Author: UpFront Home Services

Voted Best Of Katy For Carpet Cleaning 2018

Written by UpFront Home Services on January 17, 2019. Posted in Carpet Cleaning. No Comments on Voted Best Of Katy For Carpet Cleaning 2018

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Upfront Home Services Receives 2018 Best of Katy Award

Katy Award Program Honors the Achievement

KATY October 21, 2018 — Upfront Home Services has been selected for the 2018 Best of Katy Award in the Carpet Cleaners category by the Katy Award Program.

Each year, the Katy Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Katy area a great place to live, work and play.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2018 Katy Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Katy Award Program and data provided by third parties.

About Katy Award Program

The Katy Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Katy area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.

The Katy Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community’s contributions to the U.S. economy.

SOURCE: Katy Award Program

What Is The Best Way To Clean Carpet?

Written by UpFront Home Services on January 15, 2019. Posted in Carpet Cleaning. No Comments on What Is The Best Way To Clean Carpet?

The best way to clean carpet is with Hot Water Extraction also known as Truck Mount Steam Cleaning. There are several other methods that could potentially be used but for Residential Carpet Cleaning I highly recommend the use of Hot Water Extraction.

In fact, hot water extraction or Truck Mount Steam Cleaning is what most carpet manufacturers require you use to keep your carpets warranty in tact.

Did You Know…

To maintain your warranty you must be able to show proof of periodic Steam Cleaning by a professional carpet cleaning service. A minimum of one cleaning every two years is required. Depending on the size of your family, the amount of traffic your carpet gets, soiling conditions, and other potential issues may require more frequent cleanings.

You Read That Right… Steam Cleaning!

No other method other than Steam Cleaning is recommended by Shaw (one of the largest carpet manufacturers in the world). That’s a pretty big deal when determining the best way to clean your carpet.

Carpet Warranties

That said I’m not a believer in Carpet Warranties. I do believe that they have their place in protecting consumers but in my opinion these are rarely honored and are tough to maintain. I’ve seen some circumstances where the Warranty company will require more than just a receipt but also what chemicals were used during the cleaning, what type and brand of Truck Mount was used, if the steam cleaner was certified, and the list goes on and on..

Bottomline: if you have any intention of keeping your carpet over the long term then you should clean regularly using Steam Cleaning.

At UpFront Home Services we provide Professional Steam Cleaning Services In Katy and the entire Houston area! Check out our Carpet Cleaning Service Here

Need An Honest UpFront Quote? Give us a call at (832)303-3546 for a FREE Estimate and to check availability

UpFront Home Services

Call or Text (832)303-3546

www.UpFrontHomeServices.com

Why do we love Katy? Because of the great BBQ! We LOVE Brett’s BBQ! They have the absolute best BBQ in Katy and possibly Houston (their Beef Rib is phenomenal)… We service the entire Houston area. Want to learn more about the City of Katy Click Here

How To Prevent Mildew On Outside Of House

Written by UpFront Home Services on January 13, 2019. Posted in Pressure Washing. No Comments on How To Prevent Mildew On Outside Of House

Let me guess, the North side of your house is starting to grow some nasty black or green stuff on it. This is absolutely common and the prevention of it is simple.

Here’s How To Prevent Mildew On Outside Of House

Annual Soft Washing Maintenance! Look, the North side of your home is always going to attract mildew but if you wash this section annually it is far less likely for the problem to develop and spread. I highly recommend consistent maintenance when it comes to the exterior of your home.

What Is Soft Washing?

Soft Washing is a better and safer way to clean the outside of your home. It employs a disinfectant that attacks the mildew and removes it from the surface it was attached to.

This is a much different, safer, and more effective method than Pressure Washing. In fact, I have seen many homeowners employ the use of Pressure Washing on their siding and they totally draw doodles on their house.

Why Should You Hire A Professional?

Bottom line, Soft Washing and Pressure Washing Equipment can be very dangerous in the wrong hands. Beyond that the Home Owner versions that you can pick up in Home Depot simply don’t do the job nearly as well as the equipment a professional uses to complete the job.

At UpFront Home Services we provide Professional Pressure Washing Services In Katy and the entire Houston area! Check out our Pressure Washing and Soft Washing Service Here

Need An Honest UpFront Quote? Call or Text (832)303-3546 for a FREE Estimate and to check availability

UpFront Home Services
Call or Text (832)303-3546

www.UpFrontHomeServices.com

Why do we love Katy? It’s rich History! Katy was originally known as Cane Island as it was named after a river that runs through the area. It was a vital hub for Rice in the region and to this day Katy holds an annual Rice Harvest Festival. We service the entire Houston area. Want to learn more about the City of Katy Click Here

5 Things To Do Before Moving Into A New Construction Home

Written by UpFront Home Services on January 11, 2019. Posted in Carpet Cleaning, Tile and Grout Cleaning. No Comments on 5 Things To Do Before Moving Into A New Construction Home

Buying a new home is exciting. It’s like when you get a new car except with this car you get to live in it (in a good not sad way) and you get to show it off to your friends. I have personally been providing floor cleaning and polishing services to homes since 2003 (16 years and counting) and here are the not so Glamorous things to do before moving into your new home.

5 Things To Do Before Moving Into A New Construction Home

Grout Sealing Is A Must

A majority of builders do not include sealing your freshly installed Grout. This is for a variety of reasons that boil down to not wanting to be responsible or have any warranty calls regarding spills and stains. For the builder it makes total sense, for you the New Construction Home Owner it totally stinks.

It’s always best to Seal the Grout prior to moving in because its easier for the technicians to get to every inch. It also means you shouldn’t need to have a Professional Tile and Grout Cleaning prior to the sealing.

As far as the grade of Sealer is concerned I recommend using a Solvent Based Impregnating Grout Sealer for the Floors, Showers, Back splash, and basically any conceivable place there is Grout in the Home. I personally prefer this grade of sealer but it is for professional use only. I have seen many a DIY nightmare trying to Seal the Grout with the wrong Solvent Sealer. Using a water based grout sealer is an option as well. A water based grout sealer is great for Floor Grout but doesn’t provide the same coverage level in a shower that a Solvent will. I find cleaning and re-application with a water based grout sealant in the showers to be much more frequent than with a Solvent based sealer.

The Builder Usually Doesn’t Seal Your Granite or Marble Countertops… So You Should

Its a dirty secret that the builder avoids talking about or offering sealing of your Granite or Marble Countertops. Marble Counterops are especially susceptible to staining and etching, so providing a very thorough application of Impregnating Sealer is extremely important. I have seen many a Marble Counter that’s brand new and covered in etch marks. Bottomline is protect your investment by Sealing so that you don’t have to Polish to Restore.

Apply Carpet Stain Protector

Newly installed carpet has a form of Carpet Protection already in place fresh from the factory. The problem is that it’s not a very good one and it doesn’t protect from dyes. Having a carpet protector applied that contains acid dye blockers will help keep your carpet from getting permanent red stains.

It’s also important to apply Carpet Stain Protector because it will help fight against permanent traffic lane damage. Traffic lane damage is caused by inconsistent vacuuming and irregular cleanings. When your carpet is it’s newest is the time to take advantage and protect and consistently have it cleaned and re-protected after each cleaning.

Install A Water Softener

I highly recommend having a water softener installed in your new home prior to moving in. The reason why is because it will help keep your shower tile and grout, bathroom floors, and your shower glass from developing hard water stains. If you can’t afford a water softener right away, I recommend cleaning your shower once a week. If you keep up with consistently cleaning your shower tile and grout and shower glass, you will be amazed with how long it will look like new.

Start A Regular Maintenance Schedule

When you keep something clean from the beginning it keeps you from needing restoration services in the future. I recommend vacuuming the carpet at least 1 time per week, using a daily shower cleaner (method makes an awesome one) and deep cleaning once a week, utilizing a steam mop for the floors or a flat head mop with Zep Neutral Floor Cleaner weekly, wiping your granite or marble countertops down weekly with Crystal Clean by Stonepro, and of course steam cleaning the carpets at least 2 times per year.

Some of this maintenance schedule can be increased due to pets or kids, but the rule of thumb is to clean at a minimum of once per week. Consistent maintenance will keep your home looking as beautiful as it did the first day you moved in.

At UpFront Home Services we offer Grout Sealing, Granite Countertop Sealing, Marble Countertop Sealing, Carpet Stain Protector Application, Tile and Grout Cleaning, Carpet Cleaning, and so much more throughout the Entire Katy and Houston Area.

Need An Honest UpFront Quote? Give us a call at (832)303-3546 for a FREE Estimate and to check availability

UpFront Home Services

Call or Text (832)303-3546

www.UpFrontHomeServices.com

Why do we love Houston? The professional sports teams are just so good. Getting to catch a Rockets Game or go to minute maid and watch the Astros play is just awesome. As an Aggie there are just so many other Aggies here and that just makes you feel at home. Learn more about the City of Houston here

How Do I Get Dried Slime Out Of Carpet?

Written by UpFront Home Services on January 9, 2019. Posted in Carpet Cleaning. No Comments on How Do I Get Dried Slime Out Of Carpet?

Kids will be Kids right? Slime happens? Slime gone wild? Whatever your situation is getting dried slime out of carpet is possible! Virtually any stain can be removed from carpet, even slime.

How Do I Get Dried Slime Out Of Carpet?

Vinegar… lots and lots of Vinegar. About 2/3 of a bucket of white vinegar to 1/3 of a bucket of warm water. Apply your mix liberally and take a soft brush to gently loosen the slime from the carpet. Use clean and dry white terry towels to blot the slime dry. If the slime doesn’t come up all the way on the first try, try again. Once your carpet is dry, vacuum the area.

At UpFront Home Services we provide Carpet Cleaning Service In Katy and the entire Houston area! Check out our Carpet Cleaning Service Here

Need A Quote? Give us a call at (832)303-3546 for a FREE Estimate and to check availability

UpFront Home Services

Call or Text (832)303-3546

www.UpFrontHomeServices.com

Why do we love Katy? Katy has a small town feel with big city amenities. The people are friendly in Katy and it’s a great location to service the Entire Houston Area. Want to learn more about the City of Katy Click Here! You can also give us a call today for carpet cleaning in Spring, TX

What is Bait and Switch Carpet Cleaning?

Written by UpFront Home Services on January 7, 2019. Posted in Carpet Cleaning. No Comments on What is Bait and Switch Carpet Cleaning?

So you’re scrolling through a magazine or you see an ad on Facebook or Google for Carpet Cleaning. The deal is unbelievable! 3 Rooms for only $69! Maybe it’s a whole house of carpet cleaning for $99. Whatever it is, it’s just too good to be true.

I hate saying this but, as consumers we are taught to focus on one thing PRICE. For every carpet cleaning horror story you hear, there is a consumer that looked to hire CHEAP and got what they paid for. But what do I mean by this? I’m talking about Bait and Switch Carpet Cleaning Companies.

What Is Bait and Switch Carpet Cleaning?

Bait and Switch Carpet Cleaning is when you hire a company to come in and clean your carpet but they don’t include the basic things necessary to clean your carpet. A good example of this is when a company doesn’t include pre-spotting / pre-treating the carpet for the spots and general soiling. Sometimes they even sell you on using a Truck Mount vs using a portable. Often times their portable equipment is the Rug doctor that you could’ve just rented.

It Happens More Often Than You Think…

Recently I was scrolling through Google and came across an Ad for $69 Carpet Cleaning of 3 rooms. As a professional carpet cleaner I know better than to trust this price but I figured I’d check it out. The company has a long stream of good reviews but quite a few negative reviews sprinkled in with Bait and Switch tactics as I expected.

How To Avoid Bait and Switch Carpet Cleaners

Always Ask What Is Included In The Price

Companies that Bait and Switch will mention steam cleaning or hot water extraction but never commit to any type of pre-treatment.

Always ask if they will be pre-treating your spots and stains

A shady company will completely dodge this question and move on to trying to schedule you without ever answering the question.

Make sure they use truck mounted equipment.

Specific equipment to want in your home is made by Hydramaster, Prochem, and Sapphire Scientific. These companies product the best equipment for Carpet Cleaning. A bait and switch company will either not say what they use or not commit to what they use by saying the use both portables and truck mounts.

Bottom line: If it sounds too good to be true it probably is. Reading reviews can be helpful but it’s definitely not the only factor to keep in mind. A company that sells low priced carpet cleaning that only includes water is one to avoid.

At UpFront Home Services we provide Professional Carpet Cleaning Services without the Bait and Switch In Katy and the entire Houston area! Check out our Carpet Cleaning Service Here

Need An Honest UpFront Quote? Give us a call at (832)303-3546 for a FREE Estimate and to check availability

UpFront Home Services

Call or Text (832)303-3546

www.UpFrontHomeServices.com

Why do we love Katy? Personally I love the Katy School System. Katy has one of the fastest growing districts in Texas and provides an excellent education. We service the entire Katy / Houston area. Want to learn more about the City of Katy Click Here

How To Get Old Pet Urine Stains and Smells Out Of Carpet

Written by UpFront Home Services on January 4, 2019. Posted in Carpet Cleaning. No Comments on How To Get Old Pet Urine Stains and Smells Out Of Carpet

The first step to get old pet urine stains and smells out of carpet is to identify where the odor is coming from. A lot of times homeowners think that their dog doesn’t pee inside the house because they don’t see it. But then the weather changes and the pet urine smell starts to really show up. The problem is not all pet urine stains stick out as much as others do.

Here’s How To Get Old Pet Urine Stains and Smells Out Of Carpet

Use a Ultraviolet Light For Urine Detection

https://youtu.be/D6ET_WMHPsU

The easiest way to find out where your pet has been urinating is to breakout a UV light. The UV light will make the urine glow so that you can pinpoint where the issues are. I suggest going to Lowe’s and picking up a cheap little uv light to do this. Remember to not shine the light in your eyes and close the blinds and curtains if possible.

This Is What You Will Need To Treat The Pet Urine Smell

A quality pet enzyme treatment, wet vacuum, and a subsurface extraction tool will provide the absolute best results. A syringe can also be a helpful tool to spread the enzyme deeper into the padding. You can get away with not using a subsurface Extraction tool or a syringe if the urine has gone to far into the padding. With odor once you have identified its source you must eliminate the bacteria that is causing the smell. The Enzyme Treatment is designed to eliminate the odor by digesting the bacteria causing the odor.

Apply Pet Enzyme Treatment

Generously apply the Pet Enzyme Treatment to the urine stain. If possible use a syringe to directly inject the enzyme into the padding. Allow the enzyme to sit for 30 minutes.

Flush with Water and Extract

Flush the pet urine stain with water and extract. A subsurface Extraction tool comes in handy here because it makes it easier to remove the moisture from the padding.

Set An Air Mover For Drying

If possible set an Air Mover To Dry the air as quickly as possible. The amount of water necessary to flush a urine stain can be significant. Make sure to run fans and your heater when treating urine stains. By doing this you will have your carpet dry in no time.

The Pet Urine Stains Are Still Present

If the stains persist I recommend using an industrial Peroxide to remove them. I highly recommend Stain 1 by Pros Choice. It’s safe and does an excellent job at removing old dog urine stains.

If The Smell Persists This Is What You Should Do

If the smell persists you may need to remove and replace the padding and potentially treat and seal the sub floor. Before you do that I would call a Professional Carpet Cleaning Company for help. Finding a Pet Urine Stain and Odor removal specialist is crucial to protecting your investment.

Pet Urine stains and odors can be difficult to remove. When you’re in a bind and don’t have the time, tools, or you simply want a specialist just give us a call.

At UpFront Home Services we provide Professional Carpet Cleaning Services In Katy and the entire Houston area! Check out our Carpet Cleaning Service Here

Need A Quote? Give us a call at (832)303-3546 for a FREE Estimate and to check availability

UpFront Home Services

Call or Text (832)303-3546

www.UpFrontHomeServices.com

Some Fun Facts about Houston Texas:

— Houston is the 4th Largest City in the United States

— The Houston Rodeo is one of the largest Rodeos in the world

— The Galleria is the Largest Shopping mall in Texas

— Houston is where the first Domed Stadium was built

Want to learn more about the City of Houston Click Here

You can also call us today for Carpet Cleaning in Spring, TX!

Is Carpet Cleaning Safe For My Kids, My Pets, and My Allergies?

Written by UpFront Home Services on January 2, 2019. Posted in Carpet Cleaning. No Comments on Is Carpet Cleaning Safe For My Kids, My Pets, and My Allergies?

This will depend on the Carpet Cleaning Company that you hire. I see potential clients that get so hung up on price that they don’t even ask about whether or not you use quality products. There are a lot of cleaners still using inferior products or dated chemistry.

What Makes Our Carpet Cleaning Service Safer?

At UpFront Home Services we use the absolute safest cleaners available. We not only use these cleaners for you and your family but also for our technicians that apply them daily. Depending on your families needs we can use a Fragrance Free product or just a really safe and effective product. By investing in higher quality cleaning products we are able to offer the safest and most effective Organic Carpet Cleaning for you and your family.

Why Organic Carpet Cleaning?

When choosing us to clean your carpet you can rest assured knowing that we will use the best products in your home. Other cleaners opt for lower cost poor quality products that leave unsafe residues in your home. These residues can cause allergic reactions, leave your carpet stiff, and taint your indoor air. Using organic chemistry will leave your carpet nearly residue free, will leave your carpet feeling soft, and will improve your indoor air quality.

Should You Have Your Carpet Cleaned?

There are a lot of myths out there that recommend against having your carpet cleaned at all or just when it’s dirty. The truth is you should clean your carpet regularly and often. Your carpet is the largest filter in your home, you change the filters in your A/C unit why wouldn’t you clean your carpet too?

Are you ready to have your carpet cleaned?

Call or Text (832)303-3546

www.UpFrontHomeServices.com

We Are Aggie Owned, Veteran Founded, and Award Winning Carpet Cleaners

We Service Katy, TX and The Entire Houston Area

How Long Does It Take Carpet To Dry After Carpet Cleaning?

Written by UpFront Home Services on December 31, 2018. Posted in Carpet Cleaning. No Comments on How Long Does It Take Carpet To Dry After Carpet Cleaning?

Drying time is a very common question that we are asked on almost every call. On average I see dry times between 4 hours to 6 hours. Drying time depends on the soiling level, weather, indoor humidity, ceiling fans, water temperature, and foot traffic.

In my own home when I run the ceiling fans and the AC is set to 72 degrees I see about a 1-2 hour drying time. This has a lot to do with the soiling level in my home is minimal and the carpets are vacuumed at least once per week.

Heavily soiled carpet can take 6-8 hours just depending on how much water needs to be used to properly rinse the carpet. When we clean carpet we clean at 220 degrees. The temperature of the water is an important factor in the drying time of carpet. Other inferior cleaners with poor quality equipment clean at much lower temperatures which causes their dry times to be much longer.

When hiring a Carpet Cleaning Company it’s important to ask how long it will take the carpet to dry. It’s also important that your carpet is being cleaned through the use of real professional equipment. Always ask if the cleaner is using name brand equipment such as

Sapphire Scientific
Hydramaster
Prochem

These brands produce top of the line equipment. A true professional will utilize one of these brands to clean your carpet.

Are you ready to have your carpet cleaned?

Call or Text (832)303-3546

www.UpFrontHomeServices.com

We Are Aggie Owned, Veteran Founded, and Award Winning Carpet Cleaners

We Service Katy, TX and The Entire Houston Area

Carpet Cleaning – What Is Carpet Stain Protector?

Written by UpFront Home Services on December 29, 2018. Posted in Carpet Cleaning. No Comments on Carpet Cleaning – What Is Carpet Stain Protector?

When your having Carpet Cleaning completed in your home your cleaning technician will probably ask you one very important question. “Would you like to apply Carpet Stain Protector?” This is also known as Scotchgard. Depending on the age and condition of your Carpet we highly recommend applying Carpet Stain Protector after each cleaning.

What Is Carpet Stain Protector?

Carpet Stain Protector is a clear topical coating that is applied to carpet after a Professional Cleaning. The purpose of Carpet Stain Protector is to protect your carpet from permanent stains, traffic lane damage, and provides a clear layer that makes cleaning up spills easy.

Why Should I Apply Carpet Stain Protector After Carpet Cleaning?

Applying Stain Protector after the cleaning makes the cleaning last longer. It also makes it much easier the next time you have your carpet professionally cleaned. Protecting your carpet from potential permanent damage will protect your investment and give you more time in between cleanings.

But Should I Apply Carpet Protector?

There are quite a few cases where it’s not necessary to apply protector. These usually are cases of very old carpet or heavily damaged carpet. If your carpet is newer or in really good condition I would definitely apply carpet Stain Protector after every cleaning.

At UpFront Home Services we provide Steam Cleaning of Carpet In Katy and the entire Houston area! Check out our Steam Cleaning Service Here

Need A Quote? Give us a call at (832)303-3546 for a FREE Estimate and to check availability

UpFront Home Services

Call or Text (832)303-3546

www.UpFrontHomeServices.com

What makes Katy, TX special? I love all of the food options and the school system. We service the entire Houston area. Want to learn more about the City of Katy Click Here