October 2016 - Page 5 of 15 - Home Builder Developer, Interior Renovation and Design Home Builder Developer, Interior Renovation and Design

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF HAVING YOUR AIR DUCTS CLEANED?

We at City Carpet Cleaners, believe that cleaning your air ducts is actually quite important, most companies and even homeowners dont understand just how important it is to having clean ducts. But what precisely is the benefit? The health benefits for the people who are currently making use of the space could be greatly improved, that is if the people are suffering allergies, in any case youre less likely to actually contract a harmful disease.

After you hire City Carpet Cleaners youll quickly find out that there are no cleaning crews like ours, we know how to get the job done, and were considered one of Houstons most highly rated cleaners. But, were in no way healthcare specialists, and we understand that cleaning your air ducts might not affect your health in any positive way. Nevertheless, youll always have to consider if the indoor air quality is actually decreasing.

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Your air ducts can harbor mold, mildew and all kinds of other undesirables, and those unwelcome particulates can make their way into the air you breathe every time you turn on your air conditioner or heater. If you're living in Atlanta, there's great news: Kiwi air duct cleaning services and their 30 years of experience within the industry can help with pet dander, allergy issues and more.

Clean air ducts mean clean, breathable air in your home. Kiwi air duct cleaning Atlanta uses high-powered, commercial-strength vacuums with fixed brushes to remove dirt and debris from your home's air ducts. That means you and your family don't have to worry about airborne contaminants polluting the air you breathe while you're at home.

Kiwi's air duct cleaning process is incredibly thorough. Our total-system special air duct cleaning ensures that every corner of your air handling system is free from mold and mildew, as well as free from dust, dirt and debris.

If your heating and cooling system isn't new, or if it has been exposed to humidity or moisture, you may need a professional air duct cleaning right away. Unfortunately, some Atlanta homes have heating and cooling systems that aren't installed properly; systems that are poorly put-together can harbor even more contaminants and cause more problems, so those need more frequent cleanings as well.

Polluted air is often a direct result of moisture in your heating and cooling system. A damp environment is the ideal place for trapped dirt and debris to harbor mold and mildew.

Moisture sneaks into your air ducts from humidity, the presence of any amount of water, and even the ordinary condensation that comes with normal temperature fluctuations. When mold grows in your air ducts, it releases tiny spores into the air; these spores travel right through your air ducts and land in your home. They can take root on your furniture, causing odors and damage, or creep down your walls and cause discoloration. Mold spores can become embedded in your carpets or get sprinkled all over your bed. Worst of all, you're breathing them in all day, every day.

When mold spores land, they don't die. They keep growing. These difficult little spores can be the root of allergies and serious health problems.

Clean air is best for healthy people and those with compromised immune systems; in fact, people with compromised immune systems are most vulnerable to mold sensitivity.

Since 1987, Kiwi has been providing all sorts of cleaning services. Our expert technicians will evaluate your air duct system and choose one of many methods to perform the most in-depth cleaning. We also use antimicrobial treatments that prevent mold from taking up residence in your duct system, and we guarantee against it for two years after your service. An additional 30-day clean carpet guarantee on our services will keep you doubly safe. The end result: clean, debris-free and soot-free air ducts that can't harbor mold, mildew or dangerous bacteria. Call us at 770-573-6079 so we can help you and your family breathe easier.

KIWI Air Duct Cleaning Atlanta, GA 30302, 30303, 30304, 31195, 31196, 39901 770-573-6079

John M. (Atlanta, GA, 30311) "We used Kiwi for air duct cleaning twice in the past and we were very pleased with the services they provided. The technicians were knowledgeable, answered our questions about the procedures and they did a thorough job. We have invited them to our home for the third time to clean our air ducts again."

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Air Duct Cleaning in Atlanta Kiwi Services

Ducts are used in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) to deliver and remove air. The needed airflows include, for example, supply air, return air, and exhaust air.[1]Ducts commonly also deliver ventilation air as part of the supply air. As such, air ducts are one method of ensuring acceptable indoor air quality as well as thermal comfort.

A duct system is also called ductwork. Planning (laying out), sizing, optimizing, detailing, and finding the pressure losses through a duct system is called duct design.[2]

Ducts can be made out of the following materials:

Galvanized mild steel is the standard and most common material used in fabricating ductwork because the zinc coating of this metal prevents rusting and avoids cost of painting. For insulation purposes, metal ducts are typically lined with faced fiberglass blankets (duct liner) or wrapped externally with fiberglass blankets (duct wrap). When called for, a double walled duct is used. This will usually have an inner perforated liner, then a 12" layer of fiberglass insulation contained inside an outer solid pipe.

Rectangular ductwork commonly is fabricated to suit by specialized metal shops. For ease of handling, it most often comes in 4' sections (or joints). Round duct is made using a continuous spiral forming machine which can make round duct in nearly any diameter when using the right forming die and to any length to suite, but the most common stock sizes range evenly from 4" to 24" with 6"-12" being most commonly used. Stock pipe is usually sold in 10' joints. There are also 5' joints of non-spiral type pipe available, which is commonly used in residential applications.

Aluminium ductwork is lightweight and quick to install. Also, custom or special shapes of ducts can be easily fabricated in the shop or on site.

The ductwork construction starts with the tracing of the duct outline onto the aluminium preinsulated panel. The parts are then typically cut at 45, bent if required to obtain the different fittings (i.e. elbows, tapers) and finally assembled with glue. Aluminium tape is applied to all seams where the external surface of the aluminium foil has been cut. A variety of flanges are available to suit various installation requirements. All internal joints are sealed with sealant.

Aluminum is also used to make round spiral duct, but it is much less common than galvanized steel.

Traditionally, air ductwork is made of sheet metal which was installed first and then lagged with insulation. Today, a sheet metal fabrication shop would commonly fabricate the galvanized steel duct and insulate with duct wrap prior to installation. However, ductwork manufactured from rigid insulation panels does not need any further insulation and can be installed in a single step. Both polyurethane and phenolic foam panels are manufactured with factory applied aluminium facings on both sides. The thickness of the aluminium foil can vary from 25 micrometres for indoor use to 200 micrometres for external use or for higher mechanical characteristics. There are various types of rigid polyurethane foam panels available, including a water formulated panel for which the foaming process is obtained through the use of water and CO2 instead of CFC, HCFC, HFC and HC gasses. Most manufacturers of rigid polyurethane or phenolic foam panels use pentane as foaming agent instead of the aforementioned gasses.

A rigid phenolic insulation ductwork system is listed as a class 1[clarification needed] air duct to UL 181 Standard for Safety.

Fiberglass duct board panels provide built-in thermal insulation and the interior surface absorbs sound, helping to provide quiet operation of the HVAC system.

The duct board is formed by sliding a specially-designed knife along the board using a straightedge as a guide. The knife automatically trims out a groove with 45 sides which does not quite penetrate the entire depth of the duct board, thus providing a thin section acting as a hinge. The duct board can then be folded along the groove to produce 90 folds, making the rectangular duct shape in the fabricator's desired size. The duct is then closed with outward-clinching staples and special aluminum or similar metal-backed tape.

Flexible ducts (also known as flex) are typically made of flexible plastic over a metal wire coil to shape a tube. They have a variety of configurations. In the United States, the insulation is usually glass wool, but other markets such as Australia, use both polyester fibre and glass wool for thermal insulation. A protective layer surrounds the insulation, and is usually composed of polyethylene or metalised PET. It is commonly sold boxes containing 25' of duct compressed into a 5' length. It is available in diameters ranging from as small as 4" to as big as 18", but the most commonly used are even sizes ranging from 6" to 12".

Flexible duct is very convenient for attaching supply air outlets to the rigid ductwork. It is commonly attached with long zip ties or metal band claps. However, the pressure loss is higher than for most other types of ducts. As such, designers and installers attempt to keep their installed lengths (runs) short, e.g. less than 15 feet or so, and try to minimize turns. Kinks in flexible ducting must be avoided. Some flexible duct markets prefer to avoid using flexible duct on the return air portions of HVAC systems, however flexible duct can tolerate moderate negative pressures. The UL181 test requires a negative pressure of 200 Pa.

This is actually an air distribution device and is not intended as a conduit for conditioned air. The term fabric duct is therefore somehow misleading; fabric air dispersion system would be the more definitive name. However, as it often replaces hard ductwork, it is easy to perceive it simply as a duct. Usually made of polyester material, fabric ducts can provide a more even distribution and blending of the conditioned air in a given space than a conventional duct system. They may also be manufactured with vents or orifices.

Fabric ducts are available in various colours, with options for silk screening or other forms of decoration, or in porous (air-permeable) and non-porous fabric. The determination which fabric is appropriate (i.e. air-permeable or not) can be made by considering if the application would require an insulated metal duct. If so, an air-permeable fabric is recommended because it will not commonly create condensation on its surface and can therefore be used where air is supplied below the dew point. Material that eliminates moisture may be healthier for the occupants. It can also be treated with an anti-microbial agent to inhibit bacterial growth. Porous material also tends to require less maintenance as it repels dust and other airborne contaminants.

Fabric made of more than 50% recycled material is also available, allowing it to be certified as green product. The material can also be fire retardant, which means that the fabric can still burn, but will extinguish when the heat source is removed.

Fabric ducts are not rated for use in ceilings or concealed attic spaces. However, products for use in raised floor applications are available. Fabric ducting usually weighs less than other conventional ducting and will therefore put less stress on the building's structure. The lower weight allows for easier installation.

Fabric ducts requires a minimum of certain range of airflow and static pressure in order for it to work.

The finish for external ductwork exposed to the weather can be sheet steel coated with aluminium or an aluminium/zinc alloy, a multilayer laminate, a fibre reinforced polymer or other waterproof coating.

Besides the ducts themselves, complete ducting systems contain many other components.

A duct system often begins at an air handler. The blowers in the air handler can create substantial vibration, and the large area of the duct system would transmit this noise and vibration to the inhabitants of the building. To avoid this, vibration isolators (flexible sections) are normally inserted into the duct immediately before and after the air handler. The rubberized canvas-like material of these sections allows the air handler to vibrate without transmitting much vibration to the attached ducts. The same flexible section can reduce the noise that can occur when the blower engages and positive air pressure is introduced to the ductwork.

Downstream of the air handler, the supply air trunk duct will commonly fork, providing air to many individual air outlets such as diffusers, grilles, and registers. When the system is designed with a main duct branching into many subsidiary branch ducts, fittings called take-offs allow a small portion of the flow in the main duct to be diverted into each branch duct. Take-offs may be fitted into round or rectangular openings cut into the wall of the main duct. The take-off commonly has many small metal tabs that are then bent to attach the take-off to the main duct. Round versions are called spin-in fittings. Other take-off designs use a snap-in attachment method, sometimes coupled with an adhesive foam gasket for improved sealing. The outlet of the take-off then connects to the rectangular, oval, or round branch duct.

Ducts, especially in homes, must often allow air to travel vertically within relatively thin walls. These vertical ducts are called stacks and are formed with either very wide and relatively thin rectangular sections or oval sections. At the bottom of the stack, a stack boot provides a transition from an ordinary large round or rectangular duct to the thin wall-mounted duct. At the top, a stack head can provide a transition back to ordinary ducting while a register head allows the transition to a wall-mounted air register.

Ducting systems must often provide a method of adjusting the volume of air flow to various parts of the system. Volume control dampers (VCDs; not to be confused with smoke/fire dampers) provide this function. Besides the regulation provided at the registers or diffusers that spread air into individual rooms, dampers can be fitted within the ducts themselves. These dampers may be manual or automatic. Zone dampers provide automatic control in simple systems while variable air volume (VAV) allows control in sophisticated systems.

Smoke and fire dampers are found in ductwork where the duct passes through a firewall or firecurtain.

Smoke dampers are driven by a motor, referred to as an actuator. A probe connected to the motor is installed in the run of the duct and detects smoke, either in the air which has been extracted from or is being supplied to a room, or elsewhere within the run of the duct. Once smoke is detected, the actuator will automatically close the smoke damper until it is manually re-opened.

Fire dampers can be found in the same places as smoke dampers, depending on the application of the area after the firewall. Unlike smoke dampers, they are not triggered by any electrical system (which is an advantage in case of an electrical failure where the smoke dampers would fail to close). Vertically mounted fire dampers are gravity operated, while horizontal fire dampers are spring powered. A fire damper's most important feature is a mechanical fusible link which is a piece of metal that will melt or break at a specified temperature. This allows the damper to close (either from gravity or spring power), effectively sealing the duct, containing the fire, and blocking the necessary air to burn.

Turning vanes are installed inside of ductwork at changes of direction (e.g. at 90 turns) in order to minimize turbulence and resistance to the air flow. The vanes guide the air so it can follow the change of direction more easily.

Plenums are the central distribution and collection units for an HVAC system. The return plenum carries the air from several large return grilles (vents) or bell mouths to a central air handler. The supply plenum directs air from the central unit to the rooms which the system is designed to heat or cool. They must be carefully planned in ventilation design.[why?]

While single-zone constant air volume systems typically do not have these, multi-zone systems often have terminal units in the branch ducts. Usually there is one terminal unit per thermal zone. Some types of terminal units are VAV boxes (single or dual duct), fan-powered mixing boxes (in parallel or series arrangement), and induction terminal units. Terminal units may also include a heating or cooling coil.

Air terminals are the supply air outlets and return or exhaust air inlets. For supply, diffusers are most common, but grilles, and for very small HVAC systems (such as in residences) registers are also used widely. Return or exhaust grilles are used primarily for appearance reasons, but some also incorporate an air filter and are known as filter returns.[3]

The position of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is that "If no one in your household suffers from allergies or unexplained symptoms or illnesses and if, after a visual inspection of the inside of the ducts, you see no indication that your air ducts are contaminated with large deposits of dust or mold (no musty odor or visible mold growth), having your air ducts cleaned is probably unnecessary."[4] A thorough duct cleaning done by a professional duct cleaner will remove dust, cobwebs, debris, pet hair, rodent hair and droppings, paper clips, calcium deposits, children's toys, and whatever else might collect inside. Ideally, the interior surface will be shiny and bright after cleaning. Insulated fiber glass duct liner and duct board can be cleaned with special non-metallic bristles. Fabric ducting can be washed or vacuumed using typical household appliances.

Duct cleaning may be personally justifiable for that very reason: occupants may not want to have their house air circulated through a duct passage that is not as clean as the rest of the house. However, duct cleaning will not usually change the quality of the breathing air, nor will it significantly affect airflows or heating costs.

Cleaning of the duct system may be necessary if:

In commercial settings, regular inspection of ductwork is recommended by several standards. One standard recommends inspecting supply ducts every 12 years, return ducts every 12 years, and air handling units annually.[5] Another recommends visual inspection of internally lined ducts annually[6] Duct cleaning should be based on the results of those inspections.

Inspections are typically visual, looking for water damage or biological growth.[5][6][7] When visual inspection needs to be validated numerically, a vacuum test (VT) or deposit thickness test (DTT) can be performed. A duct with less than 0.75mg/100m2 is considered to be clean, per the NADCA standard.[7] A Hong Kong standard lists surface deposit limits of 1g/m2 for supply and return ducts and 6g/m2 for exhaust ducts, or a maximum deposit thickness of 60m in supply and return ducts, and 180m for exhaust ducts.[8] Another UK standard recommends ducts cleaning if measured bacterial content is more than 29 colony forming units (CFU) per 10cm2; contamination is classified as "low" below 10 CFU/cm2, "medium" at up to 20 CFU/cm2, and "high" when measured above 20 CFU/cm2.[9]

Air pressure combined with air duct leakage can lead to a loss of energy in a HVAC system. Sealing leaks in air ducts reduces air leakage, optimizes energy efficiency, and controls the entry of pollutants into the building. Before sealing ducts it is imperative to ensure the total external static pressure of the duct work, and if equipment will fall within the equipment manufacturer's specifications. If not, higher energy usage and reduced equipment performance may result.

Commonly available duct tape should not be used on air ducts (metal, fiberglass, or otherwise) that are intended for long-term use. The adhesive on so called duct tape dries and releases with time. A more common type of duct sealant is a water-based paste that is brushed or sometimes sprayed on the seams when the duct is built. Building codes and UL standards call for special fire-resistant tapes, often with foil backings and long lasting adhesives.

Signs of leaky or poorly performing air ducts include:

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Duct (flow) - Wikipedia

Have you found yourself or family members more prone to allergic reactions and flare-ups recently? Does it always seem like you have nasal irritations, throat congestion or watery eyes?

If so, you might be inhaling pollutants while inside the safety of your own home and not be aware of it. Your ventilation system could be breeding ground for dust mites and a receptacle for millions of dust particles, pollen, dander, mold and mildew spores. When you inhale the air inside your house you also inhale these contaminants, making you that much more susceptible to respiratory illnesses and allergy flare-ups.

This increased concentration of dust in your ventilation systems can lead to the environment inside your home being up to 100 times more polluted than the outside environment. Whether youre at home, at school, in a mall or any other enclosed space the air contains contaminants that are invisible to the naked eye.

Atlanta Air Experts crew get to work cleaning the entire system, not just vacuuming around the registers and vents. Our crew uses patented equipment to reach through the vents and right in to the ductwork. No part of the system is left untouched, and all dust and grime is sucked out and collected back into the equipment for disposal..

We follow this vacuuming process by using an EPA registered fog agent that kills all traces of germs and bacteria, mold and mildew spores that may still be lurking deep inside your system. Now the air in your home is fresh, clean and pure - the way it should be!

Most homeowners don't know that they need routine air duct cleanings. When was the last time you had maintenance done on the air ducts in your Dallas home? If you can't remember, chances are good that they're filled with dust, lint, mildew or even mold. Kiwi has been in business for 28 years, and air ducts are one of our specialties.

Every home in Dallas needs a periodic air duct cleaning to address the:

Sneeze. Cough. Wheeze. That's what the home of an allergy sufferer sounds like around the clock. In Dallas, where allergens are prevalent nearly all year, it's usually advisable to have routine air duct cleanings. People who have lung conditions and breathing difficulties, including asthma, can benefit from frequent cleanings because they help to prevent the spread of contaminants.

The Kiwi air duct cleaning process is intensive. It includes a complete cleaning, an application of antimicrobial treatment, and filter installation. However, not every home needs a full-system cleaning. Some homes simply need individual ducts vacuumed and cleaned out, an application of antimicrobial treatment and an overall brushing-up. We also offer dryer vent cleaning that can mitigate the risk of fire and help your machine perform more efficiently.

Our services will help remove allergens, odors, mold and mildew from your Dallas-area home. When your air ducts are cleaned, you'll even enjoy lower energy bills and save money on future repairs. It makes sense to get your air ducts cleaned periodically, but only if you hire Dallas' best.

We back our full-system air duct cleaning with a two-year antimicrobial guarantee, which protects you from the regrowth of mold and mildew for a full 24 months.

Our intensive air duct cleaning treatments lift dirt and debris from the nooks and crannies of your system. We'll clean all of the air handling components in your system and then wash all of your vent covers by hand. We'll vacuum out all of the undesirables nesting in your air duct system, and then we'll apply our people-friendly, pet-friendly antimicrobial solution. Our experts will clean all of the vent areas, as well as your filter, and we'll replace everything when we're done.

Call us at 214-379-4903 and our Dallas air duct cleaning team will be happy to schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience.

Air Duct License # TACLBO15148E

KIWI Air Duct Cleaning 17304 Preston Rd Ste 800 Dallas, TX 75252 214-379-4903

Kelly B. (Dallas, TX, 75238) "I had Kiwi out to clean my air vents and they were very professional, showed up when they said they would, and did a very thorough job! So much so that I am having them out again!" View Larger Map

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Advanced Furnace & Air Duct Cleaning Serving All of New Jersey for Over 50 Years!

Are you sneezing in your home? Do you have to dust your furniture all the time? Looking for professional duct cleaning NJ? Advanced Air Duct Cleaning a NJ based company is the answer. A proper duct cleaning is more than a basic vacuuming. Learn More

A healthier, more productive workplace. A healthy business starts with the quality of air your employees and customers breathe. If your workplace furnace, air conditioning system and vents arent clear, youll pay the price with more employee sick time, fewer customers and costly OSHA fines. We can help. Learn More

Heavy-duty air cleaning. For large-scale industrial projects, Advanced Furnace & Air Duct Cleaning NJ has the experience, equipment and technology needed to get the job done. We have extensive experience in cleaning dust collection systems and superstructureswith the capacity to successfully service a 40-story building! Learn More

We take pride in our reputation and our quality of work reflects this. As specialists in duct cleaning and odor removal and have served the insurance restoration industry with unparalleled professional service since 1964. We show up on time and perform our job quickly and efficiently. We have cleaned over 38,000 homes affected by mold, fires, floods, soot, sewage back-ups, mold, tear gas and fire extinguisher dust. We are members of NADCA (National Air Duct Cleaners Association), IAQA (the Indoor Air Quality Association), and HFMSNJ (The Healthcare Facilities Management Society of New Jersey). Learn More

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Community Q&A

Indoor air ducts need regular cleaning to ensure top performance and effectiveness. Unclean air ducts can harbor viruses, bacteria, and other germ potential, which can harm your health. Moreover, grime and dirt build-up flowing through your indoor air ducts can circulate particles that are potentially damaging or dirtying for your furniture, electronics, and clothing.

1

Prepare a cleaning bucket. Use a small ice cream container or a mini bucket. Fill with warm water and dish detergent. Fill a spray bottle with vinegar. And have mold removal spray on hand in case. Select several rags and find your vacuum cleaner and a flashlight. Place all of these items within reach so that you can use them easily.

2

Locate the air ducts in your home. Some homes have vents high on the walls, others have them located at the base of the walls. Some vents might be located in unusual places; have a good check around to find all of them. Plan to clean each one of these in systematic fashion. Check for anything underneath the duct, such as furniture, hanging pictures, carpet or rugs, decorative items, etc. and move them out of the way or cover them so that they don't get dust, etc. landing on them.

3

Take off the cover for each air duct as you go. The method for doing this will depend on the type of air duct that you have some can be levered off, some need to be screwed off, and some slide off. Consult the manufacturer's instructions if you're not sure.

4

Set up a stable surface to stand on if your vent is high. A ladder, step-stool, stable chair, etc. Make sure that the item is sitting flat and does not wobble under your weight.

5

Use the nozzle of the vacuum cleaner to remove loose dust, fluff, particles, etc. that have built up in the vent corridor. If your vacuum cleaner is heavy and the vent is high up, have someone else hold the vacuum so that you only have to concentrate on the nozzle and cleaning.

6

Using the rag, wipe down the inside walls of the vent area with the warm water and detergent mix. Use the flashlight to check for mold if there is any present, wipe down with the vinegar and if that doesn't do the trick, spray with the mold killing solution, following its instructions. Use a paper towel to clean up after wiping. Allow to dry.

7

Replace the vent cover. Move on to the next vent until all are completed.

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Enviro-Clean, New Englands Mold and Indoor Air QualitySpecialist, is one of the most experienced and highly-respected mold remediation and consulting firms in New England. Well give you an accurate assessment of the situation and recommend the most cost-effective method of returning your home or building to a healthy and safe condition.

The truth is, mold is an essential part of our eco-system. Think of it as natures garbage disposal. And mold remediation regulations about mold are nothing new theyve been around since the time of Moses (Check out Leviticus 14:33-55).

We do know that mold indoors can create problems. It affects air quality and can cause health problems for people who are sensitive. Those reactions have too many variables to quantify acceptable exposure, and vary based on ones age or health, the type of mold, the severity of mold, the length or frequency of exposure to the mold, and ones general health. We like to say, different molds affect different people in different ways.

A really great resource is the EPAand their guidelines. They even have steps to clean yourself. Please use caution, we do recommend at least an inspectionto help determine if professional remediation would be recommended. And no worries, we will be the first to offer advice on how to clean yourself if appropriate!

Enviro-Clean project managers have been thoroughly trained and certified and meet all the standards of the leading industry associations includingtheIICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification), RIA (Restoration Industry Association), and IAQA (Indoor Air Quality Association).

Enviro-Clean project managers are available for inspection and consultationby appointment through our websiteor by calling our office to schedule 888-231-3130.

Using the latest technology in diagnostic tools, they are able to develop an accurate remediation plan as well as help identify the cause and origin of the mold and recommend preventive measures.

After the inspection is complete, they will review their findings and provide a written report and, in certain cases, a written proposal for professional remediation. Scopes of work can vary significantly depending on the size of the affected space, cause of the mold and moisture and others.

Sampling is often misunderstood and is only sometimes part of the inspection process. In general, we like to compare the indoor air quality to the outdoor air. This technique, however, is flawed. Depending on the time of year, weather conditions, and location of property, the outside levels of mold can vary significantly. But, as a general rule of thumb, an outdoor sample gives a good control basis.

The important part comes from the indoor samples. Comparing the indoor samples to one another as well as the outdoor sample. Most important, however, is looking at specific species for similarities or discrepancies.

For example only:

Mold Type

Kitchen

Basement

Bedroom

Outdoor

A mold

1000

3000

500

3000

B mold

1000

2000

800

12000

C mold

1000

6000

600

100

Total

3000

11000

1900

15100

If one just looks at the total mold spores, it will show that we have more mold found outdoors than indoors and at first glance that might tell someone that the air indoors is cleaner than outside. But look at Mold C. The basement reads 6000 mold spores where outside it is only 100. Depending on the type of mold, say mold C is Stachybotris, that would tell us that there is likely a mold concern in the basement that requires some level of remediation.

This is just one example of how interpreting data is important and can be easily misinterpreted.

First, bleach is not a cleaner for mold. Dont use it. It is dangerous and ineffective. The only time Enviro-Cleanmight recommend the use of bleach would be for aesthetics on stained wood. Otherwise, bleachis not an effective agent to remediate mold.

Enviro-Clean Mold removal and remediation services adhere to protocols that exceed the strict standards of the Environmental Protection Agency; the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning & Restoration Certification; and the New York City Department of Health.

We use sophisticated methods to contain the mold-affected area. Six millimeter polyethylene sheeting is installed, and HEPA-filtered negative pressure machines provide a minimum of four air exchanges per hour, preventing cross contamination of unaffected areas.

Our certified and trained technicians physically remove contaminated porous and semi-porous materials such as drywall, carpeting and somewood surfaces. Then the contained area is HEPA-vacuumed, scrubbed or sanded, and disinfected withan EPA-registered anti-microbial solution.

After disinfection, Enviro-Clean can encapsulate wood surfaces, attics, or other affected areas using a Fiberlock 6100 which prevents mold from recurring, and comes with a 10-year written warranty.an EPA-registered anti-microbial solution.

Each project is different and may require a unique or different solution that best fits your situation. Please call 866-530-MOLD to discuss other methods and techniques.

Mold within a commercial building presents problems that can affect employee health and productivity. Employees suffering from asthma or other respiratory ailments due to poor indoor air quality incur more sick time than healthy employees. If sick building syndrome is effecting your workplace, call the mold experts at Enviro-Clean.

In addition to conventional mold remediation techniques, our mold experts are trained in the use of baking soda blasting and dry ice blasting.

We will recommend the most cost-effective solutions to your particular problems.

Mold is a fungus that can be found both indoors and outdoors. No one knows how many species of mold exist but estimates range from tens of thousands to perhaps three hundred thousand different kinds of mold. Mold grows best in warm, damp, and humid conditions, and spread and reproduce by making mold spores. Mold spores can survive harsh environmental conditions, such as dry conditions, that do not support normal mold growth. Some of the common forms of indoor mold species are Cladosporium, Penicillium, Alternaria and Aspergillus.

Mold occurs naturally, and is found everywhere. When abnormally high concentrations of mold are found indoors, problems result. There are four major elements that contribute to indoor mold growth:

Food Source- mold feeds on all sorts of cellulose materials such as wood, fabrics, wall paper, and other materials commonly found in the home.

Temperature- mold thrives in temperatures between 40 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

Oxygen- Although mold needs air, it grows best in areas of poor ventilation.

Water- mold needs water, moisture or high humidity in order to grow. This is the most critical element to control to prevent mold contamination.

Mold spores can migrate through the air, through water, and can hitch a ride on a host, such as humans and their clothing. Airborne mold spores will follow air currents created by normal movements of family members from one room to another, and up and down stairs.

Mold spores release mycotoxins into the air, which are inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Some people are particularly sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can cause symptoms such as nasal congestion, eye irritation, wheezing, or skin irritation. People with severe allergies, or those exposed to large amounts of mold, may have more severe reactions. Severe reactions may include fever and shortness of breath. Some people with chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs.

Molds are found in virtually every environment and can be detected, both indoors and outdoors, year round. Mold growth is encouraged by warm and humid conditions. Outdoors they can be found in shady, damp areas or places where leaves or other vegetation is decomposing. Indoors they can be found where humidity levels are high. Places where mold exposures are usually high include unvented bathrooms, saunas, antique shops, florist shops, greenhouses, farms, summer cottages, mills, etc.

When we come to your home or business, our technician will perform a comprehensive inspection, not just a cursory look. You will get a thorough and honest assessment of what we find (or dont find). What you wont get is a sales pitch. Many times there is no need for professional mold remediation, and in those cases we will show you how you can clean the mold yourself. The inspection fee merely covers our cost of providing that service to you. However, when professional remediation is recommended, the cost of the inspection will be deducted from our written proposal and estimate.

We feel our customers should receive a real consultation, not a sales pitch, which is why we charge for our time.There are many instances where an estimate may not be warranted and because our customers have paid for our time onsite, there is no pressure just a thorough and honest assessment of what we find (or dont find). However, in a case when our project manager does recommend professional remediation, we will provide a written proposal and estimate. And in this scenario, we will credit the inspection fee into the estimate should the customer choose to hire us to perform the mold remediation.

If you believe your children are ill because of exposure to mold in their school, first consult their health care provider to determine the appropriate medical action to take. Contact the schools administration to express your concern and to ask that they remove the mold and prevent future mold growth. If needed, you could also contact the local school board. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is not a regulatory agency and does not have enforcement authority in local matters. Your local health department may also have information on mold, and you may want to get in touch with your state Indoor Air Quality office.

If you believe you are ill because of exposure to mold in the building where you work, you should first consult your health care provider to determine the appropriate action to take to protect your health. Notify your employer and, if applicable, your union representative about your concern so that your employer can take action to clean up and prevent mold growth. To find out more about mold, remediation of mold, or workplace safety and health guidelines and regulations, you may also want to contact your local (city, county, or state) health department.

You should also read the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Guidelines, Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings, athttp://www.epa.gov/mold/moldguide.html

If you feel your property owner, landlord, or builder has not been responsive to concerns youve expressed regarding mold exposure, you can contact your local board of health or housing authority. Applicable codes, insurance, inspection, legal, and similar issues about mold generally fall under state and local (not federal) jurisdiction. You could also review your lease and contact local or state government authorities, your insurance company, or an attorney to learn more about local codes and regulations and your legal rights.

You should first consult a family or general health care provider who will decide whether you need referral to a specialist. Such specialists might include an allergist who treats patients with mold allergies or an infectious disease physician who treats mold infections. If an infection is in the lungs, a pulmonary physician might be recommended. Patients who have been exposed to molds in their workplace may be referred to an occupational physician.

Biocides are substances that can destroy living organisms. The use of a chemical or biocide that kills organisms such as mold (chlorine bleach, for example) is not recommended as a routine practice during mold cleanup. There may be instances, however, when professional judgment may indicate its use (for example, when immune-compromised individuals are present). In most cases, it is not possible or desirable to sterilize an area; a background level of mold spores will remain - these spores will not grow if the moisture problem has been resolved.

If you choose to use disinfectants or biocides, always ventilate the area and exhaust the air to the outdoors. Never mix chlorine bleach solution with other cleaning solutions or detergents that contain ammonia because toxic fumes could be produced.

Please note: Dead mold may still cause allergic reactions in some people, so it is not enough to simply kill the mold, it must also be removed.

Sensitive individuals should avoid areas that are likely to have mold, such as compost piles, cut grass, and wooded areas. Inside homes, mold growth can be slowed by keeping humidity levels between 40% and 60%, and ventilating showers and cooking areas. If there is mold growth in your home, you should clean up the mold and fix the water or humidity problem. Mold growth can often be removed from hard surfaces with commercial products or even soap and water.

Specific Recommendations:

Keep the humidity level in the house between 40% and 60%.

Use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier during humid months.

Be sure the home has adequate ventilation, including exhaust fans.

Add mold inhibitors to paints before application.

Clean bathrooms with mold cleaning products.

Do not carpet bathrooms and basements.

Remove or replace previously soaked carpets and upholstery.

Handle water damage immediately - refer to a professional mitigation company.

If you see mold in your home or workplace, call a Mold Remediation Specialist to evaluate the extent of the problem and to offer a course of action. If you are experiencing a musty odor accompanied by dampness in your basement, you may have mold. To be sure, call a Mold Remediation Specialist, a Certified Industrial Hygienist or an Indoor Air Quality Consultant to perform air tests for mold. Remember, if you have had a flooding situation which has not be properly or thoroughly dried, you can expect a mold problem within 48 hours of the event.

Enviro-Clean received a call from a homeowner who had discovered a mold problem in her house. Upon inspecting the home, Eric Anderson found extensive mold growth throughout the kitchen and dining area, bathroom, and the stairwell leading to the second floor. Upon further examination he found black mold growing behind vinyl wallpaper in the finished basement, as well as in the childrens toy closet. It was apparent that the mold had migrated from the basement area to other parts of the house following primary traffic patterns.

In conversations with the homeowner he learned that there had been a flood in the basement approximately 1 to 2 years earlier. The homeowner submitted a claim to her insurance carrier, and received a $2,000 settlement. However, she opted to dry the wet area herself with a wet vac rather than hire a professional cleaning company.

Eric suggested that the homeowner call her insurance carrier regarding the mold problem, which she did. The insurance carrier brought in an environmental engineer who, after inspecting the premises, confirmed Enviro-Cleans findings.

Enviro-Clean was hired to remove the mold from the house which was done successfully for a total cost of $32,455. Additionally, the insurance company paid the homeowners contractor $107,000 for follow-up repairs.

The moral of the story? Proper and thorough drying at the time of the flood would have saved the homeowner a great deal of anxiety and inconvenience, and would have saved the insurance carrier almost $140,000.

A fuel oil spill in a Centerville, MA residence required that utilities be shut off, including the climate control utility. As a result, fungus spread throughout the entire house. Mold became visible on the bedding, kitchen cabinets, ceilings, floors, even on the childrens toys.

Enviro-Clean was contracted byVertex Engineeringto remediate the residence. Vertex is known for their intense scrutiny in post-testing procedures and will not hesitate to order a re-clean. Enviro-Clean cleaned everything from the ceilings to pins inside baseboard heating. Enviro-Clean even used toothbrushes to deep-clean the louvers on the closet doors.

Enviro-Clean was onsite for the post test performed by Vertex. Vertex walked through the residence with an industrial Halogen Lamp and several pairs of white gloves. They also performed air sampling. Before the conclusion of the post-test, the Vertex engineer examined the stove, and to his surprise, Enviro-Clean had even cleaned underneath the stove, in the stove and every other appliance in the home. Without a doubt, Enviro-Clean passed the post-test with flying colors.

A general contractor called Enviro-Clean for help with a severe mold problem in a 10-bedroom estate in Exeter, Rhode Island. The home, a 1930s era fieldstone and frame structure had been closed up for 10 months of the year. High humidity during the previous summer created an ideal environment for mold spores to multiply.

Upon arrival, Enviro-Cleans technicians found visible mold growing on walls and other surfaces in nearly every room in the house. Air currents helped billions of airborne mold spores travel freely throughout the structure, creating fast-growing colonies wherever it found moisture and a food source wood, fabrics, and even dust.

After the air quality was tested by a microbiologist, the process of removing the mold from the contaminated areas of the home was started immediately. As the technicians, outfitted with OSHA-required protective suits and respirators, worked in the sealed-off areas of contamination, negative air units were used to prevent the spread of mold into non-contaminated areas, while HEPA vacuums and air scrubbers ensured that the clean areas would remain clean while the work progressed.

When the mold removal process was complete, there was no sign of mold anywhere in the house. A post-remediation air quality test by the microbiologist showed that the house was, indeed, clean and free of mold and microtoxins. The project was a complete success, extending Enviro-Cleans 100% success rate.

The owners were thrilled with the speed, thoroughness and professionalism of the Enviro-Clean crew.

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Mold in your home or place of business can cause health problems and lower the value of your property. The certified mold remediation professionals at NoMoldAtlanta will take the fear out of mold with a two-step professional mold removal and prevention process that is non-toxic, cost-effective, and creates as little disruption as possible in your day-to-day life. The father-son team of Dan and J.D. Ortega have spent the last 20 years earning the respect and trust of homeowners and the top realtors and brokers in the Metro Atlanta area. You can count on our family owned business to handle your commercial or home mold removal problem as quickly, safely, and affordably as possible.

We begin our certified mold removal process by sealing off the work space with containment barriers. We then set up air scrubbers to create negative pressure that will limit particulate counts during remediation. We remove all unsalvageable, visibly mold-impacted material from the work space, and we clean all salvageable materials by hand wiping with Anabec Cleaning Solutions and/or HEPA vacuum-assisted orbital sanding and wire brushing as necessary. After a thorough HEPA vacuuming to remove any particulates or dust that might contain mold, we treat all surfaces in the work space with Anabec Cleaning Solutions to agitate and remove potential mold spores from treated surfaces. Finally, we treat all work space surfaces with Anasphere or X-70 Plus to provide a barrier against future mold growth on treated surfaces. Many of our mold cleanup projects can be completed in 24-48 hours, and we do our own repair work, which eliminates the complication and cost of multiple contractors.

If youre a builder or developer, the NoMoldAtlanta mold prevention service is the most effective way to guard your new building against the development and spread of mold colonies. We seal off all potential food sources for mold colonies in the buildings foundation, framework, interior drywall, and finished interior surfaces like cabinets and floors. Our work on new construction and existing buildings is backed by a ten-year limited warranty. Our safe, time-efficient commercial mold remediation process also is ideal for schools, hospitals, public facilities, bank-owned foreclosed properties, or any other business confronted with a mold emergency.

If you suspect you have a mold or mildew problem in your home or place of business, dont ignore it. The potential health risk is real, but there is a safe, time-efficient, affordable solution. Contact NoMoldAtlanta today for information on mold inspections and mold detection, or to set up an appointment with a mold expert for a free evaluation. You can trust NoMoldAtlanta to produce an immediate, long-term solution to your mold problem in Atlanta, Alpharetta, Roswell, Marietta, Smyrna, Canton and beyond.

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