5 Common Places for Mold in a North Carolina Home or Business

With the heat and humidity of summer right around the corner across the Triangle and Southwest Wake County, mold can become a serious indoor problem and must be watched for in any increased wet conditions. Mold only needs warm temperatures to grow and thrive. It can be a problem during the winter months as well. Yet it is the warmer and more humid months of summer across our region of North Carolina that includes Fayetteville, Lillington, Sanford, Pittsboro, Cary and Apex, where it can grow at an even faster rate. Mold always grows best at temperatures between 60 F and 80 F, which is where most air conditioners are set during the summer.

In our last AdvantaClean of Cary/Apex Blog, we wrote about how mold can affect our indoor health and how certain allergic symptoms can lead our AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary/ Apex team to look for an array of indoor mold situations. It is important to note that it can grow almost anywhere in our homes and businesses. There are common places where mold is most likely to be found as well. Now that spring is here, most owners usually do a good spring cleaning where they live and work. If mold, mildew, fungus or damp and dry spotting are found, it is important to call us to assess the home or building. Our certified and local AdvantaClean professionals can clean the mold and remove it properly with the least amount of disruption to home, life, and business.

AdvantaClean suggests five common places for find mold that could grow in a home or business:

• Behind bathroom walls: Walls in the bathtub or shower can be especially susceptible to mold around and under the shower head neck and faucets. Over the years, water can drip behind the ceramic tiles. Possible signs of mold behind the wall include holes in the tile grout, cracked tiles, or if tiles start to become lose and possibly fall off of the wall.  
• Window sills: During spring cleaning, mold might be found around and under the window sills. Condensation occurs during the winter because it is colder outside and warmer and more humid indoors. During the winter, condensation builds up on windows and drips down into the walls and window sills.
• Carpets and carpet padding: Carpets take a lot of abuse including spilled liquids, dirt and minor floods. Dirt can be food for mold and water of course is where it starts. Water can get onto and under carpets from any number of reasons that can include drips, weather and problems like a leaking hot water tank.
• Wallpaper: There are signs that could indicate mold behind wallpaper. These signs include torn wallpaper, damp spots, discoloration or peeling edges.
• Other common places: Check for mold under sinks, on shower curtains, around air conditioners, ductwork, and door gaskets on front loading washing machines. Areas like  attics, basements, crawl spaces, chimneys, cavity walls, refrigerator drip pans and ceiling tiles should be assessed too.
  

Mold can grow wherever there is water, dampness and condensation. If there is mold or the suspicion of mold, call AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary/Apex. Our local team of professionals can inspect and test for mold in a home or business. If mold is found we will safely remove it, following proper procedures to make certain the damage is contained and removed properly every time. AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary/ Apex is IIRC certified and we serve a wide area of the Triangle and surrounding region. If concerned about mold, or if it is sighted; call us immediately at 919-434-7249 for an inspection today.

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AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary and Apex is your environmental specialist in Southwest Wake, Chatham, Lee, Cumberland and Johnston Counties. Our team of certified professionals is ready to address all your service needs.

We are the premier air quality and restoration specialists in the Triangle!

Call 919 434 7249

AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary/Apex

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5 Reasons to Consider AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary/ Apex for Restoration

After observing the extreme flooding across the Raleigh area, Fayetteville and further east from Lumberton to the coast, Hurricane Matthew has left its mark in North Carolina history. Triangle home and business owners have been reminded again that disaster can appear unexpectedly even with warning.

Although the predicted path of Hurricane Matthew was solidified 24-48 hours before it arrived in North Carolina, the effects across Eastern North Carolina were still quite sudden and locally unpredictable. If a home or business was affected, chances are good that the owners are still frightened, worried, and tired. They are often challenged to figure out how to deal with the situation and find a restoration contractor. Extreme weather events can truly be unpredictable and harsh, and AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary/Apex can bring in the right team of experts and equipment to clean up the aftermath, ease the burdens, and protect personal and professional property.

AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary/Apex is the right restoration contractor for the following five reasons:

• AdvantaClean is IICRC Certified: We meet the well-established standards of expertise and business ethics of both honesty and integrity. In addition, we undergo ongoing training and education, are licensed, bonded, and insured, and have an established complaint policy.
• AdvantaClean will provide the best possible customer service: Dealing with a disaster such as Hurricane Matthew is stressful enough in itself. We understand and go above and beyond what is normally expected to make everything easier for our customers. We’re also experienced at working with insurance claims adjusters, and make that process go as smoothly as possible.
• We are committed to informing and educating our customers: AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary/Apex knows the implications and potential lingering effects of water-related problems that affect buildings, especially the mold that can show up later. We’ll share this information with property owners so they can be confident the correct approach is being taken for their unique situation.
• We receive positive customer reviews and testimonials: A contractor without easily located positive reviews may be hiding something; such as a history lacking in good results or customer service. AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary/ Apex has established an excellent reputation in North Carolina.
• AdvantaClean is expert in a variety of related issues: Our expertise include:  mold testing and remediation, odor remediation, and cleaning HVAC system air ducts. Chances are pretty good that the impacts of any water damage situation will be multi-faceted. Mold in particular is a common after effect of flooding, and we know how to get it under control and cleaned up.

In the Triangle region of North Carolina, one firm really is best when water damage cleanup and recovery is needed. AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary/Apex is properly equipped, trained, and experienced to handle any situation. When there is a widespread weather event such as a hurricane, AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary/ Apex can also get assistance from our other teams in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, and other states in the Southeastern United States. Call us today for a speedy recovery from the storm.

AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary/Apex is a leader in the Triangle to handle fire and flooding clean up, mold detection and remediation, air duct and dryer vent cleaning, and removal of indoor air quality problems. Contact us today to fix a disaster and/or improve indoor air quality.

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AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary and Apex is your environmental specialist in Wake and Johnston Counties. Our team of certified professionals is ready to address all your service needs.

Your air quality and restoration specialists in the Triangle!

Call 919 434 7249

AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary/Apex

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5 Tips Every Triangle Home or Business Owner Should Know About Insurance

Late summer and early fall in North Carolina are the peak months for the Atlantic Hurricane Season, which officially runs from June 1 to November 30. According to the National Weather Service, the second week of September has historically been the busiest part of the season, and North Carolina is on the “most likely” track for tropical storms in September and October. While the Triangle is about 130 miles from the Atlantic coast, we are still vulnerable to damaging wind, rain, and lightning from a major hurricane. With this in mind, it is a good time of year for home and business owners to become aware of the insurance coverages on their property, and to think about how they might cope if disaster hits a home or business.

AdvantaClean of Cary/Apex offers five important tips for home and business insurance:

• Make sure there is coverage for tropical storm events: Property owners should check the policy “declarations” page to verify what is and isn’t covered, and speak with an insurance agent at least once a year review coverages. While storm surges from hurricanes are typically not an issue in the Triangle; high winds, heavy rain, flooding, and falling trees certainly are factors.
• Assess and complete a contents inventory: The insured party (property owner) is ultimately responsible for proving losses. Detailed documentation is always the best approach, and could involve a written account, spreadsheets, photos and videos, or a combination of these. Don’t do it from memory after a disaster, or the insurance settlement will be compromised.
• Beware that claims adjusters can sometimes be inexperienced: While the property may be adequately insured in terms of the policy, the claim payments are coming from people involved in the process. Claims adjusters represent the insurance company, not the property owner, so it may be a consideration for the property owner to retain an independent claims adjuster.
• Pay attention to anything that indicates “release of liability” or “full settlement”: The insurance company may at times during the process provide payments or documents for the property owner to sign or acknowledge. Cashing checks or signing papers can sometimes constitute agreement with a partial settlement or accepting less than what is owed. Read all documents and settlement checks very carefully, or retain a professional who can provide expert advice on such matters.
• Investigate and evaluate remediation contractors before they are needed: As with any business, the possibility of receiving unsatisfactory work is ever present. Don’t just wait for the insurance company to recommend a contractor after the fact. Look for a certified contractor with a good reputation for customer service and experience with insurance adjusters.

AdvantaClean of Cary/Apex specializes in restoration from water damage, storm damage, and ensuing mold problems. We are certified by National organizations such as IICRC for all of these, and deliver outstanding customer service. We also know how insurance adjusters work, and can make the restoration process work as good as possible for our customers.

AdvantaClean of Cary and Apex  is the number one team of professionals in the Triangle to perform IICRC certified water damage restoration and mold remediation.  Contact us today in the unfortunate event a disaster affects a home or business.

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AdvantaClean of Cary and Apex is your environmental specialist in Wake and Johnston Counties. Our team of certified professionals is ready to address all your service needs.

Your air quality and restoration specialists

Call 919 434 7249

AdvantaClean

Photo: IMUSM

 

4 Important Reasons AdvantaClean of Cary/Apex is Number One in Local Disaster Recovery

There is no Triangle home or business truly safe from disasters such as flood, water damage, fire and smoke damage, and mold. Unfortunately, spring and summer in North Carolina often bring increasing storm frequency. Heavy rains, lightning, hot humid weather, tropical storms and even hurricanes can come onshore right through September and early October.  Harsh weather conditions can erupt at any time regardless of how well a home or business is maintained. The response to these disasters must be fast and involve a high level of expertise in order to assess and manage the damage and keep losses to a minimum.

AdvantaClean of Cary/Apex is a locally owned here in the Triangle and performs cleaning and restoration services in Wake County and surrounding areas. Our team is experienced at disaster recovery and mold remediation for both residential and commercial buildings. Most importantly, we are dedicated to addressing customer concerns, helping our clients get through the restoration process with good information, and coordinate with insurance adjusters to get the job done right, ensuring the best possible outcome from our well-researched recovery practices.

Here are four important reasons to choose AdvantaClean of Cary/Apex for every disaster recovery:

• Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week: Recovery from flood, water damage, mold, fire and smoke damage must be started immediately for the best results. Property owners affected by such problems can’t wait until it’s convenient or when normal business hours resume. The damage simply multiplies with each passing hour, so our experts are always ready to get started.
• Insurance issues can get complicated: Because we are involved in so many insurance-covered disaster recoveries, we also work frequently with the insurance company representatives (adjusters) sent to the scene. We know their rules and procedures, and how to partner with these professionals to make the recovery and claims process as stress free as possible.
• Specialists in the most difficult cleanups: The challenging recovery situations involve mold and sewage. We are specially trained and equipped to handle mold and also our team is trained and experienced at cleaning microbial contamination that accompanies sewage damage. If not cleaned properly, both mold growth and sewage contamination can linger.  Under the right conditions, spores or microbes remaining after the cleanup can multiply and cause big problems months or even years later. Doing the job right the first time prevents these issues.
• AdvantaClean of Cary/Apex is certified by national organizations: These certifications provide assurance of our expertise in disaster recovery. Perhaps most relevant among these certifications are for the cleanup of water damage, fire and smoke damage, and mold remediation. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and Mold Inspection Consulting and Remediation Organization (MICRO) are very important.

AdvantaClean of Cary/Apex is the foremost team of professionals in the Triangle to respond quickly and effectively to help home and business owners clean up from flood, water damage, fire and smoke damage, or mold problems. Contact us today to clean up a disaster and get a household or business back to normal.

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AdvantaClean of Cary and Apex is your environmental specialist in Wake and Johnston Counties. Our team of certified professionals is ready to address all your service needs.

Your air quality and restoration specialists

Call 919 434 7249

AdvantaClean

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