Welcome to AA-MSA's blog (www.aa-msa.com). This is where AA-MSA's professional inspectors share their inspection findings and experiences. Lets talk about defective roof covering.
When roof covering is cracked and cupped it is often a sign of advanced wear, long term weathering and/or poor ventilation. It's worse when the felt base of the roof shingle is visible. This felt base is the material onto which a mineral surfacing is applied during the manufacture process. When the small areas of the felt base become visible, leakage is imminent. The roof covering should have been replaced sooner and the roof sheathing may already have sustained moisture damage.
When a roof has 2 or more layers of shingles, under current building codes, most municipalities require all layers of roof shingles be removed prior to installing new roof covering. If there is no plywood under the old roof covering, it too, must be installed when the new roof covering is installed.
Most roof covering manufacturers require attic ventilation in order for their warranty to be valid. According to industry experts (Ask the Expert Seminars 800-air-vent), for an attic ventilation system to perform properly, it needs a balance of both intake (typically at the lowest point in the attic such as the exterior soffits) and exhaust (such as a ridge vent). At least 1/2, if not more of the total required net free area needed for proper ventilation should be in the intake area (soffits if possible). Recommend adding attic ventilation. Roof covering will last longer and homes are cooler in the summer when attic ventilation is correct.
Maintenance tip: Areas where flashing (asphalt or metal) may have been used as a sealant (around plumbing vent extensions/boots and where dormers and roof surfaces intersect, etc.) will require periodic inspection and application of the flashing cement. Recommend monitoring these areas for evidence of cracks and discoloration.
For these and more tips on how to identify old roof covering, contact AA-MSA, Inc by calling 1-800-888-8107 x301 or 303.
Showing posts with label CT. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CT. Show all posts
Friday, November 13, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Condo in Hebron, CT has leakage causing mold
Welcome to AA-MSA Inspection Service's Blog (www.aa-msa.com). Recently, during a home inspection, I found mold on an interior basement wall. The mold was behind the insulation. If it wasn't for the fact that I ALWAYS, test for moisture on walls such as this, I wouyld never have discovered the 52% moisture level and the leakage.
AA-MSA is a licensed home inspection and environmental consultant, licensed in CT, NY and MA.
Mold has been linked to Lung Damage, Brain Damage, Cancer and even Death. If Mold spores are inhaled or ingested you can become seriously ill. The longer you go undiagnosed, and untreated, the Mold will continue to grow inside your body, making you sicker with each passing day. As Mold continues to grow inside your body it produces poisons called "Mycotoxins", these poisons leach into your body day after day. Each day it is left untreated the colonies of Mold grow larger producing and releasing larger amounts of toxins into your body. Different species of Mold produce different toxins and people will suffer a wide range of different symptoms. Mold Sickness will affect many people in many different ways and produce a variety of symptoms. Because the variety of symptoms from mold exposure is so wide in range many physicians deem their patients to have psychological problems.
Indoor mold is an ever-increasing problem so it isn’t unusual for me to arrive at someone’s home or office and find elevated levels of mold spores in the indoor air samples that I obtain. Elevated levels of mold spores are common following water intrusion or flooding. Samples of the indoor air are compared to the outdoor air samples for the same period. The amount and species of mold are usually comparable. You can imagine my surprise when the lab analysis came back with an outdoor mold spore count of 30 and an indoor spore count of 217,000!
At AA-MSA we see conditions such as those described above nearly every day. Mold cannot be removed with over the counter products such as bleach. The mold appears to vanish but reappears in a few days. To effectively kill mold, the species must be identified and chemicals approved as effective must be used. Application of these chemicals must be done by trained professionals who are skilled in the use of professional equipment such as air scrubbers, negative air equipment, industrial dehumidifiers, moisture and humidity measuring devices and the like. At AA-MSA, our mold remediation experts are licensed and qualified to handle highly regulated chemicals, applying them according to EPA protocol, under controlled “containment” conditions and avoiding cross-contamination.
Our expert remediation and inspection staff understands Indoor Air Quality, Mold, Moisture sources and Buildings. We bring this knowledge and experience to every client. If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, call us at 1-800-888-8107 ext 302/303:
Level - I Common Symptoms of Mold Exposure. The most commonly reported symptoms of short term Mold exposure: Sneezing, Itching Skin, Redness and skin irritation, Watery Eyes, Itching Eyes, and Headache
Level - II Advanced Symptoms of Mold Exposure. The following symptoms of Mold exposure have been reported generally as a result from persons being in a Mold contaminate environment on and off for an extended period of time. Symptoms are reported to have become more severe and longer lasting directly in proportion to the length of exposure time. Their reported symptoms are as follows: Constant Headaches, Nose Bleeds, Feelings of Constant Fatigue, Breathing Disorders, Coughing up Blood or Black looking Debris, Nausea, Diarrhea, Vomiting, Loss of Appetite, Weight Loss, Hair loss, Skin Rashes, Open Sores on the Skin, Memory Loss "Short Term", Neurological & Nervous Disorders, Sexual Dysfunction, Swollen Glands in the Neck Area and under the Armpit, Sudden Asthma Attacks or Breathing Disorders, Ear Infections and Pain, Chronic Sinus Infections, Chronic Bronchitis, Pain in the Joints and Muscles.
While it seems Mold can cause many symptoms one must remember that there are thousands of species of Mold. Different species of Mold can have a wide variety of reactions within different people.
Level - III Late Stage Symptoms of Mold Exposure. The following Mold exposure symptoms are the most severe and are attributed to high levels of exposure: Blindness, Brain Damage, Memory Loss "Long term", Bleeding Lungs, Cancer, and Death.
If someone in your family is experiencing respiratory ailments or has symptoms such as those outlined above, call us today to arrange indoor air sampling and inspection. 1-800-888-8107 ext 301. In emergency press ext 303. For more information visit us at http://www.aa-msa.com/mold.html
ABOUT ME … I'm the Senior Inspector for AA-MSA, Inc. AA-MSA provides indoor air quality testing services in CT, NY and MA. I train our IAQ inspectors to look for evidence of moisture, inadequate construction techniques and sources of mold at every inspection. During the past 40 plus years, I've trained hundreds upon hundreds of people and written training and procedural manuals, developed video presentations and helped these people perfect their skill. It's one of the things that I do very well. I use my personal experiences to train other people, help my clients and to personally stay sharp. Call me if you have concerns over the quality of your indoor air, are planning a purchase in the Meriden-Wallingford area or anywhere in CT, NY or MA. I can be reached at 1-800-888-8107 x302/303.
· Licensed in CT, NY, MA
· State/Federal Certified for Radon, Asbestos, Lead-paint
· FHA, 203(k) and VA Certified, Plan Reviewer, Consultant
· Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessment
· Mold and Indoor Air Quality Assessment
· Lead-paint and Asbestos Inspection
· Septic, Soil, Water Analysis
· Construction Management
· Expert testimony
AA-MSA is a licensed home inspection and environmental consultant, licensed in CT, NY and MA.
Mold has been linked to Lung Damage, Brain Damage, Cancer and even Death. If Mold spores are inhaled or ingested you can become seriously ill. The longer you go undiagnosed, and untreated, the Mold will continue to grow inside your body, making you sicker with each passing day. As Mold continues to grow inside your body it produces poisons called "Mycotoxins", these poisons leach into your body day after day. Each day it is left untreated the colonies of Mold grow larger producing and releasing larger amounts of toxins into your body. Different species of Mold produce different toxins and people will suffer a wide range of different symptoms. Mold Sickness will affect many people in many different ways and produce a variety of symptoms. Because the variety of symptoms from mold exposure is so wide in range many physicians deem their patients to have psychological problems.
Indoor mold is an ever-increasing problem so it isn’t unusual for me to arrive at someone’s home or office and find elevated levels of mold spores in the indoor air samples that I obtain. Elevated levels of mold spores are common following water intrusion or flooding. Samples of the indoor air are compared to the outdoor air samples for the same period. The amount and species of mold are usually comparable. You can imagine my surprise when the lab analysis came back with an outdoor mold spore count of 30 and an indoor spore count of 217,000!
At AA-MSA we see conditions such as those described above nearly every day. Mold cannot be removed with over the counter products such as bleach. The mold appears to vanish but reappears in a few days. To effectively kill mold, the species must be identified and chemicals approved as effective must be used. Application of these chemicals must be done by trained professionals who are skilled in the use of professional equipment such as air scrubbers, negative air equipment, industrial dehumidifiers, moisture and humidity measuring devices and the like. At AA-MSA, our mold remediation experts are licensed and qualified to handle highly regulated chemicals, applying them according to EPA protocol, under controlled “containment” conditions and avoiding cross-contamination.
Our expert remediation and inspection staff understands Indoor Air Quality, Mold, Moisture sources and Buildings. We bring this knowledge and experience to every client. If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, call us at 1-800-888-8107 ext 302/303:
Level - I Common Symptoms of Mold Exposure. The most commonly reported symptoms of short term Mold exposure: Sneezing, Itching Skin, Redness and skin irritation, Watery Eyes, Itching Eyes, and Headache
Level - II Advanced Symptoms of Mold Exposure. The following symptoms of Mold exposure have been reported generally as a result from persons being in a Mold contaminate environment on and off for an extended period of time. Symptoms are reported to have become more severe and longer lasting directly in proportion to the length of exposure time. Their reported symptoms are as follows: Constant Headaches, Nose Bleeds, Feelings of Constant Fatigue, Breathing Disorders, Coughing up Blood or Black looking Debris, Nausea, Diarrhea, Vomiting, Loss of Appetite, Weight Loss, Hair loss, Skin Rashes, Open Sores on the Skin, Memory Loss "Short Term", Neurological & Nervous Disorders, Sexual Dysfunction, Swollen Glands in the Neck Area and under the Armpit, Sudden Asthma Attacks or Breathing Disorders, Ear Infections and Pain, Chronic Sinus Infections, Chronic Bronchitis, Pain in the Joints and Muscles.
While it seems Mold can cause many symptoms one must remember that there are thousands of species of Mold. Different species of Mold can have a wide variety of reactions within different people.
Level - III Late Stage Symptoms of Mold Exposure. The following Mold exposure symptoms are the most severe and are attributed to high levels of exposure: Blindness, Brain Damage, Memory Loss "Long term", Bleeding Lungs, Cancer, and Death.
If someone in your family is experiencing respiratory ailments or has symptoms such as those outlined above, call us today to arrange indoor air sampling and inspection. 1-800-888-8107 ext 301. In emergency press ext 303. For more information visit us at http://www.aa-msa.com/mold.html
ABOUT ME … I'm the Senior Inspector for AA-MSA, Inc. AA-MSA provides indoor air quality testing services in CT, NY and MA. I train our IAQ inspectors to look for evidence of moisture, inadequate construction techniques and sources of mold at every inspection. During the past 40 plus years, I've trained hundreds upon hundreds of people and written training and procedural manuals, developed video presentations and helped these people perfect their skill. It's one of the things that I do very well. I use my personal experiences to train other people, help my clients and to personally stay sharp. Call me if you have concerns over the quality of your indoor air, are planning a purchase in the Meriden-Wallingford area or anywhere in CT, NY or MA. I can be reached at 1-800-888-8107 x302/303.
· Licensed in CT, NY, MA
· State/Federal Certified for Radon, Asbestos, Lead-paint
· FHA, 203(k) and VA Certified, Plan Reviewer, Consultant
· Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessment
· Mold and Indoor Air Quality Assessment
· Lead-paint and Asbestos Inspection
· Septic, Soil, Water Analysis
· Construction Management
· Expert testimony
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