Five Essential Steps to Remove Scary Pollution in Time for Halloween

It is almost Halloween and the indoor air quality (IAQ) in many Triangle homes and businesses can get downright frightful. This is especially true considering that a wide variety of sources of indoor air pollution are common and widespread at this time of year.

Pollutants such as dust, soot, small particles, mold, and chemical residues tend to accumulate indoors on surfaces and in HVAC systems, particularly when ventilation with outdoor air is infrequent and inadequate. Most buildings in North Carolina are tightly sealed from outdoor air during the hot summer months and the coldest winter months, which makes fall and spring the best times to ventilate with fresh air. Through awareness of the sources of IAQ problems and steps to minimize them, Triangle home and business owners can make big improvements. Finally, getting the HVAC air ducts cleaned is critical in preventing recirculation of accumulated pollutants and improving indoor air quality.

AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary/Apex recommends these five essential steps to eliminating indoor air pollution and improving indoor air quality:

• AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary/ Apex suggests removing and controlling the sources of indoor air pollution: Cleaning products, air fresheners, furniture and flooring materials can release toxic chemical fumes. Common household and business activities, including cooking, pets, printers, and copiers are sources of microscopic particles. Reducing the use of these certain products, along with using more effective cleaning methods, can go a long way toward improving IAQ.
  

• Use a top quality vacuum cleaner: Traditional vacuum cleaners that use a bag will exhaust or recirculate significant amounts of dust and other small particles back into the air. HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) vacuum cleaners utilize filters that capture and prevent recirculation of nearly all fine particles. Vacuums with HEPA filtration are available in most stores and online, and are essential in removing the most prevalent sources of pollution.
  

• Assess and adjust techniques for dusting and vacuuming: Commonly used cleaning methods tend to spread and recirculate indoor air pollutants rather than remove them. Widely-used cleaners can contain toxic chemicals such as fragrances, chlorine bleach, and ammonia, and introduce more pollutants than they remove. It is important to consider alternative cleaners and changing dusting approaches.
  

• Ventilation with fresh air is important: Since many structures in the Triangle and surrounding areas are tightly sealed from outdoor air, mainly for energy efficiency, the indoor air can get increasingly unhygienic as weeks and months go by. Ventilation with outdoor air, by opening windows at least once a week, can allow pollutants to escape. In addition, HVAC systems can be modified to take in additional fresh outdoor air.
  

• Call AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary/ Apex to have HVAC air ducts professionally cleaned: Even after source reduction, effective cleaning, and ventilation are managed, the air ducts in a building will still accumulate dust and other debris over a period of time. The accumulated pollutants are then continually recirculated in the indoor air. This is because large volumes of air move through the system. AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary/Apex specializes in air duct cleaning, and uses HEPA vacuums in the process.

AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary/Apex are knowledgeable experts in the Triangle that identify and correct IAQ problems, whether it’s at a home or business. Our professional team finds the sources of indoor air pollution, odors, and mold, and works with owners to improve air quality by providing information and services such as NADCA certified air duct cleaning.

Winter is coming and it is important to assess air quality. Please call us today at 919 434 7249 for service in the Triangle, Southwest Wake County, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Angier, Lillington, Sanford, and Fayetteville-Fort Bragg.

To all of our friends and clients: Happy Halloween Everyone!

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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.

WE are the air quality and restoration specialists in the Triangle!

Call 919 434 7249

AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary/Apex

Photo: AdvantaClean

 

5 Reasons AdvantaClean of Cary/Apex is the Best in the Triangle

First let’s tell the bad news. Many types of mold problems are found in Triangle homes and businesses. Now, the good news is that the methods for cleaning it up and keeping it from coming back are well-researched, time-tested, and very likely to remove it quickly and effectively. The process, called mold remediation, involves detecting the type of mold present. We determine the causes of the mold issue, and then we remove it.  For an experienced team like AdvantaClean of Cary/ Apex, it is a straight forward elimination. Unfortunately, there are too many mold remediation contractors that don’t get it right, aren’t properly trained, and are not committed to good customer service. There is the wrong way and the right way, and we do the job right, every single time.

Here are five reasons why AdvantaClean of Cary/Apex gets mold remediation done right every time:

• AdvantaClean is IICRC certified at mold remediation: The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) provides training and certification of mold removal specialists. Our people are IICRC trained and certified to perform expert evaluation and treatment of mold problems. Anything less can lead to an inadequate cleanup, which can result in worse problems later.
• AdvantaClean uses specialized equipment and cleaning agents: The correct approach to dealing with various types of mold in differing environments is not one-size-fits-all. The equipment and cleaners used makes a big difference in the effectiveness of the remediation. It’s also critical to keep mold from spreading in the process.
• AdvantaClean works quickly and efficiently: Mold can spread very quickly and intensely if the right conditions exist. The more time spent figuring out who to call or what to do, the more severe the problem will become. For those reasons, getting the remediation underway immediately is always the best approach. We’ll respond as soon as possible to contain the problem and keep it from growing.
• AdvantaClean keeps home and business owners informed about the mold status: Our team of experts uses laboratory testing to determine the type of mold present. We won’t use unnecessary terms like “black mold” unless that’s actually the problem. We’ll also keep clients informed about the equipment and process, and all of our findings will be communicated clearly and in writing.
• AdvantaClean will contain and isolate the problem: The mold remediation site should only include the affected area, not an entire building. In addition, it’s very important that mold be prevented from spreading during the cleanup. That’s why we use HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) vacuums and seal any affected areas to contain the mold problem.

AdvantaClean of Cary/Apex is the team in the Triangle to call when it comes to correctly assessing and cleaning up a mold problem. We are mold specialists, using a network of laboratories and testing partners to identify mold problems. We also use specialized equipment with highly trained people to do the job right and keep mold from growing and spreading.

Call us today if mold in the problem.

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

We are the Triangle’s air quality and restoration specialist.

Call 919 434 7249

AdvantaClean

Photo:  AdvantaClean

5 Factors Triangle Residents Need to Know about Mold Problems

It’s been a very hot, humid summer in the Triangle, and local homes and businesses have been keeping windows closed for several months. Given the sealed environment, it can be apparent and noticeable if mold has been growing inside the structure and spreading somewhere. A musty or moldy odor that doesn’t go away can possibly indicate a mold problem. The fall allergy season in North Carolina can also get people sneezing and rubbing their eyes, but there can be other factors in the closed environment that can cause and even exaggerate these types of symptoms. A mold situation can never be ignored; it will never go away without professional help. And it can multiply in size and severity with some toxicity. Mold testing by our team at AdvantaClean of Cary/ Apex can determine the nature of the problem, and we can help formulate the right plan to fix it.

AdvantaClean of Cary/Apex offers five important tips for dealing with mold problems in Triangle buildings:

• Dangerous and harmful mold problems can be hidden:  Mold can grow and hide in unsuspecting places in Triangle buildings, such as in the attic, behind wallpaper, or even in the ceiling of a finished basement. In the worst cases, mold gets into the HVAC system and spreads through the internal air. Professional testing may be the only way to find the mold.
• Don’t wait to assess the problem; it needs to be remediated: Given the right conditions, a mold problem that starts out slowly can potentially grow quickly into a large area and create a lot of damage. The key ingredient for mold is usually moisture, and if that’s a plumbing leak it can continue to get worse. When that happens, the building will soon likely be uninhabitable.
• Know that three effective types of mold testing are common: Air, surface, and bulk testing are the most effective approaches. Air sampling is a test for concentration of mold spores in the air. Surface testing checks for mold that has been deposited on surfaces such as shelving and furnishings. Bulk testing involves collecting carpet, insulation, fabrics, or other materials and testing them for mold.
• There are different types of mold: Some molds are toxic and many others are not, other than to produce a bad smell and allergy symptoms. The so-called “black mold,” (stachybotrys) is known to release compounds that cause severe respiratory problems. The type of mold and its associated characteristics are identified through testing.
• Hire AdvantaClean of Cary/ Apex: Calling in experienced professionals will ensure that a mold issue exists and is accurately diagnosed. Determining the type of mold present is also very important in formulating the right cleanup plan and preventing future mold problems.

AdvantaClean of Cary/Apex is the team of qualified professionals to call when it comes to mold inspections, testing, and remediation. We are certified mold specialists and we use a network of laboratories and testing partners to properly identify mold problems and recommend the correct, most effective remediation plan. AdvantaClean of Cary/Apex is also IICRC certified for mold remediation and uses HEPA vacuums.

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AdvantaClean of Cary and Apex is your mold and environmental specialist in Southwest Wake, Chatham 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: AdvantaClean