As the rise of Do-It-Yourself repairs grows among homeowners, So has a SERIOUS rise in DIY injuries. Homeowners have been taking on the roll of Bob Vila and opting to tackle home projects themselves rather than hiring a professional. While this can save time and money, homeowners don’t realize the real and present dangers of do-it-yourself home repairs. In the US, home repair injuries are growing at an alarming rate. The most common repair injury is a ladder fall, which has risen 40% in the past decade becoming the leading cause of DIY death. According to a study published in the May issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, more than 2.1 million individuals were treated in U.S. emergency departments for ladder-related injuries. Nearly 10 percent of injuries resulted in hospitalization, Data showed ladder-related injuries most often occur to males, accounting for nearly 77 percent of the total cases. Fractures were the most common type of injury, while the legs and feet were the most frequently injured body parts. So, next time you’re weighing the pros and cons of of Cleaning the Windows or Pressure Washing the house, ask yourself a few questions and be honest about the answers. Is this something that is within your ability to do? Do you have the proper tools to perform the project? If you have any doubts Call Innovative Glass 865.455.9871, In the end, consulting a professional could actually save you time, money, and a few limbs. Call Innovative Glass Window Cleaning today!! 865-455-9871
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When perspective buyers first walk up to a home, they notice the exterior, algae and fungus on the outside says a lot about maintenance upkeep. Second they notice the windows, dirty glass makes a home feel drab and dark! A realtor survey done by HomeGain states,"clean windows are one of the most cost effective ways to increase the value and curb appeal of your home." pre-sale improvements like window cleaning and pressure washing generate the most return on investment (ROI) as measured by a higher sellers price! Get a FREE QUOTE here! In todays market Curb Appeal is crucial, not only does Landscaping help, but washing windows, power washing the curb, drive way, sidewalks and home all work together to makes a positive impression on the purchaser! Whether your home has been on the real-estate market, or going on soon, give your Knoxville home the extra edge over the others! Call Innovative Glass today! 865.455.9871 " Lighten and Brighten YOUR Home, Wash Windows and Pressure Washing - R.O.I. - 768%" New Mulch means Artillery Fungus! Artillery Fungus is a problem. These spores of the genus "Sphaerobolus" will attach themselves to your Knoxville home siding and Windows. Though not harmful, it is a nuisance and, if left to set, the spores can cause permanent staining. The artillery fungus, or shotgun fungus, is a wood-decay fungus that likes to live on moist landscape mulch. The worst thing about this fungus is that it shoots spores up to 20 feet, which often land on siding, cars and anything else that surrounds the mulch. It seems to have become a serious problem this year for many homeowners here in East Tennessee. Every year we have a lot of customers come in with this problem Unfortunately no natural mulch can resist the artillery fungus – Penn State Plant Pathology department has tested 27 different kinds of mulch and found that with enough time all of the mulches were supporting the evil spore-shooting mushroom. As far as getting rid of the spores on your siding – that’s not a fun job. The most important part is to get them quick, as they are covered in sticky substance that will stay on the siding for good if not taken care of in a timely fashion. New vinyl siding that still has an oily residue on it can be power-washed within the first week. In other cases pressure-washing will be fruitless. Scraping the spores off one-by-one with a scraper or steel wool is tedious but effective. After that there will still be a stain left, which can be taken care of with an ink eraser or possibly bleach. No mulch is completely safe from the artillery fungus! Call Innovative Glass TODAY! 865.455.9871 One of the Most common things I'm asked is How do I keep my Windows Shiny till the next cleaning with the crazy weather Knoxville gets this is a chore in itself, well Here at Innovative Glass, we've compiled the answer! For Your homes Exterior If you have exterior mounted screens it is best to have them cleaned with your window cleaning. Dust and pollen that gets trapped in the screen mesh will wash onto the glass during a rain shower. During the winter when the windows are not opened, you can remove the screens and store them for the season. In the warm months screens can be removed from the windows that are never opened. Keep your barbeque grill at least 5 feet away from any windows or doorwalls. This will stop splattering sauce, grease, smoke and oils from landing on your newly cleaned glass. Keep trees and bushes trimmed away from the home. Trees and bushes give off pollens that can gather on the glass just like dust. Keeping them trimmed back away from the home will reduce the amount of pollen that will accumulate on the glass. Keep your lawn sprinklers from watering the windows. Windows that are in the path of a sprinkler system will get stained from mineral deposits. These types of stains will eventually etch the glass and cause permanent damage. Inside Your Home Change your furnace air filters regularly. Keeping the air filter clean in your heating/cooling system will reduce the amount of indoor airborne dust that would otherwise accumulate not only on your windows but your home furnishings as well. Have your heating/cooling air ducts cleaned. Cleaning the air ducts is especially helpful in new construction and newly remodeled homes. Drywall dust from construction that has gathered inside of the ducts gets circulated throughout the home when the system runs. Cleaning the ducts will eliminate this source of dust and keep both your home and windows cleaner longer. And remember, rain does not make the windows dirty, dirt does. Dust accumulates on the outside of the glass from lawn mowers, leaf blowers, tree pollen, car exhaust and many other sources. When it rains, the water droplets push the dust into different patterns and after the water dries the dust remains on the glass. This new “mud residue” is now highly visible because it is no longer uniformly settled. Clean glass will stay clean after a rain because once the rain water dries, there is nothing left behind to obscure the view. For more Information on keeping YOUR windows Clean Call Innovative Glass 865.455.9871 or visit us on the web at www.knoxvillewindowcleaners.com Gutters are like your home's drainage system. They're not fun to maintain, but they play an important role in the way your home serves you. As long as they work, you probably don't spend a lot of time thinking about them. When your gutters are clean, the excess water can't damage your home. That's why it's so important to clean your gutters regularly, especially after a long winter. Roof Damage When water stands in clogged gutters, a few bad things happen. First, it's a perfect breeding area for mosquito larvae. Second, the excess weight from the water creates constant pressure on the nails holding your gutters in place. Third, pooled water can leak out of gutters in the wrong places. Constant dampness from pooled water can rot your fascia, and eventually your gutters can fall off, leaving you to deal with a repair that costs more than gutter cleaning. Foundation Damage When gutters get full and overflow, the excess water runs down and rests beside your home's foundation. The constant moisture can damage your foundation, but that's not all. Some of the water seeps into the basement and can form mildew and dangerous mold if left untreated. Tips for cleaning YOUR Gutters
Keeping your home clean can seem like an ongoing battle. In many cases, within hours of carpet cleaning, dusting your furniture, cleaning your windows and more, your home can look dirty again. However, by following a few key steps, you can enjoy the benefits of a cleaner home with longer-lasting results. Professionally Cleaned Windows Cleaning your home’s windows does not seem to be a major chore that you would typically outsource to a third party. However, you can enjoy improved and longer-lasting results when your windows are professionally cleaned from time to time. The fact is that traditional window cleaning solutions available at local stores will remove much of the grease, dirt and other debris that can accumulate on your window, but most do not provide you with a means of repelling dirt. Furthermore, cleaning the outside of your windows can be more challenging. Because of this, many people only clean the inside of their windows. With a professional cleaning service, the interior and exterior of windows can be cleaned, and many services use a special cleansing agent that helps to repel dirt and grease accumulation. When you use this type of service periodically, your own regular window cleaning efforts will yield improved results. To set up a FREE estimate call Innovative Glass 865.455.9871 The fact is that windows and carpeting are among the most prevalent and noticeable features in most homes. Many homes have carpet that spreads across many rooms of the home, and windows can be found in most rooms as well as seen from the exterior of the home. Through your own regular cleaning efforts used in conjunction with periodical professional cleaning services, you can improve the cleanliness of your home. Cleaning your home can be time-consuming and exhausting. There is nothing worse than spending your time cleaning your house and being less than thrilled with the results of your efforts. With periodical professional window cleaning and carpet steam cleaning services such as Knoxville window cleaners , you can enjoy the benefits of a cleaner home. Sure, some cleaning methods can be used on all types of blinds, but there are in fact different ways to clean blinds depending on their construction. Following are some general cleaning tips as well as techniques for cleaning blinds of made of various materials: General Cleaning • Regular dusting with a microfiber duster, feather duster, or soft cloth is a benefit to all blinds. For best results, make sure the blinds are fully extended and that all of the slats are closed and facing the same way. Dust lightly, moving in the same direction as the slats, then turn 90 degrees and dust again. Tilt the slats in the opposite direction, then repeat. • For heavier dust, use the small brush attachment of a vacuum cleaner to go over the blinds, working in the direction of the slats. When using the vacuum, make sure that the suction is on its lightest setting to avoid twisting or warping the slats. • Blinds will need a more thorough cleaning once or twice a year. Take a microfiber cloth, terry towel, clean sock or cotton gloves and gently rub each slat from end to end, making sure to clean top and bottom. To remove heavier dirt and stains, you can lightly moisten the cleaning cloth with plain water or with a mixture of 25% white vinegar and 75% water. • Specialized dusting tools are available; most feature “fingers” that enable simultaneous cleaning of multiple slats. These dusters (also known as “trickets”) are typically constructed of microfiber, soft cloth, or sponges, and they are found in many hardware stores and home improvement chains. Metal and Vinyl Blinds • These types of blinds can be cleaned with warm, soapy water; liquid dish soap works well. Remove the entire blind from the mounting hardware and place it in a bathtub or similar vessel (a kiddy pool in the yard, perhaps). • Use a soft brush, sponge, or soft mop to go over both sides of the slats with warm, soapy water before rinsing thoroughly. A hand-held shower attachment or spray nozzle on the hose is ideal for rinsing. Make sure to rinse away all of the soap suds to avoid spotting. • Dry the blinds with towels and re-hang. Make sure the blinds are open so that air can circulate between the slats. • After drying, wipe each slat with a fabric softener sheet to help repel dust. • For exceptionally dirty blinds, especially those in kitchens, use a degreaser, such as Fantastik, Simple Green, or 409. Wood Blinds • Most wood blinds are treated with a special finish to repel dirt and stains. Wood blinds can be cleaned with a good quality furniture polish and a soft cloth or clean sock. Spray the furniture polish on the cloth and wipe each slat individually. Avoid touching the cords. • For heavier cleaning, you can use plain water, but be careful not to saturate the wood. Wipe excess water immediately to prevent spotting, discoloration, or warping. Fabric Blinds • Fabric blinds can be tricky to clean. For regular dust and dirt, use a vacuum cleaner, compressed air sprayer, or hair dryer. • For heavier dust, wipe each slat gently with a dry sponge. • If there are stains on the fabric, you can try sponging on warm water or mild liquid soap. Blot, don’t rub, because rubbing can damage the fabric. (Always test any cleaning product in an inconspicuous area before proceeding.) • Extremely soiled fabric blinds may need professional cleaning. A few things to watch out for when cleaning blinds: - Be careful not to press too hard on metal blinds to avoid bending or damaging the slats. - Don’t let water pool on blinds—this can cause spotting. - Avoid using furniture oil on blinds; it can leave streaks and actually attract dust. - Protect blinds when cleaning windows by spraying the glass cleaner onto a cloth rather than onto the glass. - Never use abrasive cleaners or harsh chemicals on blinds, because these products can scratch, discolor, or warp the slats. - Do not use alcohol, baby wipes, or alkaline cleansers, as these contain harsh compounds that can stain or destroy the finish on the blinds. Remember, regular dusting is key—taking a proactive approach to cleaning blinds will keep your window fashions looking fabulous! For more on cleaning, consider: Innovative Glass Window Cleaning & Pressure Washing 865-455-9871 1. “My windows always streak after washing” Use a window-washing squeegee with a smooth, soft rubber edge. Washing windows is a tiresome chore, but it’s even worse when your labors leave streaks on the windows. Here’s how the pros avoid streaking when they wipe off their windows:Use a window-washing squeegee with a smooth, soft rubber edge. (Or use crumpled-up black-and-white newspaper—avoid the color sections.) Dry a 1-inch (2.5 centimeter) strip at the top or side of each window and always start your squeegee there—starting on dry glass is one key to avoiding streaks. Don’t wash windows in direct sunlight, because quickly dried glass is more susceptible to streaking. Evenings or cloudy day sare the times for window washing. 2. “My blinds are dust magnets!” Use an antiseptic spray. To keep dust from piling up quickly, use an antistatic spray, such as Static Guard, on the window blinds right after you clean them. 3. “There’s mildew on my window frames” Wash with a bleach-detergent solution. Black or gray mildew spots on wooden frames can be cleaned for good with a solution of 2 ounces (60 milliliters) of household bleach and 1 ounce (30 milliliters)of laundry detergent in a quart of water. Wearing rubber gloves to protect your hands, sponge the solution on the spots, let it sit for ten minutes, and then rinse thoroughly with clean water. 4. “My outside windowsills get dirty so quickly” Apply a coat of floor wax. Because your exterior windows are exposed to the elements, they are subject to collecting a lot of dirt. But there is a simple way to keep your sills clean: Wipe on a coat of clear floor wax to protect them. 5. “My shades are filthy” Dust or wash the shades. Dust shades regularly with a soft cloth, a duster such as the Swiffer, or the dusting brush on your vacuum. (Be sure to dust both sides of the shades.) If they’re stained or spotted, it’s time for a real cleaning. Though you can wash them in place (with a drop cloth over the floor and furniture), it’s best to remove the shades. Place one shade at a time across a worktable covered with a plastic sheet or shower curtain. Wash vinyl shades using a sponge and a solution of 1⁄4 cup white vinegar in 1 quart (1 liter) of warm water. Washing them in the bathtub is even easier. Run some warm water in the tub, add a squirt of dishwashing liquid, and wipe each side with a large sponge. To rise, dunk them in clean water or hold them under the shower. Then wipe with a clean, soft cloth.Many fabric shades can also be washed, but take a close look at the care instructions before washing them. It’s best not to leave them in the water for more than a minute or so. 6. “My windows get dirty too fast” Change your heating and cooling system’s filter. If the interior glass surface of your windows gets dirty unusually fast, you may need to change the filters on your furnace or air conditioner. Modern airtight homes trap more dust, pollen, dander, and other particles inside than ever before. Furnace and air-conditioner filters help trap that dirt and also extend the life of your appliances. Filters should be changed every month or two or anytime you can’t see light through the filter when you hold it up to a light. 7. “Secondhand smoke is killing my windows” Wash it with ammonia solution. To remove nicotine film or other grime from windows, you need ammonia. Mix 1 cup of lemon scented ammonia in 21⁄2 gallons (9.5 liters) of water and use this solution to clean the windows. The ammonia will cut through the grime, and the lemon scent will leave your house habitable. 8. “My screens are filthy” Remove and wash. The best way to clean window screens is to remove them from the window and wash them outside. Using abroad, soft-bristled brush, scrub both sides of the screens with warm to hot water and lemon-scented dishwashing detergent. Pick up the screen by its edges, hold it at an angle so most of the screen surface is facing the ground, and rap one edge lightly against a firm surface. This will shake loose any dirt. Rinse with a hose and air-dry thoroughly before reinstalling. To Schedule a Free Estimate, Call Innovative Glass 865-455-9871 When a customer asks Innovative Glass how often it needs our commercial window cleaning services, we always answer the same way: “It depends.” And it depends on a number of factors, the biggest of which is the type of business you run. Because your facility is customers’ and prospects’ first impression, all businesses should make an effort to keep their windows clean. Some, however, get dirtier more easily and more often, requiring greater frequency of professional cleaning. There are no fast-and-hard rules about how often to clean your windows, and many things influence how often you call in the commercial window cleaning professionals, including:
Restaurants, because of the moisture and grease circulating in the air, need their windows cleaned about every 2 weeks, if not more. These windows need to be done inside and out. Dirty, grimy, fingerprinted windows are pretty unappetizing and detract from the image of quality you’re trying to project. Healthcare facilities – physicians’ offices, clinics, hospitals, etc. – must present a spotless, well-maintained appearance. Windows, particularly on the ground floor and on floors with patient exam or treatment rooms, should be cleaned monthly. A well-cared-for appearance gives patients confidence that they, too, will be well cared for! Retail stores and other businesses with lots of foot traffic typically need to be cleaned at least once a month. With as much competition you have, the impression you make is critical to a positive image and repeat traffic. Office buildings don’t need windows cleaned quite as often. These types of facilities should have a full cleaning (inside and out) about twice a year; the lobbies, however, should be cleaned monthly or every other month because of how important this area is to visitors’ impressions of the company. Touch-ups on the inside may need to be done more often, depending on the type of business environment. Have you ever driven past a commercial building with untidy landscaping, a debris-filled parking lot and dirty, dusty windows? It gives passersby the impression that the business isn’t doing well and that they “just don’t care.” Don’t let that happen to your business. Call Innovative Glass to talk about a window washing services schedule that fits your budget and your business needs . We’re happy to help you make a positive first impression on customers and prospects! There probably aren't too many people out there who get absolutely no outside assistance with housecleaning. Even if you don't splurge on a regular cleaning service, you've most likely hired a pro at some point to handle a chore you didn't have the time or inclination to tackle yourself. No matter how dedicated a cleaner you are, you're going to need help from time to time. http://www.knoxvillewindowcleaners.com/ 865-455-9871 As we see it, there are three basic categories of household chores.
Don't feel guilty about it. It's better to spend some money than to injure yourself playing chimney sweep or to inhale toxic spores while removing black mold from your basement. If you can afford it, you shouldn't even waste a Saturday washing windows. Get out there and enjoy your life! Here's our list of 10 cleaning chores that you have our permission to skip. 10: Draperies and Blinds/ The experts say that you should vacuum, dust and sponge down your draperies and blinds on a regular basis. Metal and vinyl blinds, they say, should be taken down and scrubbed with a car-washing brush. We suspect that there are about four people who actually do this. The rest of us would definitely benefit from a professional window-treatment cleaning every once in a while. 9: Carpets/ You're probably aware that a weekly halfhearted carpet-vacuuming job, although it makes things look spic-and-span temporarily, isn't a thorough cleaning. You suck up the surface dirt but leave most of it lurking close to the ground. When you realize it's time for a deeper cleaning (which should be about once a year), you might be tempted to rent a steam cleaner to do the job yourself. It'd be cheaper, sure, but it'd take forever, and the results wouldn't come close to the work of carpet-cleaning professionals. They have the heavy-duty equipment, so let them come to you. 8: Windows/ You probably don't think about cleaning your windows all that often. Unlike counters and floors, there isn't that much opportunity for windows to get visibly dirty -- they just get subtly dingier over the years until you suddenly wonder where all your beautiful natural light has gone. Washing them (both sides, plus screens and sills) can be a major production. A professional cleaning might be pricey, but just think of it as a once-in-a-while expense. 7: Refinishing Floors/ Mopping hardwood floors probably isn't anyone's most favorite chore in the world, but it's not that difficult or time-consuming in the scheme of things. Refinishing those floors, however, is a different story. Sure, you could attempt it yourself, but why? It's back-breaking work, and there's such a small margin of error -- you do run a risk of ruining your floors. So it'd behoove you to call in the pros, sit back, relax and watch your dull floors come back to life. 6: Upholstery/ Upholstered furniture can really take a beating, especially if you have pets or small children. But other than spot-cleaning spills and vacuuming up dog hair, there's not much you can do that will make a major difference in the appearance of your sofas and armchairs -- and you actually could ruin your furniture by using the wrong kind of cleaner. Here's where pro upholstery cleaners come in. They have the equipment and the know-how to get the job done quickly and efficiently. 5: Air Ducts/ According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the verdict is still out on whether dirty air ducts cause health problems or increase dust. But if you do decide, for whatever reason, that you want your home's air ducts to be cleaned, please don't take matters into your own hands. Unless you've had extensive training, it would basically be impossible for you to handle the job. 4: Chimney's/ Your chimney should be cleaned once a year, right before the cold weather and heating season begin, or when you notice a buildup of creosote on the chimney walls. If you're even remotely thinking of attempting to do it yourself, stop right there. Do not go near that chimney with any kind of cleaning apparatus. Contact a chimney sweep. The only thing worse than spending a weekend cleaning the house is spending a weekend stuck in your chimney. 3: Gutters/ Gutter-cleaning should be a semi-annual task (generally in the fall and spring), and -- especially if you have a lot of trees on your property -- it's probably not a very enjoyable one. There are some who claim that gutter maintenance is a DIY job, but we definitely do not fall into that camp. Why get up on a ladder with a bucket, hose and trowel if you don't really have to? We'd say there are about a million better (and safer) ways to spend a Saturday afternoon. 2: Major Organization/ People with mild organization issues can generally remedy the situation themselves, given enough time and space to tackle the problem. But if your disorganization is causing chaos in your life -- or making it difficult to see the floor in your home office -- it's time to get help. Professional organizers can do so much more than remove clutter from your home -- they can remove a good deal of the stress from your life and replace it with order and calm. 1: Mold/ This one is not a question of being lazy or crunched for time: Trying to remove mold could be hazardous to your health. Sure, you can wipe up minor shower mold fairly easily, but if there's a moldy area larger than 10 square feet -- especially if it's the toxic greenish-black kind -- you should back away from it slowly and get on the phone with a professional mold cleaner ASAP. The pros will thoroughly inspect the area, clean it and make sure the mold doesn't return. |
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