Insurance claims relative to water intrusion rely on establishing the “cause of loss.” Was damage to the property caused by a storm event in which wind driven rains entered the building envelope? Or did moisture infiltrate through other entry points perhaps associated with plumbing leaks?

Understanding if damage was caused by water intrusion can be a daunting task if the areas in question have dried and little evidence remains. A novel approach with scientific efficacy is now available to assist the trier of fact in making this determination.

DNA analysis of interior surfaces likely to have been impacted by water infiltration can reveal if water indicator fungi are present. Specific fungus will grow when moisture meets a food source. Such foods include: Carpeting, baseboards, sheetrock and dust all likely to have been exposed to and impacted by exterior water intrusion.

Samples taken from these areas and tested using USEPA PCR/DNA methods may reveal with 99.999% certainty the presence of fungi that only grow in the presence of water.

Such laboratory data in the absence of visible water damage provides scientific verification of a water intrusion event.

Clean Air Laboratories is now licensed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency to use PCR/DNA to analyze for the presence of water indicator fungi. Sample collection for these results is quick and easy and may be accomplished by most individuals with simple training or by investigators assigned the task of sample collection and documentation.