Signs of Mold Indoors

Identifying and Removing Indoor Mold

Indoor mold is a common but frustrating phenomenon that can stem from a variety of moisture issues including but not limited to leaks typically inside walls or hidden in parts of the home that go unnoticed. 

Because mold can often be found in non-common areas such as basements and can stem from condensation, or issues with a home’s foundation it’s important to familiarity oneself with the signs of indoor mold.  Although mold will not always leave warning signs these are a few things to keep in mind to keep your home mold free. 

Respiratory and Pulmonary Distress: 

One of the most common symptoms of household or other indoor mold issues is that people will begin having an array of respiratory issues to include asthma and allergy issues. Some complaints include chronic cold symptoms, compromised lungs or airways, itchy throat, eyes, or rash and other allergy symptoms. 

Must or Mold Smell: 

Often but not always, a dwelling with a mold or moisture issue will have a damp smell or moldy smell that some people describe as similar to the smell of old or moist paper. Even when a smell is not present or cannot be identified by people visiting or living in the building will sometimes report nausea and shortness of breath. 

The appearance of Fungus: 

Although often mold does not present in well-trafficked areas which can make it tricky to spot, when fungus appears it’s a good indicator that mold is present. Fungus on walls, pipes, floors and in carpets can take on a dark, cloudy or bumpy appearance. 

Testing for and Getting Rid of Mold: 

If you believe that there is mold in your home, office or other building it’s important to seek the help of professionals. GreenPro Cleaning and Restoration have years of experience handling water damage including mold. 

GreenPro Cleaning staff will take the time to walk you through what you should do and how they can help. Call to make your appointment today.

Which Issues Arise If You Don’t Treat Mold?

Exposure to black mold can cause a lot of health problems, so it’s a good idea to be proactive about properly dealing with the mold in your home rather than suffering from unfortunate consequences.

You might mistakenly think that because black mold is such an ordinary thing in parts of North America that it’s not really a major issue, but the truth is that a mold infestation is something that you should treat properly because not doing so is a serious threat to your health.

Black mold often appears after water damage in a home - there will be telltale black spots and a distinct musty smell. Upon closer inspection, these spots will be dusty and will tend to spread mostly in damp areas. Since drywall and carpets are particularly great at holding in moisture (and particularly common in modern American construction), these are hotspots for mold growth.

Some people have allergies, and mold can be an allergen that irritates your sinuses and causes cold-like symptoms if you live in a house with it. If you feel like you have sinusitis, it could simply be due to black mold exposure. If you have an incurable cough or sinusitis that doesn’t respond to treatment, the cause could easily be mold exposure.

The longer a person is exposed to mold, the worse that these symptoms will become. If you discover black mold and are suffering from any discernible symptoms of poisoning, go to a doctor and call in professionals to clean it up. Prolonged exposure can be fatal, and it will make your life pretty unpleasant in the meantime.

If you have a mold infestation, it’s obviously paramount to have it dealt with properly. For that, you can count on the services of Green Pro Cleaning and Restoration to make your home safe again.

If you’re suffering from water damage or the resulting mold in your Suffolk County home, Green Pro Cleaning can help undo any such damages and make your home look like new again. They’re your best local option, and with a friendly and professional staff, you won’t regret choosing Green Pro.

ASHRAE Standards and Guidelines, What Are They?

ASHRAE Standards and Guidelines, What Are They?

Our homes are a representation of ourselves. They are a symbol of pride and for many a standing reminder of the American dream. It is a place of solitude and respite from the busy world around us. When we are sick, we stay there to get well. We relish the comfort of our abodes by keeping them clean and creating a safe environment.

A part of cleaning the home is the air quality. Replacing the air filters in our furnaces is great, but all homes, especially if it was occupied by prior residents, need the air ducts cleaned. GreenPro Cleaning and Restoration provides a process that follows the ASHRAE guidelines.

ASHRAE is the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. Their goal is to use education and technology to advance sustainable HVAC-R practices worldwide. Reducing the carbon footprint while preserving precious resources is the focus of ASHRAE and the worldwide global initiative.

Why Should I Choose GreenPro Cleaning and Restoration?

One glance at the website at http://gogreenprocleaning.com/water-damage-suffolk-county.php and you’ll see the reason the company is called GreenPro.

• Uses Only Bio-Safe and Bio-Friendly Products

Harsh chemicals like ozone and chemical biocides are often used to kill fungi and bacteria lurking in the air ducts after they are cleaned. These harsh chemicals have been proven to cause respiratory problems and can harm small children, including the unborn.

• Entire HVAC system cleaning

GreenPro understands the importance of a healthy environment inside your home or business. They will not show up with a large hose and get right to work. There is an inspection process, then an entire cleaning of the HVAC system. What is the point of cleaning the ductwork and the filter if you are going to blow dirt back into them once your system is turned on?

• Keeping Up with EPA Standards

GreenPro thoroughly cleans the HVAC system and applies an anti-microbial treatment to sanitize and disinfect only on nonporous surfaces. Only products that are registered as safe with the EPA are used. The EPA provides an air duct cleaning checklist for consumers. GreenPro provides all ten requirements with each service call.

For a complete, environmentally safe, and thorough air duct cleaning company contact GreenPro at (631) 940-8100 or visit the website at http://gogreenprocleaning.com/water-damage-suffolk-county.php to see all of our services and schedule a consultation. Don’t leave your family’s health in just anyone’s hands.

Common Air Duct Problems in Summer

Green Pro Cleaning Helps You Diagnosis Air Duct Problems That You Can Experience During Summer

As the summer starts to approach and the days get hotter and hotter, it can be challenging to think about the things that should be checked out on your air conditioning unit before the start of the season. Here are some of the most common things that can be wrong with your unit that you might not even know about.

Green Pro Cleaning has some calls each season where homeowners and business owners are complaining about their air conditioning not cooling correctly. One likely cause can be that you have a refrigerant leak. This leak is imperative to the function of your unit as it pulls the hot air inside and then sends it back to the outside while cooling off the air inside of your home.

Another problem that could cause your air conditioning unit to not function properly is a tear or hole in your ductwork. If you have an air conditioning unit that is forcing cold air out, but it is an insufficient amount of cooling air, you could be experiencing a leak from a tear or hole. There is also a possibility that there is a disconnected duct piece from the unit throughout the home.

Green Pro Cleaning also recommends that users look to the settings of their units. If your unit is turning on and off an excessive amount of times, there could be a problem with the settings, and if not, there could be another issue. One of the leading causes could be that an air filter is clogged. If the filter is clogged, it will restrict the amount of air that it will allow through the unit and therefore cause the unit to turn on and off.

If you find that you have a working unit but that it stops working periodically or you start to notice a burning smell, it could be your air conditioning unit. One problem that can be easily repaired and diagnosed is an electrical cause coming from your unit. If the unit is overheating or shuts down for no reason, there could be a problem with the units electrical end. 

Green Pro Cleaning is able to diagnosis this type of problem and can help you to make the proper repairs or to help you to decide if a new unit should be purchased and installed.

Places You Missed During Spring Cleaning

Summer is here, which means it is time for summer gatherings! Which means guests are coming over. It’s time to get the place cleaned up and ready for family and friends.  How was your spring cleaning this year? Is your home spotless? Well, just in case you’re falling a little behind on home upkeep, here is a small checklist to follow along with spots to clean in your home.

Sconces, chandeliers, and another lighting

An easy to misplace when cleaning up the place are the lights above. We get so focused on cleaning the ground, the counters, arranging the furniture, picking up the kid’s toys, that we forget about the lights. Grab a step stool and take a quick look at your lights. They may be covered in dust and need cleaning. This way, if guests take a look at your chandelier or your living room lamps, they don’t see a layer of dust covering the lightbulbs or the lampshade.

Kitchen cabinets

As we said above, people normally get carried away with a lot of the things in front of them. If your cabinets aren’t white, you may glance over them and not think much of them. Upon looking closer, you’ll see fingerprints, handprints, marks, and splashes on regularly opened cabinet doors. Also, behind the door itself, where it connects with its frame. Double take that portion and give it a good cleaning. No need for a guest to open a cabinet and by chance grab one that is stuck to its frame from some mystery grime.  

 Backsplash

In the same area, we have our backsplash in the kitchen. The wall behind your stove and countertops. Most of the time, this area is also under your cabinets. The backsplash is the place where all the foods you cook on your stove top end up. All the splashes of bits and grease. We get focused on cleaning counters and forget to do a double take on this place. Believe us; it’s dirty. Take a looksie and get to cleaning. Chances are, you may have missed this whole area.

Small appliances

Sometimes when we get small appliances, there isn’t room in our kitchen cabinets to store them. So what happens? They end up on the counter as our new fancy kitchen decoration! The problem is, these items are often missed when it comes to cleaning. Just because we haven’t used our awesome KitchenAid mixer recently, doesn’t mean we should pass it up when it comes to cleaning. You may have a layer of dust or leftover food bits hanging out around your toaster oven, mixer, electric can opener, etc.

We hope this list was able to serve you as a handy checklist and a reminder about some of the most commonly missed places when it comes to cleaning up your kitchen. Let us know if anything on this list is something you forget a lot or let us know if there is anything we have missed ourselves. Remember, you could also improve the quality of your in-home air by contacting us about our air duct cleaning services here at GreenPro. Contact us today. 

Attic Clean Up Tips

GREENPRO CLEANING - TO HELP WITH ATTIC CLEAN UP

When owning your own home, there are many chores and fixer-up jobs that need to be done to keep your house in tip-top shape.
 

One chore you may have thought about but just can’t seem to make yourself do is attic clean-up! Many items may have piled up over the years and you don’t know where to begin or what to do. It’s a job that will not be fun but is necessary!

ATTIC CLEAN UP TIPS

The following are some tips to help you get started:

1. Dusting – Get your dusting wand out and dust all the cracks and crevices and visible surfaces. Cobwebs that have collected also need to be dusted to keep your attic spider-free!

2. Check for Moisture – Make sure no moisture is seeping through the walls because much damage can occur as well as create unhealthy air. This problem needs to be eliminated!

3. Remove Debris and Trash – Take a large trash bag with you to clean up trash lying around and put more items into fewer boxes to give you more space and less clutter. Plastic tubs are a wise choice, especially if there is moisture present, so your belongings stay dry and in good condition.

ATTIC CLEAN UP HELP

If you need extra help or someone to do this tedious chore, GreenPro Cleaning, located in Deer Park, NY in Suffolk County may be the cleaning company for you! They use earth-friendly chemical solutions and will perform a free inspection and free written estimate for the following:

1. Use a treatment with a non-toxic chemical-free disinfectant that kills odors

Caused by harmful bacteria, guaranteed for one year.

2. Clear out all trash, debris and damaged insulation to help rid the attic of odors and unwelcomed critters that have enjoyed the mess!

3. Install fiberglass batted insulation or ridged Styrofoam board that will serve as a vapor barrier, preventing water vapors from seeping through walls, eliminating moisture.

For healthier living and to learn more about our services, please call GreenPro Cleaning, and also check out our picture gallery. You will be glad you did!

What is Causing my Crawl Space to be Odorous?

Resolving Crawl Space Odor

If you own a home you know it seems there are always a few mysteries that need solving when working home maintenance as the years go by. For people who have crawl spaces, there can be more than a few mysteries that seem a bit evasive to fix because crawl spaces are not as readily accessible as basements. Because of this, problems can occur that seem to be a bit of a mystery that you need to solve over the years.

One of the bigger concerns arises when an odor arises out of a crawl space in a home. Because the area is smaller and more difficult to get to, the issue on how to resolve can be troublesome. There are a few things that can cause an odor in a crawl space. No matter what the problem is it should be dealt with quickly so that the problem does not worsen. The three primary concerns for a crawl space odor are:

Standing Water And Contaminants

If the crawl space area has a seeping water problem, whether it is because of cracked pipes, seeping water from underground or extensive rain, water can grow mildew and standing water often grows bacteria which can be very unhealthy. The fumes from this can permeate to the main portion of the house and should be taken care of so Mold does not begin to grow into the main portion of the house through floor boards and walls. This should be cleaned thoroughly and the water seepage location should be sealed off and repaired.

Propane Or Natural Gas

If there is a sulfur smell or chemical smell, this is a sign that your Natural Gas or Propane Gas has a leak in a piping system and this should be taken care of immediately. Natural gas is a hazard and can cause fire, explosion, toxic air and death. Because of this, if your home uses Propane or Natural Gas that is piped in through your crawl space area, you should open windows and doors to let fresh air into the home right away. Then you should contact a technician immediately and turn off your Propane or Natural gas source.

Wild Animals

One of the more common problems for property owners with a crawl space is an animal that gets trapped in the space. These animals can be alive or dead and can cause a bit of an odor problem either way. Animal feces and certain wild animals can cause an odor situation in the home. The first concern is getting the animal removed by a wildlife professional. Once this is done, it is advisable to get a cleaning company to come in and clean the area of any remaining odor causing problems. The area should be resealed properly to make sure no more animals enter the crawl space.

Having a crawl space with odors from animals or from water seepage can be difficult but rest assured that our professionals at Go Green Pro Cleaning can help you restore your crawl space back to a safe clean environment. For more information go to Go Green Pro Cleaners to learn more.

Don’t Forget These Critical Places During Spring Cleaning

Now that Spring is almost here, it's time for spring cleaning! While this is usually the time when people do a big clean, it's easy to forget some areas. In order to do a full deep-cleaning of your house, you want to make sure you remember to clean these areas, as well as the other ones!

Tops of Cabinets and Appliances
You want to make sure you wash the tops of cabinets and appliances because they can easily collect dust and dirt. Leaving these can actually make your allergies flare up and keep germs trapped.

Fans and Lights
It's also really important to clean all your fans and lights. Having dirty and dusty fans can fling this debris into the room and let it stay in the air, which can get allergies riled up. As far as lights go, you want to make sure you get the debris off so they can stay bright. You also don't want to have guests look up and see a disgusting light.

Baseboards
Baseboards collect a lot of dirt and germs since they are all around the floors. Even if you vacuum and shampoo, that only gets the dirt up out of the carpets. Another issue is when you shampoo the scrubbing brushes can fling up dirt onto the baseboards. You want to make sure you wash these when you wash the walls so there isn't a huge color difference and so there isn't dirt left on either area.

Mattresses
Since your mattress collect things such as sweat, bacteria, and dead skin cells, you want to make sure you clean or flip your mattress. Not only will this help you sleep better because you won't have all of this going into your mouth and nose, but you have the chance of getting sick less because those germs won't still be circulating.

Throw Pillows
Throw pillows are another thing that is regularly forgotten with spring cleaning. Since they usually sit on couches and chairs, that means that multiple different people are leaning against them and you never know what they might have on them. Cleaning them will make them look better, as well as help keep everyone healthy.

Washer and Dryer
Throughout the year, your washer and dryer takes a lot of beating up. They can easily get dirt build up from the clothes so you want to make sure you wash and sanitize them. The last thing you want is to put a load of laundry in just to pull them out and see that they have dirt, grease, or other things from the washer or dryer stuck on them.

Trash Cans
Trash cans keep all your nasty and old trash so you want to make sure you clean these. Not only can this prevent mold from growing, but it can also make everything smell better.

If you are gearing up for Spring cleaning and you need a little bit of help, don't hesitate to call GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration. They will be able to help you with any of your cleaning needs and they will get the job done right!

Top Tips to Improving Your Indoor Air Quality

When it comes to your home we all know that you want the best service and the best products for yourself and family. There are many ways to improve your indoor air quality for you and your guests. 

Here are some quick tips and advice to improving your indoor air quality for your home. 

Air Purification 

Using a high-efficiency particular air filtration can quickly purify and freshen the room air. Air purifier units can relieve itchy stinging eyes, dust, and pollen for allergy sufferers. Highly recommended for Spring time for allergy prone people. 

Plants

Plants not only brighten up a room and give it some style, but they also can cleanse the air naturally. Rubber plants and Janet Craig, Peace Lily, Golden Pothos, English Ivy, Bamboo Palm, Chinese Evergreen, and Dragon Tree are some of the plants to highlight for indoor use. They aid in the removal of pollutants such as formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, and carbon monoxide.

Self Maintenance

One of the best things you can do this is to make sure that the filters on your air conditioning are brand-new and all of good quality. They act as a buffer for the AC. Having a new and clean one placed every 2 months will assist with controlling the quality of air your AC pumps through.
 
Hired Cleaning Assistance

Bringing on GreenPro can bring a major helping hand to improving your air quality. 
GreenPro can clean out:

• Air Ducts
• A/C Coils
• Registers
• Grills
• Air Plenum
• Blower Motor/Housing
• Air Filter
• Air Cleaner

We hope we highlighted a few helpful options to guide you into a cleaner and purified home. 

The Five Things You Should Not Store In Your Attic

The Five Things You Should Not Store In Your Attic

The attic is very popular for storing things, especially things we do not need at the moment. Unfortunately, an attic also becomes a death trap. Why? Homeowners assume they can store just about anything in an attic, which is not true. Here are 5 things that should not be stored in your attic and why.

1) Do you have any delicate fabrics in the house, such as cotton? Your favorite cotton shirts and summer linens will gather an infestation of moths. Do you have any leather jackets that need to be stored? Leather goods require a cool climate for maximum preservation. The attic is the last place you want to store them.

2) How many homeowners like to store wood and upholstered furniture in the attic? Wood will mildew. Upholstered furniture will gather moisture when kept there too long. Plush toys will also gather moisture, suffocate, and die. You may want to get rid of any plush toys you do not need. Give them to charity, or sell them online. Plush toys have feelings, too.

3) Do you have important papers you are storing in the attic? You need to go through them and get rid of what you do not need anymore. Papers and documents left there will gather moisture, get moldy, and deteriorate.

4) Electronic equipment is also susceptible to excessive heat and water. The water builds up, becoming a danger to everyone in the house, which increases your chances of a fire starting.

5) Some attics have heat sources inside. Look around your attic. Are there any papers, candles, or kerosene near a vent? Vents are an open invitation for a fire to start.

An example

You are using your stove to cook downstairs. The heat from the stove is traveling to every vent in your home, including the attic. What do you have in the attic that is vulnerable? Do you have old papers near the bent on your attic? Those papers may be old and moldy without you knowing it. The heat will connect with the moisture, increasing the chances of a fire happening in your home.

Do the math. Clean up your attic. You can find more information on this site GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration.

What Does GreenPro Clean?

GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration is a Long Island-based company that provides specialty cleaning services to Nassau and Suffolk County. We aren't your traditional housecleaning service, we dare to go where they don't. Here are a few examples of the cleaning services we provide.

Attics & Crawl Spaces

If you have an attic or a crawl space in your home, it is most likely an afterthought. Unfortunately, these areas are very susceptible to problems such as mold, pest infestations, water leaks and more. These types of damages can wreak havoc on your home and even compromise its structural integrity.

HVAC Ductwork

If attics and crawl spaces are an afterthought, your air ducts are a neverthought. If you grab a flashlight and peep inside the vents in your home, you are likely to see a thick coating of dust and grime. This can hurt your HVAC system's energy efficiency and worsen your allergies, which is why experts recommend having them professionally cleaned every 3-5 years.

Water Damage Restoration

Water damage can come from a variety of sources: a heavy rainstorm, melting snow on the roof, a crack in your foundation, burst pipes, and even long-term humidity problems. No matter what caused the water damage in your Long Island home, we will evaluate it and take the necessary steps to get it fixed.

Mold Removal

Mold is a fungus that plays a key role in nature, but it is not something you want to find in your home. It can grow virtually anywhere moisture is present, and exposure to it can lead to sneezing, coughing, headaches, fatigue, and respiratory problems. Mold removal is not something to attempt on your own, so call us if you see any growing in your home.

Do you live in Nassau County or Suffolk County, Long Island? If you are in need of any of these services, call GreenPro Cleaning &Restoration for a free quote at (631) 940-8100.