Mold Testing Services

Huntington Beach, CA, February 9, 2024

In early January, the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles announced the Compton Courthouse would be closed until further notice due to a burst pipe that happened over a weekend. Major flooding resulted which left the elevators, stairwells and lobby inaccessible.   

Unfortunately, cases like this happen all too regularly in government, institutional, commercial and even residential properties. In fact, water damage from a burst pipe is a leading source of property damage in buildings of all types.

Water damage of any kind can quickly damage or destroy building materials, furnishings and people’s belongings. It’s important that any standing water and wet materials are thoroughly dried as quickly as possible since mold can begin to grow in as little as 48 hours. A minor delay could result in widespread mold growth on moist materials and even in other areas due to elevated indoor humidity levels. Exposure to high levels of mold in the air people breathe can cause a myriad of health concerns for anyone in the building.

“Responding to water damage as quickly as it is safe to do so is one of the most critical steps in minimizing property damage and preventing mold problems,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “This is why people need to be vigilant for even minor signs of water damage. In addition, depending on the age of a building, another common indoor hazard to be aware of is the potential for there to be asbestos-containing materials and lead-based paints. Disturbing those materials during water damage cleanup and repair activities could pose an immediate health hazard if the proper safety precautions are not followed.”

Helping property owners, managers and tenants respond to these types of events are the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) experts at LA Testing. Their California laboratories provide testing services, sampling supplies and test kits to identify mold, bacteria, lead, asbestos and other exposure risks associated with water damage. LA Testing even offers building inspection tools, water damage detection resources and personal protective equipment.

To learn more about mold or other environmental, building science, industrial hygiene, health and safety issues, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. For access to IEQ test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.

About LA Testing

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for environmental and indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, bacteria, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro and San Diego.