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It's Time to Get Your Chimney Cleaned!

9-r-oct-25Fireplaces are a cool weather luxury that we enjoy here in Oklahoma, but periodic cleaning and maintenance is necessary in order to keep your family and home safe. While the frequency of cleaning a chimney can depend on different factors such as usage of the fireplace, types of products burned in the fireplace and the age of the home/fireplace, it is important that your fireplace is inspected at least once per year. This is the 14-Point Chimney Inspection that our experts will complete on your chimney:

  1. What year was your home built?
  2. How often do you have a fire during the cold months?
  3. When is the last time you changed the batteries in your smoke detectors?
  4. Do you ever notice smoke escaping from your fireplace when you first start a fire?
  5. Is the Damper difficult to open?
  6. Do you have a Carbon Monoxide Detector in the home?
  7. Do you ever hear animal noises in your chimney?
  8. Firebox:  All embers removed.  Checked all sides for cracks or loose mortar.
  9. Damper:  Inspected with flashlight for proper opening and closing and checked for rust and cracks.
  10. Smoke Shelf:  Thoroughly Cleaned
  11. Flue:  Cleaned and inspected for creosote.
  12. Chimney Cap:  Checked for damage from storms.  Checked for loose or missing screws
  13. Chimney Flashing:  Checked to see if securely attached.
  14. Chimney Crown:  Checked for cracks or loose mortar

Carpet Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid

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Having clean carpet is one of the most important parts of having a tidy, healthy home. Here are top five carpet cleaning mistakes you should avoid to achieve the cleanest carpet possible.

1. Waiting to Clean up the Spill

As soon as the dreaded spill or splat happens, move quickly to clean it up. Spills sink immediately into the fibers, making them more difficult to remove. If the spill is acidic, it could even eat away at the carpet fibers. While if the stain is left unattended for too long, the spill can seep into the carpet padding.

2. Not Testing Cleaning Products Prior to Use

In order to avoid potentially ruining your carpet, you should test the cleaning products in a discrete area. Before using them for the first time, take some time and apply them in the corner of the room or under a couch or rug. This simple, extra step can help avoid an even larger, unwanted stain in the middle of your room.

3. Never Hiring Professional Carpet Cleaners

If your carpets are well worn with frequent stains from children or pets, or if you are trying to get your home ready for an open house, a professional carpet cleaning could do the trick. Professional maids in Spring TX will remove most of the pesky little stain remnants, pet hair, and long lasting odors when cleaning.

4. Using Deodorizing Powder to Clean Spills

We all want our carpets and rugs to smell clean and fresh, but one common mistake that people make is using deodorizing powders to clean up spills. Deodorizing powders aren’t designed to clean up spills, so it is best to use it after the stain is removed. Make sure you don’t use the powder too often because vacuums aren't strong enough to pull out all of the powder from the carpet fibers and this can result in buildup in the carpet fibers.

5. Scrubbing Spills out of the Carpet

When the time comes to remove the dreaded stain out of your carpet, we all have a tendency to scrub the stains out as hard and as fast as we can. Even though you may be removing the stain, scrubbing your carpet untwists and fades the carpet fibers which causes permanent damage. The best way to remove a stain is to start by scraping up what you can with a spoon and then blot the stain with a towel. After the moisture is absorbed, use a stain remover.For more valuable information on cleaning your carpets, check out this rug cleaning guide from NW Rugs

Why Cleaning Your Air Ducts Is Helpful to Your Health

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 Why Cleaning Your Air Ducts Is Helpful to Your Health

Cleaning air ducts is not a favored task in anyone’s home, but after reading up on the health benefits, we may have changed our minds!Your air ducts will inevitably become dirty thanks to many different contributions, but the key factor in keeping them fairly clean is to regularly change your air filters every 3 months, and every 2 months if you have pets. They keep pet hair, dust, and other pollutants from getting into the air duct.By doing this, you will reap the benefits of duct cleaning!

1.Reduces dust allergensIf you’re constantly rubbing your eyes and coughing, dust built up in your air ducts may be what the cause is. Keep you and your family safe and pick up that dust!

2. Easy air flowEasy air flow = lower electricity bills. When air ducts are clean, air moves easier, allowing you to control the temp without wondering if you’re turned it down, or up, too much. A lot of built up pollutants can make it hard for air to get through, and tampering it.

3. Good for the asthma65% of asthma cases in younger children could be prevented by controlled indoor allergens. Meaning your little ones may suffer from the dust, mold, dirt, and animal dander a little more than an adult. Keep everyone safe and happy by planning to get them cleaned once a month.

The importance of giving back

Big Band DinnerWe feel that giving back to our community is an important aspect for the staff here at Sooner Carpet Cleaning. In life where everything happens so quickly, we try to slow down a little and see how we contribute to our community. This is why we volunteer and donate our time and money to several great causes in Norman and the metro area. We have greatly enjoyed our time this year volunteering throughout the Norman public school district. There were several events that happened this year that are dear to our hearts. "Fundraising for Norman High's Big Band Dinner and setting up a booth at Alcott Middle School to help the PTA. It was such a great feeling to help grow the arts within our local schools. We would like to say thanks to all of our teachers and faculty members during this school year and that we appreciate all you do for our children and community!PTA  

Water Damage Restoration

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Water damage restoration is the process of restoring a property back to pre-loss condition after sustaining any level of water damage. A water damage restoration service is the kind of professional that no one wants to call, but when they are needed, it is very important not to delay. Moisture is everywhere, and it's a home's number one enemy due to its capability to penetrate into just about any space. No matter how moisture gets into the building, the actions taken should be the same…calling a professional.

Though the water seepage will stop once the source has been identified and repaired, the problem doesn't end there. It's of the utmost importance to determine the appropriate water extraction method to be applied. Once this is completed, the professionals then proceed to a drying and dehumidification stage. This phase is essential as sometimes affected surfaces and areas appear dry once the water is extracted and removed, but hidden moisture remains. The areas most often affected include walls, carpets, and flooring. Each of these requires professional attention to successful remove traces of water, dry surfaces out, clean the area thoroughly, and disinfect.

If you or someone you know finds themselves in this unwanted position, make sure to find a trusted professional immediately. This will ensure that you and your loved ones can return to a safe home without fear of growing  deadly pathogens.

Mold

mold removal norman, how to get rid of mold, mold removal okc, mold removal moore 

Over the past few years, mold has become a hot issue for both homeowners and people seeking new ones. Taking care of mold issues not only saves you a couple of bucks in the future but also has the ability to prevent larger problems. So, what is this phenomenon we’re talking about? Mold is a microscopic organism that is found basically everywhere - it can occur any place, at any time, no matter where you live. There are different types of mold, but their main function is to break down dead materials so that nutrients can be further used by the environment. So, for molds to grow, they need some food source. The most common sources are leaves, wood, paper, or dirt.

As previously mentioned, mold can grow in a variety of places. We've compiled a list of the most common sources of interior mold, so you can begin tackling it at the root.

  • Flooding
  • Indoor exhaust from a clothes dryer
  • Steam from cooking/shower, etc.
  • Leaking windows or doors
  • Damp basements
  • Plumbing leaks
  • Heating/cooling system problems
  • Poor drainage
  • Leaky roofs or damaged gutters

Even though mold will always be present and there’s no one way to eliminate it completely, you can still control its growth by monitoring the indoor moisture. Here are some strategies to help you prevent this:

  • Clean any moldy surfaces as soon as you spot them.
  • Make sure your carpets are clean (use dry clean before wet clean).
  • Have your heating/cooling systems professionally cleaned regularly.
  • Use a dehumidifier or A/C.
  • Make sure bathroom fans and dryers are properly vented to the outside.
  • Try to avoid carpeting bathroom and basement areas.
  • Regularly clean moist areas.
  • Remove any moist spots.

What the hail is going on?

home hail damage, home hail damage repair, norman, moore, okc

When most people think of roofing shingles, they are actually thinking of asphalt shingles, the most common type of shingles in the country. They are made out of fiberglass or natural material and are later covered with an aluminum or metallic surface granules. These granules protect the roof from UV rays, enhancing deterioration. Even though roofs are made from durable materials, they still can be affected by many variables.

In general, roofs are most easily damaged by severe storms. One damaged shingle may cause some additional problems, such as damage to the roof deck, interior walls, windows, support structure or even cause water leaks, stains on walls and potential flooding.

In order to prevent further problems and unnecessary costs, you'll need to keep in mind the degree of the damage to the roof. Some insurance companies have strict policies when it comes to submitting claims for hail damages. In this particular case, it's better the act fast than wait.

How to Spot Hail Damage

There are many signs to help you detect hail damage, but some of the most common are:

  • Bruises, dark spots, dented asphalt shingles
  • Broken, cracked or missing tiles, slates, or concrete shingles
  • Roof or ceiling leaks
  • Missing or loose granules
  • Dented roof vents
  • Ceiling water spots

Better to be safe than sorry, so keep an eye on the potential damage severe storms may have contributed to your roof.

April Showers...

We all remember the copious amounts of precipitation we received around this time last spring. We’re not sure who did the rain dance that brought on that water, but we definitely saw a lot of flooded homes by the end of it. Both water leaks and floods are very serious issues in homes and commercial properties, and they both require immediate attention. We want to make sure that you’re ready for any sort of situation involving water infiltration. We developed some steps for you to take if you have a water leak or flooding, so you’ll be better equipped to diffuse the situation.

  • If you can't stop the water flow, call a plumber immediately.
  • If possible, keep the temperature cool in the area to prevent mold growth.
  • Place foil or plastic below furniture legs to prevent stains to the carpet.
  • Turn off the electricity in all affected areas.
  • Remove items from the floor in closets.
  • Put drapes/curtains on hangers and place on a rod to prevent water stains.
  • Remove all area rugs.
  • Do not use a vacuum, this may cause an electrical shock.
  • Try not to walk on wet carpet.

Air Duct Cleaning

shutterstock_284557040 Air Duct Cleaning...it can wait....my house isn’t that old....it probably doesn’t help that much. This is what we tell ourselves when contemplating this service, but why wait? The age of a house isn’t always a factor. Some of the dirtiest vents we see are the result of new construction and remodeling. Paint spraying, refinishing wood floors, adding any kind of new flooring, and outside stuff coming indoors. Using good filters and changing them regularly are both very important, but sometimes that isn’t enough. Try this simple test. Go to one of your air vents. Remove the cover. Take a damp white towel and rub around the inside of the vent. What comes off on the towel can be an indication of what might be in the rest of the vents.  The great thing about Sooner Carpet & Air Duct Cleaning is the training and certification we have received from the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA). Six companies in Oklahoma have this certification and only two are in the Oklahoma City metro area. This sets us apart from the many companies out there trying to clean air ducts for next to nothing. When you pay very little, you get very little.The time is now! The house will feel cleaner! You will be happy you called! 405-329-8999 

Education is Key

Being a quality carpet and restoration company means that it's important for us to keep up with the latest techniques for your cleaning and restoration needs. So, instead of buying a Carpet Cleaning for Dummies book or just watching a bunch of videos on YouTube, we decided to attend an Applied Structural Drying course and earn our certification in the subject matter. We know you’re jealous that we’re getting to take a wild and crazy class like this, but we promise we'll give you the inside scoop after it’s over.

One of the best parts of this course is that it’s a hybrid between classroom work and hands-on experience. This means that rather than just absorbing copious amounts of information about water restoration, we’ll have the opportunity to test out the skills we’re learning so that we can provide you the highest quality of service.

Put Some Spring in Your Step

By the time spring rolls around, there may or may not be a few areas of your home in desperate for a good scrub. Trust us, you’re not the only one. As you’re deciding where to tackle the dust bunnies, let us help you with this one piece of advice: Start with the carpets.

At Sooner Carpet Cleaning, we believe that a healthy home starts with clean carpets. So you might as well begin there, right? Our cleaning process involves hot water extraction, a type of carpet cleaning that the largest carpet companies in the world recommend. This process rids your carpets of stains that have been bothering you, along with unfavorable odors. Speaking of odors…

Many people believe that the pet odors trapped in their carpets are there to stay. This could not be further from the truth. Although our normal cleaning process is effective for the majority of carpets, pet odors can be pretty stubborn. In some very severe cases, pet odors and stains can soak through the top layer of the carpet, invading the padding underneath. When this happens, the odors and stains get locked into the fibers of the carpet. An ordinary cleaning typically won't be enough to handle the job. We have specialized methods for tackling the most persistent of odors, which hold the key to bringing your carpets and rugs back to life. Hey, speaking of rugs...

Our carpet cleaning services cover rugs as well. If you have oriental or fine rugs that are too delicate for an average cleaning session, we can still help you. We have a multi-step process for battling rug stains, ensuring the protection of your delicate rug and increasing its longevity.

Organizing the closets may seem like a reasonable place to start your spring cleaning, but we beg to differ. Cleaning your carpets first will be the initial step in transforming the look of your home’s interior, opening it up to the warm weather of spring.

Chimney cleaning companies in Norman

 

 
October 2015 Email news

Clean Your Chimney!Why you ask? Let us explain.

If you did not clean your chimney after last winter, then you need to give us a call ASAP. Keeping your chimney clean is not just an aesthetic/sanitary chore, it is a necessity for your safety. Each year, over 27,000 house fires occur from chimney fires. You may be wondering how this happens. Every time you light a fire in your fireplace, a substance called creosote builds up along the walls of your chimney in very small increments at a time. After significant buildup, it can catch fire, which can spread beyond the fireplace and into the rest of your home.

At Sooner Carpet Cleaning, we want to clean your chimney effectively, but most importantly, we want to make it safe. To make sure we accomplish that goal, we implement the 13 point chimney inspection to be absolutely sure of the safety of your fireplace and chimney.

Our 13 point inspection both analyzes basic facts about your home and chimney (i.e. age of the home, fireplace use etc.) and expertly inspects the condition of your chimney to ensure safety. Our team will do everything possible to make sure that your home is safe from chimney fires this winter. Give us a call today at (405) 329-8999 for more information.

Oklahoma State Fair Carpet Cleaning Special

 

A Fried Twinkie AND Clean Carpet?

It doesn't get better than this.

You won't need to worry if your favorite State Fair Foods come home with you. Sooner Carpet Cleaning has your back. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Oklahoma State Fair September 17-27 in all it's messy glory.During this fun-filled, deep-fried event, rest assured that you'll be coming home to a clean space by taking advantage of our special State Fair Promotion!

20% OFF SERVICE OF CHOICE
*Valid 9/17-9/27 for 20% off any Sooner Carpet Cleaning service of choice.
Did you track in some dirt from the fairgrounds? Maybe you dribbled some leftovers from the blue ribbon pie contest. Whatever the case, keep your carpet and rugs clean with one of our many services!

Explore the vast array of events, rides and vendors of the Oklahoma State Fair website. What's your favorite thing about the fair? We'd love for you to share it with us below on social media!

Don’t Settle For Summer Messes

Summer is here and it’s time to enjoy the great outdoors! Summer is a time for playing outside, swimming at the neighborhood pool, fishing, and especially getting tan. Since you’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors, the season often means bringing grime and potential stains into your home. From dirt trails after a hiking adventure to water soaked floors from swimming, anything is fair game.Fortunately, summer cleaning is what we do best. Have a fresh stain that won’t come out? Schedule a job with us and we’ll remove it using our all-purpose spot remover. Have a lot of children who like to run and play both inside and out? We can deep clean your carpets at a high quality that won’t break the bank.Also remember that we do more than just carpets. We’re one of a few businesses that is certified with the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), whose mission is to promote source removal as the only acceptable method of cleaning and to establish industry standards. So if you need your air ducts cleaned thoroughly to prevent allergens from invading your home, we are there for you too.At Sooner Carpet Cleaning, our clients are the top priority. Give us a call this summer to keep your mind off of the mess and focused on your upcoming adventures.

Love/Hate Relationship with Vacuums

We here at Sooner Carpet Cleaning have a love/hate relationship with vacuums. 

Spend more, spend less?  Simple or Bells & Whistles? What is the right answer? I want to give you one person’s opinion on residential vacuums and vacuuming. 

First, how often should we be vacuuming?   I don’t want to make everyone feel inadequate but according to Shaw Flooring, “For rooms with light traffic, vacuum the carpet traffic lanes twice weekly and the entire area once weekly. In areas with heavy traffic, vacuum the carpet traffic lanes daily and the entire area twice weekly. Up to three passes of the machine will suffice for light soiling, but five to seven passes are necessary for heavily soiled areas. Change the vacuuming direction occasionally to help stand the pile upright and reduce matting.”  Wow! 

So that extra 15 minutes you have daily should be used for floor care!  Don’t give up just yet.  Just wanted to get the expert opinion out there.  I say do what you can and include family members if possible.  Even if a kid isn’t changing direction and going over the same area seven times at least some dust and dirt was removed when you didn’t have time to give it the expert vacuuming.  But it is true that frequent vacuuming keeps all sorts of things removed from our homes and accounts for over 80% of the soil removal from our carpet. 

One tip I want to share is flipping over area rugs.  If possible, take a high-use rug and flip it over onto a hard surface (tile).  Vacuum the back side slowly and make 6-10 passes.  Now lift it away and see what remains on the floor.  It is usually shocking.  Make sure you vacuum the top side really well afterwards because there is still some clinging to the top of the fibers.

Now let’s talk about which vacuum is best.  We suggest making a list of your needs (dog hair, dirt from kids, hard surfaces, shags or thick carpet).  Once you know your needs you can hone in on the vacuum that suits you.  One of our favorites, that won’t break the bank is the Shark Navigator series.  Around $200 will get you one of these.  Some great attachments come with it and you can go from hard surface to carpet with the push of one button.  Another bonus is many Shark vacuums come with a Shark steamer which we also like. The Shark Rotator series is a little more expensive but still a great value.  The key to these vacuums is to empty the canister pretty often.  By doing this you keep your suction at its peak level. Don't just take my word for it though, take a look at the top 5 best vacuums for long hair reviews for 2018 – black oak vintage floors in the pictures will make you drool in envy, but worry, I'm not sending you there for just that, there's some good knowledge in there, enjoy!

The other great things is your ability to access a clog.  These vacuums are not difficult to get open, and you can easily remove a clump of hair or a toy that accidentally made its way past the beater bar.  The attachments are designed for many applications.  Cleaning car mats with the hand held rotator or getting  between auto seats with a skinny extension wand makes the job easier and more thorough.  The vacuum is also on the light side so no excuses why someone can’t push it around.  Just make sure the beater bar is engaged before you send kids off to do the job because they will never notice if they are vacuuming without it. 

Air Duct Cleaning Specials Norman OK

 

Valid March 2015

Thank you to everyone who voted for us in the 2015 Norman Transcript Reader's Choice Awards. We were voted as the Best Carpet Cleaner in Norman and we could not be more proud! We appreciate your votes and continued support. Thank you again!
We understand what it is like to experience a major water problem in your most valuable investment. Sooner Carpet Cleaning’s water damage team wants to lead you through the process and assure you that everything will get back to normal very soon.

Have an emergency? We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Just call us at 405-329-8999.

Sooner Carpet Cleaning & Water Restoration

 

Happy Holidays

Enjoy the Season

Thank you for a wonderful 2014 at Sooner Carpet Cleaning & Water Restoration! From our team to your family, we hope 2014 was a wonderful year for you. We are very excited to see what 2015 will bring and we look forward to working with you in the new year.Enjoy the holidays and please travel safely!Jim & Carrie MitchellSooner Carpet Cleaning & Water Restoration

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Chimney and Fireplace Cleaners, Oklahoma

The importance of our services

 

Having your chimney and fireplace cleaned is not just a thing of the past-this is a service we consider as extremely important! 

A well-maintained chimney given a yearly inspection will reduce the threat of fire. The cost of this service is very affordable and is a basic step in home maintenance. You will be investing in your most valuable possession and in keeping your family safe. Click here or on the image below to watch our quick video on the importance of getting your chimney cleaned.

 

We are very excited to be working at Tinker AFB over the next several months. If you are on base before November 21st, come by and say hi to us at the Vanwey Dining Hall. We will be overseeing a remodel of the dining areas. 

 

 

Recently, a friend of ours said something that really stuck with me.  She said the Dallas Cowboys are 6-1 and she is thrilled, but the Sooners are 5-2 and she is NOT happy. The Cowboy fan base no longer expects to win every Sunday, but we Sooner fans not only expect to win, but win by a lot.  I think this differing standard pertains to many things in life…children, business, friends.  From some we expect perfection and from others we are just glad they make a showing. The service industry has set the bar low and most customers are glad when you show up, but we want to do more.  We want you to know you can expect a great service from us.  Timeliness, efficiency and a good attitude are what you should see.  We are Sooners and we SHOULD be great!  Have a wonderful month! Thank you for being one of our great customers.Sincerely,Carrie and Jim MitchellOwnersSooner Carpet & RestorationSooner Contracting
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Find A NADCA Professional in Oklahoma

NADCA: The HVAC Inspection, Maintenance and Restoration Association, otherwise known as the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), was formed in 1989 as a non-profit association of companies engaged in the cleaning of HVAC systems. Its mission was to promote source removal as the only acceptable method of cleaning and to establish industry standards for the association.NADCA has expanded its mission to include the representation of qualified companies engaged in the inspection, cleaning and restoration of HVAC systems. NADCA supports members' success with standards, education, certification, marketing and advocacy to promote the highest quality and ethical services. The goal of the association is for its members to be the number one source for consumers and other entities seeking HVAC inspection, cleaning and restoration services, and air duct cleaning.Sooner Carpet Cleaning is one of a few that is NADCA Certified.  See our listing online at:  http://nadca.com/

Sooner Carpet Cleaning, Inc.

Contact: James Mitchell Norman, OK 73070-0188 United States (4.4 miles)(p) (405) 329-8999(p) (f) (405) 329-8971xWeb: www.soonercarpetcleaning.comNADCA Member Since: 6/28/2013

Special Offer: Free Sooner Carpet Cleaning All-Purpose Spotter

Looking for a quick and easy spot remover that actually defeats your most stubborn household stains? Our all-purpose spot remover will do the trick!If you call to schedule a job with us and provide your correct email address, we’ll give you a bottle of our incredible all-purpose spot remover ($18 value) for free! Valid in June,Our water-based formula dissolves both oil and water-based messes, including these most common and stubborn household stains:• Blood• Coffee• Tea• Wine• Chocolate• Crayon• Latex-based paint• Wax• Milk• Raw egg• Soda• Grass• Grease• Oil• Ketchup• And more!Just apply Spot Out (without diluting) to the stain, and blot with a slightly damp, clean white towel. You will be pleasantly surprised at how quickly it will remove even your most stubborn stains!We also offer a 10% Military Discount, 10% Senior Citizen Discount, and an OU Staff Discount for this item.Call our office to learn about today’s additional discount offers. (405) 329 8999