An Ultimate guide to Mold Removal

As the weather is to get much colder in the new year it is time to start putting in place a few small measures to protect your home. One of the biggest problems facing people in their homes is Mold. Humidity, dampness, leaks and condensation in the right conditions can cause mold to grow almost anywhere.

ServiceMaster’s capacity for commercial flood and water damage cleaning and drying projects:

When considering the mold remediation needs of your property, partner with ServiceMaster and make restoration a part of your business plan. This can make all the difference in how fast you are back in business; call Service Master by Best in Wichita 24 hours a day. The quicker you call us, the faster we respond. Call: (316) 413-5750.
Here’s a quick run-down of how to remove mold from some common household surfaces and everyday items. Just another great home improvement tip.

Facts About Air Duct Cleaning

Your air ducts see a lot of traffic, especially during temperature extremes. But do they really need the kind of cleaning other surfaces in your home do?

Your air ducts may need cleaning if you see these signs:

• An air duct with permanent or long-term water damage.
• Mold, mildew, slime, or other microbial growth.
• Debris buildup that restricts air-flow.
• Dust, cobwebs, or other debris visibly blowing from ductwork/registers.
• Evidence of insect or rodent infestation.
• Offensive odors from your ductwork or HVAC system.
• Frequent bouts of illness or allergies among your family.
• Fiberglass ductwork, which collects contaminants more easily than sheet metal.

Is cleaning my air ducts really that important?

During normal operation, dust can accumulate in ductwork that can lead to microbial growth. Duct cleaning has been shown to reduce this growth, as well as increase the efficiency of your system. In fact, in some cases of extreme buildup, it can increase efficiency as much as 40 percent!

How are air ducts cleaned?

Duct cleaning depends on the extent of buildup in your ducts. A trained technician will inspect each air duct, opening all access panels. Once it is determined cleaning is necessary, equipment will be gathered to address your cleaning needs, including brushes and vacuum equipment specially designed to remove ductwork debris. In addition to cleaning supply ducts, return ducts, air vents, and diffusers, your system will also undergo routine cleaning and maintenance as well, addressing system components such as your heat exchanger, coils, drain pan, fan motor and housing, and system housing. This ensures thorough cleaning results as well as the smooth and efficient operation. In all cases of duct cleaning, it is also necessary to address the source of the dirty air duct to prevent recurrence, including moisture, water, dust, debris, pest contamination, and other pollutants.

Is it safe?

For safety reasons, duct cleaning must be performed when your home is unoccupied, such as nights and weekends. Special equipment is used for the safety of the air quality in your home, including filters, ventilation equipment, containment barriers, and more.

Can I do it myself?

Poor air duct cleaning practices have actually been shown to decrease the air quality in your home. Be certain to protect your home and family by choosing a reputable air duct cleaning company in good standing with the National Air Duct Cleaning Association, whose strict requirements help ensure skillfully performed, effective cleaning.

Want to reduce the need for air duct cleaning?

• Regularly change your air filter.
• Regularly schedule annual professional maintenance and cleaning.
• Maintain good housekeeping practices to reduce the likelihood of contaminants.
• Ensure air intakes are properly located.
• Have your ductwork regularly inspected.

Duct work have you wondering what’s down the proverbial rabbit hole? Don’t fear the unknown, contact ServiceMaster by Best today.

How to Clean uPVC Window Frames

 

Contact us to schedule an estimate for your window cleaning needs. Or Make a Call on (316) 243 9824

As beautiful as they are, uPVC window frames need to be maintained properly. There are different colour variations depending on the film they have been coated with, but the most common ones are the white frames.  

Needless to say, white uPVC window frames are often found hard to maintain because of their color and different stains they can get. Cleaning this type of window frames has it’s own fine points which you must be aware of when attempting to clean the window frames.

Supplies you need:

• A bucket
• Lukewarm water
• 2 x clean cloths
• Brush
• Vacuum cleaner
• Creamy non-abrasive cleaner
• uPVC cleaning solution

Follow the steps below to achieve your desirable shiny look !

 

How to Clean uPVC Window Frames

1. Use a small brush to loosen up the dirt of the inside of the window frames. Then suck the dirt out with the vac.
2. Fill the bucket with lukewarm water.
3. Dip one of the cloths into the water and gently wipe out the window frame surface internally and externally.
4. Use the clean dry cloth do wipe away the moist left on the frames.
5. For marks and spots use the creamy window cleaning solution.
6. For more stubborn marks use a special uPVC cleaner you can get from a respected PVC supplier.
7. Buff off the excess detergents with the cloth for a shiny look!
Apart from the cleaning steps, you should also have in mind these tips in order to achieve the perfect look for your uPVC frames. They are easy to remember and can save you potential damages.

Tips:

• Do not use bright colored cloths, as they may transfer paint onto the uPVC window frame.
• Make sure the cleaning solution is non-abrasive. Otherwise you can scratch the frame.
• Avoid applying the cleaner onto the glass surface as much as possible.
• Don’t use detergents that contain bleach, or you may end up with ruined window frames.

Call Service Master by Best on 316 413 5750 for window cleaning cleaning.

The Average Cost of Office Cleaning Services in Wichita

 

If you have a small, midsize or large business, you need cleaning services for your office in Wichita. Knowing the average cost of office cleaning and what is included, when searching for a commercial cleaning service will help you choose the right company.

Office cleaning costs depend on what you need to have done, how often you want it done and the size of your office space. Many cleaning companies charge a flat rate for smaller offices, and a charge per square foot for larger ones. Typical services include emptying the trash, vacuuming and dusting.

This flat charge for a small office typically starts in the neighborhood of $20-$30 per visit. If you require more services than the typical you will pay more. For instance, if you require your break room or kitchen to be cleaned as well, or have a bathroom, your monthly bill can be as much as $500-$700 or more.

If you have a larger office, it will require more cleaning, and your service will be charged at a fee per square foot. Most start at about 5 cents to about 55 cents per square foot. One time services, like carpet cleaning or stripping/waxing floors are an extra charge. Some even charge a per appliance fee to clean out things like microwaves. Medical or dental offices require some special cleaning services and will be more.

What should you do before contacting a janitorial cleaning company? First, measure out the square footage of the office space to be cleaned. Next, make a list of what you want to have done on a regular basis: vacuuming, dusting, window washing, emptying trash and wiping down office furniture such as desks and chairs. Do you want the cleaning staff to restock things like paper towels, soap dispensers and toilet paper?

Then decide if there are any services that need to be done on a periodic basis, things like moving filing cabinets, copy machines and heavy tables and dusting and cleaning the floors underneath, cleaning carpets or stripping/waxing/buffing floors, or heavy cleaning in bathrooms and/or kitchens.
Once you know what you want, call a few reputable commercial cleaning companies. Give them the information and schedule appointments for them to come and see the location for more exact estimates.

Contact us to schedule an estimate for your industrial facilities cleaning needs. Or Make a Call on (316) 243 9824


 

A Clean WorkSpace Means Healthier Employees During Cold and Flu Season

Call on (316) 413 5750 for commercial cleaning or restoration services in Wichita. 
 
For businesses owners, cold and flu season is particularly troublesome given the effect it can have on your workforce. If your employees are out sick, not only will you be less productive and have more holes to fill, but it also means you’ll be taking a direct hit in the wallet, too.

The flu costs U.S. employers approximately $10.4 billion a year in direct costs for hospitalizations and outpatient visits for adults, and that doesn’t even count the indirect costs of lost productivity or paying others overtime to fill in.

To make matters worse, it doesn’t help that offices and work spaces are breeding grounds for the cold and flu, given the person-to-person interaction in close quarters and poor indoor air circulation.

All this being said, there are steps you can take to minimize the spread of the cold and flu around your workplace and maintain a healthy work environment. It starts with talking to your business’ commercial cleaning service to better understand their cleaning procedures.

Ask them these questions:

1. Are your employees trained to reduce bacterial, viral, and other infectious diseases? Does the cleaning service you use understand the difference between looking clean and actually being clean? Make sure they’re actually eliminating germs and bacteria instead of just wiping away dust and debris.

2. Are they trained to clean all the important touch points (e.g., light switches, door hands, elevator buttons, hand rails, etc.)? One of the reasons the cold and flu spreads around the workplace so easily is that everyone is constantly touching and sharing different things without washing their hands. A good cleaning service will make note of the objects that get touched the most, and make sure they clean them as often as possible. From telephones to computer mice, doorknobs to sink faucets, make sure your cleaning company is cleaning them.

3. Are they using the right cleaners and using them properly? Even if your cleaners are using something that’s supposed to kill 99.9% of germs, if they aren’t using it properly, they won’t be killing all 99.9%. Make sure they’re using the right cleaning products for the job, and make sure they know the proper cleaning directions for them, like letting disinfectants stand for several minutes before wiping it away.

4. Are they cleaning often enough? Though this a question you’ll ultimately have to ask yourself, it’s never a bad idea to increase the cleaning frequency of your workplace during the cold and flu season. The more you can keep things clean and sanitary, the better you can prevent the spread of germs.

In addition to making sure that your cleaning service is doing all that they can for you, there are also several ways for your employees to do their part in making your office cleaner and more sanitary. Teach your employees to follow these simple tips during cold and flu season to help limit the spread of germs and sickness:

• Use disinfecting wipes to wipe down work areas. If you can’t afford a cleaning company to come in every day, provide your employees with disinfecting wipes so they can keep their phones, keyboard, mice, and desk clean when the cleaning crews aren’t around.

• Wash hands after every trip to the bathroom and use hand sanitizer regularly. We can’t stress it enough: hands are the #1 transmitters of germs on the body. If you want to limit the spread of germs, make sure your employees know to keep their hands clean, and make it easy for them by leaving hand sanitizer around the office.

• Don’t let employees come in sick! As much as your employees might want to power through the sickness (in fact, 80% try to), don’t let them come in sick and jeopardize spreading it to everyone else. Set a firm sick policy with your employees, and make sure they stay home when they should—no excuses.

Looking for a commercial cleaning company that has experience keeping workplaces clean and sanitary during the cold and flu season? ServiceMaster by Best is the best in Wichita Kansas.

We’ll do more than just make sure your space looks good; our employees are properly trained to sanitize and disinfect all a workspaces’ problem areas—keeping your employees healthy, and saving your company money in the long run.

Call us today at (316) 413 5750 for a free quote.

The Dangers of Mold and Mildew, Explained

 

Call Service Master by Best on 316 413 5750 for mold removal and cleanup services.

Mold and mildew on the premises is a direct result of water incursion on the property. Whether it is residential property or a commercial unit, mold and mildew are more prone to develop in areas like attics, basement, crawlspaces or the interior of walls. The susceptibility of mold growth further heightens if there is a high amount of condensation and humidity inside the building.

The Dangers of Mold and Mildew, Explained

Other than its visible appearance, the simplest way to detect the presence of mold on the premises is a musty odor in the home or workplace. If identified at this stage, mold and mildew can be contained by minimal effort but in instances where the damage becomes widespread, it is recommended to use the expertise of professional water damage contractors.

Some of the dangers that mold and mildew presence can present include the following:

• Mold growth is progressive

Mold does not require light or air to reproduce, so can grow anywhere. This growth once sprouted, is essentially progressive in nature and can spread on almost any visible surface around the home including wood, carpet, floors, ceilings as well as paper.  In addition, mold can also spread in “hidden” areas like the backside of walls, the top side of ceiling tiles, on drywall, around pipes, and behind furniture.

For instance, mold may only be discovered when the bathroom is being remodeled. Since the moist environment of bathrooms is highly conducive for mold growth, it can often invade this area of the home undetected for prolonged periods of time. It may only be when changing or installing new bathroom hardware that the presence of hidden mold is identified.

• Mold will compromise the structural integrity of the building

Constant presence of mold on property can impact the architectural stability of any building. This means that mold and mildew will render the structure weak by reducing the strength of its building materials and other structural components.

For instance, if mold penetrates the heating and ventilation systems of the property, it can find an easy gateway to access other areas of the home. As a result, the damage to personal property may become so extensive that items may need to be destroyed since the spores cannot be removed fully from their surface.

• Mold causes dry rot

One of the ways in which the structural integrity of a building may be compromised by mold presence is the development of dry rot. Dry rot happens when there is fungal timber decay occurring in poorly ventilated conditions. The result is cracking and powdering of wood in the structure. This type of damage may not always be visible but often detected when some kind of renovation is in progress.

The mold causing this type of damage is referred to as black mold and can grow in any area of the property that is dark and humid. It feeds on cellulose, the substance that gives wood its strength and can put the whole structure at risk since most homes are constructed of wood and wood by products. 

The wood then breaks down in composition and may require a full scale replacement.

• Mold presence causes health hazards 

Mold does not only hold the potential to damage the property but also impact the health of its occupants. This is because while mold itself is neither toxic nor poisonous, it is toxigenic in nature. This means that it has the potential to produce toxins. When unattended, prolonged presence of mold on the premises can often lead to serious health conditions such as persistent coughing and respiratory issues for individuals with asthma.

Other health concerns commonly associated with mold and mildew presence can include issues like sinusitis, skin rashes, chronic fatigue and frequent sneezing fits for individuals.

Mold Remediation by ServiceMaster Restore

In the end, the best way to alleviate mold presence is to deal with its root cause by detecting water intrusion. For permanent results it is recommended to get mold remediation done through the expertise of professional mold removal like ServiceMaster Clean in Kansas. 

Once all mold has been eradicated from the premises, our ServiceMaster Clean Response experts will complete the job by performing full dry services, followed by complete sanitation and deodorization of the premises.

Home Remedies For Cleaning Tile And Grout

Putting tile in your bathroom can significantly increase the value of your home. It looks beautiful and is highly functional in moisture producing environments.

On the flip side, it can be difficult to keep clean especially as most commercial tile cleaners do not clean grout.

Purchasing a product for the purpose of cleaning the grout can leave a film on your shiny tile.

Plus, you probably already have some of the best items in your home for cleaning tile and grout.

So Many Options

An online search for home remedy cleaning products will net many results. Some suggest using vinegar mixed with water, some lemon juice, others swear by toothpaste. These are all effective cleaning methods; however, they often require many steps and a lot of scrubbing.

Personally, I do not enjoy spending hours cleaning. I prefer methods that require minimal time and effort. Of course, it also has to be easy to make; I am not a chemist.

Three Little Ingredients

It may surprise you to learn that baking soda, vinegar, and water can be used either alone, or mixed, to clean many types of surfaces in your home. Tile and grout is no exception: it is effective and relatively simple to make:

1. Place some vinegar in a spray bottle.
2. Make a paste using baking soda and water.
3. Spray your floor with the vinegar.
4. Using a toothbrush, rub the baking soda mixture into the grout lines. This will produce some bubbling foam; do not be alarmed. It is the reaction of the vinegar and baking soda. Think of it as “scrubbing bubbles”.
5. Let the mixture work in for about 15 minutes.
6. Spray again with vinegar.
7. Rinse well using warm water.
8. Use a soft cloth or squeegee to dry.

Your tile should be shiny, and your grout should be clean and free of mold. If for some reason this method didn’t do the trick for you, repeat the process, but this time allow the mixture to set longer. You can generally allow up to 8 hours without causing harm to tile and grout.

Things to Remember

It is always wise to test any product on your tile prior to use. While this remedy works well, the vinegar has a mild acidic content.

If your tile has an adverse reaction to acids, do not try this method. Instead, use water in your spray bottle. You will have to scrub more, but it’s much better than ruining your tile. You can also try other methods that don’t require harmful chemicals.

Many experts recommend sealing your grout after each cleaning. Grout is made with sand and therefore very porous. Sealing the grout keeps moisture and mold from soaking into the surface. It is a laborious and time consuming process, so I wouldn’t recommend resealing after each cleaning session. Personally, I reseal about once a year applying several coats.

Using the method described above prior to resealing removes all the dirt, mold, and debris leaving a clean surface for sealer application.

Please call 316.413.5750 to set up your Tile & Grout cleaning, refinishing and burnishing appointment.