FLOODED with unwanted WATER? The Clock is Ticking!

When it comes to water damage in your home, there is a very simple rule: The LONGER you WAIT--the MORE you PAY!

This has a double meaning...obviously, it's going to cost more to repair and replace items that become more and more damaged...however, not everything is monetary.  Your TIME is invaluable and that is why we want to help prepare you for life's unexpected emergencies.

And a FLOOD in your HOME is a SERIOUS EMERGENCY.

Here is our helpful 'play-by-play' of the DAMAGE that can occur in the minutes, hours, days and even weeks following a FLOOD that has gone UNTREATED:

WITHIN MINUTES...
Several things occur.  First, water can spread into more areas which increases both the cost and the headache you're likely to endure.  Also, any paper goods such as art work, cardboard boxes and pictures can be ruined from absorbing too much moisture.  This can lead to swelling, warping and delaminating.  The wood stain on furniture can also begin to bleed onto your carpet.  This will stain the carpet permanently and the finish on the wood itself can turn white.

WITHIN HOURS...
Drywall will begin to soak up the water and start to swell and distort.  More damage can occur to wood furniture if it is still touching the water.  The furniture will start delaminating and begin to swell.  Within hours after flooding, the most potentially hazardous damage begins: Microorganisms start growing exponentially and consequential odor will develop.

WITHIN DAYS...
Mold reveals itself visually and musty odors intensify.  This makes the location of the water damage very dangerous to people with weak immune systems or respiratory problems.  Any person fitting that description, and especially small children, should be removed from the premises.  Any materials that can be called "moisture-sensitive" (musical instruments, wood artwork, baseball card collections, etc...) can begin to swell as well--even if they are not touching the water.  This is due to the high level of condensed moisture or humidity.  Moisture will then attack the building by causing metal to rust, electrical components to fail, doors and window casings to swell and split and structural pieces (such as joists & studs) to also swell and split.

WITHIN WEEKS...
You just may be looking for a new house to buy...After all, you now have fungi growing on organic materials in your home.  Anything wood is most likely ruined, since they have been warped and split with the finish completely destroyed.  The need to now gut the structure is a reality.  All materials affected by the water, moisture or humidity must now be replaced.  Finally, this is now a dangerously infested area that runs the risk of seriously hurting any occupants.


So here's what you need to remember:  WHEN YOU HAVE WATER IN YOUR HOME - CALL STEAMATIC!  We're here 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.  We work with all major insurance companies and will work with you and them to help close your claim fast.  No insurance?  No problem--we are always by the phone and waiting to lend a hand.

314-434-4600

IS THAT MOLD IN YOUR HOME?!

No one WANTS to find MOLD growing in their home...but unfortunately, more and more of us find it--and by the time we do it seems to be too much to handle on our own.

Of course, now would be the opportune time to remind you that YES, Steamatic of St. Louis does handle testing and remediation of MOLD in homes and businesses.

But HOW do you KNOW you HAVE a MOLD PROBLEM?

Have you noticed that your allergies are acting up more?

Does your family seem to get sick more often?

Has your home recently suffered from water damage?

If you find yourself answering YES to the three questions above--you may be at risk of MOLD.  If you haven't noticed any of the above then you still want to check the FIVE MOST COMMON PLACES that MOLD can grow in your home:

CHECK YOUR ATTIC

The wood underneath the roofing material is a common place for MOLD to grow

THE BATHROOMS

The Toilet and surrounding area as well as the tile in the tub & shower are ideal for MOLD growth

WINDOW SILLS & FRAMES

Condensation, especially with aluminum frame windows, help facilitate MOLD growth

THE CRAWLSPACE

Not a place you see on a daily basis, making it a spot that small amounts of water can stay and promote the perfect environment for MOLD

PLUMBING FIXTURES

Plumbing = water and a small leak can eventually lead to a big problem

Okay...so now you know where to look...but MOLD doesn't always LOOK the SAME.  So HERE is WHAT you MAY BE LOOKING AT:

ASPERGILLUS PENICILLIUM

One of the first types of mold found in homes is Aspergillus penicillium. This is an allergenic mold that can cause many diseases in humans. This type of mold commonly lives soil, food, or decaying food materials. It can also be found in the dust in your air conditioning system. The spores are spread around your home whenever you turn the system on.

CLADOSPORIUM

One of the next types of mold is Cladosporium. This mold is a powdery substance that is black or darkish green. It normally grows on food, dead plants, paint, and fiberglass air ducts. This types of mold can cause nail fungus, asthma, pulmonary conditions, and skin rashes in humans.

MEMNONIELLA

Memnoniella is also one of the common types of mold found in homes. This mold is usually found on cotton, paper, and wood products. Memnoniella can also develop toxins that are very harmful to the health of animals and humans. It is commonly found alongside Stachybotrys.

STACHYBOTRYS

This mold type is slimy, blackish, and is commonly referred to as toxic black mold. Like Memnoniella, it can also produce toxins that are very harmful to your health. It is known for causing cancer, asthma, and headaches. This type of mold is commonly found in the back of walls and under ceilings.

MUCOR

Mucor is also one of the common types of mold. Mucor is usually found in soil and animal droppings. It can also thrive in household dust. People who have weak immune systems can easily develop lung infections if they are exposed to this type of mold.

ALTERNARIA

One of the final types of mold commonly found in homes is Alternaria. Like Penicillium, it is also an allergenic mold. Alternaria is usually found on soil and plants. If you inhale this type of mold, it could cause asthmatic reactions, hay fever, and various other allergies.

They say "The more you know, the more you grow."  So, with that in mind, we say, "The MORE YOU KNOW, The LESS MOLD CAN GROW!"

(Yeah, that was a bit cheesy, but sometimes we can't help it)  

Let us at Steamatic HELP YOU KEEP MOLD from PUTTING YOU ON HOLD!  As always, 24 hours a day & 7 days a week, we are only a phone call away.  314-434-4600

BETTER WEATHER make it a BETTER TIME to have your AIR-DUCTS CLEANED!

The weather is starting to cool down around town and a lot of people are opening up their windows instead of leaning on the air-conditioner.  That's a great way to save on energy bills--however--let's remember that this IS St. Louis and it will be time to turn on the heater before you know it.


That's why NOW would be the best time to look into having you air-duct system cleaned!

After you turn the air-conditioner off, the inside of your ductwork will have a lot of contaminants sitting still, waiting for you to blast them all over the inside of your home when it comes time for the heat to be turned on.

Here are some common household contaminants that can be found idly sitting inside your ductwork:

MOLD

PET HAIR

DANDER

SMOKE RESIDUE

POLLEN

CARPET FIBERS

INSECTS

RODENTS

BACTERIA

FUNGI

DECAYING ORGANIC MATTER

VIRUSES

SKIN FLAKES

DUST MITES

CHEMICAL RESIDUE

And if you are STILL running your air-conditioner then just think about what your family is breathing in right now.

If getting your ductwork cleaned is something you have been considering, or if it's something that seems to make more sense now, we are happy to provide FREE ESTIMATES for you.

We are a NADCA Certified company and adhere to all industry standards.  NADCA stands for the National Air-Duct Cleaners Association.  You can find a link to their site on the right hand side of this blog.  Please give them a visit and learn more for yourself.

AS AN ADDED BONUS for getting your air-ducts cleaned by Steamatic of St. Louis we will give you 4 FREE ROOMS of CARPET CLEANED!

We're only a phone call away--so set up your appointment TODAY!  314-434-4600

SCARY FACTS You Might Not Know...OR Might Not WANT To Know!

The seasons are changing and NOW is the best time to get your CARPET CLEANED!

Would you like to know WHY?

How about we ask you some questions first...

DID YOU KNOW

A person sheds about 1.5 MILLION skin flakes every HOUR!  Most of these skin flakes become embedded in our carpets!


About 2,000 DUST MITES can live happily on just ONE OUNCE of carpet dust!


Dust mites, besides being just plain gross, thrive in warm, humid environments.  They eat dead skin cells (even grosser) and nest in dust-collecting carpet.


The residue that the mites leave behind can mix with dust and become airborne, which may cause or irritate allergies.


Carpets are also highly effective places for mature FLEAS!  Fleas thrive in carpet because of its dry temperature.


The Norwalk Virus or Norovirus (the virus that causes the flu) can survive on an uncleaned carpet for over a month!

SO DO YOU STILL NEED A REASON TO GET YOUR CARPET CLEANED?!

They say that you never can know the struggle of another person until you walk a mile in their shoes.  Let's spin that around a bit...think about all the people that come into your home.  Think about the miles that their shoes have traveled.  Just try and imagine every place they went before coming to your home.

Did you ask them to take their shoes off before they came in?

Did you take off yours?



Sure, we clean air-duct systems at Steamatic.  We'll be updating you regularly on the 'hows' and 'whys' on that service periodically with this blog.  But PEOPLE NEVER THINK that their INDOOR AIR QUALITY and CARPETS are connected.

They are!

Here's just one example that often shocks people--especially since they just BOUGHT NEW CARPET:


"Why should I get my carpet professionally cleaned if it's brand new?"

Because, according to the EPA, new carpet can be a source of chemical emissions.  Your brand new carpet could be emitting volatile organic compounds!

It's scary, but it's true.  And THAT is why we're here.  So just because you had brand new carpet installed please don't assume it's clean and healthy for you--and more important--YOUR FAMILY.

REMEMBER THIS LITTLE FACT:


NOT EVERYONE HAS THE SAME TASTE IN CARPET...

EXCEPT THESE GUYS!

Yes...those, are DUST MITES.  Yes, they are in your carpet.

And YES, we are only a phone call away!

Steamatic of St. Louis 314-434-4600