Frequently Asked Questions

How long will my carpet take to dry?

The normal drying time is anywhere from 4 to 24 hours depending on weather, room temperature, air flow, and overall soiling conditions. Our systems heat range is much higher than your average carpet cleaning company which allows for faster dry times.

Will my carpet get dirty faster after I have it cleaned, or will spots come back?

No. What this question refers to is a sticky residue left behind from a cleaning detergent or store bought spotter such as Resolve. Advantage Steam uses a 100% balanced system. We do not use any sticky detergent based products. In fact, our system will work towards the removal of such detergents left behind from other carpet cleaners.

Is the cleaning process safe for my children and pets?

We use only the highest quality, safe cleaning agents on the market. We are equally concerned for the health and the safety of our clients, employees, and Mother earth. In fact, we have several clients who suffer from asthma and auto-immune. Our 10 step cleaning process helps keep their indoor air quality (IAQ) free and clean of allergens.

Can you treat my carpet for urine and pet damage?

Pet odor is a very common problem. At Advantage Steam we can assist you in solving minor pet damage problems to major ones that cause you endless, un-wanted headaches. We can help find the solution that works best for you and your family.

The main problem with pet odor is that it can be much deeper than it first appears. Pet urine can easily soak through the backing of the carpet into the padding underneath. In more severe cases, the urine can penetrate into the sub-floor beneath the padding. This creates a problem that is multi-faceted. In addition, pet urine provides a breeding ground for bacteria, thus, contributing to and worsening the odor problem. It can also be a factor in causing permanent color loss of carpet fibers.

To eliminate pet damage, the urine must be removed or neutralized from each of the layers affected. If the contamination is limited to only the face yarn of the carpet than the cleaning itself may effectively remove the odor. In more severe cases, a urine neutralizer may be applied. In the most severe cases, replacement of the carpet padding, treatment of the under-side of the carpet and the sub-floor may be required. In rare cases, sections of the contaminated carpet might need to be replaced. In all instances, this does not guarantee COMPLETE removal of urine and pet damage. However, the steps can be taken to satisfy your needs and wants.

Pet damage left untreated over a period of time can become absorbed into many of the porous materials in your home. This includes, but not limited to, draperies, sheet rock, base-boards, and even the concrete foundation. Owning pets can add to the challenges of your home maintenance. Advantage Steam is committed to helping you solve those challenges.

What is the difference between steam cleaning and dry cleaning?

Advantage Steam is a steam cleaning company. This process removes the maximum amount of soil and allergens from carpet and textiles. All carpet manufactures recommend steam cleaning as part of their warranty guidelines. In some cases, dry cleaning can void residential carpet warranties. We here at Advantage Steam are highly educated on all forms of carpet cleaning, so that we can meet the needs of all our clients.

What are the black lines under my doorways and along my baseboards?

If you have light colored carpet you may have experienced these dark lines that appear on your carpet. This soiling is called filtration soiling. It comes from air passing through the carpet as it is attempting to get through the crack between the carpet and the baseboard or under a closed door. As the air passes through the edge of the carpet pile, this microscopic soiling is deposited there (hence the term filtration soiling). This occurs over a significant period of time and is not noticed until a build up has occurred.

This type of soiling is difficult to remove because the soil particles are so fine that they penetrate deep into the carpet pile and in some cases, into the backing of the carpet. Can it be removed? Sometimes. With special products, time, and effort, reasonable results can be achieved. To help prevent filtration soiling, you need to vacuum and wipe the edges of the carpeting on a regular basis. Be careful around the tackstrip on the edge of the carpeting, it could nick your fingers!

Should I Teflon/Scotchguard my carpet?

Yes. The biggest enemy of Teflon is abrasion from traffic and traffic varies with each situation. Carpet manufacturer warranty recommendation for re-application is after each cleaning. The same conditions that led to the need for cleaning probably have led to the need to refresh the carpet protection. Failure to reapply Teflon on carpet still under warranty will result in a voided warranty.

Is it best to wait as long as possible before having my carpet cleaned?

No. In fact, many of the major carpet mills today recommend professional cleaning at least once per year. The combination of soil build up and foot traffic creates abrasion that breaks down your carpet's fibers. The higher the traffic in a given area, the more often your carpet will need to be cleaned.