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Wednesday, June 22, 2022

2022 Hurricane Season Predictions

 

Long Island has had its fair share of hurricanes in the past. During the summer and early fall, we’re no stranger to the dangerous conditions that the Atlantic can blow in. However, every year, these storms change. Meteorologists do their best to predict what each season will look like, how intense it will be, and just how many actual hurricanes the east coast will experience.

So, we’re here to break down 2022’s hurricane season predictions and what you need to know to protect your family and home.
 

What You Need to Know About Hurricanes

A hurricane is a tropical cyclone that develops over warm ocean waters. Tropical cyclones have winds that reach at least 74 miles per hour (mph) and measure at least 74 miles across. Even though they start small, they can grow into massive storms within just 24 hours! As these storms move over land or water, they lose energy due to friction with their surroundings.

Hurricanes are dangerous, unpredictable, and cause millions of dollars worth of damage each year. If you live in an area prone to storms, it’s important to know what to do when one is approaching. It’s also important to be prepared for a hurricane before it hits.

This Year’s Hurricane Predictions

Forecasters foresee that this year’s hurricane season will again be above average — making it the seventh above-average season in a row. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Prediction Center’s 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season forecast, “There is a 65% chance of an above-normal season, a 25% chance of a near-normal season, and a 10% chance of a below-normal season.”

There’s a chance for 14-21 named storms, with 6-10 of those possibly becoming hurricanes and 3-6 of them becoming major, damaging hurricanes.
 

How To Minimize Flood Damage in the Home

Hurricanes can do a bunch of damage, from fallen trees to electrical outages. But, sometimes, the worst damage to a home can be flooding. You can do many things before and during a hurricane to minimize flood damage in your home. Consider:
  • Checking your insurance policy: You might want to check with your insurance company ahead of time because there may be coverage that applies specifically to hurricanes.
  • Remove valuables: Get any valuables and important papers up off floors that could flood in less than 10 minutes and place them on a high shelf or even another room if possible so they won’t get ruined if water does come in unexpectedly.
  • Put down sandbags: If you don’t have shutters, consider putting down sandbags to help protect your home from flooding.
  • Keep doors closed: It can be tempting to open doors during storms, but it is best not to do so unless necessary because it will make your home more susceptible to flooding.
  • Contact a water damage expert: At the first sign of water damage, it’s essential to contact the professionals to take care of it!

Water Damage Evaluation in Suffolk County

At GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration, we will come test for water damage to ensure you and your family are safe after a rainstorm. If you suspect that there may be a problem in the home or building, call us to schedule your indoor evaluation at 631-940-8100.

Wednesday, June 15, 2022

Common Questions About Air Duct Cleaning

 

Duct cleaning has become increasingly popular in recent years due to increased awareness of the negative health effects associated with mold, mildew, and dust mites. However, many people don’t know where to begin or what to expect when they’re seeking to hire an air duct cleaning company. These are some of the most common questions about air duct cleaning that you should be asking.

How Do I Know If My Air Ducts Need Cleaning?

There are some common signs to keep an eye out for to know when your air ducts need some extra help. If you notice air from your vents smells different than usual, or if mold or mildew is growing in them, it’s time to clean them.

Also, if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, you may want to schedule an air duct cleaning:
  • Smells in your home
  • Heating/cooling problems
  • Household allergies or asthma issues
Allergy and asthma sufferers should also consider cleaning their ducts because it can reduce pollen, dust, and pet dander circulating throughout your HVAC system.

How Long Will It Take To Clean My Duct System

The time it takes to clean your ducts depends on various factors, including size, shape, and materials. For example, it may take an hour to clean a small apartment but up to 8 hours for a large house with multiple levels.

It’s hard to give an exact answer because every job is different, but we provide you with a good estimate before starting work.

How Often Should I Have My Air Ducts Cleaned?

The CDC and EPA recommend professional air duct cleaning services for your home about every three to five years or once every two to three years if you have a history of allergies or asthma. You should also consider professional duct cleaning if you see visible mold in your vents or notice that your house smells like mildew or dust. You should get more frequent cleanings if there’s a lot of allergy-causing mold in your area.

Get in Touch With us For All Your Air Duct Cleaning Needs

Getting your home and business ready for winter weather and protecting your heating can be time-consuming tasks, and it is often best to bring in some professionals to help. Contact GreenPro Cleaning and Restoration to take care of your ducts, attics, crawl spaces, and water damage.

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

Summertime and Crawl Space Moisture

 

Every year, during the hot summer months, homeowners are faced with questions about how their crawl space will be affected by moisture. The Greenpro Cleaning and Restoration team is here to explore the possible effects of summertime moisture on your crawl space and provide you with some helpful tips to make sure that it is properly maintained to enjoy a dry home all year long.

How Moisture Gets In

Moisture enters your crawl space during summertime due to high humidity levels, which are often accompanied by storms. Moistness in a crawl space comes from many sources, such as:
  • Rainfall
  • Thunderstorms
  • Condensation
  • Air conditioners
  • Heat pumps pumping water vapor into the area
It is important to know that the type of flooring you have in your crawl space will also determine how much moisture it absorbs or sheds during this time of year. If you have bare concrete floors, expect some condensation due to humidity levels and rising temperatures.

Issues With Too Much Moisture

In a nutshell, crawl spaces have been designed with natural airflow that should be enough to keep them dry in most cases. Unfortunately, there are instances where, as stated above, this moisture can make its way in. Over time, mold can grow under insulation or wood floors, leading to dangerous health hazards and home structural issues!
 

How To Fix Your Moisture Problems

If your crawl space is becoming too moist, then you may want to take some action like increasing ventilation or installing a vapor barrier.

Condensation forms and makes the insulation too heavy for the insulation support to hold. Insulation plays an important part in keeping your crawl space in good condition.

A crawl space vapor barrier is a high-density material that prohibits water vapor from passing through it. Traditionally, a vapor barrier was used to cover only the ground floor. This prevents water vapor from evaporating from the soil and moving up into the crawlspace air.

Contact Us Today For All Your Crawl Space Cleaning Needs

Cleaning and taking care of your home can be a challenge, and it is often best to bring in some professionals to help. Contact GreenPro Cleaning and Restoration to take care of your crawl space damage and cleaning needs.

Friday, June 3, 2022

How To Prepare Your Home For Hurricane Season

 

Hurricane season is officially here, running from June 1st and ending November 30th. Are you prepared? Sometimes, you can never know when a hurricane will hit exactly, but you can take some steps to make sure your home is ready. It's important that you get started on these steps now. Here are some important home safety factors to consider and prepare for before these large storms begin to form and come towards Long Island:

Important Inventory Gathering

Do an inventory of all important documents that you may need in case of evacuation. These include insurance papers, passports, birth certificates, social security cards, etc. Make sure these are easily accessible if needed during an emergency situation.

Create Your Emergency Kit

If you have not done so already, an emergency kit is essential for successfully getting through hurricane season. While Long Island isn't prone to terrible hurricanes, they've happened before and can happen again. Having an emergency kit that includes water, food, flashlights, battery-operated radio, extra batteries, and other necessary items like medicine is the best way to ensure you'll have what you need, no matter how bad the storm is.

Take Precautions

Long Island is surrounded by water, so find out if you live in a high-risk area and see what storm surge could do. If so, find out where your nearest shelter is located. Pack what's essential and needed, and fill your car with gas well beforehand!
 

Secure and Seal Your Home

When was the last time you upgraded your home's sealing? If you get wind that a hurricane is on its way, take action. Ensure all windows are securely closed with screens on them so they can't fly open during high winds. Make sure also that your attic and crawl space are sealed well against rain leaks, as water damage can quickly ruin furniture or carpeting if it gets into your home.
 

Water Damage Evaluation in Suffolk County

At GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration, we will come test for water damage to ensure you and your family are safe after a rainstorm. If you suspect that there may be a problem in the home or building, call us to schedule your indoor evaluation at 631-940-8100.