School officials in Westfield, MA were busy Tuesday scheduling air quality testing at Franklin Avenue Elementary School in response to a possible mold issue raised by parents.

Operations and Maintenance Director Frank B. Maher Jr. said the testing will be completed this week with the results expected by early next week. The inspection is the result of concerns raised by two parents who addressed the School Committee at its Monday night meeting.

Parents Nicole Gravatini and Michele Haynes told school officials that roof leaks have caused ceiling tiles to collapse, revealing possible mold activity in the school. Maher said Tuesday he believes the issue is "discoloration of that section of ceiling and wall."

"There is not a problem with exterior mold, but we will not know if there is mold in the ceiling insulation until the testing is completed," he said.

"We know we have problems with the roof, and an inspection of the roof will be completed when weather permits that evaluation to take place," Maher said. "Necessary repairs to the roof will then be scheduled."

Franklin Avenue School, with a student population of 328, is expected to be closed after a new elementary school is built, but Mayor Daniel M. Knapik told parents Monday night that "health and safety" remains a priority in all school buildings.

City and school officials have already selected an architect, school design and project manager for construction of an elementary school on Ashley Street.

The state's School Building Administration has already qualified the project for 64 percent state reimbursement. The preliminary estimate on construction is about $40 million.

Mold is of course, one of the more nefarious side effects stemming from water damage. Mold can appear in as little as 48 hours following a water damage event (sooner if the water is sewage based), spread rapidly, and prove extraordinarily difficult to remediate.

In addition, mold can bring with it toxins that may cause serious health issues if inhaled in large concentrations. Mold related illnesses may be as mild as slight allergic reactions, to more serious neurological disorders, lung disease, and in rare cases, even death.

Many people test for mold in their homes when in most cases it isn’t necessary. Mold has a distinct appearance as a fuzzy, greenish-black growth on walls or pipes, accompanied by a noxious smell. If a home or business owner suspects that they have mold, in all likelihood, they do.

Your local, IICRC certified water damage restoration company can handle all of your water damage or mold remediation needs. They are available 24/7, with a full staff of trained professionals, as well as a complete range of services from water extraction to carpet drying to mold removal to structural repair. They can also work alongside your insurance company to ensure that everything runs smoothly and is properly compensated for.

For all of your water damage and mold problems, call today for a free estimate or phone consultation.

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