Patrick Bihn
Patrick Bihn
ROCK ISLAND
Andy did a great job in finding a water issue in our dryer vent. He was fast, accurate, and thorough.
Carly
About Carly
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Casey
Casey
Newhall
Andy and kaleb did a really good job getting everything out from the ducts after the storm came through and cleaned up everything when done
Jamie Jonas
Jamie Jonas
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Very pleased with Americlean. Our Americlean reps, Andy and Kaleb did a fantastic job. They were on time, professional, friendly and thorough. We would highly recommend them.
Truck-Mounted VS Portable Equipment
One of the most important parts of air duct cleaning is the equipment that is used. The vacuum is what is drawing out the debris, dust, and dirt from you air ducts. Wouldn’t you want the best, most powerful vacuuming doing the job? When you are calling around to receive pricing and cleaning procedures, you may want to confirm the type of equipment the company has!
Portable equipment is much smaller in size. It may be easy to transport, but that equipment is brought into your home or business. A truck-mounted system is much larger in size and remains outside during the cleaning. What does this information tell you about which cleaning procedure is better? We will break it down for you!
- Power: If you want a true clean, truck-mounted is much more powerful than portable equipment. The suction from this system can draw tens of thousands of cubic feet of air per minute, while portable units may only draw a few thousand cubic feet of air per minute. Truck-mounted equipment is going to pull all the contaminants and debris out of your ductwork in an efficient and clean manner.
- Hose diameter: Does this matter, you may ask? Have you ever lost a stuffed animal, toy, food, or other items into your ductwork? Maybe the previous owners lost items down a register opening? Truck-mounted equipment will use a hose 8”-10” in diameter, which will pull small to extremely large items out of your ductwork that may be lodged in there! You may be surprised what can be found inside ductwork. Rodents also have a tendency of finding their way into the ducts. Looking at portable equipment, the hoses are smaller in diameter and may not remove all of the debris or items from the ductwork during cleaning.
- Debris containment: With truck-mounted equipment, all the debris, dust and dirt is sucked out into the equipment parked outside. Portable equipment is brought into your home and all that debris is vacuumed into the equipment inside your home. Some pollutants may remain indoors if there is a leak or an ineffective filter in the unit, which is releasing those pollutants back into your air.
These are a few reasons to choose a company using truck-mounted equipment. If you are interested in learning more and receiving a free quote, call our office today!
Indoor Air Quality and Everyday Household Items
Do you know that a variety of your everyday household items are affecting your indoor air quality? Do you use air fresheners? Burn scented candles? Use cleaning products? These products create VOCs. What is that exactly? Volatile organic compounds. VOCs are gases from a variety of different solids and liquids. They usually contain fluorine, chlorine, bromine, benzene, formaldehyde, and toluene according to the EPA.
Now, do you know how these are affecting your overall health? It may just start off as a headache. It may be eye irritation, skin reaction, dizziness or many other symptoms. Long term, it may even lead to asthma or other health issues.
Helping rid your home of these harmful chemicals can improve your air quality. You can start with improving ventilation and researching what ingredients are in the products you use. Air duct cleaning is one more step you can take! According to NADCA, “the air in your home is typically pulled into the HVAC system and recirculated 5 to 7 times per day.” Having your air ducts cleaned can remove many pollutants hiding inside your ductwork.
For more information, visit EPA.gov or NADCA.com:
https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/interactive-tour-indoor-air-quality-demo-house
https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/volatile-organic-compounds-impact-indoor-air-quality
https://nadca.com/resources/blog/how-everyday-household-items-affect-your-indoor-air-quality
Indoor Air Quality: Dangers of Mold
What is the quality of air you are breathing at home? Your health is important and poor indoor air quality can have major affects on that! Have your allergies been bothersome? Does someone in your home have asthma? Is there a musty odor? Have you had any recent water damage? There are many signs that your home may have mold and we are here to help!
Understanding Mold:
- Mold is everywhere: outdoors and indoors
- Water feeds mold
- Excessive moisture: dry wet materials within 24-48 hours
- Humidity: keep relative humidity indoors between 30-60%
- There are many different kinds of mold
Mold Prevention:
- Vent all moisture sources: bathrooms, dryers, etc.
- Keep your gutters clean and clear
- Direct water away from your home
- Start drying and cleanup immediately if water damage has occurred
If you have concerns of mold in your home, you may want to start with an inspection and sampling. This will determine if there is mold, the type of mold present and the severity of the problem. If it is determined that there is a problem in your home, professional remediation will be the recommendation. Our staff is certified and will help you every step of the way! Don’t risk your health, call Americlean today!
Do You Know the Signs You Need Air Duct Cleaning?
After a long winter of spending time indoors and having your home sealed up, it is time to open up those windows and breath fresh air in! But, do you know what has been circulating throughout your ductwork all winter? Winter allows dirt, debris, and moisture to settle in your ductwork from continuous damp weather. Once this has settled, you may start to notice respiratory issues, allergies, and much more. So, are you thinking you need your air ducts cleaned now? We have some helpful signs that will help you decide!
Woah! A spike in your energy bill! – This may be from a clogged duct or possibly even a leak. Debris and dirt can block airways, making it more difficult for air to flow.
Dirt and debris build up – Everyday you create dust, dander, and dirt that is lingering in your ductwork. If you are starting to notice dust on furniture you just cleaned, it may be a sign to have your air ducts cleaned. You can also check your register vents to see if there is any visible build up.
Respiratory problems – Are you having allergies, asthma, or sinus issues? Excessive dirt and debris that is circulating through your air ducts just may be the problem. Your indoor air quality is highly impacted by your heating and cooling system.
Mold growth – Humidity will cause condensation, which may cause mold growth inside of your ductwork. Mold can be difficult to detect when it is hidden in your ductwork, but you may notice a musty odor. Call us to have your air ducts inspected for mold growth.
Rodent or insects – Are you noticing evidence of an insect or rodent infestation? They may be living in your air ducts. Breathing in contaminants like droppings may cause sickness and create poor indoor air quality.
Taking care of your air ducts can help save you money and create a better environment for you, your family, and guests. When you hire a NADCA certified company to clean your ductwork, you are ensuring the job is done correctly the first time. Read online reviews, ask for proof of insurance and certifications, and even ask for references! If you are thinking you need your air ducts cleaned, give us a call with any questions.
Spring Cleaning Checklist
Spring is finally here! After this long, cold, snowy, wet winter; what are your spring plans? How does spring cleaning sound? It is easy to forget some of the not so everyday items that should really be done once a year! Here are a few helpful items you may want to consider adding to your checklist:
- Dust: furniture, baseboards, ceiling fans, shelving, and light fixtures.
- Wash: walls, doors, windows, and cabinets.
- Organize: cabinets, closets, and storage.
- Out with the Old: donate items that you haven’t used in a year.
- Change Out: light bulbs, batteries in smoke detectors, and air/furnace filters.
- Schedule with Americlean: deep carpet cleaning and floor cleaning, air duct cleaning, dryer/bathroom vent cleaning, exterior pressure washing, and much more!
After a long winter, there is no better way to start spring than with a nice clean home. We know you can’t tackle all the necessary cleaning, so Americlean is here to help! Call today to schedule your spring cleaning!
Freezing Pipes and Melting Snow=Water Damage
What is every home owner’s worst nightmare? We’d say water damage ranks high up there! Even a small amount of water can cause serious damage. If water damage strikes your home, you want to get a professional clean-up started right away.
Read these helpful tips to be more prepared if you unfortunately have this happen in your home:
- Locate your main water shut-off valve: This is important if you have a pipe burst. The faster you can get this turned off, the less water damage!
- Turn off electrical power to affected areas: You don’t need a risk of electrocution!
- Contact a professional water restoration company: Do you know what to expect when we arrive? Here are a few steps that will have you prepared for what is about to happen in your home.
- Inspection and Assessment: Identification of the type of loss and extent of damage
- Content Moving: Moving or disposal of content items and furniture to prevent more damage/loss
- Removal of Water: Extract excess water with truck-mounted equipment and/or use of pumps
- Drying: Moisture meter affected building materials, install commercial dehumidifiers and air-movers
- Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of drying process
- Completion: Final cleaning of contents, flooring, walls, etc.
- Repairs/Reconstruction: We can handle the rebuild of your home for you!
Be prepared for a worst-case scenario by using our helpful tips. When water damage strikes your home, call the company you’ve trusted to get the job done right and to prevent worse damage in the future!
Maryann Dennis
Maryann Dennis
Iowa City
We were overwhelmed upon discovering the damage to our home when the upstairs toilet intake valve popped and ran continuously all day. The Americlean team arrived within one hour and got right to work. Everything was explained to us and we knew we were in good hands because of their professionalism and calming influence.
The scope of work to us was huge – drying out ceilings, floors, furniture and contents and carpeting and walls, etc. etc.
The entire staff exhibited professionalism during the entire process. All calls were promptly answered with courtesy and many were initiated by the Americlean team. Their knowledge of how to negotiate with insurance adjusters and claims reps was impressive and brought a great deal of relief. Americlean even handled all subs to complete additional improvements to our very old house. We now have a much more beautiful home. Americlean is the best. They are the right folks to call when you need them the most. Thank you!