Why Choose Carpet Cleaning?

Posted by 5 Brothers Cleaning on Apr 25, 2012 in Carpet Cleaning | Comments Off

For decades there have been many carpet cleaning myths about that prevent homeowners from getting regular, professional carpet cleaning services. The team at 5 Brothers Cleaning has heard these myths and we’re here to debunk them so you can get the best enjoyment out of your home flooring.

1) You shouldn’t walk barefoot on your carpets. We’re surprised when we hear this, because walking barefoot on clean, soft carpets is so enjoyable! The idea is that the natural oils in your feet will transfer to the carpet or fine rugs and eventually destroy the fibers.

2) Vacuuming often reduces the need for professional carpet cleaning. While vacuuming is great and should be performed regularly (especially if there are pets) it does not replace the need for hot water extraction cleaning. Any household vacuum won’t be strong enough to extract the particles of dirt, hair, skin cells and crumbs that get lodged in the carpet fibers and they build up over time. Plus, vacuuming can actually trigger allergies because some machines blow the dust back up into the air. Professional carpet cleaning gets all of the little particles your vacuum can’t get, no matter how often you vacuum, and will actually reduce allergens in the carpets and air.

3) New carpets (under 3 years old) don’t need professional cleaning. Newer carpets might take longer to look visibly dirty, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t have dirt, dust, hair or other particles deep within the fibers. In fact, when left for a long time new carpets can be damaged by not having these particles professionally removed. Carpet cleaning can extend the life of your carpet from the get go, and make it look brand new for years. It’s recommended that you get professional carpet cleaning once a year for typical household use.

4) Professional cleaning can damage new carpets. This myth originated decades ago when professional cleaners used steam or excess water and soaps to clean carpets, and equipment wasn’t strong enough to remove the water and soap. This would cause mold, fiber stiffness and never effectively removed the dirt, often bringing it just under the surface where it was even more visible. Today, professional carpet cleaning methods use hot water extraction which efficiently removes all of the water that’s used (which reduces the drying time to one hour) and soap-free cleansers do not leave any residue behind. The machines used are gentle for all carpet types and do not damage or disrupt decorative carpets, fine rugs or any fiber material.

5) Wool carpets and rugs should not be cleaned because they’ll shrink. There is a slight truth to this myth, in that steam cleaning can cause a slight unraveling of the wool, but a professional carpet cleaner will use hot water extraction, not steam. Sometimes hot water extraction can be confused for steam cleaning, so make sure you know which service you’re getting. Hot water extraction removes all water and has a very short drying time, so the wool will remain intact and not be damaged at all.

6) Carpets and rugs should be dry cleaned only. This myth comes from old methods and improper equipment that left large amounts of water in the carpet, and dry cleaning was recommended because it doesn’t use water. However, hot water extraction cleaning methods are the most effective at removing the microscopic dirt, dust and hair particles that get lodged in carpets, and the heat ensures a more sanitary clean than dry cleaning can provide, and all water is removed using current methods.

7) Carpets show soil more quickly after being professionally cleaned. The idea is to wait a long time in between cleanings because spots resurface and because the soap used leaves a residue which attracts more dirt. Both of these are simply signs of a poor quality carpet clean. A quality professional will use a synthetic cleanser, not an oily soap, and have a quality machine to extract all of the water used, so dirt is not attracted to carpets and all soils are completely removed.

Chimney Safety and You: The Hidden Hazards

Posted by 5 Brothers Cleaning on Apr 23, 2012 in Blog, Chimney Sweeping | Comments Off

If your chimney isn’t kept in good condition, you could be putting yourself at serious risk of a chimney fire or carbon monoxide poisoning, both of which could occur without any warning that something is wrong. Here at 5 Brothers Cleaning, we understand the importance of chimney sweeping to maintaining the safety of your home.

Chimney Fires

In the United States alone, as many as 20,000 chimney fires occur in a year. The first time your chimney catches on fire, it may go completely unnoticed by you, but the fire can do damage to your chimney that may lead to a subsequent chimney fire that burns your house to the ground. Fortunately, the risk of a chimney fire is minimal if you take the proper precautions when it comes to your chimney.

Causes of Chimney Fires

The major reason chimney fires occur is due to the build-up of creosote on the inner walls of your chimney. Creosote is produced by burning wood and is carried up into the chimney as the smoke rises. As the smoke rises into the chimney, it begins to cool, causing the creosote to condense on the inner walls of the chimney. While creosote build-up is natural, if it is allowed to accumulate for an extended period of time or if there are other factors that encourage creosote build-up – the risk of a chimney fire increases significantly. The heat from a fire can eventually cause the creosote to spontaneously ignite, causing a fire inside the chimney itself. The chimney liner is only designed to accommodate a certain amount of heat and can be easily damaged by the extreme temperatures involved in a chimney fire, which can be as much as 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Damage to a chimney caused by a fire may include cracks in the masonry and tiles, which can allow the heat from a subsequent chimney fire to spread to the surrounding areas of your home such as the wooden framing or roof.

Creosote accumulation in your chimney can occur for a variety of reasons including reduced air flow, burning green wood and a chimney that is built on the exterior of your home rather than in the center – allowing the chimney to cool more rapidly.

Signs of a Chimney Fire

There are various indicators that can point to a chimney fire occurring at some point in the past including creosote flakes on the ground around your house or on the roof, cracks in the exterior masonry of your chimney, a burnt or warped chimney cap or other common signs. If you suspect you may have had a chimney fire, do not use your fireplace until it has been inspected by a licensed chimney sweeping professional.

Possible signs that a chimney fire is actually occurring include a distinct “roaring” sound from the flue and flames coming out of the chimney if viewed from outside. If a chimney fire is occurring, it is strongly recommended that you evacuate everyone from your home and call the fire department.

Carbon Monoxide

In addition to reducing the risk of fire, keeping your chimney clean is also crucial. If your chimney is clogged with creosote, this can prevent the chimney from venting properly, causing carbon monoxide to build up inside your home. In addition, birds may nest on top of the chimney or debris such as fallen branches or leaves may fall into it, potentially causing a blockage. Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, making it very dangerous in confined spaces. A common sign of a blockage in the chimney is a strong smoky odor when the fireplace is in use.

Prevent Carbon Monoxide Build-Up

Make sure that your chimney has a cap installed – this will help keep birds and debris out of the chimney. If you believe you have a blockage in your chimney, we recommend you have your chimney inspected by a license professional as soon as possible. Utilizing carbon monoxide detectors inside your home can be a life-saving measure in the event that your fireplace is sufficiently blocked to cause a build-up of carbon monoxide, although they are not a replacement for regular chimney maintenance.

Upholstery Cleaning Benefits

Posted by 5 Brothers Cleaning on Feb 2, 2012 in Upholstery Cleaning | Comments Off

Keeping the upholstery clean can be a challenge for any homeowner, considering how much use your furniture sees on a daily basis. If you have children or pets, getting your upholstery clean and making sure it stays that way can be even more difficult. Fortunately, when it comes to upholstery, an expert upholstery cleaning company can tackle any issues you have with your upholstery including stains and odors.

Chimney Sweeping Benefits

Posted by 5 Brothers Cleaning on Jan 31, 2012 in Chimney Sweeping | Comments Off

Everyone loves having a cozy evening spent curled up in front of the fireplace, but you might not realize that your chimney can be a potential fire hazard. Burning wood in your fireplace creates a byproduct called creosote that can accumulate on the walls of your chimney. Creosote is very flammable – if enough of it collects inside your chimney, it can catch fire and actually cause a chimney fire.

The Benefits of Carpet Cleaning

Posted by 5 Brothers Cleaning on Jan 27, 2012 in Carpet Cleaning | Comments Off

Why should you have your carpets professionally cleaned?

Carpets are warm and soft beneath our feet, and they feel comfortable and welcoming when they’re clean. Vacuuming, while very important to carpet and family health, isn’t enough to maintain clean carpets through the demands of regular home life, and professional carpet cleaning can have a wide range of benefits for the home as well as all members of the family. All members of the household enjoy walking around barefoot on soft carpets, and your carpets can be even softer with professional carpet cleaning.