Frequently Asked Questions
Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Questions:
How much does carpet and upholstery cleaning cost?
Carpet cleaning prices vary according to the size (square footage) and condition of the carpet. Price can vary also according to what other services besides a general cleaning is needed. Extra services include pet treatments, red stain removal and carpet protector such as scotch-guard.
Upholstery cleaning is also determined by the size and condition of the upholstery. Extra services such as protectant, pet treatments, and red stain removal are an additional cost. We also clean micro-fiber and leather furniture.
For current prices on carpet and upholstery cleaning, call the ARS office nearest you.
What kind of equipment does ARS use to clean carpets?
ARS uses the truck-mounted VORTEX system.
What is a VORTEX?
A VORTEX is the World's Most Powerful Cleaning Machine! The VORTEX is a self-contained cleaning system that uses energy from its diesel powered engine to heat the water that will be used for cleaning. Hot water is power sprayed into the carpet, upholstery, tile etc. to loosen dirt and grime. The water and dirt and grime is then sucked by a high powered vacuum into a separate holding tank. This machine and method leaves your carpets cleaner and drier, faster than ever. On average a customer can expect drying times anywhere from 2-8 hours after cleaning depending on the relative humidity in the home or business. The entire system is truck-mounted, making it possible for more power and more storage area for hoses and other equipment.
How long will it take for my carpets to dry after being cleaned?
2-8 hours depending on the relative humidity in your home or business. As ARS technicians are cleaning, they will set-up fans for faster drying times.
Can you get the pet odor out of my carpet?
Pet odor from urine is a common problem that is actually quite complex. Pet urine can easily soak through the backing of the carpet into the padding underneath, which makes it a little more complicated to get out. We have a pet urine treatment that can remove the urine smell etc. only if it has affected the carpet. If the urine has penetrated through the carpet, it requires cleaning not only the carpet fibers on top, but also the backside and replacing the pad in that area. Because of its complexity, we cannonot guarantee complete removal of the odor.
Flood- Water and Sewage Damage Questions:
What should I do if my home is flooding?
The first thing to do when you find water or sewage in your home is to remain calm. Second, try to locate the source of water or sewage, and if possible turn it off. Third, call the nearest ARS location for 24 hour Emergency Water Removal. Timely action is needed to prevent further damage to carpet, furniture or personal belongings. If needed, ARS will call a plumber for you to come fix where the water is entering the home. IICRC Certified technicians will remove water from the affected area and begin mold and mildew preventive steps such as drying out the area with humidity lowering fans. Fourth, while waiting for ARS, remove any furniture or personal belongings out of the affected area. For more tips and things you should and should not do after a flood, check out our Client Tips page or just call ARS.
How much will it cost to restore my home after a flood?
The cost to restore a home or business after a flood varies significanty depending on the size and amount of work that needs to be done to extract, clean and restore the home. If the home affected has homeowners insurance and the insurance company will be covering the costs beyond their deductible, the homeowner will only pay the deductible amount, according to their insurance policy. In addition, ARS will directly bill the insurance company so that the homeowner doesn't have to worry about payments etc. ARS estimators and the insurance adjuster will determine the extent of the damage to the home and plan with the homeowner a strategy to restoring their home to its pre-loss condition. This same process is used in restoring a buisness after a flood. To request an ARS Estimator to come to your home and estimate the costs, call the ARS location nearest you.
I had water damage to in my home a couple of days ago and I cleaned it up myself but it smells musty. Is there a way to get rid of the musty smell?
Because of the variability of each situation, to answer this question or any question about do-it-yourself cleanup jobs, call an ARS office nearest you. When water damage occurs in a home, it is imperative to remove any water or moisture as soon as possible. When ARS technicians are called to a flood or any water damage job, we use a high-powered extraction unit to remove the water, air movers, dehumidifiers, apply a mildecide to clean and dry all affected areas. For this reason, in most cases the equipment, chemicals etc. that a homeowner has access to are not enough to do the job. Without a proper cleanup and dry-out, what may have been a small job, may become a big and expensive one.
Mold Remediation & Cleanup Questions:
How do you clean up mold?
This is a common question when a homeowner is worried about mold growth in the home. Here is a basic rundown of what is done during a mold test and what a professional restoration company such as ARS Flood and Fire Cleanup does during mold remediation.
Mold Testing
Mold testing is the collection of mold samples for laboratory analysis. Usually it is an Industrial Hygienist that will come and take both surface and air samples to be tested in a laboratory although there are some do-it-yourself home mold tests on the market. A surface sample is taken directly from the surface by a tape lift imprint, a cotton swab, or actual piece of mold surface. For air samples, a canister called a spore trap will be set, and a representation of the mold in the air will be determined by the number of spores that are captured. The surface and air tests are important to identify what types of molds are present. This data is useful in determining proper remediation procedures as well as the seriousness of potential risks. The data from the test can be used in determining what needs to be done to remove any mold spores found.
Mold Remediation
Mold remediation is basically the process taken to clean up mold damage, usually done by a professionally certified restoration company such as ARS Flood and Fire Cleanup. Here are the steps we take to cleanup mold in a home or business:
The first step is to correct the moisture problem that is causing mold to grow. There are many causes of moisture in a home. Some of them are leaky pipes or drains, improper drying of surfaces after a flood, or condensation build-up. The bottom line is that all moisture problems need to be fixed to prevent further mold damage.
The second step is safety. Mold has the potential to cause serious health concerns, which is why during mold remediation it is imperative to protect the health and safety of the occupants and technicians. ARS technicians prevent exposure during cleanup by wearing safety equipment such as full face respirators, suits and gloves. They also prevent mold from spreading through the air by containing the mold spores with a negative air machine/air scrubber which draws air from the contaminated room and other rooms and releases it clean and filtered.
The third step is removal of the mold spores. ARS technicians are trained to safely remove mold from all types of surfaces or locations. If mold is located in the drywall or behind the wall, technicians remove the contaminated area, plus an efficient amount surrounding it to ensure all mold spores are removed. They then use a Hepa Vacuum to vacuum and contain the mold spores to keep them from being released into the air. If located on lumber or framing of the home, the technicians sand the lumber or material, Hepa Vacuum the spores and then spray anti-microbial to promote killing any other mold spores.
The fourth step is reconstruction of the area to repair it to its pre-mold condition. This may include replacing drywall, carpet or any other surfaces affected by mold growth. Whatever needs to be done to return the home or building office back to the pre-loss condition can be done through ARS.
