Recent Cleaning Posts

How to Clean A Crawlspace

7/1/2019 (Permalink)

In order to keep your crawlspace dry, you must dry it under negative pressure. This means drying through suction, pulling air out, rather than blowing air in. The suction drying technique is achieved by a dehumidifier drying the air in the room at the same time as a turbine creates high negative pressure in the structure. In other words, in order for negative pressure to be present, more air must be removed from the crawlspace that is added to space. If positive pressure is used to dry a crawlspace, exfiltration will occur, pushing particulate and odors into the living space of the structure.

Even the cleanest crawlspace is filled with dust, mold spores, dead insects, or worse. Our SERVPRO of Piatt/Dewitt Counties professionals uses a manometer to verify the negative pressure.

Why should you call a professional to clean out your crawlspace? For one, crawlspaces are dangerous places that must be entered with the right safety gear. If there is mold or other contaminants present, you must use the correct equipment and chemicals to clean and dry the area. If you need to inspect and clean your crawlspace, your SERVPRO team of Piatt/Dewitt Counties is available 24/7, (217)935-2992.  [JB]

Maintaining your HVAC and Avoiding Poor Indoor Air

5/20/2019 (Permalink)

Make sure the HVAC in your home or office is checked regularly to avoid poor indoor air quality.

As the winter chill melts away with the warmth of the sun, that can only mean one thing – the scorching hot days are around the corner. The new season is not just for spring cleaning, it is also a great time to check the HVAC system in your home and office. Checking it twice a year (the fall and the spring are the best times) will extend the life of your unit and will let you breathe better air. If the ductwork of your home or business has not been checked in a while, the air quality can be poor and lead to:

  • Odors
  • Dirt and debris
  • Pollen
  • Dust
  • Other contaminants

Our professionals routinely clean and inspect heating, ventilation and air conditioner unit (or the HVAC). Give us at SERVPRO of Piatt/Dewitt Counties, 217-935-2992 to have one of our experts go out and inspect it before those heat waves come.  [JB]

Cleaning Your Air Ducts, Is it Really That Important?

5/15/2019 (Permalink)

Ever think about what inside your air vents could look like?

Did you know that, in certain circumstances, Duct Cleaning can increase your efficiency by up to 40%? That's a lot of money back into your pocket every month. Duct Cleaning is a process that can differ depending on each air system we come across, but the end result is the same... clean-air, and more healthy home and atmosphere. We use special equipment to ensure the safety of the air quality in your home. This includes special filters, ventilation equipment, containment barriers, and more. (For safety reasons, professional duct cleaning is often performed when your home is unoccupied, such as nights and weekends)

Here are some preventative actions you can take to reduce your need for Duct Cleaning.

  1. You should be changing your air filter on a regular basis.
  2. Try to always maintain good housekeeping practices, including regular cleaning/dusting to reduce the likelihood of contaminants.
  3. Have your duct-work routinely inspected, and regularly schedule professional maintenance.

SERVPRO of Piatt/Dewitt Counties

(217)935-2992

24-Hour Emergency Service

Independently Owned and Operated

Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

When Vandalism Strikes, Here's What To Do

5/9/2019 (Permalink)

Unwanted graffiti can be a hassle to clean without the professionals on your side.

The sad fact is that graffiti happens all the time. It can be a senior prank in high school or out of sheer intentional mischief. Whatever the reason was, it decreases the overall beauty of the school or office building. SERVPRO of Piatt/Dewitt Counties have a few suggestions when you first discover the graffiti.

DO:

  • Vacuum any glass particles that may have ended up in carpets and upholstery
  • Hose down or wash any egg damage from the building exterior as soon as possible
  • Save any containers with the ingredients of spilled inks, cosmetics, and paints
  • Make sure to keep a record of all damage when possible. Pictures work best to document everything.

If you are in need of commercial cleaning services, give us a ring at 217-935-2992.  [JB]

Duct Cleaning Tips for your Business

3/21/2019 (Permalink)

Keep Your Employees Safe

HVAC system cleaning in your business and the importance of the health of your employees. There are many factors that will affect the air quality in your business and the main one is your air ducts and how they need to be cleaned. 1 out of 6 people suffer from allergies do so because of the direct relationship to fungi and bacteria in the air ducts systems. When the correct steps are taken it will improve productivity in your employees and the workplace.

Top Seven Reasons to Clean Ducts:

  • Mildew and Mold growing from moisture
  • Smoke from cigarettes or chemicals
  • Water and fire restoration
  • Allergy relief and asthma
  • Reduce Dust and particles from spreading
  • Improve energy efficiency
  • Insects and rodents

In most cases, your business and your home rarely open the windows or doors to help provide air circulation resulting in some of these reasons causing poor air quality. When your HVAC system is clean it doesn’t have to work so hard to maintain the temperature desired resulting in more money in your pocket. Have your ducts and system cleaned and inspected each year to make sure your business is running smoothly. If your business needs help cleaning up after a fire or water damage SERVPRO of Piatt/Dewitt Counties is here to help.

Commercial Services

There's never a convenient time for fire or Water damage to strike your Piatt/Dewitt Counties commercial property. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. When the need arises for professional cleaning or emergency restoration services we have the training and expertise to respond promptly with highly trained technicians to get your property back to business. Learn more about our commercial services: Call SERVPRO of Piatt/Dewitt Counties.

  • Commercial Water Damage Restoration
  • Commercial Fire Damage Restoration

SERVPRO of Piatt/Dewitt Counties provides 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any-sized disaster in Piatt/Dewitt Counties. We can respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs.

  • 24-Hour Emergency Service
  • Faster to Any-Sized Disaster
  • Highly Trained Restoration Technicians
  • A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry
  • Locally Owned and Operated
  • Advanced Restoration and Cleaning Equipment 

Have Questions? Call Us 24/7  at (217)935-2992!

Plants can do what for my home?

3/18/2019 (Permalink)

There are over 26 different kinds of plants that clean air

Sure, that potted fern is pretty, but can it really spruce up the air quality in your home? Studies by scientists at NASA, Pennsylvania State University, the University of Georgia and other respected institutions suggest that it can.

Plants are notoriously adept at absorbing gases through pores on the surface of their leaves. It's this skill that facilitates photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert light energy and carbon dioxide into chemical energy to fuel growth.

But scientists studying the air-purification capacities of indoor plants have found that plants can absorb many other gases in addition to carbon dioxide, including a long list of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Benzene (found in some plastics, fabrics, pesticides and cigarette smoke) and formaldehyde (found in some cosmetics, dish detergent, fabric softener and carpet cleaner) are examples of common indoor VOCs that plants help eliminate.

These VOCs and other indoor air pollutants (such as ozone) have been linked to numerous acute conditions, including asthma and nausea, as well as chronic diseases such as cancer and respiratory illnesses.

Indoor Plants Help with Removing Harmful Compounds from the Air

An indoor plant's ability to remove these harmful compounds from the air is an example of phytoremediation, which is the use of any plant — indoors or out — to mitigate pollution in air, soil or water.

Indoor plants remove pollutants from the air by absorbing these gases through their leaves and roots. The microorganisms that live in the soil of potted plants also play an instrumental role in neutralizing VOCs and other pollutants.

While most leafy plants are adept at purifying indoor air, some of the plants that scientists have found most useful in removing VOCs include Japanese royal ferns, spider plants, Boston ferns, purple waffle plants, English ivy, areca palms, golden pothos, aloe vera, snake plants and peace lilies.

Clean Air is important when it comes to your home where you and your love ones spend most of your time. If these tips didn’t help you achieve the clean air you were hoping call SERVPRO of Piatt/Dewitt Counties and schedule an appointment for us to clean your homes Air Ducts to make sure your air is running clean.

Reach us 24/7 at (217)935-2992. (LB)

How To Care for Gym Floors

12/20/2018 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Piatt/Dewitt for your gym floor inspection and cleaning today.

How To Care for Gym Floors in Piatt and Dewitt Counties

Gym floors are an important part of schools, churches and recreation centers. They are used for various events throughout the year and regular maintenance is important to keep them in good condition. While you want them to look nice it is also important for them to be safe for use. Unkempt floors in disrepair can be hazardous as well as unsightly.

Daily Maintenance

  1. It is important that gym floors be swept daily with a dust mop. Dirt and dust buildup will scratch the finish of the floor when it is walked on and can create a slipping hazard.
  2. Vacuum all walk off mats daily to ensure that the dust and dirt does not transfer to the gym floor.

As Needed Maintenance & Preventative Measures

  1. Use a damp mop once or twice a week to clean the gym floor and prevent dust.
  2. Ensure that there is no standing water left on the gym floor. Excess water on the floor can damage the wood
  3. Ensure that all tables and chairs have felt pads or use a floor covering to protect the gym floor.
  4. Walk-off mats are a great way to minimize the amount of tracked in dirt and water. These are placed at the entries and help absorb debris and water that would otherwise be tracked onto the gym floor.

Call SERVPRO of Piatt/Dewitt Counties at 217-935-2992 to learn more about our cleaning services or to schedule an inspection. Our Team would love to help ensure that your gym floors are in great shape!