Carpet Care Tips from San Antonio Carpet Cleaning Company – PRS of Texas

Since carpet is a major investment, homeowners want to do everything they can to maintain its quality and cleanliness. While a professional deep steam clean from a San Antonio Carpet Cleaning Company is necessary at least once a year (bigger families and those with pets should increase the frequency of deep cleans). What can be done to maintain fresh and clean carpets in between those professional deep cleans? Follow these Carpet Care tips to prevent damage and help you easily clean your carpets.

5 San Antonio Carpet Care Tips

1. Carpet Care Tip: Vacuum with a Roller Brush

   A roller brush attachment on your vacuum is great because the brushing action agitates and lifts carpet fibers to help loosen dust and dirt and results in a deeper more thorough clean than suction power alone

2. Carpet Care Tip: Treat Stains Immediately

   The best way to remove a stain is to treat it as soon as the spill occurs. Use a clean absorbent cloth to soak up the excess liquid. Apply pressure to the spill but do not rub because this will only push the stain deeper into the carpet fibers.

3. Carpet Care Tip: Add Entry Mats and Area Rugs

   The carpet in your home is not equally used. Some areas experience much more traffic than others. In the high traffic areas, usually near entrances and exits, add an area rug or entry mat. These will help prolong the life of your carpet.

4. Carpet Care Tip: Rotate Area Rugs

   If you use area rugs in your home, it is unlikely every part of the rug experiences the same amount of traffic and use. (Just like your carpets) This is easy to fix with area rugs because you can just simply rotate the rug or change the arrangement of your rugs in order to allow for equal use on all areas. This will also help keep the vibrant color of the rugs longer.

5. Carpet Care Tip: Make your Carpet a No Shoe Zone

   This is the easiest and best way to keep your carpets clean and prolong carpet life. Simply encourage your family and friends to take their shoes off at the door.

Professional San Antonio Carpet Cleaning: Call 210-650-3330 Today

Following these Carpet Care Tips will prolong the life of your carpet, but, we recommend a professional, deep clean once a year to remove difficult spots, dirt, and stains. For your deep steam clean call our San Antonio Carpet Cleaners at 210-650-3330 or fill out a Free San Antonio Carpet Cleaning Request today!

Austin and San Antonio Professional Carpet Cleaning Guidelines

A home’s carpet experiences more wear, tear, spills, and dirt than any other surface in the house. Dogs sleep on it, kids play on it, and everyone walks all over it. Maintaining a clean carpet is important for maintaining a clean home. Professional carpet cleaning is a great way to clean, refresh, and eliminate germs and odors. Every home needs good, professional carpet cleaning, but how often? If you’re a pet owner does it make a difference? What are the conditions that affect the necessary frequency of a carpet cleaning?

Homeowner Maintenance and Professional Carpet Cleaning Charts

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) provides easy to follow guidelines for self and professional carpet cleaning frequency depending on the family size, pets, and traffic use. Check out the chart below to find out how often you should be vacuuming and scheduling professional cleanings:

Homeowner Maintenance

Professional Carpet Cleaning

Premier Restoration Services Inc., is a Professional Carpet Cleaning company certified by the IICRC. Eliminate stains, dirt, and odor and call PRS of Texas at 1-800-613-1323 or submit a Professional Carpet Cleaning Quote Request to schedule your carpet cleaning today.

Upholstery Cleaning tips to Prolong the Life of your Furniture

Upholstery Cleaning can be the most time consuming job in the house. This is especially true when it comes to getting out tough carpet or couch stains and odors. How to keep that new couch clean? What to do when the kids spill on the living room rug? Here are a couple simple tips to help conquer cleaning your household upholstery, from your Austin and San Antonio upholstery cleaning experts at PRS of Texas.

1. Upholstery Cleaning Tip: Vacuum floors and couches weekly

   Yes, the couch too. Vacuuming often can be a pain but it is important for eliminating dust, allergens, and keeping everything smelling fresh. Use a soft brush attachment on your vacuum for the couch and other upholstery. And don’t forget the backs of the cushions too!

2. Upholstery Cleaning Tip: Reverse cushions on upholstered furniture

   This reversing of cushions should be done about once a week. While this tip seems quite simple it has great benefits. Frequently reversing makes cushions wear evenly and enables you to spot any stains before they have time to set into the fabric.

3. Upholstery Cleaning Tip: Use manufacturer recommended cleaners

   Most upholstery materials come with a tag indicating which kind of cleaner to use.  Just as you wouldn’t machine wash hot clothing that calls to be hand washed cold, only use the cleaning material stated on the tag. If this cleaner does not remove the stain, contact the professional upholstery cleaners at PRS of Texas.

4. Upholstery Cleaning Tip: Clean spills right away

   Even if it is the middle of the dinner party and you are chatting with friends on the couch it is important to clean the spill immediately before the upholstery absorbs the contents of the spill.

5. Upholstery Cleaning Tip: Call the Professionals at PRS of Texas for a deep clean

   Once in a while a professional deep clean is necessary to renew and refresh your carpet and furniture. Only a trained professional using proper equipment can remove dirt, bacteria, and odors in the deepest fibers of the carpet.

Use our form to request carpet and/or upholstery cleaning in Austin or San Antonio or call 1-800-613-1323 today!

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Summer Cleaning: Before, During, and After

Since we’re in the midst of a dazzling and hot summer and nearing the Labor Day Holiday Weekend, it seems just right to jump start our seasonal cleaning series with some tricks of the trade that are perfect for the moment. The warm weather means family reunions, outdoor BBQs, pool parties, and just enjoying the backyard. Cleaning up before and after outdoor entertainment and fun requires its own special summer cleaning checklist. So even though fun in the sun does not come without chores, here is our list of the Top 5 Summer Cleaning Tips that will get the home and backyard ready in no time!

1. Summer Cleaning Tip: Care for your Air Conditioner

   As temperatures rise outside, AC use rises inside. Keeping the windows closed and the AC on keeps humidity low in the house discouraging mildew and mold growth. Clean the filter and vacuum the coils (when the power is off) at the beginning and end of the summer season to reduce the number of dust and allergen particles. Also at the end of the season, clean the vents and registers by removing the registers and vacuuming away the dust.

2. Summer Cleaning Tip: Take Care of your Grill

   After being heavily used for quite a few months, the grill will be in need of a good scrub down to remove rust, grime, and grease. Unless you thoroughly cleaned your grill at the end of last summer, and each grill party, before putting it away, grease from previous use will have hardened onto the grill. First, to remove the rust, combine a mixture of backing soda and water to make a paste. Next, while wearing rubber gloves, apply this paste liberally wherever there are rust stains and let the paste sit for a few minutes. Using a wire brush scrub the rust and paste mixture off of the grill. After the rust is taken care of use a grease magnet solution and follow a similar method for application and removal. This product can be found at your local home improvement store. Lastly, make sure you have enough propane or charcoal to fire up the grill!

3. Summer Cleaning Tip: Clean Outdoor Furniture

   Spray down your outdoor furniture with the hose and give them a good soapy scrub. While you dry them off, have the kids hose down their outdoor play sets, being careful to conserve water at the same time.

4. Summer Cleaning Tip: Flip your Mattresses

   Mattresses should be cleaned and flipped about twice a year, once in the winter and once in the summer in order to avoid dust and mites. To do this simply use the soft brush attachment of the vacuum and run it over the top of the mattress. Next, remove the mattress and vacuum the top of the box spring. Lastly, flip the mattress over and vacuum the new topside. Phew, once that’s over, you don’t have to worry about it again until January.

5. Summer Cleaning Tip: Check for bugs

   Summer means being outside, so while you’re out there, take a walk around the perimeter of your house to inspect for bugs. Check for bug infestations, bee or wasp nests, and most importantly signs of termites and carpenter ants. The gutters are another important spot to look.

Most importantly have fun in the sun and enjoy this easygoing time of year. Look out for fall cleaning tips next! Contact PRS of Texas for all of your water damage restoration, water extraction, and mold removal needs via our our simple online form or at 1-800-613-1323.

About Pet Odor Removal in San Antonio and Austin

Where do Pet Odors come From?

“A man’s best friend”: this famous saying pretty much sums up the relationship between people and their most common pet, dogs. All pets can bring families the joy, entertainment, and companionship of a best friend, except there are a couple major differences between our animal and human friends. Pets are covered in hair, they love rolling around in dirt (usually the stinkier the better for rolling in), the world is their toilet, and they don’t bathe themselves.

Pet Ododr Removal: How Pet Odors Accumulate

While our love for our stinky four legged friends cannot be broken, these factors can lead to some pretty smelly pets. Dirt, germs, dandruff, and pet hair combine to leave a very unpleasant odor, and if these odors are not treated they can permeate throughout the house.  Additionally, if a pet has an accident inside the home, unless this odorous spot is eliminated, the pet’s own personal scent will attract them back to the accident zone again and again. Pet urine and other stains and odors are made up of live bacteria that permeate fabric and carpet fibers.

About our Austin and San Antonio Pet Odor Removal Services

That’s where PRS of Texas comes in, we’ve been doing Pet Odor Removal in Austin and San Antonio for over a decade, and, we can get your home back to a clean and fresh smell in no time. A simple steam clean cannot kill off the live bacteria and prevent them from spreading. Our trained Austin and San Antonio Pet Odor Removal Experts use environmentally friendly enzyme cleaners that actually digest the odor causing bacteria and proteins, permanently eliminating odors from the deepest fibers of carpets and fabrics.

If you have a specific pet stain or just a lingering pet odor that fills the room contact our Austin and San Antonio Pet Odor Removal Specialists online or via telephone at 1-800-613-1323 to schedule your cleaning today.

Drought Means It’s Time for Water Conservation

Serious drought has settled in for nearly all of Texas, which means its time for Water Conservation. According to the Lower Colorado River Authority, the last eight months have been the driest since 1895! Austin rainfall has only 38% of normal rainfall, while temperatures have hit the triple digits earlier than usual this year. Low rains and high temperatures mean one thing: less water and more water conservation. Each city has specific parameters for water use and drought restrictions. San Antonio is currently in stage two of drought restrictions which includes rules like only watering once a week between 3:00 and 8:00 am and 8:00 and 10:00 pm on designated water days, determined by address. See the links below for further details on drought restrictions and water conservation rules in San Antonio and Austin. In order to get through these hot summer months and the drought, conserving water will be key. Here are several easy tips for using water wisely.

5 Water Conservation Tips

• #1 Water Conservation Tip:
  Don’t pour water down the drain if there is another use for it. Use catch buckets in the kitchen sink and the shower and then use the extra water for indoor plants.
• #2 Water Conservation Tip:
  Check for leaks! If there is a leak, then water is wasted. Do a quick check by reading the water meter when all the faucets are off. Then in 30 minutes take another reading. If there is a difference in readings then there is a leak! Replace washers and fix caulking around the toilet to fix these leaks.
• #3 Water Conservation Tip:
  Only run the dishwasher when it is completely full. This is the easiest on the list and can make a huge difference.
• #4 Water Conservation Tip:
  Clean vegetables in a pan filled with water rather than running water over them.  This is so simple; it’s worth doing all year round.
• #5 Water Conservation Tip:
  Now here is the clincher: take shorter showers. This one can be tough. Make it into a family competition so that each person is motivated to shorten his or her time. Now shorter showers are fun and no one has to be shower marshal making sure everyone is following the rules.

These 5 steps can jump start your household towards water conservation and help make these drought months a little bit easier. For water damage restoration services contact PRS of Texas today.

Water Restrictions for San Antonio

Water Restrictions for Austin

A Leaking Air Conditioner can Lead to Water Damage

The heat has arrived! Or, was it really ever gone in the first place? Thank goodness for that handy invention by Willis Haviland Carrier in 1902, called the air conditioner! This amazing device keeps the residents of San Antonio cool and sane throughout the summer. AC helps to maintain healthy living environments by eliminating and extracting heat from the air. As temperatures rise and people crank up the dial on those cooling machines, the risk of a leaking air conditioner also rises.

Malfunctions can Cause a Leaking Air Conditioner

This increased risk of a a leaking air conditioner occurs due to the primary cooling process of the AC: removal of humidity. When air passes through the furnace inside the air conditioner it runs through evaporator coils. These look very similar to a car radiator. As this air is cooled, the humidity from the house air condenses into water, and (when everything is working properly) this water collects in a drip pan and is drained outside of the home. However, when this condensation process is occurring on a much larger scale producing gallons of water, mishaps may occur possibly leading to a leaking air conditioner. If something isn’t working right in the air conditioner this water often ends up on the floor. Even a small but continuous drip of water onto the floor or down the wall from a leaking air conditioner can lead to very serious water damage and even mold growth.

4 Signs That You May have a Leaking Air Conditioner

If you are noticing signs of a leaking air conditioner, take a few minutes to diagnose the exact source of the problem. Here are a few leak sources to look out for:

• Leaking Air Conditioner Sign #1: Drain Pan Water Back-Up
• Leaking Air Conditioner Sign #2: A Squashed Hose
• Leaking Air Conditioner Sign #3: The Water Runs Uphill
• Leaking Air Conditioner Sign #4: A Clogged Hose

Contact PRS of Texas to Repair Water Damage from a Leaking Air Conditioner

Regular maintenance of the air conditioner system, especially before the summer season sets in, will catch any ac malfunction and prevent a leaking air conditioner from wreaking havoc in the home. Now you know another water damage source: the air conditioner. So if you are experiencing standing water, mold, or any other water damage signs, check the AC and call our Water Damage Restoration Experts in Austin and San Antonio or submit a free Water Damage Restoration Quote Request!

Mold Allergy Symptoms, Sources, and Contributors

If you have allergy symptoms all year long despite season changes, you may have a mildew or mold allergies. Mold thrives in damp environments and can live in your home causing year round allergies.

What Is are Mold Allergy?

Mold and mildew are fungi and they spread by releasing tiny lightweight spores, which are like seeds, into the air. For those who have mold allergies too much exposure to mold and inhaling these spores into the lungs causes allergic reactions.

4 Common Mold Allergy Symptoms

The symptoms for mold allergies are similar to other seasonal allergies symptoms. The important difference to note is if these symptoms occur within your home.

• Mold Allergy Symptom #1: Wheezing
• Mold Allergy Symptom #2: Stuffy Or Runny Nose
• Mold Allergy Symptom #3: Itchy Water Eyes
• Mold Allergy Symptom #4: Rash Or Hives

5 Mold Allergy Sources: Know Where Mold Can Grow In Your Home

Mold grows best in damp environments at room temperatureso the home is a perfect setting for mold to thrive.

• Bathroom Tile
• Mold Allergy Source #1: Grout
• Mold Allergy Source #2: Wood
• Mold Allergy Source #3: Paint
• Mold Allergy Source #4: Plaster
• Mold Allergy Source #5: Fabric

Source: Allergy Escape: Mold Allergy

6 Mold Allergy Contributors: Know Conditions Which Can Lead To Mold Growth In Your Home

• Mold Allergy Contributor #1: Floods
• Mold Allergy Contributor #2: Leaky Roofs
• Mold Allergy Contributor #3: Leaky Plumbing
• Mold Allergy Contributor #4: Damp Basements
• Mold Allergy Contributor #5: Clothes Dryers That Vent Indoors
• Mold Allergy Contributor #6: Humidifiers

Black Mold: The Mold Type Commonly Associated With Mold Allergies?

Black mold or “toxic mold” is usually associated with the mold Stachybotrys chartaruma, a slimy black-green mold caused by severe water damage. This is usually found in water soaked areas such as floors, ceilings, and walls. Black mold is considered a serious contributing factor to allergies, asthma, and bronchitis.

Mold Allergy Cure: How To Get Rid Of Mold And Mildew In The Home?

If you or those who live in your home experience year round allergies and your home is a perfect candidate for water damage and damp environments, then it is possible you may be experiencing mold allergies and it is of utmost importance to check your household for mold. The best way to eliminate mold and, therefore, eliminate a mold allergy, is to contact a certified mold remediation company. Premier Restoration Services’ mold remediation specialists will properly contain and remove the mold and prevent the spread of mold spores to other areas. Our professionally trained specialists will use the latest equipment to improve the air quality and work in conjunction with local mold assessment companies, like our friends over at Mold Inspection Sciences to ensure all mold has been completely removed. After mold removal is completed, you should see an immediate improvement to the symptoms associated with a mold allergy. Contact the San Antonio and Austin Mold Remediation Specialists at PRS of Texas today for Austin Mold Remediation or San Antonio Mold Remediation before it spreads and causes further harm.

Water Damage Prevention: Perform Regular Plumbing Checkups

Through regular check ups and maintenance of household plumbing systems homeowners can prevent serious damage from water leaks and save a lot of money on water damage restoration or mold remediation.

Water Damage can be Prevented by Following these 6 Steps

1. Water Damage Pevention tip #1: Perform Yearly Plumbing System Checks

   San Antonio and Austin Water Damage Restoration Company, PRS of Texas, recommends yearly checks of your entire plumbing system to ensure that everything is in working order. Much like your body and your car, your plumbing system should receive yearly check-ups to avoid major, expensive problems, such as water damage and mold buildup. Contact our San Antonio Plumbing partners at 1-800-Plumbing today and enquire about their Diamond Club, San Antonio Plumbing Program which is free for the first 30 months.

2. Water Damage Pevention tip #2: Know how to Recognize Leaks

   Look for signs of leaks in the exposed pipes and where plumbing runs through the walls and foundation of the home. Signs of leaks include puddles of water inside the house, and watermarks on carpet and walls. If you suspect leaks, call a certified San Antonio Plumber immediately to have your pipes and plumbing checked. If extensive damage is observed contact PRS of Texas today for a quote on water damage restoration.
   Read more

3. Water Damage Pevention tip #3: Know the Signs of Corroded Pipes

   Look for signs of corrosion. Corroded pipes can lead to leaks and flooding. To detect corrosion look for green stains around brass and copper fittings and shutoff valves, as well as the aforementioned signs of leaks. Corroded pipes should be repaired immediately to prevent further water damage!
   Read more

4. Water Damage Pevention tip #4: Be Aware of Loose Tiles

   Look for cracks in tile or grout around sinks, toilets, bathtubs, and other plumbing fixtures in the home. Cracked or loose tiles indicate that there is, or was, a leak causing rotting underneath the tile. Apart from damaging your floors, the damp atmosphere is a prime place for mold to develop, and steps to restore water damage whould be taken immediately.
   Read more

5. Water Damage Pevention tip #5: Know how to Check your Toilets

   Check out your toilets. Make sure the handle works properly and the toilet does not move when pushed on. Also look for standing water around the base of the toilet and take note of any unpleasant smells not formerly present in your bathroom area. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, it’s possible that you may have water damage around your toilet which may be invisible to the naked eye. Contact PRS of TX to have one of our experienced water damage restoration technicians come out and take a look, should you need plumbing maintenance, we work together with 1-800-Plumbing in San Antonio and can have a plumber out in no time to fix your problem.
   Read more

6. Water Damage Pevention tip #6: Recognize Mildew and Take Appropriate Action

   Check for mildew caused by standing water in your bathroom, basement, attic, and crawlspaces. Presence of mildew in any of these places is a classic sign of water damage and steps should be taken to remover the water damage, determine the source of water and clean up the mildew.Read more

Professional Water Damage Restoration

Simple plumbing issues are often the cause of more serious water damage and mold problems. Use this checklist to prevent mold and water damage before they occur. Just a few minutes of time can save a lot of money and prevent expensive repairs and serious damage to the home. Should your plumber inform you of water damage or if you recognize any of the classic signs of water damage mentioned in this article, contact PRS of Texas today to schedule a water damage inspection, 1-800-613-1323, or fill out an online water damage inspection request.

Avoiding Home Water Damage

When thinking about home water damage and emergency water extraction in a home, a common image involves water pouring in through the doors during a torrential downpour or hurricane. If these are rare occurrences for your home’s region, it does not mean you are in the clear from experiencing home water damage. In fact, most home water damage is not a result of flooding, but rather just a simple rainfall or leak will often lead to home water damage, and if left unchecked severe structural damage and even mold will occur.

5 Major Causes of Home Water Damage.

Knowing the home’s hot spots and causes will help homeowners prevent and treat home water damage cases.

1. • Home Water Damage Cause #1

   • Leaky plumbing:

   • Leaky toilets, sinks, etc. are problems often left unsolved for a very long time. Having the number for a San Antonio Plumber can save you money and headaches in the long run. Ignoring leaks and letting water seep into floors and nearby walls is what can lead to serious water damage. (read more here)

2. • Home Water Damage Cause #2

   • Clogged Pipes:

   • Issues with pipes, including: clogged toilets and drains, blocked garbage disposals and rusting pipes are the most common culprits of water damage (read more here). Keep your pipes clean by knowing the causes and taking preventitive measures in order to avoid a disaster. Read more about keeping your drains clean in this blog post from 1-800 Plumbing in San Antonio

3. • Home Water Damage Cause #3

   • Heating and air conditioning systems:

   • HVACs, (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning units) are also common causes of home water damage (read more here). If heating and cooling systems are not regularly maintained, clogs occur which can lead to leaks. Also, a lack of maintenance can cause moisture build-up and when this moisture cools it can interact with mold spores in the air conditioning ducts and encourage mold growth. See our article Avoid Mold Remediation: 5 Important Things to Know about Mold for more ways to prevent mold.

     Contact Us Today to speak with a Home Water Damage Restoration Expert

4. • Home Water Damage Cause #4

   • Gutters or downspouts:

   • When gutters are clogged rainwater can easily travel up into the roof and under the shingles, or overflow and travel down the inside of the home’s walls (read more here). Also, if large homes do not have enough downspouts, this will again cause gutter clogs. Lastly, if downspouts do not drain far enough away from the home, this can lead to water build-up near the foundation, leaks, and eventual home water damage.

5. • Home Water Damage Cause #5

   • Crawl space, attic, and basement

   • These dark damp areas are naturally prone to moisture build-up and home water damage (read more here). Moisture leaking through the foundation of the home can lead to basement or crawl space leaks, and air leakage into the space between the attic and house ceiling can lead to moisture build-up, mold, and rotting.

Knowing the home water damage culprits, getting regular plumbing checks from a San Antonio Plumber, and regular maintenance of gutters and HVACs are the best ways to prevent future home water damage. For emergency water extraction and home water damage restoration call Premier Restoration Services today at 210-650-3302 or fill out an online water damage consultation request right now!