There are many different causes of house fires. Some of them are more common, whereas others are not as well known. Typical causes for fires include malfunctions in appliances, chemicals, gases, and electricity. However, there are lesser-known potential causes for fires that can have an equally devastating impact on your home and on your life. Here are some not-so-common causes for fires that the ServiceMaster Complete Restoration by Stiffey’s fire restoration team in Pittsburgh, PA would like to share with you:

1. 9-volt Batteries – Improper disposal of 9-volt batteries can lead to a fire. The terminals of two batteries touching each other can cause a fire that can quickly engulf your home. Make sure to cover the terminals with duct tape when you dispose of them.
2. Chimneys  – Improper maintenance of a chimney, appliance, pipe, or connector can lead to a chemical reaction known as pyrolysis, which can cause a fire due to the mixture of combustible materials.
3. Candles – Forgetting to blow out your candles before bedtime can lead to disastrous results. A major catastrophe can occur due to forgetting this simple preventative measure.
4. Dryers – Something as simple as neglecting to clean out the lint tray in your dryer can cause a fire to start. Improper dryer venting can start a fire as well.
5. Christmas Trees – The combination of a dry Christmas tree and the lights wrapped around it can cause a fire. It may be a good idea to leave the lights off if you are going to be out of the house for an extended period of time.

]We hope that you will never have to experience the devastating impact of a fire in your home, but the fire restoration team at ServiceMaster Complete Restoration by Stiffey is ready in case the unfortunate circumstance of a fire occurs in your home. If you ever have to deal with the process of fire restoration in Pittsburgh, PA please give us a call. We understand how stressful a situation like that can be and we will do everything we can to make the process as painless as possible.

The carpet cleaning team at ServiceMaster Complete Restoration by Stiffey in Greensburg, PA recognizes the importance of protecting your carpeting investment. Carpet cleaning is always important, and a routine vacuuming is needed to keep your living room and other areas of your home in order. How do you know which vacuum will do the best job or save you the most money? What’s important for proper carpet cleaning, and how do you determine what’s going to keep your carpets fresh and revitalized longer?

There are many factors that play into determining the kind of vacuum you should purchase:

• Robotic vacuums can be handy for automatic cleaning when you don’t want to do the work, but don’t expect as intense of a carpet cleaning as a regular vacuum.
• There are definite pros and cons of using a bagless vacuum, and it just depends on what’s right for you. Do your research before rushing into a purchase!
• From Dyson to Kenmore to Dirt Devil and more, there are a variety of brands that can fit your lifestyle and price range. If you think you’ll be vacuuming a lot (i.e., if your home is also home to some shedding pets), you should consider getting a more powerful and possibly more expensive vacuum.
• If you have a home with tighter corners or small spaces, looking for a smaller, more compact hand vacuum may be a good purchase.

One of the most important things to remember about vacuuming is that it’s a surface cleaner. While choosing the right vacuum can do wonders for your carpets, don’t try to solve your stains and deep carpet messes with it. A professional carpet cleaning is a good solution for these messes and should be handled by an expert team like ServiceMaster Complete Restoration by Stiffey in Greensburg, PA. Call us today.

For more tips and buying guides on vacuums, check out the Consumer Reports Vacuum Cleaner Buying Guide!

Moving into a new home is supposed to be an exciting time in life. It’s the thrill of being able to walk into a place that is finally yours, and the ability to move all of your things in and put them where you want them that makes owning your first home or renting your first apartment a special day. However, this special day can be ruined when you walk into your new place to find something you’ve always dreaded: a leaky pipe dripping onto the carpets, a new stain from maintenance tracking their feet in, or a mess on your carpets that you hadn’t noticed before. This is the time to have your ServiceMaster Complete Restoration by Stiffey carpet cleaning team in McKeesport on speed dial, and we’ll be right at your service when you need us.

The carpet cleaning team at ServiceMaster Complete Restoration by Stiffey understands how moving into your first home can be a monumental moment, and it shouldn’t be ruined by pesky leaks or stains. If you see something the minute you walk in the door, don’t panic. Your worries should be about moving in; let our expert team deal with your carpets so they are clean and safe for your move-in.

If you’re moving into an apartment, you will probably need to call the maintenance crew to see what the problem is. It’s very handy when they are able to come fix whatever it may be, especially a leak, but it seems you are always left with a mess afterward. Sure, the leak is fixed, but the carpets are soaked and the ceiling bits are all over the floor!

If this happens to you, call the McKeesport carpet cleaning experts. Our carpet cleaning specialists know how to tackle mold, stains, and water damage to your carpets. Calling us quickly is a must, because the sooner our carpet cleaning team gets to work, the less likely you are to end up with a mold infestation, lasting stains, or long-term damage.

At ServiceMaster Complete Restoration by Stiffey, we understand the first thoughts you might have after a home fire. You might be feeling panicked or trying to avoid the situation. All homeowners are different, and the fire restoration team at ServiceMaster Complete Restoration by Stiffey, in Pittsburgh, PA and surrounding areas, can offer tips to recognize when fire restoration needs to be handled by professionals.

Many times, homeowners have two different reactions to fire damage. Sometimes, the first thought is complete panic, and they try to clean and begin the process of fire restoration themselves. They go through pages of Internet DIY tips and ask for help from friends to get rid of the soot, smoke, and damaged items in the house. Instead of reaching out for help from a professional fire restoration team, they try to save money, hoping that it will make up for what they’ve already lost.

On the other hand, some homeowners go completely the other direction when it comes to fire damage and fire restoration. They consider their home, furniture, and belongings to be a lost cause, and don’t even consider trying to restore their home to its original state. They let everything sit, hoping that the smoke and soot will see itself out. These people wait until they’re comfortable going back into their home again to begin fire damage restoration.

Both of these types of people are treating fire restoration the wrong way. While it’s important to get started on this process as soon as you can, it’s also important to leave it up to the professionals. Letting the damage sit for too long can cause permanent damage to everything in your home. Calling the best fire damage restoration team in Pittsburgh, PA is an important first step to peace of mind and to regaining a clean and safe living space.

While a fire is a scary thing to talk about, it’s necessary to figure out how to avoid starting a fire in your home and fire damage. ServiceMaster Complete Restoration by Stiffey in Pittsburgh, PA has what you need for after the fire, but our team always wants you to take preventive steps to avoid a fire. In order to prevent  fire damage, check out the following three things you should know about fires in your home and how they can come about when you least expect it:

1. Two of every five home fires start in the kitchen. These fires are commonly caused by cooking mistakes or mishaps. In fact, range fires were some of the most common kitchen fires, from either being left on or improperly used, as well as the ignition of food or other cooking materials.
2. On average, there are 29 fires from candles reported in the US every single day. Many of these fires begin when things are left too close to the candle and catch fire. These fires generally begin in bedrooms.
3. Only one-third of Americans have developed and practiced a home fire escape plan. While some take the time to develop a fire escape plan, many have never taken time to practice it.

It’s important to do your research on fires, including knowing who to call when things go sour.    For more facts and information about fire damage in the home, check out the National Fire Protection Association’s website. When you need fire damage restoration in Pittsburgh, PA, contact ServiceMaster Complete Restoration by Stiffey.

Our fire restoration team has everything you need to help you recover from a devastating fire. With a quality, emergency pre-cleaning in the beginning to deodorization and odor removal at the end, there’s nothing like the work performed by the fire restoration team from ServiceMaster Complete Restoration by Stiffey in Pittsburgh, PA.

While it’s easy to let these last few weeks of hot summer weather and busy work days get the best of you and your employees, wouldn’t you rather make the workplace a safe, clean and enjoyable environment for everyone? That’s why ServiceMaster Complete Restoration by Stiffey would like to remind you of our commercial cleaning services for offices and businesses in Greensburg, PA and surrounding areas for summertime cleanup.

Summer is a very common time for vacations, and people tend to leave things behind when they travel. Whether its spoiled food that wreaks havoc in your company fridge, a smashed banana in the bottom of their desk, or a leftover garbage can that’s been forgotten, these things can all create a bad and rather disgusting work environment. In addition, it’s very easy to let yourself leave early on the beautiful, sunny days of summer; your office can start to accumulate odors when you let bathroom or kitchen cleaning slip away in the midst of these fun days.

But hey, we all do it. We all like to enjoy the last few weeks of summer and forget about the extra work we have to do before or after our vacations. That’s why the commercial cleaning team at ServiceMaster Complete Restoration by Stiffey has your back.

ServiceMaster Complete Restoration by Stiffey’s commercial cleaning team can help you set up a one-time, deep cleaning of your place of work, or a regular schedule with our routine janitorial services. Our commercial cleaning services include restroom and kitchen cleanup, carpet cleaning, hard surface floor cleaning, upholstery cleaning, trash removal, and more.

We’re proud to be serving Greensburg, Pittsburgh, Uniontown, McKeesport, and North Huntingdon, PA for all your commercial cleaning service needs. Call us today to get the most out of your last few weeks of summer, and come back to a clean, happy office!

Carpet cleaning is a good idea anytime. At least that’s what the McKeesport, PA carpet cleaning experts at ServiceMaster Complete Restoration by Stiffey think. Our experts see the value this type of cleaning adds to a person’s home and wellbeing. However, a professional carpet cleaning is especially important after big home improvement projects. DIY and summer construction projects can be a stressful process to see all the way through, and we want you to know your post-project cleanup doesn’t have to be a pain.

If you had movers delivering furniture, think about the amount of time their shoes were on your carpet and the dust and dirt tracked in. Did you upgrade or remodel? Add the construction crew marching in and out with debris, waste, raw materials, tools, and supplies! Even simple jobs like painting and reorganizing can create filth that becomes deeply trapped in your carpets.

Your first instinct may be forego a professional carpet cleaning and instead tackle the mess with your vacuum cleaner. It’s important to note that routine vacuuming only gets the surface particles and dirt that are resting on the top of your carpets. Deeply embedded dirt that is packed in over time needs more treatment than just routine vacuuming.

Believe it or not, a professional carpet cleaning is actually a better, simpler, and a more effective way to clean your carpets. This deep cleaning protects your investment and gives you better return in the long run. And lucky for you, McKeesport carpet cleaning professionals are available for all your post-construction needs. When you’re looking for the best way to get your carpets smelling and looking fresh again, call the carpet cleaning team at ServiceMaster Complete Restoration by Stiffey.

So many panicked thoughts fill your head after you experience something as scary as a fire in your home. Most likely, you have questions about what to do next after your family is safe and the firemen have cleared the area. Is it safe enough to go back in my house? How do I know if the smoke has completely cleared? What do I do with my damaged furniture and belongings? These questions and more can be answered with the help of a ServiceMaster Complete Restoration by Stiffey fire damage restoration representative in Pittsburgh, PA.

Here are a few tips our fire damage team has put together for you to consider immediately after your home or building is affected by fire:

• Scan the area. Look in the rooms of your home to see what has been affected the most by fire and if the smoke seems to have spread throughout your home.
• Gather clothing that has been affected by fire or smoke. If the items are still useable, they need to be cleaned by a professional dry cleaner before being worn or used.
• Utilize the power your windows can give you. Open windows can air out your home and get rid of odors. Be sure to only open windows in the affected area to avoid spreading soot and odor throughout the home.
• Clean out any area that the fire or soot may have touched. If the fire was in the kitchen, throw out open food and containers. If the fire was in the bathroom, throw out toiletries that could have been affected.

If the smoke damage appears widespread, call our fire damage team immediately. We can assess and better tell you if it’s safe to stay in your home or not. The expert fire damage restoration team at ServiceMaster Complete Restoration by Stiffey understands both sides of the restoration process. First and foremost, you want a team who can get this job done quickly and efficiently. On the other hand, you want your fire damage professionals to be safe, gentle, and caring with your precious belongings. As experts in the field who have experience in dealing with a variety of cases, we are sure we can deliver on the most comprehensive, quality care for your home during fire damage remediation.

Serving Greensburg, Pittsburgh, Uniontown, McKeesport, and North Huntingdon, PA, our fire damage restoration team can help you get your home back into shape and make your family comfortable once more.

Maintaining your hard surface floors can be a struggle in the summer with the amount of outdoor activities and high traffic in your home. What’s even more difficult is to keep up this care in your cabin or vacation home. While it’s nice to be able to come to a safe haven for weekend or week-long getaways, maintaining cabins and keeping your hard surface floors looking nice is a pain. When you’re looking for a professional hard surface floor cleaning, the experts at ServiceMaster Complete Restoration by Stiffey in Greensburg, PA and surrounding areas can help you. Until then, however, follow our floor cleaning tips.

 When your hard surface floors are covered with surface dirt, sweep or vacuum them once or twice a week. While using a vacuum for hard surface floor cleaning is considered a no-no by some, it is actually effective and safe if you use a soft brush to minimize scratching. If you’d like less dirt tracked in, set up entry rugs or carpet runners. In addition, it can be helpful to encourage your guests to take off their shoes, clean their feet, or dry off their footwear before entering your vacation home.

 Your cabin or vacation home can also be an easy target for water damage when your family and guests track in water from outdoor activities. As soon as you see water, get rid of it immediately with a dry, soft towel. Pay attention to food spills during big holiday or family gatherings, and treat the spill or stain as quickly as possible. Hard surface floor cleaning can be prevented if you tell your guests to take necessary precautions.

 Whether cement, tile, linoleum, wood, or other, ServiceMaster Complete Restoration by Stiffey has the most updated technology to treat your floors. When you need hard surface floor cleaning in Greensburg, Pittsburgh, Uniontown, McKeesport, and North Huntingdon, PA, call the experts who know how to treat your high-traffic cabin or vacation home floors.

It always seems like no matter what season it is, kids find a way to make a mess. Whether it’s spontaneously inviting friends over for a muddy play date or stomping through the house right after being in the pool, some way or another, your carpets get dirty. Carpet cleaning is a solution for this problem, and ServiceMaster Complete Restoration by Stiffey in McKeesport, PA and surrounding areas gives you the ability to do that.

If you’re looking to prevent summer stains from kids and pets, follow our tips for making carpet cleaning fun for the whole family:

• Hold a lesson on carpets for your kids and explain why it’s important to keep them clean. Helpful diagrams and photos can better explain to your children why carpet cleaning and preventing stains is essential to keeping a happy and healthy home.
• Implement a reward system for your kids to take off wet clothes or muddy shoes before tracking dirt into your home. Showing your children that it can be rewarding by giving them a prize for paying attention to carpet cleaning can create better habits down the road.
• Teach your kids a safe, DIY way to keep a stain from setting if an accident were to happen when no one else was home.

Cleaning never sounds fun to kids, but creating new, innovative ways for them to learn and play can help both you and your carpets. When accidents do happen, as they will in busy summer households, call the expert carpet cleaning team at ServiceMaster Complete Restoration by Stiffey. With our technology and step-by-step process of removing stains and lifting dirt from your carpets, you can be sure of a truly clean living space this summer. Serving the communities of Greensburg, Uniontown, McKeesport, North Huntingdon, and Pittsburgh, PA, we are dedicated to professional carpet cleaning, especially when your children make your carpets their playground.