How Does Mold Grow Inside of Air Ducts?

Mold isn't just unsightly – it's unhealthy. This toxic fungus spreads by reproducing microscopic spores. Exposure to these spores can result in allergic reactions, such as sneezing, coughing, runny nose, headaches, nausea, and irritation of the eyes and throat. In severe cases, mold may trigger asthma attacks or lead to respiratory infections.

The worst part about mold is that it can grow virtually anywhere: indoors or out. In fact, you likely have some growing inside of your home right now. Believe it or not, one of the most common hiding spots for mold is inside of your air ducts.

Mold needs four things in order to grow and thrive: food, moisture, oxygen, and suitable temperatures. Mold loves air ducts because they provide all of these things in abundance...

• Food. Food for mold is very different than food for humans. Mold feeds on organic matter, such as dust, which can be found in high quantities inside of air ducts.
• Moisture. Moisture is commonly found in air ducts in the form of high humidity or condensation.
• Suitable temperatures. Mold can grow in temperatures ranging from 32-120° Fahrenheit, but the 70-90° range is most conducive to growth.
• Oxygen. Oxygen is found virtually everywhere on earth, and your air ducts are no exception.

Once mold is in your air ducts, its spores can use them as a transportation system to circulate throughout your entire home. With the known health risks of mold, this is something you want to avoid at all costs. If you fear mold might be growing in your air ducts, schedule a professional duct cleaning.

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

6 Easy Ways to Save Energy This Fall

Use these six energy-saving tips from GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration to keep warm this season without breaking the bank...

1. Invest in a programmable thermostat.

A programmable thermostat allows you to preset your desired home temperature for different times of the day and days of the week. This can save you money by automatically using less energy when the house is empty or everyone is asleep.

2. Switch your ceiling fan direction.

Did you know the direction in which your ceiling fan rotates can influence the air flow of the room? During the colder months, set the blades to rotate clockwise. This will push warm air that has gathered near the ceiling back down into the room.

3. Tune up your heating system.

Scheduling a tune up for your heating system each year isn't just a good idea; many HVAC manufacturers actually require it. A professional tune up can help reduce energy consumption, prevent breakdowns, and extend the lifespan of your equipment.

4. Upgrade your home's insulation.

Improving your insulation can reduce the amount of warm air that escapes from your home, thus saving you money. This could be as simple as sealing air leaks with weatherstripping, or using draft guards on your doors and windows.

5. Change your air filters.

Your furnace has an air filter that needs to be cleaned or replaced on a regular basis. Dirty filters allow dust and dirt to enter your heating system, resulting in increased wear-and-tear and energy consumption.

6. Have your air ducts professionally cleaned.

If you have never cleaned your air ducts, chances are good they are coated in a thick layer of dust and dirt. This accumulation of debris limits air flow, and makes your furnace work harder to heat your home. Not to mention the negative impact it can have on your indoor air quality.

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

The Pros and Cons of Professional Air Duct Cleaning

Because it is a relatively new industry and there isn't a ton of information available, air duct cleaning is a hotly-debated topic. Luckily, GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration is here to shed some light on the topic. Here is a list of air duct cleaning pros and cons from the people who know it better than anyone else:

Pros:

• Removal of allergens and dust. Did you know the average three-bedroom home generates more than 40 pounds of dust per year? Much of this dust – along with pet dander, pollen, and even mold – could be hiding in your air ducts.
• Better HVAC system performance. Removing the built-up debris from the inside of your air ducts can have a significant impact on your HVAC system. Clean air ducts allow for better air flow, improved energy-efficiency, and reduced wear-and-tear.
• Improved air quality. The air in your home can be more polluted than outdoor air, and the contaminants in your air ducts play a key role in that. Indoor air pollution has been linked to lung cancer, heart disease, and COPD.

Cons:

• Cost. It is impossible to effectively clean your air ducts on your own, so you will have to hire a professional service.
• Difficult to find a reputable contractor. Unfortunately, there are many con artists out there posing as air duct cleaners. Be cautious of any company advertising unreasonably low rates, such as $99 for a full air duct cleaning.
• Some companies may use harmful chemicals. Some companies use cleaning agents that do more harm than good. Luckily, GreenPro Cleaning isn't one of them. All of our products and procedures are 100% eco-friendly.

Overall, the benefits of air duct cleaning significantly outweigh the downsides – especially when you use the right company. Residents of Long Island can rest assured knowing that GreenPro Cleaning &Restoration will provide a quality air duct cleaning at an affordable rate. If you live in Nassau County or Suffolk County, call us for a free estimate at (631) 940-8100.

How to Prepare Your Home for Fall

Labor Day has come and gone, the NFL season kicks off this week, and your favorite coffee spot is now serving pumpkin-spiced lattes; three sure signs that fall is all but here. Here are a few things you can do around the home to prepare for the change of seasons.

Tune Up Your Heating System.

You haven't turned on your heating system in nearly six months, you want to make sure it is ready when you need it. The best way to ensure your heating system operates at full capacity is by having it tuned up before the cold weather hits. In fact, some manufacturers will even void their warranty if your furnace isn't professionally serviced every year.

Clean Out Your Gutters.

They call the season “fall” for a reason (hint: it's the leaves). After the leaves fall from your trees, you want to make sure they aren't clogging up your gutters. Clogged gutters can't sufficiently drain rainwater and melting snow, which can lead to problems such as ceiling leaks, basement flooding, ice dams, mold, and water damage.

Maintain Your Washer and Dryer.

Washers and dryers can both present their own set of problems if they are not properly maintained. Inspect the hoses on your washing machine to make sure they aren't damaged or frayed; you don't want to have to deal with a burst pipe. Dryers, on the other hand, can present a fire hazard if the exhaust vent isn't cleaned at least once per year.

Have Your Air Ducts Professionally Cleaned.

Your furnace will soon be pushing hot air through your ducts, but if they aren't clean, hot air is not the only thing that will be circulating throughout your home. Allergens such as dust, pollen, pet dander, and mold can commonly be found in air ducts, which is why experts recommend having yours professionally cleaned every 3-5 years.

If you live on Long Island, trust GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration to help get your home ready for the cold season. We offer professional air duct cleaning and dryer vent cleaning to homes in Nassau and Suffolk County, as well as water damage restoration if something goes wrong. Give us a call today to schedule your service at (631) 940-8100.

How to Prevent Water in Your Crawl Space

A little bit of water can cause a lot of problems if your home is built atop a crawl space. Excess moisture in crawl spaces often leads to mold, which can weaken your home's framework and compromise your indoor air quality.

Use these three tips to keep your crawl space dry and your home safe.

Clean Your Gutters

The gutters on your home are not just for decoration; they are actually a very important component that helps prevent water damage. When your gutters are clogged, rainwater cannot properly drain through your downspout, and instead will pour over the edge of your roof. This water puddles near your foundation, where it can seep into your crawl space. Prevent this from happening by cleaning your gutters twice per year: once at the start of spring, then again at the end of autumn.

Check Your Foundation for Cracks

In addition to providing water an easy path to infiltrate your crawl space, cracks in your foundation can compromise the structural integrity of your home. Foundations can crack for a variety of reasons, including uneven pressure, extreme soil saturation levels, and concrete shrinkage. If you notice any cracks in your foundation, have them professionally sealed as soon as possible.

Install a Vapor Barrier

Believe it or not, the most common source of water in crawl spaces actually comes from the ground. Moisture from the soil can evaporate straight into your crawl space. In areas where the water table is only slightly below ground level, this evaporation can exceed 10 gallons of water per day! Installing a vapor barrier (a thin sheet of high-density polyethylene) can help keep this water in the ground and out of your home.

GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration offers professional crawl space cleaning services to homes across Long Island. If you are experiencing mold, wood rot, or excess water in your crawl space, give us a call at (631) 940-8100.

What You Don't See CAN Hurt You

Carbon monoxide has long been dubbed “the invisible killer”, but it's not the only toxin that could unknowingly be lurking in your home's air.

Indoor air pollution is a very serious risk that affects more than 90% of North American homes; and most people don't even realize it. Continue reading below to learn about the dangers of indoor air pollution, and what you can do to prevent it...

What is indoor air pollution?

Indoor air pollution is just what it sounds like – polluted air inside of your home. Many people think air pollution is exclusive to outside, but the air indoors could be much worse. In fact, it's not uncommon for household air to be up to 10x more polluted than the air in a major city.

What are the dangers of indoor air pollution?

Indoor air pollution has been linked to several health problems: both immediate and long-term. Short-term health effects of indoor air pollution mimic allergies, and include sneezing, coughing, headaches, and dizziness. Long-term affects are much more severe, as indoor air pollution has been linked to lung cancer, heart disease, and COPD. You can learn more about the health effects of indoor air pollution by clicking here.

What causes indoor air pollution?

Many household products contribute to indoor air pollution – even ones you think are completely safe. Some common sources of indoor air pollution include cleaning products, paint, new carpeting, hardwood flooring and cabinetry, candles, heating equipment, and ironically, air fresheners.

What can you do to improve the air quality in your home?

There are many steps you can take for better indoor air quality, but these are some of the most effective:

• Invest in a HEPA air filter.
• Swap out commercial cleaning products for natural ingredients such as baking soda and vinegar.
• Control your humidity levels to prevent mold.
• Stock up on these house plants, which can naturally remove harmful particles from the air.
• Have your air ducts professionally cleaned every 3-5 years.

GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration offers a variety of services to help you improve your home's air quality. Some of our work includes air duct cleaning, crawl space and attic cleaning, and mold removal. If you live on Long Island, call us for a free estimate at (631) 940-8100.

Top Causes of House Fires in the United States

According to the NFPA, more than 350,000 residential fires occur on a yearly basis. While a variety of sources contributed to this alarming number, these five causes were more prevalent than the rest.

#1: Cooking Equipment

It shouldn't surprise anyone that cooking equipment is at the top of the list. Stoves, ovens, grills, and other cooking equipment were responsible for a staggering 45% of all home fires reported between 2009-2013.

How to prevent: Never leave food cooking unattended. Remember the golden rule: Keep an eye on what you fry!

#2: Heating Equipment

Heating equipment – such as furnaces, space heaters, fireplaces, and water heaters – cause about 16% of all home fires. The leading reasons for this include failure to clean, and putting flammable materials too close to the equipment.

How to prevent: Have your heating equipment professionally serviced every year, and keep the surrounding area clear of curtains, clothing, upholstered furniture, cardboard boxes, and other flammable goods.

#3: Electrical Fires

Electrical fires involve some type of failure or malfunction in the electrical system. This can happen to any device powered by electricity, but it most commonly occurs in wiring equipment.

How to prevent: Have your home's wiring system inspected by a professional electrician, and never use devices with frayed or damaged wires.

#4: Smoking Materials

Though responsible for just 5% of house fires, smoking materials accounted for 23% of all fire-related civilian deaths. The vast majority of these fires were created when garbage or furniture were ignited by a lit cigarette.

How to prevent: If you smoke cigarettes, smoke outside and always make sure your butts are completely out before disposing of them.

#5: Clothes Dryers

The main cause of dryer fires is failure to remove lint – which is extremely flammable. If just a small piece of lint makes its way into your dryer's heating element, it can quickly ignite and cause your machine to burst into flames.

How to prevent: Clear your lint screen before every load of laundry, and have your dryer vent professionally cleaned at least once per year. Many people do not know this, but large quantities lint can make its way past the filter and accumulate in the exhaust vent.

GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration offers professional dryer vent cleaning services at an affordable price to homeowners on Long Island. If you live in Nassau or Suffolk County, give us a call at (631) 940-8100.