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For buildings located in the US hot and humid zone and in the Caribbean, CIHES includes a specialized service focusing on potential hurricane vulnerability characteristics. Although buildings may appear unscathed after a hurricane event, often roof material or external apertures may become dislodged or sustain minimal damage, but enough to create a moisture pathway. Water seepage, caused by sustained drenching on the windward side of a building during a storm, could also be a cause of moisture ingress.
Qualified and experienced construction professionals assist building owners and managers by conducting an extensive review of the building, assessing the building for signs of moisture ingress, malodors associated with damp conditions, water or moisture related deterioration of wall coating (paint or vinyl wallpaper wall finishing), and microbial growth (mold and bacteria). In addition to the “trained eye” of CIHES professionals, state-of-the-art tools such as infrared thermal imaging cameras and fiber optic boroscopes are used to assist in assessing the property.
Building materials containing organic matter, such as cellulose, serve as food for mold growth when environmental conditions permit. These environmental conditions promoting growth include sufficient moisture and adequate temperature. Since the temperature conditions within buildings are generally adequate to sustain fungal growth, building assessments for mold causation focus on sources that provide the moisture necessary for growth. In addition, monitoring may be performed to evaluate fluctuating temperature and humidity as a potential source of moisture on building surfaces.
For any questions, email: info@cihenvironmental.com