It's a devastating thought, the possibility of fire ripping through the family home. Most of us don't even want to think of such a disaster but for an unlucky few it becomes a reality. When it does it requires some clear thinking and some sensible choices in order to minimize the damage that winds up being done to the home and your belongings.

Standing water inside and/or seepage into residential crawl spaces and basements can cause frustrating problems for the homeowner. These problems can be both immediate and long term. For example, standing water and mud inside crawl spaces make it very difficult and messy to gain access under the house for inspecting, maintaining, and servicing electrical circuits, drains and water lines, heating and air conditioning, and other utilities. 

Connie asked: How can I remove soot from carpet? We had some smoke damage to the carpet. I have removed most of it in the living area, but there is still a black line around the baseboards of the carpet. Any suggestions on what to use to remove that part of the carpet?

Finding a reputable, professional carpet and upholstery cleaning company to work for you is important. The right choice will provide peace of mind and confidence about the quality of service they perform.

For many people, decorating the Christmas tree is a favorite part of the holiday. The National Safety Council offers some safety tips to make sure a mishap doesn't spoil your holiday season.

Cleaning up after the holiday season can be an unpleasant task to tackle. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) recommends these simple tips to get your house back in order.

With the cool air breezing through, it’s time to prepare your home for cold weather. During the cooler months, your home is at risk for drafts, bursting pipes and increased energy bills. Here are 12 things for you (or the handyman) to tackle to lower your utility bills and protect your investment.

The United States is home to some 68 million dog owners and 73 million cat owners, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association. That’s a lot of love—and a lot of carpet stains. Accidents on carpet require quick cleanup to remove bacteria and odor.

When the power goes off for several days in hot, humid climates, it is difficult to avoid anexplosion of mold growth. Mold growth is common after flooding or water damage.

Under the right conditions, molds produce spores that spread easily through the air and form new mold growths (colonies). These conditions are moisture, nutrients (nearly anything organic) and a place to grow.

 As leaves start to fly, revisit your spring cleaning list and add a few seasonal extras to prepare your house for the winter.

Seasonal allergies affect over 35 million people in the United States, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. To keep your allergies at bay, the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) recommends these tips for a fresh, pollen-free indoor environment. 

Homeowners with hardwood floors are often concerned about damaging their floors during the winter season. Without proper care, winter's harsh elements -- slush, snow and salt -- can dull the varnish of hardwood floors and even cause warping and gapping.

Table 1 presents strategies to respond to water damage within 24-48 hours. These guidelines are designed to help avoid the need for remediation of mold growth by taking quick action before growth starts. If mold growth is found on the materials listed in Table 1, refer to Table 2 for guidance on remediation.

You may be anxious to clean your home after a fire, but unless you take the time to get professional advice, you may be wasting your efforts or creating further damage.

Cleanup work of any kind is hazardous, but flood conditions make it even more so. Following the procedures listed below will help to keep you safe and healthy while cleaning up after natural disasters that involve flooding.

Floodingcan cause the disruption of water purification and sewage disposal systems, overflowing of toxic waste sites, and dislodgement of chemicals previously stored above ground. Although most floods do not cause serious outbreaks of infectious disease or chemical poisonings, they can cause sickness in workers and others who come in contact with contaminated floodwater. In addition, flooded areas may contain electrical or fire hazards connected with downed power lines.

Sand, grit and dirt are hardwood floor’s worst adversary. They act just like sandpaper each time you step on it. The best advice for wood floor owners is: remember that when you are cleaning your hardwood floor, you are cleaning the finish – not the wood.

When it comes to carpet scrubbing most customers are at a loss. The individual inquiry you might distinguish to request is how much is it successful to be? This critique will give you certain basic material on carpet cleaning approaches so that you can choose which one is right for you and so that you can improved interview your possible carpet cleansers.

The benefits of air duct cleaning  and the severity of the health problems it can prevent make it one of the more important steps to include in a home maintenance routine.

Choosing environmentally friendly cleaning products — and removing toxic ones — goes a long way towards ensuring a home with fresh, clean air. Clean air renews and rejuvenates; it doesn’t pollute our lives or the environment.

Spring is here and we’re getting ready to clean up inside our homes and to work outside in our lawns and gardens. But all that lifting, climbing, trimming and other spring-cleaning activities heighten the risk for home injuries.

Major flood damage is unquestionably one of the most destructive events your home can experience and also one of the most emotionally stressful events you may endure.

Floods and water damage from major storms can affect your entire home, from the roof, to ceilings and walls to flooring and of course, your basement.

While it’s nice to see the thermometer creep above 0C, that kind of freeze-thaw cycle can also lead to major roof hassles.

Salt is a tried and true agent in fighting winter slips and spills. However, the core properties of salt that make it useful in battling snow and ice are the same properties that can damage the indoor surfaces of your business.

The growing scourge of bedbugs has scientists and entomologists scratching their heads about what to do. Top 5 cities are New York (#1); Philadelphia (#2); Detroit (#3); Cincinnati (#4), and Chicago (#5)

Generally, the majority of common molds are not a concern to someone who is healthy. However, there are some individuals, especially those who have existing health concerns, who may be sensitive to mold exposure.