PowerBees Blog

A customer called from Brookline, Massachusetts after a boiler explosion late on Friday afternoon.  He had already filed a claim with his insurance company.  The insurance company agreed to pay for all damages and the cost of having his air ducts cleaned.  Within an hour, PowerBees had an estimate in the hands of the insurance adjuster and two technicians dispatched to the property to clean the air ducts.  There were 56 supplies, 14 returns and 5 heating and air conditioning zones.  The work went through the night and well into the next day.  Upon completion of the job and live video inspection of the air ducts, the customer signed off and the insurance company was invoiced.

The customer called PowerBees to report mold in her attic. She was concerned about her allergies being affected by the mold, and wanted to receive a proposal for mold remediation.

A certified mold inspector examined her home and found Black Mold and White Mold in her attic on the plywood sheathing and joists. The mold was heaviest on the side of the house that bordered upon marsh land. It is believed the mold was a result of improper ventilation. The soffit vents were covered with insulation and the ridge vent was partially covered with roofing materials. PowerBees recommended setting up a Managed Air Flow Environment, the use of HEPA Air Scrubbers and HEPA vacuums, antimicrobial treatments and encapsulation as part of the Mold Remediation process.

PowerBees was called to a commercial property to perform a mold inspection. The company reported water damage from an overflowing toilet that had caused mold in the basement. They wanted PowerBees to provide a proposal for mold removal.

A certified mold inspector visited the property. He found visible Black Mold and Grey Mold on sheetrock and carpeting in multiple rooms, as well as White Mold on the floorboards of one room. Fruiting bodies (mushrooms) were found growing on the carpet. The mold was caused by separate instances of toilets overflowing and sustained water damage. Moisture detection readings in the sheetrock and the hardwood flooring registered high when read with a Delmhorst Moisture Meter. Humidity was measured at between 66% and 67%.

For mold remediation, PowerBees proposed to create a Managed Air Flow Environment, a containment barrier, and a secondary decontamination chamber. PowerBees also suggested the use of HEPA Air Scrubbers and HEPA vacuums, as well as multiple antimicrobial treatments.

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.

A customer called with concerns that mold in the garage has migrated into the home and is giving her 3 ½ year old son asthma-like symptoms. The garage mold was probably caused by a water leak, and may have been exasperated when the landlord tried to wash the mold away, adding more moisture to the affected area. The family moved into the home 2 months ago, and the son has been sick for over a month. Where mold is an airborne organism, the most common health complications from mold exposure are related to respiratory issues such as asthma and allergies. The mother has requested that PowerBees perform an air test and rush the results, so she can determine if mold could be the cause of her son’s condition.