How to Protect Your Home From Mold and Mildew After a Flood

There are a lot of places you want to find water at: a water park, in your glass on a hot summer day, and coming out of your shower head. Notice though, we didn’t mention in your basement. Each year, floods cause hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage and destroy homes. But flood water isn’t the only culprit. The other is a poor clean up job. If your home isn’t cleaned properly, the effects of a flood can last long after the water has been cleared.

Mold and Mildew

First and foremost, mold and mildew can consume your home after it has suffered a flood. Even if the area is just damp, mold can begin growing in as quickly as 48 hours.

How to Protect Your Home from Mold

Accept what you can’t save.

Though it may be tough, some things, unfortunately, can’t be salvaged. Clothes, upholstered furniture, and carpets can often take days to completely dry. In cases like that, it’s best to throw them away entirely.

Use fans to your advantage.

Mount several fans on your windowsill. This will not only help to dry your area off quickly, but it will also prevent dust and mold spores from blowing into your home.

Disinfect EVERYTHING!

If there’s ever a time to go on a disinfectant-spree, it’s after a flood. Excess moisture also draws bacteria and other toxins to your house, so it’s important to use green products to safely eliminate them.

Never pump water into the sewer system.

Pumping water into the sewers will only worsen flooding problems throughout the state and interfere with your local government's ability to contain flood water. Instead, always pump water into your backyard or down a storm drain.

Water damage can severely impact your family’s safety and comfort. That’s why it’s incredibly important that you act fast at the first sign of excess water. Here at GreenPro Cleaning, we dare to tackle the tough jobs most companies won’t touch! For all of your basement cleaning needs, give us a call at (631) 940-8100 today!

The Real Truth About Dusty Vents

Company is coming over in an hour — what’s the first thing you do? Odds are, it’s vacuum and dust. But are your carpets and tabletops enough? Most homeowners work hard to keep their house looking fresh and clean, but many forget to think about the real dust culprit — your air vents.

While we love these inconspicuous cooling and heating vents that send comfortable air throughout our homes, they’re a breeding ground for dust, dander, and mold. And while it may not always seem like it, dusty vents can have serious consequences for your family and home.

Overall health and breathing problems.

Most importantly, dust affects your family’s health. Depending on how much dust is in your home and how long you’ve been exposed to it, inhaling dust can lead to:

• Eye irritation
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Hayfever
• Difficulty breathing
• Exacerbated asthma symptoms.

More time spent cleaning.

Your vents are literally tubes that connect and transport air throughout your house. When dust builds up in your vents, it doesn’t stay isolated in just the vents or even one room of your house. Instead, that dust travels to every room of the house, meaning you’ll have to dust far more often to get the same sparkling clean look.

Decreased airflow.

Imagine if you placed dozens of thin screens throughout your vents. Naturally, air would start to travel a lot slower as a result of these blockages. When your vents are filled with dust they act like screens, blocking air from getting where it needs to go.

Bigger bills.

When a room isn’t getting as hot or cold as it should (because of decreased airflow) most homeowners’ first instinct is to change the thermostat. Because the problem has nothing to do with the actual temperature of your air, rooms won’t actually feel any different and you’ll be paying for that increased energy use.

But thankfully, there’s a pretty simple solution: air duct cleanings! 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 to schedule a free estimate: 631-940-8100.

How to Winterize Your AC Unit

All summer long, your air conditioner works hard to keep your house cool. So needless to say, you’ll do anything it takes to keep it running well in the summer. But once winter comes, many homeowners are all too quick to set their unit to “off” and go about their days. But if you want your unit to work well year-after-year it’s important that you treat it well all year long. The best way to keep your AC safe from Old Man Winter is by winterizing and covering it properly.

Cut the power to your AC unit. 

First things first, you need to turn off the exterior power to your unit. This will prevent it from electrocuting anyone working on the unit or accidentally being turned on in the winter. If you have:

• Central air: cut power to the exterior circuits that control the power to the entire unit. It’s usually as simple as pulling out the red circuit handle in the circuit box. 
• Window units: Window units can simply be unplugged, or removed from the window entirely and stored in a dry space, like an attic or basement. 

Clean your unit — inside and out. 

Freezing temperatures can trap debris in your unit and damage it. With a damp rag and cleaning solution, wipe down the surface of the unit. Then, use a high powered hose to clean the fan blades and condensing coils.

Inspect the ground around your AC. 

Even in the summer, you always want the outside area around your home to be clear of any reaching tree limbs or leaves. Trim any branches that are touching (or will soon be touching) your unit and sweep the ground below so that wind won’t push fallen debris back into your now clean unit.

Cover your AC unit. 

To cover or not to cover, that is the question. Some technicians suggest everyone cover their unit, so as to protect it from whirling debris and cold air. However, others believe that covering your unit will trap moisture and cause mold to grow. We think the best option is to combine them and make the best of both worlds. The first cool day of fall, cover your unit but be sure to leave at least 12 inches of exposed coil so that air can continue to circulate. Every month or two, remove the cover, clean your unit, and leave it uncovered for one day.

If you notice mold anywhere in your house this winter, give the experts at GreenPro Cleaning & Solution a call! We offer professional 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.

7 Ways to Proactively Prevent Mold

While there may be no such thing as a “mold-proof home,” there are ways to make it mold-resistant. In honor of Get Ready Day, we’re sharing a few ways that you can dramatically reduce your chances of finding mold in your house. 

Keep an eye on “problem areas.” 

Some areas are more prone to mold than others, particularly your basement, crawlspace, and attic.

Fix any leaky pipes. 

Leaks are one of the number one causes of mold. And worst of all, they’re pretty preventable. Keep an eye on your water bill and take notice of rising prices — this could be a sign of wasted water due to a leak. 

Use a dehumidifier.

Especially in basements, where humidity tends to be highest, it’s a great idea for many homeowners to invest in a dehumidifier and a moisture meter. The EPA recommends that most houses have a humidity of between 30 and 60 percent. 

Dry damp areas immediately. 

Especially when it’s just water, it can be tempting to let a spilled drink just dry on its own. But mold can only grow where there’s moisture, so it’s important that you dry the area quickly. If you experience a flood, leave it up to the professionals. Because floods can do so much damage, homes typically need to be cleaned with specialized equipment that usually only professional companies have access to. 

Make sure your home is properly ventilated. 

Especially in rooms that are rarely used, like the attic, ventilation is crucial. No matter where you live or what you use the space for, it’s important that you have multiple, unrestricted air vents in your attic. 

Direct rainwater away from your house. 

If your home is on a hill, you probably have very little to worry about. But if your home was built on a flat piece of land, you’ll probably have to get a little creative. Make sure that your downspout points away from your home and not parallel to it. You can also surround your home’s foundation with small rocks to prevent water from intruding. 

Keep air circulating throughout your home. 

Cold air can’t hold onto moisture as well as warm air can — meaning that when temperatures drop, you may start to notice condensation on your walls. Boost your home’s circulation by moving furniture away from the walls, leaving doors open throughout the day, and leaving the windows open. 

If despite your best efforts, mold still makes its way into your house, give us a call! GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration offers professional 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.

How Wasted Water is Feeding Mold

Lately, water conservation has been at the forefront of many people's mind— and for good reason! Wasted water is one of the greatest environmental threats facing our planet today. But despite what you may think, even just a few small changes can drastically lessen your water usage. And not only is conserving water great for the planet, it’s better for your home. Using less water will help keep your house healthier and free from mold.

In honor of Water Monitoring Day, we’re sharing a few ways wasted water is negatively impacting your home, as well as a few tips for conserving water.

Where We’re Wasting Water 

• Small loads of laundry. It can be tempting to throw that dirty shirt you want to wear out tonight in the washing machine alone. But washing small loads is one of the biggest water wastes in a house. Instead, try sticking to a laundry schedule and only doing full loads. You can also ask people in your house if they need to throw anything in. 
• Long showers. The average 5-minute shower uses around 20 gallons of water. Switching to a low-flow shower head can help minimize how much water you use, while cutting down your showers completely will conserve hundreds of gallons a week. 
• Leaky pipes. The average household leaks nearly 10,000 gallons of water each year. Leaking pipes, particularly in your bathroom, are the main culprits of this waste. 

Water and Mold

As we all know, mold loves water. So it’s no surprise that houses that waste or use excess water are more likely to experience a mold problem. When you take long showers, the humidity in your bathroom can build up and seep into tile grout and behind walls. But leaky pipes are the biggest threat to a mold problem. And because most pipes are found behind walls, it can be hard to spot a leaky pipe right away.

How We Can Conserve Water Today

• Choose the dishwasher over hand washing your dishes. But like the washing machine, make sure you only run it once it’s full! 
• Turn the water off while you’re brushing your teeth. 
• Choose to take showers instead of baths. 
• Have low-flow toilets and shower heads installed. 
• Water plants early in the morning, when the sun isn’t as strong. 
• Have your home inspected for leaks and mold roughly once a year. 

If a flood or leaky pipes have caused water damage in your home, call the pros at Green Pro Cleaning & Restoration! If you live in Nassau or Suffolk County, contact us today to schedule a free estimate: 631-940-8100. 

Transform Your Attic into a Bedroom in 7 Simple Steps

Attics are really only good for storing Christmas lights and old Halloween decorations, right? Nope! Sure, storage is probably the first thing that you think of when you picture an attic, but there's so much more you could do with this space. That's right, you could actually turn your attic into a bedroom. And best of all, it's not as difficult as you think.

1. Make sure it's clean.

No, we don't mean 'you can't see spiders or mice' clean, we mean really clean. A room that sits for months, even years, with very little light or circulating air can be a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. So before you think about moving into your attic, make sure it has been professionally cleaned.

2. Add flooring.

If you have a walk-in attic, you're already one step ahead of the game. But if you don't yet have a floor, that's going to be the first thing you need to do, so that you can eventually work on the walls and move furniture in.

3. Insulate your walls.

Even if your attic is insulated, you’ll probably need to redo or replace a few sections since you’ll now have someone living in there year-round.

4. Install electrical outlets.

Whether you decide to use your attic as a bedroom, guest room, office, or playroom, you're going to need good lighting and a place to charge your electronics.

5. Install windows.

Windows don't just let natural light in and look beautiful, they're also a good source of ventilation.

6. Time to decorate.

Now comes the fun part — decorating! If your attic is a little smaller than the average bedroom, choose narrow furniture and bright paint colors. You should also think about adding plants to brighten up and purify your room.

7. Now it's time to keep it clean.

Once you have your dream bedroom designed, it's time to keep it clean. No matter what room of the house you're in, using chemical free, eco-friendly products is always important.

GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration offers professional basement and attic cleaning services to homes across Long Island. If you live in Nassau County or Suffolk County, call us for a free quote at (631) 940-8100!

Why Would I Need an Air Duct Cleaning?

We probably don’t have to tell you that the air you breathe is critical to your health. But would you believe us if we told you that in most cases, indoor air quality across the United States is actually worse than the air outside? Unfortunately, it is. And most often, the culprit is your air ducts. While these wonderful creations have kept us cool in the summer and warm in the winter, they also act as tunnels, dropping dirt and debris throughout your house.

Before you get too nervous, know that there is a simple solution! Regular duct cleanings can keep your home comfortable and your family breathing easy for years.

Indoor Contaminants

Most people think that if they can’t see dust floating around in the air, then it must be clean. In reality, dust isn’t the main problem in most homes. The problem is millions of microscopic particles that come from:

• Pet dander.
• Cigarette smoke.
• Pollen and other allergens.
• HVAC systems with water damage.
• Asbestos.
• Debris caused by home renovations.

What GreenPro Will Do For You

Cleaning your vents isn’t as simple as dusting your table or cabinets. That’s why it’s always best to call on the professionals! At GreenPro Cleaning and Restoration, we’ll make your vents look good as new.

Loosen any Contaminants

Using scrub brushes and compressed air, we’ll first loosen any contaminants on the surface of your air ducts.

Collect Debris 

Once your system has been prepped, we’ll use negative pressure to vacuum all of the loosened contaminants out of your system.

Treat with Antimicrobials 

Using sanitizers, disinfectants, and deodorizers, we’ll proactively prevent mold, mildew and other debris from making their way back into your system.


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 to schedule a free estimate: 631-940-8100.