Mail Bag Knowledge Base

We often associate the term asbestos with popcorn ceilings, floor tiles, or materials in our attic. Often left out of consideration is office buildings. Until the late 1970s and early 1980s asbestos was widely used in common building materials in residential,...

You open your email, scroll through the disclosures, and see, "Leak fixed under bathroom sink in 2015,...". Uh Oh, now what? Before your deal goes sideways it is important to know what your responsibilities are as an agent, your rights as a buyer, and your exposure as...

You wake up in the middle of the night to the sound of rain... but wait...that's not rain you hear?!?  Uh oh, the fun has begun. A number of our Mold Investigations involve leaks that have been progressing for some time, leading to damaged building materials and toxic...

Contrary to popular belief, there are no (yes, zero) “hypoallergenic” breeds of dogs or cats. This is because people are not allergic to the hair of an animal, but rather to an allergen found in the saliva, dander (flakes of dead skin) or urine. Pet dander — tiny...

Water Leaks and Mold in Los Angeles, specifically San Fernando, Santa Clarita and the Antelope Valley are becoming more commonplace. Although there are many causes to water leaks, and mold growth, much of what occurs out of sight stems from aging pipes, tree roots,...

To be, or not to be...but is it possible that should not be the question?  People use the two terms, Mildew or Mold, somewhat interchangeably when describing what appears to be minor discoloration and suspect growth. However, others use the term "Mildew" to describe...

If your home, commercial space, or apartment building was built before 1978, chances are that the old underlying paint contains lead. You need to take special precautions if you are repairing or remodeling your home, because exposure to lead-based paint, lead dust, or...

Commitment to Community: Mr. Atkins has called the Santa Clarita Valley (SCV) home since 1966. He is a graduate of Hart High School, received his A.A. in Science from College of the Canyons and a degree in Oceanography and Economics at Humboldt State University. BJ...

Have you ever seen a person glow in the dark? Maybe in today’s world it is not unlikely by use of fun body paints or glow sticks, but in the 1800’s this was a crazy idea. However, after the Battle of Shiloh, many wounded soldiers glowed when night fell after the...

The regulation of Asbestos Testing in California has evolved over the years, leading to much confusion as to who is required to test prior to demolition / renovation, when it should be done, and for what purposes

California Renters and Landlord alike cringe when it comes to the topic of mold.  But what are the rights of each party when a concern comes up about potentially toxic mold

Each of us shares our air, food, water and shelter with tiny colonies of microorganisms that include viruses, bacteria and fungi. Most of these miniscule microbes are harmless, but some are pathogens—the kind that can make you sick, such as the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

What makes a virus, like the highly contagious strain now causing a worldwide pandemic, different from other germs, such as bacteria or a fungus? How do they each infect us, and how can we recover from them?

Although the formaldehyde assessment has grave implications for public health, previous white house administration officials refused to allow the EPA to release it.

A single-cell organism is helping astronomers and school kids alike to understand space.
The Blob, formally known as Physarum polycephalum, is a type of single-cell slime mold that has fascinated scientists for years. It can heal itself, smell and find food, and even solve mazes. It also has more than 700 sexes. Now, it has gone to space.

The Mailman team is led by our Project Manager and Sr. Environmental Consultant, Chris Chapleau.   What began as a way of driving business for the inspection firm he worked for found new life as new technologies emerged to detect and analyze hazardous building...

LOS ANGELES (CNS) - In a victory for the city, a federal appeals court found that the Federal Aviation Administration violated key environmental laws when it changed flight patterns for aircraft coming into Los Angeles International Airport over mid-city and central...

As if the pandemic wasn't enough, black mold (along with asbestos and lead) was severe enough at a California school district to force the students, for no less than two years, into portable classrooms as construction is completed.  The reason behind the long wait was...

This Guide, provided by the EPA, provides information and guidance for homeowners and renters on how to clean up residential mold problems and how to prevent mold growth. The content on these web pages is based on EPA's publication "A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and...

Asbestos and Lead Real Estate Disclosures Many homes built prior to 1978 in Santa Clarita and the Antelope Valley (Lancaster and Palmdale) may have lead-based paint and asbestos and require Asbestos and Lead Real Estate Disclosures. If disturbed this can pose a...

Not everyone was born with a green thumb and a knack for taking care of houseplants. Thankfully, there are several popular plants that require very little maintenance to thrive indoors. One of the easiest and most natural ways that you can combat indoor air pollution...

Fashion trends in the building industry change with time.  The textured "popcorn ceilings", also known as acoustic, stucco, or cottage cheese, have given way to modern smooth textures.  For Southern California residents wanting to scrape these potentially asbestos...

Southern California and the Greater Los Angeles area has been besieged by record-setting wildfires with little or no end in sight. Although drought stricken foothills have been most susceptible to these fires the urban sprawl of recent decades has brought them to our...

The spring and summer months are the busiest time of year for the real estate markets of Santa Clarita and the Antelope Valley. Whether you are building your dream home or purchasing an older home that has been listed on the market, indoor air quality when buying a...