Paula Reno Cedar Lake Indiana Realtor, Astro Realty

Cedar Lake business offers residential maintenance, cleanup

By Sharon Porta
Times Correspondent | Sunday, April 26, 2009 | (No comments posted.)

While the housing crisis has hurt many businesses, Kleen Sweep is not among them. After many years of handling maintenance and cleanup of commercial businesses, Thomas Lesh has expanded his business to include residential cleanup.

"For years, we have taken care of businesses, handle graffiti, power wash and repaint. And when a business moves out, we go in and clean it up," said Paula Reno, the company's CFO. "So about six months ago, we just decided to partner with investors and banks that are foreclosing on properties to offer the service residentially. Investors buy the home as is and we go in and clean it up."

The condition of the homes varies, but Reno said the previous owners always leave something behind.

"Nine out of 10 times there are things there that need removing," Lesh said. "We take a truck, load it up, bring it back here to sort and salvage."

Because the company is not in the resale business, they have been making donations to families that have lost items, victims of floods and fire and the Salvation Army.

"We don't really want to sell the items. We make our money doing cleanup," Lesh said. "We have a huge building and thought that instead of throwing it away, we would find people who need it. We are getting all kinds of things that people need -- especially now in these hard times."

Crews move into the homes and handle everything from painting and plumbing to general maintenance. Services include cleanup of the property, removing old furniture or garbage, pressure washing when needed and hiring professionals to repair dry wall, carpentry and landscaping.

"Some of the houses are in pretty bad shape and some are not," Lesh said. "But this end of the business has been pretty good."

Kleen Sweep even has a sister company, Astro Realty, to handle the sale of the homes once they are in good shape.

"We still offer all of our commercial services, like parking lot sweeping, snow removal, lawn care and more, "Reno said. "And with this, we're really able to help people who are losing or who have lost their homes."

Kleen Sweep
Location: 13501 Morse St., Cedar Lake
Phone: (219) 374-4296
Owner: Thomas Lesh
When opened: 1985
Number of employees: 10
Type of business: Parking lot sweeping, snow removal, lawn care, residential and commercial clean-up
Web site: www.kleensweep2000.com

Hello Everyone. Many of you know that here in Cedar Lake we have a DQ on the Waterfront. Well this coming weekend on March 21st. She will be opening up for the season. This is a big deal here. We all like to eat our Ice Cream on the Lakefront.. Boats are always welcome to.. Seems like the Ice Cream always tastes better on the Lakefront.. haha I can't Wait

The is our new Lighthouse Restaurant on the Water. Set to Open April 6th, The Chamber is having a Formal Gala here on April 25th. I am going to be there Are YOU????? Can't wait to see you..

Oh by the way. I saw are first boat on the lake today.. Little Fishing boat but still a boat. yepee

CT Website Design has added a new website to our Internet.
Please Welcome,

http://trailcreekhomes.com

Thank you for your visit

Paula

SPRING IS COMING-GRASS IS GROWING

KLEEN SWEEP IS NOW DOING GRASS MOWING

KEEP YOUR LAWN KLEEN CUT WITH

KLEEN SWEEP

http://kleensweep2000.com

866 374-4296