HC Home Improvement - Home Improvement tips and Knowledge

Top 5 Hazards Of An Uninsulated Attic

Posted on June 22, 2017 by webmaster

utility bills by opting for blown attic insulation

An uninsulated attic calls for many hazards and disadvantages that can easily be avoided. Providing adequate and time insulation can save you a lot of unwanted problems and hassles and sheer negligence of ignorance of not knowing the hazards of uninsulated attics can prove to be an expensive and harmful decision.Uninsulated attics pose a lot of potential dangers and hazards for your family and home and cause a host of problems some of which are listed and discussed below-

Damage from moisture

In uninsulated attics, there is always a risk of moisture and dampness getting trapped inside this may lead to condensation and further lead to the formation of ice dams. Moisture also causes cracks and is a breeding ground for dangerous mold. Once the mold starts growing it also creates very foul smells. This may cause irreversible long-term damage. Blown in insulation helps to reduce moisture in attics and helps to keep it dry.

Increased Allergies

Uninsulated attics are a really serious cause of allergies as they are prone to collect dust mites and other types of fungus and mold growth which may trigger a host of allergic reactions. Using blown attic insulation reduces the chances of allergy in the attics and this type of insulation uses absolutely virgin materials which have minimal chances of causing allergies.

Poor thermal performance

In uninsulated attics, the temperatures in winter are absolutely chilling and in summers the hot air seeps in through gaps in the ventilation causing the inside heat to rise up and decreases the temperature of the rooms in the winters. This is truer for the rooms directly beneath the attic. In blown in attic insulation, the blown material is much smaller and gets into the tiny cracks and crevices of your attic and does not allow any air to leak into the rest of the house.

Poor sound absorption

in many homes, people use the attic as a place to work or tinker around, or a place for playing music. In such homes insulating the attic is very essential. Firstly, for comfort and secondly for noise reduction.Uninsulated attics will cause a lot of disturbance to the other family members who are busy trying to concentrate on other jobs. for noise reduction attic insulation blown in is a very good option.

Bigger electricity bills

Due to their fairly large size attic insulation always takes a backseat. As attics do not get the insulation they actually require they become extremely hot is summer or very cold in winter. The air conditioning/insulation system inside the house is always in the process of heating or cooling floors below the attic. By avoiding or leaving attics uninsulated you are forcing your heating and cooling systems in the house to overwork, thus unnecessarily skyrocketing your electricity bills. Save money on your utility bills by opting for blown attic insulation.

After seeing the various hazards that can be caused by not insulating attics it is a wise decision to go in for blown insulation as this not only prevents heat and other hazards it also greatly lowers energy expenditure by lowering additional heating and cooling costs.

What Are The Costs Involved In Air Duct Cleaning?

Posted on June 12, 2017 by webmaster

You are on the lookout for a reliable and trustworthy air duct cleaning company that does an efficient job. But you do not know whom to contact and how to approach the whole problem. And if you are at a loss as to the various costs involved in air duct cleaning, then this article here should help you out!

Always opt for reliable vent cleaning services

Never fall in for those companies which say that air duct cleaning can get done at the lowest possible price. This is because they do more harm than good. Vent cleaning is a highly professional job that should be undertaken by qualified personnel.

Before you hire qualified air duct cleaning services, ensure that you ask them the right questions. Make sure you get the right answers and then opt for the best home air duct cleaning service.

The various costs involved

Air duct cleaning can certainly cost you a good amount, anywhere from $300 to $800, if it is done in a professional way, with qualified and trustworthy technicians doing the job. The amount can also increase depending on the other services that homeowners take. Most of the reputed air duct cleaning services follow the standards and guidelines of National Air Duct Cleaners Association. They also use specialized equipment and tools, so that the dust and debris are completely removed from the air ducts and vents. Any company using inferior tools will only do an incomplete job and superficial cleaning of the air ducts. This further damages the duct work at your home.

The typical costs also depend on other factors such as:

The size of the property.
The size of the system to be cleaned.
The different types of services opted for.
The regional climate
The types of materials used inside the duct work.
The amount of debris, dust, mold particles, contaminants, pollutants etc.

If the duct cleaning system in the home is an old one, then chances are that air ducts may contain asbestos in the insulation, boots and other areas. In this case, the costs can escalate as asbestos removal is a specialized process, requiring special equipment. Depending on the extent and the complexity, the total costs for air duct cleaning may go up.

A few more factors to consider

Although the general recommendation is that air ducts should be cleaned once in three to five years, there are some who do it more frequently. There are also others who believe in doing it themselves. In such cases, the costs vary. But whatever the case may, getting the qualified air duct cleaners to do the job is very beneficial.

Mold in the HVAC system should be addressed immediately, as they can cause health issues among the occupants of the house. If there are smokers in the house, or if there are pets, then the amount of dust and other pet dander, pollutants that contaminate the air are naturally more in numbers. In these situations, the air duct cleaning should be taken up at frequent intervals, which increases the costs.

Top 5 Reasons To Get Mold Remediation Done

Posted on June 1, 2017 by webmaster

The thought of dealing with a mold infection is a scary one. It could grow in your homes without being noticed and cause havoc to your home and well-being. There are different kinds of mold strains, but no matter which strain it is, they can be dangerous to your health and surroundings.

Many people may feel that they can get the home mold removal done themselves. This might not be possible always especially if the mold is spread over a large space. In such situations, it is advisable to get a professional household mold removal done for a more permanent and complete solution.

Why should you get mold remediation done?

Mold might not be visible always

The dangerous part about mold is that it can grow in a variety of hidden places. It might not even be visible to you unless it has caused a significant amount of damage.

It might begin in the spaces behind tiles or inside ducts. It could also grow behind the walls, in your basement, inside the drains or even in the attic. It requires moisture and humid conditions to thrive.

It might be tough to recognize the early signs. Some of them include plaster that is crumbling, or walls that that may feel wet to touch. Another sign is the musty smell that is caused in an otherwise well-maintained home.

For health reasons

Mold infections can be extremely dangerous to the health of the occupants of a mold-infested space. Since Mold produces allergens, it could be particularly harmful to sensitive individuals.

In some cases, it could lead to allergic reactions or asthma attacks. Some of the other side effects could be dizziness, nausea, and headaches or even skin rashes. These can be caused by the non-toxic mold strains.

The most dangerous mold strain is known as the black mold and it can be even more dangerous. The symptoms could be toxic such as respiratory problems, skin inflammation etc. In some cases, it could even cause damage to the internal organs.

To protect your home

Mold can cause significant damage to the structure of the building. If it is not treated early it could damage the foundation and structural integrity of the building. In some extreme cases, the only solution would be to demolish the structure.

Mold spreads quickly and easily. It could also affect your personal possessions. If the issue of mold remediation is not addressed early, the process can get more tedious, more difficult and more expensive.

To prevent future occurrence

While it is important to find and eliminate the source of the mold, it is equally important to prevent it from occurring again. An efficient home mold remediation solution will ensure that you will not deal with this issue again.

The process would involve replacing any material that is affected. It could also involve applying special products that can restrain the development of mold.

Professional treatments work best

Professional mold removal specialists would offer you the best services. They have the technical expertise and professional equipment to give you a permanent solution. They will also be able to conduct the household mold remediation process in a fast, safe and efficient manner.

Conclusion

Mold infections if not treated in time can pose serious risks to your health and property. It is important to recognize the first signs of mold and take all the necessary steps to prevent any more damage. It is advisable to consult a professional so that mold remediation is not a cumbersome process.

10 Tips To Keep Your Carpet Clean

Posted on May 25, 2017 by webmaster

When you have a carpet, apart from enhancing the beauty of the room, it also adds to your cleaning list. If you have a carpet at home, it is difficult to ensure it is clean. Apart from the dust from the shoes, a number of stains will also need to be cleaned. Cleaning a carpet thoroughly like a professional carpet cleaning company, using the best carpet cleaner products or carpet stain removal products, sounds easier than it actually is Mix

Steam Cleaning Carpets

Here are 10 quick tips to help you keep that carpet clean at all times:

Blot

Carpets tend to attract a lot of stains. The first instinct is to use a carpet cleaner and rub it off. Instead, blot it. Use a cloth or sponge dipped in cleaning solution and dab at the stain. This helps in soaking up the stain rather than rubbing it in. ensure you blot from the outside of the stain, to inwards to avoid the stain from spreading.

Club Soda

When you spill beer or wine on that beautiful carpet of yours, don’t panic. Get some club soda and blot the stain. If this doesn’t do the trick, mix one part water and one part white vinegar in a spray bottle, and spray it all over the stained area. Let it stay for about 10-15 minutes and then use a sponge to soak up all the solution along with the stain. Repeat the process till the stain is removed completely.

Shaving Cream

Apart from helping you remove that unwanted hair, it can help in getting rid of regular stains too. Apply the shaving cream on the stain and let it stay for half an hour, this will let it set. Now blot it out along with the stain. Finish off with a spray solution of one part vinegar with one part water and wipe it off.

Dried Gum

Nothing looks uglier than a dried piece of chewing gum on your carpet. Rub some ice on the gum to freeze it. Now lift it off with a spoon.

Dishwasher Solution

Use a couple of drops of grease cutting dishwasher detergent, mix it with water and spray it on the stained area. Blot it out with a cloth or a sponge to get rid of the stain. Repeat the process several times till all stain is removed.

Melt Wax

Wax dripped from candles can be difficult to clean out if you try scraping them. Instead, place a cloth on the wax and heat it up with an iron. This will loosen up the dried wax enough to be removed easily with a butter knife.

Hydrogen Peroxide

when you have a blood stain on your carpet, don’t fret. Mix a part of mild detergent with water and remove the stain. For the stain that remains, apply hydrogen peroxide on it directly. This will foam up and you can wipe it away with a dry cloth.

Organic Cleaners

When your pet has an accident on the carpet, clean it out efficiently with an organic cleaner rather than a harsh chemical.

Candy Clean

When kids spill candy on the carpets, scrape it out gently with a butter knife. Clean out all the sugar from that spot with a sponge dipped in a solution of water mixed with mild soap.

Deep Clean

Carpet steam cleaning can ensure your carpets look fresh and new for a long time. Search for the best carpet steam cleaner and let the professionals do their job.

These tricks can help you get rid of stains immediately so that the stain does not sink in. There are a number of professional carpet cleaners who can ensure your carpets are cleaned no matter what. Find yourself the best carpet cleaning companies around you and enjoy a clean carpet at all times.

5 Questions To Ask Your Carpet Cleaner

Posted on May 14, 2017 by webmaster

Professional Carpet cleaners really do a wonderful job when it comes to cleaning. But be beware. At first glance, they might offer great deals and look so professional. But they are doing a business and they are doing it for profit. Hence, remember that work done for cheap prices will always be of very poor quality and the so-called “best carpet cleaner” will be having no idea about cleaning the tough stained carpets. It is thus, our duty to identify the best carpet cleaning companies to avail the carpet cleaning services.

Here are 5 important questions who need to ask the Carpet Cleaners to help you assess them before hiring them.

Will the Carpet Cleaning Company guarantee their services in writing?

This is the first and foremost question to be put forward. We do not want to pay money for a work that is not worth the money paid. If the carpet and floors look the same even after they have done the cleaning, there is no use in engaging someone to do the professional carpet cleaning. Hence, the cleaning company should guarantee its service, that too in writing.

Do they offer free estimates/quotes?

If a cleaning company does not give free quotes or estimates before they start their work, then you might very well end up paying a larger bill. To avoid such surprises, ask the companies for free quotes. It will give a fair idea about the overall cost of doing the job. You can also use this estimate to compare it with other servicing companies’ quotes. You can thus hit a balance between price and good quality service.

What is the Technology they use for Carpet Cleaning?

There are so many efficient tools available today for cleaning. New technology has made cleaning easier and effective. For example, the best carpet steam cleaner is available to clean the carpet with less effort. Also, most of the carpet cleaning service make use of truck-mounted units for cleaning. It consists of a tank attached with a hose. This hose is used to suck water and dirt from the carpet into the tank. Even vacuum cleaners are not as effective as truck-mounted cleaning systems.

Can the Cleaning service give references from their other customers?

If a carpet cleaning service is not fake and is genuine in doing their job, then they will be able to provide us with their existing customers’ feedback and testimonial. This will give you an idea about the experiences of other customers and if they are happy with the services of the company. You will also be able to find out about the quality of their services and the amount of experience they have in this field.

What type of chemicals are they using for cleaning?

This is a very important question as it involves the health of your family. It is essential to make use of environment-friendly products to clean the house. There are so many such products available in the market that have also proved to be effective in cleaning. Make sure that they use only safe products so that the floor and your home remain clean and healthy.

There are few other things that you need to make sure like whether the technician sent is insured or not, and what other preparations need to be made in advance before they come home for cleaning. Asking these questions will help you clear your doubts and you won’t be easily outsmarted by fraudsters.

What Is Air Duct Cleaning And Do You Need To Do It?

Posted on May 10, 2017 by webmaster

Indoor air pollution can be a cause for concern especially if the occupants of the home consist of children or the elderly. People suffering from asthma or those with respiratory problems can be especially sensitive to pollutants.

The necessity of getting the air ducts in your home cleaned up has been a debatable topic. While some believe that it is worth spending money to get it done, the others feel that it is just a scam.

What is air duct cleaning?

Air duct cleaning is a maintenance service that is provided by some of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) companies. They claim that the quality of air improves and the HVAC systems function better after the air duct cleaning services are done.

The type and cost of the services offered by the companies would depend on a variety of factors. Some of them are the extent of contamination, the size of the system and its accessibility etc.

The process of duct cleaning:

Duct cleaning service would include cleaning of the different heating and cooling components of the system. It would include cleaning the supply and return air ducts, grilles, diffusers, heating and cooling coils, etc.

If any of the components of the system are not installed properly they could be contaminated with dust, pollen or other such debris. It is important to get all the components cleaned thoroughly or else the entire system could get contaminated again.

When should you get the air ducts cleaned?

It is not possible to make a general statement about the necessity of getting the air duct cleaning done, as each home is different.

Some situations where you must consider getting the air ducts cleaned are:

Mold growth:
In the case of visible mold growth inside the duct or on any other components of the system, it is advisable to get the duct cleaned.
One of the simple ways to check for mold infestation is when you notice a musty or moldy smell. Mold growth takes place due to the moisture trapped inside. This could damage the overall HVAC system. Hence mold infestation is a serious issue, which must be dealt with correctly.

Vermin infestation:
If you notice any insects or rodent droppings in the air ducts, it means it is time for a home air duct cleaning. It shows that these insects may have nested or the rodents have been living in the air ducts. The by-products of the materials will mostly circulate in the air in your home and this is not safe for the occupants.

Clogged duct:
Sometimes the ducts in your home could be getting clogged due to a significant amount of dust or debris. This could get released into the home. To avoid such a situation, get the duct cleaning done.

Allergy related illness:
Another case where duct cleaning may be necessary is when a family member has been suffering from an allergy related illness. If you have taken all the necessary steps to keep the home dust free and the illness still persists, consider getting the ducts cleaned.

After renovation:
You might also want to consider duct cleaning if you have had major renovation work done or have moved into a new home. It could be possible that different kinds of dirt and debris may have been swept into the ducts if the construction crew was not careful.

Conclusion:

Getting the air ducts cleaning done is necessary in some cases while entirely optional at other times. It is a decision that must be taken depending on the home and its condition.

If you do decide to get it done, hire one of the reputed air duct cleaning companies to do the job. They will ensure a professional and thorough job.

Clean Your Dryer Vent Before These 5 Warning Signs Appear

Posted on May 8, 2017 by webmaster

A washing machine is a common appliance that is found in most households. But this useful gadget has been the reason behind a staggering number of home fires since the past few years.

If your dryer stops working or it takes too long to dry, you might suspect that there is a problem with the dryer. Many times the cause behind such situations is a clogged dryer vent.

Lint and dust can build up in the dryer vent. This causes the airflow to get blocked and exhaust gasses to build up. This could eventually lead to a fire. The dryer vent cleaning process is a good way to reduce the risk of fire drastically.

Here is a list of 5 warning signs that tell you it is time to clean the dryer vent.

Long drying times

One of the most important signs is when the drying time increases. The clothes will not dry properly and be damp to touch at the end of the cycle.

The dryer vent is used to push the hot air out and avoid it from coming in contact with the wet clothes. If the vent is blocked due to a build-up of lint, it restricts the airflow.

The hot air will not be able to escape and it will remain inside the dryer. Thus the dryer is not able to function at its best operating capacity and it is subjected to wear and tear. It can also reduce the lifespan of the machine.

Clothing and the dryer are hot

Another sign that shows that the dryer vent is not functioning properly is when clothes are very hot to touch after a cycle. The dryer can get hot too and it shows that that the machine is not exhausting efficiently due to a buildup in the vent.

The flap of vent hood does not open properly

The flap that covers the dryer vent must be open when the dryer is in use. This allows the hot air to escape from the dryer and the machine does not get overheated.

I the hood flap is not open as it is designed to be, it shows that it is time for dryer vent cleaning. When the hood is closed, it restricts the airflow and the heat that builds up inside is a fire hazard.

Burning smell

Lint is flammable and if you notice a burning smell from the dryer, it is a serious issue. If the dryer vent or the exhaust tube becomes very hot, the lint that is trapped inside can catch fire. The burning smell could be due to an active fire inside the dryer vent.

In case you smell something burning, switch off the dryer immediately. Get the dryer checked by one of the reputed dryer vent cleaning services as soon as possible.

Long time since the last inspection

It is advisable to inspect the dryer at least once every year to ensure that the risk of fire is reduced. It also helps the dryer to work effectively for a long period of time.

Maintaining a clean dryer vent pipe is essential for your safety as well as that of others around you. You can choose to do it yourself or get a professional dryer vent cleaner service.

A clean dryer vent pipe will not only guarantee safety but also make sure your dryer lasts a long time. Get the dryer checked periodically for best performance.