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IAQ Experts Provide Tips for Preventing the Winter Blues due to Water Damage & Mold


Cinnaminson, NJ – WEBWIRE

Few things can turn the holiday season from a festive time to the onset of the winter blues as quickly as finding water damage and mold growth in a home.  The winter season can be tough on any type of property and this can be especially true for the millions of homes located in areas that experience arctic blasts and heavy snows.
                                                 
Whether it’s caused by strong winds, rain, snow or ice, they can all take a toll on a home.  Perhaps one of the most destructive aspects of winter is pipes bursting due to freezing conditions.  According to an ACE Insurance Underwriters study that examined water damage in the United States over three years, it results in $9.1 billion in annual homeowner damages. When moisture does enter a home, it can cause a variety of property damage and mold can begin to grow in as short as 24 to 48 hours.
 
The indoor environmental quality experts at EMSL Analytical, Inc., one of the largest environmental laboratory networks in North America, deal with countless situations involving water damage, mold and other indoor environmental concerns each winter. EMSL offers the following advice on steps that could help protect a home from freezing winter weather, water damage and mold growth. They include:

  1. Insulating pipes and evaluating if the home’s attic, walls, basement or crawl space is properly insulated.
  2. Ensuring the attic is well ventilated.
  3. Shutting off and draining the water to exterior hose bibs and the yard’s irrigation system.
  4. Cleaning gutters and down spouts to make sure water is able to drain properly and to minimize the risk of ice dams. Also, make sure that water drains away from the home.
  5. Inspecting fireplaces to be sure they are operating properly and are not obstructed.
  6. Caulking around windows, doors and other openings. Also, check for drafts and add weather stripping anywhere it’s worn or missing.
  7. Having the heating system inspected before it’s needed to make sure it is operating properly and that there are no carbon monoxide hazards. 
  8. Checking the roof, flashing, chimney, siding and skylights for any signs of damage.
  9. Trimming back any branches that could cause damage to the house during a winter storm.
  10. If a home is a summer property or is going to be empty for an extended period of time, shut off and drain the water system.


“It is important to take steps to prepare for the winter season to help prevent problems from occurring in the first place,” said Joseph Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “If moisture or flooding does become an issue, be sure to respond quickly to prevent a small problem from becoming a major repair that includes mold issues.  For properties that do suffer water damage this winter, EMSL offers a comprehensive range of air quality testing services for fungal, bacterial and chemical pollutants.  We also supply sampling equipment and test kits.”
 
EMSL recently sponsored a video about winterizing a home to prevent water damage and mold that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/yGbzpbuCaxY.
 
To learn more about EMSL’s mold and indoor air quality (IAQ) testing services, sampling supplies and field testing equipment, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com .
 
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental, indoor air quality and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public.  The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.


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