Identifying and Avoiding Asbestos

Asbestos is a word we hear often when discussing homes and can exist in places you may not be aware of. Here’s how to identify it, and what to do about it.

Where Asbestos Is Found

Any amount of asbestos is hazardous. The percentages contained can very between manufacturers. Asbestos is in sheet vinyl and vinyl tiles. It’s also in linoleum, and laminate. People may not be aware that it’s additionally in flooring adhesives such as paper-like backing and mastic (adhesive/glue). Of course, the most common places are in wall plaster and vinyl wallpaper. It could be in roof shingles as well, but it’s best to a licensed asbestos inspector to test and confirm asbestos presence. Slate shingles are the most hazardous. There’s more asbestos content in slate shingles than asphalt. Before 1980, plaster and textured ceiling was often mixed with asbestos fibers, which was utilized because asbestos is durable and strong, along with its flame retardant ability and natural insulation. Modern popcorn/textured ceilings are generally ok.

Friable Asbestos

When dry asbestos containing material, or ACM, is crushed or crumbles in the hand easily, it releases fibers into the air. This is what’s known as friable asbestos. Materials degrade over time, the way that textured ceiling before the 1980s might have. This is what causes the dryness and friability. Duct tape and pipe wrapping used on asbestos are flexible. When they are touched or moved, they tend to waft asbestos particles into the air. The contact and adhesive makes dry material airborne. Particularly high in percentage of fibers is contained in the pipe wrapping. They can have anywhere from 65-85%. When vermiculite insulation is disturbed, the random fibers in it can get airborne just as easily.

When To Call an Inspector

If you have any suspicion that material contains asbestos at all, call a licensed asbestos inspector, along with a project supervisor. This is especially true if think it may have been made airborne, or in other words, friable. If the property you want to sell was constructed before 1989, that’s definitely another reason to call. The inspection process may slow your sale process down if anything is found. Pre-1989 property is also a reason to contact inspectors if you’re planning any renovations on your home. Plumbing may also involve asbestos, as well as any other “act of nature” that could have disturbed existing asbestos.

To learn more about how this affects your family and home please visit us at http://www.bloomenviro.com/ or give us a call at 812-327-1127 for a free estimate today!

How To Deal with Mold

Bloom Environmental has a lot of experience and expertise in dealing with mold. This requires remediation as well as preventative measures. Here is how we would go about it.

Crawlspace Preventative Encapsulation

Standing water in a crawlspace needs to be dried out, often with a sump pump. Gaps and cracks should be sealed as well. After installing a plastic vapor barrier, with it sealed at all seams, it should be attached to the walls and sealed at the top. It the HVAC lines are present, or a dehumidifier is installed, supply air inducers can be added. Lastly, draining the perimeter of the home is also a great preventative measure.

Preventative Basement Waterproofing

With a basement, removing a concrete slab (approx. 12 inches) along the perimeter from the wall might be necessary. A corrugated pipe, roughly 4 inches, would be installed on a slope, connecting to a sump pit that has been excavated. This slope would require a ¾ hp sump pump discharged out of the basement and away from the house. The trench dug for the job would be backfilled with stone. A hydro-channel drain to direct the water into the drainpipe would be installed, along with weep holes at the base of a block wall. The concrete would be replaced.

Remediation

Determining the source of the mold is the most important step prior to remediation. Preventive measures may be pointless if what is causing the moisture is not repaired. To keep mold spores from leaving the remediation area, as well as impacting other spaces, containment barriers would be set up. This is standard for Bloom Environmental to do inside any home or business. To ensure that dust, airborne debris, and of course mold spores can be removed from the affected area, negative air machines with HEPA air filters will run continuously. This is important since remediation can disturb the spores, making them airborne. Trained in industry standards, our technicians will professionally clean the area being remediated. This could include hand scrubbing, HEPA vacuuming, and even demolition, depending on the project. Lastly, we will apply an antimicrobial disinfectant to the area. We can also seal it with a mold-inhibiting primer.

To learn more about how this affects your family and home please visit us at http://www.bloomenviro.com/ or give us a call at 812-327-1127 for a free estimate today!

Identifiers Your Roof is Leaking - Part II

Austin Hays at Pritchett Brothers Roofing had plenty of sound expertise and advice concerning roof leaks. Here’s Part 2 of his insights.

What Causes Roofs to Deteriorate?

“Roof deterioration can be attributed to 3 things most commonly: UV exposure, Storm damage, and Ventilation. 

- UV exposure is natural and accounted for when determining the life expectancy of the shingle. The sun is hard on everything, and roofs are no exception. 

- The second is Storm Damage and this is a random "Act of God" that can deteriorate your roof to the point of replacement in a matter of hours. It is extremely important that Homeowners are diligent when picking their homeowners insurance. I see it too often that a new roof is not fully covered because the Homeowner went cheap on coverage and therefore must make a significant out-of-pocket contribution towards fixing the damage. 

- The last and most preventable is ventilation. A roof should have one square foot of ventilation per 300 square foot of ceiling space. If your roof seems to age faster than your neighbors, then your ventilation needs to be addressed. A good rule of thumb is the snow trick. We live in the Midwest and commonly get big snowstorms that may sit on the roof for days. If you look at your roof and you see large spots of shingles in the middle of the snow you have "hot spots", and this is where hot air is leaching out of your home and warming the roof. This is a clear indication that your home is not properly insulated, and your roof is not properly ventilated. Your attic space should always be close to the same temperature as it is outside.”

What Are the Best Tips to Extend Roof Life Overall?

“A yearly roof inspection by a qualified and trusted contractor is the best way to find potential problems and fix them before they become major issues. The contractor can provide insight on the remaining useful life, as well as give pricing updates so you are better prepared financially should the time arise to replace the roof. The contractor should be certified with one of the bigger shingle manufacturers (CertainTeed, GAF, Malarkey). Those manufacturers don't just give certifications to everyone, and the contractor would have had to display a level of acumen to earn it. I also always recommend doing your own research.”

To learn more about how this affects your family and home please visit us at http://www.bloomenviro.com/ or give us a call at 812-327-1127 for a free estimate today!

Identifiers Your Roof is Leaking - Part I

Roof leaks may take more than a glance to recognize. The most common areas we find mold growth are attic and crawl spaces. Untreated roof leaks are the most common reason we find mold growth in the attic. Join us in part 1 of 2 blogs with Austin Hays at Pritchett Brothers Roofing, where he offers his expertise about how best to spot them and what to do from there. Part 2 is coming soon!

Where Do Most Roof Leaks Occur?

“Roof leaks are most commonly found around roof penetrations (i.e. pipes, skylights, chimneys) and where roof slopes meet (i.e. valleys, pitch transitions). This will be the first indication that a roof is beginning to fail, but doesn't necessarily mean that it needs a full replacement. A roof inspection should uncover these things and are the first things that inspectors will look at when trying to diagnose a leak.”

How Do I Determine If I Should Repair or Replace?

“The decision to repair or replace the roof almost always comes down Age, Granule loss, and Seal. 

- There is a misnomer that I see regularly when it comes to shingles specifically that they will last 35, 40, even 50 years. This is never the case. An asphalt shingle with pressed granulation will always age faster than that and the longest useful life you should expect is 25-30 years at the absolute max. I caution anyone who is being sold a "lifetime shingle" to get a second opinion. 

- Granules are the small pebble-like feature that play a huge part in the way your shingle looks (color) and the protection of the asphalt mat underneath it. If upon inspection it is determined that over half or more of the granules have fallen off, this leaves the roof at risk for drying out. When the roof dries out it begins to crack and water penetrates this which rots out roof sheathing and eventually shows itself inside the home. 

- The Seal of the roof is also a good indicator of age. If you see shingles flapping in the wind or find them in the yard when mowing, you are at risk for water penetration and eventual leaking. 

- A repair is very common and usually the option barring the above factors. A 10 year old roof with a leak doesn't always have to be replaced. A qualified roof inspector with the heart of a teacher will be able to photo document the inspection, advise you on the issue at hand, and provide a cost-effective solution.” 

To learn more about how this affects your family and home please visit us at http://www.bloomenviro.com/ or give us a call at 812-327-1127 for a free estimate today!

5 Best Practices for Mainting Your Attic Space in Fall

Your attic can be the source of dangers for you and your family if you don’t keep an eye on it. Here are the 5 best ways to do that.

Mold Prevention

Roof leaks can lead to trapped moisture in your roof. This can cause mold to develop and trigger harsh allergens. Keep these irritants from seeping into the air in your home by inspecting your roof for missing or damaged shingles. Rain or winter storms that cause roof leaks can lead to trapped moisture in your roof. This can lead to mold damage and trigger harsh allergens. Keep these irritants from seeping into the air in your home by inspecting your roof for missing or damaged shingles.

Leaks

Unfortunately for some homeowners, noticing leaks or damage inside the attic doesn’t always happen until an exterior issue shows up. Eventually mold and mildew may become present on interior walls, but this happens slowly over time. Leaks also happen around chimneys, and valleys on roofs. In addition, clogged gutters are a big cause.

Inspect Your Insulation

Once the attic is clean, you'll want to inspect your insulation. If your insulation has fallen below the floor joists, you need to add more. If you can't see the floor joists above the insulation, they are likely below them which is a sign of healthy insulation. Insulation should be evenly distributed. No gaps or shallows areas should show. If your insulation shows signs of dampness, mold, or mildew, then you will want to replace it.

Ventilation

At the very least, have your attic care professional make sure that the air ducts from your HVAC system and your bathroom and kitchen vent fans are routed completely outside, and do not simply ventilate all that moist air into the attic. During the attic cleaning process, homeowners should also make sure that all vents are clear, and the air is able to flow freely. Trapped air can cause condensation, which is another breeding ground for mold.

Pests

There are many things that can get into our attic spaces. Termites, wasps, mice, rats, raccoons, and bats are just some of the unwanted visitors on the list. To prevent these guys from making our home their own, we need to inspect our attic space for possible entry points that these critters can get through.

To learn more about how this affects your family and home please visit us at http://www.bloomenviro.com/ or give us a call at 812-327-1127 for a free estimate today!

House Smells Ruining Your Appetite?—When to Call a Professional for Your Attic

Your attic space is the second most common place to find mold. This is why proper ventilation, insulation, and roofing are so important. Here’s how.

Ventilation

Typically your bathroom accumulates a lot of moisture. This from the showers and hot water used to keep clean. This moisture needs ventilated, hence the bathroom fan. Where, though, does your bathroom fan vent to? It must ventilate outside your home. Duct runs must be short and aimed in the proper direction for airflow. They must be installed in a way that limits condensation (which could drip through and rot your ceiling). They should include properly operating backdraft dampers before ventilating through a nearby exterior wall or the roof. This must also be properly cut and sealed to prevent leaks and rot. Electrical must also be safely run to a switch and/or timer. Follow manufacturer instructions for GFCI requirements exactly. Professional assistance with fan selection and installation are highly recommended.

Insulation

Proper attic insulation is key to ensuring that you pay no more than necessary to run your HVAC equipment. Requirements vary by region, but for most attics, the recommended R-value is up to R-38, or about ten to 14 inches, depending on insulation type. Insulation alone won’t do the trick. Attic ventilation also plays an important role in optimizing your home’s heating and cooling performance. In winter, a natural flow of outdoor air helps the attic stay cool. It reduces the risk of ice dams and related roof damage. In summer, the same ventilation—in some cases aided by an attic fan—helps usher out superheated air, reducing its burden on air conditioning. One of the biggest mistakes that homeowners make when installing insulation is blocking the flow of air at the eaves. This compromises the insulation’s effectiveness in winter.

Roofing

A small roofing defect can eventually undermine the structural integrity of your entire home. If you let mold, mildew, or dry rot sit for a long time, you can even be harming your personal and family’s health. The growth of mildew on the roof can turn into rot and create small holes in the roofing material. This is why routine roof maintenance is important, which includes keeping gutters clear of debris, so as not to back up on the roof, creating problems in the attic.

To learn more about how this affects your family and home please visit us at http://www.bloomenviro.com/ or give us a call at 812-327-1127 for a free estimate today!

Is Vermiculite Insulation Affecting Your Family?

You may not know about materials in insulation like vermiculite. Here’s a primer and history to better inform you for your health, and everyone else’s.

What Is Vermiculite Insulation?
Vermiculite is a hydrous phyllosilicate mineral which undergoes significant expansion when heated. Exfoliation occurs when the mineral is heated sufficiently. Above 300°C, it expands to become a highly efficient heat-insulating material. The expanded vermiculite has unique properties. Low bulk density and low heat conductivity are important ones. A relatively high melting point, chemical inertness, endurance, and environmental safety are others. It can be used as a filler for heat-insulating materials. Heat insulators based on expanded vermiculite can be used in thermal power units with the hot-wall temperature not exceeding 1150°C as replacement for lightweight chamotte components and fibrous heat insulators.

Libby Mine
During the 1920s the Zonolite Company formed and began mining the vermiculite at Zonolite Mountain. In 1963, W.R. Grace bought the operations. At its peak, the Libby mine may have provided 80 percent of the world’s vermiculite. The vermiculite ore mined contained elongate mineral particles identified as a mixture of asbestiform amphiboles, including winchite, richterite, and tremolite asbestos that was randomly mixed into the insulation.  Most of that was contaminated with what would become known as Libby Amphibole Asbestos. The contamination was not limited just to the mine site. Libby residents were able to pick up free truckloads of asbestos-contaminated vermiculite for use at home. The vermiculite mining operation was finally closed in 1990. In 1999, the EPA sent an Emergency Response Team to Libby. In 2002, the EPA added Libby Asbestos to the National Priorities List as a superfund cleanup site.

EPA Recommendations

• Leave vermiculite insulation undisturbed in your attic or in your walls.

• Do not store boxes or other items in your attic if it contains vermiculite insulation.

• Do not allow children to play in an attic with vermiculite insulation.

• Do not attempt to remove the insulation yourself.

• Hire a professional asbestos contractor if you plan to remodel or conduct renovations

The Zonolite Trust
The Zonolite Attic Insulation Trust now serves to educate the public about the dangers of asbestos. It also provides complimentary vermiculite testing and partial reimbursement to property damage claimants. This reimbursement is designed to help with of the cost of professional Zonolite removal and asbestos abatement. www.zonoliteatticinsulation.com

To learn more about how this affects your family and home please visit us at http://www.bloomenviro.com/ or give us a call at 812-327-1127 for a free estimate today!