List of Probable Asbestos Containing Building Materials

EPA List of Probable ACM

Probable Asbestos Containing Building Materials Table of Contents Probable Asbestos Containing Building Materials Used Before 1980s. Do not rely on the build date for demolition or renovation, remodeling or removal of bearing walls. Testing is recommended before remodeling, renovation, or demolition of all buildings. This list is a summary of probable asbestos containing materials. Do […]

Need a J-Card for a Demolition Permit?

Need a J-Card for a Demolition Permit? Table of Contents We can Do This – Quickly! We hold the correct, approved asbestos license to perform the asbestos survey needed. If you are new to the J-Card issues, please read the rules below.   I need a J-Card Survey Quickly! The Rules Bay Area Air Quality […]

Understanding Elevated Blood Lead Levels in Children

Understanding Elevated Blood Lead Levels in Children

Understanding Elevated Blood Lead levels Table of Contents Understanding Elevated Blood Lead Levels In Children An elevated blood lead level is a concentration of lead in the blood that is higher than the reference value established by California Department of Health, typically measured in micrograms per deciliter (μg/dL). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention […]

How To Effectively Remove Mold From Clothes

clean mold from clothes

How To Effectively Remove Mold From Clothes Table of Contents   Why Mold Grows On Clothes Mold Thrives in damp, dark, and humid environments. Clothes that are not properly dried or stored can easily become breeding rounds for mold. Understanding the conditions that lead to mold growth can hel you prevent it in the future. […]

The Dangers of Fiberglass in Commercial Buildings

fiberglass

The Dangers of Fiberglass in Commercial Buildings Table of Contents   Fiberglass insulation (sometimes pink or white), often found in commercial buildings, is increasingly being compared to asbestos because of its potential and probable health risks. In the San Francisco Bay Area, where diverse architectural styles are prevalent, understanding and addressing the risks posed by […]

Reduce CO2 Inside Your Office

reduce-co2-inside-your-office

Discusses the ways to lower and reduce CO2 inside your building by using electrical appliances, regulating fresh air intake through HVAC systems or open the windows and using plants.

Vapor Barriers

vapor barriers

Vapor Barriers Table of Contents What Are Vapor Barriers? Vapor barriers, or vapor retarders, are materials used to prevent moisture from penetrating walls, ceilings, and floors within a building structure. They are crucial in controlling the amount of moisture that passes through the building envelope, thereby preventing damage such as mold growth and structural decay. […]

What To Expect Lead-based Paint Abatement

What to Expect Lead-based Abatement

what to Expect lead-based Paint Abatement Common Lead Contamination Sources Lead contamination can be found in a variety of settings, however it is most commonly found in paint manufactured prior to 1978 when such materials were banned for public use. Older homes and buildings are especially prone to such hazards due to the presence of […]

Storm Damage? Hire Licensed Professionals

storm damage

Assess your damage and take photos – you can’t ever have too many photos. Call your insurance company. If you have to pay for the repairs yourself always get 3 quotes from licensed, insured professionals.

Hire The Right Environmental Contractor

Hire the right environmental contractor for your job to get the best, least expensive results. ALWAYS get three quotes from licensed and insured contractors.

ADU Environmental Policy

ADU Policy Table of Contents Asbestos Surveys If you are replacing an existing structure that was built before 1980 asbestos testing is required for the building permit. The majority of counties do not, at this time, require an additional lead based paint survey. Berkeley does require a lead survey before a permit is issued. If […]

Sell Your Property Fast!

Sell Your Home Fast

Sell Your House Fast! Table of Contents Preparation Before You List Is Key To sell your property fast you need to do some homework before listing. You want to get top dollar for your property. If you do these steps BEFORE you call a listing agent, you will be able to get qualified buyers that […]

Learn About Asbestos Testing

asbestos testing

Learn About Asbestos Testing Table of Contents EPA List Learn About Asbestos Testing “Asbestos” is a group of six naturally occurring minerals. These minerals are extremely resistant to heat, electricity, and corrosion. While these qualities make it a very useful material, it has also been found to be extremely harmful and toxic to humans that […]

What Attorneys Should Know About Mold In 2024

What Attorneys Need to Know in 2024

What Attorneys Should Know About Mold in 2024 Table of Contents   The National Toxic Mold Standard The Nationally Recognized Standard For Mold Remediation Is The IICRC S520. The nationally recognized Standard (not a guideline, rather an ASNI approved Standard) is the ANSI/IICRC S520. This standard was created by a group of professional mold inspectors and […]

How To Hire a Mold Inspector

HIre the right mold inspector

How to Hire A Mold Inspector Table of Contents What Are The Different Kinds of Mold Inspectors? The State of California does not offer or require any type of license for mold professionals unless they perform repairs/remediation.  The most respected national credentialing organization for mold inspectors is the American Council for Accredited Certification. Look for […]

What To Expect During An Asbestos Abatement

what-to-expect-during-an-asbestos-abatement

what to Expect during an Asbestos Abatement Table of Contents   Understand the Rules If asbestos containing building materials to be removed exceeding 100 square feet and/or contain a bearing wall, a professional asbestos abatement contractor should be hired. Some counties now require a lead-based paint inspection certificate, also, before issuing a building permit. Asbestos […]

Things to Know About Water Leaks in 2024

things to know about Water Leaks In 2024 Table of Contents Find the water leak source and shut It Off If a toilet is leaking there is a valve on the wall or the floor that has a knob that you can turn off. If the knob is broken, use pliers or a vice grip. […]

What Parents Need to Know About Lead-based Paints

what-parents-need-to-know-about-lead-paint

What Parents Need to Know About Lead-based Paint Table of Contents Our Old City is Painted in Lead-based Paints Beautiful as our City is, the lead-based paint is a danger to all children under 7 years of age. And lead dust isn’t so good for the rest of us, either. Children under 7 are susceptible […]

How Many Asbestos Samples Will I Need?

how-many-asbestos-samples-will-i-need

How Many Asbestos Samples will I need? Table of Contents How Many Asbestos Samples Will I Need The 3,5,7 Rule How many samples do I need to be taken for bulk materials: 3 Samples if the specific material is <1000 square feet. 5 Samples if the specific material is between 1000-5000 square feet. 7 Samples […]

Remove Mold From Stuffed Toys

remove-mold-from-childs-toys

How To Remove Mold From Stuffed toys Table of Contents Safety First Mold can be a serious issue, especially when it affects items that your children interact with daily, such as stuffed toys. This comprehensive guide will walk you through how to remove mold from stuffed toys, ensuring the safety and happiness of your little […]

4 Steps to a Mold Free Home

4-steps-to-a-mold-free-home

How to Have A Mold free Home Table of Contents Stop All Water Leaks Keep Interior Humidity under 52% Outside humidity in San Francisco is normally around 50%.  In living and working spaces we find interior humidity to be between 40% and 52%. When the long term humidity exceeds 52% it becomes a concern. Humidity […]

Toxic Mold Makes People Sick

toxic mold makes people sick

toxic mold makes people sick Table of Contents Asthma, Coughing, and Hypersensitivity to Mold The medical community agrees: mold makes people sick. People that have breathing challenges, shouldn’t live in damp, moldy buildings. We are not medical experts, so we’ve added some links at the bottom of this page to interesting medical studies on mold […]

Access Your Asbestos Risks

access-your-asbestos-risks

Acess Your Asbestos risk Table of Contents Buildings Built After 1981 Generally Do Not Contain Asbestos Access your asbestos risks by taking a thorough look around your property. Here’s a link to the EPA list of common building materials that contained asbestos in homes and commercial properties build after 1981. If you have older ducts […]

Reduce Your Formaldehyde Exposure

reduce-your-formaldehyde-exposure

Reduce Your formaldehyde Risk Table of Contents Read Labels On All Personal Care Items. If you can’t pronounce the ingredients, don’t buy the product. Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing chemicals are often used in shampoos including baby shampoos and liquid soaps. Formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasing chemicals are sometimes present in the following items: nail polish, nail and […]

Who Can Test for Asbestos

who-can-test-for-asbestos

Who Can Test For Asbestos Table of Contents It Depends If it’s Clearance Testing for a school a government building, or a public building a CAC (Certified Asbestos Consultant) is required to do TEM air sampling. If it’s a demolition or includes a bearing wall, A CAC should do the bulk testing. You will need […]

What To Expect During a Mold Remediation

What to expect remediation

What to Expect during a Mold Remediation Table of Contents Manage the finances and the frustrations Remediation means removing and cleaning up mold. Abatement means removing and cleaning up asbestos, lead, lead-based paint, chemicals, or sewage. The is seldom an easy or inexpensive process. Following these steps will save your money, your timeline, and maybe […]

Prepare For Your Mold Inspection

Prepare for your mold inspection

Prepare For Your Mold Inspection Table of Contents Better Preparation = Better Results Remember these steps when preparing for mold inspections and get ready to breathe easier today. Keep all doors and windows closed for a period of two hours before any testing begins. If the windows and doors have been left open, we can […]

Ozone Does Not Kill Mold

ozone-does-not-kill-mold

Ozone Does Not Kill Mold Table of Contents Does Ozone Kill Mold? Debunking the Myth What Science Says Contrary to popular belief, ozone does not effectively remove mold contamination. Mold growth is primarily caused by water and cellulose. To truly tackle a mold problem, the source of water must be eliminated first. Then, all materials […]

Mold Laws and Occupancy

mold-laws-and-occupancy

Mold Laws and Occupancy Table of Contents Information about San Francisco and tenants. Total allowable occupancy may also include overall unit size and consideration of its layout. Concerns of Overcrowding: This will likely lead to further property deterioration, danger to safety risks, and contravention of the city’s housing code due to the fact that many […]

San Francisco Lead Dust Levels Allowed

san-francisco-lead-dust-levels allowed

San Francisco Lead dust levels Allowed Lead Dust Levels Overview Allowed lead levels for interior floors and window sills was lowered in an effort to protect children from lead poisoning. There are higher levels that are acceptable if you live in a HUD owned property. Regardless of the allowed levels, children should be protected from […]

How To Clean Up Lead Dust

How to clean up lead dust

How to Clean Up Lead dust Table of Contents Lead dust is created from from the door or window parts that rub against each other. See the rub marks on the old door and frame above for an example. For example where the door rubs the frame. In older homes and child care facilities these […]

Dust Exposure and Allergens

dust-exposure-and-allergens

Dust Exposure and Allergens Table of Contents Effectively controlling dust and allergens in your home can be challenging, especially with outdoor triggers like construction dust and pollen. This guide covers key steps to assess, test for, and reduce allergen and dust exposure through modifications and professional services. Perform A Thorough Site Assessment To Identify Allergen […]

ERMI Dust Testing

ermi-dust-testing

ERMI Dust Testing Table of Contents ERMI dust Testing Finds Mold Spores in House Dust ERMI Stands For The Environmental Relative Moldiness Index The objective of the original ERMI dust testing research was to confirm or deny mold as a factor in asthmatic children living in homes in Boston, Kansas City, and San Diego in […]

MARIA Dust Testing

maria-dust-testing

Maria Dust Testing Table of Contents MARIA Dust Testing Will Show The Presence Of Dog And Cat Dander, Mouse And Rodent Feces And Urine, And Dust Mites By Type If your Allergist or Medical Team find you are allergic to dog  or cat dander, mice or rodent feces or urine, or dust mites, then MARIA […]