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.

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.

Will a Duct Cleaning Prevent a Dusty House?

 

For many people, a dusty house is an inevitability. Duct cleaning is a service that removes dust and debris from the air ducts in your home. Many people wonder if it will help to keep their house less dusty, but some say that this isn't the case.

If you are one of those people wondering about whether or not an air duct cleaning can prevent dustiness in your home, then read on for more information!

Why Does Your Home Get Dusty?

There are so many factors that contribute to the accumulation of dust in your home, including but not limited to the age and construction of your home, your pets and their shedding habits, allergies you may have, or just general laziness when it comes to cleaning. However, you can take some preventative measures if you notice your house starting to build up some dust.

Why Get a Duct Cleaning?

Because they get dirty! Ducts have a tendency to accumulate dirt and dust from heating or cooling systems over time. This can lead to contaminated air circulating throughout your house, and an increase in allergies and asthma triggers for those who are sensitive to these substances.

Do Air Duct Cleanings Help With Dust?

Yes! An air duct cleaning will help remove the dirt and dust that has accumulated in your home's heating and cooling system over time. While it won't eliminate dust completely, cleaner ducts will help ensure your air is cleaner and that debris isn't circulating constantly.

A lot of homeowners find they're able to breathe easier after getting their vents cleaned because there are no more particles in the air.

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.

Most Common Debris Found in Crawl Spaces

 

Crawl spaces are a great place for critters to hide and take residence. This can result from the crawl space being filled with debris or insulation that has fallen off the ceiling, where rodents like to make their homes. We will tell you about some of the most common items found in crawl spaces, what they may indicate about your home's overall health, and how to best address them.

Critters and Droppings

Crawl spaces are often forgotten in the home, but they can be a great place for critters to hide and take up residence. Your crawl space may contain animals such as mice, rats, squirrels, and raccoons. They may not enter your living areas, but they will be chewing on wires, insulation, or other items that you cannot see in the crawl space because it is dark down there.

Mold

Crawl spaces are a great place for mold to form and grow. It is not always visible because it can be hidden in the dirt, insulation, or even between the joists. You might have a mold problem if you notice any of these signs:

• Damp areas that emit an earthy smell.
• Patches of white fuzz on your walls or ceilings.
• A black substance oozing from vents near floor level.
• Dust that looks like it has fuzzy edges.

Insulation or Foundation Issues

Crawl spaces are often the first source of insulation or foundation issues. A crawl space is typically an unfinished area beneath your home with no insulation, and the ground will be damp. Crawl spaces can get wet from leaks in pipes or roofing, condensation from humid air blowing through them, and even rainwater that has come in through small cracks in your house.

That's why proper insulation in your crawl space is essential. Very often, GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration sees sub-floor insulation that is installed incorrectly. The two most common problems that usually need to be corrected are insulation installed upside down and insulation not secured correctly.

Insulation plays an important part in keeping your attic or crawl space in good condition. A key indicator of a substantial moisture problem in the crawl space is when sub-floor insulation is pulled from its supports and starts to separate. Condensation forms and makes the insulation too heavy for the insulation support to hold.

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.

Where to Expect Water Damage in Your Home

 

You may not be aware of this, but water damage can happen in your home in various places. A common misconception is that only areas like the basement or bathroom are at risk for water damage. However, there are many other places in your home where water can find its way and cause a lot of damage. Here’s a list of spots you should keep your eye on this spring and summer:

 

The Kitchen

The kitchen has many opportunities for accidental water spills that lead to significant amounts of liquid. Not to mention the many appliances that could have a malfunction or leak and cause some damage to your home. Consider checking under your kitchen sink and dishwasher for any water pooling — this is a clear sign that you may be dealing with water damage.

 

Around Appliances

It’s not just your dishwasher you need to keep an eye out for! Washing machines, refrigerators, and more are always exposed to the possibility of water leakage because they use water so often.

 

Basements

Unfortunately, water damage can happen very easily in your basement. Homeowners often see flooding or leaks here. This may not seem like an issue at first, but it can cause problems such as mold and mildew, which are no fun for anyone living in the house.

 

Attics and Crawl Spaces

There are many sources of moisture that can affect your attic or crawlspace. Open vents, lack of a vapor barrier, un-vented appliances, and foundation sidewall penetration can all allow enough moisture to keep the humidity levels excessively high. This, in turn, causes water damage, which odors, bugs, and critters that like damp environments will want to come and invade your space.

If you suspect you have water damage in your home:

• Do not touch wet or damaged items with bare hands
• Do not breathe in damp or odorous air
• Contact a certified water damage repair expert if you suspect a problem

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.

Allergy Season Dos and Don'ts

 

It's that time of year again! You're outside enjoying the fresh air, or inside taking in the warm sun, when you start to sneeze uncontrollably. Your eyes are watering, and your nose is running like a faucet. You have just been struck with an allergy attack, but it doesn't have to be this way.

With these dos and don'ts, you can survive allergy season in one piece:

 

Don’ts:

• Avoid outdoor activities during the day when pollen counts are high.
• Don't assume all pollen is the same. Some people are more sensitive to certain types of pollen than others. Find out what kind of pollen affects you the most to know when it's time to take precautions.
• Try not to leave your windows open all day or night to avoid allergens entering the house.
• Don't go outside without your allergy medication.
• Try not to exercise outdoors in the morning or evening when pollen levels are highest.

Dos:

• Use a humidifier to keep your home's humidity levels at 40% or below, as high humidity can exacerbate allergy symptoms such as sinusitis, congestion, sneezing, and coughing.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water to reduce the number of allergens that can make you sick.
• Make sure to change your air filters often so that allergens are not released into the air.
• Change your bedding often so that dust mites don't have time to build up and spread their allergens around the house.
• Remember that it's not just the outdoors that you need to worry about! Dust, pollen, and other allergens can build up in your air ducts and make the inside of your home unhealthy.

Why Get Your Air Ducts Cleaned This Allergy Season?

Why get your air ducts cleaned? Because they get dirty! In addition to normal accumulations of dust and dirt found in all homes through regular use, several other factors can increase the need for air duct cleaning:

• Pets
• Occupants with allergies or asthma
• Cigarette or cigar smoke
• Water contamination or damage to the HVAC system
• Home renovation or remodeling projects

Some occupants are more sensitive to these contaminants than others. Allergy and asthma sufferers, young children, and the elderly tend to be more susceptible to poor indoor air quality, which air duct cleanings can help address.

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.

Our Earth-Friendly Approach

 

Our company here at Greenpro Cleaning and Restoration has been dedicated to maintaining an eco-friendly approach to its operation. We are one of the few companies in this industry that has adopted a "planet first" mindset for all of our work. We are committed to reducing our impact on the environment by only using green products and chemicals. And here is a deeper in-depth look at our green thumb service!

 

Healthy Living on Long Island

At GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration, we promote healthy living! We believe that by respecting the environment, we encourage a healthy, safe, and clean area for your home, workplace, and life. Our earth-friendly approach sets us apart from the rest when it comes to the ecosystem.

All of our products are bio-safe, and all of our methods are bio-friendly. We do not use toxic chemicals, and our cleaning systems produce superior results. At GreenPro Cleaning, we're taking eco-friendly cleaning solutions to a higher standard and strive for cleaner indoor air quality for all of Long Island.

Our Eco-Friendly Services

We offer numerous green cleaning solutions for Long Island residents and businesses. Some services we include are:

• Air Duct Cleanings: Are you tired of getting sick? Do you suffer from allergies, asthma, or any other respiratory illnesses? If so, it's time to get your air ducts cleaned. Why do they need to be cleaned? Because they get dirty! Dirty air ducts are a common source of allergies and asthma in homes, leading to those living in the house becoming more susceptible to catching colds or other respiratory illnesses.
• Attic and Crawlspace Cleanings: Attics and crawlspaces are the largest cause of poor indoor air quality and various moisture-related problems in your home. They act as a magnet for dust, mold, pollen, pests, and more. Cleaning them can be difficult due to the hard-to-reach areas that need attention, but a professional can handle it. It's essential if you want to protect your family from these potential hazards.
• Water Damage Cleaning: Water damage can come from various sources, including pipe leaks and roofing malfunctions, so it is important to determine where your home has been affected before any further action can be taken. If you suspect you have water damage, our team will perform a visual survey to check the fungal ecology or problems in a specific area as directed.

Contact Us For Green Cleaning on Long Island

Cleaning and taking care of your home or business can be challenging to deal with, 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 needs.