After the Rain

Severe, continued rains have caused water damage in a number of LA County buildings.  The most common entry points:  (1) roof leaks, (2) poor window seals, and (3) water ponding adjacent to exterior walls.  

If water has entered your building, you can take immediate steps to lessen the effects of the damage:

1. Most important, identify walls that have become wet.  Moisture usually collects along baseboards, wicking up the wallboard for a foot or two.  A moisture meter will be useful for this initial assessment.

2.  Wherever possible, remove wet wallboard quickly, then clean and dry the inner wall space.  If you've had to wait more than a week to strip that wallboard, carefully inspect the back (inner) side of the wallboard for signs of mold (which usually starts as small, dark round spots) and discoloration.  If found, you may need an abatement contractor to complete the job, for what is often significantly higher cost.  If you've waited more than 3 weeks, you should probably bring one on board right away. 

(We're not overly encouraged by restoration contractors who drill holes in walls and and then try to dry the inner wall space with fans and dehumidifiers.  Particularly when wet insulation is present, these efforts are rarely as effective as removing the wet walls and are often much more expensive.)

3.  Assuming you were able to strip the wallboard prior to any mold growth, use that drying time to identify and correct the source of the water intrusion.  Make sure this is done before installing new materials. 

4.  The above 3 steps are your best defense against future mold growth, and will help keep a small problem from becoming a very large one.  Call this office for additional information. 

And by the way, unlike wallboard paper(an excellent host for mold growth), Soaked carpet is generally a poor host.  Tacked down carpet that has become soaked can sometimes be lifted and dried.  Removal of glued-down carpet is much more difficult, and may not be necessary if the carpet is on a concrete substrate.  Here, thoroughly wet-vacuuming and dehumidifiers are probably appropriate. 

ELLIS - 310 544 1837

What Causes Indoor Air Problems?

Pollutant Sources

There are many sources of indoor air pollution. These include combustion sources such as oil, gas, kerosene, coal, wood, and tobacco products; building materials and furnishings as diverse as deteriorated, asbestos-containing insulation, wet or damp carpet, and cabinetry or furniture made of certain pressed wood products; products for household cleaning and maintenance, personal care, or hobbies; central heating and cooling systems and humidification devices; and outdoor sources such as radon, pesticides, and outdoor air pollution.  Although it is odorless and tasteless, asbestos and other fibrous dusts can be a long-term health risk.  A buildup of carbon dioxide, caused by inadequate ventilation, is a major source of indoor air complaints. 

For more information, click on the "Resource" tab above.

ELLIS - 310 544 1837

ELLIS TAPPED TO ASSIST WITH $30 MILLION SCHOOL RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT

Ellis was recently awarded design, testing and administrative duties for the removal of contaminated soils from a southern California school district.   

A portion of the school buildings at the site had been constructed on 20 vertical feet of unknown fill that had been deposited at the site more than 40 years ago.  Ellis first administered the asbestos removal and demolition of each building, whereupon they were demolished.  Now working on a cleared site, Ellis sampled the fill material prior to new construction.  Arsenic and other contaminants were discovered.  In cooperation with the state Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC), excavation of contaminated soil is scheduled for December, 2009.