Buying a new home? Selling for bigger and better?

Congratulations! While this is an exciting time for you, MAE Environmental is here to help you cover ALL your bases– nobody wants an unexpected inspection that reveals lead contamination, excessive radon levels, stubborn, dangerous mold in the basement... yikes! Read on to learn about the environmental risks that can negatively impact the value of a property, as well as what your next steps should be.

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Lead Contamination

Lead can pollute your home through water contamination, or pre-existing lead-based paint in the home. If you have [or are looking at purchasing] a home built pre-1978, it is highly possible that the paint used may contain lead. MAE can perform an on-site test on all painted surfaces in the home, that will detect any level of lead in the material (schedule here). On-site testing in combination with home testing kits are a surefire way to ensure a lead-free environment. New York state offers free lead testing kits through the Free Residential Lead Testing Program. The test requires a sample to be sent to an off-site lab for lead analysis and results can be expected in up to 30 days (so plan accordingly). You can request your free lead testing kit here. Lead includes several risks to quality of life and property value, and the importance of mitigation cannot be understated.

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Radon Exposure

Radon is silent, odorless, invisible, and unfortunately, the second leading cause of lung cancer. Almost every soil can expel radon gas, which is caused by the natural decay of uranium. The gas then moves up through the ground, utilizing any cracks or holes in the foundation, to gain access to your home. Testing for radon exposure is especially necessary if you have a basement. Radon test kits are available, but then again– so is MAE! Leave us to handle the testing– in a scenario where mitigation is required, we are immediately prepared to contain and remove radon gas, saving you time and respecting your health.

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Microbial Mold

Mold is often a nuisance to remove and keep out, especially so if left untreated for a length of time. Consider the following spaces when inspecting your home prior to sale, or when checking out a potential future property: behind storage cabinets in the basement, under the sink, around windows and ceiling tiles, carpets, furniture and upholstery; virtually anywhere moisture can be found, mold can find a way to thrive. Mold can cause structural damage to buildings and homes. It can grow on surfaces such as walls, ceilings, floors, and in hidden areas like behind walls and under flooring. Mold can weaken building materials and compromise the structural integrity of a property, effectively lowering property value, leading to negotiation challenges during real estate transactions. In a worst-case situation, legal and insurance considerations can include sickness caused by failure to mitigate mold. We offer rapid solutions for mold removal, so if you're a New York City or tri-state area homeowner, breathe easy and contact us today.

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Venture onto Zillow with confidence, knowing MAE Environmental is by your side for all your environmental risk hazard assessment needs!