Customer Service

 Customer Survey

LABConnect™ - Online Results & More

Mold Testing Laboratory

Category Press Release
Publish Date 2/12/2019
Author Paul Cochrane
Title Winter Weather Brings Ice Dams, Water Damage and Potential Mold Growth
Introduction EMSL Analytical offers air and surface testing services to detect the presence of mold and carries a line of inspection tools to help identify water damage.

Cinnaminson, NJ,  February 12th , 2019

With more than a month to go before the official start of spring, many parts of the United States and Canada are still gripped with freezing temperatures and regular snowfall. As these regions begin to experience some daytime thawing temperatures, property owners are advised to be on the lookout for ice dams.

The following description of how ice dams form is provided by the U.S. Government’s Energy Star Program: Ice dams usually occur after a heavy snowfall and several days of freezing temperatures. Warm air inside your home leaks into the attic and will warm the underside of the roof causing snow and ice on the roof to melt. The melted water will drain along the roof, under the snow, until it reaches the cold overhang. The overhang tends to be at the same temperature as the outdoors and the melted water will refreeze and form an ice dam and icicles. The ice dam can cause damage to the roof, which will result in water leaks to the inside.

“An important way to help prevent the formation of ice dams is to control heat loss from a building into the attic,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “To keep warm and moist air from entering the attic space via the interior of the building, seal any air leakage pathways and be sure the attic is properly insulated. Also, vented appliances should be exhausted to outside of the building and not into the attic.”

Ice dams that do result in water damage to a home or building often leave behind more than just water stains on ceilings and walls, this moisture can also result in mold growth. Even if the mold is in an attic, ceiling or wall cavity, it could create indoor air quality (IAQ) issues for building occupants. If enough damage has taken place that walls or ceilings need to be repaired, property owners should also be aware of other potential hazards such as lead-based paints and vermiculite insulation that often contains asbestos. These materials should be tested before they are disturbed so the necessary safety precautions can be put in place to protect people from exposure hazards.

Those facing damage due to an ice dam or other type of water incursion can turn to the indoor environmental experts at EMSL Analytical, Inc. EMSL offers mold, lead and asbestos testing solutions, sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits and a wide array of building inspection tools to identify water damage. The laboratory specialists have also sponsored an educational video about ice dams, water damage and mold that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/oH9HBCEi8OA.

To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, environmental and occupational testing services, or for access to building inspection tools, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com. To access indoor environmental quality test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.


About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with over 46 locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP <797>, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.
Atlanta, GA (LAB 07) - NVLAP Lab Code 101048-1Baton Rouge, LA (LAB 25) - NVLAP Lab Code 200375-0Beltsville, MD (LAB 19) - NVLAP Lab Code 200293-0Boston, MA (LAB 13) - NVLAP Lab Code 101147-0Buffalo, NY (LAB 14) - NVLAP Lab Code 200056-0Carle Place, NY (LAB 06) - NVLAP Lab Code 101048-10Charlotte, NC (LAB 41) - NVLAP Lab Code 200841-0Chicago, IL (LAB 26) - NVLAP Lab Code 200399-0Cinnaminson, NJ (LAB List in Description) - NVLAP Lab Code 101048-0Dallas, TX (LAB 11) - NVLAP Lab Code 600111-0Denver, CO (LAB 22) - NVLAP Lab Code 200828-0EMSL Canada - Calgary, AB (LAB 65) - NVLAP Lab Code 500100-0EMSL Canada - Edmonton, AB (LAB 50) - NVLAP Lab Code 600321-0EMSL Canada - Markham, ON (LAB 66) - NVLAP Lab Code 600317-0EMSL Canada - Montreal, QC (LAB 68) - NVLAP Lab Code 201052-0EMSL Canada - Ottawa, ON (LAB 67) - NVLAP Lab Code 201040-0EMSL Canada - Toronto, ON (LAB 55) - NVLAP Lab Code 200877-0EMSL Canada - Vancouver, BC (LAB 69) - NVLAP Lab Code 201068-0Fort Lauderdale, FL (LAB 56) - NVLAP Lab Code 500085-0Houston, TX (LAB 15) - NVLAP Lab Code 102106-0Huntington Beach, CA (LAB 33) - NVLAP Lab Code 101384-0Indianapolis, IN (LAB 16) - NVLAP Lab Code 200188-0Kernersville, NC (LAB 02) - NVLAP Lab Code 102104-0Long Island City, NY (LAB 03) - NVLAP Lab Code 101048-9Meriden, CT (LAB 24) - NVLAP Lab Code 200700-0Miami, FL (LAB 17) - NVLAP Lab Code 200204-0Minneapolis, MN (LAB 35) - NVLAP Lab Code 200019-0Ontario, California (San Bernadino County / Inland Empire) (LAB 71) - NVLAP Lab Code 600239-0Orlando, FL (LAB 34) - NVLAP Lab Code 101151-0Phoenix, AZ (LAB 12) - NVLAP Lab Code 200811-0Piscataway, NJ (LAB 05) - NVLAP Lab Code 101048-2Plymouth Meeting, PA (LAB 18) - NVLAP Lab Code 200699-0Raleigh, NC (LAB 29) - NVLAP Lab Code 200671-0Rochester, NY (LAB 53) - NVLAP Lab Code 600183-0San Diego, CA (LAB 43) - NVLAP Lab Code 200855-0San Leandro, CA (LAB 09) - NVLAP Lab Code 101048-3Santa Clara, CA (LAB 47) - NVLAP Lab Code 600318-0Seattle, WA (LAB 51) - NVLAP Lab Code 200613-0South Pasadena, CA (LAB 32) - NVLAP Lab Code 200232-0South Portland, ME (LAB 62) - NVLAP Lab Code 500094-0St. Louis, MO (LAB 39) - NVLAP Lab Code 200742-0Tampa, FL (LAB 93) - NVLAP Lab Code 600215-0
Sorry, this function is disabled.