Archived Cleaning Blog Posts
Time for Spring Cleaning - HVAC Duct Cleaning
4/5/2021 (Permalink)
What is lurking in your air ducts?
Spring has finally arrived in the Chippewa Valley and traditionally, this is the time when homeowners begin to make a list of spring cleaning chores to prepare for warmer weather ahead. This year, SERVPRO of Eau Claire recommends that you add heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) duct maintenance on your to-do list, including a basic duct cleaning.
"At the very least, performing some simple maintenance on the ducts in your home will help your HVAC system work at maximum efficiency," said Sue Steen, former SERVPRO Industries, Inc. chief executive officer. "In some cases, it may highlight a problem you need to address."
Steen offers the following guidelines based on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommendations for routine maintenance of the HVAC system in your home:
- Maintain filters.
Use the highest efficiency air filter recommended by the manufacturer of your HVAC system and change filters regularly. If your filters become clogged, change them more frequently. Also, be sure you do not have any missing filters and that air cannot bypass filters through gaps around the filter holder. - Minimize dust.
Dust and vacuum your home regularly, using the highest efficiency filter bags your vacuum cleaner can take – preferably HEPA bags. If you undertake dusty construction or renovation work in your home, seal off supply and return registers and do not turn your HVAC system on until you have cleaned up the dust. - Clean cooling coils and drain pans.
Cooling coils, which are designed to remove water from the air, can be a major source of moisture contamination that can lead to mold growth in your HVAC system. Make sure that the drain pans under these coils drain properly and check any nearby insulation for wet spots. If you see substantial standing water and/or debris in these pans, contact a qualified service professional immediately. If your system includes an in-duct humidifier, be sure to follow manufacturer operating instructions.
For some homeowners, this routine maintenance may uncover evidence of a larger problem, like mold growth, rodent or insect infestation, or ducts so clogged with dust and debris that particles are being released into the home through air supply registers.
"Restoration and remediation specialists like the technicians at SERVPRO can help you determine how serious the problem is," says Steen. "In many cases, routine maintenance is all that is required. But if the problem could pose a health threat to people living in the house, you need to call in the professionals. SERVPRO technicians are trained to use specialized cleaning and disposal techniques to remove any contaminants from your ducts safely and completely, without releasing them into your home."
Call SERVPRO of Eau Claire at (715) 834-3473 to schedule your duct cleaning today!
Caring For Those Left Behind - Trauma & Crime Scene Cleanup
1/18/2021 (Permalink)
Effective Practices to Restore Chippewa Valley Properties After Traumas
When tragedy strikes in a home or business, those left behind are often at a loss for where to begin restoring the affected areas.
SERVPRO of Eau Claire handles these situations with the empathy and sensitivity customers need when faced with devastating losses like death, crime scene and trauma. It can be hard for these spaces ever to feel normal again. However, with our premier equipment and practices, our professionals can help Eau Claire and Chippewa Valley homes and businesses to regain their identity after an emergency.
We are here to help.
Our trained technicians will help restore your home or business to a preloss condition:
• Thoroughly cleaning surfaces, carpets, furniture, and other affected areas
• Removing any lingering odors
• Disinfecting the space to neutralize potentially harmful pathogens
• Controlled demolition to replace damaged structural elements
• Clearing surfaces and contents of residues and debris left behind after criminal investigations
What You Can Expect When Our SERVPRO Team Arrives
There are few things more important to a homeowner after experiencing a trauma than getting their property back to normal again.
Healing and moving on after this loss requires empathetic restoration technicians capable of recognizing the most efficient pathways to recovery, starting with the restoration process. We take great care to ensure that not only with the affected areas be returned to their previous state, but also to meet the needs and requests of our customer.
Need Trauma or Crime Scene Cleanup? Call Today – (715) 834-3473
Crime Scene and Trauma Cleaning Services
- Fingerprint powder and evidence-gathering chemicals
- Tear gas and pepper spray residues
- Fire extinguisher residue
- Blood, bodily fluids, and tissue remnants
Common Trauma and Crime Scene Scenarios
Bloodborne Pathogens
We remove and dispose of bodily fluids, tissue and other potentially pathogenic substances resulting from accident, suicide, trauma, crime or death. Our trained professionals clean, disinfect and deodorize the structure.
Crime Scene Residues
From fingerprint powder and evidence-gathering chemicals to tear gas and pepper spray residues, we can clean and restore your property after a crime scene investigation.
Illegal Drug - "Meth" Labs
Many of the chemicals used in the production of illegal drugs such as "meth" are volatile and can leave harmful residues throughout a structure. Our technicians follow federal and state guidelines to properly clean all surfaces.
Clean Ducts, Clean Lungs
2/10/2020 (Permalink)
Does your Eau Claire or Chippewa Falls home need the air ducts cleaned?
Why clean your ducts?
Just because its cold and snowy in the Eau Claire area doesn't mean you can't get fresh air. Have you ever thought about getting your ducts cleaned? It's not something most people think of on a regular basis. There is nothing out there saying you should get your ducts cleaned once a year or every so often, but it doesn't hurt to keep it in the back of your mind if you have any of the following:
-pets
-occupants with allergies or asthma
-cigarette or cigar smoke
-water contamination or damage to the home or HVAC system
-home renovation or remodeling projects
Some occupants are more sensitive to these contaminants than others. Allergy and asthma sufferers, as well as young children and the elderly tend to be more susceptible to the types of poor indoor air quality that air duct cleaning can help address.
Through normal occupation in a home, we generate a great deal of contaminants and air pollutants, such as dander, dust, and chemicals. These contaminants are pulled into the HVAC system and re-circulated 5 to 7 times per day, on average. Over time, this re-circulation causes a build-up of contaminants in the duct work.
While dirty ducts don’t necessarily mean unhealthy air in your home, school or workplace, they may be contributing to larger health issues or harboring contaminants. Those of which, cause serious problems for people with respiratory health conditions, autoimmune disorders, or some allergies.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 25 to 40 percent of the energy used for heating or cooling a home is wasted. Contaminants in the heating and cooling system cause it to work harder and shorten the life of your system. Although filters are used, the HVAC system still gets dirty through normal use.
When an HVAC system is clean, it doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain the temperature you desire. As a result, less energy is used, leading to improved cost-effectiveness.
If you're thinking about getting your ducts cleaned or need a quote, give SERVPRO of Eau Claire a call at 715-834-3473.
Don't forget to like us on Facebook or give us a review! Just type in @EauClaireSERVPRO into the search bar on Facebook.
Clean Homes Will Sell Faster!
7/9/2018 (Permalink)
Ever walk into a home for sale and the first thing you notice is an odor? That odor makes it very hard to concentrate on the home and the features you may like and want. Chances are, you may pass on a great home because your first impression is an offensive odor. Sadly, this happens more often than you think. In today's housing market, it is important to present the best house showing possible. Houses are flying off the market within 24 to 48 hours of being listed.
Get it clean and you will get it sold! Dirty ducts can circulate odors and contaminates like mold and irritating dust throughout a home. SERVPRO of Eau Claire Professionals use a portable ventilation and air duct cleaning system to examine ductwork and make a clean sweep, removing years of dust and grime. Cleaning your ductwork can reduce allergens and pet dander, eliminate offensive odors, and improve operating conditions and efficiency.
You can use SERVPRO of Eau Claire as an informed resource. Our trained and certified professionals can inspect a home or commercial building for damage and whether moisture has penetrated materials or is allowing mold growth.
If you have questions or would like to schedule an inspection of your property, please call us at 715-834-3473 or visit our website at www.SERVPROeauclaire.com
Get your ducts in a row!
5/9/2018 (Permalink)
Your ventilation system is usually the biggest reason for poor indoor air quality, but you can change that! Air duct inspections should be a high priority for your business or home. In most cases, the HVAC system has operated for some time without much attention. Dirty ducts can circulate odors, contaminates such as mold, and irritating dust throughout your building or home.
A routine part of SERVPRO of Eau Claire's service is inspecting the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit, or HVAC. Keeping the HVAC and ductwork clean can extend the life of your equipment and allows it to run at peak condition, which will translate into saving money. However duct cleaning may not always be necessary. SERVPRO of Eau Claire Professionals will inspect your HVAC system and ductwork and make recommendations about the best way to address any indoor air quality issues or concerns. This inspection can help save you money and provide peace of mind on the health and life span of your HVAC system and ductwork.
To schedule an inspection and cleaning contact SERVPRO of Eau Claire today, and tell them that you read this blog for a special offer! Call us at 715-834-3473.
Clean ducts = Healthy lives.
2/13/2018 (Permalink)
Sweeping away years of dust and dirt can help reduce potential for damage and health risks. Since the ventilation system is often the biggest culprit in poor indoor air quality, proper maintenance, inspections, and cleaning of the ductwork should be high priority. In most cases, the HVAC system has been running for some time without any attention. Dirty ducts can circulate odors, contaminants like mold and irritating dust throughout your home or office.
A routine part of SERVPRO of Eau Claire professional's service is inspecting the heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit. Better known as the HVAC. Keeping the HVAC system and ductwork clean can potentially extend the life span of the equipment by allowing it to operate at peak condition, which may save you money in the long run.
If you or others notice an odor, a lot of dust on items, even after the filter has been changed, have or have had mold in your home, or have seasonal allergies, you may want to consider contacting SERVPRO of Eau Claire to clean your HVAC.
To schedule an appointment you can contact SERVPRO of Eau Claire via,
Facebook: SERVPRO Eau Claire
Website: www.SERVPROeauclaire.com
Phone: 715-834-3473
We look forward to hearing from you!
Clean Homes Sell Faster
1/2/2018 (Permalink)
Selling your home? Great, congratulations! I bet you have a check list of things to do before your home is showcased by a real estate agency. Find a reputable listing agent (Check) Clear all clutter from living areas (Check) Stage home (Check) research local market for new home (Check) Contact SERVPRO of Eau Claire to put the final touches on your home ( ) .... OH OH!
Did you know that clean homes sell faster? Did you know that SERVPRO of Eau Claire can help you sell your home? That's right! We regularly work with local real estate agencies to help you sell your biggest investment, your home.
We offer a variety of services:
CLEANING -
- Air Ducts and HVAC
- Biohazard, Crime Scene and Vandalism
- Carpet, Upholstery, Drapes and Blinds
- Ceilings, Walls and Hard Wood Floors
- Deodorization
Some times your home may call for more intense care. In those situations we offer:
Restoration -
- Fire, Smoke and Soot
- Water Removal and Dehumidification
- Mold Mitigation and Remediation
- Catastrophic Storm Response
- Move Outs and Contents Restoration
- Electronics and Equipment
- Document Drying
- Contents Claim Inventory Services
As you can see, SERVPRO of Eau Claire has got you covered for all your needs! So please remember when creating your home selling check lists, to include SERVPRO Of Eau Claire and our cleaning/restoration services! We WILL help you sell your home faster!