Sal’s Problem
For months in 2010, I was really sick. I was exhausted; I was coughing up blood; and I had disgusting lesions in my nose, on my face, and on my body. After a weekend away, I got better. Within two days of being back home, I was coughing up blood again! That’s when I discovered my home was making me sick!
My home had water intrusion through the foundation and a roof leak. That led to toxic black mold growth. The mold spores spread through the air, through the air conditioning system, and into my lungs; and that’s how I got sick.
That’s how the idea for Spoores came to be.
Mold feeds off water leaks and humidity to thrive. It only takes 80% humidity for 48 hours for mold to grow. 14,000 homeowners encounter water leak emergencies on a daily basis. Approximately 40% of homeowners have experienced water damage. It is the 3rd most filed insurance claim in the US costing $13B annually. The average water damage claim is $14,000 and goes up to $72,000 for homes flooded 9-12 inches.
Our Solution
I partnered with my college roommate and classmate, David Tietz, and we set out to prevent toxic black mold from hurting other people and to promote a healthier environment using our skills as electrical and software engineers.
We designed leak sensors you can place near common sources of leaks such as hot water heaters, washer machines, dishwashers, and in bathrooms. We designed valve controllers to shut off your water. Our devices are connected to the internet through Wi-Fi and communicate securely through our backend servers and with our mobile and web apps. So, if you have a water leak, our sensor will detect it, our valve controller will shut off your water, and we’ll notify you on the Spoores app. We’ll even tell you if your humidity is too high to help you avoid black mold growth.
Who We Serve
Spoores serves anyone who has running water at their property and is concerned about a water leak. We think everyone should care about this… especially insurance companies, property managers, home associations, and people with multiple homes.
Who We Are
David Tietz
Partner | Engineer
David was born and raised in Tampa Bay, Florida, where a lifelong passion for technology, engineering, and creativity took root.
David attended the University of Florida, earning both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in electrical engineering and a master’s in business management.
After graduating, David joined FACTS Engineering as a software engineer. For nearly a decade, David designed programmable logic controllers (PLCs) developing a passion for automation.
He then spent the next five years at LGS Innovations and CACI as a reverse engineer working on cybersecurity.
David specializes in web backend software development and is skilled in cybersecurity, automation, embedded and mobile app software development and 3D printing.
Sal Torre
Partner | Engineer
Sal was born and raised in Tampa Bay, Florida, where a lifelong passion for technology, engineering, and creativity took root. From building Legos as a kid to designing websites as a teenager, Sal’s curiosity for how things work has always driven him forward.
Sal attended the University of Florida, earning both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in electrical engineering, with a minor in business administration. During his time there, he played a key role in the design of SwampSat, UF’s first CubeSat satellite, working on both the motherboard and embedded software.
After graduating, Sal joined Lockheed Martin as a supplier and material quality engineer. For three years, he troubleshot manufacturing defects in circuit boards and electrical components, while visiting suppliers to improve their production processes.
He then spent the next decade at American Traction Systems, developing embedded software for motor controllers and power converters for a range of applications, including locomotives, ferries, streetcars, mining vehicles, and electric vehicles. His work powers some of the most iconic and critical systems, from the Disney Monorail to the Alcatraz ferry, NASA’s NEAT program, and streetcars in Buffalo, to mining vehicles in Peru and locomotives in Canada and England. Sal’s contributions also extend to the Army’s TARDEC program and the Buckeye Bullet 3, a record-breaking electric vehicle.
Sal specializes in embedded software development and is skilled in control systems, mobile app and web backend software development, DevOps, PCB design, and CAD.