Indoor Air Quality

August 25th, 2010

Indoor Air Quality – and what you can do to improve it.  You see, common harmful airborne particulate found in our homes and offices include fine dust, dust mites, pet dander, mold spores, and pollen. We hope to show you what measures you can take to reduce these particulate contaminants in your home and office so you can live a healthier life.

In addition to helping you clean your air, I hope to warn you about another threat to your home- dryer vent fires.  Believe it or not, there over 15,000 home fires every year caused by dryer vents.  These are fires that start in your dryer vents, but when left unattended, will rapidly engulf some or all of your precious home.  Dryer manufacturers recommend you clean your dryer vent every year. By doing so you prolong the life of your dryer and protect your family.

Please take a couple minutes of your day, review some invaluable tips that I have put together for you and take the steps you can to make YOUR home a healthier, safer home for you and your whole family.

Here are some ways to help prevent dryer vent fires:

  • Clean the lint screen/filter before or after drying each load of clothes. If clothing is still damp at the end of a typical drying cycle or drying requires longer times than normal, this may be a sign that the lint screen or the exhaust duct is blocked.
  • Clean the dryer vent and exhaust duct periodically. Check the outside dryer vent while the dryer is operating to make sure exhaust air is escaping. If it is not, the vent or the exhaust duct may be blocked. To remove a blockage in the exhaust path, it may be necessary to disconnect the exhaust duct from the dryer. Remember to reconnect the ducting to the dryer and outside vent before using the dryer again.
  • Clean behind the dryer, where lint can build up. Have a qualified service person clean the interior of the dryer chassis periodically to minimize the amount of lint accumulation. Keep the area around the dryer clean and free of clutter.
  • Replace plastic or foil, accordion-type ducting material with rigid or corrugated semi-rigid metal duct. Most manufacturers specify the use of a rigid or corrugated semi-rigid metal duct, which provides maximum airflow. The flexible plastic or foil type duct can more easily trap lint and is more susceptible to kinks or crushing, which can greatly reduce the airflow.
  • Take special care when drying clothes that have been soiled with volatile chemicals such as gasoline, cooking oils, cleaning agents, or finishing oils and stains. If possible, wash the clothing more than once to minimize the amount of volatile chemicals on the clothes and, preferably, hang the clothes to dry. If using a dryer, use the lowest heat setting and a drying cycle that has a cool-down period at the end of the cycle. To prevent clothes from igniting after drying, do not leave the dried clothes in the dryer or piled in a laundry basket.
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Green, Safe and Effective Carpet Cleaning Products

August 25th, 2010

Those of you who know me know how passionate I am about carpet cleaning and the products we clean carpets & upholstery with.  I have been cleaning carpets for over 40 years and eating organic foods for over 25 years.  It dawned on me one day…why not take the philosophy of the way I eat and take care of myself and apply it into my passion, which is taking care of indoor environments, whether it be your home or work environment.  That is why “Going Green” should be your top priority.

You hear people talk about the pollution outdoors.  Well, did you know that the air we breathe indoors in 60% more contaminated than it is outdoors?  Can you imagine walking around breathing into a paper bag all day?  How healthy is that?  Not too healthy if you ask me.

Keeping your carpets and upholstery looking and smelling clean and green should be of importance to you. Having carpets and upholstery loaded with dust, stains, molds, and a bunch of other contaminants is not only an eyesore, it’s unhealthy.

Since you and your health are at stake here, why not take a different approach and use green products.  They really do clean better now.  Green is here to stay and hopefully you are.  So make a choice decision and “Go Green”.

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Duct Cleaning in the Summer

August 25th, 2010

Is you’re A.C. unit up to snuff?  Usually we do not take a look at our Air Conditioning units till we have 3 days of impressive heat. Regular maintenance and some TLC of your air conditioning units will benefit you in the long run.

The contaminants, particulate soil, pollen, dust and danger that build up in system can cause your system to have some drag.  This puts stress on your the system and costs you more in fuel usage.  Statistics show that having your system regularly maintained can save you 30-60% of fuel bill.  On average, when we clean out a duct cleaning system we pull out anywhere from 1.5 to 3 pounds of dust, dander, particulate soil, and a host of other cotaminants …That is a lot!!

Below are some useful tips and suggestions for getting you air conditioning unit and home ready for this summer’s heat.  Remember, though, that your central air conditioning unit uses the same duct work that your heater does.  It still collects dust, dander and pollutants that are not good for your family to breath.

Gettting Your Air Conditioning Ready for Summer

Most of us don’t give our air conditioners a thought till that first hot, insufferably humid day. But with a little cleaning and maintenance beforehand, you’ll be sitting cool when everyone else is lugging their AC to the repair shop. An annual inspection and cleaning ensures lower operating costs and a longer life for your cooling equipment, whether it’s a central air conditioner or a window- or wall-mounted room unit.

Central Air Conditioners
Remove the cover that protects your central air conditioning system’s outdoor heat exchanger from harsh winter weather. Then give the unit a thorough physical inspection and cleaning. Make sure that dead leaves or debris haven’t accumulated in or around the unit, and that there’s no damage to the sheet-metal housing. Brush, vacuum or hose off any dirt and debris built up on its grilles or ventilation louvers. If there’s rust, use a wire brush to remove it, and prime the area with Rust-Oleum® or the like. Also, clear any brush or tall grass that may be growing around the unit, and keep the vegetation trimmed for the duration of the warm season. Because a central system relies on the furnace’s blower to whisk cool air around your home, check the furnace filters and replace them if they’re dirty. Clogged filters increase energy consumption and can even make the heat exchanger’s cooling coils freeze up. Therefore, it’s wise to check these filters monthly. If you have any questions about the condition of your central system-or reservations about its performance-have it professionally inspected and tuned up.

Before it gets too warm, it’s time to make sure you’re ready for hot weather. This doesn’t mean running out and buying the latest swim wear. It means checking your home’s heat and air-conditioning system.

First, change your filters in your heating/cooling system. Change them regularly – at least monthly. Next change your thermostat over to “cool” and test the system by turning the temperature down. If the air conditioner does not turn on, first check to make sure no breakers are tripped. If you can’t figure out the problem, call your heating and air conditoning repair person. Calling early may keep you from making an “emergency” call when the temperatures are soaring and the repair people are too busy.

If your cooling system turns on, make sure it is putting out adequate cooling. If it’s not, and you can’t figure out the problem, call your heating and air conditoning repair person. Make sure you set it at 78 degrees.

If your air conditioner needs replacement do it BEFORE the HOT WEATHER HITS because heating & air conditioning repair people will be very busy. And more than likely, some other things around your home need attention as well. Your air ducts may need testing for leaks and then sealed. Your attic insulation probably has compacted, so you need to add an additional 5 to 8 inches. Your windows and doors and other parts of the building envelope may need caulking and weather stripping. You need solar window film to keep out the heat.

Consider changing your old thermostat to a programmable one. You can save up to $100 a year by using a new set-back thermostat. If your thermostat is really old and uses a mercury switch (a glass tube filed with silvery substance) call your local public works department to find out how to dispose of this toxic material.
Consider installing a whole-house fan that uses cool air in the evening to cool the entire house and push hot air out of the attic area.
If you cover your air conditioner’s condenser unit (the part that is outside the house) for the winter, take off the cover and hose down the coils. Clear areas around the condenser unit so that it has full air flow.

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Water Damage from a Hot Water Heater Leak

August 25th, 2010

One of the most disheartening feelings is finding out that you took on water in a finished part of your house.  About a month and half ago my lovely wife nudged me and woke me up at 1:20am…  “Sweetheart, the basement is flooded!!”  I said it can’t be. I was just down there not too long ago.  After I realized that this was not a dream, I proceeded to the basement. And Holy Moly Batman!  I was shocked!  The water was coming out of the bottom of my hot water heater and was going to the lowest level of the room which was carpeted.

I proceeded to restore the carpet.  This usually happens when you least expect it.  Please be diligent with checking out your hot water heater on a regular basis to make sure it’s not leaking from the bottom.  Also at this time of the year we run our Air Conditioners and they are designed to take moisture out of the air.  The moisture runs through a conduit and gets pumped out through a hose to ground level or some other type of drainage.  Pumps can malfunction and conduits can get clogged with debris, calcium, and other types of particulate soil.  Please keep a close eye on these as well.
I know how horrible this feeling is because I experienced it myself.  It is important that you take immediate action if your carpets get wet.  The carpets may dry out on their own, but the padding below will not, which in essence will cause mildew and bacteria growth. Ewww….stinky!

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