Choosing a Carpet Cleaning Professional

Carpets Need Cleaning.

A clean carpet is important to your family's health. Carpets collect mold, dust mites, pollen, allergens and chemicals that can be potentially toxic. They also lose their luster over time. This is why the Carpet and Rug Institute (http://www.carpet-rug.org/) recommends having your carpets professionally cleaned every 12 to 18 months.

Don't try it Yourself.

The worst thing you can do to your carpet is to use household stain removers. These can fade the color of your carpet fibers, leaving behind irreversible damage. Leave it to the professionals to tackle your stains! Any reputable company will use the industry's best stain-lifting agents to remove stains and get your carpet back to new. While no company can guarantee to remove every stain, every time, the professionals have a much better shot at it than you do.

Choosing a Professional

There is no shortage of carpet cleaning companies out there, but not all are created equal. When selecting a company, make sure they are certified by the IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification). Then ask what cleaning method they use. The method most recommended by carpet manufacturers is Hot Water Extraction. Unlike shampoo and dry powder, hot water extraction won't damage your carpet, fill it with chemicals, or leave it soaking wet. Extraction units inject a mixture of hot water and cleaning agents into carpet fibers, loosening up dirt and debris. Then it removes everything - dirt, dust, allergens, cleaning solution and over 90% of the water - so your carpet will dry in a matter of hours.

Use caution.

Be wary of companies that advertise rates per number of rooms. Do they really charge the same price to clean a 10x10 room as they would for a 20x40 room? If so, will be as thorough? Will they use full strength cleaning products? Legitimate companies base their rates on the area cleaned, not the number of rooms. Be forewarned: any company that blows away the competition in terms of price is probably cutting corners in other ways.

Find out what's included.

Most cleaners don't charge extra to move small furniture or boxes, but will charge fees to handle heavy or delicate furniture such as dressers or china cabinets. They may also charge for preconditioning treatments and spot removal. Odor neutralizing deodorizers eliminate foul odors and leave your home smelling fresh and clean, but are often not included in the standard price. So do a walk-through with your cleaner, making sure to point out stains and trouble spots. This will ensure you have a good idea of the total cost before they start cleaning.

If you live within the Greater Rochester, NY area and would like to have your carpet cleaned or stains removed, give Renewit Cleaning & Restoration a call at 585-473-7821. We are an IICRC certified firm, ready to take your call 24/7/365. Go to our website for more carpet cleaning information: http://renewitwaterdamage.com/carpet-cleaning-rochester-ny.htm.

What To Do in the Event of a Fire

Dealing with a fire in your home or business can be incredibly stressful. Dealing with the resulting damage doesn't have to be. Follow the recommendations below to ensure a safer, more stress-free fire and smoke restoration process:

• Time is of the essence. The more time that passes, the more time there is for smoke residues to set in and cause permanent stains, discoloration and corrosion to your property and valuables.
• Remove your pets from the home. Dogs, cats, and birds are extremely vulnerable to the damaging effects of smoke inhalation. Make sure to get your pets out of the smoky atmosphere and into a clean, safe environment as quickly as possible.
• Open the windows. Smoke is very destructive; it manages to cause damage in areas that were never even directly exposed to flames or heat. The resulting odors are pungent and difficult to remove. The longer they are left to linger, the harder it is to remove them.
• Contact your insurance agency to find out if you are covered for the damage.
• Call a certified Fire & Smoke Restoration company. If water was used to put out the fire, make sure the company you call also specializes in Water Damage Restoration and Mold Remediation. Water rapidly leads to harmful mold and mildew growth.
• Make a quick inventory of all damaged contents.
• Prevent mold growth by emptying the fridge and freezer and keeping the doors propped open.

Renewit is an IICRC certified firm serving the Greater Rochester, NY area and beyond. We are fully trained and experienced in Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration as well as Water Damage Restoration and Mold Remediation. Our mission is to remove the fire and smoke damage from your property quickly, efficiently, and thoroughly. Acting fast is vital to keeping your costs down. The faster you call, the more we can save. We are here 24/7 to take your call. 585-473-7821. Or visit us at http://renewitwaterdamage.com/fire-smoke-damage-restoration-services.htm.

Pre-Loss Disaster Recovery Plan

Like it or not, floods, fires, sewage breaks and other disasters happen - usually when we least expect it. That's why every business should have a comprehensive, wide-ranging, Pre-Loss Disaster Recovery Plan.

The main goal of a Pre-Loss Plan is to minimize the impact the disaster has on your business. In order to achieve this goal, your local restoration company will meet with you to discuss critical areas of concern and devise a plan that focuses on the following objectives:

• Minimize the financial loss sustained as a result of the disaster
• Reduce the duration of downtime and get your business up and running at 100% functionality
• Expedite the restoration process by selecting service providers in advance
• Train staff on disaster procedures, duties and roles
• Assign a disaster "point person" to work directly with the restoration provider throughout the recovery process

Be selective when choosing a restoration provider; for true peace of mind, you'll need a company whose experts are trained, certified and experienced in Disaster Recovery Restoration Services. Any reputable restoration firm knows that Pre-Loss Plans are not one-size-fits-all. Rather, they should be tailor-made to meet the specific demands of your company, ensuring that your business is protected and attended to in case of disaster.

If you're within 100 miles of the Greater Rochester area, rest assured that Renewit Cleaning & Restoration is fully capable of handling all of your disaster needs and would love to discuss Recovery Plan options with you.

Our team of experts is certified and fully trained in Disaster Recovery Restoration, including Water Restoration Services and Fire Restoration Services. Whether the disaster is a flood, fire or sewage break, we've got you covered!

The best part is that Renewit's custom-made Pre-Loss Disaster Recovery Plans are 100% FREE! Remember, in a disaster, the survival of your business is on the line - let us bring you peace of mind!

Contact Renewit today at info@renewitwaterdamage.com!

To learn more about Disaster Recovery Plans, visit us at: http://renewitwaterdamage.com/pre-loss-disaster-recovery-planning.htm.

Concerned About Mold In Your Home?

Do your closets, basement or attic smell musty? Do you see black spots on the ceiling above your shower or behind your clothes dryer? If so, you have a mold problem.

Molds are microscopic organisms that exist everywhere, indoors and out. Mold becomes a problem when it finds damp spots to latch onto. If the moisture level in your home is not controlled, the humidity created by the damp areas will create an ideal place for mold to grow.

It's common knowledge that mold can affect your health. Mold spores are small enough to be breathed in, so any place with high mold levels is unsafe for you and your family. And while mold can be potentially lethal to those more susceptible (babies, the elderly, and those with asthma, allergies, immune suppressions or lung diseases) everyone should minimize their exposure to mold for their own safety. In fact, continued exposure to mold can cause you to develop an allergy to mold!

The effects of mold exposure are innumerable: congestion, cough, watery eyes, runny nose, skin irritations, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, sore throat, fever, diarrhea, vomiting, nose bleeds, respiratory scarring, liver damage, and even memory loss. While some of these symptoms will cease once you stop the exposure, some are irreversible.

So, what can you do to protect your family from the harmful effects of mold exposure?

First, don't be fooled: many DIY mold removal methods are ineffective and a waste of time. Air cleaners, for example, won't help. While they may be able to remove some mold spores from the air, they'll do nothing to get rid of the spores that have already landed. Another common misconception is that you can just paint or caulk over mold to cover it up. Not only is this not true, but it will also cause your paint to peel right off the wall.

If your home gets flooded, you have no more than one day to get everything completely dried before mold begins to grow. Once mold has had the time it needs to grow on floors, walls, and ceilings, it will be too late to simply "clean it off." You will be facing total replacement of everything from wallpaper to drywall, carpet padding to stud beams.

When it comes to mold, unless it is contained to a very small area, it is generally best not to try to tackle it yourself.

If you suspect you have a mold problem in your home, call Renewit. Our team of experts will:
* Remove physical mold
* Clean or dispose of any contaminated materials
* Vacuum and air filter airborne spores

Don't replace it... Renewit!
Call 585.473.7821 or check us out at http://renewitwaterdamage.com/mold-cleaning-restoration-services.htm!

Flood Tips

The most important element of flood restoration is time. The longer water stays in your home, the more damage it causes. Attending to the problem early will prevent mold and mildew from spreading into your property and will save you big money in remediation and replacement fees down the line. So contact your insurance company immediately! They will send a loss adjuster to your property and decide what repairs and replacements are necessary and covered by your plan.

The following are a general list of dos and don'ts in case of a flood. Following these guidelines will make the restoration process faster, safer, and more effficient.

Do...

• Take pictures immediately! This will help the insurance company evaluate the extent of the water damage.
• Move photos and other keepsakes to a safe, dry location
• Remove any items that contain dye from your wet carpet or floor (including magazines, newspapers, and some clothing)
• Remove wet rugs, cushions and upholstery.
• Pick up loose items off the floor.

Don't...

• Vacuum anything wet
• Enter a room where the ceiling is sagging
• Enter a room with standing water
• Walk on wet surfaces
• Start cleaning before contacting your insurance company and taking pictures of the damage

Keep in mind, restoration is cheaper and timlier than replacement. So don't replace it... Renewit!
Visit us at: http://renewitwaterdamage.com/flood-clean-up-rochester-ny.htm.