How To Store Your Rugs The Right Way

When you are having any work done in your home or are moving, prevent damage from happening to your area rugs and store them the right way. I was called by a client in Larchmont that stored her rug in her unfinished basement while construction was being completed on her home. While her intentions were good, her actions created a bigger problem. The rug had a mold problem and large crease marks in it. So if you need to store your rug, do it the right way, and follow the simple steps below to keep your rug in its best possible condition.

 - Never store your rug when its dirty. Have your rug professionally cleaned before it is stored. A quality carpet cleaner, such as myself (shameless plug, I know) can pick up, clean and store your rug, eliminating the hassle all together.
 - Never store a wet rug. Even if the rug is damp, it can lead to mold growth. Other problems include cracking and de-lamination of the backing of the rug. These types of restorations can be costly.
 - Never fold your area rug. Folding you rug will lead to annoying creases and ugly wrinkles and can potentially damage the backing of the rug. The proper way to store your rug is by rolling it around an acid-free cardboard tube.
 - Never store your rug in a room that isnt climate controlled. Basements and attics are not good places to store your area rugs. Basements are typically damp and have the potential for water infiltration. Attics are typically too dry with little air flow. Store your rugs in a cool, dry room with climate control, so it wont get too hot or too dry.
 - Never store your rug on the floor. If the room ever gets flooded so will your rug.
 - Never store your rug in direct sunlight. Sunlight will fade your rug and the cost to fix the problem can be very steep.
 - Never wrap your rug in materials that have acidic properties. When you wrap your rug, it should be in acid-free paper or fabric that does not contain inks or dyes. We recommend using "TYVEK" building paper or Muslin, tucking the ends of the fabric or paper into the edges of the rolled carpet. Dont use any sticky tapes directly on the rug. They will leave residues and attract dirt.

These do's and dont's are important to follow to prevent damage from occurring to your rugs. But to eliminate the hassle and headache of wrapping and storing your rug all together, just call a professional, quality carpet cleaner. We will pick up, clean, properly roll, wrap, store, and even deliver your rug to you when you are ready. So to properly store your rug and keep it in its best possible condition, follow the simple steps above, or just call me!

MICHAEL BOWERMAN - PRESIDENT
MICHAEL BOWERMAN CARPET CLEANING, INC & BOWERMAN RESTORATION LLC

Cold Weather Reminder for Westchester County

I just want to remind everyone out there in Westchester County, NY and those in the tri-state area that the weather is changing tonight! The temperature is expected to dip down to about 18 degrees by midnight and then continue to drop thru the early morning, possibly getting as low as 12 degrees! When the weather gets this cold, I always get phone calls from clients with water in their home due to burst pipes. Remember to shut off all of your outdoor water faucets and sources, making sure that there is no remaining water in the pipes. Sprinkler systems and outdoor faucets that are not prepared properly for the freezing temperatures can absolutely burst. These lines must be "bled", which basically means removing the remaining water in the pipes after the main shut-off valve is turned off. Even if there is only a little bit of water in these pipes, they can burst when the temperature drops below freezing. Water expands when it freezes, thus causing pipes to crack, break and burst. Also remember that on days like this, when it is very cold and very windy, check the areas that surround your home. If you see any hanging branches that are lurking dangerously close to your roof, gutters, or windows, call a professional company to have them removed. Many times, it only takes one strong gust of wind to break branches from the trees near our homes. If the branches are big enough, they can leave massive damage in their wake; holes in roofs, shattering windows, or ripping off gutters. Even small branches and leaves that get blown about in windy weather can clog up gutters. You might not even realize that your gutters are clogged until the next rain storm, when water starts seeping into your house because the gutters cant carry it away. Being vigilant about keeping your home safe and periodically checking gutters, trees, and the foundation of your house can prevent a high priced remediation and reconstruction job. Stay warm this winter but most importantly, stay safe. If you do find that your having a problem with water, mold, smoke, soot, fire or sewage, and you live in the Westchester County area, give us a call. We have proudly serviced Scarsdale, Larchmont, New Rochelle, Ardsley, Bedford, Mamaroneck, Chappaqua, Purchase, Rye, Eastchester, Bronxville, White Plains, Yonkers, Tuckahoe, NYC, and Connecticut. We answer your emergency calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year.

MICHAEL BOWERMAN - PRESIDENT

BOWERMAN RESTORATION LLC - EXPERTS IN DISASTER RECOVERY
STORM, WATER, FLOOD, MOLD, SEWAGE, FIRE, SMOKE & SOOT REMEDIATION
17 JEAN LANE, HARTSDALE, NY 10530

WEB:   http://www.bowermanrestoration.com/
E-MAIL:   michael@bowermanrestoration.com
CELL:   914-804-5737
OFFICE:   914-674-1499
TOLL FREE:   800-638-4799