Recent Cleaning Posts

Hoarding Help

1/10/2019 (Permalink)

Hoarding--it was a term which began with folks known to have their savings by them, probably hidden inside their flock-beds; in the contemporary day, hoarding in a living or work space is a pattern characterized by excessive acquisition of and/or an inability or unwillingness to discard large quantities of objects that cover the living areas of the home, or an office area.  You may have made a New Year's resolution to clear out and clean out.  It takes time. Some conditions that may be present in a hoarding situation: Beds that cannot be slept in; Kitchens that cannot be used for food preparation; Tables, chairs, or sofas that cannot be used for dining or sitting; Unsanitary bathrooms; Tubs, showers, and sinks filled with items and can no longer be used for washing or bathing; Their clutter and mess is at a point where it can cause illness, distress, and impairment.  Also, if pets are present, they may have caused significant damage to floors and carpeting because they have been having accidents inside.  We do rebuild--We are also capable of laying flooring, carpeting and much, much more.  We are here to help, and estimates are complimentary.  Make one of those New Year's Resolutions become a reality--give us a call for help.  SERVPRO WEST HILLS 412-660-5457

Spring Cleaning

3/15/2018 (Permalink)

With all the cold weather, it is hard to conceptualize that spring is nearly here.  Purging the home and garage twice a year helps eliminate headaches down the road.  Plan for sections, or rooms, and work in phases, so it won't be overwhelmingly time consuming. Work from the top down, inside to outside, to avoid getting what you just cleaned dirty again. 
Do one room, or just one area at a time. The satisfaction of seeing one room sparkle will inspire to do more. When tidying, reduce trips around the house by temporarily depositing items in one spot. Don't forget to scrub the shower stall.  Make small repairs. If you're not handy, hire someone. Invest in good rubber or vinyl gloves to protect your skin and nails. 
Dust before vacuuming or cleaning the floor--floor work kicks up the dust.  Household rags are invaluable for jobs requiring a damp cloth – natural fibres work best.  Buy mops with a squeeze mechanism (great for vinyl, linoleum or ceramic tile floors) and a decent-size heavy-duty pail. Use a Swiffer for light dusting, or your favorite broom or vacuum attachment to clean hardwood floors. Then damp-mop with a mild cleaner such as Murphy Oil Soap. 

Ductwork Cleaning And Filter Changes

12/5/2017 (Permalink)

Not only are we known for fire, water, mold, body fluid/crime scene clean up, graffiti removal, and fast efficient post-fire board ups, we do a variety of residential and commercial and construction cleaning.  During the winter months, not only should we remember to ensure that our smoke detector batteries are working on a monthly basis, but what about furnace filters and furnace ductwork in your living space?  Ask yourself some of these questions:  When was my house built?  Have the ducts ever been cleaned?  How long has it been since the ductwork has been cleaned, or the furnace filter changed? Can you remember?   Additionally, during winter months, windows and doors are shut, and sometimes windows are actually sealed up, making it important to vacuum and dust regularly.  Otherwise, air circulated is NOT ventilated and can contain very high levels of dust. You should consider setting up an annual maintenance contract to ensure that your ductwork remains free of dust and dirt.