A minor mold problem was detected and PowerBees contacted in early July in the town of Foxboro, MA.  The homeowners and their small children are currently living in the colonial style home build approximately 85 years ago.  The clients have occupied the property since 1997.  One of the residents became concerned after noticing an odor on the first level kitchen.  The odor was intermittent during the summer but reportedly worsened in the last few weeks.  There was no reported history of significant flooding.  They recently converted from oil to gas heat and had both the chimney and old furnace removed.  The partially finished basement consists of old plywood paneling and new sheetrock in a recently partitioned office.   They expressed concern about possible microbial growth in the basement and requested that mold testing be conducted.  The results from the samples showed high levels of airborne Penicillium/Aspergillus spores in the basement.

PowerBees recently conducted mold testing at a property in Foxboro, MA.   The client is currently living in a second story apartment of a multi-family house, owned by her father.  The house was built in the early 1900’s.  The family has occupied the property for approximately five years. The Client reported the Formica-like paneling covering the bathroom wall has been increasingly deteriorating in the bathtub enclosure since they moved in.  The master bedroom has reportedly had a history of plumbing leaks in the ceiling.  The ceiling was replaced prior the family occupying the apartment.  Concern was expressed over the air quality and the possible impact on her family’s health.  She stated that she has been experiencing headaches, fatigue and respiratory discomfort.  She has a four year old son who has also reportedly has suffered from heart and upper respiratory problems.   Three non-viable air samples were taken at the property by PowerBees.  One air sample was taken in the bathroom, a second air sample was taken from the master bedroom and a third air sample was taken outside.  The results from the samples showed very high levels of airborne spores in the bathroom and moderate-high levels in the master bedroom.  Most noteworthy was the amount of airborne Stachybotrys spores in the bathroom.  Stachybotrys is quite dangerous.

Foxboro, Massachusetts was the most recent site of a mold inspection by PowerBees Inc.  The homeowner contacted PowerBees to visit the property and complete a visual inspection.  Subsequent estimates would be created after.  Once a PowerBees inspector visited the property it was found that moisture levels were high in the basement baseboard and sheetrock and on the foundation floor. There were puddles of water on the floor inside the closet and dampness on the floor of the unfinished storage room. There were many contents with including clothes, shoes and boxes visible grey, white and green mold colonizing on them in both the finished and unfinished basement areas. Upon inspection of the first level, humidity was measured at 44%.   There was visible black mold on the ceiling in the 1^st level bathroom in the shower area, but no visible microbial colonization elsewhere.

A few days ago, PowerBees received a request to inspect a water damaged property in Foxboro, MA.  The family was worried about the possibility of mold growth in the abode and wished for a mold inspection to be performed.  There was a water leak approximately one year ago from the upstairs bathroom into the first floor bathroom below.  That leak has since been repaired.  However, there is now a new leak that appears to be intermittent.  The painting was repainted in the last few weeks over the water staining.  In the abutting pantry, there are water stained ceiling tiles.  Some ceiling tiles have already been removed from the panty.  Upon inspection of the ceiling cavity between the first and second floor beneath the 2^nd level bathroom, visible black mold was identified on back of ceiling tiles and structural framing.   Moisture levels were high in the insulation on the pipes in the ceiling cavity below the 2^nd level bathroom, suggesting that there is a probable leak.  Mold growth is possible in the water stained areas.  Removal of the affected areas under containment to ascertain the possible microbial growth beyond was recommended.  A mold removal procedure could then be developed.

In the process of building several homes, the framing and plywood sheathing were left exposed to rain. The resulting dampness caused the growth of white mold. A customer called about receiving an estimate on the cost of mold removal for the affected buildings. Mold remediation must take place before construction of the homes can be completed.

PowerBees sent a Certified Mold Inspector to visit the site, and came up with a proposal for mold removal. Before any mold remediation can take place, the homes must be buttoned, which includes the installation of windows, doors and roofing.