F.A.Q.

Water repair or water cleanup is a multi-phase process. The first step is to remove all standing water from flooring, wet carpet, and other affected materials. Once the water is removed, dehumidifiers and other specialized equipment are used to dry the areas. This can take multiple days, depending on the amount of water and space involved. After the process is complete, we use moisture meters and thermal imaging cameras (when applicable) to make sure your home is thoroughly dry. Fixing water damage may also involve drywall removal, carpet cleaning, wood floor repair, odor control, air duct cleaning, and mold removal.

Full restoration consists of two major phases. The first, mitigation, consists of demolition, cleaning and drying out the structure and belongings. This phase usually takes no more than 3 – 4 days. The second phase, repairs, can range from a few days to a couple of weeks depending on the degree of damage and lead time of materials such as carpeting, cabinets, or other flooring materials. Your AdvantaClean project manager will work closely with you and your insurance company to develop a full timeline for your mitigation and repairs so that your property is back to normal as quickly as possible.

The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC ) provides a specific set of standards for fixing water damage. According to the IICRC S500 standards, water damage repair should only be done by experienced and trained technicians.These experts are equipped to swiftly carry out the appropriate water damage cleanup procedures in the event of a house flood.

The cost to clean up water damage depends on the size of the flooded area and the amount of time needed to handle the water repair. If your insurance policy covers water damage restoration, you are typically only responsible for the deductible. Due to water's rapid movement and potential for destruction, prompt water removal using the appropriate equipment is crucial to prevent further issues such as mold growth and structural damage. When done properly, fixing water damage can take several days and many man-hours to complete, which have varying costs.

• Clean water – poses no harm to people. This includes water damage caused by a sink or bathtub overflow or an appliance malfunction, such as a water heater or washing machine.
• Gray water – can cause harm and illness to people. This category includes water that has a significant amount of contamination, which can be chemical, physical, and/or biological.
• Black water – can cause severe illness to people. Black water is very unsanitary and contains pathogenic agents coming from other contaminated water sources. Black water can come from seawater, ground surface water, and sewage backups.

Water damage certainly has the potential to cause mold growth . Because mold thrives in moist environments, any place that is wet (and especially humid) is a perfect place for it to grow. If you ignore the moisture, it can begin to grow within 24-48 hours. It’s very important to take immediate action when you experience flood damage of any type!

Flood damage can be caused by a variety of factors, requiring you to find a reliable company to clean up water damage. Some of these include heavy rain storms , burst or leaky pipes and malfunctioning appliances. House floods can also occur as a result of roof leaks and from defective gutters and downspouts which can cause flood water in your basement or crawlspace.

Some signs of hidden water damage include peeling paint and wallpaper, visible mold, musty odors, and moisture or dampness in your walls, ceiling, carpet or other floorings.

The short answer: Yes. At some point in every homeowner’s life, it’s important to clean your air vents and air ducts, as they directly affect the air quality, circulation and even the energy usage in your home.

According to the NADCA, dirty air ducts can contribute to health issues like respiratory infections, autoimmune disorders or allergies because they can circulate contaminants and air pollutants throughout the home five to seven times per day.

Make sure there is space cleared around the HVAC system and the duct registers inside your home. Once that is done, the best thing you can do is stay out of the way to ensure your safety and allow the technician to complete the cleaning.

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems have been shown to be a collection source for a variety of contaminants that have the potential to affect health, such as mold, fungi, bacteria, and particles of dust. The removal of such contaminants from the HVAC system and home should be considered as one component in an overall plan to improve indoor air quality.

The most effective method of cleaning air ducts is through “Source Removal.” This requires a contractor to place the system under negative pressure through the use of a specialized, powerful vacuum. While the vacuum draws air through the system, devices are inserted into the ducts to dislodge any debris that might be stuck to interior surfaces. The debris is pulled into the vacuum and removed from the system and the home.

Antimicrobial chemicals are applied by some companies to the interior surface of the air ducts to treat microbial contamination such as fungi (mold), viruses or bacteria. Before any antimicrobial chemicals are used, the system should be thoroughly cleaned. It is critical that any antimicrobial treatment used in your system be registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) specifically for use in HVAC systems. The use of antimicrobial chemicals is considered additional and not part of a typical cleaning of air ducts.

• Verify that the company is certified by NADCA to perform proper cleaning of air ducts, is a member in good standing and properly insured.
• Make sure that the company is going to clean and visually inspect all of the air ducts and related system components.
• Ask if the company has the right equipment to effectively perform cleaning of air ducts and if the company has done work in homes similar to yours. Get references from neighbors if possible.
• Avoid advertisements for “$99 whole house specials” and other sales gimmicks.

The U.S. EPA says that “duct cleaning services typically – but not always – range in cost from $450 to $1000 per heating and cooling system, depending on the services offered, the size of the system to be cleaned, system accessibility, climatic region, and level of contamination.” The type of duct material is also taken into consideration.

Consumers should beware of air duct cleaning companies that make sweeping claims about the health benefits of cleaning air ducts – such claims are unsubstantiated. Consumers should also beware of “blow-and-go” air duct cleaning companies. These companies often charge a nominal fee and do a poor job of cleaning air ducts. These companies may also persuade the consumer into unneeded services with and/or without their permission.

NADCA does not endorse one kind of equipment over another. There are two main types of vacuum collection devices: (1) those mounted on trucks and trailers and (2) portable units. Truck/trailer mounted equipment is generally more powerful than portable equipment. However, portable equipment can often be brought directly into a facility, allowing the vacuum source to be located closer to the ductwork. Both types of equipment will clean to NADCA standards.

All vacuum units should be attached to a collection device for safe containment prior to disposal. Any vacuum collection device which exhausts indoors must be HEPA filtered.

A vacuum collection device alone will not get an HVAC system clean. The use of methods and tools designed to agitate debris adhered to the surfaces within the system, in conjunction with the use of the vacuum collection device(s), is required to clean HVAC systems. (For example, brushes, air whips and “skipper balls.”)

The best way to determine if the air duct cleaning was effective is to perform a visual inspection of the system before and after cleaning. If any dust or debris can be seen, the system should not be considered cleaned. While you can perform your own visual inspection using a flashlight and mirror, a professional cleaning contractor should be able to allow you better access to system components and perhaps the use of specialized inspection tools. In addition, following this post-cleaning checklist can help to ensure a top-quality job.

The amount of time it takes to clean a residential HVAC system depends on many variables such as the size of the home, the number of systems, the extent of the contamination and the number of HVAC cleaners performing the job. Ask at least two contractors to inspect your system and give you a time estimate. This will give you a general idea of how long the job should take as well as an idea of how thoroughly the contractor plans to do the job.

NADCA Members have signed a Code of Ethics stating they will do everything possible to protect the consumer and follow NADCA Standards for cleaning to the best of their ability. For a list of NADCA members near you, click here. Air duct cleaning companies must meet stringent requirements to become a NADCA Member. Among those requirements, all NADCA Members must have certified Air System Cleaning Specialists (ASCS) on staff, who have taken and passed the NADCA Certification Examination. Passing the exam demonstrates extensive knowledge of HVAC design and cleaning methodologies. ASCSs are also required to further their industry education by attending seminars in order to maintain their NADCA certification status.

Because radon gas does not have a scent, color, or taste, it can be difficult to detect. However, inhaling too much of it can do serious damage to your health. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Surgeon General’s Office, radon is a known carcinogen linked to lung cancer. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer, second only to smoking. Statistics show that an average of 20,000 people are killed every year because of radon poisoning.

The simple answer is yes! Because radon has no color, smell, or taste, it can be very difficult to detect. Yet, the EPA estimates one out of every 15 houses in the United States has high levels of radon gas.

Radon is measured in picocuries per liter. Anything over 4.0 pCi/L is considered elevated levels of radon while anything 2.0 pCi/L and below is considered safe.

Yes. While radon gasses can’t be seen, smelled, or tasted, their effects are easily known. An individual suffering from radon gas poisoning may suffer wheezing, chest pains, coughing blood, difficulty breathing, and other respiratory infections. Individuals suffering from radon water poisoning can experience cramps, stomach pain, digestive issues, stomach cancer, and more.

Radon issues can be dealt with either through mitigation or remediation. If you have lower levels of radon, you can take preventative measures by airing out your home and keeping it ventilated. With higher levels of radon, it is important you contact a professional.

At AdvantaClean we use advanced methods and cutting-edge technology to locate the source of the gas and remove it. Through our radon remediation services, you can breathe easier knowing your home is safe.

We can help you test for radon

Homeowners can purchase radon testing kits to conduct at home. Depending on if you use an electronic machine or a canister, it can take anywhere from 48 hours to 72 hours to do the test. It is important that before doing the test, the house is fully sealed for 12 hours. Our professionals have the tools and knowledge to perform and provide accurate results.