Michael Bowerman - Home Disaster Clean Up, Remediation, Repair & Restoration

Bowerman Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning has provided outstanding service to the tri-state area for over 40 years. Our family-owned and operated business has the experience and expertise for all your carpet and fabric care. Our reputation for quality work, integrity, and customer satisfaction has given Bowerman Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning our high percentage of repeat customers and exemplary recommendations. We value our customers, their belongings, and deliver what we promise.

Our skilled IICRC certified technicians evaluate our customers individual needs to properly clean wall-to-wall carpets, antique and heirloom oriental rugs, upholstery, drapery, furniture and even tile and grout. We use non-toxic, 100% biodegradable products to ensure both superb results and safety to our customers' belongings and families.

Our modern, state-of-the-art equipment and technology can bring the beauty back to all of the carpets, textiles and fabrics in your residential or commercial property. Our in-home appointments and estimates are scheduled at our customer's convenience and satisfaction is guaranteed. With superior customer service, Bowerman Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning's "Clean Green" team provides results beyond our customers expectations.

We invest a lot of time and money into our homes so why not make those investments last? I am currently working at a clients house in Purchase, NY, cleaning the carpets and furniture. My client asked me if there were any tricks to keeping area rugs in their best possible condition. The answer to that question is YES, and these little tricks are very simple and can save you money in the long run.

1) I've said it before but I will say it again...... Vacuum often!
The dirt and debris that we track into our homes and onto our rugs can be very harmful to the fibers of our carpet/rugs. The dirt particles get mashed down and as we walk, the particles actually abrade the fibers causing a "fuzzy" or "pilled" appearance (like the pills of fuzz that accumulates on sweaters). The dirt and debris is bad for your rugs so vacuum often.

2) Padding is important! I'm talking about the kind of padding that is meant to lay beneath area rugs.
The padding will protect your area rugs from the damage that can be caused by pivot points (that's an area on your area rugs where people often make abrupt turns or pivot around in another direction, basically mashing and grinding the carpet fibers). When your area rug is placed over a hard flooring surface such as tile, hardwood, or concrete, the repetitive action of turning in a different direction in particular places, can create worn areas and a mashed down appearance. It can even tear the rug eventually. Padding will protect you rug from these types of impact. Another bonus is that padding will reduce the noise level. If you live in a condo or apartment and you are subjected to listening to stomping from the residents above you, send them a link to this blog (anonymously, of course).

3) Rotate your area rugs! Even if you only do this 2 or 3 times a year it will greatly reduce the wear and tear on your rugs.
Every few months, or more often if possible, spin your rug around. In our homes, there are traffic patterns. Walking on the same portion of your area rug, day in and day out, will cause worn spots that could potentially lead to thinning and even holes. Simply rotating your rug so that the left side is now on the right and the right side is now on the left will give the heavily trafficked area a break.

4) Steam clean your area rugs! Your area rugs are just like clothing, eventually they need to be cleaned.
You wouldn't wear the same sweater every day for an entire year without cleaning it (or at least I hope not, LOL) so why would you subject your rugs to that? Think about the potential "stuff" that could be on the bottom of your shoes. That stuff gets transferred onto your rugs. Professional cleaning will remove the dirt and stains that accumulates on top and in between the fibers of rugs. Steam cleaning will reduce or eliminate allergens, dust mites and pet dander. Professional carpet cleaning on a regular basis will definitely help extend the life of your area rugs.

So there you have it, four easy ways to keep your area rugs looking their best. I hope the information is helpful!

I was at a meeting in Hartsdale, NY at the local diner and I overheard a conversation between two other individuals. The gentlemen were discussing the dangers and hazards of running your own business. The only thing that I actually remember specifically is when one of the men said very sternly to the other gentleman, "Family and business do not mix." That sentence was really the only thing the men said that stood out, and stuck with me all day. After that, I started thinking. I own 2 businesses, one of which was started by my father, and work with my family. I began to wonder about that statement, who came up with that little adage and why they started saying it in the first place?

I understand that working with, or employing family, can be a particularly touchy topic. In my particular case, there have definitely been fights, arguments and disagreements, but we never cross certain lines. We all believe that family has to come first. You cant place money or business before familial relationships. But I'm not in any way, shape or form saying that working with your family is easy. I do wonder, however, if there any success stories. What I mean is, are their any happily ever afters?

It doesnt matter what kind of business you're in, if you are in business with family, it's complicated. Where, just for example, does one draw the line between your family and your business. When you work with family, critiques are taken more personally, suggestions can turn into insults, etc., etc., etc. You really do have to walk a fine line between the two. I would rather have a relationship with my family than lose it all over a business matter. It really is complicated, though. But its all I have ever really known. I assume that the whole matter could get more complicated, messy even, but I think that's when you have to look down at your feet to see if anyone "crossed the line".

When all is said and done, that one short statement that I overheard in the diner made me really aware of the dangers that could potentially be involved when you work with your family. I don't think that old saying would be an old saying if it didn't have any truth behind it. Working with your family is one of those things that you just have to continually work at, always being aware of the different dynamics. I'm almost positive that no one has it perfectly figured out, I just thought I would put it out there in the blogosphere.

• Contact with sewage is hazardous to your health because it contains disease causing organisms. Do not touch or try to remove raw sewage yourself.

• 1. Call in professionals to shut off or fix the source of the sewage leak.

• 2. Call a reputable disaster restoration company to begin emergency services. Bowerman Restoration will respond 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, call 1-800-638-4799. We work directly with insurance companies, property adjusters and homeowners to ensure efficient restoration of your residential and commercial properties.

• 3. Call your insurance company to submit a claim for damages. Be aware of the type of coverage you have, limits of your policy and the amount of your deductible. You will receive a claim number and in most cases a property adjuster will be sent to assess the damages.

• 4. Keep a detailed list of items that were damaged or destroyed. Save receipts and keep a detailed record of any money spent on items that had to be replaced and repaired.

• 5. Those with compromised immune systems (infants, young children, elderly, sick) should not remain in the structure or home until it has been deemed safe to return by experienced professionals who sample and test contaminated area.

• 6. Any item that had contact with sewage should not be used until it has been cleaned, sanitized and disinfected by a professional.

• 7. Sewage contains disease causing organisms and toxins. It can cause very serious health complications and diseases. If you suspect that you or someone in your home has had contact with sewage and are now sick, see a doctor immediately.