Red Flags

Purchasing a home

If you are purchasing a home, always have a certified and qualified inspector perform a thorough inspection.  We can recommend an inspector.

 

What you should look for or "Red Flags"

  • Take note of any unusual smells or odors.

  • Look for water stains or discoloration on the ceilings, walls, floors and window sills.

  • Look around and under sinks for standing water, water stains and mold

  • Check for water standing in air conditioning or refrigerator drip pans.

  • Ask about any water leaks in the past and what was done to repair damage.

  • Check absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles.

  • Look for condensation on cold surfaces (IE windows, pipping, exterior walls, roof or floors).

  • Look carefully if there is carpeting in bathrooms, utility rooms or basements for signs of moisture and or water damage

 

About Mold

Mold can form on most common surfaces and products (ceiling tiles, carpet, tile, drywall, insulation, etc.) if they remain wet for 24 to 48 hours. Prolonged exposure to moisture (pipe leaks, construction defects, flooding, etc) will allow the mold to reproduce until it becomes a potentially serious threat to human health. It has been found that immune compromised adults and children may experience irreversible long term health effects from certain mold contaminants.

 

Health Affects

Exposure to mold can have serious health & financial impacts. We have the experience & professionalism to minimize those impacts. Mold issues can be handled in a professional & safe manner regardless of the size of the project.

 

Documented health problems related to mold exposure include:

  • Allergic responses

  • Headaches

  • Rashes

  • Asthma

  • Eye problems

  • Respiratory illness

  • Nausea

  • Fever

 

Act Quickly to Minimize Potential Exposure

When a mold problem has been identified, act quickly to minimize potential exposure. Building occupants and homeowners are becoming increasingly aware of the adverse health implications of mold contamination. Building owners, facility managers and insurance companies that neglect to address or remediate mold contamination face potential liabilities. Northeast Inspection Corporation can:

  • Reduce YOUR legal liabilities

  • Protect YOUR property and investment

  • Protect YOUR family a employees

 

Remediation and Clean Up

As stated above, all we do is testing.  Only a certified mold remediation company.should perform this work.  We can refer companies we have worked with in the past.  Further, we encourage you to get more than one estimate for the clean up.  As part of our services, we offer analysis of the "scope of work" the remediation company has suggested.  Many times, a customer flips to the last page of the estimate and looks at price.  This could be a huge mistake because there is a reason that company has offered a low price.  In our experience when this happens, the company offering the lowest price has taken short cuts.  Or, has a disclosure there could be up charges  or change orders as the work is performed. 

 

Doing the clean up yourself

We do not recommend cleaning mold up yourself.  What may appear to be a small amount of mold may be the tip of the iceberg.  Many jobs that could have been simple have become large because of improper procedures or personnel disturbing the mold.  This could result in mold spores becoming airborne and spread throughout the remainder of the building or home.

Mold Testing

Our specialty is mold testing.  Other companies may do testing and clean up.  We highly recommend against this because it is a conflict of interest. 

CLEARANCE TESTING

Clearance testing is performed after your re-mediation company has finished their work. It is used to enforce any Guaranty you are given. It is our position and highly recommended clearance testing is performed by an independent company. Here at Mold Analysis Specialists, we view a company who does your re-mediation should not perform your clearance testing as this presents a conflict of interest.

SWAB TESTING

This test is performed by swabbing the visible mold and sending it off to the lab

TAPE LIFT

This test is applied to the visible mold with an adhesive tape and lifted from the surface.  It is then sent to the lab for analysis.

CARPET OR FURNITURE TESTING

With this test, we use a cannister that is connected to a vacuum pump.  We then vacuum approximately a 4"x4" area.  It is then sent to the lab for further analysis

BULK SAMPLING

This test is where we actually remove part of the affected area.  IE, dry wall, HVAC filters, wood...  It is then sent to the lab for further analysis

AIR QUALITY

This is our most comprehensive test where we can give you a complete analysis of the air quality in a selected part of your home or building.  In some cases, more than one area may be affected and multiple air quality tests should be performed.  An outside air quality test is required when performing this procedure.  The outside air quality sample acts as a "CONTROL" sample which we use and compare to your indoor air quality.

Indoor Air Quality

Many factors can conspire to compromise the health and quality of your interior air. Our skilled technicians use the latest technology to pinpoint a host of potential problems, including:

  • Allergens

  • Bacteria

  • VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)

  • Legionella

  • Sewage contamination

  • Mold

  • Radon (We refer this out)

  • and more