For many years and even today, carpet remains very popular with homeowners all across the U.S. Carpet is the most practical, fashionable, and versatile choice of flooring out there, and it accounts for more than half of all flooring purchases made every year. It is still used in bedrooms, on the second level of a home, and to cover stairs. The fact is, carpet has outsold every other type of flooring for more than 60 years. Carpet offers you several advantages that other flooring options can’t compete with.

Below you will find many of the features that carpet will add to your home. Warmth –Carpet is the best choice you can make for your bedroom, family room, and other areas where you need warmth underfoot.

Insulation –Both carpet and carpet padding will provide an extra layer of much-needed insulation between the floors of your home. Depending on the density and weight of the carpet, it contributes to the R-value of your home, which adds to the energy efficiency as well.

 Safety –Carpet offers a slip-resistant surface that will prevent accidents along with a natural cushion in the event of someone falling. For young children and the elderly, this is very important.

Reduction in sound –Carpet will also reduce noise better than any other type of flooring. Carpet works to dampen noise in three ways:1. Reduces surface noise from foot traffic 2. Absorbs airborne sound 3. Blocks transmission of sound. These qualities are valuable on upper levels of a home and apartment.

Surface –Adding carpet to a room can also disguise any existing damage to the floor and hide any other problems such as warped floors. The thicker density the carpet is, the more problems it will be able to cover up. Easy to care for –The carpets of today are more stain-resistant than they have ever been in the past, which makes cleaning even the worst possible spills easier than ever. No matter type of spill it may be, there is always a way to clean it up.

Clean air –Research has proven that carpet can indeed improve the quality of air by trapping allergy-causing dust and allergens if it is properly cleaned and maintained.

Variety of use –Carpets aren’t only for floors anymore, which is a really great thing. You can easily add carpet to steps, stairs, walls, posts, and other non-level surfaces, without having to worry about it slipping, lifting, or buckling.

Flexibility –Carpet is the primary foundation in almost any room. Because it is available in a variety of different colors and textures, it helps to create an unlimited number of possibilities for decorating.

Low cost –Carpet offers an economical alternative to the other types of expensive flooring, even with professional installation. And, unlike hard surfaces, carpet is comfortable even if you decide to lay down on it.

Life span –The carpets of today are very durable and can outlast most other types of flooring available on the market if it is properly cleaned and maintained. All you have to do is select a type of carpet that has a lifespan of 5 – 30 years or more, which is very common nowadays.

Warranty –With most manufacturers, you can get great warranties with your carpet purchase. Once installed, all you have to do is enjoy it – as the warranty will ensure that you are very well protected.

In today’s financial climate, you might find yourself short of cash towards the end of the month. A payday loan may seem like the easiest and sometimes the only answer to make ends meet. Payday loans often cost around 25% of the amount borrowed in fees, and are repayable within 30 days.

If you need a loan to cover a credit card payment or another bill, you may be able to contact your creditor and arrange a repayment program that gives you enough breathing space to avoid the payday loan.

Look for a credit union in your area. These non-profit organizations will advance funds at an extremely low rate.

Make use of a credit card cash advance, which although expensive, will allow you to spread the cost over several months and be less costly than a few months of payday fees.

Finally, only use payday loans in a genuine financial emergency. Just make sure you never use them to live above your means and don’t fall into the trap of having to take out a new loan every month to cover basic living expenses

Whether it’s chewing, begging, or jumping, our pets’ actions are a part of their unique personalities, for better or worse. However, there is one undesirable habit that most pet owners would agree causes the most embarrassment: urine. To animals, urine is an important social tool, used as a calling card, mate attraction, or territorial warning. To us, it is odor and stain.

If you are lucky enough to catch the animal in the act, you can pour salt liberally onto the deposit while it is still wet. Use enough salt to completely cover the spot. The salt will absorb the urine. Let it dry and simply vacuum it away. But most animals are secretive about peeing on the carpet; most of the time it is dry by the time you discover it. Single, light urine deposits may be treated by applying a neutral carpet cleaning agent, gentle agitation, and a thorough rinse. Finish the job by placing a folded white towel on the area. Set a weight on it and leave overnight; the remaining moisture and residue will wick into the towel.

Once urine has reached the point that it has penetrated the carpet and the cushion, removal of the odor becomes more difficult. Most cleaning and deodorizing methods are designed to treat the carpet face fibers, not the carpet backing and cushion. If you don’t get out all of the urine, changes in humidity and temperature will result in reactivation and the odor will eventually return. Due to the chemistry of urine, old, heavy deposits are much more difficult to treat and you will need the help of a professional.

Why? Because urine undergoes a dramatic chemical change as it ages.

The water in the urine evaporates leaving behind organic compounds that become more concentrated. Bacteria begin to consume the urine, breaking down the proteins, sugars, and other organic compounds. Once the contamination has reached this point, it also becomes a potential health threat to humans. During the process of bacterial digestion, bacteria secrete ammonia and a strong, pungent odor develops. The urine turns from a mild acid to a strong alkali.

This strong alkaline deposit attacks the dyes in some carpets. Over time, the dyes can be weakened causing permanent color loss and yellowing. The adhesives used in the carpet backing can be dissolved, and the carpet can literally fall apart. Permanent damage to wood subfloors will also result from deep penetration of concentrated urine deposits, requiring additional repairs.

Acidic cleaning agents neutralize alkaline residues and make the urine deposits easier to remove during normal cleaning. One urine contamination treatment available contains an enzyme called urease which is effective at breaking down the organic components of urine. Pairing agents are specialized deodorizers that bond to odor-causing molecules and create a new odorless or pleasant-smelling molecule. Oxidizers use the power of oxygen to eliminate urine odor and help remove staining. Oxidizershave the additional benefit of killing bacteria and often help in removing the yellow stain. But care is required when using oxidizers since these cleaning agents are not compatible with all types of carpet.

The decision of which method to use will depend on several factors. The amount of contamination present, the depth of penetration, the construction of the carpet, the fiber content, the installation method, the sub-floor type, and the size of the affected area must all be considered.

Contact Hansen Steam Way today for more tips, help or to schedule your next appointment

A United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study revealed that carpet actually helps to clean out the air in our homes and offices. The carpet acts as a filter, trapping soils, gases, and pollutants such as pet and human dander, pollen, and even air pollution. This is great news since nearly every home in America has wall to wall carpet installed in one or more areas.

Despite this study, some people still believe that carpet is bad for indoor air quality and causes health problems like allergies and asthma. The truth is that properly maintained carpets actually improve indoor air quality. The key to keeping the air in your home healthy is to have a maintenance routine for your carpet.

Periodic professional cleaning is a major part of an effective carpet and air quality maintenance routine, eliminating the contaminants that build up over time. Of course, every household has its own unique combination of factors such as environment, number of occupants, children, pets, and smoking or non-smoking, etc.

So how often should you have your carpets cleaned?

Fortunately, the EPA is there to help with some basic guidelines for a total carpet maintenance plan based on the kind of use that your carpet receives, as follow:

In a home with two people who do not smoke the EPA recommends that you have your carpets cleaned every6-12 months, more often if you have a particularly dusty outside environment or an extremely humid or cold environment.

If you smoke, the carpets should be cleaned at least every four months.

If you have kids or pets these numbers cut in half. In fact, a home with2 adults, a child, and pets should be cleaned at least every 3-6 months, but every month if you live in a very contaminated or dusty area.

Offices and restaurants, nursing homes, and daycare centers should be cleaned once a month or even more frequently.

“Wait a minute!” you may say. “It seems a little extreme to clean my carpet that often.” But think about the source of these recommendations. This is the environmental protection agency, created to help assure the health and safety of living things in a variety of environments, including outdoors and inside homes and buildings. So these recommendations are based on cleaning for health, not simply appearance.

Carpet is designed to hide soil, so it can hold a lot of dirt before it begins to look “dirty.” Unseen contaminants build up in the carpet over time to the point where they may have a negative effect on the occupants of the structure, especially those with underdeveloped, sensitive, or compromised immune systems. The key is to avoid letting the carpet get to the point where this happens.

Are we saying that if you don’t get all of your carpets cleaned according to these EPA guidelines that you and your family will get sick? Not necessarily. These guidelines are just that, a guide. There are things that you can do to reduce the frequency of professional cleaning. First, make sure that you vacuum often; the more the better. Also, be prompt about clean-ing up spots and spills. Use doormats at all entrances. Don’t wear street shoes in the house. Finally, avoid going barefoot because body oils get on the carpet and attract dirt.

Regardless of how neat and tidy you are, there comes a time when you need professional carpet cleaning. Call Hansen Steam Way to schedule your next cleaning or to help choose a cleaning program that fits your lifestyle. You and your family will breathe easier; your carpets will look better and last longer.

Keep kids active this summer by playing fun backyard games like balloon games, a create-your-own obstacle course, and water fun.
To set up the balloon volleyball, hang a jump rope across an area and use inflated balloons to make it easy for all age groups to join in. You could also place two jump ropes across each other to create a modified four square court to also use with balloons.
When creating an obstacle course, get creative with cardboard boxes, ropes, hula hoops, and lawn furniture.
Give everyone an opportunity to add something to the mix. Affordable pool noodles also make great obstacle course equipment.
Give it a refreshing spin by adding in sprinklers and inflatable pools. Always keep safety in mind, however.
Water balloons and water gun fights are always a classic form of summer entertainment. Save yourself some time by filling up buckets with water and placing them around the yard as quick fill-up stations for squirt guns. Follow up with some homemade popsicles.

The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis,
psoriatic arthritis, fibromyalgia, and gout.

Arthritis, a catch-all term for numerous conditions and related diseases affect joints and connective tissues, usually involving joint pain and stiffness. More than 50 million adults and 300,000 children are affected. While you should always consult your doctor, consider these foods, which help fight arthritis:

Tart cherries: With anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, tart cherries can help provide joint relief and lower the risk of flares in those with gout.

Colorful vegetables: Sweet potatoes, carrots, red or green peppers, and
squash. Peppers contain an abundant amount of vitamin C, which preserves bone and may protect cartilage.

Seafood: Salmon, tuna, sardines, and mackerel can help decrease inflammation and protect the heart.

Walnuts: High in ALA, a type of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acid,
walnuts can also lower cholesterol, relax blood vessels, and help reduce high blood pressure.

Garlic: Use fresh garlic if you can to help fight pain, inflammation, and cartilage damage.

The entire world has been rocked with the emergence of the COVID-19 Coronavirus. Information on the proper way
to wash our hands, social distancing, grocery shopping, etc. have flooded our screens. But, what about our homes? Is
there a proper way to clean to help ensure the homes where we have been spending so much time are actually healthy
places? The answer is a resounding YES! There are methods and ways to keep our homes as healthy as possible.

The first rule of thumb has always been and will continue to
be that we should clean for health first and appearances second.
Homeowners are prone to waiting until there are visible
signs of dirt before cleaning. This is incorrect. Many surfaces
are designed to hide dirt and soil, so it can hold a lot of contaminants
before it begins to look “dirty.” Unseen contaminants
build up in the surfaces over time to the point where they may
have a negative effect on the occupants of the structure, especially
those with underdeveloped, sensitive or compromised
immune systems. The key is to avoid getting to the point where
this happens.

The process should be clean first and sanitize second. Think
of cleaning and sanitizing your home in the same way you think
of washing your hands. Cleaning is the process of removing
unwanted substances from a surface. When you wash your hands or clean a surface, you are removing the unwanted contaminants. When you use hand sanitizer, or sanitize over dirt and grime, you are trying to “kill” or destroy the contamination rather than just removing in. Hand sanitizer and sanitizing sprays are a great second option, but hand washing and cleaning are always the best choice for a first defense.

Here are some helpful tips for cleaning
any room:
Always clean top to bottom and work your way out the door.
Fold your cleaning cloth instead of balling it up. This ensures a smooth, consistent surface for wiping.
Always wipe in the same direction with a cleaning cloth, rather than a back and forth motion. The goal is to remove the dirt. Not to move it back and forth.
Heat accelerates most chemical reactions and result in a deeper cleaning.
Use as hot of water as recommended for your surfaces.
Even visibly clean surfaces need to be thoroughly cleaned before applying any sanitizing or disinfecting chemicals.
Use hot water when cleaning linens and
towels.

Make sure you regularly clean and sanitize things you use or touch on a
daily basis such as: cell phones, laptops, tablets, remotes, doorknobs, handles, steering wheels, etc.
Use a cleaner first to break down the dirt and grime. Follow up with an antimicrobial/ disinfectant.
Look for EPA registration and approval on the labels of your cleaners. They
should say they have been approved to fight SARS, H1N1 and emerging pathogen viruses. The EPA has a list of approved cleaners on their website.
Please be aware. No product or company can claim they can kill COVID-19 or inactivate it. There are currently no approved tests with the EPA that can test this claim. However, there are products that are approved to combat “coronaviruses” which is a broad term used for types of viruses. You can
look up more recommendations on the CDC and EPA websites.
For the sake of prevention and daily
life, cleaning and disinfecting your home is completely appropriate. However, if an infection or exposure has occurred with someone in your home, you need to call in the professionals.

Allow our professionally trained and educated workers at Hansen Steam Way to help make your home healthy once again. We have the proper equipment, materials and training to come in and clean and sanitize your home.

If exposure has not occurred, continue to clean your home with these helpful and basic tips while also following all professional recommendations. Once you feel safe to let people into your home
again, call Hansen Steam Way. We are ready to combat dirt, germs, grime and the messes your family made while social distancing at home.

Termite damage is not always covered under homeowner’s insurance. That’s why it’s essential to get periodic home inspections and treatment.

In addition, here are some key ways to prevent infestations of all termite types.

Keep home foundations dry: Don’t regularly spray water on foundations. Slope gutters so that they drain away from the house.

Be careful with mulch. Don’t mulch around foundations. Keep wood mulch as far away as possible from the house. Also, remove any scrap wood and wooden debris. Quickly dispose of any fallen branches from around your house.

Avoid using timbers or railroad ties as edging around your house. Metal, plastic, or brick edging is a better choice for plantings.

Build decks and stairs on concrete pads. Regularly treat the area around posts and pads.

Cut clinging vines so they do not grow on the wall of the house. Termites love these.

Keep crawl spaces as dry as possible and sealed if feasible.

Though age can be a factor, hearing loss isn’t a definite condition of advancing years. By protecting your hearing, you could have excellent
hearing throughout your retirement years. The main cause of hearing loss
is on the rise: loud noise.

Much of the damage is from sound systems in movie theaters, cars, and home theaters. Also, power devices like leaf blowers and snow blowers
can be extremely harmful.

There are many things you can do to preserve your hearing. Don’t blast
the music. Use earplugs or insulated ear muffs when operating loud power
equipment. Learn to recognize the signs of hearing loss, and have your
hearing checked.

Early treatment of infection or disease affecting your ears is a proven
way to make the most of the hearing you have.

Unfortunately, while the damage cannot be cured or reversed, the
progression of hearing loss can be prevented by protecting the ears from
further high-noise exposure.