PowerBees Incorporated was contacted to perform a microbial analysis of an apartment unit in West Palm Beach, Florida. The tenant had been traveling for 4 weeks, over which time the air conditioning unit had stopped functioning and had developed a small leak.  Upon returning, the tenant noticed a musty odor eminating from the areas of water stained drywall, but chose to ignore it. Over a period of a few weeks, the tenant began experiencing and increase in allergy symptoms, including itchy eyes, sore throat, and a persistant cough. This West Palm Beach resident expressed concern that mold may have resulted from the humidity in the apartment while the air conditioner was not operational. PowerBees took an air sample from the area where the water damage had occured. Upon receiving the results, it was discovered that the unit had extremely high concentrations of penicillium/aspergillus spores, which can cause an increase in resperatory allergy symptoms and may lead to pulmonary infection. The tenant was pleased to know the reason behind his sudden increase in symptoms, and has moved forward in beginning remediation.

A mold inspection took place in Southborough, Mass recently.  Upon inspection of the attic, visible mold was not identified on the plywood sheathing, rafters or floor joists.  However, the bathroom exhaust fan from the level below was not properly attached to its duct venting outside.  That might be easily reattached to the roof vent. Water Damage was not found by the PowerBees inspector.  Visible mold was not identified on the first level, although there was evidence of water staining in the daughter’s bedroom on the ceiling close to an exterior wall.   The source of the water staining was unknown and could not be identified, although ice dams and or deteriorated shingles are suspected as the cause.  There are no current leaks.  There was no visible mold in the basement, although water staining and evidence of leaking from an upstairs laundry area was observed in the lower level bathroom.   The basement bathroom fan was vented only into the drop ceiling.  This bathroom is used frequently and should be repaired soon, otherwise there will be microbial growth.  Upon inspection of the ceiling tiles in the drop ceiling, no evidence of microbial growth was noted.

After a home inspector found mold in an attic in Sudbury, MA, a visual mold inspection was recommended to facilitate the sale of the property.  PowerBees was contacted and a certified mold inspector was dispatched to the property.  Upon inspection, a musty odor was not discernable in the master bedroom or in the attic.  The master bedroom is cathedralized and part of the ceiling extended up through part of the attic. Water staining was visible on the ceiling in the master bedroom around the skylight and on the plywood sheathing on an end-wall in the attic.  Discoloration was visible on the upper part the exterior wall (gable side).  The sheetrock covering the underlying studs behind the upper part of the bedroom wall is discolored along the stud lines.  The gable vent itself is partially covered by the bedroom wall.  Moisture levels, measured with a Delmhorst moisture meter, were normal in all surfaces probed throughout the bedroom and attic.   Visible black mold was identified on approximately 50% of the plywood sheathing and 10% of the rafters in the attic.  The mold is most likely the result of insufficient ventilation—some of the soffit vents appear to be covered by insulation and there may be too few of them.  Visible mold was not identified in the bedroom on any surfaces inspected.  The discoloration in the bedroom appeared to be related to fluctuating temperatures and perhaps poor insulation in the exterior wall and possibly a failing vapor barrier.

A concerned resident of the city of Brookline, MA recently contacted PowerBeesIncorporated to discuss her mold issue.  A mold inspection was recommended and upon in inspection by a certified mold inspector, it was found that there is visible water staining on the pitched ceiling, from approximately half-way to the peak down to the wall and along the top of the wall. No visible mold was noticed in the living room. Moisture levels, measured using a Delmhorst Moisture Meter, were normal in the sheetrock of the living room ceiling and wall near the staining as well as in the window trim and baseboard below the staining. In the basement there is water staining on several ceiling tiles and on the sheetrock within the utility room. The most heavily water stained and water damaged tile appears to lie directly beneath the water stained wall of the living room. Other water stained tiles throughout the basement appear to have had water damage from condensation on the AC coolant tubing. There is visible Black Mold in the basement utility room behind the HVAC unit. There is Brown and Grey Mold on the door to the utility room and the electrical closet.

In late June a PowerBees Certified Mold Investigator, conducted a complimentary mold inspection at the property for the purposes of estimating the cost of Mold Remediation in the attic of a property in Brookline.  The customer contacted us and reported mold in the attic that was identified during the removal of contents, although he had noticed discoloration in the past. We examined the 26’ x 30’ attic in this colonial style home.   Black, White and Grey Mold were visible on approximately 70% of the total plywood sheathing and 30% of the rafters. There were insufficient soffit vents and visible leaking with the roof.  There were gable vents (w/ thermostatic fan) and a functioning ridge vent.  Moisture may come in through a gable vent as well. Moisture detection readings, measured with a Delmhorst Moisture meter, registered as “high” in the roof sheathing and rafters mostly on the north side of attic. Humidity was measured at 62%, which is normal for today’s weather.  It is believed the mold resulted from improper ventilation and a buildup of condensation on the plywood sheathing.  To remediate, PowerBees Inc. will create a Managed Air Flow Environment on in the attic and employ the use of a HEPA Air Scrubber to remove airborne mold spores.  We will employ the use of HEPA Vacuuming and an antimicrobial agent to remediate the mold.  We will encapsulate the plywood sheathing with an EPA Kill-rated encapsulant. Air Scrubbers will capture airborne Mold Spores during the filtration process.  Excessive moisture and heat facilitate the growth and proliferation of Mold.  A laboratory test was not conducted by PowerBees nor requested by the customer.