Precision Environmental Service in Fort Worth TX

Asbestos Survey

Asbestos evaluations, also known as asbestos surveys, are instrumental in safeguarding the health of building occupants from this hazardous material. Mandated by the US EPA, an asbestos survey is obligatory before any renovation or demolition activities to identify potentially disturbed asbestos-containing materials. We advocate for asbestos inspections and air quality tests in older edifices where aging asbestos materials might be compromised, as well as post-removal or repair operations to confirm absence of airborne asbestos fibers.

Compliance with EPA and NESHAP standards necessitates conducting an asbestos survey before renovation or demolition of public buildings. Initiating any project also requires notification to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Precision Environmental Service provides TDSHS-accredited asbestos surveys and caters to the DFW and North Central Texas regions. We execute the necessary asbestos evaluations for obtaining building permits in Texas and guide our clients in interpreting assessment results, offering budget-friendly solutions for compliance with both State and Federal Asbestos Regulations.

Asbestos Remediation

Asbestos has a significant historical presence in Texas, notably in major urban areas like Fort Worth. This implies that many older buildings, defunct shipyards, and factories still contain substantial amounts of this hazardous fiber. When such structures undergo renovation, workers are at risk of inhaling these fibers.

Precision Environmental Service specializes in meticulous asbestos remediation and abatement, employing a seasoned team and cutting-edge technology to ensure your project is completed efficiently and thoroughly, mitigating future concerns.

Well-versed in Texas state compliance regulations and safety protocols, we ensure that your property meets all legal and health standards. Our expertise spans numerous residential and commercial projects across Texas, earning us a local reputation for timely service and proven outcomes. Federal and Texas-specific OSHA guidelines outline the safety measures for workers involved in asbestos abatement, along with standardized methods for the removal of asbestos-containing materials.

Asbestos Air Quality Testing

Asbestos poses no health risks as long as it remains encapsulated within its original materials. However, disintegration due to age or disturbance during renovations or demolitions can release fibers into the air, making it a serious health concern.

There are two primary methods for asbestos air testing:

• Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM)
• Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)

PCM is quicker and less expensive but may not detect extremely fine fibers and cannot differentiate between asbestos and other fibers like fiberglass. It involves drawing an air sample through a filter and examining a section of that filter under a microscope.

In contrast, TEM is more accurate and detailed, capable of identifying even minute asbestos fibers. It involves sending air samples to a lab where they are analyzed using a sophisticated electron microscope. Though more reliable, it is also costlier and more time-consuming than PCM.

For asbestos removal projects, PCM is often chosen for its speed and affordability, while TEM is utilized when a higher level of accuracy is essential. We generally recommend TEM testing post-asbestos removal before area re-occupancy.

Where is Mold discovered in the home?

Mold commonly manifests in damp spaces within homes as small black circles or thread-like white formations, often accompanied by a musty odor. While it serves an ecological role outdoors in decomposing organic matter, indoor mold growth occurs when spores land on wet or moist surfaces. It’s crucial to dry water-affected areas within 24-48 hours to inhibit mold growth.

Signs like visible mold, musty smells, apparent water damage, poorly maintained HVAC systems, or structural flaws call for a comprehensive inspection. Through a combination of visual examination and air, tape, or swab sampling, inspectors can pinpoint hidden sources of mold, water damage, and indoor pollutants.

Air sampling aims to identify airborne contaminants, both type and amount. This method becomes necessary when visual inspections are inconclusive but odors or allergic symptoms indicate an issue. Air samples are collected from both indoor and outdoor environments for comparative analysis, generally while the HVAC system is operational.

Tape or swab sampling is conducted on visibly moldy areas using a sterile swab, primarily to identify the specific mold species present.

After visual inspections and sampling, inspectors produce a detailed report based on lab analysis, which can be used for disclosure and remediation recommendations. In all cases, if mold is found, the root cause—often water damage—needs to be addressed to prevent future issues.

Mold Assessments

In the assessment of indoor air quality, it’s essential to consider the sensitivity levels of current or future occupants towards indoor environmental pollutants. Although there are no established Federal or State guidelines for indoor mold levels, Precision Environmental Service adheres to protocols outlined by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Texas Guidelines for Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments.

Mold inspections and testing serve as effective solutions to common indoor air quality issues. Certified mold inspectors understand that mold-related issues, from musty odors to potential health risks from fungal spores, are among the most prevalent concerns for homeowners and potential buyers. Consequently, mold remains the primary environmental factor of interest.

Mold Remediation

A significant infestation of black mold can pose a dual threat, jeopardizing both your property and well-being. Given the ubiquitous presence of tiny mold spores indoors and outdoors, achieving complete mold eradication is a formidable challenge.

Remediation efforts always entail the removal of existing mold while ensuring the safety of workers and property occupants, alongside preventing future growth by addressing the moisture source. Mold problems, apart from causing significant disruptions, can constitute a severe health hazard for individuals exposed within commercial properties. Even minor water intrusions, such as slow roof leaks or loose pipe fittings, can lead to mold invasions. Every hour spent on cleanup translates to lost profits and productivity. If you suspect mold issues in your property, prompt action is crucial. Contact Precision Environmental Service for a rapid and efficient response.

Mold remediation techniques have evolved from the practices employed in asbestos abatement, particularly in containing airborne mold particles generated during demolition and ensuring worker safety. Notably, the key difference lies in the fact that water should not be used in mold work to control airborne particles, unlike asbestos abatement.

Assessing the extent of mold and developing remediation plans should ideally be entrusted to experienced professionals, followed by execution by certified mold remediation experts.

Mold Air Quality Tests

Incorporating air sampling into a mold inspection serves multiple crucial purposes. Mold spores are minuscule and not visible to the naked eye, making laboratory analysis of air samples invaluable for identifying the specific mold types present. Furthermore, analyzing these samples helps establish the extent and severity of a mold issue, as well as assess potential human exposure to mold spores. Post-remediation, new samples are typically collected to verify the successful elimination of all mold.

Air samples offer valuable insights into the presence of mold spores within a home’s interior. This process involves using a pump to draw air through a collection device that captures mold spores. The collected air sample is then sent to a laboratory for thorough analysis. The utilization of air sampling by Precision Environmental Service inspectors during mold inspections has become a standard practice.

Mold-related issues can be detected using infrared cameras even before visible signs or noticeable odors emerge. However, the effectiveness of an infrared camera alone is limited. To make informed decisions regarding potential mold growth, technicians also need temperature measurements. To address this, specialized cameras equipped with precise temperature measurement capabilities are employed. By comparing temperature readings with infrared data from similar structures in the vicinity, technicians can assess whether a significant temperature increase might encourage mold growth.

When a technician identifies an area suspected of mold growth, the camera becomes an invaluable tool for documenting details. This documentation aids individuals who may not be familiar with mold’s appearance or its potential consequences in comprehending the nature of the issue within the property being inspected. This information plays a crucial role in the decision-making process for homebuyers or sellers. Upon recording the information, sellers are obligated to disclose it to any prospective buyers.

Potential homebuyers can gauge the extent of the mold issue within the property they are considering, helping them make informed purchase decisions. While other methods exist for detecting mold in a home, such as physical inspection by removing drywall, this approach lacks accuracy because the conditions conducive to mold growth are not always visible to the naked eye. Additionally, it can be costly, as any removed materials would need replacement. Thus, unless one intends to completely renovate the drywall in a house, this method is not a reliable means of mold assessment.

Detecting mold risks before they escalate into significant problems is crucial for the safety of any structure. The challenge lies in the fact that the typical signs of mold growth, such as stained walls or ceilings and musty odors, often become apparent only after the mold has had ample time to establish itself.

When it comes to assessing mold risk, moisture meters stand out as indispensable tools for mold remediation professionals, enabling them to perform moisture mapping. This is pivotal because, as highlighted by the EPA, “there is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the key to controlling indoor mold growth is moisture control.”

Mold spores are virtually ubiquitous and can proliferate swiftly when they encounter ideal conditions. Therefore, to thwart mold growth, it is imperative to identify and eliminate potential moisture-rich areas where mold could thrive. This is where moisture meters play a vital role.

Modern moisture mapping tools are exceptionally precise, capable of pinpointing concealed pockets of moisture within surfaces. Identifying such moisture within walls and floors can indicate areas where the risk of corrosion and mold growth may exist. For the effective eradication of mold and hazardous fungi, a thorough assessment is imperative.

The most comprehensive and meticulous evaluations of moisture, shedding light on potential mold growth areas, can be achieved using state-of-the-art, high-quality moisture meters.

What is the difference between an evaluation and risk assessment?

An assessment involves a meticulous, surface-by-surface examination aimed at determining the presence and location of lead-based paint within a residence or child-occupied facility. Legally, these assessments can only be conducted by qualified inspectors or risk assessors. Lead-based paint inspections are specifically focused on confirming the existence of lead-based paint. They serve as valuable tools, especially when assessing whether a property contains lead-based paint before purchasing, leasing, or undertaking renovation work. These inspections also help pinpoint potential sources of lead exposure at any given time.

On the other hand, a risk assessment encompasses an on-site investigation that identifies the presence, type, severity, and specific locations of lead-based paint hazards, including those in paint, dust, and soil. It further offers recommendations for effectively managing these hazards. Risk assessments, like inspections, can only be legally carried out by certified risk assessors. They prove particularly beneficial in identifying sources of current exposure and devising potential solutions.

For added convenience, individuals can opt for a combined inspection and risk assessment. Regardless of the chosen approach, the risk assessor or inspector will furnish a comprehensive written report summarizing their findings.

Lead based paint remediation and removal

Lead-based paint remediation is a specialized task that should be entrusted to a professional company accredited by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This accreditation serves as a guarantee that the business possesses the necessary expertise not only in addressing lead-based paint but also in water, mold, and fire restoration. Managers, inspectors, and technicians within an EPA-accredited lead-safe business undergo comprehensive training and hands-on experience to acquire the skills and knowledge required for the safe removal and management of lead-based paint and its contaminated materials.

A federal law enacted on April 22, 2010, imposes a significant requirement. It mandates that contractors engaged in renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb an area larger than 6 square feet of paint in structures constructed before 1978 must undergo training and certification in work practices aimed at preventing lead contamination. This regulation applies to work carried out in residences, daycare facilities, and educational institutions.

Professionals are well-versed in the appropriate procedures for minimizing, controlling, and containing lead dust generated during the removal of lead-based paint. Their expertise extends beyond lead remediation and includes water damage restoration, mold inspection and removal, as well as fire damage renovation.