Identifying environmental hazards so you can sleep safe and sound
Identifying environmental hazards so you can sleep safe and sound
We help our clients identify and test for environmental hazards.
We help our clients sleep soundly by offering environmental hazard inspections
50 Years of ExPERIENCE
Based in The Puget Sound
Fully Licensed
POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
A Potential Environmental Hazard (PEH) is any thing which might alter or impair the structural integrity of the home, or jeopardize the health or safety of the occupants.
For homeowners in Washington State some environmental hazards like Mold or Water Contaminants can produce spores or toxins that can be life-threatening!
For businesses/investors in Washington State some environmental hazards like Humidity or Asbestos can cost millions of dollars to repair/replace once the damage has been done.
Our Environmental Hazard Inspections help catch environmental hazards before they have a chance to wreak serious damage to people or property!
COMMON POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
Humidity
Here in Washington we enjoy an enviable level of humidity compared to other parts of the world. However, on occassion this humidity can become trapped or concentrated in the wrong locations of your property and when it does this can create serious concerns for you and your home or business. At Fidelity we conduct moisture intrusion inspections to identify sources of unwanted humidity in the home or business. This helps protect our clients from the financial costs of water damage, as well as the long term health risks of other PEHs like mold.
Mold
Mold can grow just about anywhere but 80% of molds are mostly harmless in most exposure situations. However, it’s the 20% that can range from symptoms such as headaches or increased sensitivities, to severe and permanent brain damage. These molds also are only able to grow in dark, dank, and hidden environments, like wall cavities or attics that may collect unwanted or unexpected humidity. This is why we strongly recommend clients get a mold sample of some molds that may be found during their inspection.
Air Quality
Air carries with it everything from life sustaining oxygen to the spores of molds that may be growing nearby. Air Samples are an excellent tool to check for and eliminate hazards long before you can even smell or see them. Naturally we strongly recommend Air Quality Samples, especially in areas known for poor air quality, or in some cases even new construction.
A great investment deserves a great investigation
Water Contaminants
In addition to illness, a variety of less serious problems such as taste, color, odor and staining of clothes or fixtures are signs of possible water quality problems. Other things to think about include the nearness of your water well to septic systems and the composition of your home’s plumbing materials, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. When our clients have concerns about water quality, we test for the major water contaminants.
Asbestos
Asbestos is one of the smallest (size) hazards we handle, some particles smaller than the Anthrax virus. In Washington we have many houses with Asbestos in them even after it was outlawed due to the signing of NAFTA (due to sheetrock imported from Canada). Where asbestos is suspected, samples are taken following AHERA protocol, and delivered with a signed and dated chain of custody to a certified lab equipped with PLM (polarized light microscopy) sensors to determine the content as well as the density (percentage of asbestos). All results of testing are forwarded to the client. We also provide the required demolition certificates needed on some projects to legally dispose of contaminated material.
Radon
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is invisible, odorless, and tasteless and the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It comes from the radioactive decay of radium, an element found in most rocks and soils. Radon can enter a building from the ground underneath it, and concentrate to tens or even hundreds of times the level in outdoor air. While generally this isn’t a concern for Washington State residents, there are a few known hotspots that are incredibly dangerous. We advise our clients on options for Radon testing.
