Asbestos, lead, and mold testing questions
Short answers, with a link to the page that carries the full service. Lead, mold, water, and environmental testing are offered in New York and Vermont.
Answers
Short answers first.
Do I need an asbestos survey before renovating in New York?
Yes. NYS DOL requires an asbestos survey before work disturbs building materials, regardless of construction date. The building owner has a NYS-certified asbestos inspector survey the affected areas before renovation, remodeling, repair, or demolition.
NYS DOL survey requirements (P232)Do I need an asbestos survey if my building is newer?
NYS DOL requires an asbestos survey before work disturbs building materials, regardless of construction date. EPA and Vermont rules have no age cutoff either, though some homes are exempt; call us and we'll tell you what applies.
NYS DOL survey requirements (P232)Can a homeowner skip the asbestos survey in New York?
The single-family, owner-occupied exemption (12 NYCRR 56-1.3(a), DOL P229) applies only to a single-family dwelling occupied or to be occupied by the owner, with the owner doing the work personally. It does not cover landlords, flippers, contractors, or a building that will be demolished.
NYS DOL P229Do I need an asbestos inspection in Vermont?
In most cases, yes. Vermont requires a Vermont-licensed asbestos inspector before renovation, demolition, or fire cleanup, and demolition needs 10 working days' notice to the Vermont Department of Health. Some owner-occupied homes are exempt; call us and we'll tell you what applies.
Vermont asbestos fact sheetCan the asbestos contractor do its own air testing?
No. Industrial Code Rule 56-4.3 requires project air sampling by a third party hired by the owner and independent of the asbestos contractor. We don't do abatement, so we can serve as the independent air-sampling firm on jobs where we're hired by the owner or the owner's agent (ICR 56-4.3, 56-4.4(a)).
Clearance air samplingIs vermiculite attic insulation asbestos?
It is treated as asbestos-containing. Vermont requires that treatment, and New York says there is no reliable bulk test that clears it. Have it assessed before anyone disturbs it.
Vermiculite sectionDoes my rental need a Lead Rental Registry inspection?
It does when it was built before 1980, has 2 or more units, and sits in one of New York’s communities of concern, including Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Amsterdam, and Gloversville. The inspection is at least every 3 years. Check with the local health department before you hire.
NYS DOH, property ownersDo you do lead testing in Vermont?
Yes. Paint, dust, and drinking-water lead sampling are offered in New York and Vermont. Drinking-water lead sampling is on the water page.
Lead inspectionsCan the company that tests my mold also do the cleanup on the same property?
New York Labor Law Article 32 keeps the assessment and the cleanup by different parties on the same property. ClearVU assesses and writes the scope, so the findings stay independent of the contractor doing the work.
NYS DOL Mold ProgramDoes my new house need a blower door test?
New dwellings in New York are tested against the maximum air leakage rate the 2025 NY energy code sets for the home's climate zone, and the code official receives a signed report. Vermont uses an RBES test for new homes and covered renovations. Duct leakage testing is a separate measurement for the code official’s report.
Blower door and duct leakageHow many units does a HUD multifamily radon test cover?
For the MAP Guide, test 100% of ground-floor units plus 10% of upper-floor units in every building, under the current ANSI/AARST multifamily standard. The action level is 4.0 pCi/L. Residential radon testing is also offered for real estate transactions.
Radon testingDoes FHA require a water test?
Not on every home. When an FHA appraisal involves a private well and the handbook calls for a test, HUD 4000.1 says the sample is collected by a disinterested third party. We collect that sample in New York and Vermont.
Water testingWhat is a coliform test?
A coliform test looks for a group of bacteria used as a signal that the well or the sample path needs attention. It is one of the water tests we collect in New York and Vermont. NYS DOH recommends testing a private well for bacteria at least once a year.
NYS DOH private wellsRequest an inspection
Call 518.832.9213 or email support [at] cvenv [dot] com. Sample drop-off at our Queensbury office.