insulation stays damp, mold will continue to develop. Be sure to do your homework if you feel like doing your own insulation up in the attic or call a technician to properly asses how to approach your next project.

3. Poor Airflow                 

Homeowners tend to shut off all vents that lead to the attic. Doing this, they think shutting them off means nothing will get in. Which sadly means there will be a poor circulation of air flow. Having that constant ventilation allows any type of dampness to expel faster than it would being shut off from outside airflow.

4. Vents in the Home

Make sure that you don’t have any vents (kitchen, bathroom fans, dryer) leading directly into the attic. If you do, contact a handyman to re-route those vents to go outside. Pumping in this heat constantly will contribute to the poor airflow in the attic and accelerate mold growth.

Keep an eye out for mold on your next trip to the attic. If you smell or see anything irregular, please contact us for a free quote.  GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration can evaluate the current insulation in your crawlspace / attic. Call us today: 631-940-8100 or email us at info@gogreenprocleaning.com

A Host's Guide to Thanksgiving Day Prep

Hosting a holiday like Thanksgiving is no easy feat, but someone has to do it! If this is your year to baste the turkey and mash the potatoes, you’re probably already starting to feel the pressure. But the holidays are all about family and togetherness, so we’ve decided to share a few ways to make your Thanksgiving as easy and enjoyable as possible.

Cook early and freeze.

With many hosts working up until the day of Thanksgiving, it’s hard to find time to cook everything that a Thanksgiving Day feast requires. Ensure you have a relaxing Wednesday night by preparing food sporadically throughout the week and freezing it.

Ask others to pitch in.

There’s nothing wrong with asking your guests to contribute to the meal. When you send out invitations, ask guests to include a dish they’re going to bring along with their RSVP. Not only will this cut down on your baking time, but it will ensure that you don’t end up with four cheese platters and no stuffing.

Make space for guests.

If you live in a smaller home or apartment, consider renting chairs and tables. If you don’t like the “folding chair” look, you can easily cover them with slip covers. You can also utilize other rooms of the house, like the basement, for little ones to eat in.

Decorate your table the night before.

Whether you’re choosing to have a more formal dining experience or a casual, buffet-style one, your table will need some Thanksgiving pazaz. Autumn-inspired plates and cups, as well as napkins and placemats, will set the stage for a lovely evening.

Use eco-friendly cleaning products.

Chemical cleaners pose a major threat to you and your family’s health. Instead of using store-bought, chemical cleaners, create an all-purpose cleaner using 1/2 cup vinegar, 2 tbsp baking soda, and a splash of fresh lemon juice.  

Have your vents professionally cleaned.

Nothing ruins Thanksgiving dinner quite like a dust bunny rolling across the table. Ensure that everyone can breathe easy this year by having your vents cleaned of any dust, dirt, and debris.

If you live in Nassau County or Suffolk County, call (631) 940-8100 to get started with a free estimate. And from all of us here at GreenPro, have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

11 Tips to Help You Recycle More (and Better)

At GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration, we pride ourselves on two things: providing top-notch cleaning services and our “Earth Friendly” approach that promotes healthy living. We know that we have a responsibility to the Earth, as well as those who inhabit it. That’s why all of our products are bio-safe and all of our methods are certified bio-friendly.

Keeping our environment safe is so important to us, that we’re sharing a few ways you can join us in our commitment to eco-friendly practices! Even if you’re new to sustainability and recycling, we’ve got a few tips that will turn you into a pro in no time.

1. Rinse your cans before putting them in the recycling bin. This will help keep unwanted pests and insects out of your bin.
2. Know what you can recycle... Aluminum cans, plastic bottles, glass bottles, cardboard, magazines, and aluminum foil can all be recycled.
3. ...And what you can’t. You shouldn’t recycle glassware, ceramics, pots and pans, batteries, and light bulbs.
4. Recycle your electronics. You can’t just throw them in your home recycling bin, but you can recycle and donate (a.k.a upcycle) printers, computers, tablets, and even beepers. 
5. Make recycling easy for little ones. Clearly label or color code recycling and garbage bins so that your kids can partake in the eco-friendly fun as well.
6. Flatten your cardboard boxes. Make room for more boxes by flattening them before you place them in a bin.
7. Have a place for junk mail. Despite all the digital communicating we do nowadays, junk mail still makes up a large portion of wasted paper.
8. Have more than one recycling bin. We mentioned before that there’s plenty you can recycle, but that doesn’t mean it can all go in one giant bin. Make things easier on yourself and waste management by separating recyclable materials into different bins.
9. Start composting. Composting not only saves you money by reducing the need for chemical fertilizers, but it also turns what would be waste into something useful.
10. Encourage your neighbors to start recycling. If you notice a neighbor of yours doesn't recycle, bring then a bin and let them know what is and isn’t recyclable.
11. Look for other ways you’re wasting resources. Are you leaving lights on when no one is in the room? Are you putting the heat up too high? Are you using fluorescent bulbs?

If you’re ever in need of an air duct cleaning or water damage repair services, and what a company that shares in your eco-friendly passion, look to GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration! If you live in Nassau County or Suffolk County, pick up the phone and call us at (631) 940-8100 to get started with a free estimate.

How to Prep Your Attic for Cold Weather

Attics are usually an afterthought for most people when it comes to winter weather prep. But if you’re looking to save on home heating costs this year (and let’s face it, who isn’t?) here are five things to add to your to-do list before Old Man Winter approaches:

Inspect it for air leaks. Air leaks in the attic allow warm air to escape and can cause your heating bill to spike by up to 20%. Check your attic for signs of heat loss by running your hand around the edges of doors and windows (in search of moving air).

Check for openings where critters could invade. With the temperature starting to drop, small animals will soon be in search of warmth. If there's even a small opening in your attic, you could be dealing with a costly pest infestation.

Upgrade your insulation. While there’s no denying that they’re great for storage, the main purpose of your attic is actually to provide sufficient insulation for your home. If your attic is poorly insulated, heat will rise and escape straight through your roof. Keep your heating costs low this year by having your attic inspected by a professional.

Check for possible sources of water leaks. When a sheet of ice forms over your gutters and prevents water from draining through them, you're left with an ice dam. This causes melting snow to seep into your roof and compromise its structural integrity.

Have all mold and mildew professionally removed. Attics are a common hiding spot for mold and mildew, which can affect your home and family’s health. Because you could potentially expose yourself to harmful mold spores, this is usually a job that’s best left to the professionals.

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, pick up the phone and call us at (631) 940-8100 to get started with a free estimate.