Colorado Inspection Hours // Open 7 Days A Week 5am-7pm
Colorado Material Lab Testing - Lead, Asbestos, Formaldehyde + Chinese Drywall + Wildfire (Smoke)

Colorado Environmental Testing + Laboratory Material Sampling

Table of Contents (Jump to section)

Schedule now. Get transparent pricing plus instant, easy online scheduling.

Get Your ePrice

In a world where the safety, durability, and environmental impact of materials are paramount, our high-performance property inspection and material testing services stand at the forefront of innovation and reliability.

We provide you with trusted results you can depend on, engineered through rigorous in-field material testing and state-of-the-art laboratory sampling.

Our mission is to ensure the integrity and safety of your property’s materials, offering peace of mind and unparalleled precision in our analysis.

We specialize in detecting and analyzing a comprehensive range of potentially hazardous and performance-affecting materials including: Asbestos, formaldehyde, corrosive drywall, wildfire and smoke damage, lead, mold, IAQ, and much more.

Credentials: We work national labs utilizing various methodologies (NIOSH, EPA, OSHA, ASTM, etc.) utilizing the following: • Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM) • Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) • Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) • Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) • X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and • Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM). Nationally recognized with extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP, and multiple other state accrediting agencies.

Testing pricing

How we acquire samples: Building supporters takes a small piece of drywall from under a wall electrical plate or under an AC supply register in the ceiling for sample analysis. There is absolutely no damage to the walls or ceiling with this approach. We can also take insulation samples from the attic as to not disturb the walls. For asbestos and formaldehyde, we will test for their presence in the air when material samples cannot be easily taken from the property.

Laboratory Testing: (5 +/- day turn around time for laboratory, in-field testing same day results)

  • Asbestos including vermiculite
  • Urea formaldehyde foam insulation
  • Corrosive Chinese drywall (elemental sulfur)
  • Smoke and fire damage (including wildfire)
  • Lead (Also available for in-field service with 3 random room wall plus 2 random plumbing pipes samples)
  • Custom (Please contact us for unknown material and additional specialty environmental testing services.)

Book Now

 

Mold testing:
Learn more here

IAQ testing:
Learn more here

Water testing:
Learn more here

 

Where Do We Find Asbestos?

Transite Pipes: Up to 60%. These heavy-duty cement pipes were widely used for their durability and resistance to corrosion. Used extensively in sewer systems and as conduits for water, they can contain a significant amount of asbestos for strength. It’s crucial to handle these with care during renovations or replacements.

Cement Sheets: Asbestos-cement boards and corrugated boards offered a lightweight yet durable option for roofing and siding. Flat panels served as an effective barrier against water and weather elements, making them a popular choice for exterior walls. It’s the asbestos fibers within these materials that provided their durability and resistance to fire.

Vermiculite and Glass Wool Attic Insulation: Up to 6%. Vermiculite insulation, which may contain asbestos, was a popular choice due toits lightweight and fire-resistant characteristics. Although not all vermiculite contains asbestos, it was often sourced from mines contaminated with asbestos, making it a risk. Glass wool used for insulation may also pose a risk if it contains vermiculite or if it’s older and has asbestos as a binder or contaminant.

Pipe or Boiler Insulation: Insulation wrapped around pipes and boilers for heat protection, often made from asbestos-containing materials due to their excellent insulating properties and fire resistance. Mastic, a type of glue used to seal these insulations, may also contain asbestos.

Vinyl Floor Tiles, Underlay, and Adhesive: Up to 5%. The durability and fire-resistant properties of asbestos made it an attractive additive in vinyl tiles and their adhesives. Although newer materials are safe, buildings with original or older tiles should be assessed.

Textured Ceiling Paint (Popcorn Ceiling): Up to 4%. Popularity for its ability to hide imperfections and provide some soundproofing, popcorn ceilings often contained asbestos for its fibrous structure and fire resistance.

Ceiling Tiles: Up to 10%. Used extensively in both commercial and residential structures, these tiles offered a convenient solution for ceilings with added insulation and fire protection benefits. Their asbestos content, meant to enhance these properties, now poses a risk during demolition or renovation.

Putties and Caulks: Up to 3%. Used for sealing gaps in construction, these materials often contained small amounts of asbestos to improve durability and fire resistance. Special care must be taken when removing old putty or caulk during renovations.

Roofing Shingles: Up to 5%. Asbestos was added to shingles to reinforce durability against the elements, including fire. These are typically found in buildings constructed before the broad regulatory actions against asbestos.

Joint Compound: Up to 3%. Used in drywall installation for smooth finishes, joint compounds formulated before the asbestos restrictions might contain asbestos. Sanding or disturbing these compounds can release asbestos fibers into the air.

Roofing Tar: Used in flat roof buildings could contain asbestos, offering durability and resistance to leaks. It’s crucial for contractors and DIY renovators to be aware of these potential asbestos sources. Handling, removal, or disturbance of these materials should only be performed by professionals trained in asbestos abatement, ensuring the safety of all individuals involved.

Not All Chinese Drywall Is Corrosive

It’s crucial to acknowledge that the problem with drywall off-gassing is not exclusive to products labeled as coming from China. American-labeled drywall is also off-gassing. This isn’t about pointing fingers at particular countries; it’s about facing a widespread industry challenge.

Some properties may only have a few sheets of tainted drywall yet cause mechanical and electrical issues for the entire building.

Off-gassing has occurred in both 1/2″ and 5/8″ drywall types in both commercial and residential construction.

Corrosive gassing drywall has been found in houses as early as 2001 in Florida. This drywall was coming into the country due to shortages even before Katrina and the South Florida hurricanes between 2004 to 2006.

Building Supporters: Colorado's Only High Performance Residential & Commercial Property Inspections + Building Problem Solving Specialists. 720-660-3121.

We cover a 75+ mile radius of Boulder: Same-day reports. Fully Insured. We inspect, report, and protect more. Save more money - way more. The difficult done immediately. The impossible takes a little longer. Miracles by appointment. Schedule today.

Download
Colorado Commercial Building Inspections Main
High Performance Colorado Comprehensive Pre-Purchase Residential Home Inspections
High Performance Colorado New Construction Oversight - Residential + Commercial Phase Inspections
High Performance Colorado Pre-Listing Inspection
High Performance Colorado Pre-Delivery Final + 1-Year Builder's Warranty Home Inspection
High Performance Colorado Owner Builder Support + Resources
High Performance Colorado Foundation + Floor + Grading + Flat Roof Level Surveys