This is AA-MSA's blog (www.aa-msa.com). AA-MSA inspectors write about their findings of mold, water, leakage, asbestos, lead-paint, roof deterioration and many other conditions that people want to hear about, especially our clients. AA-MSA inspectors are dedicated professionals. We're as happy as our clients when our findings result in saving our clients thousands of dollars. Such was the case with this 1960's ranch in Wallingford, Connecticut.
Claudio contacted AA-MSA to arrange an inspection of his first home, a 1950's Ranch-style home located in Wallingford, Connecticut. Claudio was surprised when he his home inspector and his real estate agent walked down the stairs into the basement. The first thing the home inspector noticed was the unmistakable odor of Mold. Next was the water damage along the base of the wall paneling and then the staining along the base of the wall. Several old discarded sump pumps were the final clue in recognizing that this was a ... WET BASEMENT. Just $10,000 in credits was all it took to convince Claudio that this was going to be his first home and first home repair project!
If you are contemplating a home purchase, you need a home inspector that will advocate for you. You need AA-MSA because our inspectors are dedicated professionals who have your best interest at heart. Call us at 1-800-888-8107 ext 301 or 303 for a quote. Mention our Blog and receive a $25. discount (may not be combined with other discounts). To see what other clients are saying about AA-MSA, visit the Testimonial section of our website at www.aa-msa.com/testimonials.html
Showing posts with label water. Show all posts
Showing posts with label water. 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
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Mold in Meriden, Connecticut
Welcome to AA-MSA Inspection Service's Blog (www.aa-msa.com). AA-MSA does Indoor Air Quality Inspections for people who contact us because they’re suffering from repertory aliments, notice an unusual odor indoors and when they see what they believe to be black mold. 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
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
Radon in Weston, Connecticut
Welcome to AA_MSA's blog (www.aa-msa.com)where our licensed inspectors share true inspection experiences with you. One such experience was a home in Weston, Connecticut where the Radon level was 20.8 pCi/L which is far above the EPA's cutoff of 4.0 pCi/L.
According to the EPA, when indoor Radon levels are that high, the next step is to eliminate areas in the structure where the deadly Radon gas may be seeping into the house. Professionals like AA-MSA understand home construction and can identify these areas and prevent further indoor emissions of the deadly cancer causing gas by(1) sealing areas where the gas is entering the basement and then; (2) re-testing the basement; (3) testing the first floor living space and; (4) sampling any well water used domestically for Radon in Water; (5) A finding of elivated levels of Radon in water would lead to further water sampling and lab analysis. If you want to know the level of Radon gas in your home, call the professionals at AA-MSA O-1-800-888-8107 ext 302/303. To see what others are saying about AA-MSA, click this link: www.aa-msa.com/testimonials.html
Radon (usually in the form of the Radon-222 isotope) is a colorless and odorless radioactive gas formed from radioactive decay. The most common geologic source of radon derives from the decay of uranium. Radon is commonly found at low levels in widely dispersed crustal formations, soil, and water samples. To some extent, radon can be detected throughout the United States. Specific geologic formations, however, frequently present elevated concentration of radon that may pose a significant health risk. The Surgeon General of the United States and the Environmental Protection Agency identify radon exposure as the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Cancer risk rates are based upon magnitude and duration of exposure.
Produced underground, radon moves toward the surface and eventually diffuses into the atmosphere or in groundwater. Because radon has a half-life of approximately four days, half of any size sample deteriorates during that time. Regardless, because radon can be continually supplied, dangerous levels can accumulate in poorly ventilated spaces (e.g., basements, underneath homes, buildings, etc.). Moreover, the deterioration of radon produces alpha particle radiation and radioactive decay products that can exhibit high surface adherence to dust particles.
For further information click on these links:
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/radon/proposal.html
http://www.epa.gov/radon/
http://www.aa-msa.com/testimonials.html
According to the EPA, when indoor Radon levels are that high, the next step is to eliminate areas in the structure where the deadly Radon gas may be seeping into the house. Professionals like AA-MSA understand home construction and can identify these areas and prevent further indoor emissions of the deadly cancer causing gas by(1) sealing areas where the gas is entering the basement and then; (2) re-testing the basement; (3) testing the first floor living space and; (4) sampling any well water used domestically for Radon in Water; (5) A finding of elivated levels of Radon in water would lead to further water sampling and lab analysis. If you want to know the level of Radon gas in your home, call the professionals at AA-MSA O-1-800-888-8107 ext 302/303. To see what others are saying about AA-MSA, click this link: www.aa-msa.com/testimonials.html
Radon (usually in the form of the Radon-222 isotope) is a colorless and odorless radioactive gas formed from radioactive decay. The most common geologic source of radon derives from the decay of uranium. Radon is commonly found at low levels in widely dispersed crustal formations, soil, and water samples. To some extent, radon can be detected throughout the United States. Specific geologic formations, however, frequently present elevated concentration of radon that may pose a significant health risk. The Surgeon General of the United States and the Environmental Protection Agency identify radon exposure as the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Cancer risk rates are based upon magnitude and duration of exposure.
Produced underground, radon moves toward the surface and eventually diffuses into the atmosphere or in groundwater. Because radon has a half-life of approximately four days, half of any size sample deteriorates during that time. Regardless, because radon can be continually supplied, dangerous levels can accumulate in poorly ventilated spaces (e.g., basements, underneath homes, buildings, etc.). Moreover, the deterioration of radon produces alpha particle radiation and radioactive decay products that can exhibit high surface adherence to dust particles.
For further information click on these links:
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/radon/proposal.html
http://www.epa.gov/radon/
http://www.aa-msa.com/testimonials.html
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