4 Important Signs That Mold is Present in a Triangle Home or Business

There are approximately 30 common types of mold found in North Carolina homes and businesses that can cause health problems, and there are thousands of mold spores in the air especially as we head quickly to spring. Sometimes the mold can be seen, but many times mold is hidden in walls, under bathroom tiles, and under the carpet.

It is important to note that mold can cause health problems and should be addressed when found. Thankfully, AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary/ Apex has ways to detect and identify a suspected mold problem in the home or business.

The best and most effective way to take eliminate mold is to call AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary/ Apex. Even if there is just a suspicion of mold, our professional team can inspect and test for mold and take care of any mold problem before it gets worse. If and when mold is found, we will take a culture of the mold and test it to determine the amount within a home or business.

AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary/ Apex suggests four important signs that mold might be present in a home or building:

• Sickness and poor health symptoms: Many times, if mold is present, there will be health symptoms that include nasal and sinus congestion, cough, sore throats, chest tightness, breathing difficulties, asthma or worsening of asthma, nosebleeds, headaches, skin and eye irritations and upper respiratory tract infections.  Many of the mold symptoms resemble normal allergies or a cold. If people living in the home feel better outside or at work and the symptoms return when at home, that could be an indication of mold in the home.
• Musty odors: Mold usually has a smell to it, but that is not always the case; mold produces or gives off gasses known as microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOC). The smell that is most closely associated with mold is a musty odor. Some have compared it to the smell books get when they are wet. The wet pages are turning moldy. If there is an unusual persistent musty odor, there could be a chance mold is present.
• The physical appearance of mold: In the shower stall, mold looks different than normal soap scum. If you should see small black specs starting to form on the tiles or the shower curtain, that could be black mold starting to form. Under sinks is another place you might see mold.
• Other signs of mold: Are there continual damp spots on walls, ceilings or carpets? These areas could easily be places where mold could be growing. Other signs can include bubbling, peeling or cracking of the paint or wallpaper, or white patches under carpets, behind furniture and in cabinets.

Mold can be in plain sight or hide behind walls, under floor tiles and carpeting. Serving the entire Triangle area, Sanford, Lillington, Fayetteville and beyond, AdvantaClean of Cary/ Apex can test for mold with one simple call. If mold is found, we will safely remove the mold following proper procedures. Our experts will make certain the mold is contained and disposed of properly and on time. If mold is suspected, call us at 919-434-7249 for an inspection and test.

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AdvantaClean Environmental 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

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4 Leading Causes of Mold in the North Carolina Winter

Mold is a chronic problem that can arrive any time of year in Triangle homes and businesses. Mold is a serious issue in the North Carolina winter when moisture grows and flourishes. It can be 20 degrees one day and 70 degrees the next. Cold season roof leaks can allow water to get into attics, ceilings, and inside walls, and can often go unnoticed for a long time. The recent cold and snowy Triangle weather may have caused an abnormal accumulation of ice on the roof, resulting in water intrusion from melting. Also in winter and during extremely cold weather, any drain or water supply pipes that are susceptible to freezing can crack and leak; this can happen slowly and go undetected inside walls and ceilings. The bottom line is moisture intrusion or excessive humidity into a building can easily turn into a mold problem. When that happens, a qualified member of the AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary/Apex team is often needed.

Here are the four leading causes of mold problems during a North Carolina winter:

• Undetected roof leaks can create moisture: These leaks can occur during wet and cold weather; melting snow can easily go through the roof instead of draining away. This situation usually occurs near the edge of the roof. When this happens, water can get inside walls. Check the attic at least once a week for signs of moisture, and look for stains on walls and ceilings. Early detection of moisture can often prevent a mold problem.
• Frozen pipes can thaw quickly and leak slowly: Triangle and Central Carolina winters are often very unpredictable. It could be below freezing one day and 70 degrees the next. Most leaks may not be sudden or obvious. Those leaks can be hairline cracks as well, leaking slowly where the potential for mold growth is high. The appearance of water stains on drywall can provide clues of a problem, but these sources of moisture are often very difficult to detect. The best mold prevention is to ensure the indoor temperature is 55 degrees or higher, and that pipes are insulated.
• Condensation can occur on colder surfaces exposed to warmer indoor air: This condition can happen in unexpected areas, such as underneath carpeting on a cold floor. Condensation can also occur on the back side of drywall, wallpaper, paneling or other wall coverings, especially during the cooler weather. If these areas stay moist, mold will often develop on the surface. In many cases, there will be little or no staining or other evidence of a problem until a smell is noticed. The best prevention is air circulation and proper wall insulation.
• Plumbing connections to appliances can be a problem: Rubber, plastic, and other flexible hoses that connect washers, dishwashers, refrigerators, and other appliances to water supply plumbing are well-known areas of possible moisture any time of year. Any area near the leak can eventually accumulate excessive moisture to create mold. Periodic inspection of these connections and replacement of the flexible hoses are the best preventions.

AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary/Apex is the contractor of choice in the Triangle when it comes to correctly assessing, cleaning up a mold problem, and helping home and business owners prevent mold. Think of us as the local mold specialists. We utilize a network of laboratories and testing partners to identify mold problems, and use specialized equipment with highly trained people to do the job right and keep mold from growing and spreading.

Call us today with any mold problems; from the Southwest Wake County to Lillington to Fayetteville and beyond, we will be there when the need arises.

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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 Critical North Carolina Winter Indoor Moisture Problems

Excessive indoor moisture and humidity are well-known problems North Carolina and throughout the Southeast summer. Lack of ventilation and the constant use of air conditioning between June and October enable very humid air to become trapped indoors; this can create mold growth and other problems. However, it is important to note that high indoor humidity and moisture levels can cause even more problems during winter. Condensation can occur on cold surfaces; walls, windows, and doors that are cooled by cold outdoor air as well. If the moisture is not corrected, this can eventually cause structural damage and poor indoor air quality. It’s important for Triangle home and business owners to know about moisture and all the problems it can cause, as well as how to get indoor moisture issues fixed.

AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary/Apex offers important advice on five very common indoor moisture problems during North Carolina’s winter months:

• Condensation on windows, exterior-facing doors, and walls: Moisture occurs when warm air comes into contact with cold surfaces inside a building. Poorly insulated windows, doors, and walls are common sources. Condensation causes water to accumulate in these areas and enable mold to grow, or if undetected or not corrected over a period of time, causes important building structural components to deteriorate.
• Mold growth in moist areas: The essential ingredients for mold growth are present in most indoor environments, as mold microbes are everywhere. They only need a food source and moisture to flourish. The food source, in the form of wood products and other cellulose-rich building materials such as drywall and furniture are abundant, and moisture is often the only missing ingredient. Remember, moisture accumulates indoors and mold can grow.
• Dust mites and insects thrive in elevated humidity levels: Dust mites are known to cause allergy and asthma symptoms for many people in homes and businesses. Even if mold isn’t present within an overly humid environment, dust mites will be plentiful enough to significantly reduce indoor air quality. And the problems become more serious when mold is present.
• Crawl space enclosures and dehumidifiers: Crawl spaces can be a source of excessive indoor moisture during winter months if the ground is moist. This moisture continuously evaporates and enters the indoor air, and mold can grow if the air is warm.  AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary/Apex can detect and resolve crawl space moisture problems with encapsulations. If the problem is not so severe, running a dehumidifier may be a solution.
• The key fact to solving indoor moisture problems: Moisture sources should be identified and controlled, and relative humidity levels should be maintained in the 40 to 60 percent range. Some common moisture sources are condensation, slow plumbing leaks, poorly ventilated bathrooms, damp crawl spaces, attics, and indoor activities such as cooking.

AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary/Apex specializes in helping home and business owners improve their indoor air quality, test, remediate and eliminate mold, and encapsulate crawl spaces. We offer the best available expertise certified by multiple standards-setting organizations. Add to this the best equipment and customer service available in the Triangle, and there’s no reason not to call now to solve building moisture and indoor air quality issues.

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May you and yours have the most joyous of Christmas Seasons and Happy New Year!

AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary and Apex is the regional environmental specialist in Wake and Johnston Counties. Our team of certified professionals is ready to address all regional service needs, from the Triangle to Sanford to Lillington to Faywetteville.

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

Call 919 434 7249

AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary/Apex

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Five Leading Causes of Triangle Home and Business Water Damage

The upcoming fall and winter temperatures can bring increased potential for water damage in Triangle homes and businesses. It is also one of the busiest times of the year for people in North Carolina. Kids in the Raleigh area can now take advantage of cooler weather and the Holiday Season. In combination with the busy summer and vacations, not much attention is usually paid to certain types of building maintenance.

It is important to note that water damage from to small leaks within structural and plumbing facilities is one of the leading causes of family and business disruption and financial losses. A few simple strategies can help prevent water damage disasters and the mold that often comes afterward in these situations. AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary/Apex is the local service specialist in water damage and mold remediation. Our team has managed a variety of water damage conditions over the years.

AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary/Apex offers these five important tips for preventing water damage and mold:

• Freezing pipes and hoses can burst and start leaking when temperatures are less than 32 degrees: It does not have to get to 10 or 15 degrees to create problems. Any pipes on the outside of a building, or in unheated attics and crawl spaces, need to be insulated to prevent freezing. Garden hoses should be disconnected and drained before freezing happens, or the potential result can be damage to the plumbing inside the building.
• Locate and seal any roof, window, or siding leaks: These types of leaks tend to develop slowly and go undetected for periods of time, especially during dry and cool weather. These leaks usually become apparent with a wind driven rain event, such as a heavy rain or winter storm. An undetected leak can result in mold growth in sources like attics, crawl spaces, and inside walls. The only prevention strategy is monthly inspections to look for evidence of leaks or excessive moisture.
• Water supply hoses to appliances, sinks, and toilets need to be assessed and replaced as needed: These hoses are present nearly with dishwashers, washing machines, refrigerators, sinks, or commodes. They can slowly develop cracks and start leaking small amounts, or they can suddenly burst and create damage everywhere. A widespread recommendation is to replace appliance supply hoses at least every five years. As for sinks and toilets, regularly inspect the supply lines and shutoff valves.
• Today’s modern appliances do not last like they used to and can fail earlier than anticipated: All appliances that use water, including washers, dishwashers, and refrigerators, have internal plumbing and water valves. Due to manufacturing defects or age, usually at seven to 10 years, this internal plumbing can fail and leak. The best prevention is to replace external supply lines and regularly inspect for water leaks.
• Anywhere there is moisture, mold can grow: Mold and its food sources are present nearly everywhere in the environment, both indoors and outdoors. Moisture is the missing ingredient and with an ample supply, mold can grow and spread. Mold, on many occasions is a derivative of an acute water damage problem. It can start growing within 48 hours of any moisture.

In the unfortunate event a Triangle home or business has water or mold damage, AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary/Apex is fully qualified and capable of remediating the situation properly and quickly with the right people, equipment, and training. In addition to years of experience across Apex, Cary, Southwest Wake and beyond, we are IICRC Certified in water damage restoration and mold remediation.

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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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Five Ways to Identify and Eliminate Home and Business Odors

It’s the annual summer vacation season in North Carolina, and it has featured a very warm, humid, tropical, and rainy weather pattern across the Triangle in 2016. Some Triangle residents who headed out of town for a week or two came back to unpleasant issues when they returned from a great vacation. Walking in the door and noticing a musty or stinky smell. With all the moisture present in the air and falling from the sky in the form of heavy rains, unfortunate situations can arise for mold, sewage, and other moisture-enabled problems. When emergencies happen, something must be done quickly to find the source of the problem and eliminate it. Moisture is usually the main factor in the Triangle summer.

AdvantaClean of Cary/Apex offers five very important ways to effectively identify and eliminate indoor odors:

• The first step to eliminating odors is to find the source: The key factor isn’t just finding where the odor source is located, but what is enabling it to flourish and grow.  Sewage odors can enter a building when plumbing traps, or the deep bends underneath sink drains, become empty with lack of normal use. Most other odors are activated by moisture from a variety of causes.
• Mold is a common source or odors in North Carolina buildings: The essential ingredients for mold growth are present in nearly all buildings, in the building materials and furnishings. The missing ingredient is almost always moisture. Add enough moisture from the air, roof leaks, and plumbing leaks; and mold can multiply and spread, bringing a musty smell that lingers.
• Check the HVAC system for unusual smells or moisture intrusion: The HVAC system itself may be the source of odors due to moisture intrusion, malfunction of the drainage system for air conditioning, or just lack of cleaning and maintenance. Also, the air ducts may have accumulated mold, dust, chemical residues, or other matter over a period of time and could be spreading an odor.
• Don’t put off taking care of the problem: Mold growth and odors tend to get worse with time if not effectively eliminated, and tend to spread to other parts of a structure. Some common causes are humidity, plumbing leaks, roofing, siding, window leaks, and lack of ventilation with fresh air from outdoors. Fix these issues without delay or the problem will get worse.
• Seek the services of AdvantaClean of Cary/ Apex if the odor and moisture are not dissipating: We are always available to help home and business owners with odor and mold remediation. AdvantaClean is qualified to do the job.

AdvantaClean of Cary/Apex is the best qualified professionals when it comes to helping home and business owners with odors and anything involving mold. Our certified mold specialists utilize laboratories to properly identify mold problems and recommend the right remediation plan. AdvantaClean of Cary/ Apex is IICRC certified for mold remediation and we use HEPA vacuums to prevent mold spores from spreading. We are also certified by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) to perform qualified, expert inspection and cleaning of air ducts should the HVAC system be a source of water and odors.

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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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4 Important Reasons to Call AdvantaClean of Cary/Apex for Fire and Smoke Damage

Washer and dryer pulled from the site of a house fire

July in the Triangle can be an active one for a home or business owner. It starts with the 4^th of July, which, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), is the biggest day for fires. On this holiday, almost one-half of all fires are caused by fireworks; it’s a surprising statistic. Another fire hazard that peaks in July, especially in North Carolina is lightning. The NFPA reports that lightning-related fires during the peak months of June, July, and August are most common in the late afternoon and evening.  Barbecuing and grilling are another significant cause of home fires in the United States. If accidental fire does affect a home or business, a quick and expert response is necessary to minimize further damage and recover from the disaster.

Here are four very important reasons to call AdvantaClean of Cary/Apex for fire and smoke damage recovery:

• AdvantaClean is both qualified and knowledgeable: Our team is certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC), the widely-recognized national authority on cleaning and restoration, to clean up fire and smoke damage. We use the latest techniques and follow the very highest standards of customer care.
• AdvantaClean is always available, even on holidays: The AdvantaClean professionals are always trained and ready whenever problems happen, including holiday weekends. The soot, ash, and smoke residues from a fire start discoloring and etching various materials immediately in most cases. Water and moisture from fighting the fire can cause mold to grow and spread within 48 hours. We get right to work on those issues so they don’t become huge problems later.
• AdvantaClean knows how insurance claims adjusters work: We are very familiar with industry  processes and practices, and we will work with them to make the disaster recovery process go as trouble-free as possible for our customers. We also work for our customers to ensure that they are getting the best advice and the best remediation work for the return to normalcy. .
• AdvantaClean is an expert at eliminating mold: Too often, less experienced or less qualified restoration contractors overlook the potential for mold problems during and after cleaning up the aftermath of a fire. The water used to extinguish a fire can get into walls and crevices; this   can lead to mold growth that stays around long after the cleanup. We know where to look and what to do so future mold problems are not a lingering consequence of fire. Our experience saves time and money.
  

AdvantaClean of Cary/Apex is the best Triangle restoration contractor to choose for cleaning up fire and smoke damage, and also the water damage that often comes after a fire. Smoke residue, odors, and moisture are issues requiring immediate attention, as they get worse and become permanent with time. We know exactly what to do in terms of recovering from a fire, and we offer great customer service too.

AdvantaClean of Cary/Apex is the number one team in the Triangle to perform IICRC certified fire and water damage restoration.  Contact us today in the unfortunate event you experience a fire in 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

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AdvantaClean of Cary/Apex Offers Five Tips for Summer Vacation

A variety of potential disasters can happen when Triangle home and business owners leave their homes and offices unprotected and unprepared for a prolonged absence, even if that’s only a week or two on vacation. Some of those potential adversities can happen within the building, with plumbing connections or with appliance water supply lines on the verge of failing, but not yet showing any symptoms. With water pressure, these lines can spring a leak quite suddenly leading to water damage and subsequent mold problems. Other problems can be weather related. A sudden torrential downpour or perhaps even a week of rain; not all that uncommon in North Carolina during the summer, can cause issues to emerge. Wind is another unforeseen weather issue that can cause damage here in the Triangle. Taking a few precautions can be important to prevent plumbing and weather related mishaps. Although there are no absolutes, strategies can be put in place to ensure a return from vacation will be as trouble free as possible.

Here in the Triangle, AdvantaClean of Cary/Apex offers these five tips when taking summer vacation:

• Turn off the water supply for the entire building: This prevents nearly all mishaps related to plumbing and appliance water supply connections. With no water pressure present, leaks simply cannot occur or are very limited, causing minimal damage. Turn off the water supply to washing machines, dishwashers, and refrigerators, as these are the most likely to leak.
• Make sure the roof is in good repair and is properly draining: Various parts of the roof contain flashing and gullys that transport volumes of water during storms. Eaves and downspouts serve the same purpose. If any of these components are clogged or leaking, water can find its way into the building, causing water damage and mold problems. Inspect for problems before leaving to make sure all is in order.
• Do not turn off the air conditioning: Instead, leave it on and set it for 80 degrees. Humidity levels are high during a typical North Carolina summer. Humidity often can be sufficient enough inside a hot building that can trigger mold growth, especially if moisture from the air condenses on cooler surfaces. Air conditioning, set at 80 degrees, during periods of absences removes moisture from the air and prevents mold issues from happening.
• Look for any trees or limbs that could fall during high winds: Sometimes the thunderstorms that occur during a North Carolina summer can bring high winds, which can cause dead tree limbs and weaker trees to fall on homes and businesses. Consider trimming tall or diseased trees before leaving.
• Mold is a worst case scenario, so be sure to avoid it: All the ingredients and factors needed for mold are already in the home or business. All that is missing is moisture. Any plumbing or weather situation, if left unattended, can cause mold to grow, flourish, and spread within just 48 short hours.

AdvantaClean of Cary/Apex can help in the unfortunate event a home or business is affected by a summer vacation disaster. We are the best local remediation contractor available for cleaning up water damage and mold. In the unfortunate event a Triangle home or business is affected, we can help with getting back to normal. Give us a call 24/7 if coming back to water damage or mold problems.

AdvantaClean of Cary/Apex is the number one team of professionals in the Triangle to perform IICRC certified water damage restoration and mold remediation. Contact us 24/7 any time disaster strikes.

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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 water damage and mold remediation specialists

Call 919 434 7249

AdvantaClean

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