By now we all (hopefully) know that the best flu prevention measures are getting the flu shot, washing hands frequently, and keeping our hands off our eyes, nose, and mouth. Chicken soup never hurt anyone either. But what about all the surfaces in our homes that we come in constant contact with like desks, countertops, doorknobs, and faucet handles? If a loved one has been fighting the flu at home, put that disinfecting or deodorizing room spray down - it can further irritate already sore throats and noses. Here's all you need to make your own simple and effective disinfecting solution for hard surfaces:

1 Tablespoon Bleach 
4 Cups Water
Clean cloth

Mix the bleach and water in a pitcher. Apply it to the cloth or submerge the cloth in the solution. Wipe hard surfaces with the wet cloth and let it sit for at least 3 minutes. Then, simply wash with water or let the solution air dry. It is recommended that you spray the solution onto surfaces where spreading germs is likely with a cloth, such as toilets, and just let it air dry. The solution loses efficacy with time, so throw out any remaining solution by the end of the day. 

1. Look
In many cases, mold growth can be seen. It may have different colors like white, gray, brown, black, yellow, or green and texture that varies from fuzzy and cottony to rough and leathery. Check for leaks, standing water, and condensation. Take a look at our mold slideshow for some visual examples. 

2. Sniff
If you can smell an earthy or musty odor, you may have a mold problem. Call our mold expert (305.285.0030) if you can smell it, but can't see it. Mold can hide inside walls, beneath floors, and behind baseboards.

3. Check A/C
Standing water around air conditioning units can create a mold problem. Inspect evaporator coils, drain pans and lines often.

4. Allergy Symptoms
If mold-allergic people experience symptoms such as nasal and sinus irritation or congestion, dry hacking cough, wheezing, skin rashes or burning, watery or reddened eyes, or asthma when in your home, you may have a mold problem.

If you have a pet then you know all the wonderful benefits of having a furry friend. But, our four legged companions are also capable of well, causing a stink. Maybe you’re still in the process of house training your pup, or your cat has been marking his territory. Whatever the reason, you’re left to deal with an unpleasant urine stain on your carpet and the odors that are sure to follow.

So what’s an animal lover like you to do? A general rule of thumb for dealing with any stain on fibers is to act quickly. Pet urine on carpet especially requires speedy cleanup to remove bacteria and odor. The very first thing you should do is extract as much of the urine as possible. To do this, place a thick layer of paper towels on the stain and an absorbent towel or some newspaper on top. If the stain is on a rug, lift it and put a towel underneath. Stand on it for about a minute, then repeat the process with new paper towels until the area is barely damp. Rinse the area with a bit of cool water and blot dry (don’t rub). If you own a wet vac, use it to suck up as much of the water as possible. Sprinkle some baking soda and allow it to sit for a few hours or overnight, then remove it with a vacuum.

Now, if you’ve found an older stain that has already set, do not try to rinse it or apply any products. Many consumer carpet cleaning products are just a temporary fix and may aggravate the situation, resulting in stronger odors. When urine dries and decomposes it becomes alkaline (hello nose stinging ammonia smell!) As long as the scent is present, your pet will probably eliminate on the same area again.

Having a pet doesn’t mean you have to live with unpleasant odors. Give us a call to assist you. We have specialized deodorants and powerful oxidizing agents that destroy the bacteria which are the source of urine odor. More importantly, we have efficient cleaning equipment that is able to completely and thoroughly remove soiling from carpet.

If you’ve got a question for our experts, or some tried and true tips of your own, please leave us a comment!

Fire damage is a complicated matter because the damage continues even after the fire has been extinguished. Smoke damage can affect everything from walls and carpet to the pipes, ducts, and structure of your home. It takes an experienced eye to assess the full extent of smoke damage, so a fire damage restoration company should be contacted as soon as you’ve spoken with your insurance agent. Fire restoration professionals can help prevent further damage, determine which items can or can’t be saved, and provide estimates and services for thoroughly cleaning and deodorizing your home.

Here’s a list of what you should and shouldn’t do after a fire.

DO get permission from the fire marshall to safely enter the building.

DO contact your insurance agent and hire a professional fire restoration company. 

DO wear protective clothing and gear like gloves, face masks, and goggles.

DO get the air moving. Open windows to ventilate areas.

DO empty the refrigerator and freezer if the power is off. Prop doors open to allow ventilation inside.

DO dry wet items as soon as possible. Use fans and dehumidifiers to dry carpets and draperies. If not thoroughly dried, carpets and floors underneath may be damaged beyond repair by mold and mildew.

DO clean brass, copper, and chrome items and fixtures. Smoke can etch brass or copper in 24 hours.

DO place aluminum foil or plastic wrap under furniture legs. Remove oriental rugs or other colored rugs from wet wall-to-wall carpeting.

DO cover clean, dry items with plastic while restoration and repairs are in progress.

DON’T turn on ceiling fans or fixtures if the ceiling is wet.

DON’T attempt to clean soot from upholstery. Soot is oily and can easily stain textiles.

DON’T use water or water-based cleansers to wipe soot off the walls – it can cause permanent staining.

DON’T plug in or try to clean internal parts of electronics.

DON’T consume food, canned goods, drinks, or medication that were exposed to heat. Throw them out.

Category 1 Water or Clear Water – That which is clean at the releasing source and does not pose a hazard if consumed by humans. Examples are burst water pipes, failed supply lines on appliances, and falling rain. Category 1 water progressively becomes contaminated as it mixes with soils on or within floor coverings, walls, decking, and subflooring. Time and temperature, which promote the growth and spread of pathogens in water can cause Category 1 water to degrade.

Category 2 Water or Grey Water – That which begins with some degree of contamination and could cause sickness or discomfort if consumed by humans. Grey water most commonly originates from flooding of household appliances such as dishwashers, refrigerators, washing machines, toilets (unless there’s feces), etc. As with Category 1 water, time and temperature can cause Category 2 water to become progressively more contaminated.

Category 3 Water or Black Water – That which is highly contaminated and could cause death or serious illness if consumed by humans. Examples are sewage, flood water from rivers and streams, and ground surface water flowing horizontally into homes.

Regardless of the category, the consequences of ineffective restoration – including possible health effects – are far too great to leave water damage improperly restored. This is certainly not a DIY undertaking. Contact us to dry out your property quickly while minimizing the damage.

Here’s an excellent set of recommendations for mold prevention from the EPA:

• Keep the humidity level in your home between 40% and 60%. Use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier during humid months and in damp spaces, like basements.
• Be sure your home has enough ventilation. Use exhaust fans which vent outside your home in the kitchen and bathroom. Make sure your clothes dryer vents outside your home.
• Fix any leaks in your home’s roof, walls, or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to grow.
• Clean up and dry out your home thoroughly and quickly (within 24–48 hours) after flooding. (Editor’s note: Call us right away if you have a flood or excessive moisture. 305.285.0030)
• Add mold inhibitors to paints before painting.
• Clean bathrooms with mold-killing products.
• Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and cannot be dried promptly. Consider not using carpet in rooms or areas like bathrooms or basements that may have a lot of moisture.