Handling Leaky Appliances 101: Steam Team Style

There’s nothing more frustrating than coming home to a leaking appliance in the kitchen, laundry room, or bathroom. Making a call to a technician is typically the first step here, but how quickly that call is made is imperative. A small leak might seem temporarily harmless, however, it can turn into a much larger, much messier disaster. If you’re dealing with leaky appliances, don’t hesitate, here’s why:

Damage To Possessions 

Although this one might be obvious to you, but leaky appliances can grow much worse, perhaps turn into a small flood and damage your possessions like your furniture, even the flooring. To avoid all of this from occurring, call in the professionals (like The Steam Team) as soon as you detect a leak. We seriously can’t stress this enough. 

Worsening Leaks

Leaving a leak to grow worse overnight could leave you with a big mess. If you wake up in the morning and find that this is the case, don’t panic. Just call in The Steam Team! We’ll be right out to help control the leak and cleanup the leaky area. We won’t leave until it’s all settled and you’re one satisfied customer! 

The Growth and Spreading of Mold

The first and foremost thing you should be concerned about with a leaky appliance is the growth and spreading of mold. Yes, it’s true that mold only needs twenty four hours to begin growing, so tackle that issue as soon as you come across it. Call in the professionals. A professional-grade steam cleaner will eradicate mold and grime from the area. 

Well friends, there you have it! Leaky appliances are no joke, and nothing to be messed with. So just get in touch with The Steam Team as soon you find out you have a leak, and you’ll be good to go!

How is the Air Quality in Your Office?

It’s often not something you might think of as an employee, but the air quality in your office can directly affect your health and the health of those around you. Let’s think about it this way; when we spend the majority of our time in our offices, we’re breathing mostly that air. It only makes sense that we’re paying attention to it just as we do at home, right? How is it being filtered? Is it in its best shape?

Check Your HVAC System

To start, it’s important to check the shape of your HVAC system and clear out all of that dust and those allergens. We suggest having the professionals do it for you; it’ll save you so much trouble! For more information on your cleaning your HVAC system contact The Steam Team or visit our website! 

Clean the Carpet

Carpet hoards dirt, dust, and other allergens. When we walk on our carpet, we push these substances into the air, and yes, we breathe them in! It’s simple when you think about it, but you really have to make sure your carpet is being thoroughly cleaned on a weekly basis (frequency will depend on foot traffic). 

Dust Surfaces, Shelves, Blinds, Etc

We all know that dusting is the last thing to be done on cleaning day, if it gets done at all! We don’t blame you for neglecting it; it’s a tough chore, and well, it’s almost impossible not to breathe in some dust while you’re doing it. But still, it’s important to dust off shelves, desk tops, blinds, and other surfaces around your office. 

If you’re in need of some help cleaning up your office this season, don’t hesitate to give The Steam Team a call! We’ll be out in a jiffy to help dust off those surfaces, steam clean that carpet, and maybe even your blinds too! You’ll be absolutely floored by our results. So don’t wait; give us a call today! 

One Important Tip To Prevent Fire Damage

For years here at The Steam Team, we’ve been helping people all around the central Texas community in the aftermath of serious fires to clean and restore their home with high-powered equipment and highly-trained technicians. Over the years, we’ve learned a lot about how these fires have started all across homes and businesses everywhere. Here’s one very important tip to help prevent these fires from occuring in your home:

Keep A Close Eye On Your Dryer Vent

Thousands of fires start in a place you may not even think about very often day-to-day; your dryer vent. Lint and debris buildup in the vent of your dryer can easily become flammable and prone to fires if left unattended for too long. Even if it doesn’t always start a fire, the buildup of lint and debris can cause your dryer to work harder, increasing your monthly energy bill. So for both personal safety and financial reasons, it’s smart to keep your dryer vents as clean as you can.

Many professionals recommend that you have your dryer vents and all connected systems inspected and cleaned out every year. As it turns out, The Steam Team professional technicians offer this very service. All vents, ducting and connected systems can be cleaned by our team to help prevent fire damage from ever occurring in your home.

The Steam Team

Our highly-trained team of professional technicians will be ready for your call and thoroughly inspect and clean your dryer vents in no time. We’ll use only the most powerful and effective equipment possible, and we’ll offer you fair pricing backed with a guarantee. We offer not only residential, but commercial dryer vent cleaning as well. So if you’ve been neglecting to have your dryer vents inspected or cleaned this year, what are you waiting for? Call in The Steam Team.

Is It Time to Clean and Refinish Your Hardwood Floors?

Hardwood floors are an expensive but worthwhile investment. Few flooring surfaces can compete with the timeless elegance of classic wood—or add as much value to your home. It’s important to take proper care of your hardwood floors so they remain in good condition for decades to come. Part of proper care involves refinishing. 

What Is Refinishing?

A finish is a protective layer on a wood surface, meant to protect against wear and tear, water damage, and other environmental factors. Over time, it is important to reapply this protective layer, or refinish your wood surface. 

What Type of Finish Do I Use? 

• Wax. The tried-and-true old-fashioned way of finishing hardwood floors, before polyurethane products became available on the market. Apply 2-3 coats, working small areas at a time by hand. Although labor-intensive, it’s easy to touch up by hand. 

• Polyurethane. Generally more durable than wax, it has become today’s standard floor finish. Water-based polys are eco-friendly and can be applied over a previous oil-based finish. Do not apply an oil-based poly over a water-based one.        

How Do I Know It’s Time to Refinish? 

Depending on how much wear and tear your floors experience, you’ll need to sand and refinish your floors only once every several years, or sooner if your floors are in highly trafficked areas. You might want to consider steps to mitigate damage in high-traffic areas, such as sweeping more frequently and using protective throw rugs.  

Here at The Steam Team, we can help you refinish your hardwood floors using dust-free technology developed by Bridgepoint. This system will keep your floors looking good as new, with maintenance required only every 1-3 years. Call us for more info or about our carpet cleaning service ! 512-451-8326.

Should I Steam Clean My Fabrics with Steam Team?

Next time you’re cleaning your house, don’t forget about your curtains! They accumulate dust easily, just like other surfaces in your home—and particularly during times of the year when you like to keep the windows open. But is it safe to steam clean them?  

What material are your curtains?

If your curtains are a delicate material or sheer, you’ll want to give them a good shake, then follow up with a duster or low-power vacuuming using the appropriate nozzle attachment. 

If your curtains are a heavier-weight material, check the care instructions. If they are machine-washable, they are also candidates for a steam cleaning, which saves you the hassle of needing to wash, dry, and iron them yourself.    

If they are dry-clean only, attempt washing them yourself at your own risk! If you’re willing to give it a go, try handwashing or using the gentle cycle and line drying. 

Whichever cleaning method you decide on for your curtains, don’t forget to clean the curtain rod, windowsill, and window moldings, too! 

Do you have allergies?

It’s especially important to keep your curtains clean if you are sensitive to common allergens. 

Here in Central Texas, we are subject to a variety of outdoor allergens year-round: mountain cedar in winter, oak pollen in spring, grasses in the summertime, and ragweed in the fall. So if your windows are open in the spring, don’t be surprised if you notice a fine layer of yellow-green oak pollen coating your windowsill and likely your curtains, too. You might also be sensitive to dust or mold. 

A steam cleaning will be able to pick up the fine particles of any airborne allergens more effectively than a regular wash cycle. If you suffer from allergies, you may also want to consider keeping your windows closed year-round.

Contact our experts at The Steam Team here in Austin if you have any questions about steam cleaning your window treatments! 

Should You Hire a Cleaning Company for Your New House?

Few things are more stressful than closing a new home. After weeks (or months or years) of searching and touring, researching, debating, and starting over time and time again, you found it – your dream home. Whether you’re buying or renting, deciding to turn a new house into your new home can be daunting.

And with the packing, unpacking, and fighting about where the TV should go or whether or not you need end tables on both sides of the couch, the last thing you want to think about is cleaning. 

We get it. There’s more than enough on your plate already. As boxes and bags tower above you, the thought of getting on your hands and knees and scrubbing, scraping, and buffing is a task too horrible to even consider. The only problem? You might not be moving into a clean house.

Is Your New House Clean?

Sure it might look swept up. But cleaning for open houses and potential buyers is different than cleaning for a family to live and thrive in. When agents spruce up a place for walkthroughs, they’re usually just looking for outer cleanliness. The wood might be gleaming and the floors appear spotless -- but does that actually mean that the floors are free from germs and the furniture isn’t just conveniently placed to cover stains? For information on our carpet cleaning services call 512-451-8326 today.

That’s why we suggest giving your new home a good scrub down before lugging in the couch and the kids. To avoid germs, stains, and potential allergens stuck in the house, we know the secrets to making your new home actually seem new again.

And we know asking you to deep clean your home before moving day is an absurd request, so what about letting the professionals handle it? 

At The Steam Team we’re trained in knowing how to get a new home really clean and germ-free without the hassle. Let us take care of the floors and stains, while you worry about whether or not the foosball table from college is making its way in the house. 

What Is the Best Way to to clean in Austin?

Leather is less forgiving than fabric and requires thoughtful care. The same cleaning service applies whether your leather product is a sofa or a handbag. We’ve put together a few universal tips for how to best care for your favorite leather items and avoid damaging them in the future. 

Don’t use soap—not even mild soap. 

Soap is drying, and unlike your skin, leather can’t replenish any natural oils that are washed off. It will eventually become dry and brittle. And you can’t add oil, because oil stains leather. Instead, use a damp cloth (water only!) to gently wipe the dust off your leather. 

Don’t soak it in water

Never immerse your leather in water. If your leather somehow winds up waterlogged, give it time to dry naturally, even if it takes a few days. Don’t put it in front of a heater or use a blow dryer.  

Avoid direct sunlight or extremes in temperature 

Be sure your leather furniture or clothing items aren’t placed in direct sunlight. Although leather fades with time, the direct light and heat will speed up the process and damage the leather. Keep it away from air-conditioners or radiators, too, and cool or heat your home at a consistent temperature.

Blot spills

If you spill something on your leather item, use a paper towel or cloth towel to blot the spill. If it’s a grease stain, sprinkle talcum powder or baking soda on the stain to absorb the oil. Once the spill is cleaned up, use a leather cleaner product, or wipe with a damp cloth.  

Buy a leather cleaner and protector 

Consider purchasing a quality leather cleaner and protector. The cleaner might come in handy when accidents happen, and the protector will help with damage control if applied from the get-go. If you’re looking for a recommendation, contact us at The Steam Team. We’re always happy to help!

The Steam Team: Cleaning Professionals

In any home or business with upholstery, keeping it in good condition to give it a sleek look will always be a top priority- and may prove to be a challenge for some. But, you want to make sure it looks great for any guests. Cleaning upholstery the right way requires that you know your specific type of upholstery and the methods required for it. To ease the process and give your upholstery the best clean possible, you should consider calling The Steam Team.

Steam Team Technicians

When you’ve called in our highly trained technicians, they’ll arrive and begin with an inspection of your upholstery to determine what type it is and choose the specific cleaning methods necessary. Then, to make sure that you’re satisfied with what the results of the clean will be, they’ll test the cleaning method out on a small area of the upholstery and let you decide for yourself. If you approve, they’ll begin thoroughly cleaning. Our fair prices will match your needs, if you only have low-end upholstery, the cleaning method won’t cost you as much as it would to clean higher-end upholstery.

Special Protectant

Even after the thorough and long-lasting clean that our technicians provide, in time the upholstery may be worn down by factors like spills, pets or children. Then you’ll have to have your upholstery cleaned again, or even replaced. But if you ask our technicians to apply a special fabric protectant, it can add years to the lifespan of your upholstery by making it much more resistant to spills and damage.

Leather Upholstery

Our technicians will even come prepared for leather upholstery with a full line of products designed for cleaning and conditioning leather. For more information on upholstery cleaning, leather conditioning, and the many other services we offer, visit The Steam Team website.

How Should You Care For Your Leather?

Many people get leather furniture or upholstery and think that it won’t ever require any care or maintenance, and that it can’t be damaged like some other materials can. And on the flip side, some people won’t ever get leather because they feel that it is too complicated and requires too much maintenance to care for. The reality is somewhere in between these. Let’s talk about some expert advice from The Steam Team to understand leather and how to properly care for it.

Knowing Your Leather

To properly care for your leather furniture, upholstery, or anything else, you need to know what type of leather you have and what method of care goes along with it. When it comes to full grain leather, you should use a lightly damp cloth with warm water when you need to clean a spill or stain, and be sure not to scrub heavily. With Hair-On leather, you can gently vacuum or dust it with a dry cloth. We won’t go into detail about all the methods here, but do research to find the right cleaning method for your leather.

Day-to-day Care

The daily care of leather is typically very simple. When it comes to spills, try to get them cleaned immediately using only the specific method for your leather, as stated before. Do not use any standard chemical cleaner on your leather or you’ll risk doing damage. Also be sure to keep your leather away from any direct sunlight or a heat source, as it could cause the leather to dry out and fade in color.

Our Leather Cleaning Service

Much more important than the daily maintenance is an annual deep clean and oiling that is required for any leather. Without having its natural oils replenished about once per year, leather will lose its color and comfort.  Luckily, our professional technicians offer this service, and we have our very own line of leather cleaning products for the job. For more information about our leather replenishing service, visit The Steam Team website.

The Steam Team's 24 Hour Fire & Water Damage Service

Unfortunately, fire and water damage related emergencies are extremely common and extremely costly for many home and business owners. Millions of these catastrophes occur in the United States every year and you always want to be sure that you’re placing the care of your home into the right hands. It’s important to find a company with the right equipment and technicians for the repair job, as well as finding a company that is available 24 hours a day, so that you can get the help you need right away.

Introducing our team of experienced technicians here at The Steam Team.

Our Commitment

We try to foster an attitude of care and commitment to our local Austin residents and to anyone we come in contact with. Our love for our community is what drives us to leave every resident we serve feeling satisfied with the job we’ve accomplished, and it’s also why we offer our water and fire damage repair services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We want to be certain that when disaster strikes, we are there to help our community, no matter what time or day. No matter the extent of the flooding, water damage, mold or fire and smoke damage, our technicians will be on top of it.

Our Technicians

Our professional and highly trained technicians are the reason we were voted best water damage company in Austin by the Austin Monthly. They always remain professional, courteous and efficient when it comes to assisting home and business owners with whatever the issue may be.

When our technicians arrive, they’ll start with a thorough inspection of all the damages and determine how to best treat the issue and give you a good estimate of costs. Then they’ll get to work, whether its water extraction, mold remediation, full reconstruction, providing emergency power, structure cleaning, or whatever else is needed to get your home back in shape. For more information on fire and water damage repair and restoration, visit The Steam Team website.

Mold Remediation from The Steam Team

Mold is one of the most serious health risks faced by homeowners in today’s world. All it takes is one small, damp area left unchecked and without light for a couple days and mold can begin to grow and start causing health problems for anyone around. That’s why we’re here! We want to inform you on mold and how we can help eliminate it from your home or business.

What’s So Bad About Mold?

The negative health effects of mold can be very different depending on the person. In environments with mold, many people experience nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, throat irritation, skin irritation and cough. People who have specific allergies to mold can experience much more severe symptoms. Those with pre-existing lung conditions can develop serious infections from being in an environment with mold- so, with all of this in mind, it’s clear to see that mold should be eliminated from any property as soon as it’s discovered.

Our Mold Remediation Process

When you give a call to The Steam Team and inform us of your problem, we’ll send in our professional mold remediation team with all of the equipment necessary to deal with the problem. To begin the remediation process, our technicians will fully examine the damage and determine the best course of action. Then they’ll extract any water and fully dry the area before containing the affected area to prevent the mold from spreading. Our technicians will then dispose of all affected materials and complete a full evaluation and treatment of your AC and HVAC systems. Then they’ll move on to mold disinfectant and finally, mold damage repair and restoration. By the time they’re finished, no mold or sign that there ever was mold will be anywhere on the property.

The Steam Team Difference

You can’t get the same level of service from just any company. The Steam Team offers a 24 hour response, 7 days a week for mold remediation and water damage restoration. (We also offer many more services!) For more information, visit The Steam Team website.

The Steam Team's 24 Hour Fire & Water Damage Service

Unfortunately, fire and water damage related emergencies are extremely common and extremely costly for many home and business owners. Millions of these catastrophes occur in the United States every year and you always want to be sure that you’re placing the care of your home into the right hands. It’s important to find a company with the right equipment and technicians for the repair job, as well as finding a company that is available 24 hours a day, so that you can get the help you need right away.

Introducing our team of experienced technicians here at The Steam Team.

Our Commitment

We try to foster an attitude of care and commitment to our local Austin residents and to anyone we come in contact with. Our love for our community is what drives us to leave every resident we serve feeling satisfied with the job we’ve accomplished, and it’s also why we offer our water and fire damage repair services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We want to be certain that when disaster strikes, we are there to help our community, no matter what time or day. No matter the extent of the flooding, water damage, mold or fire and smoke damage, our technicians will be on top of it.

Our Technicians

Our professional and highly trained technicians are the reason we were voted best water damage company in Austin by the Austin Monthly. They always remain professional, courteous and efficient when it comes to assisting home and business owners with whatever the issue may be.

When our technicians arrive, they’ll start with a thorough inspection of all the damages and determine how to best treat the issue and give you a good estimate of costs. Then they’ll get to work, whether its water extraction, mold remediation, full reconstruction, providing emergency power, structure cleaning, or whatever else is needed to get your home back in shape. For more information on fire and water damage repair and restoration, visit The Steam Team website.

Professional Tips To Prevent Fire Damage

Here in Austin at The Steam Team, our technicians are very experienced with helping after fire damage to repair and restore homes and businesses in and all around the area. From our many years of serving the central Texas community, we’ve learned a thing or two about how these fire disasters start and how they might be avoided. 

Here’s one important tip to avoid fire damage in your home:

Pay Attention to Your Dryer Vent

Though you may not think it, thousands of fires start from dirty and lint-filled dryer vents that go unattended. Any buildup of lint or debris in the dryer vent can become flammable and extremely hazardous. Keeping your dryer vents cleaned is of utmost importance when it comes to preventing fire disasters. Even if a fire doesn’t occur, a buildup of lint or debris will cause the dryer to work harder, raising your energy bill in the long run.

The common recommendation from most professionals is that you have your dryer vents and connected systems inspected and cleaned once every year. Here at The Steam Team we offer that very service. All vents, ducting and connected systems will be thoroughly cleaned to help keep your home safe from fire disaster.

The Steam Team Dryer Vent Cleaning

Our professional technicians will be ready for your call if you need dryer vents cleaned and you haven’t done it yet this year. They’ll arrive with the most powerful and effective equipment for the job and we’ll offer you fair pricing backed with a guarantee. We handle not only residential, but commercial dryer vent cleaning as well! If you want to help avoid fire damage in your home or business, call in The Steam Team. For more information on our many other services, visit The Steam Team website.

Who Will Restore Your Home After A Serious Fire?

There are few things as disastrous to a home or business than a serious fire. Even after the flames have settled and firefighters have left the scene, the dangers aren’t over yet. Without proper care the building could become even more damaged over time- but if you call The Steam Team, our professional technicians will arrive with the right equipment and knowledge to start the restoration process and save your property from further damage.

Should You Restore The Building Yourself?

You may be tempted to try your own restoration process on the burned home or business, but it’s important to know that smoke and burned chemicals still pose a very serious threat after the fire has run its course, and entering the property may cause you to inhale these harmful substances. Instead, wait for professional technicians to show up.

Ash and soot left behind from the flames may have gotten into the air conditioners, making for a difficult breathing environment and causing further damage to the home if not cleaned soon. Harsh odors from burning items may be trapped in the home and will require extensive cleaning or removal of certain home items to get rid of. The walls and ceilings may also be discolored or have dark stains from the smoke.

For all of these reasons and many more, its best to leave the job of fire damage restoration up to trained professionals with the right equipment. That’s where The Steam Team comes in.

The Steam Team

When you call in our professional fire damage restoration technicians, they’ll start with a thorough inspection and an estimate of repair costs. Then they’ll seal off the property with boards and roof tarps before using high-powered equipment to remove all water (If any persists) smoke, or soot. When this is complete, our technicians will begin on the full cleaning and restoration process, bringing your home back to it’s best condition.

For more information on our many services including carpet cleaners, visit The Steam Team website.

How To Tell When To Refinish Your Hardwood Floor

Every hardwood floor requires sanding and refinishing from time to time to keep it in great condition. Here at The Steam Team, we pride ourselves on our technician’s excellent service when it comes to refinishing hardwood floors. But how do you know when it’s time to have this done? Here are some important signs to look for:

Water Spots

Water damage is the most common and most expensive type of damage that homeowners deal with. Water damage under the floorboards can occur for a number of different reasons, but will usually result in dark spots appearing on the floor and separation or cupping of the boards. When you see this, it’s time to have your floor refinished and possibly have some of the boards replaced.

Deep Scratches

The seal on your floor is designed to keep the wood from being damaged or left open to spills. When something scratches deep enough to penetrate the seal, the boards are exposed. Pay attention to the scratches on your floor, and if any of them penetrate the seal, it’s time to call in The Steam Team and refinish your floor.

Discoloration

Pay close attention to the color of your floor as well. If you notice that your boards have turned gray, it might be a result of the polyurethane wearing off, leaving your boards more susceptible from water damage due to spills or regular cleaning. When you see this, have your hardwood sanded and refinished soon, before the boards turn black. Once they’ve turned black, they’ll need to be replaced entirely. 

Similarly, If you have a hardwood floor outdoors, keep an eye on the color. If it fades in color it may be damaged from the sun. Sanding and refinishing will take care of this as well.

We hope that the information provided will help you keep your hardwood floors in great condition for years to come. For more information on the many services we offer, visit The Steam Team website.

Concrete Floor Cleaning & Staining: Advice From The Experts

Concrete is becoming an increasingly popular option for flooring in many people’s homes and patios, largely due to the fact that with proper staining a concrete floor can have it’s look drastically changed! But, is concrete staining really worth it? And how should you go about doing it? Here’s some expert advice from us here at The Steam Team:

Concrete Staining Benefits

One of the most obvious benefits to having a stained concrete floor is the easy maintenance level. In fact, stained concrete floors are the longest-lasting flooring option you can choose. That’s because unlike other floors, stained concrete does not crack, chip or peel. Besides occasionally wiping it with a damp cloth, your floor won’t require much upkeep.

Do you prefer for your floor to have the sleek look of marble? Or what about the homely look of a wood floor? Or stone tile? Whatever your preference, concrete staining can create the appearance of any of these options, and many more! It also just happens to be much cheaper than these other flooring options. That means you get the ideal look for a fraction of the price! 

Staining Your Floor With The Steam Team

Staining a concrete floor is no easy feat, and may take you hours to do on your own, not to mention the time it takes to purchase all the products and equipment needed for the job, and the hours spent researching to make sure you’re doing it right. For many people who want to stain their concrete floors, professional help is the way to go. 

Here at The Steam Team, we have expert, dedicated technicians ready for any concrete staining job. They’ll utilize the most effective and powerful equipment to get the job done in a small fraction of the time it would take the average homeowner to do alone. For more information on our concrete staining service and our many other cleaning services, visit The Steam Team website.

The Right Way To Clean Pet Odors

The odors left behind from your pet, as well as the stains from pet urine, may be difficult to eliminate from your home. But-- you might be going about it the wrong way! With help from The Steam Team, stains and smells from your beloved furry friends will no longer dominate your home- keep reading today’s blog to learn more.

Treatment and Removal

When it comes to pet odor and the stains associated with them, there are varying levels of the odor, and therefore we have different treatments to ensure that your home receives the exact level of care it needs. Most of the time, our powerful cleaning system can effectively rinse the pet urine out of any carpet. But when the urine is deeper than it appears, further action is required. The pet urine also provides for bacteria growth, worsening the odor in your home and can even cause a loss of color in the carpet over time.

If the spots are treated and a urine neutralizer is applied and the odor still persists, our professionals will start the full removal process by first pulling up the carpet. Then they’ll remove the affected padding underneath the carpet and clean the back of the carpet thoroughly. The front and back of the floor will be treated with an enzyme treatment and sealed with an odor barrier. Then a new tack strip and new padding will be installed, and the carpet will be reinstalled as it was before. Finally, the carpet will be thoroughly cleaned once more and a topical enzyme will be applied. After all of that, with proper maintenance, pet odor will never be a problem in your home again!

The Steam Team Difference

You might be thinking to yourself that you could just remove the odors from your home by yourself. You’re welcome to try, but you simply won’t achieve the same results that The Steam Team can. We have trained technicians using only the most powerful and effective methods and devices to give your home the exact clean that it requires. If you live in the austin area and you have a pet odor problem in your home, call in The Steam Team.

How Do You Clean Your Drapery?

When you own any home or business, great care must go into maintaining the property and keeping it looking fresh and clean. Unfortunately, too many home and business owners tend to use the wrong cleaning methods or entirely overlook some parts of the property that still need attention. One commonly overlooked part of any property is the drapery. Are you properly cleaning your drapes? Do you clean them as often as you should? Are you able to identify when your drapery is in need of cleaning? If you aren’t sure of the answer to these questions, we’re here to help!

When To Clean Your Drapes

Most people believe that their drapes only need to be cleaned when they appear physically dirty. But, depending on various factors like smoking in the property and the type of heating system in your property, your drapes may not show signs of dirt for up to six years. In reality, they need to be cleaned every two years. Otherwise, dirt and grime that may not yet be visible will start to deteriorate the drapes. But professional cleaning can save and perhaps even triple the lifespan of your drapery!

Steam Team Drapery Cleaning

The fabric of your drapes will usually be very different than clothing fabric, and therefore should not be cleaned using the same methods. When having your drapes cleaned, you need methods designed specifically for your kind of drapery. That’s why you should call in The Steam Team. Our professional technicians will inspect your drape fabrics and select the right clean for the job. For more delicate draperies, we’ll use either a low moisture hot water extraction method or a dry cleaning process to safely clean the fabrics. For more information on drapery cleaning and our many other services like austin water damage, visit The Steam Team website.

Tile and Grout Cleaning: The Professional Method

What if we told you there’s a better way to get in between tiles than the ol’ toothbrush? Here at The Steam Team we think there is. Our technicians will utilize the right tools for the job to give you newly cleaned tile floors in no time! Here’s how it works:

Inspection and Prep

When you’ve called in our technicians to clean your tile and grout or carpet cleaning, they’ll start off with a full and thorough inspection of your entire tile floor, locating all problem areas and deciding on the best solutions. All furniture over the tile surface will be moved and the tile will be sealed off from any carpet, hardwood, or other material.

Cleaning

All dry soil will be removed by sweeping and vacuuming before a high quality cleaning agent will be sprayed over the entire surface of the tile. We use only the most scientifically advanced tile cleaner on the market. The tile and grout will then be cleaned using a self-contained pressure cleaning system, while more difficult areas will require either a manual brush cleaning or a mechanical, rotating brush.

Rinse and Finish

Finally, a rinse solution will be pumped through the machine, fully sanitizing the floor. Then a finish will be applied to fully seal your newly cleaned floor. The finish will vary depending on your type of tile. And before they leave, our technicians will have one last walk-through inspection to ensure that you’re satisfied with the results.

If you’re done cleaning your tile and grout the hard way, why not give The Steam Team a call? For more information on our many other services, visit The Steam Team website.

Can You Use A Steam Cleaner On More Than Just Carpet?

When it comes to cleaning carpet, no other tool or method accomplishes the task quite like a steam cleaner. That’s why here at The Steam Team we’ve been using them for years to service our customers and help their carpets look better than ever before. But does a steam cleaner work just as effectively on other flooring options?

Ceramic Tile and Grout

Many people spend hours scrubbing tile and digging a toothbrush or other small brush into each grout line to get the perfect clean. With steam cleaning, you can achieve that same clean in a fraction of the time! The high pressure steam will easily remove all dirt and debris, and even rid the floor of any leftover chemicals from other cleaners, which may be harmful for children or pets. Just make sure to do a thorough sweep of the floor to remove larger pieces of dirt and debris before using the steam cleaner.

Hardwood Floors

When using a steam cleaner on hardwood floor, you’ll want to be a little more careful. If you’re purchasing or renting your own steam cleaner, make sure that its advertised to be used on hardwood, otherwise it may do damage to the floor. You’ll also want to make sure your floor is properly sealed. Of course, if you call The Steam Team to have your floors cleaned you won't have to worry about that, since our technicians will come prepared with the right equipment.

Marble Floors

Most steam cleaners are too high-temperature to be used on marble floors, as the steam will cause the marble to expand and contract, which may do damage to the stone. However, The Steam Team technicians use more than just steam cleaners to get the job done.

If you give us a call, we’ll be able to clean all the surfaces mentioned here, as well as anywhere else in your home or business that requires cleaning or restoration. For more information, visit The Steam Team website.