The Aftermath of a House Fire

After experiencing the trauma of a house fire, it is important to understand what to expect when and if you can reenter your home. In rooms where the fire occurred structural damage can render the building unsafe. While the flames can extensively damage your home and property, rooms untouched by the fire can have problems as well.

High temperatures created by the fire can warp windows and soften the panes of glass. Paint on walls can blister and the wood will bend and bow in the intense heat. Appliances made of metal and plastic will melt and can emit toxic fumes into the air along with any other synthetic materials in your home. The smoke from the blaze can infiltrate every corner of your home, lingering in carpet, furniture, clothes, and bedding and coating every available surface with a sooty residue.

If firefighters are called to your home the chemicals or water they use to extinguish the fire can also have damaging effects. The house will need to be dried and cleaned property to avoid mold and the other potential problems of water damage.

The tasks of rebuilding and cleaning your home may seem overwhelming. Contacting a disaster cleanup specialist, such as Western Building Maintenance, will provide you with all the services you need to restore your home to its former state. WBM can also ensure that the job is done correctly so that you do not have to worry about toxic fumes, unsafe structures, or mold issues. If you experience a catastrophic house fire, call Western Building Maintenance to quickly guide you through the process of cleaning and repairing your home.

Beyond Smoke Detectors

Many homeowners take the preliminary precautions against the dangers of fire, including smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and making sure the curling iron is turned off before they leave the house. However there are hidden dangers lurking all over the house that could result in a dangerous fire.

One of the biggest causes of house fires can reside hidden behind the walls of a structure. Electrical wiring that is compromised can quickly lead to a blaze. A careless nail or screw driven into a wall could cause a spark. Make sure your wiring is up to current standards and exercise caution when hanging things on the walls.

The kitchen is another area to be vigilant in fire protection. Make sure that anything flammable is well away from the burners and never leave cooking food unattended. Have a fire extinguisher nearby to catch any fire before it has the chance to spread.

Lint buildup in the laundry room is another culprit that can lead to a blaze. Making sure to clean the lint trap regularly can help prevent a fire, but having your dryer’s cabinet and ductwork cleaned professionally every two years will drastically lower the chance of a fire.

Checking all the electrical outlets in your home is another precaution that can limit your fire risk. If plugs no longer fit snuggly in outlets, heat can buildup in the outlet creating an opportunity for sparks. If the outlet is no longer functioning correctly, replace it.

For a thorough checklist on fire safety in your home, please refer to this article from This Old House.

Holiday Carpet Stain Removal Guide

          With the holidays approaching guests will begin to arrive, wonderful smells will fill your home, and you and your loved ones will indulge in great food and forge enjoyable memories. Unfortunately more than just the memories may linger when the guests depart and the last of the food is eaten. Your furniture, carpet, or linens might bear stains from the day’s revels and good food. Here are some household remedies for common stains on your carpet.

Gravy: First scrape off excess gravy and then sprinkle baking soda, cornstarch, or other absorbent on the stain. Let stand for 10 to 15 minutes, and then vacuum. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with a dry-cleaning solvent. Blot until the solvent is absorbed.

Mashed potatoes: Scrape off excess potato. Mix one tablespoon of liquid hand dishwashing detergent with two cups of cool water and using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with the detergent solution. Blot until the liquid is absorbed.

Red Wine: Blot up as much of the spilled wine as possible. Use plain water or mix one tablespoon of liquid hand dishwashing detergent and one tablespoon of white vinegar with two cups of warm water. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with plain water or the detergent/vinegar solution. Apply a little bit at a time, blotting frequently with a dry cloth until the stain disappears. If you are using a detergent/vinegar solution, sponge with cold water and blot dry.

Cranberry Sauce: Mix one tablespoon of liquid hand dishwashing detergent with two cups of cool water. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with the detergent solution. Blot until the liquid is absorbed. If the stain remains, mix one tablespoon of ammonia (Caution: Never mix chlorine bleach and ammonia – the resulting fumes are hazardous) with two cups of warm water. Sponge the stain with the ammonia solution. Blot until the liquid is absorbed. Sponge with cold water and blot dry.

If you have a stubborn stain on your carpet or upholstery give the professionals at Western Building Maintenance a call to tackle that stain.

Free Carpet Cleaning!

We can’t believe it is already November! Soon we will be surrounding large tables feasting with our families and giving thanks for what we have. This can be a joyous occasion but also a messy one. Western Building Maintenance wants to alleviate some of your holiday stress by giving away a free carpet cleaning.

Follow these steps to qualify for the contest!

1. To be entered into the contest you must first LIKE our Facebook page, you can do that here.

2. Once you have liked our Facebook page you need to share a picture of you, your family, your pets, etc. enjoying your carpet. It can be messy or it can be clean it’s up to you, get creative.

3. Post your picture on the post highlighted (explaining the contest) on our Facebook page in the comment section. Share with your friends and encourage them to like your comment. The comment with the most “likes” will win the contest!

4. On November 21st at 12pm the picture with the most likes will receive the free carpet cleaning.

Recap: To win you must LIKE our Facebook page, tag us in a photo with your carpet, in the post encourage your friends to like us, and then receive the most likes. Sounds easy right? Ready, Set, Go!

*Carpet cleaning cannot exceed 5 rooms or 2,000 square feet. Picture must be appropriate for all ages. Carpet cleaning must be used prior to January 1st, 2015. To accept the carpet cleaning you must be living in one of the areas we provide service in.

Smashing Pumpkins

There is a darker more insidious side to Halloween. The “trick” element implied in the “trick or treat” bargain. All those who celebrate this holiday with festively carved jack-o-lanterns run the risk of seeing the untimely demise of these gourds. Pumpkin smashing has become part of the mischievous ambience of All Hallows Eve.

If you are a victim of this odious crime, you will find yourself tasked with cleaning it up. The broken pieces of gourd strewn on the asphalt, the slimy innards glistening in the moonlight, and the seeds spilled helplessly on the ground, how to eradicate the evidence of this offense? I humbly suggest a garbage bag and a hose. However, if it proves too painful a task, call WBM. We can quickly tackle this macabre scene and wish you better luck next year with your front porch luminaries!

Why Should I Wash My Windows?

   Washing windows, whether commercial or residential, is a pain. Is it really necessary? Obviously clean windows enhance the appearance of your home and business, but they can also prolong the life of your windows and reduce energy costs.

Window manufacturers recommend fully cleaning your windows, inside and out, two times a year. Windows collect dirt, pollen, chemicals, pollution, and other environmental elements that build up over time. If not properly and frequently removed, this build up can permanently etch and corrode your glass or leave unsightly stains. Biannual cleaning of your windows also allows more natural light into your home or business, creating a pleasant living and working environment. More natural light also means that you are less reliant on electricity to heat and light your space, saving you money on your utility expenses.

Cleaning your windows twice a year can be a daunting and time consuming task. Having a professional WBM window cleaner maintain your windows will ensure that they are cleaned properly, add to the value and comfort of your home and business, and spare you the hassle of having to do it yourself!

Maintaining your Carpet

Regular maintenance of your carpet will extend its life, keep it clean, and make it an appealing part of your home. There are several things you can do as a homeowner or renter to properly care for you carpet. The first step to maintaining your carpet is ascertaining what kind of carpet you have and heeding any recommendations from the manufacturer on how to care for it. Other methods for keeping carpet in good condition include using doormats to limit the amount of dirt and grime that is tracked in your house, vacuuming it daily to prevent dirt from building up and sinking further into the carpet, cleaning up spots and spills immediately so they do not get the chance to attract more dirt, and avoiding cleaning solutions and solvents that merely mask stains and spills.

 

Carpet also requires regular professional maintenance to keep it clean, deodorized, and looking its best. For most residential carpets, the deep extraction method is the most effective at removing dirt, stains, and odors. Immediately following a semi-annual extraction cleaning you should ensure that the carpet is raked to offset the impact of foot traffic and dirt. Western Building Maintenance provides hot water extraction cleaning, in addition to other methods, that thoroughly cleans your carpet without using harsh chemicals. Your service technician will help determine the best method to clean your carpet and rake and groom it when he is done. You will be pleased with the professional results that Western Building Maintenance provides to keep your carpet looking new, clean, and an asset to your home.

Fall Cleaning

Deep cleaning your home in the fall helps you maintain your investment and prepares you and your family for the winter months spent indoors. Throughout your house, you should clean window treatments, light fixtures, ceiling fans, tops of doors, wash windows, and remove clutter and organize. In the kitchen, it is recommended that you vacuum the refrigerator coils and clean the oven. Cleaning all the linens in the bedrooms will minimize the dust in your home. It is critical to check the laundry room, making sure to clean the dryer vent and remove lint from the hose to prevent a house fire. Fall is also a good time to replace the air filters in your home. Finally, do not forget your carpets and other types of flooring. Cleaning them according to the manufacturer’s specifications will insure that they last longer.

A few tasks completed on the exterior of your home will prepare it for the colder months of winter. Clean the gutters, clean outdoor furniture and put it away, drain and store garden hoses, and pressure wash the outside of house, touching up the paint if necessary.

If any or all of these tasks sound overwhelming, give WBM a call! Their cleaning technicians will be happy to help you clean and prepare your home for winter. They specialize in interior and exterior windows, carpet and floor cleaning, and cleaning any vents or air ducts along with other maintenance projects you need completed in your home.

Why Do You Get Your Carpets Cleaned?

There are many reasons to have your carpet cleaned- health reasons, asset management, and appearance. At Western Building Maintenance we use a top of the line Hot Water Extraction unit to clean and disinfect your carpet. Carpet should be cleaned semiannually to maximize the life of your carpet and ensure health indoor air quality.

1. Health Reasons: Things are not always as they appear. Your carpet might look clean, but it can be hiding soil, gases and human and animal dander and hair. The soils tracked into your house can contain volatile organic compounds and biopollutants. It is important to clean your carpets when they become soiled with pollutants rather than waiting until it is visible. Having your carpet cleaned will better your health as it acts as a filter to your home.
2. Asset Management: Did you know that on average, carpet is a homeowner’s third largest investment? Carpet does not come cheap these days, and is costly to replace. As you take care of your carpet, by having routine cleanings, your carpet will last longer!
3. Appearance: While cleaning your carpet is important to maintain a clean and healthy environment it isn’t the only reason. Many people will have their carpets cleaned to keep their house looking pristine. Don’t be embarrassed when guest come to visit, feel proud of the home you have built.

 

Western Building Maintenance has years of experience when it comes to cleaning carpets. So RELAX and give us a call, we will get your carpets cleaned!