AdvantaClean of Metro New Orleans

Andrew, we are always looking for talented people to join our team. Please call our office at 504-304-2066, ext.1 and leave us your contact info.

Hello, Shoba! To quickly answer your question, we do perform air quality testing. However, the State Mold License law doesn't allow licensed mold remediators to test and remediate the same property. If you have a particular need for testing (e.g. - related to a lawsuit or medical professional needing to identify the specific mold), we would recommend you to one of our colleagues who perform mold testing and inspections. Anyone offering to perform mold testing and remediation on the same property is violating State law. Testing your own remediation work is a conflict of interest and you should always hire someone who isn't affiliated with any licensed remediator you choose to hire. In most cases, we can visually inspect the property, which includes thermal imaging and moisture meters, to determine the indoor air quality issues you may be experiencing. If this is something that you think you're interested in, then please call us at 504-333-9338 to setup an estimate.

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

House flood water damage can be caused by a variety of factors, requiring you to find a reliable company to fix 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 water damage in your basement or crawlspace.

Water flood 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 mold to grow. If you ignore the moisture, mold can begin to grow within 24-48 hours. It’s very important to take immediate action when you experience house flood damage of any type!

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.

The cost of water damage cleanup 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. Because water can move so quickly and be extremely destructive, if not promptly removed with the right equipment, there can be even bigger problems like mold growth and even structural damage. When done properly, fixing water damage can take several days and many man-hours to complete, which have varying costs.

The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) provides a specific set of standards for fixing water damage. According to the IICRC S500, water damage repair should only be done by experienced and trained technicians that will promptly and professionally fix water damage from a house flood according to IICRC standards.

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.

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.

No. As a matter of fact, your insurance company would prefer you call a water damage restoration company to begin water cleanup and fix water damage as soon as possible. The faster our crews arrive, the more destruction we can prevent, which decreases restoration costs and protects your home from further house flood damage. You still want to call your insurance company to make a claim, but you should not wait for an adjuster to arrive before calling a professional company to fix water damage.

Mold Allergy symptoms are very similar to the symptoms of other allergies such as dry skin, congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and itching. Outdoor mold can cause allergy symptoms in summer and fall (in some climates, the symptoms may be year-round). Indoor mold can cause allergy symptoms year-round.

Some people are sensitive to mold or mildew. For these people, exposure to mold or mildew can cause symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, or skin irritation. Some people, such as those with serious allergies to molds, may have more severe reactions like fever and shortness of breath.

According to the CDC: Stachybotrys chartarum (also known by its synonym Stachybotrys atra) is a greenish-black mold. It can grow on material with a high cellulose and low nitrogen content, such as fiberboard, gypsum board, paper, dust, and lint. Growth occurs when there is moisture from water damage, excessive humidity, water leaks, condensation, water infiltration, or flooding. Constant moisture is required for its growth. It is not necessary, however, to determine what type of mold you may have. All molds should be treated the same with respect to potential health risks and removal.

Two ingredients are needed for mold or mildew to grow. These include oxygen and moisture. With these two prevalent ingredients being available nearly everywhere, it should be no surprise that mold grows abundantly in many places. Mold spores are in the air and attach to moisture. Then if conditions are right, and high levels of moisture remain, the mold will grow. In homes and offices, common places for mold to grow are kitchens and bathrooms where even a small drip can create an environment for mold to thrive. Leaks or condensation in HVAC systems or on ductwork can create mold problems along with any moisture that gets in the walls, ceilings or under floors. Since we are exposed to mold and mildew nearly every day, small doses do not generally pose a problem. However, mold impacts people differently. Children, the elderly, asthma sufferers, and those with allergies are more susceptible to having reactions to the presence of mold.

Molds are fungi that can be found both indoors and outdoors. No one knows how many species of fungi exist but estimates range from tens of thousands to perhaps three hundred thousand or more. Mold grows best in warm, damp, and humid conditions and spreads and reproduces by making spores. Mold spores can survive harsh environmental conditions, even dry conditions that do not support normal mold growth.