Lead Testing

What is the likelihood of lead contamination in my drinking water?
Since June,1986 the SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT required the use of lead-free pipe, solder and flux in the installation or repair of plumbing systems connected to public water systems. Prior to that time, most solder contained about 50% lead. The law gave states until 1988 to enforce the new limitations. However, there is evidence that some plumbers continued to use lead solder for some time.
According to the EPA, chances of lead in your drinking water are likely to be highest if: your home has faucets or fittings made of brass, or your home or water system has lead pipes, or your home has lead pipes, or copper pipes with lead solder, AND
o    the home is less than 5 years old, or
o    you have naturally soft water, or
o    water often sits in the pipes for several hours.

Lead Testing

What’s the difference between lead-safe and lead-free?
A lead-free home or apartment has no lead (or lead hazards). A lead-safe home or apartment has no lead hazards, but it may still contain lead paint.

Are there inexpensive things I can do to protect my family?
Absolutely. Most of us grew up in areas that had earthquakes, tornadoes or hurricanes. We learned what to do to protect ourselves and “manage” the risk. Lead is no different.  You can learn where to look for lead in your home and how to minimize the risk. A simple first step is to call 800-LEAD-FYI to order the pamphlet“Reduce Lead Hazards When Remodeling Your Home.”

Lead Testing

Why is remodeling an older home considered such a big risk?
If proper precautions are not taken, remodeling or renovating an older home (pre-1978) can generate a very large amount of dust. Even small jobs done during routine maintenance — like painting — can generate lead dust.

Do many homes have lead-based paint hazards?
It is estimated that at least 19 million homes have lead-based paint hazards, of which at least 4 million have young children under age the age of six living in them. (HUD 1990; EPA 1995).

What do I have to do to comply with the Federal disclosure laws?
Each time a home or apartment built before 1978 (the year lead was banned in residential paint) is sold or rented, owners are required to give sellers or renters a copy of the EPA pamphlet Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home and disclose any known lead or lead hazards on the property. The pamphlet is free and can be ordered by calling 1-800-LEAD-FYI. Mobile homes are included.

If there’s lead in my home, do I have to remove it?
Usually, no.  In most states there are no laws that require you to remove lead paint. (Check with state and local authorities to see if there are more stringent laws where you live.)  But, you do have to contend with it.  That is “manage it” using approved, lead safe work practices when performing maintenance or repairs.

Lead Testing

How does lead affect the body?

Children’s Reactions to Lead (micrograms per deci-liter)
Blood Lead Level	Possible Health Effects
10 ug/dL	Slight loss in IQ; hearing and growth problems
20 ug/dL	Moderate loss in IQ; hyperactivity; poor attention span; difficulty learning; language and speech problems; slower reflexes
40 ug dL	Poor bone and muscle development; clumsiness; lack of coordination; early anemia; fewer red blood cells to carry oxygen and iron; tiredness; drowsiness
50 ug/dL	Stomach aches and cramps; anemia; destruction of red blood cells; brain damage
100 ug/dL & above	Swelling of the brain; seizures; coma; death
Adult Reactions to Lead (micrograms per deci-liter)
Blood Lead Level	Possible Health Effects
15 ug/dL	Increase in blood pressure; harmful effects on fetus; joint and muscle aches
25 ug/dL	Reproductive problems
40 ug/dL	Kidney damage; damage to blood formation
60 ug/dL	Anemia; nerve damage; constipation; stomach pains; irritability and fatigue; memory and concentration problems; clumsiness; drowsiness and sleep problems
80 ug/dL & above	Blue line on gums; uncontrollable shaking of hands; wrist and foot drop; hallucinations; brain damage; coma; death
	Source: ATSDR; California Health Dept 1993

Lead Testing

How much lead does it take to get lead poisoning?
The amount is incredibly small: 10 micrograms per deciliter of blood.
If you’re metrically challenged, here’s a way to visualize what that means.
o    A deciliter is about 1/2 of a cup.
o    A packet of sweetener (either the pink or blue stuff) is one gram.
o    There are one million micrograms in a gram.
o    So, divide the stuff from one packet into one million piles. (Pretend!)
o    Now, discard 999,990 of those “piles.”
o    Take the remaining 10 piles and mix them into half a cup of liquid.
Voila! You now have a representation of how much lead it takes to poison a child.

Lead Testing

What causes Lead Poisoning?
In Children — Childhood lead poisoning is the number one environmental health risk for children today. In the United States, more than three million children age six and younger — that’s one out of six — already have toxic levels of lead in their bodies.
In Adults — Most adults are poisoned at work. There are laws that seek to prevent this, but many are not yet widely enforced. Any employee who may be exposed to lead in any amount, should have personal air sampling done.

How big is the problem?
According to the Centers for Disease Control, childhood lead poisoning is the number one environmental health risk facing children in industrialized countries today. In the United States, more than three million children age six and younger– that’s one out of every six children — already have toxic levels of lead in their bodies.

Lead Testing

What is Lead Poisoning?
Lead is a powerful neurotoxin that interferes with the development and functioning of almost all body organs, particularly the kidneys, red blood cells, and central nervous system. In young children, lead retards the development of the central nervous system and brain.

Customer Reviews

"If you are a buyer or Real Estate Agent, this is the property inspection company you need to use. I have had inspections done before for homes I have purchased, but this inspection was the best.  The inspector was extremely detail oriented. He inspected items I would have never thought of checking. He explained in detail any questions I had. The home was checked literally from top to bottom.  I compared prices with other companies that were more expensive and said they could check the home in under an hours time. The inspector for A&A, because he check every aspect of the home, could not have done this in such a short amount of time, which means the other inspectors would not have been so thorough and would have cost me more. If you need an property inspector, this is the one to use."

"I really appreciate what these guys did for me. I didn't know who to go for help and they guided me every step of the way. Thank you Robert"

Mold

When should you have a Mold Inspector test for mold in your home?
Mold Testing should be done if you want to determine if mold is growing in your home.
Mold Testing should be done after any flooding or water damage event.
Mold Testing should be done whenever you find a leak that has been present for more than 24 hours.
Mold Testing should be done whenever you smell a moldy odor.
Mold Testing should be done if residents of your home experience a long-term medical condition without a known cause.
Mold Testing should be done if unusual stains appear on furniture or building material.
Mold Testing should be done if you suspect mold but do not see any visible mold growth.

Rates

Please call for an estimate and quote for all services offered by A&A Mold & Allergy Investigations at 858-613-1042 or 951-218-8598. We are competitive and reasonably priced for our services.

Contact Us

Click Here to Request an Estimate!
A&A Mold And Allergy Investigations
P.O. Box 28882
San Diego, CA 92198-0882
Robert W. Armstrong Jr.
San Diego Office: (858) 613-1042
Temecula Office: (951) 218-8598
E-mail:aainspector@san.rr.com
E-mail:info@aainspector.net

Home Inspections

About Home Inspections
Buying, selling, building or staying in the property you own, a property inspection just makes good sense! Understanding the condition of the systems and components of a building are critical when it comes to purchase, repair and maintenance decisions.
A professional home inspection is an impartial third-party visual evaluation of the physical structure, electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, roofing, interior and exterior.Upon completion, you will receive a formal written inspection report detailing the condition of each item inspected.
What is Included in the Inspection?
We provide buyers, sellers, property owners, & agents with important information essential to evaluating a property´s condition. Through inspection, consultation & detailed reporting we review:
EXTERIOR: grading, walls, coverings, patios & decks, patio covers, sidewalks & driveways, soffits & fascias, doors/windows & trim, gutters & downspouts, retaining walls, fences & gates.
STRUCTURE: foundation, crawlspace, footings & columns, floors, walls, chimneys.
ROOFING: structure, coverings, flashings, skylights, vent/stacks.
ELECTRICAL: service entrance, grounding, panel & sub panels, branch circuits, outlets, GFCIs, circuit integrity.
HEATING and A/C: description, combustion system, A/C components, supply & discharge lines, venting, ductwork & registers, controls & thermostats.
PLUMBING: main supply line, distribution lines, fixtures, vents & traps & drains, functional flow.
INSULATION: attic, walls, crawlspace, floors, lines, ductwork, air & vapor barriers.
INTERIOR: walls, ceilings, windows, floors, doors, stairs, fireplaces, smoke detectors.
How Long Will it Take?
In most cases, the average inspection takes between 2 to 3 hours depending on the size, condition and age of the property. A comprehensive report is provided at the end of the inspection.
About the Report
A&A Property Inspections is proud to provide the highest quality reporting systems available. We offer the options of on site reporting with the “Matrix Deluxe” reporting system, an easy to read site generated report with helpful explanations. We also offer computer generated reports.

Call for an Estimate or to Schedule Your Inspection Today!
(858) 613-1042

Radon Testing

Why is radon the public health risk that it is?

EPA estimates that about 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the U.S. are radon-related. Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Radon is an odorless, tasteless and invisible gas produced by the decay of naturally occurring uranium in soil and water. Radon is a form of ionizing radiation and a proven carcinogen. Lung cancer is the only known effect on human health from exposure to radon in air. Thus far, there is no evidence that children are at greater risk of lung cancer than are adults.

Lead Testing

Lead Inspection
A lead inspection is designed to answer two questions: “Is there lead-based paint present in the housing unit?” and “Where is the lead-based paint?” Surveying a housing unit for lead-based paint is typically performed using an X-ray Fluorescence analyzer, called an XRF. Paint or other coatings with lead levels above the established threshold are considered lead based (see the definition for lead-based paint). The HUD Guidelines include a protocol for conducting a lead inspection. A Final Inspection Report identifies all surfaces with lead based paint but does not provide the consumer with information about the condition of the paint, the presence of lead contaminated dust or soil, or options for controlling any hazards found.
A lead paint inspection is most appropriate for property owners who need to know where lead based paint is located, such as in the following situations:

• People considering renovation, remodeling or demolition work that would disturb painted surfaces and may generate lead dust hazards unless proper precautions are followed.
• Home sellers desiring specific information about lead for marketing purposes.
• Home buyers or renters who want to know how much lead paint is present and its location (or who feel strongly that they want a home that contains no lead-based paint).
• Rental property owners seeking exemption from the federal lead disclosure requirements by demonstrating that a specific property does not contain lead based paint.
• Rental property owners who might need or desire documentation about lead based paint for insurance, financing, or other reasons.
• Those facing a state or local requirement to abate all lead based paint.

http://www.epa.gov/lead/index.html

Mold & Allergy Testing

Mold Information

Mold is a fungus that can be found everywhere, but it will grow more aggressively in moist areas without proper ventilation, or in surfaces that do not dry easily. Modern building materials and methods, such as well insulated homes where outside air does not easily come into the house, allow for mold growth.
While some types of fungi may be useful (to make antibiotics, cheeses, beer), others are toxic and potentially harmful. Increased awareness of sicknesses associated with mold and weariness by insurers to insure property that is mold infested has made testing for mold almost a necessity when buying or selling a home.
Mold may or may not be visible. When it is, it appears as a surface stain or discoloration, or as a dark growth. At times, a musty smell is present. Mold poses a health hazard when present in large quantities called colonies.
Mold spores are divided into three groups: Allergenic: Those that may cause allergic reactions such as wheezing or runny nose; Pathogenic: Those that may cause suppression of the immune system; and Toxic: Those that may lead to more serious health problems.
Only through testing can a health hazard be ruled out, as species cannot be determined by sight only.
A certified mold inspector follows a set of standards and protocols to assure clients of the quality and comparability of test results.
A&A Mold and Allergy Investigations is San Diego Mold Inspection company serving most of Southern California. A&A Mold and Allergy Inspections is the leading Mold Inspection company in San Diego and most of Southern California. Specializing in Stachybotrys Aspergillus Penicillium Black Mold Toxic Mold. Stachybotrys and many other species of mold and mildew or the mycotoxins they produce. Molds can cause or aggravate a number of ailments. Common effects from molds such as stachybotrys atra, penecillium, cladosporium and several strains of aspergillius include Asthma, Pneumonitis, Upper Respiratory Problems, Sinusitis, Dry Cough, Skin Rashes, Stomach Upset, Headaches, Disorientation, Bloody Noses. Numerous other species of mold and mildew are also toxic, and many mycotoxins are known carcinogens. Severe exposures can lead to Internal Bleeding, Kidney Failure, Liver Failure, Pulmonary Emphysema, Permanent Memory Loss, Death.
A&A Mold and Allergy Investigations is the leading mold inspection company in Temecula California specializing exclusively in mold inspections and mold testing in residential and commercial properties. Mold is a natural living organism in Temecula. It exists in the air in the form microscopic spores that move in and out of Temecula buildings through doors, windows, vents, HVAC systems and anywhere else that air enters. If you suspect you have a mold problem in Temecula CA, it is always best to have a certified Temecula mold inspector assess the over-all condition and make the appropriate recommendations for correction.
A&A Mold and Allergy Investigations is the leading mold inspection company in Murrieta California specializing exclusively in mold inspections and mold testing in residential and commercial properties. Mold is a natural living organism in Murrieta. It exists in the air in the form microscopic spores that move in and out of Murrieta buildings through doors, windows, vents, HVAC systems and anywhere else that air enters. If you suspect you have a mold problem in Murrieta CA, it is always best to have a certified Murrieta mold inspector assess the over-all condition and make the appropriate recommendations for correction
Hemet Mold Inspector. A&A Mold and Allergy Investigations performs surface mold testing and air mold testing in Hemet, California
#1 Escondido Mold Inspector. A&A Mold and Allergy Investigations performs surface mold testing and air mold testing in Escondido, California.

About Us

A&A Mold And Allergy Investigations is a company dedicated to providing quality residential & commercial Mold Inspections, Lead Tests, & Radon Tests in Southern California.
We bring you effective solutions to your inspection needs and quality customer service. We bring integrity, technology, professionalism and the training required to provide the best service available. We are a home and mold/allergy inspection and consulting company focusing on responsiveness and customer service.

San Diego, CA (858) 613-1042 ‎ aamoldandallergy.com