- Mold & Water Remediation: In all situations, if mold exists, there is an underlying cause of water damage, which must be corrected. If the mold is cleaned up but the water problem is not fixed, the mold will grow back. If the contaminated area involved is very large, you may wish to consider hiring a professional. Check with you realtor or home inspector for a qualified company, or we can recommend specialty tradespeople to assist in the removal of the mold, as well as the repair of the underlying issue contributing to the water damage/mold.
Other Services - Termite, Engineering, & Mold Inspections
In order to ensure that a manufactured home is compliant with FHA/HUD and VA standards, Manufactured Home Engineering Certification must be obtained. We can perform an assessment and issue certification to homes that are in compliance with national standards. Additionally, we offer services to ensure that your home meets other engineering requirements (i.e. truss repair); please call us for a comprehensive list of the engineering inspection options we are currently offering.
Mold Inspections
If Mold is Detected:
- Post-Remediation Testing: The most important part of the remediation process is the post-remediation testing. This final testing procedure provides confirmation that the project has been satisfactorily remediated and that the contamination has not spread to other areas.
What To Expect:
- Tape/Swab Sampling: Tape/Swab samples are usually collected from visible moldy surfaces by wiping the area with a sterile swab. This type of sampling is used to identify specific mold types.
For more information please call Tom Buckhardt at 480-560-7841, Ethan Buckhardt at 480-772-1735 or click here to email.
Termite Inspections
- Air Sampling: Air sampling may be necessary if the presence of mold, allergens, or toxins is suspected (e.g. musty odors, allergies) but cannot be identified by a visual inspection. Air sampling helps to determine the type and amount of airborne contamination in a building. When air sampling is performed, both the indoor air and outdoor air are sampled so the results can be compared to see if a problem exists.
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- Visual Inspection: The first step in detecting mold is a visual inspection, which will identify any visible water leaks or moisture stains on ceilings, walls, floors, or under counters. The heating/AC systems, attic, and crawl spaces under homes will receive a visual inspection as well. The use of equipment such as borescopes and moisture meters are used to to help identify hidden sources of mold growth by viewing spaces in ductwork or behind walls and determining the extent of water damage. If there is noticeable mold growth, musty odors, visible water damage/stains, poorly maintained HVAC systems, or construction defects, mold sampling will be recommended. By combining a visual inspection with air, tape, or swab sampling, the inspector can help identify the hidden source of mold, allergens, and indoor pollutants, as well as the extent of any acute or chronic water or moisture damage.
Mold has the potential to cause health problems and can even make a home uninhabitable, but often goes undetected due to both its potential to grow in hidden places as well as its tendency to affect each individual differently. Mold can produce allergens, irritants, and, in some cases, potentially toxic chemical substances known as mycotoxins. Though symptoms can be delayed, mold may cause symptoms such as irritation to the nose, eyes, and throat, rashes, respiratory infections, headaches, brain fog, fatigue, and mood swings, particularly for those with existing respiratory conditions such as asthma, infants/children, the elderly, immunocompromised individuals, and pregnant individuals. That being said, mold that causes a severe allergy or illness for a potential home buyer may not have affected the seller during their time living in the home. You owe it to yourself, your family, and/or prospective buyers to minimize your exposure to mold spores in the home; call us to test for mold today!
Termites can enter the home through many different entry points and have the potential to cause costly and catastrophic damage once inside. Termites create hollow tunnels throughout the home that can weaken its walls, ceilings, and/or flooring, potentially threatening the home's overall structural integrity. Many times, termite tunnels may not even be visible to the homeowner before they have already caused costly damage. At B&A, we believe it is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to termites; if we find no evidence of termites at the time of inspection, we offer a free one year warranty!