Winter Cleaning Tips

 

Winter is approaching and it's important for homeowners to ensure they're taking the necessary steps to ensure they have everything clean and ready to endure the harsh weather on the way. 

There are a number of different things that you can do to keep your home ready for winter and cleaning is probably one of the most important steps. Here are some of the things that you can do while it still falls so you can have a worry-free winter. 

Check and Replace Your Air Filters 
The air filters in your home are often very important; however, they are not looked at as often as they should be and it can be problematic. Air filters are responsible for keeping certain allergens and particles out of your indoor air. If they become too full, your heater may not work as it should. 

Ensuring You Have a Clean Furnace 
Your furnace is going to be the hero of your winter because once the weather gets colder, you need to stay as comfortable as possible and your furnace goes a long way to helping that. If your furnace is dirty, it not only works inefficiently, but it can also be a fire hazard. 

Clean Behind Your Refrigerator and the Coils 
Your refrigerator coils and the area behind the refrigerator should be cleared of any potential debris using a vacuum and then wiping away the rest of the unwanted dirt. Make sure you first unplug the fridge and use any attachments that can help you scrub them away. 

Dryer Vent Cleaning 
In the dry winter months, the dryer vent can become a big problem as lint begins to build up in the lint trap and the vent. If the lint is not removed, the heated pipe can become too hot and the excess lint can catch fire. Be sure to use a dryer vent snake to remove the excess lint and debris. 

Get In the Deep Spots 
During the winter, you may want to get down to the nitty-gritty and perform a deep clean throughout your home. Start with your kitchen. Take everything out of your cabinets and drawers to clean inside, remove any unwanted items, and replace liners in the drawers. This may also be a good time for you to check so you can get the cleanest possible kitchen. 

As a homeowner in Suffolk County or Nassau County, you need to have professionals who can come out and help you get the job done right. Ensuring you have a clean home for the winter should be a top priority for you and it's important you know exactly what to do. 

If you're unsure of all the things you need to do, know that our cleaning experts at GreenPro are here for you. Trust that we'll come out, provide you with an accurate estimate and help you get the deep cleaning you need. We're the professionals you want and need to get the job done right the first time.

Are Vapor Barriers Worth It?

Vapor Barriers - The Pros and the Cons

What Do Vapor Barriers Do?

If you are building a home or other structure on your property you will be faced with whether or not to add a vapor barrier during the construction. Another name for a vapor barrier is 'moisture barrier' and this name might make more sense to some people. We all understand that moisture in a home is bad, right? These barriers protect against moisture, but where are they applied and how do they work exactly?

When and Where A Vapor Barrier Is Necessary

Barriers work in crawl spaces generally. There are specialized moisture barriers that wrap the exterior walls of homes as well. If your home is two story or has very high vaulted ceilings that allow warm air to rise, you should strongly consider using a vapor barrier. Some area building codes require them.

As warm air is drawn upwards in your home, cooler air is pulled from below. The air flow in your home will be drawing in mold, bacteria, and spores. These are drawn into your house through crawl spaces or basement walls that are not airtight.

Mold spores can be drawn indoors. Not only can these spores be problematic for those with allergies, but they can also be very bad and cause illnesses in otherwise healthy people.

What Does a Vapor Barrier Look Like?

A typical barrier is placed on the inside walls of your basement before they are finished off with drywall or paneling. If you have a crawl space below your floor. The barrier is placed all around this space underneath your home. The barrier itself is a sheet of specialized plastic that is designed to last many years.

The reality is that everyone should want to have a moisture barrier because the pros far outweigh the cons. The only real con is that it will be more upfront cost to constructing your home. The costs are minimal and will quickly pay for themselves in the saved heating and cooling. There is no way to gauge how much healthier your family will stay, but your allergy sufferers will definitely thank you.

What are the Dangers of Dryer Lint?

There are a number of potential dangers when it comes to dryer lint, both for your internal health and for your home in general. Here are the two most common dangers that dryer lint presents.

Inhalation

Respiratory distress is a very real danger. Dryer lint can easily get up in the air. The particles can be inhaled causing a number of medical conditions, and making breathing worse in people with COPD, asthma, hay fever. It can also cause bacterial infections, and worsening a host of other complications.

Should you be afraid of dryer lint? We think you should.

Fire

Dryer lint is highly flammable. So much so that at people have used it to make little burners (for camping, and wilderness survival packs) out of lint and paraffin. Your dryer has heating coils in it to generate the heat required to dry your clothing. Most dryers have a directive in the door, sometimes on the lint trap, that tells you to clean out after every use.

Even if you follow that directive, you are still at risk for a fire. Your lint trap is not catching all of the lint. Some of it gets past and lodges in the sides of the housing od the lint trap, and all along the dryer vent, especially the aluminum coil that most people use to vent the dryer outside. The ribbing catches the lint where it can build up and become a hazard.

One of the symptoms that might notice that your dryer duct has become clogged with lint is that your clothes are not getting fully dry. Another symptom is smelling something burning.

If you smell something burning, get out of the building, and call Emergency Services or 911. If you can smell it, it may already be on fire. As flammable as lint is, you could wind losing your house. It tends to burn hot and fast.

Ideally, you should get this checked out right away, and head off these problems become costly issues. The best tactic is to get it checked now by professionals in this field and take any preventable steps recommended. Then get it checked every year when you do your spring cleaning and your fall cleaning.

We believe in prevention versus restoration. We can help you on your way to make your home more secure. Our staff is helpful and knowledgeable and standing by for your call.

What Are Common Allergens Trapped in Air Ducts?

When most people think about their HVAC systems, they are most commonly concerned about the heating and the air conditioning. However, they often forget about the "V" in HVAC: ventilation. This is an extremely important component to consider as it often one the barrier from many different pollutants and your indoor air quality.

Far too often, the indoor air quality is so overlooked, but it is crucial in ensuring your family's health. Understanding some of the common allergens that are trapped in the air ducts can help you realize the reasons you should focus on your air ducts and your air filters.

Some of the most common allergens you may find in your air ducts include:

• Dust: This is a common problem as it can begin to build up in the air ducts. When it pushes through and into the indoor air, it can create a problem for all those in the home. 
• Bacteria: As bacteria travels through the air, it can result in individuals getting sick in the home. This builds up in the air ducts and is one of the common problems for those with allergies. 
• Mold: In many cases, the moisture in the air duct can begin to create mold that is harmful to individuals, especially when respiratory issues already exist. 

These allergens and other pollutants put homeowners and all others in the home at risk of serious harm. If not remedied as quickly as possible, not only will you experience more expensive bills due to the inability for the heater to work properly, but you will also run the risk of potential dangers including asthma problems worsening or serious coughs.

How to Fix the Issue

It is extremely important for you to do a few different things in order to prevent getting sick from dirty air ducts. These actions can keep your home free of pollutants, as well as help your HVAC system work more efficiently, saving you money on utilities.

The steps you can take include:

• Be sure that you're cleaning or repairing the air filters often. This may mean replacing the filter every three months to ensure there are no problem areas on the filter. 
• Take the time to clean the air ducts and look for any potential allergens that can cause you and your family harm. 

At GreenPro, we have a firm understanding of how serious and dangerous allergens can exist in a homeowner's HVAC system. Your ducts and filters are overlooked far too often and you should take the time to make them a priority so you're not left behind when you need the service the most.

If you need air duct cleaning, trust that our team can help you and provide you with the highest quality services every step of the way. Your home and family are important to us. Let us show you a better way to having healthy and safe indoor air quality today.

Why Should My Air Ducts Be Cleaned Out?

Owning a home or property comes with a wide range of responsibilities and maintenance requirements. One of these requirements is the basic upkeep of the HVAC unit. You may be wondering why you should have the duct work cleaned out if the unit is working properly. There are quite a few reasons why the air ducts should be cleaned out. Some of these reasons include:

• Dust and dust mites
• Pet dander and hair
• Allergies
• Mold
• Efficiency for running the HVAC unit

Dust and Dust Mites

Air ductwork is an ideal place for dust and dust mites to gather. Every time you turn your system on the dust and dust mites are being filtered out and through the vents in your home. If you live in an area with a lot of new build construction and enjoy having your windows open you may experience quite a bit of dust and dust mite build up in your air ducts.

Pet Dander and Hair

It does not matter if you have a dog or a cat, the dander and hair can drift into the air duct work. If you have floor vents and your pet enjoys lying near these vents the hair can slip through the slots of the vent. A professional yearly ductwork cleaning by GreenPro Cleaning or your local cleaning company is recommended every 1-2 years if you do have pets. This will remove pet hair and dander from the vent into your home.

Allergies

If you or a family member suffer from allergies you will greatly benefit from having your air ductwork professionally cleaned by GreenPro Cleaning every 1-2 years. It only takes a few hours to have the duct work cleaned and all potential allergens are removed.

Mold

Mold can actually grow inside of the air duct work. Many houses have ductwork in the basement. Some basements are susceptible to seepage, leaking and even flooding. If water becomes trapped in the air ductwork a mold can begin to grow.

Efficiency

Cleaning an HVAC system's air ducts will prevent clogs. This general maintenance will keep the system running smoothly. Cleaned air vents can prevent damage to the HVAC unit.