Cleaning and Restoration Tips, News, and Industry Updates

3 Common Misconceptions about Mold Mitigation

Several factors can lead to the presence of Indoor mold in a business or home, including: Chronic humidity and condensation Poor ventilation Improper appliance exhaust Improperly mitigated water damage Whatever the reason, once discovered, it’s important to take steps to properly remove and mitigate the mold once and for all

April 5, 2016

Furnace Puff Backs: Prevention & Cleanup

Any home or business that is heated with an oil furnace runs the risk of experiencing a furnace puff back. If you aren’t familiar with puff backs, they are caused when an oil burner doesn’t immediately ignite, allowing oil fumes to build up prior to ignition. The result is a

March 21, 2016

6 Tips to Prepare Your Home for Your Winter Vacation

If you plan on getting away this winter, you must ensure your home is ready for your vacation before you start shopping for flip-flops and sunscreen. We have been fortunate in New England that the winter has been relatively mild so far, but cold temperatures and snow storms are common

February 15, 2016

3 Things to Do if Your Pipes Burst

Burst pipes typically occur when temperatures dip well below the freezing mark and water in the pipes freezes, then expands. Older homes tend to be more vulnerable, but it can happen to any home depending on how well the pipes are insulated and located. What Should I Do If My

February 12, 2016

6 Easy Ways to Prevent Ice Dams

Snow and cold weather have finally arrived in Maine and New Hampshire, which is great news for ski resorts but can often lead to headaches for homeowners. Along with rising heating bills, another side effect of winter weather is an increased chance of ice dams forming on your roof. Protect

January 11, 2016

7 Tips to Prevent Christmas Fires

Christmas is traditionally one of the happiest times of the year, especially for families with young children eager to see what presents Santa is going to leave for them beneath the Christmas tree. Unfortunately for a few families, their Christmas dreams will be dashed by a house fire. According to

December 17, 2015

3 Tips to Avoid Burst Pipes This Winter

Winter cold weather and sub-zero temperatures are here; many problems go hand-in-hand with extreme cold, including burst pipes.

December 11, 2015

How to Cope with Fire and Smoke Damage

A fire in your home or business is one of the most traumatic experiences most of us will likely ever encounter. While it may be tempting to sit back and wait for the insurance company to handle all the details for you once the flames have been extinguished, it is

November 16, 2015

6 Tips for Smoke Detector Safety

When it’s time to “fall back” for Daylight Saving Time, it’s also the perfect reminder to check a critical home safety device — your smoke detectors. Every year, thousands of house fires cause preventable injuries, property damage, and even fatalities. At Octagon Cleaning & Restoration, we’ve seen firsthand how functioning

October 30, 2015

10 Ways to Get Your Home Ready for Winter

Fall in New England is magical. It’s the time of fairs, picking apples and admiring fall foliage. But it goes fast and before you know it we will be facing another winter. Last winter was a doozy for the Northeast, and some homeowners suffered high heating bills or damage to

October 20, 2015

Got Flooding? Call the Professionals!

Following the heavy rain and flash flooding in many areas throughout Maine last month, several homeowners returned home to flooded basements. Two of the most common causes for a basement to flood during a heavy rainstorm are that the homes aren’t properly graded or a sump pump isn’t properly functioning.

October 12, 2015

New Hampshire Homeowners Can Breathe Easier with Clean Air Ducts

While we still have a few more months of nice fall weather to look forward to our long summer days are winding down, which means many of us will likely be spending more time in our homes. One thing that often falls by the wayside during summertime is cleaning projects.