Archive for Indoor Air Quality

How’s Your Indoor Air Quality?

Do you ever evaluate your indoor air quality? Let’s just be honest for a minute, did you even know that was a thing? At Sams, cleaning carpet is just one sector of services we perform for businesses and homeowners in the St. Louis area. Our Dirty Duct Cleaning Service, a subsidiary of Sams Carpet Cleaning & Repairs, comes prepared to address your indoor air quality problems. Of course, dust and dirt are found in all homes with air ducts, but there are underlying reasons as to why this cleaning can become an urgency. There are a number of things that can be affected by such buildup like pets, occupants with allergies/asthma, home renovations and many more factors. If you’re not sure what you’re breathing in, we’ll tell you about the potential and possible problems you can face if you don’t fight this now.

What’s in the Air Inside Your Home?

The EPA has estimates that shows that indoor air quality in a home may be up to 100 times worse than the air outside. Those pollutants that stick to your HVAC system continues to recirculate while your unit is running. The germs and dust becomes compounded when the ducts aren’t cleaned properly. Alright, so if your system is blowing the air just fine, just imagine if your motor can’t turn on due to dirt and the air filter is clogged with dust. Dust contains more than dirt- dead skin, pet dander, fungi, feces and even mold spores. If not treated properly, your HVAC systems and air ducts can quickly become a playground for bacteria and other pests. Sams always go the extra mile, we make sure to use an anti-microbial disinfectant to inhibit the growth of molds, mildews, and other odor causing bacteria. We do all this for our clients at no extra cost to ensure that they are getting the best air circulation in their homes.

 

We understand that the ductwork is your homes lungs, and we want to make sure you that they are kept clean from any airborne hazards that may threaten your space. This includes mold contamination within the ductwork and any exposure to mold can create some unhealthy conditions for everyone in your home. This mold can spread throughout the home’s vents and begin to form a moisture presence that can cause respiratory allergic reactions in people. You can look for similar reactions that you would normally see from those who have seasonal allergies. Just like drinking an icy beverage, the waters beads up on the outside of the glass and moisture starts to form. Where moisture is present in your vents is where mildew can be introduced. Inspecting your air ducts can be a bit tricky, so it’s best that you call professionals to conduct a proper investigation.

If you reside in a humid environment and experience various humidity levels throughout your home, we suggest investing in a dehumidifier. This won’t solve all your problems, but this will definitely remove some of the excess moisture you’re experiencing in your home. As mentioned earlier, Sams Carpet provides an anti-microbial disinfectant treatment that is registered with the E.P.A and is approved for use by professional cleaners. The ducts and vents can take up to a maximum of 4-6 hours to clean, depending on the size of your house and how cluttered your system is. We utilize powerful truck-mounted systems that cleans out all the buildup of dust and dust mites. As it’s removed from the ducts, all of the debris is collected in the van outside, and not recirculated in your home.

Let the Sams Team Help with Your Air Quality

At Sams, we care and value your experience with our company so much that we ensure our community the best technicians. Our trained technicians intentions are always to exceed the expectations of our customers without question. Our intent is to satisfy our customer and if you’re ready to receive a superb service, contact us today.

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Why is My House So Dusty?

Dust is not only a nuisance, but it is also one of the most common causes of allergies in the average person. From sneezing to cold-like symptoms, a dusty house can wreak havoc on your quality of life.

You vacuum and sweep the floors and wipe down surfaces. You have even dusted that high shelf that you never clean, yet it doesn’t appear to make a difference. You’ve done everything you can think of to cut down on dust in your house, but it keeps coming back. Let’s explore a few more strategies to significantly minimize the amount of dust that is in your home to help you live a healthy and happy life.

Walls and Ceilings Get Dusty Too!

Think about it… the circulating air that carries dust particles made up of pet hair, dead skin, and other debris in your house has nowhere else to go except settle on surfaces that get in the way. Most people notice dust on horizontal surfaces and wood or tile flooring, so they wipe down, sweep, and mop. But how many people do you know who actually wipe down their walls or ceilings?

Exactly…not many. It goes unnoticed and ends up collecting a lot of dust over time. Consider cleaning the walls and ceilings in your house a couple times a year, by using either a damp cloth or a vacuum with a hose attachment. Using a damp cloth may be a tedious task, but it will ensure the removal of dust without distributing more into the air. Using a vacuum with a hose is a quicker option but be aware that it can cause some dust disturbance.

Have You Checked Your Ceiling Fans?

Okay, but have you ever taken time to check just how much dust collects on the ceiling fans in your house? Just because the fan is moving fast doesn’t mean that dust does not collect. On the contrary, ceiling fans collect more dust than most areas in your home. And every time you turn it on, the fan is spreading that dust throughout the room.

So, get out your step ladder and a damp cloth and you will be amazed at how much dust your fan has been circulating for who knows how long!

Clean that Carpet!

You probably guessed this was coming, but carpet is like a sponge when it comes to dust collection. When dead skin, dust mites, and other particles settle deep into your carpet, vacuuming can only go so far. Vacuuming on a regular basis helps, but in order to really remove dust and dirt, the most effective thing to do is have the carpets in your house professionally cleaned.

Upholstery Traps Dust

We sit, sleep, and sometimes eat on our upholstered furniture, so it makes sense that it would collect considerable debris. You can alleviate the amount of dust in your furniture by using a vacuum with a wide hose attachment, but the most effective way is to hire a professional cleaning service like Sams to deep clean your furniture.

The Sams team is equipped to handle all upholstery care including steam cleaning and dry cleaning, depending on what’s appropriate for the material. Hiring a professional team to take care of furniture cleaning will minimize the risk of damage.

“Ahh…Dust is in the Air”

No, seriously.

Almost 60% of the dust in your home comes from the air outside. So, it’s important to clean the HVAC ducts of your home to cut down on the dust and dirt that you breathe daily. Alongside a range of other services, Sams offers air duct cleaning. Sams uses a powerful truck-mounted system that cleans out the walls of the ducts using a rotating brush. The debris is collected in a van outside, leaving your home clean and uncontaminated.

Sams is Here to Help

Although it can feel like a losing battle, with diligence and the right help, your house can be fresh and free of dust. We love creating satisfied customers and strive to deliver the best experience possible!

Contact Sams Carpet Service today to get your unfair advantage in the battle against dust.

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What are Healthy Buildings?

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans spend about 90% of their time indoors. The EPA also estimates that indoor pollutants cause hundreds of thousands of respiratory problems and thousands of cancer deaths each year. With that knowledge in mind, it’s important to understand what factors can influence indoor air quality and what steps building owners can take to reduce exposure and risk.

In this blog we want to explore the concept of healthy buildings, and detail some of the services Sams Carpet Service provides to help employers in the greater St. Louis area create a safer working environment for their team.

What Are Healthy Buildings?

Green building has become a buzz word in the construction industry over the past decade. Green buildings are structures that are designed, built, and operated in a manner that reduces or eliminates negative impacts on the natural environment and climate. Healthy buildings are really the next iteration of that concept. In addition to meeting the qualifications of a green building, healthy buildings take human well-being into account.

Buildings can be key contributors to the health and wellness of the people who occupy them. Specifically, healthy buildings are ones that account for:

  • Indoor air quality
  • Water quality
  • Safety and security
  • Lighting and view
  • Building design

Each of these factors plays a role in the health and safety of the people who occupy your building. But indoor air quality has become an especially big topic of conversation as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Let’s explore some of the services the Sams team provides that can improve the air quality in your building for employees or tenants.

How Sams Helps Make Buildings Healthier

Sams Carpet Service provides several services, specifically related to air quality, that help employers provide a healthier workplace for their teams.

Carpet Cleaning

If you’ve ever removed old carpeting from a building, you’ve likely been surprised at the amount of dust and dirt that was hiding in it. It may not have been visible until you began lifting the carpet from the floor, but it was there the whole time. Dust and dirt in carpet has the potential to go airborne with foot traffic and furniture moving. Regular vacuuming helps, but can only go so far. Having your carpets cleaned professionally is the best way to minimize the air pollutants hiding in the fibers and extend the life of the carpet so it doesn’t have to be replaced too soon.

Upholstery Furniture Cleaning

Your carpet isn’t the only place pollutants like to hide in plain sight. Upholstered furniture traps dust, dirt, grime, dead skin, mold spores and bacteria. Every time someone sits or lies on the furniture, these contaminants are released into the air. Having your upholstered furniture professionally cleaned is a great and effective way to improve air quality.

Air Duct and Vent Cleaning

When is the last time you took a good look inside the air ducts and vents of your building? You can’t imagine the amount of dirt and dust that can build up in your HVAC system. When your furnace or air conditioner is turned on, those pollutants are pushed into the air people breathe, leading to air quality issues and potential health problems. The Sams team uses a truck-mounted system with a rotating brush to remove debris from the walls of your ducts and collect it in the truck outside. The result is a clean HVAC system, and clean air to breathe.

Water Damage Services

If water damage isn’t properly taken care of it can lead to mold, mildew, and a wide variety of illnesses. Sams offers 24/7 emergency water damage restoration services. If your building suffers a plumbing mishap, storm damage, or any other catastrophe resulting in water damage, rely on the experienced team at Sams to respond quickly and get your facility back in working order. From initial inspection, to moisture removal, and mold prevention, we have the equipment and experience needed to make your building safe again. Our company is insured with an emphasis in Liability and Mold for your protection.

Is Your Facility a Healthy Building?

From having water tested to adding outdoor lighting, there are a number of steps you can take to create a healthier working and living environment. When it comes to improving air quality and cleanliness, the professionals at Sams are your partners in creating a healthier atmosphere. If it’s been a while since you’ve addressed carpets, upholstery, or your air ducts, reach out online or give us a call at 636-949-8229! Together we can determine a cleaning and maintenance schedule that will meet your needs. The Sams team will provide a detailed proposal to put you on the path to a healthy facility.

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Issues That Affect Odor and Indoor Air Quality

Odors in your home can come from everywhere and everything, including (but certainly not limited to) cooking, pets, smoke, and even dirty clothes.  Headaches, dizziness, and fatigue, as well as irritation of the eyes, nose and throat are all possible side effects of short-term exposure to pollutants found in indoor air with poor quality.  Health effects from poor indoor air quality can be experienced soon after exposure or even up to years later.

The quality of the air in your home can directly affect the health of you and your loved ones.  But not to worry, because there are a number of things you can do to reduce odors and keep your home smelling fresh and clean.

  • Have your air ducts cleaned. Dirty air ducts and dryer vents can not only restrict air flow throughout your home, but they can also affect your health.  Not only can we clean them for you, but we also use an Anti-Microbial Disinfectant to inhibit the growth of molds, mildews, and odor causing bacteria.  This will help keep the air in your home fresher, longer!
  • Thoroughly clean carpets and upholstered furniture. Your furniture, as well as your carpets, can play host to all kinds of dirt, bacteria, and odors that can affect the air quality of your home.  We use a number of steps to care for each one and help improve air quality.
  • Remove pet urine immediately. If not treated quickly, pet urine odor can be incredibly tricky to completely remove.  We can determine just how severe the odor damage may be and proper course of treatment to remove the odor. This could range anywhere from minor impact, which may only require a simple cleaning, to a more intense impact, which may require cleaning the subfloor, padding, carpet backing, and sealing the subfloor.  No matter the severity, we can help your home smell clean and free of pet odors again.
  • Heavy duty cleaning of walls, ceilings, cabinets, etc. This is especially helpful with cooking smells and smoke. Be sure to only use products that are meant to be used on these types of surfaces.  Repainting walls, ceilings, or wooden furniture would also help to cover up any lingering odors.
  • Dust frequently and properly. The hard surfaces and floors in your home should be cleaned at least once a week with a damp rag or mop to capture the dirt and dust.  Dry cloths and feather dusters will just push those allergens and dust right back into the air.
  • Invest in a dehumidifier. Humidity levels in your basement or crawl spaces can easily become quite high, created a moldy or musty smell.  A dehumidifier will reduce the humidity level and the subsequent mold; keeping your home smelling fresh.

Candles are another great way to reduce odors in your home. However, candles can sometimes leave a trace of soot in rugs or carpets that can be quite difficult to remove depending on the severity of the soot.  Keep an eye on your candles and don’t burn them for too long at one time.  Although they tend to be a bit more expensive, soot free candles are certainly an option.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, Sams is here to help.  Feel free to contact us at any time.

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