Improvements to Make to Your Attic in 2020

When it comes time to make upgrades to your home in 2020, don’t forget about your attic! Improving your attic gives you a prime opportunity to increase your home’s value while also creating a space that you’ll want to use more often.

Here are four home improvements to make your attic better this year.

Air Sealing

It’s not uncommon for attics to have large air leaks. This can make it nearly impossible for you to keep your home at a reasonable temperature. By air sealing your attic, you will alleviate these issues and reduce your home’s heating and cooling costs.

Insulating

If your attic isn’t insulated, this will negatively affect your entire home’s energy-efficiency. Without adequate insulation in your attic, you’ll lose a lot of conditioned air during summer, and you’ll lose much-needed warmth during winter. Your roof can also swell because of heat building up in your home’s attic. Insulating your attic with reduce all of these problems.

Decluttering

Has your attic become a place where you store everything? If this is the case, then you should declutter it in the months ahead. While an attic is a good place to store your items, you probably have a lot of things that you simply don’t need anymore. These items might be taking up a lot of space that could be better used for a different purpose. Before 2020 is over, make it a goal to sell or donate the unnecessary belongings in your attic.

Repurposing

Your attic can do more than just store some of your unused items. You can repurpose it so that it becomes another space for you to use. Your attic can become an office, playroom, movie room, or even a spare bedroom. You will probably need to paint it, add flooring, install a ceiling fan, and furnish it. If you always feel like your home is just a little short on space, then making your attic into an extra room is definitely a project that you should undertake in the new year.

Before you get started…

A clean attic is a must! Whether you plan on repurposing your attic, using it for storage, or simply upgrading its insulation, make sure to get the space thoroughly cleaned first. At GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration, we offer professional attic cleaning services to prevent common problems related to moisture, pests, and poor indoor air quality.

Improvements to Make to Your Crawl Space in 2020

One of the best ways to maximize energy efficiency at your home is to insulate your crawl space. Performing these simple maintenance tips can result in significant cost savings and is well worth the effort. Here are a few ways you can make significant improvements to your crawl space in 2020.

1. Insulate and Seal Air Ducts

Insulating your air ducts is key in maximizing energy efficiency. On the other hand, holes in your air ducts can cause unwanted hot or cold air to enter the crawl space that can easily spread to other areas of your home. Checking your air ducts and all the connections around the walls or floors is a good idea to ensure that everything is sealed properly.

2. Insulate Perimeter Walls

Insulating the perimeter walls is much more energy-efficient compared to insulating between the joists. Insulation on the walls can regulate the temperature much better and help you maintain an ideal balance between hot or cold air. Another benefit of insulating perimeter walls is that it makes it easy for contractors to access pipes between the floor joists without having to remove any insulation.

3. Use a Dehumidifier

A dehumidifier is a great way to control the climate within your crawl space. You can choose from a variety of dehumidifiers that can play an important role in regulating the temperature. A dehumidifier can also help reduce the amount of mildew or mold and create a much healthier environment.

4. Install a Vapor Barrier

The moisture in your crawl space can affect the temperature and humidity in the rest of your home, which can then cause your HVAC system to work harder to reach your desired temperature. A vapor barrier prevents your crawl space from becoming damp, which, in turn, prevents problems that occur due to excess moisture, such as chilly floors, rot, mold, and mildew.

Improving your crawl space a great way to reduce costs and improve energy efficiency within your home. At Greenpro Cleaning & Restoration, our experienced professionals can help remove debris and any sources of moisture in the crawl space of your home or commercial business.

Contact us today to learn more about the many benefits of improving your crawl space!

What Happens When You Don't Change Your Furnace’s Air Filter

Your furnace is part of one of the most expensive and integral systems in your home, your central heating and cooling (HVAC) system. Because the HVAC system controls not only the internal temperature of your home but also the air quality and humidity, it is crucial to maintain your equipment properly.

One of the most common and easy ways to maintain the system is by changing the air filter regularly. Neglecting to change your air filter routinely can cause many different problems.

Problems Caused by Dirty Air Filters

The air filter prevents various air pollutants from entering your HVAC system by trapping them. Things like dust, pollen, pet dander, and other common particles can quickly clog an air filter. If the air filter gets too dirty, it will disrupt the flow of air through your heating and cooling system.

Without adequate airflow, your HVAC equipment will have to work much harder just to maintain your desired temperature. If the unit is forced to work harder and run longer, the next inevitable consequence will be much higher energy bills. In the meantime, your indoor air quality will also decline, as pollutants detach from your air filter and start circulating through your air ducts and into your home. For those with respiratory problems such as allergies or asthma, this can be especially problematic.

Additionally, if your HVAC equipment has to work harder to compensate for poor airflow, its components will suffer premature wear and tear, shortening the system’s lifespan. One typical example of this is frozen evaporator coils or even a broken air blower. After extended periods of wear and tear, the damage to the unit will eventually cause it to break down.

Ultimately, the cost of not regularly replacing an air filter can end up being thousands of dollars. The simplest and most efficient way to maintain your HVAC system is to replace the air filter as a regular part of your home's maintenance.

HVAC specialists recommend that you replace the air filter at least every 30 to 90 days. Some manufacturers will make different recommendations based on the ability of their product, so be sure to check the manufacturer's recommendations.

Take the next step toward healthier air in your home by getting your air ducts professionally cleaned. Contact GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration for an estimate: 631-940-8100.

Tips for Improving Your Holiday Guests’ Overnight Stay

You may have some friends or family members who will be spending the night over the holidays. In order to help them have a comfortable night’s sleep, there are some thoughtful steps that you can take beforehand. Check out these tips for improving your holiday guests’ overnight stay.

Thoroughly Clean Ahead Of Time

Do some deep-cleaning before your guests arrive. Vacuum and dust the entire house. Change out the sheets in the room that they will be staying in. Rearrange the closet to make sure that they have a space to put their things. If you simply don’t have the time to clean your home as thoroughly as you’d like to, consider hiring a professional to do it. This will help you ensure that your home is completely ready for your guests.

Provide Them With Enough Blankets

Many individuals don’t enjoy staying the night at someone’s house because they get too cold or too hot at night. It can be difficult to set the thermostat just right to make sure that your guests will sleep comfortably. You can easily solve this by providing them with enough blankets. Make sure that they have access to comforters just in case they get too chilly and thin blankets that they can use if they are too hot.

Use Plug-in Nightlights

Your guests may have difficulty navigating your home if they need to get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom or get a drink of water. This is why you should use plug-in nightlights. You should place these lights in outlets in both the hallways and the guest bathroom. This will allow them to easily see where they are going without bumping into things.

Purchase A Few Of Their Favorite Drinks And Snacks

Your guests will probably get hungry and thirsty quite a bit when they are staying at your house. You can easily make your guest’s stay more comfortable by purchasing a few of their favorite drinks and snacks. Show them where these items are located, and let them know that they are free to help themselves to them.

Plug in a Humidifier at Night

If you know that your central heating system tends to make the air especially dry in your home, you might want to keep a humidifier running where your guests sleep (as long as it runs quietly). Sleeping with a humidifier is more likely to prevent your guests from waking up with aching sinuses or a sore throat.

Improve your home’s indoor air quality with professional air duct cleaning services. At GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration, we do not use any toxic chemicals and our cleaning systems produce superior results.

The Importance of Keeping Your Crawl Space Dry in Winter

Winter can bring a variety of unexpected problems into the home. Due to the season's cold and wet climate, rot and mold can form in many areas. The crawl space of a home is particularly vulnerable during the winter months. Keeping your crawl space dry and clean year-round is an essential aspect of maintaining your home.

What Is a Crawl Space?

Most crawl spaces are just hollow areas located underneath a house. They are usually between 1 and 3 feet high--just enough room for somebody to crawl through them.

There are a few different advantages to having a crawl space. By propping your house off of the ground, you can reduce your risk for termites. Crawl spaces also add additional space for clutter or storage that may not fit in other areas of the house.

Why Do I Need to Keep My Crawl Space Dry?

Since your crawl space exists below your house, you might assume that moisture is simply a natural and insignificant occurrence. However, excess water can cause several problems if not quickly addressed.

Moisture in crawl spaces frequently leads to rot and mold growth, both of which can attract insects and other types of pests to your house. Spores, humid air, and a particularly musty odor can all creep into your home from the crawl space if moisture is not kept out.

How Can I Keep My Crawl Space Dry?

During the summer months, crawl spaces do not usually need help staying dry. The winter and spring months can be tricky when snow and rain start to impact a home. Luckily, there are steps you can take to prevent a moldy crawl space.

The first step to preserving a dry crawl space involves finding the source of water. If there is an ongoing leak, repair it immediately. Without solving the original problem, trying to fix an already-soaked crawl space is futile.

Dehumidifiers can effectively help cleanup moisture. Since dehumidifiers usually have an automatic timer setting, they can frequently turn on as soon as they detect high levels of humidity in the air.

Sealing a crawl space can also cut down on trapped moisture. Closing all holes and cracks can prevent the free flow of air, helping your crawl space stay dry during winter.

For professional crawl space cleaning services, contact GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration.

4 Ways that Excess Moisture Can Damage Your Chimney

When it comes to home maintenance, it can be easy to overlook your chimney. Damage from excess moisture in this location can be a significant problem that you may face as a homeowner. Have your chimney inspected once a year to prevent the damage described below.

Rusting

Rain and snow are a threat to the metal components in and around your chimney. The damper or firebox in your chimney can rust if water seeps in. Rust deteriorates the integrity of the metal and creates a severe hazard in your fireplace. Also, a rusted damper will not create a proper seal, and the conditioned air in your home can leak out through the chimney. A properly installed chimney cap prevents moisture from entering.

Spalling

Bricks are made of a porous material that allows them to absorb moisture. Trapped moisture inside them expands and contracts as the temperature drops and rises. The process that causes the surface of the brick to break off is called spalling. Spalling compromises the structural integrity of your chimney. A professional can apply a treatment to reduce the risk of spalling in your chimney.

Mortar Damage

The same cycle that causes spalling causes damage to the mortar between the bricks. Also, the exposure to water on the exterior of the chimney can cause the mortar to deteriorate. Damaged mortar results in damage to the bricks, and it also compromises the structural integrity of your chimney. Tuckpointing is a process done by professionals that involves repairing the damage.

Linear Deterioration

The lining of the chimney protects the walls from exposure to intense heat and harsh by-products. Cracks and holes in the lining are a result of excess moisture. When the liner becomes damaged, it exposes the chimney walls to extreme conditions as the heat and by-products rise out of your chimney. This also compromises your chimney's structural integrity and can damage the walls and ceiling in your home. A chimney cap can help to prevent this issue.

Need assistance with water damage? Contact GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration.

How to Prevent and Deal with Ice Dams

Many people think that the icy wall slowly forming along the edge of their roofline during winter is harmless and picturesque. What you might not know is that these formations, called ice dams, can collect water that backs up underneath shingles and seeps into homes. By the time you notice the damage, you'll need extensive repair work at the worst possible time of year, at a cost that may bust your budget.

When you learn how to prevent and deal with ice dams correctly, you can erase your worries about this common source of winter water damage. 

How to Prevent Ice Dams from Forming on Your Home

1. Make sure you have adequate attic insulation.

Check to be sure that your attic insulation provides the minimum R-value your local building codes require. Make sure the insulation forms a complete blanket across your attic floor, without gaps.

2. Close up areas of heat exchange from the main floor.

Heat loss from your living space rises into your attic, which triggers ice dam formation.

Seal any air leaks from gaps in drywall, light fixtures, plumbing, electrical wiring, chimneys, and even the attic access door. Exhaust fans must vent to the home's exterior and not into the attic space.

3. Unblock or add attic and roof vents.

If your attic feels warm, you must increase airflow between the outside and your attic.

Add more vents to the roof and eaves if necessary. Ensure storage containers or leaf debris never block vents.

How to Deal with Ice Dams that Form on Your Home

Getting rid of ice dams after they establish can be tricky business. Working in cold weather with ladders, rakes, de-icers, or heat cabling can be dangerous. If possible, hire a company that specializes in ice dam removal. Call a professional remediation service to deal with any water leak damage, and provide ways to stop future ice dams from forming before they ruin your holiday season.

Need assistance with water damage? Contact GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration.