Flood Restoration Tips & Advice

As we find useful links that can benefit you as a consumer in East Central Alberta we add them to this section.  As well, when we see that customers are looking for answers on similar issues, we will include those questions and answers as best we can on the Questions & Answers page.  If you have a question that you that you would like addressed and that you think others might also be interested in, give us a Buzz.

 6 Of The Top Tips For Flood Proofing Your Home

• Check your sump pump every month to ensure that it is working properly.
• Make sure that the outside line for your sump pump isn't disconnected by the house so that water collects by the foundation.
• Make sure that your eavestroughing is not plugged.
• Make sure that your eavestroughing downspout extensions go far enough out from the house so that the water can run away from the house.
• When you are going to be away on vacation for a period of time, turn the water valve off at the source so that if a line breaks, the water will not pump out into your house.
• When it starts to freeze outside (for those of you in Canada or the northern states), unhook the garden hoses from the outside faucets.  If you don't, with certain style taps they will not drain back and will cause freezing in the outer wall chamber of your home.

We are planning to have a hands-on workshop in Camrose on Flood Proofing Your Home some time in the future if there are enough interested participants.  Sign up if this might be of interest to you.

Carpet Cleaning And Maintenance Tips

I found a good website for Troubleshooting Common Carpet Issues listed on the Carpet and Rug Institute website.  Let me know if its helpful.  Ted. 

How Often Should I Clean My Carpets?

This is a commonly asked question.  I found a website from the IICRC that gives a good description.  A simple chart for carpet maintenance is listed below.  For this chart, and answers to other carpet care questions follow this IICRC FAQ Sheet Link.

Selecting The Right Carpet or Rug For Your Home

Five questions you should ask yourself before buying a carpet.

I found a good website with the Carpet and Rug Institute that describes various carpet types and what the materials are that comprise them.

Tools for judging a carpet's performance.

Selecting the right cushion for your carpet.

Calculating the insulation value of carpet.

Environmentally sensitive carpets.

Answers To Questions About Carpet Care, Pet Stains, & Indoor Environmental Quality

The Institution of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certifications  is an invaluable resource for information on a number of areas relating to carpet care and restoration.  Their FAQ page has some good information.

Get the Facts on Carpet and Asthma and Allergies

Many people have told me that they have removed carpet from their home in order to deal with allergy and asthma problems by members of their family.  In actuality the facts are the opposite regarding a carpet's ability to help in maintaining a healthy environment in the home.  I rarely say anything because I am a carpet cleaner and don't want to appear like I am just upset because it is taking away from my income.  For a good website dealing with scientific studies on this subject, click here.