When it comes time to buy a home, there’s many factors you need to consider. Some of these are personal factors, but some are things that you should be asking your real estate agent or seller about perspective homes. How much can you put down for a down payment? What are the schools like in the area? Has the house suffered any water damage? Here’s what you need to know when buying a home with water damage.

Ask Questions

Although asking if the house has suffered any water damage is a great first question, it’s just one of many you should be asking. Other questions you should ask include but aren’t limited to:

  • When did the water damage occur?
  • What caused it? Burst pipe? Flooding? Leaky roof?
  • Has the cause been fixed, or steps taken to prevent further flooding?
  • How long was the water sitting in the home and how much damage did it do?
  • Was the home stripped down or were only the walls washed or bleached?
  • Was mold allowed to grow?
  • Has wiring in the walls been checked?

Get the Home Inspected

If the sellers or real estate agents are unsure the extent of the damage caused by water damage, get the home inspected. This is an important step of buying any home, but especially important when buying one with water damage. Not only could there be damage from water, but there could be underlying damages from any repairs that were attempted. Make sure to higher a reputable home inspector and have them carefully check the home for any existing damage- water or otherwise. Water damaged homes can have a lot of issues. Because of this, it may be a good idea to get a second home inspection. This way, you can make sure nothing was missed.

Determine the Cost of the Home

Because it may cost you to fix any water damage once you’ve bought the home, you can include this in your offer. You should find a contractor that will help you estimate the cost of repairs. Depending on the extent of the damage, this could be thousands of dollars. Once you have an estimate, you can make an offer on the home that accounts for these costs.

If You Buy the Home

If you buy the home and invest in its repairs, make sure you also invest in flood insurance. It is likely that if the home flooded once before, it will flood again. Certain areas are more prone to flooding than others, and sometimes it cannot be stopped. It is important to have flood insurance if this is the case in the area where you plan to buy a home. Make sure to check with your insurance company about coverage for ground water. Most floods from outside your home are not covered without special flood insurance!

Water Damage and Mold

If the home you plan to buy- or even the home you live in now- has suffered from water damage or even mold, it’s time to call in the professionals. Water damage restoration and mold removal are just two of the many services offered by Thomas’ Carpet Cleaning and Restoration Services. You can even submit a service request today!

A homeowner’s worst nightmare: a fire. You may have as little as two minutes to escape in the event a fire starts in your home. But did you know that most home fires are preventable? Here are a few ways you can stop a nightmare from becoming a reality.

Space Heaters

It’s in the name: space. Give space heaters space. Make sure they are at least three feet from anything that could catch fire and burn. When you can’t keep an eye on them- like when you leave the house or go to sleep- it’s best to turn them off.

Cooking

Stay in the kitchen when cooking. Whether you’re frying, grilling, or broiling, unattended food has the potential to overcook and catch fire. Even if you only have to leave the room for a few minutes, it is safer to turn off the stove.

Matches and Lighters

Make sure matches and lighters are out of reach of children. You can either store them up high, or in a cabinet with a child-proof lock.

Candles

Although they can make your home smell great, candles can be one of the most hazardous things found in a home. Make sure you keep lit candles at least one foot from anything that could burn. Additionally, do not leave them burning when you leave the room or go to sleep.

Smoking

If you or anyone visiting your home smokes, ask them to do so outside. Additionally, have a sturdy ashtray available so that ashes and the end of the cigarette can be disposed of properly without the chance of starting a fire.

Fire Escape Plan

In case of fire, you should have a home fire escape plan. Sit down with your family and make sure everyone has at least two unobstructed exits- including windows- from every room. You should practice your escape plan twice a year and have a meeting place outside.

Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms are your best early warning system. Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement and outside sleeping areas. Don’t forget two replace the batteries once a year or whenever the alarm “chirps” indicating a low battery.

If your home has suffered fire or smoke damage, call in the professionals. They will be able to assess the damage and get your house feeling like home again. Fill out a service request form from Thomas’ Carpet Cleaning and Restoration Services today!

If the carpets in your home have stains you can’t get out or have just seen better days, it may be time for professional carpet cleaning. The professionals have special equipment that can deep clean your carpets. They also have the knowhow for getting those stubborn stains out. Although you may think you don’t need to do anything in preparation for professional carpet cleaning, there are actually a few things you can do to make their job easier.

Vacuum

Vacuuming your carpets before the professionals arrive is a great way to give them a head start. By making sure your carpet is free of dirt or other debris, the cleaners can get right to work tackling the more intense, soiled-in dirt.

Another thing you can do before the carpet cleaners arrive is dust the surrounding area. This will prevent the dust from falling back onto your freshly cleaned carpets. It’ll also help keep them looking spotless for longer. Baseboards, shelves, and electronics all tend to collect the most dust, so focus on those areas.

Move Furniture

If you’re paying to have your carpet cleaned, you want all of it to get cleaned. This means moving your furniture out of the way of the cleaners. Although some professional carpet cleaning companies will move your furniture for you, there may be extra fees involved.

Put Away Valuable and Fragile Objects

Accidents happens, that’s just part of life. But you can minimize them by putting away valuable or fragile objects before the professionals arrive. Any glass or porcelain objects kept on your coffee table, side tables, or cabinets should be put somewhere safe. These places can easily get bumped into during your carpet cleaning.

Move Your Curtains/Drapes

Curtains and drapes that reach all the way to the floor can be a great design choice for your home. Unfortunately, they’re not such a great choice if you’re having your carpets professionally cleaned. Not only can they get in the way of the carpet cleaners, they can become damaged if they get wet during the process or are dangling onto the damp carpet afterwards.

Take Out Your Pets

If your pets don’t like the vacuum, they’re definitely not going to like carpet cleaning equipment. Even if they are friendly, it’s a good idea to keep them out of the way of your carpet cleaning crew. It’s one less thing for them to worry about as they get the job done. If you can’t set up a space for your pets inside away from the cleaning, they can play outside or perhaps you have a neighbor or nearby family member that can look after them for the day.

Save a Parking Space

Although a lot of the preparation for professional carpet cleaning takes place inside your home, there’s something you can do outside as well. Save a parking space for the cleaners that is as close to your front door as possible. This small kindness can go a long way to making their job easier since they won’t have to lug their equipment farther than they need to.

If you need your carpets professionally cleaned, contact Thomas’ Carpet Cleaning and Restoration Service today!

If you’ve recently experienced water damage in your home, there’s a chance there could be mold lurking. Mold loves to grow in dark, damp environments such as behind furniture or appliances, under flooring, or even in the walls of your home. Here are some of the most common types of molds found in homes.

White Mold

“White mold” can be tricky because it is used to describe the beginning stages of many species of mold. Although there are some molds that remain white once they grow spores, others will start to change colors as the spores are produced. In general, white mold will appear as a powdery or filmy substance on a surface. Common food sources of white mold include wood, drywall, carpeting, and other organic materials.

Green Mold

Chances are you’ve seen green mold growing on fruits, bread, or other food you’ve left in the back of the refrigerator for too long. Unfortunately, it can also grow in wet areas of your home. This type of mold will appear soft and fuzzy and comes in many shades of green. The most common types of green mold include Cladosporium, Aspergillus, and Penicillium. Although green is a common hue for these molds, they can also be found in blue and black.

Orange Mold

Orange mold is most commonly found outside on decaying organic matter like fallen trees or leaf piles. However, it can still be found indoors. If you have hard water, meaning your water has a high dissolved mineral content, then you may be prone to orange mold. It can grow in your shower or even in your toilet bowl where there can be a lot of bacteria.

Black Mold

The most infamous of all the molds, black mold is highly feared by any homeowner. Because of its toxic nature, black mold can cause allergic reactions and health problems in those who have been exposed to it. Depending on the length of exposure, you can expect to experience anything from fatigue and headaches to fevers and rashes. Like other molds, black mold is most likely to grow where it is warm and humid. This often means it can be found in your home’s basement or crawlspace. These are also the most common locations of leaks or other sources of moisture in your home.

Do you suspect you’ve been exposed to any of these types of mold in your home, or have recently had water damage? Your next step is simple. Call in the professionals. They’ll be able to assess the situation and get your home back to being a safe place for you and your family. If you have water damage or need mold removal, contact Thomas’ Carpet Cleaning and Restoration Service today!

Returning from vacation or even a day at work can quickly turn into a nightmare if you discover your basement has flooded in your absence. Anything from a broken pipe to excessive amounts of rain can cause flooding. Luckily, there are ways to help prevent this nightmare from becoming your reality.

Gutters and Downspouts

In the event of heavy rain, it’s your gutters are going to help keep your basement dry. Make sure you’re cleaning your gutters every spring and fall. Clogged gutters don’t drain correctly and will dump water directly onto your foundation. Over time, heavy rains will soak through your foundation and into your basement.

Along with clean gutters, downspouts can also help keep you prevent basement flooding. Downspouts should direct water at least three feet away from your foundation. You may also need additional extensions or troughs to achieve this distance.

Landscaping and Grading

If you have flowerbeds or other landscaping around your home, it is a good idea to leave a gap or barrier between them and your home. Mulch and soil retain water that can eventually find its way into your basement.

Your yard also plays an important role in preventing basement flooding. The slope of your yard could allow water to pool around your foundation, eventually allowing water to seep in. Depending on the grade, or slope, of your yard, you may need to regrade your lawn or even install drains.

Window Well Covers and Foundation

If you have basement windows that are below-grade, you’ll want to install window well covers. When fastened securely to your home’s foundation over the windows, the covers will help to waterproof your basement and prevent it from flooding.

However, you also need your foundation to be in good condition. While installing window well covers, check over your foundation. If you find any cracks, be sure to repair them as soon as possible. Water will always find the path of least resistance, and windows and foundation cracks are an open invitation to water.

Sewer and Septic

Clogs, sewer backups, and overflows can wreak havoc on your basement. When was the last time you had your sewer inspected or your septic tank cleaned? Proper maintenance will ensure that these systems are running smoothly and keeping not only water- but wastewater- out of your basement.

What happens if your basement floods?

Unfortunately, not every plan is foolproof. In the event your basement does flood, make sure to call in the experts as soon as possible. The quicker they can assess the situation and get your basement dried out, the less likely further damage- like a mold infestation- will be able to occur. You can contact Thomas’ Carpet Cleaning and Restoration Services anytime to fill out a Service Request!   

Whether from smoking, burning a fire in your fireplace, or from a recent home fire, the lingering smell of smoke isn’t one most people want in their home. No matter the cause, it can take several different methods to get that stink out. Here are some all natural methods you can try to get that smoke odor out of your home!

Open the windows. The first thing you want to do is get some fresh air circulating. Open all of the windows! If you have fans, get them going too. They will help pull the smoky air from the room. Keep the windows open and the fans going for as long as you can.  

Baking soda is great at absorbing. Burning scents candles or spraying aerosol room fresheners will only mask the smoke odor for a little while. Instead, you want something that will absorb the scent. You can sprinkle baking soda on your soft surfaces such as carpets and couches. Leave it to sit for a few hours, and then vacuum it up.

Vinegar is for more than just salad. A household staple, vinegar is great for anything from salads to DIY cleaning solutions. Just like baking soda, vinegar will help to neutralize odors, not just cover them up. Although pungent, leaving vinegar in bowls around your home will reduce the smoke smell. You can also add it to loads of laundry that have been affected.

Charcoal traps smells. Most home improvement stores carry a range of activated charcoal products specifically for odor elimination. Those bags of activated charcoal are for more than just helping with your smelly shoes. Place several bags around a smoky room or place them on any furniture. Just make sure not to put the activated charcoal powder directly onto any fabrics since it can stain.

Steam it away. Steam cleaning is great for more than just pet stains and Kool-Aid spills. The combination of steam and heat can help break down the smoke molecules that are left over in your upholstery and carpets. Although you can rent a steam cleaner, it’s always a good idea to call in the professionals, especially if you have severe smoke damage. You can contact Thomas’ Carpet Cleaning and Restoration Services anytime to fill out a Service Request!

We’ve all seen it. The glass of red wine falling in slow motion towards someone’s pristine carpet. If you’re a carpet owner, then stains are your worst enemy. Unfortunately, they’re also apart of everyday life, especially if you have children or pets. But there’s good news! Even the most difficult carpet stains can be removed! Here’s how.  

Wine/Juice 

By far the most dreaded stain is red wine. Because of the rich color and watery consistency of wines and juices, they are able to easily soak into your carpet. Chances are, it’s permeating even deeper than you think it is, even all the way to the carpet pad. This could lead to more problems down the road, like lingering odors or even mold growth underneath the carpet.  

First, you’ll want to blot the stain. Blotting will soak up any of the excess liquid. Never rub the stain. This can embed the wine further into the fibers and make it more difficult to remove later. Different ways to get red wine out of your carpet include: 

  • A paste with a three-to-one ratio of baking soda and water 
  • Club soda  
  • Two-parts hydrogen peroxide to one-part dishwashing soap 
  • A mixture of white vinegar and water 

Whatever you use, make sure to allow your cleaning solution to fully saturate the wine stain before blotting with a clean piece of paper towel or rag. 

Coffee 

Coffee is one of those stains that you’ll find aplenty in both residential and commercial spaces. Similar to wine, coffee is another dark liquid that is able to easily soak into your carpet. Because of this, you’re going to start the cleaning process in the same way you would for spilled red wine. Blot the surface liquid away, making sure not to rub it in. Next, you’ll want to use a mixture of water and white vinegar to remove the stain. Work from the outside towards the center of the stain. It is recommended that you change your cleaning cloth frequently to ensure you aren’t spreading the stain further.  

Blood 

Chances are, if you’re dealing with a blood stain, there’s a larger emergency than your stained carpet! However, because blood penetrates, make sure to clean the affected area while it’s still fresh. The longer blood sits, the harder it is to remove from soft surfaces such as your carpet. Always use cold water to clean blood! Warm or hot water will only cause the stain to set. A mixture of liquid dish detergent and cold water will help to lift the stain from the carpet. Like with wine and coffee, make sure you are blotting to transfer the stain instead of rubbing it in. 

Pet Stains 

Whether it’s urine from a new puppy or vomit from an upset stomach, all pet stains have something in common. They tend to leave a lingering odor. Removing pet stains is often a race against the clock. Your best bet is to clean up the mess as soon after it happens as possible. If it is allowed to dry, you’ll need to re-wet it. Applying baking soda to the wet or damp spot can draw out both moisture and any odors. There are also carpet cleaners that are formulated specifically for pet stains.  

Cooking Oil 

It’s been a long time since anyone has had carpet in the kitchen. However, a spilled oil cruet on your table could potentially lead to disaster for your dining room carpet. Because oil is hydrophobic- meaning it repels water- you’ll need a specialty cleaner to remove the stain.  

Stains won’t come out? 

Even if you got to the stain as soon as possible and blotted instead of rubbed, there still might be something let behind. If you’ve tried everything to get it out, but the stain still won’t budge, it may be time to call in the professionals. With their experience and the right tools, they’ll be able to get that stubborn stain out of your carpet and have it looking like new once more. Need your carpet professionally cleaned? Contact Thomas’ Carpet Cleaning and Restoration Services today!  

Carpet cleaning and carpet restoration are the two most use ways to keep your carpets looking fresh and brand-new year after year. Both of these types of carpet maintenance can not only prolong the life of your carpet but can also be performed on any type of carpet, from residential to commercial. Although many companies specialize in both carpet cleaning and carpet restoration, there is in fact a big difference between the two. 

Carpet Cleaning 

Carpet cleaning, or maintenance cleaning, involves routine cleaning to keep your carpets looking fresh. If maintenance cleaning is allowed to take place, then dirt is removed before it has the chance to settle into your carpet. The first step of carpet cleaning is vacuuming. This will remove loose dirt and debris that makes its way into the fibers of your carpet. Regular vacuuming will help keep grime from settling in and causing stains.  

The next part of carpet cleaning is steam washing. Over time, grime can settle in, drinks will be spilled, and pets will have accidents. Stains will start to appear in your carpet. Steam washing, used for both residential and commercial cleaning, can help to remove the stains and clean the carpet deeply.   

Carpet Restoration 

Carpet restoration, or restorative cleaning, is a one-time process to deep clean and “restore” your carpet to a new or like-new condition. This type of cleaning will depend on how dirty the carpet is. As well as how old it is, and what it is made out of. There are cleaning agents that can be used on synthetic materials but not wool carpets.  

Much like maintenance cleaning, restorative cleaning begins with vacuuming. It is important to get the loose particles out of your carpet before any other cleaning tactics can take place. Next, different sprays and cleaners will be used in tandem with agitators, like mechanical rotary or cylindrical floor machines, to remove both suspended and embedded soil. Once any spots have been treated and your carpet has been thoroughly cleaned, it will then be dried. 

Carpet restoration can also include more than just the deep cleaning of the carpet. Damaged sections of carpet can be replaced by the experts using carpet patching. If your carpet has become crooked or pulled away from the wall, then you may require carpet re-stretching to straighten it back out. If you carpet has been damaged by water, then you may need wet carpet restoration. In this process, professionals will thoroughly dry out your carpet before beginning the restoration process. 

How to Combine the Two 

Ideally, you should always be using a combination of maintenance cleaning and restorative cleaning to keep your carpets looking their best. Whether it is for your residential carpet or your commercial space, you should begin with carpet restoration. This will give your carpets a deep clean to remove any evidence of the former tenants of the space. Then, make sure you are keeping up with regular carpet cleanings to prevent the build up of dirt, debris, and the set in of stains. 

If you’re interested in either type of cleaning for your residential or commercial space, contact Thomas’ Carpet Cleaning and Restoration Services today!