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.

PowerBees was recently contacted to perform mold testing in a home in Brookline.  The client and her children have been sick recently with headaches and nausea.  There had apparently been carbon monoxide in the house.  The children’s physician suggested that mold spores may be playing a factor in their degraded health as well.  The homeowner reported a history of plumbing leaks at the property and possible leaks around the chimney, which were noticed during recent repairs to the chimney. One of the plumbing leaks had been from an upstairs laundry room into a lower level bathroom. The homeowner also stated that she uses air purification systems to filter out contaminants.  Two non-viable air samples were taken at the property.  One air sample was taken in the basement family room, a second air sample was taken from the 1^st level hallway.  The results from the samples showed normal levels of airborne spores in the lower level family room and 1^st level hallway.

A residential, split level property in Cumberland, Rhode Island was recently tested for mold by PowerBees, Inc.  Two non-viable air samples were taken at the property.  One air sample was taken in bedroom and a second air sample was taken from the outside.  The results from the samples showed extremely high levels of airborne spores in the bedroom.  The Penicillium / Aspergillus spore count is quite high and may pose significant health risks.  A count of 2000 is considered a threshold level by the EPA. Based on these results, the visible mold in the bedroom, visible mold in the upstairs bathroom and visible mold in the basement, PowerBees recommended additional mold testing on the 2^nd level and a remediation process.

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.

PowerBees was contacted by a South End resident recently.  The customer has been living in this single family house (built approximately 38 years ago) for the last 25 years.  A second level was added to the original one story ranch 23 years ago.  A new roof was added 6 years ago.  The homeowner noticed discoloration in the attic several years ago didn’t realize that it might be microbial growth.  Recently, an energy audit inspector reported that the discoloration could be mold growth.  The homeowner contacted PowerBees so that mold testing could be conducted.  The property does not have a history of major flooding.  The only possible point of moisture intrusion is a skylight in the master bedroom which has leaked intermittently over the last few years.  The leak caused water staining around the skylight on the ceiling.  Additionally, the homeowner noticed discoloration along the upper section of an exterior wall which appears to follow the outline of the location of studs and an attic gable vent.  Ice damming was reported to have occurred on the front of the house this past winter.  However, moisture intrusion from the ice damming was not reported.