How to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

Home is where the heart is — but if you don’t take the proper precautions, it can become full of airborne contaminants. That’s why GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration is here to provide some life-changing tips to help you improve your indoor air quality:

• Adopt a Houseplant: Nurture that green thumb. Healthy houseplants naturally clean the air in your home and help balance humidity levels throughout the day. Our top picks include the peace lily, reed palm, English ivy, Boston fern, tillandsia, and cactus.

• Control your Moisture Levels: High humidity levels can lead to mold. In addition to houseplants, invest in a dehumidifier for those extra muggy days.

• Be Sure to Dust and Vacuum: A clean home is a happy home — and it has cleaner air. Free yourself from indoor allergies by dusting and vacuuming regularly. (Pro Tip: Use a microfiber cloth when you’re dusting. They’re specially designed to trap particles as you clean.)

• Avoid Burning Candles: Those precious scented candles we all know and love are actually releasing harmful carcinogens into the air with every use. For that fresh scent you desire, try diffusing essentials oils instead. Lavender, eucalyptus, and tea tree oils begin eliminating airborne fungi in under an hour.

• Make Your Own Cleaning Solutions: Even if they are marketed as “all-natural,” store bought cleaning products are full of harmful chemicals. Instead, mix up your own. Vinegar, baking soda, and water should do the trick.

• Have Your Ducts Cleaned: Be sure to have your air ducts cleaned thoroughly every 3-5 years. Over time, they can accumulate a number of contaminants like dust, mold, and pollen.

• Open Your Windows: Proper ventilation is the key to maintaining good indoor air quality. In addition to regular duct cleanings, be sure to let the fresh air flow through your home by opening your windows when the weather permits.

GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration offers specialty cleaning services that can help improve the air quality in your home. If you live on Long Island, contact us today at (631) 940-8100 to learn about our mold removal and air duct cleaning services.

5 Mistakes New Homeowners Make

Homeownership is hard. That’s the understatement of the year, but with time comes knowledge and experience. Until then, you have to rely on trial and error, or the wisdom of family and friends. Once you finally purchase your dream home, don’t make these five faux pas when it comes to maintaining it.

1. Ignoring Your Gutters: If your gutters are clogged, water begins to dump out along the foundation of your home. This allows moisture to absorb into the cracks and crevices, which can compromise your home’s stability over time. Remember to thoroughly clean your gutters every spring and ensure that they haven’t been pulled away from the fascia throughout the winter.   
   
   
2. Painting On Top of Rust: Have rusty patio furniture? Slapping any old paint on rusty metal surfaces seems like a no-brainer, however, there are certain steps to follow before doing so: 1.) Be sure to use a scraper to remove the corrosion. 2.) Feather paint edges with 100-grit sandpaper. 3.) Use rust primer to treat spots. 4.) Use only direct-to-metal (DTM) paint. This will ensure a longer lasting paint job every time!
   
   
3. Using too Much Drain Cleaner: Back away from the Draino! Using too many clog-dissolving liquids can eat away at the pipes themselves. Try using baking soda and vinegar is an effective DIY drain cleaner. In addition, be sure to routinely snake your drains to avoid build up. 
   
   
4. Choosing the Wrong Outdoor Rug: The rubber and vinyl backings present on many rugs trap water, making them a breeding ground for mildew and mold. This can cause the wood on decks and porches to rot, as well as attract creepy-crawlers. When choosing an outdoor rug this spring, make sure it has an open-weave design so water can evaporate naturally.
   
   
5. Closing Your Vents: Closing vents in various rooms to redirect the air conditioning can create an imbalance of pressure in your air ducts and cause the cooling coil to freeze. Have branch dampers installed your ductwork, which allow you to force cool air to the second floor in summer and warm air to the ground floor in winter. In addition, be sure to have your air ducts professionally cleaned every three to five years.

Not sure when the last time your ducts were cleaned? New homeowners should schedule a duct cleaning before moving in. GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration offers professional air duct cleaning services to homes and businesses across Long Island. If you live in Nassau or Suffolk County, contact us today for a free quote at (631) 940-8100.

How to Keep Your Home's Humidity Levels in Check

Balancing the humidity in your home can be a difficult task to accomplish. Too much can lead to mold, while too little can cause dry eyes and skin, and even compromise your immune system. Here on Long Island, we suffer from extreme seasonal highs and lows, which can make it difficult to maintain an ideal humidity level in your home.

Luckily for you, the experts at GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration are here to offer their professional advice. Here are four ways you can keep your humidity levels in check:

1. Open your windows in the spring and fall: Ahh! Fresh air! During the spring and fall, you can easily regulate the humidity levels in your home by simply opening the windows. Take this a step further by opening two adjacent windows to create a cross breeze.

2. Invest in a dehumidifier for the summer months: With summer fast approaching, we recommend investing in a dehumidifier. This household item filters the air in your home and controls the amount of moisture present. Just choose your desired humidity level and let the appliance do the rest. You can truly set it and forget it, as long as you remember to empty the tank every so often.

3. Use a humidifier in the fall and winter: Ever get shocked when you touch the doorknob? This is a clear sign that your humidity levels are too low, something that frequently happens during the late fall and winter months. This can leave you susceptible to increased health risks, in addition to irritated skin and eyes.

4. Place plants around your home year-round: House plants are for more than decoration; they can actually help regulate the humidity levels in your home. Plants naturally clean the air, create oxygen, and balance humidity. Not all plants are created equal, though. Our top picks include:
• Peace Lilies
• Reed Palms
• English Ivy
• Boston Ferns
• Tillandsias
• Cactus Plants

As the temperatures rise, you may experience high humidity levels and mold in your home. If this happens to you, please DO NOT attempt to remove the mold yourself. Give the professionals at GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration a call. We serve all of Nassau and Suffolk County, Long Island; contact us online to learn more or dial (631) 940-8100.

Top 5 Reasons to Seal Your Crawl Space

The crawl space is one of those areas that homeowners don’t think about until something goes wrong. More times than not, problems coming from the crawl space are caused by high moisture levels. Luckily, you can avoid these types of issues by installing a vapor barrier on the floor of your crawl space.

Read below to learn more about vapor barriers and why you should consider installing one in your home…

What is a vapor barrier?

Crawl spaces are vulnerable to moisture problems, and one of the biggest sources of water comes from the ground. In some areas, more than 10 gallons of water per day can evaporate from the soil into your crawl space. A vapor barrier is a thin sheet of polyethylene installed over the ground to prevent this moisture transfer.

Why should you install a vapor barrier?

Vapor barriers are a smart investment which every homeowner should consider for their crawl space. Reasons to install a vapor barrier in your home include:

1. Improve indoor air quality. Up to 50% of the air you breathe in your home comes from your crawl space. If this air is damp, it could carry particles that trigger allergic reactions – such as mold spores.
2. Prevent structural damage. Mold isn’t just bad for our health, it’s bad for our homes. Mold thrives in humid areas, and is often found in abundance in crawl spaces. If mold begins to grow on the support beams in your crawl space, it could compromise the structural integrity of your entire home. Sealing your crawl space with a vapor barrier can also help to keep out destructive pests, such as termites.
3. Keep temperatures consistent. Unconditioned air can escape from your crawl space through small holes and cracks, leading to inconsistent temperatures throughout your home.
4. Lower energy consumption. Temperature fluctuations force your HVAC system to work harder to maintain your desired temperature. This leads to higher energy bills and increased wear-and-tear on your system.
5. Increase property value. When your home is clean, healthy, structurally sound, comfortable, and energy efficient, its value rises.

GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration offers professional crawl space cleaning and mold removal services to homes across Long Island. If you live in Nassau County or Suffolk County, call us to get started with a free estimate at (631) 940-8100.

Most Common Allergens in the Home

Spring is allergy season, but it’s not just the outdoors you have to worry about. Often times, the worst allergy triggers could be hiding right under your nose.

Here are six of the most common allergens you might find in your home:

• Dust. The average three-bedroom household generates about 40 pounds of dust every year. Much of this dust can collect in your air ducts, where it can quickly circulate throughout the home.

• Dust mites. Dust mites are microscopic insects which thrive on dust. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology, dust mites are the most common trigger of allergy and asthma symptoms. They are most frequently found in pillows, bed sheets, and carpets.

• Pet dander. Pet dander is tiny flakes of skin shed by animals. Pet dander can come from virtually any pet with fur or feathers, including dogs, cats, rodents, and birds. It is estimated that up to 30% of people with allergies can be triggered by pet dander.

• Pollen. You probably already know that pollen is a common allergen, but you may not realize its prevalence indoors. Pollen can enter the home through open windows and doors, or by sticking to your clothing, shoes, or pets.

• Mold. Mold can grow virtually anywhere moisture is present, making it a common allergen in the home. Mold is most commonly found in damp, humid areas such as the bathroom, basements, attics, crawl spaces, and air ducts.

• Cigarette smoke. Though not a traditional allergen, the chemicals found in cigarette smoke are known to trigger asthma and allergies. These chemicals can linger around the home for weeks after the smoking has ceased, a phenomenon known as thirdhand smoke.

Is your Long Island home harboring any of these allergens? Let GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration remove them. We offer professional air duct cleaning, attic and crawl space cleaning, and mold removal services to homes in Nassau and Suffolk County. Visit our website to learn more, or call (631) 940-8100.

How to Prevent April Showers from Damaging Your Home

We all know the saying, April showers bring May flowers.

But that’s not all they bring. If you aren’t prepared, April showers can also result in power outages, basement flooding, water damage, and a variety of other problems. Follow these tips from GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration to keep your home safe from the upcoming spring storms:

• Clean your gutters. The best way to protect your home from water damage is by keeping your gutters clean. Clogged gutters force rainwater to dump over the edge of your roof, where it can pool near your foundation and seep into the ground.

• Repair your roof. Has the long winter taken its toll on your roof? Now is the time to get it repaired. Damaged or missing shingles can lead to roof leaks, which in turn can cause mold growth and water damage in your attic.

• Trim your trees. Remove any damaged, diseased, or dead branches from your property before they become a projectile weapon during the next storm.

• Seal your foundation. Cracks in your foundation don’t just provide water easy access into your basement, they can compromise the structural integrity of your entire home. If you notice any cracks in your foundation, have them professionally inspected and sealed as soon as possible.

• Install a vapor barrier. Once rainwater has seeped into the ground, it can later evaporate into your crawl space – up to ten gallons of moisture per day! This can lead to humidity problems, mold growth, pest infestations, and more. The best way to seal your crawl space is with a professionally-installed polyethylene vapor barrier.

GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration offers professional mold removal, crawl space cleaning, and water damage restoration services to homes and businesses across Long Island. If you live in Nassau County or Suffolk County, call us today to get started with a free estimate at (631) 940-8100.

Common Symptoms of Mold Exposure

Think mold is harmless? Think again.

The toxic fungus can grow virtually anywhere moisture is present, which makes it a common occupant of damp basements, bathrooms, and refrigerators. Mold doesn’t just damage the structural integrity of your home, it can also make your family sick.

Mold spreads by reproducing microscopic spores, which can be inhaled by unsuspecting victims. When this happens, it often causes similar symptoms as other upper respiratory allergens, such as:

• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Coughing
• Sore throat
• Irritated eyes
• Shortness of breath
• Tingling or numbness of the skin
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Reduced cognitive ability
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Fever
• Skin rash

The symptoms listed above may make you miserable, but generally aren’t considered serious. However, certain conditions may cause victims to have more severe reactions to the mold. These include:

• Mold-induced asthma
• Sinusitis
• Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
• Hypersensitivity pneumonitis

Side effects of mold exposure can range from mild to severe, and greatly vary from person to person. The severity of these symptoms is dependent on several factors, including the type and quantity of mold, length of exposure, and individual sensitivity. If you believe you are being exposed to mold, you should remove yourself from the contaminated environment immediately.

If you spot mold growing in your home, don’t attempt to remove it by yourself. Improper technique can lead to illness and actually cause the mold to further spread throughout your home.

If you live on Long Island, look no further than GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration for all of your professional mold removal needs. Call us today to get started with a free estimate at (631) 940-8100.