Lowball prices are typically a red flag when it comes to duct cleaning, and most of these companies use bait and switch techniques as soon as they arrive at your home.
When it comes time to clean your air duct system, do your research and make sure that you’re hiring a professional duct cleaning service. It’s unfortunate, but true, that fraudulent air duct cleaning companies exist in today’s marketplace. But one Ohio senator is trying to change that!
The bait and switch scam first started with small print limiting the number of vents and mains that are cleaned in your home. Typically the small print would read: Whole House Special $99 (The bait) “Includes 7 Supply vents, 1 Return vent and 1 Main trunk.”
You will certainly have more ductwork than what their “special” includes. Here comes the switch. Miraculously the additional ductwork in your home, not to mention your furnace (not included in the special) will cost anywhere from an additional $300 to $2000. All they needed was a foot in the door.
Last week, The Columbus Dispatch reported that Ohio Senator Kevin Bacon introduced what would be a first-in-the-nation requirement that air duct cleaners register with the state.
“Bacon hopes the registration requirement will inform consumers about who is running a legitimate duct-cleaning business and chase swindlers out of the state. The bill also would spell out clearly what duct-cleaners cannot do, and prohibit work being done without a signed contract. Bacon said that would make it easier to use the Consumer Sales Practices Act to go after fraudulent companies.”
You may want to contact professional duct cleaning service providers and ask them about the services they provide. Remember, they are trying to sell you a service, so ask questions and insist on complete and knowledgeable answers.
AdvantaClean is a nationwide company that provides local services, specializing in air duct cleaning.
Allergy and asthma sufferers are often on the lookout for the triggers that can turn a good day into a bad one.
You know how people always joke “There’s an app for that”? Well, in this case - there is!
The Philadelphia Inquirer recently reported on various smartphone apps for early warnings on airborne allergens and for tracking symptoms.
AllergyAlert is a free iPhone and Android app that displays Pollen.com’s allergy and pollen forecast for your zip code. You’ll either enter a zip manually or allow the app to access your location. Additional indexes show risks for those suffering from asthma, the relative danger of ultraviolet exposure, and the prevalence of cold and flu symptoms.
AsthmaMD, free from Mobile Breeze for Apple devices, is for asthma sufferers and their doctors. A “wizard” takes the user through a profile setup to begin a diary of symptoms, asthma triggers and medications.
Air Quality Pro, an iPhone app from Mobeezio Inc., reports the air-quality-index numbers for your location, based on GPS. A color-coded key — from green for good to purple for very, very bad — provides a quick reference. If you enable a notification feature, the app will display your location’s index number with the app’s icon on your phone’s screen.
While you can’t necessarily do anything to improve the quality of the outdoor air, one way that you can help improve your allergies is to make sure that your indoor air is pollen-free. Try cleaning your air duct system – pollen and mold spores can get trapped in your duct work, which means that it’s being continuously circulated throughout the air you breath at home.
If you need your air ducts cleaned, call AdvantaClean – a nationwide company that specializes in air duct cleaning, and start breathing easier today!
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Keep in mind that homeowners' insurance does not cover flood damage; only flood insurance can do that.
The first heavy rains in April always serve as a reminder that the ”spring showers” season has begun.
Homeowners living in flood-prone areas know to take precautions this time of year, but even for homeowners who live in drier climates, water damage can happen at any time.
An overflowing sink or bathtub can cause thousands of dollars in damage. Now is the time to make sure that homeowner and auto insurance is up-to-date to cover repairs from storm or hail damage. It’s important for consumers to talk to their insurance agents, brokers, or companies to ensure adquate coverage for potential problems.
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is the source for flood insurance. There is a 30-day waiting period from date of purchase to when the policy goes into effect, so the time to check into those policies is well before flood damage occurs. To find out if you live in a flood-prone area, and to look into flood insurance, go to www.floodsmart.gov.
Most standard homeowner policies do not cover damage from a backed-up sewer or water line. Most likely you would need to purchase a separate endorsement to cover this type of loss. If you live in a low-lying area that includes the junction of water or sewer lines, you may want to consider purchasing this coverage, if available. It could save you thousands of dollars in damages and untold aggravation.
If you’ve experienced water damage, AdvantaClean can help.
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Once the mold cleanup is complete, consider bringing in an independent third-party inspection company to perform a clearance inspection and certify that the mold has been removed.
Last week, we took a look at what highly rated mold testing and remediation companies had to say about mold. But how do you find those highly rated companies?
Angie’s List, the nation’s leading provider of consumer reviews, provides some insight into what you should look for when researching mold professionals:
- Check credentials – ask for a Certificate of Insurance and look for a remediator with certifications from reputable organizations (IICRC, IAQA, MICRO, IESO).
- Don’t make a decision under pressure. Unfortunately, some companies do their best to scare homeowners into signing a service authorization.
- What does the project include? Educate yourself. Mold can be hazardous to remove, so discuss the details of hte project before work begins. Remediators typically will set up containment walls around the area being treated to prevent cross contamination to unaffected areas of the home.
- Get a written estimate. Costs are generally determined by the significance of the mold, the difficulty of the access to get to the mold, the labor and the product the company uses.
AdvantaClean is a nationwide company that provides local services, specializing in mold testing and mold remediation. Visit the AdvantaClean website to learn more!
Did you know? One out of six people who suffer from allergies do so because of the direct relationship to the mold and bacteria in air duct systems.
Put it to good use! How about using that extra government cash to pay for your home’s air duct cleaning?
The benefits of air duct cleaning and the many of health problems it can prevent make it an important step to include in a home or office maintenance routine.
Dirty air ducts have been identified as a major source of indoor air pollution. Your air duct system is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, mold, viruses and other health-threatening microorganisms.
Indoor air pollutants can affect us all, but they can especially affect the health of young children, the elderly and the estimated 55 to 60 million Americans who suffer from allergies, asthma, emphysema and other breathing problems.
A clean heating and cooling system can also greatly improve efficiency, thereby prolonging equipment life and reducing running time, which results in lower monthly energy bills.
If you need your air ducts cleaned, call AdvantaClean – a nationwide company that specializes in air duct cleaning, and start breathing easier today!
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When hiring, ask for a Certificate of Insurance. Look for a remediator with certification from a reputable organization like The Clean Trust (formerly IICRC).
By now, most of us know that mold exposure can lead to health-related problems. The inhalation of mold spores can create a variety of respiratory illnesses, including asthma, allergies, and sinus infections.
In addition to your health, mold can damage your home by causing wood rot and structural damage.
Angie’s List, the nation’s leading provider of consumer reviews, asked highly rated mold testing and remediation companies about mold.
- Common areas - Mold is most commonly the result of water damage found in crawl spaces, basements and attics and is usually identifiable by a musty odor.
- Testing for mold - Testing for mold can include surface and air tests to determine the type of mold and its levels, which can unfortunately cost several hundred dollars depending on the home’s size and other variables, like the number of tests conducted. There are several home mold testing kits on the market. However, these kits should only be the first step. Remediators typically will set up containment walls around the area being treated to prevent cross contamination to unaffected areas of the home.
- Where is the source? Before you try to remove the mold, first figure out the source of the mold to prevent it from coming back because you likely have a moisture problem. Eliminating moisture as a food source is key to controlling mold.
- Finding a professional - Look for a professional who is trained to deal properly with mold. Reputable remediators and inspectors have the tools to check the moisture content of the walls and can advise you on the best approach for your particular issue.
AdvantaClean is a nationwide company that provides local services, specializing in mold testing and mold remediation. Visit the AdvantaClean website to learn more!
The World Health Organization estimates 30% of all buildings experience indoor air quality problems, most prevalent in tight, energy-efficient buildings.
Rising energy costs, lower maintenance budgets, and decreased indoor air quality are challenges facing every facilities manager across the country. But potential savings can located in a commonly overlooked place… the air handling system.
TransWorldNews reports that according to the US Department of Energy (DOE) the “HVAC system accounts for 40 to 60 percent of the energy used in U.S. commercial and residential buildings. This represents an opportunity for energy savings using proven technologies and design concepts. The heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is one of the biggest areas of energy consumption within a facility. Even the highest-rated HVAC system wastes energy with dirty coils and without a well-sealed duct system.”
Cooling coils use tubing arranged in a series of loops and fins and their purpose is to transfer heat from one fluid to another (e.g. water to air, refrigerants to air, air to air). Aluminum and copper fins are attached to the coils to increase the exposure surface and the rate of heat transfer. In the 1970s and early 1980s the cooling coils had typically 8 to 12 fins per inch, but due to increasing energy costs and mandated energy efficiency ratings, it is not uncommon seeing coils today manufactured with 16 and 18 fins per inch arranged in complex zigzag patterns.
Unfortunately, these high efficiency coils are extremely susceptible to blockage from dust accumulation because once lodged deeply within the fins bacteria and mold may initiate growth, which not only compounds the blockage problems but also gives rise to excessive operating costs, comfort control problems and unhealthy sanitary conditions that are not conducive to good air quality.
Did you know that AdvantaClean specializes in commercial air duct cleaning and commercial coil cleaning? AdvantaClean’s state-of-the-art equipment and source removal techniques will access and thoroughly clean your entire duct system for both peace of mind and bottom line benefits.
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In the average year, roughly 10,000 to 12,000 hail reports are received by NOAA’s National Weather Service.
Earlier this month, a hailstone measuring 4.25″ in length, 2″ wide and 2.25″ tall, set a record for Hawaii. This hailstone’s length is roughly comparable to the diameter of a softball, which is known to punch holes in roofs!
Hail can occur in any strong thunderstorm, which means it’s a threat everywhere. When it hits, it can shred roof coverings and lead to water damage to your ceilings, walls, floors, appliances and personal possessions. Knowing which roof coverings resist impact well can save you lots of trouble and money.
Most roofing jobs are not the do-it-yourself type. Unless you have lots of experience in replacing roof coverings, hire a professional roofing contractor.
H & S Roofing Company is located in Charlotte, NC and has provided area homeowners and businesses with professional roofing services for more than 70 years.
It’s also a great idea to review your homeowners insurance policy periodically with your insurance agent or company representative to make sure you have sufficient coverage to protect the investment you’ve made in your home. Report any property damage to your insurance agent or company representative immediately after a natural disaster and make temporary repairs to prevent further damage.
If you’ve experienced water damage, AdvantaClean can help.
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The most active tree pollen types are oak, pine, and birch. Low pollen count is anywhere from one to 15. High pollen count is between 91 and 150.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution says that high temperature marks weren’t the only records falling in the last few days of winter – on Monday, Atlanta’s pollen count shattered the previous record by 35%.
Atlanta’s count early Monday of 8,164 particles of pollen per cubic meter of air was more than a third higher than the previous record of 6,013, set on April 12, 1999, according to the Atlanta Allergy and Asthma Clinic, which tracks the misery level of the city’s allergy sufferers.
The major pollens present Monday were oak, pine, mulberry, sycamore, sweet gum and birch.
“Remember, it’s the pollens you don’t see, not the green/yellow pine pollen that you do see that will cause symptoms” for most allergy sufferers, Channel 2 Action News meteorologist Karen Minton said. “Pine pollen is a larger pollen than the others, and as a rule, doesn’t cause the problems that the other tiny pollens cause.”
One way you can help keep your allergies at bay is by cleaning your air duct system. Pollen and mold spores can get trapped in your duct work, which means that it’s being continuously circulated throughout the air you breath at home.
If you need your air ducts cleaned, call AdvantaClean – a nationwide company that specializes in air duct cleaning, and start breathing easier today!
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“With the higher concentration of carbon dioxide in the air, plants seem to produce more potent pollen,” said allergist Dr. Stanley Fineman.
- Fox News reports that allergy season has come earlier in some parts of the country, thanks to the unseasonable mild weather.
“With the higher concentration of carbon dioxide in the air, plants seem to produce more potent pollen,” said Dr. Stanley Fineman, an allergist and president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
Why the early sniffles? The warmer winter can cause trees to pollinate earlier. In addition, some studies have shown that pollen season is not only getting earlier, but the pollen is getting more potent. And though it’s worse in the South, allergy season is also arriving early in the North.
Making things worse for allergy sufferers, a combination of mild weather and rain can lead to an increase in mold spore counts as well.
What can you do?
- Allergists recommend that people who know they’re allergic to certain pollens start medication before allergy season starts. That may be too late for the South, but you may be able to get a headstart on allergies in the Northern states, where pollen counts haven’t gotten that high yet.
- Clean your air duct system. Pollen and mold spores can get trapped in your duct work, which means that it’s being continuously circulated throughout the air you breath at home.
If you’ve found that you have a mold problem or if you need your air ducts cleaned, call AdvantaClean – a nationwide company that specializes in mold remediation and air duct cleaning.