Our hearts continue to go out to those affected by Hurricane Helene. Now Milton poses an even greater threat at a category 5 hurricane force winds!!! Board up and evacuate ASAP. Property may be lost or severe but lives are more valuable. Use common sense and get out! Help those who may need assistance if you can. Praying that many volunteers and first responders extend a hand where they can of this catastrophic loss and losses to come. Excess water damage causes havoc to both property damage along with people’s health. Pet’s are affected as well. Clean water has become a dire need for survival and treatment due to the bacteria and toxins. Mold growth can occur rapidly if water persists with excess humidity. It is like putting gas on a fire and spreads quickly. •Dry out home where possible •Discard all the wet soaked furnishings. ASAP.
Remove all soaked wet flooring, carpet furniture etc.
Be careful of any live wires that are wet or laying on the floor. Wear rubber boots, rubber gloves, HEPA N 95 Masks. •Dehumidiers will help to control excess humidity and moisture. •Beware of contractors who flock to these type of disasters from all over the country. They can be a scam. They ask for a lot of money cash up front. Talk with your insurance first. •FEMA both Federal and State will help and provide some funds. Just call, they can and will help because its a national disaster in your county. https://airenvironments.com
Advanced certifications in mold testing and mold inspections. We provide indoor allergy tests and mold testing, water damage, and moisture assessments. Our thorough inspections include a visual site inspection along with a protocol of mold sampling where and if needed. We utilize moisture meters for water and excess moisture and relative humidity detection, water losses, and property damage for homes, offices, and businesses.
Environmental Consultations to provide indoor air quality solutions and goals to help identify the problem and minimize impact due to floods, storms, pipe leaks, mold, high relative humidity, or condensation. Environmental Resources is here to offer peace of mind for your home, business, and office. We provide a thorough visual inspection to look for and detect black mold, allergenic or pathogenic mold fungi. Indoor air testing and direct sampling, odor investigations, and allergy assessments for pollen, dander, fibers, dust, or dust mites. We can provide supervised independent oversight, support for mold remediation projects, and post-mold remediation verification following industry standards and guidelines. Healthy home indoor air quality consulting to point you in the right direction with preventative measures where needed. May your air quality be clean so that you may breathe easier whether it is mold, allergies, flooding, or odors.
Quality Service
Detailed comprehensive mold and moisture reports including observations and considerations of the scope of work. Rapid turnaround time for real estate or other emergencies of mold samples from accredited A.H.I.A. and E.M.P.A.T. (Environmental Microbiology Proficiency Analytical Testing Certified Microbiological Labs.)
Mold contamination and mold spores can affect your health, especially those with asthma, COPD, allergies and weak immune systems, your own home infested with mold growth, excess water leaks, dampness, high relative humidity, and heating, ventilation, air conditioning – H.V.A.C. issues. Mold has no respect for where it grows providing the right temperature, nutrients, food source of porous materials, and conditions of indoor environments. If you suspect mold inside your environment, moldy odors, musty moldy basement or crawlspace, attic, bathroom, bedroom, office, and more then call us, the mold and moisture professional. Special assignments and environmental networking – consulting available upon request.
Environmental Resources is a small consulting company established in 2003 in the Massachusetts area serving the coastal areas of the north and south shore, Cape Cod, and greater Boston. We are dedicated to providing your family, home, office, or business with healthier living indoors with the latest state-of-the-art technologies for your indoor air quality needs such as professional mold and moisture inspections and certified mold testing.
We provide environmental consulting for a variety of indoor air quality needs and solutions. Needs such as breathing clean indoor air with a concern for potential health exposure of the air you breathe, and saving you up to thousands of dollars if necessary.
My name is Andy Provitola, I am the owner and a certified consultant of this unique company. I hold a bachelor’s degree in B.A. and continue to learn in classes and trade conferences in the environmental science field such as microbiology, health and safety, indoor air quality, etc. The current field experience I have personally conducted hundreds of mold inspections, consultations, and assessments in over 19 plus years. Using the latest state-of-the-art equipment to help detect mold growth and excess moisture. We do not perform mold removal or remediation, so we provide you with an objective independent evaluation with no conflict of interest.
Our goal for our clients is to help point you in the right direction and help you save possibly thousands of dollars in unwanted mold remediation and mold removal costs when it is not necessary. When mold remedial is necessary we can provide a scope of work if needed. We recommend this protocol utilizing EPA or ANSI/IICRC S520 industry standards and guidelines for mold remediation projects. Currently, there are no Federal Threshold Limit Values TLV’s of governmental standards for testing for mold.
Professional Certifications:
CMC #1009018: Council Certified Microbial Consultant: ACAC
Building Envelopes: Flir Infrared Thermal Camera
OSHA 40 HAZWOPER 29 CFR 1910.120
Water Damage Restoration-IICRC
Laboratories are Microbiological AIHA & EMPAT certified where samples are analyzed
Many other certifications or attendance for Indoor Science conferences with mold and air quality, etc
Locations:
Serving South Shore Hingham-Norwell, Scituate, Cohasset, Duxbury, Hanover, Pembroke Massachusetts, Cape Cod – Martha’s Vineyard- Barnstable County, Plymouth County, Norfolk County, Middlesex County, Suffolk County, Middlesex County, Brisol County
Check and Replace your HEPA filters often. It is important to replace your HEPA filter from your HVAC unit or by the air returns. • When the filter is dirty that is a good sign, be sure it is capturing the tiny debris and particulate that is floating around. Some of the particulate matter may be dust film, mold, allergens, pet dander. etc. When the filter is too dirty it can over work your system and create other unnecessary damage causing expensive repairs. Using 99.97% filters or .3 micron to help block the smaller particulate under 10 microns or less.
• Quality grade HEPA filters are important for effective cleaner air in your home or office.
• Having your duct vents and HVAC unit cleaned professionally is important as well. Approximately every 3 to 5 years.
• Have the cooling coils cleaned at least once per year when your unit is serviced. Mold and bacteria can build up on the coils if not cleaned and maintained properly.
There is nothing like clean air quality in your home or office, or building. ITS A BREATHE OF FRESH AIR!
This time of year in the summer months causes concerns for musty odors, excess moisture and mold growth on the surfaces. What’s that smell? Do you know what is going on down in your crawlspace? Does it have a dirt floor? Is the open fiberglass insulation in the floor joist drooped down into the floor? These are signs that excessive moisture, musty odors and dampness, and mold contamination growth may be occurring.
Mold spores can and will exacerbate with any excess moisture and excess relative humidity that will cause existing mold spores to travel and move around where new growth can occur. Excess relative humidity in a basement or crawlspace is like adding ‘gas onto the fire’ where mold spores will grow.
Conducting a thorough visual investigation of the musty odor or any source of water leak, excess moisture is very important. Relative humidity (RH) should be less than 60% or lower to help to control moisture 30% to 50% (RH) is the best range). When (RH) is above 60% or more this is not good for your basement, crawlspace, or living/working space where mold and other contaminants can grow; even causing wood rot and decay to the structural support of the wood beams and joists. To control excess moisture and humidity it is important to install the proper dehumidification system. Too often homeowners and business owners do not have the proper size dehumidifier(s) installed because the square footage or cubic area is too large and the unit does not cover this amount of ambient space.
Crawlspaces with dirt floors should have quality grade vapor barriers with minimal 6 Mil thicknesses or higher covering the entire dirt floor including part of the lower side walls or to the top. Quality grade dehumidification is recommended to help control moisture.
During the hot and humid months less moisture is probable when the outside vents of crawlspace are closed up. Climates are different throughout the country; the Northeast region is different from the Southeast and Southwest regions.
Insulate using foam pipe sleeves any copper pipes underneath the crawlspace or in the basement area. The cold water pipes usually condensate when excess humidity comes in contact with them. Insulate Well Tanks and Water Filter Tanks as well. Dehumidifiers need to drain properly operating on a 24/7basis when needed.
If chronic water leaks or water floods into the basement or crawlspace areas then quality grade sump pump(s) and/or drainage are recommended. Install vinyl grade cover over sump pump area. Sump pump is best installed in the ground and the bucket is deep enough to effectively pump and drain water. Add drainage around perimeter if necessary. A professional can provide the proper assessment with the proper tools to help to determine such factors as relative humidity, temperature, air flows, moisture meters, boroscope camera, Thermal Infrared camera etc.
Environmental Resources https://promoldinspections.com is here to help identify problem areas. Also we provide solutions with products and quality air purification with several pounds of carbon to fight odors. We offer sampling if it is called upon. Call for a professional consultation of your home or business for indoor air quality today. Serving South Shore Plymouth county, Barnstable county Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard Boston and Metro West, Norfolk County, Essex County,, Middlesex County, Suffolk County, of Massachusetts.
Andy Provitola CMC-Certified Microbial Consultant Environmental Resources LLC Pembroke, MA 02359 781-248-9975
What is the value of mold testing? Too often I have read if you see the mold just get rid of it or remove it! This can be true to a certain extent, however, what if you can smell the mold but cannot see it? There may be a strong musty odor or excess moisture or dampness. I do agree if you see the mold growth to get rid of it or have the moldy affected area treated and cleaned if it cannot be removed. What about the mold that may be hidden or unseen such as behind a wall or ceiling with no access? Mold spores that are airborne are not visible to the naked eye. Just because the surfaces of the walls, ceiling, floor areas are not moist with no surface mold growth, does not indicate that mold spores are not present. it should be noted that every building has some forms of mold, but we are looking at unusual or high excessive mold growth and contamination. Usually after a heavy floor, or excessive pipe leak from a faucet, shower, radiator, plumbing backup, or roof leak can indicate some excess mold growth. A thorough visible inspection of the affected and non affected areas is important and not always having to test or sample for mold. Using a quality moisture meter will help with this, but sampling is only part of the process to come up with a good conclusion with a visible inspection. Air testing alone is not the proper way to assess for mold growth.
The Value of Mold Sampling is Threefold:
The air testing will help to determine the mold spore elevations present in the room or area of concern whether they are excessive beyond our natural environment. It should be noted there are no governmental standards or threshold limit values for mold testing. There is industry guidance from professional industries. As a general rule and widely accepted in the indoor air quality field, the numbers and types of mold spores that are present in the indoor environment should not exceed those that are present outdoors at any given time.
The purpose of sampling and counting spores is to help determine whether an abnormal condition exists within the indoor environment and if it does to help pinpoint the area of contamination.
Mold testing can be subjective, but can help to identify excess mold spores and the type of mold spores indicated in a room or affected area. A spore trap can pick up several types of species in a sample. This can help to determine if it is a common type of mold or a water damage mold such as a mycotoxin, pathogenic, or allergenic type species.
Mold sampling can help during or after a mold remediation project to confirm if the mold clean up was effective with verifying low mold spore counts and/or eliminating any nasty water damage type molds such as Stachybotrys, Chaetomium, or excess Aspergillus/Penicillium molds.
Another value for a professional assessment for mold is the peace of mind to know that your investment or health are not at risk. “An ounce of prevention is always better than a pound of cure”.
Mold testing and assessment is best to be performed by a certified and trained (experienced) professional independent consultant or company that does not remediate or remove mold. his help to offer an objective unbiased assessment with accountability. All our samples are sent to a qualified and trained lab accredited and certified. EMPAT,AIHA, Microbiology labs.
Having over twenty years of personal and professional experience with hundreds of mold inspections and indoor air quality assessments. There are times when the mold in a building or home looks worse than what may appear and at other times the room, walls, ceiling, floors, look clean, dry, and innocent only to find the room has excess mold mycotic, and allergenic in nature beyond a “normal environment”. Although there are currently no federal standards or guidelines regarding results of fungal samples and there no no levels that are typical or permissible, there is still value in testing and inspections. The key to stopping a mold problem is to correct the cause and source of the problem. It is important to correct and fix the source to have effective remediation to prevent another problem
Most attics are non living spaces and are popular in most of the homes in new England and Northeast Region of the country. Some times there are roof leaks, ice dams from the roof surfaces and toward the fascia boards leaking toward the ceiling of the floor just under the attic floor joist.
Have you noticed any dark or black stains on the roof bays and trusses. Mold contamination or spores begin to grow due to the dampness and excess moisture. This may not always be from a roof leak. So how does this occur?
Heat loss can be one of the culprits. Lack of proper insulation installed in the floor joist of the attic space. The R value is to be at least 30-38 of thickness. Parts of the floor insulation is missing or removed because some careless utility contractor did not place the insulation back properly. The purpose of insulating your house is to keep the living space warm.
Air sealing can help to block heat from the living space of the home from escaping into the attic. Sometimes heat escapes through the recessed cannister lights not covered or the attic access opening is not insulated properly.
For some reason a lot of HVAC units for heating and air conditioning are installed in the attic space. Although it is popular and has been installed for years it is not the best option, especially, when the unit is installed in the attic. Loose duct vents and ducts allowing heating or cooling to escape causing excess moisture.
During the winter months cold freezing air can cause a film of frost eaves to freeze on the surface of the roof bays. When heat escapes into the attic space it begins to melt the frost causing the roof bays and beams to become moist which in turn will cause mold fungi to grow on the surfaces over a period of time. If there is a lack of proper ventilation the roof bays cannot become dry with the proper air flow venting. Attic space temperature is very similar to the outside temperature and is usually a five degree difference if the insulation and venting is installed properly. Excess relative humidity can also become a factor especially in the hot and humid months. Relative humidity is best in the range of 35% to 60 % on average for an attic space.
You may want to consider a mold and moisture assessment of your home if you notice these dark stains or smell moldy like odors. We utilize Thermal Infrared Camera optimization to determine heat loss, cooling loss, or temperature differential patterns.
As a realtor you know how challenging it is to list a house and then try to find the right buyer for the client. So many things can show up during a home inspection that your client may become discouraged due to past flooding, ice dams, roof leaks, or a pipe that froze. Water intruded throughout some of these areas that now may have suspect mold growth. Yes ‘MOLD’ that dirty four letter word that can frighten a buyer away!
Mold growth and contamination can cause damage to a house or building if not dealt with properly. There are people who are very sensitive to mold fungi and have allergic reactions, sinus infections, even respiratory problems. People with asthma in general struggle with air quality issues. Did you know that the EPA says, “We spend approximately 90 percent of our time indoors”!
Before listing a house it is important to ask questions about past flooding, roof leaks, ice dams, pipes from bathrooms or kitchens bursting etc. How long did the water leak occur? Was water standing for more than 48 hours or less? The best time to dry out excess water problems is within the 24 to 48 hour period. After a few days is usually when mold growth tends to occur, especially when moisture with high relative humidity, and dew point is in the air. Do you see dried water stains or stains that are suspect for mold such as in the basement, attic, ceilings, walls, etc.? Repairing the source of the problem of water intrusions, moisture and dampness is important to control mold growth from occurring. After proper repairs then mold remedial cleaning is needed to ensure the mold growth is eliminated.
What about those musty odors? Does the crawlspace or basement have a dirt floor? Has the source of the leak been repaired properly? Is the insulation drooping to the floor of the crawlspace because of excess moisture? Are dehumidifier(s) properly operating when needed? Controlling excess relative humidity is important to help mold growth from spreading. Excess Relative Humidity over 60% R.H. can fuel moisture for mold growth. It is important to install the right size dehumidifiers for the basement or crawlspace. Normal range for relative humidity should be between 35% and 50% for best results. Add a quality grade vapor barrier sheeting to the entire dirt floor areas and part of the side walls. Replace any drooping or excess moist fiberglass insulation; and of course clean and treat the mold where and if necessary.
The good news is that there is a solution to mold growth and contamination. Removal of mold physically such as wallboard, contents, carpets, furniture, wet or damp insulation, etc. Clean and treat affected areas professionally from a trained and certified (current certifications) company to remediate the mold. You may want to have the person selling their house to consider a mold inspection and assessment before they list the house. Home inspectors usually do the structural aspect of the house. (Beware of labs pushing untrained home inspectors to conduct mold inspections and testing!) Hire an independent professional who is trained, certified and an experienced company who does not remediate mold to offer an objective viewpoint for your project. I emphasize trained and certified because there are no federal state regulations in Massachusetts and other the New England states. Very few states require licensing for mold assessments and removal.
There are many types of air particulate that move around in our homes and offices. We buy products, furniture, home goods, and furnishings that most of us do not know what the materials or chemicals they are made from. It has also been said, “that we spend nearly 90% of our time indoors that can affect the quality of our indoor living lifestyles”. Particles like dust, pollen, ragweed, mold, dander, fibers, odors, etc. can produce allergy triggers that can cause you discomfort. I often get calls from people who immediately think they have a mold problem. Why do you think you have mold? Usually mold is produced from water damage and leaks, flooding, excess moisture and high relative humidity over 60%.
No signs of water damage or leaks, no chemical smells, but the house is full of dust, insect and mice droppings, old storage and furniture with films of dust found in all the hidden places behind & underneath furniture, headboards, tops of picture frames, door frames, top sides of ceiling fan paddles, and very high shelves that rarely get cleaned. The vacuum cleaner is rarely used because we are all legitimately busy and continue to remind ourselves with notes that we will get around to eventually cleaning the areas of concern. Note, if you hire a cleaner, it is best to buy and use your own HEPA filtered vacuum. Who knows where your cleaners vacuum has been!
Before spending money having all kinds of testing conducted indoors which can get expensive, I have a few suggestions as pro-active preventative measures:
A Good Thorough General House Cleaning
Clean from top to bottom. Use a soap or detergent. Some use an anti-microbial disinfectant cleaner which can combat, mold, bacteria, odors, virus, etc.
Use a Quality HEPA Vacuum
Vacuum the floors, carpets, sofas, difficult areas and high spaces. Remember, if you hire a cleaner have them use your vacuum. You don’t know where there vacuum has been! I have had cases where clients had severe allergy triggers the next day after the house cleaner arrived the day before.
Dust Thoroughly the entire House
Use a good Swiffer or Dust Rag. Dust the difficult high places such as shelves or cabinets and hidden places underneath or behind bureaus, furniture. Tops of ceiling fan paddles, picture frames, and where necessary.
Invest in Quality HEPA Air Purification To help clean the air in your space of dust, allergens, mold, fibers, dander, odors, etc. Use them often and move them around because they work!
HVAC Duct Vents have professionally cleaned by a trained and certified company with experience.
Changs the HEPA filter when needed on a regular basis. A MERV Rated filter #7 – #11 is best for residential.
A good general cleaning or sanitizing of the basement/ garage once a year is recommended. Dust or allergens can accumulate fast. While you’re at it some of that storage may need to go. Some hats, clothing been sitting there for years. Give it away, have a yard sale or donate it to a local charitable cause.
Should there be some chronic problem with your indoor air quality then it is recommended to call a professional who is trained, certified with experience. We provide mold and allergen testing for your home or office.
Serving Greater Boston, South Shore, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Andy Provitola CMC,IEP, Environmental Resources Pembroke, MA 02359 781-248-9975 www.airenvironments.com
This time of year in the summer months causes concerns for musty odors, excess moisture and mold growth on the surfaces. What’s that smell? Do you know what is going on down in your crawlspace? Does it have a dirt floor? Is the open fiberglass insulation in the floor joist drooped down into the floor? These are signs that excessive moisture, musty odors and dampness, and mold contamination growth may be occurring.
Mold spores can and will exacerbate with any excess moisture and excess relative humidity that will cause existing mold spores to travel and move around where new growth can occur. Excess relative humidity in a basement or crawlspace is like adding ‘gas onto the fire’ where mold spores will grow.
Conducting a thorough visual investigation of the musty odor or any source of water leak, excess moisture is very important. Relative humidity (RH) should be less than 60% or lower to help to control moisture 30% to 50% (RH) is the best range). When (RH) is above 60% or more this is not good for your basement, crawlspace, or living/working space where mold and other contaminants can grow; even causing wood rot and decay to the structural support of the wood beams and joists. To control excess moisture and humidity it is important to install the proper dehumidification system. Too often homeowners and business owners do not have the proper size dehumidifier(s) installed because the square footage or cubic area is too large and the unit does not cover this amount of ambient space.
Crawlspaces with dirt floors should have quality grade vapor barriers with minimal 6 Mil thicknesses or higher covering the entire dirt floor including part of the lower side walls or to the top. Quality grade dehumidification is recommended to help control moisture.
During the hot and humid months less moisture is probable when the outside vents of crawlspace are closed up. Climates are different throughout the country; the Northeast region is different from the Southeast and Southwest regions.
Insulate using foam pipe sleeves any copper pipes underneath the crawlspace or in the basement area. The cold water pipes usually condensate when excess humidity comes in contact with them. Insulate Well Tanks and Water Filter Tanks as well. Dehumidifiers need to drain properly operating on a 24/7basis when needed.
If chronic water leaks or water floods into the basement or crawlspace areas then quality grade sump pump(s) and/or drainage are recommended. Install vinyl grade cover over sump pump area. Sump pump is best installed in the ground and the bucket is deep enough to effectively pump and drain water. Add drainage around perimeter if necessary. A professional can provide the proper assessment with the proper tools to help to determine such factors as relative humidity, temperature, air flows, moisture meters, boroscope camera, Thermal Infrared camera etc.
basement Crawlspace WallWater Heater Leak
Environmental Resources is here to help identify problem areas. Also we provide solutions with products and quality air purification with several pounds of carbon to fight odors. We offer sampling if it is called upon. Call for a professional consultation of your home or business for indoor air quality today. Serving South Shore Plymouth county, Barnstable county Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard Boston and Metro West, Norfolk County, Suffolk County, of Massachusetts.
Andy Provitola CMC-Certified Microbial Consultant Environmental Resources LLC Pembroke, MA 02359 781-248-9975
Healthy Indoor Air Quality 