Category: Asbestos Inspection

If your Washington, D.C. home predates the 1980s, you may wonder what materials, if any, contain harmful asbestos materials. Could your popcorn ceilings, vinyl floor tiles, insulation, or textured paint contain asbestos? You may be asking yourself, should you get a home asbestos inspection for your home in Washington, DC. to find out more?

Maybe it could just be for peace of mind that you may want an asbestos inspection to ensure your family is not at risk. The thing is, asbestos is usually only hazardous if it is disturbed. When asbestos is disturbed, it releases asbestos fibers into the air. The air you and your family breathe could cause havoc on your family’s health.

Exposure to damaged, disturbed, or deteriorating asbestos can cause symptoms that include shortness of breath, persistent cough, and chest pain. Exposure can lead to mesothelioma, or cancer of the thin tissue layer covering your lungs, heart, stomach, and other internal organs. Another chronic lung disease called asbestosis is caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. These alone should be a concerning factor for Washington, D.C. homeowners whose house predates the 1980s.

When should you get an asbestos inspection for your home in Washington, D.C.? If the asbestos material is in good condition, simply leave it alone. Other scenarios as to when you should get an asbestos inspection include the following—

• If you notice any areas of your home that might contain asbestos are damaged or deteriorating, such as popcorn ceilings, vinyl tile, or pipe insulation that appears to be in bad shape, by all means, you should get an asbestos inspection.
• Suppose you plan to renovate your home in Washington, D.C. In that case, you will need to know which materials contain asbestos before you either modify or remove those materials, so an asbestos inspection definitely is warranted in this scenario.

If you have doubts that asbestos could lurk at your Washington, D.C. home, call the experts at Envirotex Environmental Services. They can answer any questions and advise whether you should have an asbestos inspection for your home in Washington, D.C.

Asbestos is a known carcinogen. Found in most Northern VA homes built before 1980, it is still used in some products today, commonly used in construction. If your home was built before 1980, you need to question the materials used in constructing your home in Northern VA. The best way to do this is to have an asbestos inspection.

Asbestos fibers are tiny, and they float in the air making these fibers easy to inhale. Once inhaled into the lungs, they stick to the inner lining and collect over a period of time. This can cause several diseases and eventually can affect a person’s breathing.

Northern VA homes built prior to 1980 could have asbestos–containing materials such as vinyl floor tile and the backing on vinyl sheet flooring and adhesives insulation, roofing, and siding shingles made of asbestos cement plus more. If your Northern VA home is older, please take precautions and have an asbestos inspection done so that if and when you decide to remodel or make any home improvements, you know what materials you are tearing out contain asbestos. Even if you are not anticipating any major renovations, some of the materials in your home could be worn or frayed, which can send off these asbestos fibers into the air, and your family could be in danger.

For the well–being of your family, an asbestos inspection is well worth the money. Once your Northern VA home is inspected for asbestos–containing materials, you will then know what is safe and unsafe and what needs to be replaced or sealed (encapsulation).

An asbestos inspection process may look somewhat like this—

• The inspector conducts a visual inspection of the home and its systems during the asbestos inspection at your home in Northern VA, including the foundation, heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems, plumbing and electrical systems, garage, house interiors, and a few appliances as well.
• Some of these materials will be tested by taking samples and sending them to an outside lab for analysis.
• If any asbestos is found during the asbestos inspection, you will be instructed on where to go from there. Some materials that are in good shape and do not release fibers will not be a concern. Other materials that show visible signs of deterioration should be repaired or removed by a professional asbestos removal technician.

If you have any concerns about an asbestos inspection for your Northern VA home, please don’t hesitate to call Envirotex Environmental Services. They will be glad to help in any way they can to help keep your family safe from any environmental issues at your home in Northern VA.

Many building products and insulation materials used in homes contained asbestos until the 1970s. If you have an older home in Warrenton, VA, you should have an asbestos inspection by a professional such as Envirotex Environmental Services before remodeling.

Products that could contain asbestos are: 

• Boilers and furnace ducts insulated with asbestos paper tape or an asbestos blanket. If damaged, repaired, or improperly removed, these materials may release asbestos fibers;
• Floor tiles and the adhesive used in the installation, and the backing on vinyl sheet flooring. Scraping or sanding during removal can release asbestos fibers;
• Joint compounds and patching for walls and ceilings and textured paints. Scraping, sanding, or drilling any of these surfaces may release asbestos fibers;
• Door gaskets in furnaces, wood, or coal stoves. Seals that are worn can release asbestos fibers during use;
• Roofing and siding shingles.

A professional who does an asbestos inspection will know what to look for and where to look in your Warrenton, VA home. During an asbestos inspection, the inspector will take samples of any suspected materials, assess the condition of the materials, and advise the Warrenton, VA homeowner on how to correct any asbestos found in the home properly.

 Once the asbestos inspection is complete and a plan is mapped out for any removal of asbestos materials, you will need to move your family to other living quarters until the asbestos removal is complete at your home in Warrenton, VA.

Asbestos fibers are harmful to your health when released into the air. It is imperative that you have an asbestos inspection if you have any suspensions of asbestos materials at your Warrenton, VA home. Asbestos-containing materials which are not damaged in any way and are in good shape are not harmful.

However, suppose down the road, you decide you want to remodel areas of your Warrenton, VA home which may possibly contain asbestos. In that case, it is best to go ahead and have an asbestos inspection by a professional such as Envirotex so you know ahead of time what you will need to do before you do any remodeling.

Call the team at Envirotex for all your environmental questions.

Unfortunately, you can not tell whether a material in your Washington, D.C. home contains asbestos just by looking at it. Most asbestos is found in homes built before 1980. If you suspect asbestos-containing material such as damaged floor or ceiling tiles, or if you are planning on any renovations in the near future that will require removing or disturbing the material, the EPA recommends that you have an asbestos inspector take samples and be tested by an outside professional laboratory.

An accredited professional asbestos inspector can inspect your home or business, take samples of suspected materials and then advise you about what needs to be done to rid your home or place of business in Washington, D.C. of any asbestos-containing materials.

A Washington D.C. asbestos inspector will first do a complete visual examination of your home in Washington, D.C. He will carefully collect samples for testing and send off to a laboratory for analysis of the samples taken from the home.

If the samples test positive for asbestos, the asbestos inspector should give you a written evaluation of his findings, the location and the extent of the damage. He should then recommend a plan to either contain or remove the asbestos from your Washington, D.C. home by a licensed and insured asbestos contractor. Once the asbestos has been removed or contained, another inspection should be done by the professional asbestos inspector or an independent air testing contractor in Washington, D.C. to make sure there is no increase in asbestos fibers in the air.

If your asbestos inspector finds asbestos-containing materials that have not been disturbed and are in a remote area of your home in Washington, D.C. that no one ever comes in contact with, he may suggest to leave it alone. Asbestos is only hazardous when it is disturbed and becomes airborne.

Envirotex serving the Washington, D.C. area is an environmental service company with over 15 years of experience in asbestos testing and remediation, mold testing and remediation, lead paint testing and remediation, and meth labs and clandestine drug lab cleanup. Call Envirotex for the environmental specialists in your area.

Even though an asbestos inspection might not be required for buildings constructed after 1980, there is still a chance that some building materials in your Washington, D.C. home might contain asbestos-containing materials. A 1991 appeals court ruled that some common consumer products are still allowed for use in the United States when a large portion of the “Asbestos Ban and Phase Out” rule was overturned. These consumer products include:

• Vinyl-asbestos floor tile
• Roofing felt and coatings
• Asbestos-cement products (flat corrugated sheets, shingles, pipe)
• Asbestos clothing
• Pipeline wrap
• Millboard
• Gaskets
• Non-roofing coatings
• Automotive products

With products being imported where asbestos is not regulated as strong as in the U.S., homes and buildings in Washington, D.C. have a real potential for new products being installed that contain asbestos. With home renovations increasing for Washington, D.C. homeowners, it is important that you be aware of possible asbestos-containing materials in your home. Be safe and contact an asbestos inspection specialist to check your home in Washington, D.C. for any asbestos-containing materials before you start any renovations.

The first step of an asbestos inspection will be a visual inspection by a professional inspector in Washington, D.C. A typical home might take around 2-3 hours whereas a commercial property might take longer, depending on its size. An asbestos inspection will include inspecting the foundation, heating and air-conditioning and ventilation’s systems.

Any asbestos-containing materials will be checked for its current state to make sure materials are not harmful. Materials which are in good shape and that will not be interrupted during the renovation are not releasing fibers so these should be of no concern.

Any asbestos-containing materials found during the asbestos inspection that will be destroyed in the renovations as well as any materials that are showing signs of deterioration and wear and tear such as tearing or abrasions should be handled by a Washington, D.C. professional to remove or repair these asbestos materials.

An asbestos inspection, abatement, or removal should always be handled by a certified, licensed, and insured environmental services professional. These professionals are equipped and experienced in the handling of asbestos and will comply with the increasingly complex regulations surrounding asbestos in Washington, D.C.

Exposure to asbestos at homes in Washington, D.C. poses health complications for family members. Depending on the age of your Washington, D.C. home, homeowners need to be aware of the possibility of asbestos–related materials still in the home. Asbestos was widely used in building materials prior to the 1980s. Having an asbestos inspector come to your Washington, D.C. home and do an on–site evaluation will inform you of any asbestos in the house, and they can map out a plan for asbestos removal so that your family will no longer be in danger.

The asbestos inspector will do a thorough visual inspection. Sample extraction and laboratory analysis will be done as well. Depending on the results, if asbestos is detected, recommendations will be made to rid your home of this unwanted material.

The asbestos inspector may take these samples from many different materials within your home. These professionals are familiar with the types of materials that may contain asbestos, including—

• Floor tiles
• Adhesives
• Ceiling tiles
• Plaster
• Gypsum board
• Joint compound
• Grout
• Caulking
• Thermal insulation
• Siding
• Roofing
• And many other products

Sometimes the asbestos inspector may recommend removing the asbestos–related materials from the Washington, D.C. home. Other times, if the materials are in good condition, they will be left alone. However, these materials will require the homeowner to keep an eye out for future damage. As long as these materials have not been damaged in any way, they should not be a threat to the family.

Homeowners in Washington, D.C. need to be aware that anytime you choose to renovate a certain area of their home where asbestos materials are located, even if in good condition, it will require professional asbestos removal. Your asbestos inspector will give you a report of the location of any asbestos–related materials that are not necessarily a threat unless you cut into, drill, nail, or damage in any other way. Once this happens, it sends asbestos fibers into the air where family members can breathe into their lungs, which can be detrimental to their health.

Call the team at Envirotex Environmental Services for one of their asbestos inspectors to come to your home in Washington, D.C., and help determine if those materials in question contain asbestos and how to make your home a safer place for you and your family.

Some of the common places where asbestos can be found are in floor tiles, joint compound, ductwork, and insulation. Asbestos was widely used in many construction materials before 1980. Chances are if your home was built prior to 1980, there are some asbestos-containing materials in your home. These materials only become hazardous when it is airborne and then breathed into the lungs. Most asbestos is locked firmly into these products, most likely causing no risk of exposure to you or your family members.

Sometimes these materials will disintegrate and become airborne inside your home in Ashburn, VA. If you suspect asbestos in your home, it is best to have a qualified environmental company to do an asbestos inspection. Your attic could be full of old insulation, or your pipes could be wrapped in a material that, when touched, crumbles. These are signs that it is time to have an asbestos inspection to find out precisely what you are dealing with.

If you are not tearing anything out of your home and nothing seems to be fraying or falling apart, you should be safe. However, whenever you decide to do any remodeling inside your home in Ashburn, VA, tearing out, breaking, crushing, nailing, or sawing any asbestos-containing materials will release asbestos particles into the air. They can be harmful to those in the home.

An asbestos inspection for older homes makes good sense so that you, as the homeowner, knows exactly the type of materials that were used during the construction of your Ashburn, VA home. If you aren’t planning on disturbing the contents and they are in good shape, there shouldn’t be a problem. The other thing is to have asbestos remediation so that you can permanently remove any asbestos-related materials in your home in Ashburn, VA. Many homeowners feel much safer living in a home where all asbestos has been removed.

Having an asbestos inspection will give you and your family in Ashburn, VA the satisfaction of knowing if your home has or doesn’t have any asbestos lurking anywhere. Peace of mind is an excellent reason for an asbestos inspection along with the knowledge that anytime you decide to remodel, you know the safety hazards and can take the necessary precautions of removing the asbestos first.

Call the experts at Envirotex, and they will be able to advise you if you should have an asbestos inspection for your home in Ashburn, VA.  

A healthy living environment is one of the most important aspects of living a healthy life. To accomplish that you need to have a regularly scheduled cleaning routine and preventive maintenance, which should include having a mold inspection company, such as Envirotex, inspect your Northern, VA home for mold growth.

Finding a mold inspection company in Northern, VA should not be taken lightly. You will want one who has excellent service at a reasonable price. Not all homeowners have the same kind of problems with mold. Some homeowners in Northern, VA may just be taking extra precautions by having a mold inspection while others have had recurring issues and use a mold inspection company to check to see if their problem with mold is gone.

You will want a company that can handle numerous issues such as Envirotex who does mold inspections as well as mold remediation along with handling other environmental issues, although it is advisable not to pick the same company for both an inspection and one that actually removes the mold from your Northern, VA home.

The mold inspection company that you decide on should have the latest equipment, including thermal imaging. Thermal imaging is a sophisticated system that can detect and identify sources of moisture that support mold growth so that you can make an informed decision on any needed repairs that will help save on monthly energy costs while providing your Northern, VA home with a more comfortable and healthy living environment.

Once your mold inspection is completed, you should receive a detailed report showing you the seriousness of any mold situation you have in your Northern, VA home and what all will be involved in getting rid of all mold in your home.

Always take the time to research a mold inspection company before making your final decision. Ask around for other people’s opinions of which company they have used in the past. Check online for the company’s reviews and make sure the mold inspection company is licensed and insured.

Envirotex is a Northern, VA mold inspection company who has been in business since 2000. They have years of experience with all issues dealing with mold and other environmental problems and offer the best solutions to deal with mold growth.

Most products today do not contain asbestos. However, up until the 1970s, there were many types of building and insulation materials that were used in homes which contained asbestos. Before doing any home repairs or renovations to an older home in Northern, VA, you should consider having an asbestos inspection.

An asbestos inspection should include a complete visual assessment. A collection of samples should be taken and sent off to a third party laboratory for analysis. If the report confirms that asbestos is present in your Northern, VA home, the asbestos inspector should provide you with a written evaluation that describes where the asbestos materials are located and the extent of any damage. The asbestos inspector should also give you recommendations to correct the problem at your Northern, VA home.

Northern, VA homeowners should never take it upon themselves to take samples of suspected asbestos materials. This should only be done a professional asbestos inspection company such as the team at Envirotex. These professional inspectors know what to look for and know how to handle the situation carefully and safely. Taking samples yourself may release asbestos fibers into the air, which can be extremely harmful to any household members in Northern, VA.

Professional asbestos inspection teams should take all necessary precautions when taking samples. Your Northern, VA home’s heating and cooling system will be shut down to minimize the spreading any released asbestos fibers throughout the house.

Most often, asbestos-containing materials that are in good shape and are never going to be disturbed, should be left alone. Your asbestos inspection may only include sampling materials that may be damaged or disturbed when doing repairs or remodeling.

If the asbestos material presents a problem, two corrections are possible: removal or repair. If it is repaired, this involves either sealing or covering the asbestos material with a sealant that binds the asbestos fibers together or coats the asbestos materials, so fibers are not released into the air.

The other is by removal. Both repair and removal should be done by a mold removal professional explicitly trained to handle asbestos safely.

Undisturbed asbestos poses no known danger to homeowners and their families in Arlington, VA. The only time asbestos poses a threat is if a homeowner is remodeling their home and disturbs asbestos-containing materials, or if you have crumbling drywall or torn insulation that contains asbestos. If you are facing either of these asbestos related problems, it is best to hire a trained and accredited asbestos inspector to come to your home and do a complete home asbestos inspection.

Once your asbestos inspection is complete and you receive the results, you can then determine what corrective measures you need to take. If you are remodeling an area of your home in Arlington, VA where no asbestos was found but yet in another area materials were found that contained asbestos, as long as do not disturb these materials, there is no harm to you or your family.

Asbestos exposure can lead to respiratory problems such as mesothelioma (a form of lung cancer) and asbestosis (scarring and stiffening of the lungs). Exposure to asbestos for long periods of time can also be deadly for some people. If you suspect asbestos in your home, don’t put it off. Be sure to call and schedule a time for an asbestos inspector to come to your home and do the necessary testing.

An asbestos inspection will give you a better insight into future remodeling projects and what would need to be done. Asbestos isn’t dangerous until it is disturbed and becomes airborne. If you have asbestos tile and your future plans include removing the tile and replacing it, you will need to have an asbestos remediation done to have the asbestos removed and disposed of correctly and safely, so it doesn’t impose any danger to you and your family.

When hiring an Arlington, VA professional asbestos inspector, make sure the inspection will include a complete visual examination, sample collections, and an independent laboratory analysis of the samples collected. If asbestos is detected, the inspector should be able to provide you with a written evaluation. This should describe the location and extent of the asbestos damage. They should be able to refer you to a licensed and accredited asbestos remediation company to come in and remove the asbestos. The inspector can also perform checks once the problem has been corrected to make sure the work was done properly.