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Why Does Tile and Grout Get Dirty?

Written by UpFront Home Services on . Posted in Tile and Grout Cleaning. No Comments on Why Does Tile and Grout Get Dirty?

Every home is different. Some households have children, dogs, and all types of variables. Regardless of the household demographics, the tile and grout will get dirty.

Reasons Why Tile And Grout Gets Dirty

A Residue Forms

The tile typically gets dirty because a residue forms on the top surface due to alkaline cleaners being used in the home. Alkaline cleaners may be used in the home but you should rinse the floors really well to neutralize them. I recommend using Crystal Clean by Stone Pro (Can Find It On Amazon). Crystal Clean is a Neutral Floor Cleaner with a Fluoropolymer (Sealant) built in. It doesn’t handle grease clean up so somethings you will need to use something stronger in the kitchen to break down the soiling.

Using The Wrong Equipment

Using a string mop just is not going to work when it comes to keeping your floors clean. Even with constant water changing you are just spreading the dirt around. Utilizing a Auto Scrubber for maintenance is about as good as it gets when it comes to keeping your grout clean. They are starting to make more consumer friendly auto scrubbers. I personally use a flat head mop with Crystal Clean in the mist feature.

Dirt Always Finds A Way

It doesn’t matter if your grout is sealed or color sealed, dirt will always find a way. If a residue forms over the floor, the dirt is simply going to stick to it. The dirt will attach to the residue and stay on top of the grout and tile floor. I am a big believer in sealing the grout to prevent permanent staining but no matter what Dirt Always Finds A Way. This is why it is so important to use the right products and equipment to keep your tile and grout its cleanest.

The Solution

Utilize proper chemistry and equipment when cleaning your floors, and consistently maintain the tile and grout with professional steam cleaning. Our service will restore your tile and grout, protect it, and maintain it for the life of the floor. I recommend having the main areas of tile and grout cleaned once every 1-2 years depending on traffic.

Why Does Urine Glow Under A UV Light?

Written by UpFront Home Services on . Posted in Carpet Cleaning. No Comments on Why Does Urine Glow Under A UV Light?

Why Does Urine Glow Under A UV Light?

When a technician from UpFront Home Services comes to clean your carpet you may notice that we utilize a Urine Detection light or UV light when inspecting the carpet. This light allows us to see the Urine or other biological fluids that have occurred on your carpet.

What causes urine specifically to glow under a UV light is a chemical in the urine called Phosphorus. Phosphorus is used to make LEDs and Fluorescent Light Bulbs to cause them to glow and provide light. Even when thoroughly cleaned and treated with our Urine Treatment the area may still glow under a UV light. That does not however mean that Urine or the odor associated with urine is present, it is just the phosphorus that is causing the area to fluoresce.

So in a nut shell, Phosphorus essentially bonds to the dye sites on the carpet which causes the urine to glow underneath the UV light.

Air Duct Cleaning Services In Katy TX

Written by UpFront Home Services on . Posted in Air Duct Cleaning. No Comments on Air Duct Cleaning Services In Katy TX

Maintaining the cleanliness of the air circulating in your interiors is a top priority. After all, you would be hiring experienced professionals when it comes to air duct cleaning. This explains why most of your neighbors might be reaching out to established ventilation cleaners in the city. Over the years, the demand for Air Duct Cleaning Services In Katy TX is rising. At Upfront Home Services, we seek pleasure in providing standard services to our clients at affordable rates. 

What Is Air Duct Cleaning?

HVAC systems and ventilation systems use air ducts to circulate air around a building. As these systems continue to function on a regular basis, dirt carried in the air tends to settle down inside. When the interiors of the ducts become dirty, they may clog up and start delivering impure air. This is when duct cleaning becomes necessary. As the term suggests, it involves professionals cleaning up the build-up of dirty inside the air ducts. Certain companies are offering Air Duct Cleaning Services In Katy TX and we are one of the most reputed among them. 

Air duct cleaning is a rather specialized service compared to the cleaning services that homeowners generally hire. This calls for professional expertise in the field. Air ducts are complex and a simple mistake could potentially damage your system. It is always advisable to hire experienced professionals to get your air ducts cleaned. 

What Are The Signs That You Need Air Duct Cleaning Services?

Many homeowners do not get their air ducts cleaned on time simply because they don’t know that it is time to get it done. Other than the external part of the duct near the outlet, most of it stays out of sight. When the dirt is not visible, homebuyers tend to forget about cleaning them or simply not realize that the ducts have grown dirty. Here are a few signs that you may watch out for to know when it is time to hire Air Duct Cleaning Services In Katy TX from a professional company. 

  • Decreased airflow: If the airflow from your ventilation or HVAC system gradually starts to diminish, chances are high that the ducts are clogged up. As mold grows or dirt builds up inside the air ducts, it creates resistance for the airflow. 
  • Dusty rooms: Chances are that you clean your home on a regular basis. However, if the rooms tend to get dusty too soon after you have cleaned them, dirty air ducts could be the culprit. Hiring Air Duct Cleaning Services In Katy TX may then be the easiest and most effective solution. You might therefore want to watch whether the rooms with the air ducts appear to get a coat of dust over the floor, furniture and other surfaces too. 
  • Increasing costs: If you start receiving higher electricity bills than usual without any explainable cause, it might be because the air ducts have grown dirty. When the dirt causes resistance to the airflow, the system has to function harder to perform properly. This results in higher energy consumption. This applies to heating and cooling systems alike. 
  • A recent renovation: Usually, homeowners require Air Duct Cleaning Services In Katy TX after their homes undergo a renovation. Even when the contractors are very careful, some amount of dust and debris is likely to find its way inside your ventilation system. Concrete dust can create serious problems upon clogging up air ducts. Hence, you might want to get your ducts cleaned right after a renovation. 

In case any of these signs appear but you are unsure whether you need air duct cleaning services, feel free to consult a professional. There is no harm in getting your system checked by an expert if in doubt. Our team for Air Duct Cleaning Services In Katy TX would carry out a detailed analysis and inform you if your air ducts require cleaning. 

How Does Air Duct Cleaning Work?

Different companies that offer Air Duct Cleaning Services In Katy TX may take different approaches for the job. Professional service providers like us take great care in ensuring that the cleaning process would not cause any damages. Even if we need to drill any holes into the ducts for the cleaning process, we would leave it as good as it was before the cleaning. Here is how professional air duct cleaning works:

  • Inspection: Any professional team for this job would first spend some time and effort inspecting the issue. This is because not all the ventilation systems are the same and the installation patterns vary from one home to another. The type and extent of the buildup of dirt in the air ducts are important factors to consider too. When the professionals are aware of these details, they can take the right approach to carry out the cleaning. 
  • Vacuum:  The professionals would then use a powerful vacuum cleaner to collect the dust and debris that they flush out of your air ducts. Its size may range from a handheld device to a large vacuum installed on a truck. This not only helps to drag out all the dirt effectively, but also ensures that it does not flow to other parts of the system. 
  • Brushing: Once the vacuum is in place, the cleaners would insert manual or motorized brushes into the ducts. They generally use the vents and intakes to insert these brushes. However, if a part of the system is unreachable, they would cut a hole, clean the duct and fix the hole after. The brushes loosen up the dust and debris and clean the insides of the ducts thoroughly. 
  • Final inspection: Now that the professionals offering Air Duct Cleaning Services In Katy TX have cleaned your ducts, they would carry out a final inspection. This aids them in detecting any discrepancies that may have taken place during the cleaning process. 

UpFront Home ServicesWhen you hire one of the leading duct cleaning companies, you may expect value for your investment. We, at Upfront Home Services, are certainly one of the best companies around. To hire our reliable Air Duct Cleaning Services In Katy TX, simply use this contact us form or give us a call at (832) 303-3546.

Should I Vacuum Before Having My Carpet Cleaned?

Written by UpFront Home Services on . Posted in Carpet Cleaning. No Comments on Should I Vacuum Before Having My Carpet Cleaned?

Should I Vacuum Before Having My Carpet Cleaned?

Vacuuming before Carpet Cleaning is a crucial step in the process. I highly recommend Vacuuming prior to our teams arrival, if you opt out of having our team vacuum your carpet. 

The reasoning behind vacuuming prior to having your carpet cleaned, is because it removes 80-90% of the dry soiling. The particles removed through vacuuming can consist of hair, dust, dry skin cells, etc. Vacuuming ahead of time simply makes your carpet cleaning the best cleaning that it can possibly be. 

A vacuum that we utilize in our Rug Cleaning plant and on our Trucks is the Sanitaire Vacuum. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles as some of the other residential models out there, but it has very strong suction and simply removes more dry soiling than any other Vacuum I have used. You can find it on Amazon here.

Can You Get Pee Out Of A Mattress?

Written by UpFront Home Services on . Posted in Mattress Cleaning. No Comments on Can You Get Pee Out Of A Mattress?

There are many variations in mattress types from Tempur-Pedic to your standard pillow top. One thing these mattresses have in common is accidents happen and somehow urine ends up on them. I know, gross right? No one wants to lay down next to a urine smell. Good news, you don’t have to!

At UpFront Home Services we kick the piss out of urine! Regardless of your mattress type we can get the smell of urine out. Through the use of a disinfectant with odor neutralizing qualities as well as an oxidizing agent we can not only get the smell out but often times the stain too.

We start with an application of pre-treatment where we spray the entire mattress and focus in on specific spots. We then steam clean and extract the mattress and follow this with a mist of our unique oxidizing agent. The results are phenomenal! We’ve had success not only with urine, but also with vomit, blood, and fecal matter as well. We have seen a lot, and you can pretty much be guaranteed that we have heard most of the problems out there before too.

Does your Mattress need cleaning? Check out our Mattress Cleaning Service Here.

Do I Need Extra Carpet To Repair My Carpet?

Written by UpFront Home Services on . Posted in Carpet Repair. No Comments on Do I Need Extra Carpet To Repair My Carpet?

A common theme for us is getting requests for Carpet Repair. Most homeowners have extra carpet to complete the repair but some don’t. Certain types of carpet like Berber you will definitely need extra carpet to complete the repair, unless we pull from the closet and replace the closet carpet entirely. 

A majority of carpets we can repair by using remnant pieces. We would cut out what we need from a closet to make the repair and in the closet we would use a remnant piece of carpet to replace what we took. We will try to get it to match as close as possible to what we pulled to make the repair. Unfortunately it won’t be perfect but it is much better than having a rip or tear in a main threshold that everyone can see.

Check out our Carpet Repair Service Here

What’s The Difference Between Sealers?

Written by UpFront Home Services on . Posted in Tile and Grout Cleaning. No Comments on What’s The Difference Between Sealers?

Lately we have been getting a lot of questions about the different types of sealers that we use and the sealers are out there.

What Are The Different Types Of Sealers?

  1. Water Based Sealer
  2. Solvent Based Sealer
  3. Color Sealer

Water Based Sealer

The water based sealer is a really good sealer for basic traffic lane wear and tear. It can be effective in kitchens, living rooms, bathrooms, and walk areas. The greatest flaw that a water based sealer has is that it doesn’t repel oil based stains. This makes the areas in the Kitchen in front of the stove especially difficult to clean. Placing a cooking mat in front of the stove is helpful with this type of sealer and frankly any type of sealer to help prevent any type of penetration or damage to the grout.

Sealer Life Expectancy : 1-3 Years (Varying on Traffic, Use, and Maintenance)

 

Solvent Based Sealer

The Solvent Impregnator Based Sealer is the best sealer available. It has all of the benefits of applying a water based sealer and none of the drawbacks. It is effective in protecting Oil Based stains in the Kitchen from penetrating and creating permanent stains. This doesn’t mean your Grout is going to stay clean forever, it simply means that it will be even easier to clean in the future and you shouldn’t gather any permanent stains along the way. If you’re on a budget I recommend using the Solvent based sealer only in the Kitchen Area and utilizing a water based sealer in the rest. Solvent based sealers are especially expensive but are worth the cost especially if you are applying them on Natural stone.

Sealer Life Expectancy : 3-5 Years (Varying On Traffic, Use, and Maintenance)

Color Sealer

Color sealing of Grout is typically a last resort when the Grout simply won’t come clean. That said it is effective at keeping the grout from becoming permanently stained by oils and other types of penetrates. However, this doesn’t mean your grout is going to stay clean forever. Color seals require consistent maintenance and touch up work. Dirts and Soiling do still stick to color seal meaning they need to be rinsed away. I recommend annual cleaning of Color Sealed grout and annual touch ups. We actually offer a Life Time Guarantee on our color seal, but the way to maintain it is to have us out to clean annually and do touch ups as needed.

Sealer Life Expectancy : Lifetime Of The Floor

In a nutshell, Sealers aren’t miracle coatings that will prevent your floors from getting dirty again. The purpose of Sealers is to help prevent your floor from becoming stained. There are a lot of misconceptions out there about sealers and we will address this in future tips articles.

Hire Tile and Grout Cleaning and Sealing Professionals

Our team has the experience, skills, and equipment required to handle this job efficiently. Getting the best value for your buck is so important when it comes to having any type of cleaning done in your home.

As a Veteran-founded company, we at Upfront Home Services offer honest and affordable Tile and Grout cleaning services. For any more information, feel free to contact us at (832) 303-3546. You can also send us an email via this Contact Us form, and one of our team members will call you shortly.

What does it cost to have a dryer vent cleaned in Houston TX?

Written by UpFront Home Services on . Posted in Air Duct Cleaning. No Comments on What does it cost to have a dryer vent cleaned in Houston TX?

How Much Does It Cost To Clean Dryer Vents In Houston TX?

The average cost to clean a dryer vent in Houston TX ranges from $59-$199. Factors that are considered when pricing dryer vent cleaning is how many stories is your home, does your vent exhaust from the roof or the side of your house, if the company has a warranty, and if the company uses professional grade tools vs DIY kits.

At UpFront Home Services we charge $99 for 1 Story Home Dryer Vent Cleaning and $149 for 2 Story Home Dryer Vent Cleaning. We utilize both mechanical agitation using the latest professional grade tools from Air-Care and compressed air when necessary.

Take a look at our Dryer Vent Cleaning service Here.

Coronavirus : Disinfecting Your Homes Surfaces

Written by UpFront Home Services on . Posted in Carpet Cleaning, Tile and Grout Cleaning. No Comments on Coronavirus : Disinfecting Your Homes Surfaces

The Coronavirus has struck and it has turned all of our worlds upside down. We are at War with an invisible enemy. It’s more important now than ever to clean your homes surfaces. Using a product like MediClean is especially beneficial as it has been EPA Registered to inactivate COVID-19. MediClean is a concentrated product that only requires 1/2 an ounce to make a quart or gallon of ready to use product.

Tips For Applying Disinfectant

The key to properly disinfecting the high touch areas in your home is dwell time of the Disinfectant. Meaning, you need to make sure you put enough disinfectant on the area. Dwell time depends on what you are trying to disinfect for and what the label on your product of choice says. After allowing appropriately dwell time, take a micro-fiber towel and wipe the area clean.

What Are High Touch Areas

High touch areas are areas such as tables, hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, handles, desks, toilets, sinks, etc.

Disinfecting Your Carpet

Hiring a Carpet Cleaning Professional that utilizes Truck Mount Steam Cleaning will provide the deepest level of cleaning and disinfecting available. A quality Truck Mount will create 220 degrees of hot water to deeply clean the carpet. At this time we are offering all of our client a free application of disinfectant to their carpets when cleaning. According to the CDC COVID-19 can get onto your shoes and be tracked into your home. Your Carpet is the first line of defense for filtering bacteria in your home. We highly recommend a thorough steam cleaning to get your Carpet as clean as can be. UpFront Home Services utilizes MediClean to not only treat your carpet but also our hoses, tools, and equipment.

Disinfecting Your Tile and Grout

A thorough Truck Mount Steam Cleaning is the recommended way to pull as much bacteria from your floors as possible. At UpFront Home Services we use MediClean as well as 1200 psi and 220 degrees of Truck Mount Steam Cleaning to clean your Tile and Grout surfaces. Mopping your floor with Bleach and Water is beneficial at this time.

The CDC recommends using the following mixing guide to Prepare a bleach solution:

  • 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water or
  • 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water

Why UpFront Home Services?

We are a local Aggie owned and Veteran founded cleaning service in the Houston area. We aren’t a big franchise or corporation. We live in the community and care about the individuals in the community. Call or Text (832)303-3546 to schedule your cleaning today.

How To Clean Dryer Vent Katy TX

Written by UpFront Home Services on . Posted in Dryer Vent Cleaning. No Comments on How To Clean Dryer Vent Katy TX

 

How To Clean Dryer Vent Katy TX

Dirty dryer vents are not just disgusting; they are also a significant fire hazard. Statistics indicate that lint-filled, dusty dryer ducts are on the top of the list when it comes to causes of house fires. While grimy dryer ducting may not always do damage to your home immediately, it wastes your energy, time and money.  If a dryer is connected to ducting and vents filled and covered with debris and lint that will affect its functioning.

If your dryer cleaned wet loads in a single cycle or even less but needs two to three cycles now, it’s time to check the vent. It’s likely the dryer isn’t at fault and that the clogs in the vents and ducting are the culprits. The best way to make sure this doesn’t occur is to hire vent cleaners for regular cleaning of these features. However, it’s also a good idea to clean the duct and vent regularly. These are the steps you need to follow in cleaning a dryer vent:

Here’s How To Clean Dryer Vent Katy TX

Step 1: Locate The Vent

To clean the dryer’s vent system correctly, you first need to know where it is starts and ends. Dryer units have a 4″ exhaust at the back. This pipe connects to duct work that runs through the wall via an elbow or pipe. The hot air from the dryer moves through the metal pipe system and emerges through a larger opening on an exterior wall of your home. The exit point may also have a lowered cover that allows the warm air to move out unhindered while keeping shut otherwise to keep pests out.

Step 2: Disconnect Your Dryer Safely

Once you have located the duct’s starting and ending points, disconnect your dryer. If you have an electric dryer, it’s an easy task. You only have to unplug the power cord of the appliance, from the electrical outlet in the wall. The next step is to remove clamps and metal tape that have been used to connect the vent pipe to the exhaust.

You also have the option to remove any material that connects the vent to the ducting, if that’s easier. Pull the vent pipe gently and remove it from the point where it connects to the wall duct. In the case of electric dryers, you can quickly push the appliance, and this will give you more room to work.

If your dryer runs on natural gas, you’d have to be more careful. Ensure that you don’t move the gas line excessively while re-positioning the unit. Just like a gas range, the system’s fuel hookup usually is made of a flexible hose, and you need to handle it carefully. A gas leak can be hazardous and have severe consequences. If you are not sure about how to handle this task, stop and call in a professional for cleaning the dryer vent.

Step 3: Clean As Well As You Can

Now you will have easy access to the opening of the dryer duct in the wall of your laundry room. You can remove the duct cover/flap and get to the exit point on the exterior wall of your house as well. You would need a special cleaning kit for the dryer vent.

It’s readily available at any Home Depot or even your local hardware store and costs under $20.It has a few flexible segments and a lint brush. When you connect these components as mentioned, you get a rod that extends to 12″. The end of this contraption can also be attached to a standard power drill if you want.

It enables you to spin the brush with high power and speed, which helps in a better clean. You can also clean the duct from the outside-in if you want; that makes it easy to collect all the lint once it falls to the laundry floor. You’d have to try a few times to get through the other end if there are many bends in the duct work.

Step 4: Clean Up Everything and Reconnect The Duct And Other Parts

Clear up all the lint with a broom and dustpan. Once you have tidied up everything, set the appliance back in the position. However, if you have a soft foil-style vent part that links to the duct in the wall, its best to get rid of it, as it is a fire risk. Replace it with a semi-rigid vent and 90-degree aluminum elbows. They provide the best airflow, are durable and hard, yet adjustable.

Step 5: Give Your Dryer A Trial Run 

It can be time-consuming, messy, and sweaty to get this job done right. But keep in mind that neglecting dryer vent and duct cleaning will only affect the functioning and lifespan of your dryer. Once you have cleaned the vent and everything is back in position, do a test run of your dryer. You will surely find that the appliance has regained its power.

Clean your vent every few months or more frequently, depending on how often you use the appliance. This will go a long way in keeping the dryer functioning as it should. You will also have successfully reduced the risk of fire, and it will also help you save on your energy bills.

Hire Dryer Vent Cleaning Professionals

If you feel that cleaning dryer vents and ducting isn’t something you want to or can do, make it a point to call in professionals for the job. They have the experience, skills, and equipment required to handle this job efficiently. It’s best to engage local technicians that would be able to provide these services when you need them.

As a Veteran-founded company, we at Upfront Home Services offer honest and affordable dryer vent cleaning services. You will find that these services are incredibly affordable, so you don’t have to think twice while hiring us. For any more information, feel free to contact us at (832) 303-3546. You can also send us an email via this Contact Us form, and one of our team members will call you shortly.