Homespec 
Environmental - Mold- Home - Engineering Services
 Manhattan to Montauk!
 

NYS. License Home and Mold Environmental Inspector
John Graham 
NYS. Lic#16000005054
ASHI. Certified #206772
NAHI. Certified #10-9079
NYS. Termite #C1810801
(631)243-6642
(516)942-0009
Toll free: 877-814-4775
www.MoldproNY.com
www.homespecny.com/mold
Allergen Inspection & Sampling also available!

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Do you suffer from fatigue, chronic sinus or respiratory infections,
nausea, unusual numbers of colds or flu, red or itchy eyes?

Why choose Homespec for you Indoor Air Quality investigation?

Independent
Mold & Mildew Testing Services (Homespec) is an independent mold testing company not affiliated with any consulting, laboratory, or remediation companies. Homespec provides reliable testing data that help environmental professionals, realtors, property managers and homeowners make informed decisions about their environmental condition.

Clear
Homespec uses only accredited microbiology laboratories to provide dependable results directly from the lab. This provides clarity and reliability.

Credible
We remain separated from the business of removing mold. This eliminates any conflicts of interest when we test.

Why Should I Have My Home Tested for Mold?

Mold in the home is not just a health issue. Mold can not only trigger asthma and other serious Health problems -- but it's also risky to your financial health. The SOONER a MOLD situation is addressed the better the chances of fixing the problem and preventing it from getting out of control!! Don't let a small problem turn into a MAJOR NIGHTMARE!!!

The reason to hire a professional: is to have someone on your side, a non bias third party that's going to cut through all the hype. Someone that's not there to sell you expensive cleanups, or products. Someone to help you get the information you need to make an informed decision. Someone to conduct a thorough inspection and investigation. Someone that has been trained and understands the fundamentals of both fungus and building construction. Unfortunately there are some unscrupulous businesses out there, trying to make a quick buck, on the current fear and hysteria, concerning mold. Whether it's gathering information to file an insurance claim, working with your remediation company, or helping you to fix the problem yourself, you'll get the most, up to date, accurate and current information possible. You'll get friendly courteous service, and honest answers to your questions, Not a lot of Hype, and BS.

We are a full service Mold Inspection and Testing Company serving all of New York. Fully Certified, licensed and Insured Inspector 

A Council-certified Residential Mold Inspector™ (CRMI™) Test  Certification.
Board Certified by the Indoor Air Quality Association Certified Indoor Environmentalist Trained. 

 FEMA Response and Recovery Disaster Housing Inspector.


Mold can trigger asthma and other serious Health problems -- but it's also risky to your financial health. If you are buying a HOUSE, that has had ANY WATER problems, get it inspected for MOLD.

Charles Perry: Member of the Mortgage Bankers Association's Mold Task Force says! "Homebuyers can protect themselves from future financial disasters, whether they're building a new home or buying an older one. For existing homes, homebuyers should get a mold inspection. And as for new homes" Perry says "homebuyers should make sure the builder is using mold-resistant dry wall and other materials that keep mold from spreading"

(If you scroll down) We have included on this home page, answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding mold.

Here are a few questions you might be asking yourself:
What Should I do?
Where do I Turn for Reliable Information?
How Much mold am I being exposed to?
Is it a toxic kind of mold?
How will it affect my family?
Where is the mold coming from?
Is it the mold that's making my family sick?
How do I stop it?
How do I fix it?
Can I fix it myself?
Why should I have a professional Inspection?

Having a mold problem can be a scary experience, Knowledge is power!

We Are The Solution to Your Indoor Air Quality Problem.

How Homespec Environmental Services, Will Help You . . .

The Good News!
Most professional mold Inspections can uncover the problem, and if caught in time, recommend the cure without expensive remediation, often times the homeowner themselves can fix it. If remediation is advised, it will only be what's actually needed, you see we have no vested interest in what type, or how much is necessary. After the inspection is complete, we've done our job. You will just get the facts, not a lot of hype, and sales pressure! Many experts agree that the most important part of a mold inspection / investigation is a visual inspection. Because of the many variables involved with moisture in buildings. A visual inspection is the initial step in identifying possible contamination problems. It will identify any visible water leaks or moisture stains on ceilings, walls floors and under counters. The air conditioning system and heating systems should be visually inspected as well as the attic and crawl spaces. The extent of any water damage and mold growth should be visually assessed by a certified mold inspector. This assessment is important to determine remedial strategies. Ventilation systems should also be visually checked, particularly for damp filters but also for damp conditions elsewhere in the system, and for overall cleanliness. It is important that someone that has been trained and understands fundamentals of both fungus and building materials/construction conducts a thorough investigation. The use of equipment, such as a boroscope to view spaces in duct work or inside walls, and moisture meters to help identify sources of mold growth and the extent of water damage. Mold sampling will be recommended if there is any noticeable mold growth, musty odors, visible water damage or stains, poorly maintained HVAC systems or construction defects. By combining a visual inspection with air, tape or swab sampling, we can help identify the hidden source of mold, allergens and indoor pollutants and the extent of any acute or chronic water or moisture damage.

Who is the Most Affected by Mold?
Virtually anyone can be affected, however small children, infants, pregnant women, the elderly and anyone with a compromised immune system, or individuals with chemical sensitivities and existing respiratory conditions such as allergies, and asthma are especially at risk.

How Can someone be Exposed to Mold?
There are only a few ways that someone can be exposed to mold. 1. Breathing the spores from the air. 2. Skin contact from handling an item that has mold growing on it. 3. Eating without properly washing your hands after handling moldy objects.

Can Mold Cause Health Problems?
Mold has the potential to cause health problems to anyone, however everyone is effected differently when they come in contact with mold. The mold that may cause severe illness in one person may leave someone else living in the same environment completely unaffected. Some Molds can produce allergens, irritants and in some cases, potentially toxic chemicals known as Mycotoxins. People who are sensitive and exposed to mycotoxins can become ill. Allergic reactions to mold is common. They can be immediate or delayed. People diagnosed with allergies and asthma may be very sensitive to mold. Mold can cause asthma attacks.

If I can't see any mold, does that mean I don't have a mold problem?
Did you know that the National Association of Industrial Hygienist estimate that more than half of building microbial problems are not visible. You may suspect hidden mold if a building smells moldy, but you cannot see the source, or if you know there has been water damage and residents are reporting health problems. Mold may be hidden in places such as the back side of dry wall, wallpaper, or paneling, the top side of ceiling tiles, the underside of carpets and pads, etc. Other possible locations of hidden mold include areas inside walls around pipes (with leaking or condensing pipes), wall cavities are good at trapping moisture. In addition to all this, pipes often leak in between walls, where we are not aware they are occurring. The surface of walls, behind furniture (where condensation forms), inside ductwork, and HVAC units, in roof materials above ceiling tiles (due to roof leaks or insufficient insulation).

What are some of the Symptoms of Mold Exposure?

·  Respiratory problems (sneezing and coughing)
·  Sinus infections or congestion / sinusitis (runny nose)
·  Fatigue
·  Frequent Headaches
·  Mysterious skin rashes
·  Chronic Aches and Pains

Other Symptoms:

Why wasn't Mold Such a Problem Twenty Years Ago?
There are a number of reasons for the increasing problem of mold and mildew in our homes, not the least of which is the fact that Title 24 to the United States Code of Federal Regulations, relating to energy conservation, brought new construction methods and materials, meaning that buildings don't "breathe" as freely, trapping moisture vapors inside the building. Most new homes are built on concrete slabs, which emit moisture for several years as they cure, and because they are porous, moisture from the soil beneath the slab also vaporizes into the living space. Leaky roofs, windows, and plumbing, whether caused by poor construction or lack of timely repairs, often result in colonization of mold and mildew spores. The microbial spores become airborne, spreading inside wall cavities, behind cabinets and wallpaper, and through ventilation systems. When moisture and temperature conditions are favorable, widespread contamination can occur in a surprisingly short time. Mold is becoming such a serious problem that Congress is proposing to enact legislation called The Melina Bill (details) to combat mold.

Where is Mold Found in the Home?
Mold (fungi) is present everywhere-indoors and outdoors. There are more than 100,000 species of mold. At least 1,000 species of mold are common in the U.S. Some of the most commonly found are species of Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus. Mold is most likely to grow where there is water or dampness, as in bathrooms and kitchens wherever there is plumbing, the underside of carpets and pads, the surface of walls behind furniture (where condensation forms) ceilings and attics, back side of drywall, wallpaper and paneling, inside HVAC systems and duct work, clothing and food . If the answer is "yes" to any of the following questions, it is possible that there could be hidden mold in your home or building.

Is there a musty smell in the building?
Are there visible signs of water damage anywhere?
Has the building ever suffered a roof leak?
Has the building ever suffered a plumbing leak?
Has the building ever suffered a sink or sewer overflow?
Has the building ever suffered other water problems?
Does the building have high humidity?

How can I Reduce or Eliminate Mold inside my Home?
To eliminate mold you must first eliminate the moisture that's causing it. Molds will grow if we provide them with moisture and nutrients. If we keep things dry, molds do not grow. High moisture levels can be the result of water coming in from the outside, through the floor, walls or roof; or from plumbing leaks; or moisture produced by the people living in the home, through daily activities like bathing, washing clothes or cooking. Water enters the building when there is a weakness or failure in the structure. Moisture accumulates within a home when there is not enough ventilation to expel that moisture, or HVAC systems that are not functioning properly. Different kinds of molds grow on different materials. Certain kinds of molds like an extremely wet environment. Other kinds of molds may be growing even if no water can be seen. Dampness inside the material can be enough to allow them to grow.

To Go To Mold Testing & Investigation Services
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If you have any questions concerning mold feel free to E-mail us at
Homespecny@aol.com 
Please allow 8 hours for response.
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Mold News & Real Estate Library

Are you a Realtor or buying a Home?
You know there has been a lot of media hype surrounding Mold. These day's prospective buyers want a home that has been mold inspected. Here are some good reasons why you should not buy a home with Mold, sell a home with Mold or live in a home with Mold.

A Mold Inspection Is Your First Line of Defense!


631-243-6642 or 516-942-0009


Environmental issues arise routinely in all types of real estate transactions, from the sale of individual residences to the transfer of large commercial and industrial facilities. Managing these risks is almost always possible. The bigger challenges tend to be spotting environmental issues. Failure to identify and address such issues may result in parties unknowingly assuming substantial liabilities. Suddenly we see schools shutting down, and our neighbors being forced out of their homes and their businesses, sometimes for months on end, many of them never able to return at all. Realtors, Property managers Home owners and Insurance companies are running scared in the wake of multi-million dollar lawsuits and thousands of mold related claims. Doctors and government agencies are at odds over health concerns and the effects of toxic mold, long and short term. And in the middle of these catastrophes, time and time again, is toxic mold. It's got names like Stachybotrys, Penicillium, Aspergillus, Cladosporium. Names that many of us can't even pronounce, much less identify in our surroundings. The mold spores and mycotoxins sprayed into the air by these molds attempting to survive, are so small that they can't be seen with the naked eye, and hundreds of thousands of them can fit onto a single postage stamp. So what to do next?

Mold contamination is a subject of increasing concern. Mold contamination generally arises in buildings that have been poorly constructed or lack adequate ventilation. Different types of mold may breed in the air circulation systems and walls of a structure. Common causes of mold growth are moisture leaks or intrusions of any type in your home or business. Anything producing moist conditions in a dark area will promote mold growth. Eliminate these areas. Fix the problems immediately. You can not eliminate mold until the conditions promoting it's growth are gone. While the presence of moisture and mold can result in significant physical damage to the structure, several types of mold are also toxic and can cause a variety of medical conditions. Several high-profile lawsuits have recently succeeded in securing substantial personal injury judgments as a result of exposure to toxic molds. In fact, several mold cases are presently being pursued here in Florida. The insurance industry has been paying particular attention to mold in recent years because of its potential to generate substantial claims related to both property damage and personal injury.

The possible presence of mold is certain to become an increasingly important issue for anyone who owns residential, commercial or industrial buildings not only because property damage could be excessive, but also because residential tenants and employees working in commercial and industrial establishments could, inadvertently, be exposed to toxic molds. Landlords and employers should take care to evaluate these issues. Moreover, anyone owning properties should carefully consider to what extent old and new insurance coverage may be available to offset such liabilities.

Numerous tools exist for managing all of the environmental problems discussed above. However, before any of these problems can be managed, they must be identified. Frequently, environmental consultants are best suited for that task. Basic environmental assessments have become a standard component of most real estate transactions. Ultimately, the key to addressing these issues is obtaining reliable information about the property, understanding the implications of that information and managing the issues correctly and efficiently.

The most important thing is that you don't disregard it all as hype.
As much as we wish it away, it's here, it's for real and it can be devastating.

If mold is found in my home will that prevent the sale?
NO! Real estate deals DO NOT need to be broken! If the home you are selling or thinking of purchasing has mold do not panic! You can remove unusual mold levels from the home, and bring it back to the original condition. More often than not if a problem or situation is discovered in a timely manner, it can be dealt with, and eliminated quickly, and effectively, without expensive remediation. Mold problems rarely ever get better on their own they usually only get worse. Once the problem is discovered, and diagnosed, we will walk you through step by step to the cure.


631-243-6642 or 516-942-0009


Visual Inspection:
Many experts agree that the most important part of a mold inspection / investigation is a visual inspection. Because of the many variables involved with moisture in buildings. A visual inspection is the initial step in identifying possible contamination problems. It will identify any visible water leaks or moisture stains on ceilings, walls floors and under counters. The air conditioning system and heating systems will be visually inspected as well as the attic and crawl spaces. The extent of any water damage and mold growth shall be visually assessed by a certified mold inspector. This assessment is important to determine remedial strategies. Ventilation systems shall also be visually checked, particularly for damp filters but also for damp conditions elsewhere in the system, and for overall cleanliness. It is important that someone that has been trained and understands fundamentals of both fungus and building materials/construction conducts a thorough investigation. The use of equipment, such as a boroscope to view spaces in duct work or inside walls, and moisture meters to help identify sources of mold growth and the extent of water damage. Mold sampling will be recommended if there is any noticeable mold growth, musty odors, visible water damage or stains, poorly maintained HVAC systems or construction defects. By combining a visual inspection with air, tape or swab sampling, we can help identify the hidden source of mold, allergens and indoor pollutants and the extent of any acute or chronic water or moisture damage. Photo documentation can also be useful to inform and present the conditions at the time of inspection.

Sample Collection Services: Moisture Detection:
If the moisture problems aren't addressed then the mold problems will return. Often the greatest portion of time in an inspection/investigation is determining how and where the moisture is coming from.

Air Sampling:
The purpose of air sampling is to determine the type and amount of airborne contamination in a building. Air sampling may be necessary if the presence of mold allergens or toxins is suspected but cannot be identified by a visual inspection. When air sampling is performed, both the indoor and outdoor air are sampled, so the results can be compared to see if a problem exists. Typically, the indoor sample is taken while the heating and/or air conditioning unit is operating, this will ensure the interior air is effectively tested. A certified inspector, trained in appropriate sampling methodology, shall perform all necessary air monitoring. Air monitoring is necessary if there is evidence from a visual inspection that the ventilation systems may be contaminated. The purpose of such air monitoring is to assess the extent of contamination throughout the building. Sampling should be conducted while ventilation systems are operating. Air monitoring is necessary if the presence of mold is suspected in a particular area of the structure (i.e. a microbial volatile odor is detected) but cannot be identified through a visual inspection or bulk sampling. The purpose of such air monitoring is to determine the location and/or extent of mold contamination. Air monitoring is also necessary if the building inhabitants are suffering from health problems which are or may be associated with fungal exposure. If air monitoring is performed, for comparative purposes, outdoor air samples should be collected concurrently at an air intake, if possible, and at a location representative of outdoor air. The outdoor control air test is very helpful in evaluating whether there is an internally generated mold problem. Such a problem may exist if indoor mold tests report mold levels that are either (a) higher than the outdoor control air test or (b) present indoors but absent from the outdoor control test.

Tape Lift / Swab Sampling:
Tape swab samples are usually collected from visibly moldy surfaces by wiping the area with a sterile swab. This type of sampling is used to identify specific mold types.

Recommendations and Laboratory Results:
Once the home has a visual inspection and the mold circumstances have been evaluated, action can be planned to clean it up and prevent future contamination. Based upon site evaluations and sampling lab analysis results, we will provide a detailed written report that can be used for disclosure and references. In all situations if mold exists, the underlying cause must be corrected.

 

 
Environmental Laws Is Indoor Mold Contamination a Threat to Health? Indoor Air Quality News Toxic Mold

631-243-6642 or 516-942-0009 Toll free: 1-877-814-4775


 





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