How To Prevent Disastrous Water Damage In Your Austin Texas Home Or Business

Water Damage Service Repair Austin

Nobody wants to think it’ll be our Austin, Texas home affected by severe Austin water damage, but it's more likely to happen then you may think, and you’ll want to be prepared. Severe water damage can also cause mold growth, which may be harmful to those in your home. With expertise from Austin restoration professionals here at The Steam Team of Austin, Texas , we’re going to talk to you about preventing water damage and mold growth in your Austin, TX home or business.

Best Practices For Preventing Water Damage in Austin, Texas

If you follow these steps, you may be able to prevent having to deal with water damage in the first place.

• Clean roof gutters every few months. If your roof gutters are clogged with leaves, sticks, or anything at all, the water may build up, leak in through your roof, and cause some serious damage.

• Purchase a drain snake. You might be using powerful chemicals to unclog drains in your kitchen or bathroom, but these chemicals may actually do damage to your pipes and cause them to leak. A drain snake is an inexpensive, safer alternative.

• Pay attention to your water bill. Of course, you should be paying close attention to your bills anyway! But if you notice any particularly high water bills coming in, it’s likely you have a leak and need to get an inspection as soon as possible.

How To Stop Mold Growth in Austin

For mold to grow, all it needs is a little bit of water and a dark space. If the water damage is already done, you can still prevent mold growth by;

• Removing water as quickly as possible with a wet/dry vacuum.

• Use high-powered fans to dry the carpet.

• Use a dehumidifying machine to dry out the air in the room or rooms.

• Sanitize all carpet flooring using a steam-cleaner.

• Sanitize all walls and hard surface floors with soap and water.

Professional Austin Water Damage Restoration

If you’re already too late and water damage or mold has already taken hold in your home, call The Steam Team of Austin and we’ll send our best water damage and mold remediation professionals your way! We are the leader in Austin, Texas for cleaning and restoration. We are having our 40th Birhtday this month. We started right here in 1983!

Finding The Right Method To Clean Your Leather Upholstery

Water Damage In Austin Texas

When you’re cleaning something that people will be sitting on every day, you want to make sure it’s done right. But there are many different types of leather upholstery, so the first step is figuring out which type of upholstery you have, and only then can you find the right method to clean it. Let’s talk about how The Steam Team’s highly trained cleaning professionals can help you when you’re unsure about cleaning your upholstery.

The Right Method

We train our technicians to offer excellent service to all of our customers. When you call them for upholstery cleaning, they’ll start by recommending only the most appropriate cleaning method for your specific type of upholstery. Then, to be absolutely sure that we’re providing the best service we can to meet your needs, our technicians will test the cleaning method on a small area of the upholstery for you to see and make sure you approve. If the upholstery is easy to clean, our prices will be lower to match. More expensive upholstery requires more expensive cleaning methods.

Powerful Fabric Protectant

Once the upholstery has been cleaned, you’ll have the option to have our technicians apply a powerful fabric protectant. This is a recommended part of our total cleaning program and will save you money in the long run. Over time, spills, pets and children will wear down your upholstery and soon you’ll have to have it cleaned again or even replaced, but not if we apply a fabric protectant. The protectant will easily resist anything that might dull your upholstery over time.

Total Clean and Replenishing

Our technicians even come prepared for leather upholstery. They’ll carefully and properly clean the leather, removing all dirt and grime, and replenish the natural oils that help keep the leather in good condition. We’ll bring your leather back to the sleek shine it used to have in no time. For more information on upholstery cleaning and our other services, visit The Steam Team website.

Stained Upholstery is No Problem for The Steam Team

It’s no secret that accidents happen frequently, and can rarely be avoided. The same is true for our upholstery; sometimes we spill things, or the dog jumps onto our furniture with wet and muddy paws! Luckily, The Steam Team is here to remedy the situation! Our team of trained professionals will happily come out to your home and work at removing stains from your upholstery. Here’s how: 

Getting Started

First of all, The Steam Team recognizes that certain types of upholstery have needs that vary from other types. Fortunately for everyone involved, our team of trained experts can easily recommend the appropriate cleaning method for your upholstered furniture. You can sit back and relax while we begin the process of removing those pesky stains! 

The Steam Team Method

Steam cleaning uses nothing but hot water high water pressure to effortlessly and effectively lift stains from upholstery (but also carpet, grout, natural stone, you name it!). We’ve perfected our methods by now, and can’t wait for you to see our results! 

Along with making sure your upholstery is spotless and stainless, The Steam Team can also apply a fabric protectant. Over the years, your furniture has seen some action (especially if you have children or pets, who like to jump on furniture). Stains, spills, and ultraviolet radiation all cause your furniture to eventually appear lackluster. Why not protect your upholstered furniture by applying a fabric protectant? It’s a great investment! 

Cleaning upholstery is just one of our many talents. We have over a decade of experience cleaning and caring for all types of flooring, from carpet to hardwood to natural stone. We also help the cleanup process after disasters strike, like floods or fires! No matter what you need, you can rely on The Steam Team. Just give us a call today! You won’t regret it.

Tips for Freshening Your Mattress

It’s that time of year again. Time to make sure everything is clean and in good working order. And that includes your mattress! Now that summer’s here and we may be sweating a bit more in our sleep, it’s a great time to freshen that mattress! Keep reading to figure out just how to do it, and don’t be afraid to call in the professionals if you find yourself in a pickle! 

Launder Your Linens

You may have already guessed it, but the first step to cleaning and sanitizing your mattress is to launder your linens! Strip the bed entirely of its sheets, comforter, blankets, and mattress cover. Pay close attention to care labels so that you don’t ruin your linens, but wash and dry them on the hottest setting allowed to ensure proper sanitization. The heat will for sure kill those dust mites! 

Vacuum the Mattress

Next, you’ll want to vacuum your mattress thoroughly. You can use your handy upholstery attachment for this part; it works great! Start at the top of your mattress and work your way to the bottom, overlapping as much as possible to be as thorough as possible. Don’t forget to vacuum the sides, as well. You don’t want to miss a spot! 

Deodorize

Finally, it’s time to deodorize your mattress and rid it of those stinky bodily aromas. For this part, all you’ll need is baking soda and your favorite essential oil (okay, the essential oil is optional). It merely helps to freshen your mattress; they smell delightful! Sprinkle the baking soda and essential oil over the surface of your mattress, and allow it to sit for ten extra minutes. 

Not sure which essential oil to use? Lavender promotes sleep, while eucalyptus promotes muscle relaxation and lemon promotes freshness! 

We hope these tips have helped you successfully clean and freshen your mattress! Remember, we spend a large portion of our lifetimes asleep on our mattresses, so they should be kept as clean as possible!

5 Reasons Why Steam Cleaning is Essential

Steam cleaning is becoming increasingly popular as people continue to search for better, safer cleaning methods to use in their home or place of business. If you haven’t yet jumped on the trend, here’s some helpful information from The Steam Team on why this cleaning practice might become the new norm.

A Variety of Uses

One thing that makes steam cleaners so easy to use is that they don’t require any chemicals, just water and heat. This also means that steam cleaners can be used on a wide variety of surfaces, even things like upholstery and curtains. They’re also great for getting rid of fat and grease, cleaning tiled floors and walls, and even cleaning the inside of your car! 

Great Against Mold

One of the most significant benefits of using a steam cleaner is how effective they are against mold. Many people use bleach to get rid of mold, but in fact, bleach only turns the mold white so that it blends in with the surface. The high temperature of steam cleaning kills the mold while the bristles help remove it from those hard to reach places.

Safer For You and Your Family

Since only heat and water are used in steam cleaning, your home or place of business will remain free from the chemical residue or pollution that some cleaners may leave behind. This will make the environment much safer for you and those around you.

Allergies

Steam cleaning significantly benefits people with allergies and asthma, since it uses all natural steam to remove dirt and grime from all surfaces. Therefore, it won’t aggravate any allergies or cause respiratory issues.

Professional Steam Cleaning

Now you see the benefits that steam cleaning offers to anyone in search of a better, safer clean. However, you may not want to spend all the money on buying your own expensive steam cleaner, or the effort of cleaning your property yourself. But don’t worry, that’s why The Steam Team is here. Our professional technicians will use top-of-the-line steam cleaners and other methods to rejuvenate your home. For more information on the services we offer, visit The Steam Team website.

A Quick Guide to Restoring Water Damage

There’s no telling when water damage is going to occur. Between the unpredictability of natural disasters and the range of appliances throughout the home that use water; it’s always important to know how to handle water damage no matter where you live.

Preventing Water Damage

Water damage can cause a variety of issues to a home; damaging flooring, belongings, and creating a perfect environment for dreaded mold spores to grow. So let’s prevent all of that hassle, and talk about what needs to be done when you first discover flood and/or water damage in your home or office.

Regular Maintenance

Quick regular maintenance around your home will help to prevent water damage that would be caused by leakage from an appliance, a busted pipe, or an appliance completely breaking down. Keep up with your appliances, fixing any issues promptly that may arise- and don’t forget to care for your pipes properly during the colder months to avoid any freezing and/or bursting.

When Water Damage Occurs

First things first: contact your insurance company to figure out exactly what they cover. Remember to be straightforward about the incident so that there isn’t any confusion down the line. Then, call us! The Steam Team will immediately come out and help you through the cleanup and water extraction process.

Take Safety Precautions

To protect yourself against mold spores, be sure to purchase masks from your local pharmacy or department store. Wear them if you’re around the water damage for prolonged periods of time.

Cleanup and Water Extraction

Extracting the water alone is time consuming and a very careful process. If too much water is pumped out too quickly, you risk causing your walls to collapse from the pressure. To keep this from happening, we extract only two to three feet of water at a time.

If you’re unfortunately dealing with water damage, don’t hesitate to give The Steam Team a call at any hour of the day, any day of the week. We’re always here to help!

Enhance the Look and Feel of Your Carpet with Cleaning Austin

Water cleanup

Remember the good ‘ol days, when your carpet was brand new, felt cushiony, and smelled great? It likely looked great, too! But now, after so much time of wear and tear, your carpet might have begun to lose its luster. If that’s the case, don’t fret! Steam cleaning does wonders to restore your carpet to its original condition- especially when it’s done by the professionals (such as The Steam Team)! We also handle all types of water damage Austin Texas service

Enhance the Look of Your Carpet with Professional Cleaning

It’s not just cleaning that we’re out to do- although we’ll do plenty of it. But we pride ourselves on going the extra mile! This includes performing services such as spot treatment, stain removal, and carpet grooming! We want your carpet to look its best, to shine, and to feel as new as you remember! We are available 24 hours a day for water damage Austin Tx.

Freshly Cleaned Carpet = Softer Carpet

Finally, your carpet will feel the same way it did the day you had it installed. Absolutely nothing beats that feeling on your feet- are we right? Thanks to carpet grooming, you’ll love walking all over your house, and guests will, too!

Steam Clean Away the Odors

There’s nothing like fresh-smelling carpet as well! Your carpet may smell grimey and stale from years of wear and tear, and these odors get pushed into the air every time we set foot on the flooring. But a professional-grade steam cleaner can easily extract stains, dust, dirt, grime, and everything else that’s causing those odors! When we’re done with the job, your carpet will look great, feel wonderful, and smell ah-mazing!

Give The Steam Team a call today; we know, and you know, that you won’t regret it! Our carpet cleaning technicians can restore even the most worn carpet to its better, fresher condition. Just say the word! We also provide the fastest service for water damage Austin. 

Fire Damage Restoration: The Insurance Process

The Steam Team Helping Install Fire Alarms

When you and your home or place of business are victims of fire damage, the recovery process can be overwhelming. One of the first things you’ll need to do is contact your home insurance company to discuss how to proceed—and ASAP, to prevent further damage to belongings that could potentially be saved. We’ve compiled some tips for communicating with your insurance company during the claims process.  

Leave a trail

Document everything! Have a mindset of gathering proof or evidence, in case any challenges come up later. Confirm updates on your claim or any promises made over the phone by sending a quick follow-up email or letter.   

Be polite and proactive

Everything goes into the company’s records, so no matter how frustrated or justified you feel, refrain from saying or writing anything that would make you come across uncooperative or the cause of any delays or problems. And don’t make the insurance company a target of your venting emotions related to your loss. Instead, be proactive about staying in touch and offering proof of your losses.  

Stay organized

Keep a separate folder, notebook, and/or binder of all paper mail and printouts, and organize any related electronic communications in a separate folder in your inbox. Also, keep a diary of when you spoke with your insurance company, to track info and jog your memory should you need to look back.

Cleanup and restoration are going to require professional help, so you’ll want your insurance company on your side. After speaking with your insurance, you will need to hire a company that can take care of the fire and water damage. It’s important to act fast to minimize permanent damage. The Steam Team offers restoration services 24/7 within 24–48 hours of a fire. Call the emergency line at 800-880-7785, and we will send out a restoration professional to assess the extent of the fire or water damage and provide you with an estimate of costs.   

Keeping the Kids From Tracking Mud in the House

Cleaning Service

If you’re a homeowner and a parent, we’re willing to bet that you’re plenty familiar with the struggles of keeping your carpet clean! Children are notorious for running around, inside and outside, and consequently tracking mud, dirt, and sand all over the house. A regular vacuuming/cleaning routine will help, but frequent mud stains can be a bit of a challenge.

Carpet Wear and Tear

Foot traffic is a major culprit to causing wear and tear on your carpet. To protect our flooring, we can start by encouraging all members of the household to leave their shoes near the front door. This way, mud and dirt on shoes will not come in contact with your carpet at all!

It seems simple, but placing a welcome mat at the front and back door will also help!

Removing Pesky Mud Stains

The sooner you tackle a stain, the better you chances are at thoroughly removing it from your carpet! For mud stains, always begin by removing the excess dirt from the area with a vacuum, or even a spatula or scraper. Next, apply either baking soda, or salt, onto the area and let it settle for several hours. This will help to absorb the remaining moisture from the mud. Finally, by blotting the area with a damp, soapy cloth, you should be able to remove the remainder of the stain. Viola!

If the above method does not work, try using a mixture of dish detergent and warm water, instead of salt/baking soda.

Call in the Professionals

Sometimes, it’s best to let the professionals handle everything! If you need help removing a tough stain, or your carpet appears dull and in need of a deep cleaning, give a call to your local steam cleaning company! A professional cleaning company, like The Steam Team, will have everything your carpet needs to return to its most pristine condition!

How to Get Rid of Dirty Carpets

The Steam Team Austin, Texas

Ah, carpet flooring… it’s comfortable, cozy, and cushiony. It can be made in a multitude of different colors, textures, and designs. We can match it perfectly with our furniture. Carpet adds warmth to a bedroom or living room, and provides a cushioned landing for small children at play. But proper cleaning and maintenance keeps a homeowner quite busy! Carpet can potentially stain very easily, and requires regular attention.

Routine Cleaning & Stain Prevention

Dust, dirt, and pet hair build up at a surprisingly rapid rate. This makes frequent vacuuming imperative to maintaining carpet flooring, and even lengthening its lifespan. Hopefully your vacuum cleaner has extra attachments for reaching areas like corners, baseboards, or even between couch cushions!

When it comes to areas of your home with higher traffic, you may consider asking your house members and guests to remove their shoes near the front door. The soles of our shoes can track in anything from sand, to mud, grass, or small pebbles… All of which are things we could find in our carpet at a later date!

There is much debate surrounding the “best,” method of removing stains in carpet. When using a cleaning solution, be sure that the product you’ve chosen is designed to be used on carpet, and check to find out whether or not it should be diluted.

Is it Time to Deep Clean Your Carpet?

Over time, our carpet takes enough beating to warrant an occasional deep cleaning, and this is best done by a professional steam cleaning company! Steam cleaning uses intense water pressure and high temperatures to eradicate dirt, debris, and stains from just about any type of flooring.

Companies such as The Steam Team will definitely have the perfect tools for this project:  professional grade equipment, solid expertise, and dependable customer service. Don’t hesitate to give The Steam Team a call today for efficient stain removal and carpet cleaning!

Commercial Cleaning: Keeping Your Restrooms Clean

the steam Team Austin 

Restrooms can sometimes be a harsh reality. In order to continuously keep commercial restrooms clean and sanitary, it’s likely that you’ll have to implement systems or bring in outside help.

Bringing in Outside Help

Deep Cleaning

One of the most common complaints with cleaning high-traffic restrooms is keeping the tile and grout clean. In some cases, this could on the floor, backsplash, or even countertops. Grout can be especially difficult to clean around moisture, but steam cleaning will undoubtedly do the trick.

Targeting Trouble Areas

Of course the tile and grout aren’t the only areas that need attention around the bathroom - especially with how damage-prone the environment already is (from the constant waterflow). Cleaning around the bathroom becomes much more efficient when you target the sinks, floors, counters, toilets, trash cans, etc.

Additionally, if you take preventive measures to keep these target areas from collecting grime, you’ll find that a deep clean can turn a sort-of clean restroom into a room that looks brand-spanking-new!

Cover Every Surface

Last, but certainly not least, don’t leave any surface behind! When you make sure to touch every surface before leaving the restroom, you’re guaranteed a spotless environment.

Now, remember when we talked about bringing in outside help? That’s really the secret to ensuring that your commercial restrooms are continuously spotless. It’s not as daunting as you may think - in fact, it’ll take a huge stress off of your shoulders!

Are you looking for a commercial cleaning company? We’d love to take a look at your office! Give us a call, here at The Steam Team, today.

Commercial Cleaning: Keeping Your Restrooms Clean

Commercial Cleaning The Steam Team

Restrooms can sometimes be a harsh reality. In order to continuously keep commercial restrooms clean and sanitary, it’s likely that you’ll have to implement systems or bring in outside help.

Bringing in Outside Help

Deep Cleaning

One of the most common complaints with cleaning high-traffic restrooms is keeping the tile and grout clean. In some cases, this could on the floor, backsplash, or even countertops. Grout can be especially difficult to clean around moisture, but steam cleaning will undoubtedly do the trick.

Targeting Trouble Areas

Of course the tile and grout aren’t the only areas that need attention around the bathroom - especially with how damage-prone the environment already is (from the constant waterflow). Cleaning around the bathroom becomes much more efficient when you target the sinks, floors, counters, toilets, trash cans, etc.

Additionally, if you take preventive measures to keep these target areas from collecting grime, you’ll find that a deep clean can turn a sort-of clean restroom into a room that looks brand-spanking-new!

Cover Every Surface

Last, but certainly not least, don’t leave any surface behind! When you make sure to touch every surface before leaving the restroom, you’re guaranteed a spotless environment.

Now, remember when we talked about bringing in outside help? That’s really the secret to ensuring that your commercial restrooms are continuously spotless. It’s not as daunting as you may think - in fact, it’ll take a huge stress off of your shoulders!

Are you looking for a commercial cleaning company? We’d love to take a look at your office! Give us a call, here at The Steam Team, today.