Press Releases at EMSL

While the start of the winter season brought mild temperatures to many across North America, powerful winter storms in January resulted in extreme cold weather even in many southern states.

When these cold snaps occur, especially in parts of the country that do not regularly experience freezing temperatures, homes and buildings can suffer water damage due to pipes freezing and bursting. When water in a pipe freezes, it expands and creates tremendous pressure. If the pipe breaks, many supply lines can easily release hundreds of gallons or more of water into a structure in a short period of time. This water gradually make its way to the lowest area it can reach, this means a burst pipe on a second floor can cause water damage to that floor and the floor below. Buildings with basements or crawls spaces will also succumb to the flooding if enough water is released. Even sewage pipes under some conditions can freeze and burst, allowing potentially infectious waste to cause contamination.

“No matter the water source, standing water and soaked materials can not only result in destroyed building materials and belongings, it can also cause indoor environmental concerns for building occupants,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Sewage contamination can introduce viruses, bacteria and mold. Even water damage from a burst pipe delivering clean water will often result in the growth of mold in less than 48 hours if materials remain wet. The presence of mold can impact the indoor air quality for anyone in the building and cause everything from allergies and respiratory irritation to triggering asthma in those with the condition. Water damage cleanup activities may even expose people to asbestos and lead-based paints in some older buildings.”

For property owners and tenants that do suffer water damage due to burst pipes this winter, EMSL offers sampling supplies, test kits and a comprehensive range of air, water, surface and bulk testing services for mold, bacteria, chemicals, lead, asbestos and other contaminants. EMSL has even sponsored a video with information and tips for preventing water damage and mold from frozen pipes that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/2COWOL40RkQ.

To learn more about EMSL’s mold, lead, asbestos and other indoor environmental quality testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com. To learn about EMSL’s indoor environmental test kits, please visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental, indoor air quality, consumer product and materials testing services and products for professionals and the general public.  The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.