Environmental Testing by Professional Engineers
The Tauscher Cronacher Professional Engineering team can provide environmental testing as an additional service to any home inspection or commercial inspection. Some of these include:
Asbestos Testing
Asbestos fibers, which are fire resistant and not easily destroyed, can become embedded in the lung tissue, causing an irritation that often develops into lung cancer ten to twenty years or more after the initial contact occurs. The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) and Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) have banned and prohibited the use of several asbestos containing products in the construction industry. Asbestos is contained in many different materials. Insulation on heating equipment and heating pipes is one of the more common asbestos containing materials. Asbestos also occurs in wall plaster, certain types of floor tile, wall shingles, wall and ceiling insulation. If you suspect asbestos is present in any materials in your home, DON’T PANIC, the best approach is to first have samples of the material tested and then to determine the percentage of asbestos fiber contained in the material. After that, a competent plan can be developed to remove the material. Tauscher Cronacher Professional Architects and Engineers will help you throughout this entire process.
Radon Testing
Radon is a cancer causing radioactive gas and has been found in all homes across the United States. Radon gas cannot be seen and is tasteless and odorless. According to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates, one in every 15 homes nationwide have a high radon level at or above the recommended radon action level of 4 picoCuries (pCi/L) per liter of air. Radon enters the home typically from the ground soil through cracks and holes in your foundation. The U. S. Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, responsible for more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths per year. If it is found that you have high radon levels in your home, there are ways to mitigate the problem. Our NY Professional Engineers and Architects will help our clients investigate radon problems and then provide appropriate and cost effective solutions. The EPA publication “The Home Buyer’s and Seller’s Guide to Radon” can also help answer further questions you may have.
At this time, however, the EPA does not believe sufficient data exists to conclude that the types of granite commonly used in the countertops are significantly increasing indoor radon levels.
Lead Testing
The presence of lead in the home can be extremely dangerous. Dust, soil, water or paint chips can all contain lead. If inhaled or ingested, it can be harmful to many adults, causing health problems such as high blood pressure, kidney damage and fertility problems. It can impact learning and behavior in young children. It can also damage a child’s kidneys and central nervous system, and cause anemia, convulsions and even death. The only way to know if the paint, dust, drinking water or soil does not contain lead is to have it tested. Home kits can detect surface, or “accessible,” lead, but they don’t detect lead below the surface. For a more thorough lead analysis, Tauscher Cronacher Professional Engineers are on hand to have all lead issues screened professionally.
Water Quality Testing
Don’t jeopardize your family’s health. Drinking and bathing in contaminated water can cause serious health problems. Ingesting germs and chemicals from water may cause uncomfortable symptoms, such as upset stomach. In worse cases, some of the chemicals also increase the chance of cancer. It is recommended by the EPA that private domestic water supplies are tested yearly to determine if the water is safe to use. Our NY Professional Engineers and Architects are properly skilled and trained to conduct water quality testing. Typically, these tests will determine evidence of bacteria, nitrate, nitrite, iron, ph, lead, radon, arsenic, uranium and fluoride. Some water quality problems are fairly quick and easy to fix, while others can be more time consuming and costly. Our team will work with you to assess your water quality testing needs and develop a plan for correcting any problems.
Septic and Cesspool Testing
It’s not a fun topic to think about. Nonetheless, it is a very important one. A septic tank or cesspool makes it possible for homeowners to dispose of household and human wastes in a functional and sanitary way. A septic or cesspool system must be properly designed, built, and well maintained because the potential costs involved with repair and replacement can be very expensive. You want to do as much as you can to evaluate the condition of the septic or cesspool system before you complete the purchase of the property. Our Professional Engineering team will perform testing to look for evidence of a blocked pipe, traces of sewage on the property, unsanitary conditions and damage to septic/cesspool components. These are all indicators that the system is in need of repair.
