Green Products MA | Insulation Materials | Basement Waterproofing | Mold | Radon | FAQ-Green Bear Innovations-North Grafton, MA

Green Bear Innovations-Basement Waterproofing MA | Green Insulation MA

What is the definition of GREEN products and services?

GREEN products and services are officially known as Environmentally Preferable Products. EPP's are products and services that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared to competing products or services that serve the same purpose. They may include items that:

Contain recycled materials Protect open-space
Minimize waste Lessen the impact to public health
Conserve energy and/or water Consist of fewer toxic substances
Reduce the amount of toxic substances disposed or consumed

Why is this Carcinogen label required on

all fiberglass insulation materials?

First, let's define carcinogen. The term carcinogen refers to any substance, radionuclide or radiation that is an agent directly involved in the promotion of cancer or in the increase of its propagation. Fiberglass insulation is made from tiny shards of glass. Inhalation of these glass particles, over time, has been seriously linked to cancer occurrence. During the installation process a tremendous amount of these harmful fibers are disturbed and released into the air inside your home. If not properly installed and airsealed, leaking wall cavities can contribute harmful levels of these glass particles into the air. Living in an environment under these conditions over extended periods of time greatly increase cancer risks. A number of studies have shown that fiberglass causes diseases such as bronchitis and emphysema in workers that produce it. Because of the widespread use of fiberglass insulation over the last three decades, it is recommended that you consider updating your home using one of our green products.

Basement Waterproofing Green Insulation

Spray Foam Foundation Crack Repair

Seamless Gutters Sump Pumps

Mold Services Battery Back-Ups

Radon Mitigation Dehumidifiers

Air Sealing Weatherproofing

...and more

Serving MA, RI, & NH

Does tighter building construction promote mold development?

No. And Yes. Tight construction combined with some poor choices in design, materials or installation can increase the probability of mold growth. The tighter the building construction the less air exchange there is between the inside air and the outside air. Whatever gets into the inside air stays there longer than it would in a house with loose construction. Moisture that gets into the air from activities such as cooking, bathing and even breathing will remain in a tight house longer than it would in a loose house. That’s why exhaust fans should be installed in bathrooms and kitchens and vented to the outside. Clothes dryers should also be vented to the outside.

Tight construction permits control of the air exchange between the inside and the outside and can prevent the deposition of moisture in walls and roofs. Controlling moisture, including indoor relative humidity is the key to preventing mold growth. Tight building construction when combined with source control of moisture (exhaust fans) and controlled ventilation (introduction of outside air) reduces the probability of mold growth in a building. Controlled ventilation can be provided by a duct that brings outside air to the return side of the air handler of a forced air system. A timing device or fan cycler can be programmed to have the air handler turn on for a specified number of minutes each hour even when there is no call for heating or cooling. In cold climates controlled ventilation is frequently provided by a heat recovery ventilator (HRV).

Do new building materials promote mold growth?

Mold needs water, a nutrient source, oxygen and warmth (up to 140 degrees) to grow. Many species of mold love paper faced gypsum board. Why? Making paper involves the mechanical and chemical processing of wood. Paper is largely pre-digested so it is easy for mold to get nutrients from the paper. But unless there is enough moisture present mold can’t grow on the paper. If paper faced gypsum board is kept dry, it can be used and still not have mold. This material is kept dry by controlling the interior relative humidity, keeping rain from entering roofs and walls, and NOT using paper faced gypsum in areas that are likely to get wet. This means no paper faced gypsum board in shower and tub areas. Cement board, mortar or non-paper faced gypsum can safely be used in these damp areas because these products do not contain nutrients to support mold growth.

Green Bear Innovations installs green insulation materials and other green products in the following areas of MA:

Abington, Acton, Acushnet, Amesbury, Andover, Arlington, Ashland, Athol, Attleboro, Auburn, Ayer, Barnstable, Bedford, Bellingham, Belmont, Beverly, Billerica, Blackstone, Boston, Bourne, Boxford, Braintree, Brewster, Bridgewater, Brockton, Brookline, Burlington, Cambridge, Canton, Carver, Charlton, Chatham, Chelmsford, Chelsea, Clinton, Cochituate, Cohasset, Concord, Danvers, Dartmouth, Dedham, Dennis, Dighton, Douglas, Dracut, Dudley, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, East Falmouth, Easton, Everett, Fairhaven, Fall River, Falmouth, Fitchburg, Foxborough, Framingham, Franklin, Freetown, Gardner, Georgetown, Gloucester, Grafton, Groton, Groveland, Halifax, Hamilton, Hanover, Hanson, Harwich, Haverhill, Hingham, Holbrook, Holden, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hudson, Hull, Ipswich, Kingston, Lakeville, Lancaster, Lawrence, Leicester, Leominster, Lexington, Lincoln, Littleton, Lowell, Lynn, Lynnfield, Malden, Mansfield, Marblehead, Marlborough, Marshfield, Mashpee, Mattapoisett, Maynard, Medfield, Medford, Medway, Melrose, Merrimac, Methuen, Middleborough, Middleton, Milford, Millbury, Millis, Milton, Montague, Natick, Needham, New Bedford, Newbury, Newburyport, Newton, Norfolk, North Andover, North Attleborough, North Reading, Northborough, Northbridge, Norton, Norwell, Norwood, Orleans, Oxford, Peabody, Pembroke, Pepperell, Pinehurst, Pittsfield, Plainville, Plymouth, Quincy, Randolph, Raynham, Reading, Rehoboth, Revere, Rockland, Rockport, Rutland, Salem, Salisbury, Sandwich, Saugus, Scituate, Seekonk, Sharon, Shirley, Shrewsbury, Somerset, Somerville, South Yarmouth, Southborough, Southbridge, Southwick, Spencer, Sterling, Stoneham, Stoughton, Sturbridge, Sudbury, Sutton, Swampscott, Swansea, Taunton, Templeton, Tewksbury, Topsfield, Townsend, Tyngsborough, Uxbridge, Wakefield, Walpole, Waltham, Wareham, Watertown, Wayland, Webster, Wellesley, West Boylston, West Bridgewater, West Yarmouth, Westborough, Westford, Westminster, Weston, Westport, Westwood, Weymouth, Whitinsville, Whitman, Wilmington, Winchendon, Winchester, Winthrop, Woburn, Worcester, Wrentham, Yarmouth

How can I inspect my Home for Mold?

Begin by touring your household. Follow your nose, and use your eyes. Two major factors help create conditions for biological pollutants to grow nutrients and constant moisture with poor air circulation.Dust and construction materials, such as wood, wallboard, and insulation, contain nutrients that allow biological pollutants to grow. Firewood also is a source of moisture, fungi, and bugs.

Appliances such as humidifiers, kerosene and gas heaters, and gas stoves add moisture to the air.

A musty odor, moisture on hard surfaces, or even water stains, may be caused by:

Air-conditioning units
Basements, attics, and crawlspaces
Bathrooms
Carpets
Heating and air-conditioning ducts
Humidifiers and dehumidifiers
Refrigerator drip pans

The Key to Mold Control is Moisture Control.

There are many ways to control moisture in your home:

Fix leaks and seepage. If water is entering the house from the outside, your options range from simple landscaping to extensive excavation and waterproofing. (The ground should slope away from the house.) Water in the basement can result from the lack of gutters or a water flow toward the house. Water leaks in pipes or around tubs and sinks can provide a place for biological pollutants to grow.
Put a plastic cover over dirt in crawlspaces to prevent moisture from coming in from the ground. Be sure crawlspaces are well-ventilated.
Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to remove moisture to the outside (not into the attic). Vent your clothes dryer to the outside.
Turn off certain appliances (such as humidifiers or kerosene heaters) if you notice moisture on windows and other surfaces.
Use dehumidifiers and air conditioners, especially in hot, humid climates, to reduce moisture in the air, but be sure that the appliances themselves don't become sources of biological pollutants.
Raise the temperature of cold surfaces where moisture condenses. Use insulation or storm windows. (A storm window installed on the inside works better than one installed on the outside.) Open doors between rooms (especially doors to closets which may be colder than the rooms) to increase circulation. Circulation carries heat to the cold surfaces. Increase air circulation by using fans and by moving furniture from wall corners to promote air and heat circulation. Be sure that your house has a source of fresh air and can expel excessive moisture from the home.
Pay special attention to carpet on concrete floors. Carpet can absorb moisture and serve as a place for biological pollutants to grow. Use area rugs which can be taken up and washed often. In certain climates, if carpet is to be installed over a concrete floor, it may be necessary to use a vapor barrier (plastic sheeting) over the concrete and cover that with sub-flooring (insulation covered with plywood) to prevent a moisture problem.
Moisture problems and their solutions differ from one climate to another. The Northeast is cold and wet; the Southwest is hot and dry; the South is hot and wet; and the Western Mountain states are cold and dry. All of these regions can have moisture problems. For example, evaporative coolers used in the Southwest can encourage the growth of biological pollutants. In other hot regions, the use of air conditioners which cool the air too quickly may prevent the air conditioners from running long enough to remove excess moisture from the air. The types of construction and weatherization for the different climates can lead to different problems and solutions.

You should consider having the air ducts in your home cleaned if:

There is substantial visible mold growth inside hard surface (e.g., sheet metal) ducts or on other components of your heating and cooling system. There are several important points to understand concerning mold detection in heating and cooling systems:

Many sections of your heating and cooling system may not be accessible for a visible inspection, so ask the service provider to show you any mold they say exists.

You should be aware that although a substance may look like mold, a positive determination of whether it is mold or not can be made only by an expert and may require laboratory analysis for final confirmation. If you have insulated air ducts and the insulation gets wet or moldy it cannot be effectively cleaned and should be removed and replaced. If the conditions causing the mold growth in the first place are not corrected, mold growth will recur.

Massachusetts home improvement choice for reducing your carbon footprint

What are the benefits of Spray Foam Insulation?

Reduces Heating And Cooling Costs
High R value - R-7/inch
Fills Hard-To-Insulate Areas
Provides An Airtight Thermal Seal
Offers Highest Aged R-Value
Doesn't Sag Or Settle Over Time
Protects Against Water/ Moisture
Stops Air And Moisture Infiltration
Eliminates Drafts And Increases Comfort As Recommended By The Energy Star® Home Sealing Process.
Improves Indoor Air Quality
Reduces Construction Cost
Provides An Air Insulation And Moisture Barrier, All In One Product
Use in New Or Existing Residential or Commercial Structures
Adheres To Existing Structures
Protects Against Insects And Rodents
Withstands Peak Wind Loads
Reduces Capacity Requirements, Maintenance And Wear Of HVAC Equipment
Meets All Building Codes
Deadens Sound
Adds Structural Support
>98% Closed Cell Resists Moisture
Density Is 2.0 lbs per Cubic Foot
E-84 Fire Rated By ASTM
Contains No CFCs, VOCs, Penta-BDE’s, Or Urea Formaldehyde.
No Dangerous Chemicals or Off-Gassing
100% Warranted Against Defect and 99.9% Success Rates.

Common Uses:

Additions Or New Build, Whole House Construction - Surface Spray Wall Cavities
Metal Buildings - Seals, Insulates, Stops Condensation & Adds Structural Stability.
Basements And Crawlspaces –
Permanent
Practically Waterproof
The Smart, Permanent Choice For Flood And Hurricane Zones
Rim Joists And Sill Plates
Cavity Fill
Penetrations
Block Walls - Spraying The Surface Creates A Better Thermal Break
HVAC Ductwork
Under Floors - Seals Against Moisture And Temperature
Soundproofing Between Rooms Or Floors
Garage Ceilings

Go to our Home page. Green Bear Innovations-Basement Waterproofing MA | Green Insulation MA

Go to our Mold Facts page. Green Bear Innovations-Mold Facts | Mold Information MA

Go to our Mold Remediation page. Green Bear Innovations-Mold Testing MA | Mold Remediation MA

Go to our Air Quality Testing page. Green Bear Innovations-Air Quality Testing MA | Mold Inspection MA

Go to our Insulation page. Green Ber Innovations-Spray Foam Insulation MA | Insulation Contractor MA

Schedule a FREE

Inspection and Estimate

Submit our web form,

Email Us or Call: 1-877-941-4733