Archive for Sams Carpet Cleaning and Repairs

That Stinks: Call the St. Louis Area’s Odor Removal Specialists

Home is supposed to be your family’s happy place. At the end of the day or on the weekends, home should be the place you go to reconnect with family, celebrate the day’s triumphs, or recharge your batteries. But if you’re dealing with persistent household odors, it can be anything but. You’ve tried it all, right? Deep cleaning, open windows, better ventilation, candles, odor-masking sprays… none of them have done the trick. Perhaps it’s time to call in the St. Louis odor removal pros at Sams Carpet Cleaning and Repairs.

How Sams Removes Household Odors

There are a variety of factors that can lead to odors in your home. Many of the readily available “solutions” simply mask the smell instead of eliminating it. At Sams, we know how unpleasant it is to live in a house that stinks, and we also know what works to stop that stink! Whether it’s pets, smoke, cooking, a musty smell, or a strange smell you haven’t even been able to pinpoint yet,  we are here to help.

When you attempt to mask an odor, even if it works, it only works temporarily. Sometimes it just adds a new, equally offensive layer to the existing odor. The Sams team doesn’t cover up or mask the stink. We strike it at its source using a variety of treatments, depending on the what’s causing the problem:

  • Our trained professionals utilize state-of-the-art Ozone machines to convert normal oxygen to activated oxygen. Activated oxygen breaks down air pollutants and odors at their source.
  • We also employ a Thermo Fog process to follow the trails where odors could drift in your home, and neutralize them in hard to reach nooks and crannies. Thermo Fog’s small particles can penetrate contaminated surfaces to neutralize orders at sources you aren’t even able to see.
  • Sometimes odors can be traveling through the house from a source in your ductwork. Air Duct Cleaning is another important tool in our arsenal for permanent odor removal. This process removes dust, pollutants, and bacterial from your ducts and takes any odors they might cause with them.
  • Mold loves damp conditions. Our powerful commercial-grade Dehumidifiers ruin the environment mold thrives in. For those musty smells, our fleet of dehumidifiers remove moisture once and for all.

St. Charles and St. Louis Odor Removal Expertise

Whether you’ve identified the source of your odor problem, or you’re still unsure what’s causing it, your next call should be to the Sams team. We want you to be able to enjoy your home to its fullest. That means having a home that not only smells clean, but is clean. Contact us today to start on your way to a stink-free home!

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New Year, New You: Air Duct Cleaning for Your Health

It’s January, so naturally we’re all still on track with our New Year’s Resolutions (at least, for now, and we have good intentions)! Of course the most common New Year’s Resolution is to be healthy. Some examples you might hear, or you might have vowed you would stick to in 2018 are:

  • I’ll go to the gym 4 days a week
  • I’ll eat a salad a day, get my veggies in!
  • I’ll take the steps instead of the elevator and will park in the back of the lot
  • I’ll take care of my health: visit the doctor for regular checkups, take more vitamins, etc.

This year, focus on breathing clean air! You’d be surprised what you can see in your air ducts. When’s the last time you had yours cleaned?

They’re tucked away, it’s not obvious like a stain on your carpet or dog hair on the floor. You don’t often think about your air ducts and what’s going on with them. Your air conditioning and heat are working, so why would it even be a thought it your mind? That’s why we’re here to help you stay healthy and keep these things front and center. It’s important to clean your air ducts at least once a year, so what better time than now, start the year off fresh (and clean)!

You wouldn’t believe how dirty air ducts and dryer vents can get. Not only is air flow restricted when they haven’t been cleaned, but you’re breathing in that dirty, dusty air.

So how do we go about cleaning your air ducts and keeping you healthy? We use a powerful truck-mounted system that cleans out all the junk. A rotating brush scrubs the walls of the ducts, removing any build-up of dust and dust mites that could be making you sick. As it’s removed, the system collects the debris in our van outside, leaving your home clean and uncontaminated. We also offer a cleaning with an Anti-Microbial Disinfectant to inhibit the growth of molds, mildews and other odor causing bacteria, at no additional cost.

Are you ready to take back the health of your home? Give us a call today to schedule an appointment, 636-949-8229.

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Employee Spotlight: Dejuan Evil

The exciting day is here, the one that we’ve been waiting for all month long… our latest employee spotlight! We love taking take the time to talk with one of our wonderful employees each month, learn more about them and their thoughts on working for Sams Carpet Cleaning and Repairs. This month, we sat down with Dejuan, one of our Account Executives, and you can’t help but love the guy. So without any further ado, lets meet Dejuan!

Q: How long have you been at Sams and how did you get your start?

A: I’ve been here for 3 years, and you can actually blame Chris Scoles for me being here! I’ve been friends with Chris for 24 years and he’s actually the one who told me Sams was hiring! I had been to a few Sams events and gatherings prior and knew a few of the employees, so I knew it was somewhere I would like to work. Chris had always spoken highly about the company and culture, so it felt like a natural fit. To say I’m happy that Chris told me about the job would be an understatement.

Q: What exactly do you do as an Account Executive?

A: I wear several hats, I go out and give estimates on projects, from residential to commercial, and I also work with a lot of the apartments and commercial clients. My job is a bit of a mix between marketing, new business and sales. It’s nice to not be trapped behind a desk, I’m able to get out of the office, meet people and see projects firsthand.

One of my favorite parts of the job is that I have the opportunity to meet people and network. As a people person, I love getting out there and seeing the people I get to talk to on the phone.

Q: What is it about the Sams experience that is different or enticing?

A: I would have to say it’s our quality of work and the skills and years of experience of our technicians. Many of our technicians have been here for over a decade, they understand what it takes and have pride in the quality of their work. Our repairs are outstanding and our customers are happy, which is exactly what we want! We also have wonderful customer service, they go above and beyond for our customers.

The culture at Sams for employees is awesome. We all get along and have fun, it’s something I haven’t seen at other places I’ve worked. We’re all friends and are there for each other, you have to love the atmosphere.

Q: Do you have any memorable experiences from over the years at Sams?

A: It’s hard to pinpoint just one… my favorite thing is seeing the looks on a customer’s face when they’re happy and surprised that their carpet looks new. Part of my job is following up with clients, so hearing their joy and excitement is the best. On a none work related note, my favorite memory would have to be Susan’s surprise 50th birthday party! I was the DJ and Bartender for the big event and it was hilarious and so great to see Susan cut loose and have fun with her family and friends.

Q: What do you do for fun outside of work?

A: Well, I have 2 daughters, one is a freshman in high school and the other is in 5th grade. I coach their basketball and soccer teams, which I absolutely love, and I also play basketball myself. Now that my girls are getting older, I am in this new, unchartered territory of BOYS. My oldest daughter was on the homecoming court this year, and that was new, exciting, and terrifying.

We hope you enjoyed our conversation with Dejuan! He is an outgoing, funny and caring guy who we are incredibly lucky to have as part of the Sams family. Check back next month to see who will be our NEXT employee spotlight!

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#ThankfulThursday: Nik Carrino Rides 120 Miles to Support Multiple Sclerosis Research

For many people, Thanksgiving is about food, family and traditions. But don’t forget the true meaning of Thanksgiving: to be thankful for what we have, where we are in life and for those around us! It’s the time of year we’re we reflect and give back, and no one does it quite like Nik Carrino, our Restoration Project Manager/Account Executive at Sams.

Nik recently completed his third year of riding in Bike MS this past September. Bike MS is a 2 day, 125 mile bike ride for the Multiple Sclerosis Society that started and finished at Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey, IL. Nik first heard about Bike MS in 2014 when  speaking with our accounting partner Kristin Robinson of Hollander CPA Group, about riding bikes with a cause. Kristin and her husband Dean had formed a team in memory of their friend who had passed away from Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The team, called “Roln On”, was formed to help raise money for research and free the world of MS.

MS is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. The cause of MS is still unknown, scientists believe the disease is triggered by an as-yet-unidentified environmental factor in a person who is genetically predisposed to respond. The unknown behind MS is one reason why raising money for research is so vitally important.

Nik originally signed up to join team “Roln On” to challenge himself and see what it was like to ride a bike for 100+ miles, but after the first year, he was hooked. Not because he loves riding or that his body felt good, but because of how it affected the community. He was so moved by the people cheering him and his team on, the support from friends ,family, businesses other bikers’ inspirational stories and learning more about the cause. Nik will go the distance for MS, it takes advance training, preparation and commitment, but what powers Nik and his fellow teammates is the support and commitment to those impacted by the disease. Every mile they ride brings us closer to their goal of a world free of MS.

This Thanksgiving, think about who and what you’re thankful for, whether it be a family member, friend, your job or your community. This Thanksgiving we’re thankful for people like Nik who are going out of their way to give back. You can see it yourself by checking out his Bike MS page. He is already signed up and raising money for the 2018 Bike MS. A big thank you from all of us at Sams to Nik, Kristin and Dean for their support of the MS Society, you guys are outstanding and a huge asset to the community.

 

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Employee Spotlight: Chris Scoles

Chris Scoles is our Operations Manager/Account Executive here at Sams Carpet Cleaning and Repairs, and to say that he is a busy guy is an understatement. Just tracking him down for this conversation meant he had to sit still for a couple minutes! We’re excited to introduce you to Chris, an integral cog in the Sams machine. Now, without any further ado, join us for our get-to-know-you conversation with Chris!

Q: How long have you been at Sams and how did you get your start at Sams?

A: I used to drive by the Sams building everyday on my way to work and had a friend who worked there as a technician. I told him if they were ever hiring to let me know because I was looking for a change. In July of 2001 he gave me a call that they were hiring and the rest is history!

Q: 16 years later, what exactly do you do at Sams?

A: I started as a field technician, I spent several months training and cleaning customer’s carpets, flooring and air ducts. Over time, I moved up, started learning other parts of the job and became a team leader. Fast forward a couple more years and I am now the Operations Manager!

Q: What exactly does an Operations Manager position entail?

A: I’m in charge of the team, I get them ready to go each day and prep them on the jobs assigned. I take care of the everyday tasks, training new employees, maintenance on the machines and vehicles. I’m also the Account Executive for several of our larger apartments and I’m constantly out in the field giving estimates. I’m constantly moving around and if you’re looking for me, it changes from day to day where you’ll find me!

Q: Why did you choose Sams?

A: Sams treats their employees very well. There is a mutual respect between the bosses and the employees and we have built a great core of technicians. If anyone has a question, you know you can turn to another employee who has been there for many years who would have the answer. Our customer service is awesome and we really care for our customers. I also love the freedom I have here, I get to travel around the city and I’m constantly busy, which I love.

Q: What’s the Sams difference?

A: I would have to say our training program. We would never send a new employee out in the field until they are fully trained and ready, it might be 6-8months before they’re in a house cleaning. We train our technicians about the SCIENCE behind carpet cleaning and repair and we ensure every technician masters the skills before sending them out. We also use high quality machines and equipment that are only available at Sams.

Q: Do you have any memorable experiences at Sams, maybe celebrity run ins or encounters?

A: I have cleaned several Rams players houses including Adam Timmerman, Orlando Pace and of course like Dennis mentioned, we cleaned Nelly’s house in Lake St. Louis on several occasions. We also regularly clean Nelly’s producer’s house, which it’s nice to see big talent in St. Louis!

Q: When you’re not at work, where can we find you?

A: That’s easy, on the golf course. I’m an avid golfer and if I can find the time, you will certainly find me at one of the golf courses in town.

Q: What is your proudest accomplishment over your many years at Sams?

A: That’s hard for me to say, I don’t want to sound like I’m tooting my own horn. Mainly I think it’s overseeing the training of our technicians and ensuring that they are on top of their game. I know our technicians have the skills and training that far exceeds others. Our technicians are talented, supportive and have years of experience that is beyond valuable. I’m proud of these guys and know they’re out in the field doing the best work possible.

So there you have it, now you know our beloved Operations Manager, Chris! A big thank you to Chris for taking a few minutes out of his always hectic day for this conversation! Be sure to check back next month for our NEXT Employee Spotlight!

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Where’s the Sams Van? Contest and Giveaway!

All the great thriller games start with discovery and mystery… Where’s Waldo, Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego, Clue, Nancy Drew, and of course, Scooby Doo. All of these games have something in common, other than mystery, and that is a recognizable and lovable characters. You of course have Waldo, Carmen Sandiego, Miss Scarlet, Mrs. Peacock, Professor Plum, Nancy Drew, Scooby Doo, Shaggy and that’s just to name a few. Well at Sams, we have our own lovable character, the brilliant, vibrant yellow Sams Van!

We’ve started a game at Sams Carpet Cleaning, and at first it started out with employees and friends. We called it, “Where’s the Sams Van?”. We would have people text us pictures at a stoplight of our recognizable yellow van and say, “I found you!”, or in a parking lot, or even at someone’s house. We get a kick out of seeing these messages and love that our loveable yellow character is being spotted around St. Louis.

We’ve decided to take our game a step further, and open it up to you! So here are the rules:

• Spot a Sams Van
• Take a photo (bonus points if you get a selfie with the Sams Van and *bonus bonus* points for getting a picture with the Sams Technician)
• Share the photo on our social media

The photo with the most likes at the end of the month will win a $20 Sams Carpet Cleaning gift certificate and a $50 Lowes Gift Card!

Now, it goes without saying, but we still will, we of course want you to be safe! Please do not take a picture while driving, the last thing we want is for the Sams van to cause an accident. The winner must be residential and within our service area. You can check out services in your area HERE.

It’s that simple, all you have to do is keep your eyes peeled for the Sams van and you could be the lucky winner. Be sure to share the game with friends and families and the next time you spot a Sams van, best of luck! Snap the photo and share on our Facebook for your chance to win.

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Employee Spotlight: Dennis Mierkowski, 30 Years with Sams Carpet Cleaning & Repairs

Dennis Mierkowski has been a part of the Sams Carpet Cleaning Family for 30 years. That’s right, you read that correctly. He has been with us from the beginning, when Sams Carpet Cleaning & Repairs started out of Jeff Sams parent’s home, and has been with us every step of the way. He shows passion, integrity, exceptional work ethic and dedication with everything he does, and we feel honored to have him as a part of our team. Having an employee like Dennis is truly a blessing. Every day he walks into work with a smile on his face and a greeting for everyone around him. To celebrate his 30th anniversary with the company, we wanted to highlight Dennis and hear his experience and memories with Sams over the years.

Dennis is a carpet technician who has known Jeff and his family most of his life, and when he saw Jeff starting Sams and needing employees, he stepped up to help. 30 years ago when he started at Sams, he became hooked. Here’s a little Q&A we had with Dennis to learn more about his years with Sams and some of his favorite stories.

Q: Why Sams? What makes Sams different and special?

A: To be happy you have to like what you do, and I LOVE what I do at Sams. I love the people I work with, I love working with Jeff and seeing his passion and dedication to customer satisfaction, which is something that is important to me. I can’t explain to you that amazing feeling when a customer recommends a friend or family member to us. It takes a lot of trust and confidence to allow someone into your home, and that trust is something I want to build with each and every customer. When I leave a home, I know I am leaving behind a clean environment, and that is something I can be proud of. It’s important to me for a customer to be happy and to call back for future service.

Q: What is something you are most proud of from your years with Sams?

A: There have been many times we’ve been called and the customer said they thought it was time to replace their carpet, but first they wanted to try cleaning them to see if that would help. After cleaning the carpet, the customers are thrilled and said that it’ll save them from replacing the carpet! That’s our goal, to provide quality service and help customers with whatever they might need.

Q: Any funny stories?

A: I don’t know about funny, but something I think is the longevity of many of my clients. Some of my long standing client’s children are now calling me to come clean their homes! It’s always fun to hear, “I remember you cleaning my parent’s floors when I was a child and now I need mine cleaned!”

Q: Do you have any memorable experiences with Sams?

A: Probably 15 years ago or more, we received a phone call from Nelly. He had just purchased a house in Lake St. Louis and he wanted to get his carpets and floors cleaned before MTV Cribs came out to film. I knew who Nelly was, but didn’t really know him. I went out to his house and talked to him for awhile, but didn’t realize he was Nelly until after he left and I was talking to his mom! It was a pretty crazy experience to sit with my friends watching his episode of MTV Cribs and say, “that’s my work, I cleaned that, that’s also my work!”

Thank you to Dennis not only for his YEARS of service and amazing attitude, but for taking the time to be interviewed for our first employee spotlight! Stay tuned for future blogs highlighting our wonderful employees.

*We’re exciting to announce that we are growing! We are looking to add new members to our Sams Carpet Cleaning and Repair family. If you are interested, check out our careers page HERE.*

 

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