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.

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.

PowerBees Inc. was recently called in to help with a mold problem in the attic of a single family home in Wayland, MA.  The homeowners wanted a mold inspection conducted in their attic.  Moisture readings in the attic, taken with a Delmhorst moisture meter, were slightly elevated.  The attic mold is a result of insufficient ventilation.  There was only 1 gable vent with thermostatic fan. There were no soffits. White Mold and water staining was identified on the lower 1’ of a particle board partition in the basement.  The current owner reported that the French drain had at one time failed and that the water heater had also ruptured.  Humidity in the basement was measured at 32%.  Moisture readings in the basement (foundation floors, walls and particle board partition) were within normal limits.  A bedroom where there was access to the attic space had paint peeling from the walls, possibly the result of water damage, although there was no water staining to sustain this suspicion.  There was no visible mold colonizing in this bedroom. There was visible black mold near an exhaust fan in a bathroom ceiling and also on the tile grout.  There was evidence of water damage in the bottom of the vanity but no current leaks.  A converted garage had some water staining near the skylight, but no visible mold was found.

After discovering a mold problem in the attic of a property in Framingham, MA, the homeowners contacted PowerBees to perform mold testing.  While attempting to sell the house approximately two years ago, a mold issue was discovered in the attic space. In the autumn of 2008, a mold remediation was preformed in the upper level bedrooms and in the attic space. The roof sheathing in the attic was sealed and the ceilings and insulation on the upper level were replaced. However, the owner reported that previous air sampling showed the continued presence of mold. There are no reports of mold related health issues affecting the family at present, though the clients ex-wife reports the dog has allergies to mold. Also, in the autumn of 2008 water intrusion reported in a basement crawlspace. At that time a concrete floor was poured, a new sump pump was installed, and a dehumidifier was made operational. Six non-viable air samples were taken at the property by PowerBees.  One air sample was taken in the girl’s bedroom, a second air sample was taken from the 2^nd level hallway, a third air sample was taken from the boy’s bedroom, a fourth air sample was taken in the master bedroom, a fifth air sample was taken in the den, and a sixth air sample was taken outside.  The results from the samples showed very high levels of airborne spores in the Master Bedroom and Den.  The humidity levels are quite high and conducive for microbial growth