Mold Inspections and Testing in the Greater New Haven Area

As one of the oldest cities in America, more than 87% of the buildings in the greater New Haven area were built before 1989 and many of them are more than a century old. These buildings were built without the benefit of modern construction techniques, standards, and materials which means they are more likely to be vulnerable to the elements. When a home is not properly sealed unwanted moisture can seep inside through the seams of doorways and windows, as well as through cracks in the siding. The latter may allow moisture to condense inside the walls of the building until a mold contamination occurs. If left unchecked such mold can wreak havoc on the structure of your building, whether commercial or residential, and can cost you tens of thousands of dollars in repairs. It is important have a mold inspection conducted after major storms, or any time you see mold growing on your walls or in your basement, in order to determine the extent of the contamination.

Each year New Haven receives approximately 47 inches of precipitation. In the summer this often comes in the form of long stretches of steady rainfall combined with high humidity, between 60% and 90%, and there is a high probability of mold growing throughout your home due to unknown leaks or condensation on pipes in the walls and basement. The natural woods in older buildings warp over time, expanding and contracting as the temperatures change, until they become less effective against the elements. This allows for moisture to seep in to the foundation, walls, and attic where it settles onto surfaces.

Once your house is contaminated with mold it can become hazardous to the health of you and your loved ones. It irritates the respiratory system and produces allergy-like symptoms. In addition, recent studies have also linked mold exposure with the development of asthma in both children and adults. Periodic mold inspections can protect you from the potential hazards of exposure.

The Danger Mold Growth after Heavy Rain or Snowfall Caused by Nor’easters in Connecticut

In addition to the general heavy rainfall, New Haven is also subjected to periodic super-cells. These storms are called “nor’easters,” because of the direction the wind comes from. What makes these storms so dangerous is the way the storm sweeps down along the coast, picking up a great deal of moisture from the ocean, and then hovers over the region for up to 48 hours. During the winter a single storm can drop up to 40 inches of snow onto the city, preventing people from being able to leave their home. In the summer there is a danger of flooding and leaks in almost all structures. When this amount of precipitation falls the damage to buildings can be staggering, and the subsequent mold growth will only exacerbate the problem.

If you would like your property inspected for mold by one of our professional microbial investigators call RTK Environmental Group at 800.392.6468 or register online.