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.
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Summer in the Triangle means almost constant use of air conditioning systems in homes and businesses. Some components within these units can become a possible source for mold and bacteria; each is easily spread when blown into and recirculated through air ducts. To maintain healthy indoor air quality (IAQ) in the Triangle, it’s important that the HVAC system and components be inspected and cleaned about once a year. Any unusual odor, like mustiness, when the air conditioning is running, could be good indicator that something normal. Often it can be the air conditioning cooling (evaporator) coil. In addition, moisture and mold from other sources, such as a plumbing leak; may be getting into the HVAC system. These situations can occur during a hot North Carolina summer, especially in modern tightly-sealed buildings. 
Mold Removal and Water Damage 