For some of us, the scariest thing that will happen this Halloween is having a guest spill their drink on the carpet.  Carpet stains might be your nightmare, but there are steps you can take before calling a professional in that will help you get better results.  

​Remember that carpet is made up of different materials, and carpets and rugs with natural fibers or dyes may require special treatment.  Always follow the care instructions provided by the carpet manufacturer.  That said, here are some tips to keep in mind when trying to clean up a spill before calling a professional to complete stain removal:

1. Don’t delay!  Acting quickly will help keep the stain from setting into the carpet, making it harder to remove.
2. Using a white paper towel, gently blot the spill to soak up excess moisture.  Don’t push too hard and don’t rub the stain.  Doing this will drive the liquid further down into the carpet.
3. Depending on what caused the stain, you may need to use a butter knife or comb to remove any solid pieces that may be in the stain.
4. Never use a circular motion when attempting to remove stains, as it can destroy the texture of the carpet.
5. Having us apply carpet protectant during regularly scheduled carpet cleanings.  Carpet protectant will prevent stains from setting, making them easier to remove.
6. Call our office at (636) 680-5555 as soon as possible.  Be prepared to tell us the source of the stain and when it happened, so that we can prepare our technicians to do the best job possible.  Time is of the essence.

Most importantly, relax and have a fun and safe Halloween!  Take comfort in knowing that your carpet cleaning needs are safe in our hands!

Winter is coming.  We get lots of emergency water extractions in early winter, when people have failed to take precautions prior to the first freeze of the season.  There are numerous steps that homeowners can take to avoid burst pipes and other maintenance and safety issues during the winter.   Here are some of the ways you can prepare for winter:

1. Disconnect hoses and outdoor faucets.  This is one of the most common causes of water losses that we see during early winter.  To avoid allowing your pipes to freeze and burst, we recommend disconnecting your garden hoses and other outdoor faucets well in advance of the first freeze.  It’s easy enough to re-connect them on an as-needed basis when performing fall yardwork, but failing to take this precaution is costly.
2.  Clean out gutters and downspouts.Keeping your gutters clean will allow your home’s drainage system to work properly and keep water from pooling in places it shouldn’t.  Failing to clean out the gutters can lead to water in the basement and damaged exterior surfaces.  After cleaning out the gutters, you should consider installing gutter guards as an added precaution.
3. Change your furnace filter.Clean or replace your furnace filter as necessary.  It’s always a good idea to have a professional check your furnace once a year to ensure that it is functioning properly.
4. Seal cracks and gaps.  The United States Department of Energy claims that 10% of your heating bill is due to gaps in caulk and weather stripping.  To heat your home efficiently, check for gaps and cracks in windows and doors and repair damaged or non-functional areas.
5. Inspect the roof for problem areas.  Look over your roof and repair problem areas.  Doing this before snowfall is important, because in the event of a roof leak due to melting snow, you may be unable to identify the source of the leak.
6. Safety Steps.  Replace the batteries in each smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector, and test each device.  Clean and check your home fire extinguisher to ensure it is in proper working order.  Many fire departments will check fire extinguishers, and it is worth a call to see if this is offered near you.  Fall is also a good time to re-think your fire escape plans from each bedroom, making sure that there are two exit paths for each bedroom.