Category: Mold Removal

The EPA says a do-it-yourselfer can handle mold removal for a mold infected area that is less than 3 feet by 3 feet from homes in Manassas, VA. More than that, a professional mold removal crew should be hired, or you can run the risk of affecting your health and that of your family’s and contaminating other parts of your Manassas, VA home.

Even if you see mold, it is still a good practice to have professional mold testing done. A visual inspection will first be performed. The Manassas, VA professional team at Envirotex uses Thermal Imaging to rapidly detect mold sources that flourish mold growth. Once these water damaged areas are detected and whichever structural issues contributed to your mold infestation can be evaluated, a work plan for mold removal can be put in place for your Manassas, VA home.

Mold Removal Practice

Contain the infected area from the rest of the home in Manassas, VA

• Quarantining the area is one of the most important practices in mold removal. This protects mold spores from spreading to other areas of Manassas, VA homes. Plastic wrap is taped around all vents and doorways leading into the affected area. A HEPA vacuum is used to suck up loose mold spores from dust before removing any affected materials.

Negative Pressure during Mold Removal

• Mold removal professionals use expensive blowers and ductwork or a fan blowing out a window to create negative pressure by pulling air from the room and out of the house.

Removing Infected Materials and Disinfecting

• Any materials contaminated with mold needs to be bagged, sealed and removed from the Manassas, VA home and properly disposed of at proper dumping sites for hazardous materials.

Cleanup

• Allow the infected area to dry.
• Drywall or carpet may need to be replaced as well as painting damaged areas.

Sometimes mold can’t be seen, referred to as Hidden Mold. Many times family member start to have health issues which could be a warning sign that there is mold growth in your home in Manassas, VA or you might smell a musty odor.

Anytime you buy a new home or have other signs of possible mold growth; you should always have a mold inspection for the safety of your family. Call the experts at Envirotex for any environmental issues you might have at your home in Manassas, VA including mold removal, mold testing, asbestos removal, and asbestos testing.

Mold removal is more prevalent in humid climates and when you are close to the water such as in Virginia Beach, VA. People who enjoy the water often forget the precautions they should take to prevent mold growth.

Summertime in Virginia Beach, VA can be extremely humid. Since fall is coming, now is the time to be extra cautious about any mold growth that has formed over the summer months from wet bathing suits, towels, and blankets used for the beach. So often you come in from a day at the beach or lying around the swimming pool and continuously throw your swimming things in a pile on the floor.

Wet clothes after 24 hours, if not attended to, can cause mold growth which can spread and ruin the walls and floors of your Virginia Beach, VA home. It can ruin your clothes as well. A professional environmental company such as Envirotex can handle any environmental issues including but not limited to mold removal.

Precautions for Beach Goers and Poolsiders

• Proper ventilation can deter mold from growing. Ensure you have plenty of fresh air indoors with good circulation by raising your windows on breezy, sunny days, keeping doors to other rooms ajar, keeping down on clutter and resist cramming furniture too close to the walls. These precautions can prevent the need for future mold removals.
• Reduce condensation by keeping the indoor temperature higher and the humidity lower with added insulation. Mold breeds on surfaces covered with condensation such as metal pipes, concrete walls, and windows in homes in Virginia Beach, VA.
• Utilize air conditioners and dehumidifiers to control the temperature indoor while keeping the humidity down. Being close to the beach for some is paradise, especially the vacationers. However, residents of Virginia Beach, VA should be aware that if they fail to take extra precautions during the humid, summer months, it could lead to the need for a professional mold removal. Wet bathing suits, plus extra showers to rinse off from the salty beach water or the chlorine from the pool, and additional damp towels laying around can cause extra moisture which could lead to mold growth.
• You can save on expensive mold removals by hanging up wet towels and bathing suits to dry, preferably outside, and make sure you have the necessary ventilation throughout your Virginia Beach, VA home. If you allow mold growth to get out of hand and need help, call the experts at Envirotex for all your environmental needs including mold testing, mold removal, asbestos inspection and removal or lead-paint removal for homes in Virginia Beach, VA.

Various forms of mold can be found in homes in Gainesville, VA, some which are not hazardous to your health while others that are extremely dangerous. Chest or sinus congestion, respiratory disorders, irritated eyes as well as coughing are all signs of mold infestation.

A certified and licensed mold removal company should be called to determine the type of mold and a plan for removal.  When areas contaminated with mold are disturbed, millions of spores can be discharged into the air. A mold removal company in Gainesville, VA has the proper equipment to keep the contamination under control while removing the mold.

Preventing mold from coming back will most likely consist of repairing leaks, wiping up any standing water, and fixing seals around all windows and doors.  Having a decent ventilation system installed in your home can eliminate excessive moisture that comes from showers, washing machines, dishwashers, and humidity from the weather. Having proper air flow within your home eliminates damp air that sits in various rooms where water is used.

Questions to Ask When Calling a Mold Removal Company

Do Team Workers Wear Protective Gear?

A mold removal company will ensure their team’s safety by providing them with proper hazmat suits, respirators, and safety glasses. Disposable shoe covers should also be worn because foot traffic is a major cause of cross contamination.

Do You Contain the Area Properly?

A mold removal company will come into your home and will contain the area. This includes plastic sheeting and protection at the entrance to the site to avoid cross contamination. Negative air machines used should be HEPA filtered and exhausted outside.

Do You Wrap Your Equipment?

Air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums are used and should be contained with fresh wrap before entering your site, so contamination from a previous job does not make yours worse.

What Credentials Do You Have?

Ask for proof of insurance and certifications.

How Do You Dispose of Waste?

Waste material should be double bagged and disposed of properly.

Don’t be afraid of asking questions before hiring a mold removal company to come to your home in Gainesville, VA. You and your family’s safety come first.

Mold can be found indoors and outdoors. The problem with mold starts when the level of mold inside is greater that the levels outdoors. The most common form of mold associated with water damage is Aspergillus/Penicillium. This type of mold can grow on materials including gypsum board, fiberboard, paper, dust, and lint. Mold growing in a home, whether it is black mold or other types of mold, indicate you have a problem with moisture or water.

Mold growth happens when you have moisture from water damage, high humidity, water leaks, condensation, water infiltration or flooding. Moisture is required for mold to grow and will start growing within 48 hours of moisture or exposure. Mold growth can usually be seen or smelled giving off a damp, musty odor.

If you see signs of mold growth in your Winchester, VA home, your will need to call in a professional mold removal company who is licensed and trained in the removal of all types of mold. This is not something a homeowner should tackle because mold can be detrimental to the welfare of your family. A mold removal professional will inspect your property using various technologies to detect mold and hidden water sources. Then a plan of action will be set in place for removing the mold from your house in Winchester, VA.

Mold Containment

Mold needs to be contained to prevent the spread of mold spores. Methods including negative air chambers isolate the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure to keep spores from spreading during the cleanup process. Fans and heating and cooling systems will be turned off to prevent the spreading of mold spores.

Air Filtration

Mold removal professions use specialized filtration equipment to capture microscopic mold spores out of the air. This method utilizes power “air scrubbers” and HEPA vacuums to prevent spreading mold spores while the mold removal is in process.

Removing Mold

Antifungal and antimicrobial treatments are used to eliminate mold colonies and to prevent new colonies from forming. Mold-infested porous materials including drywall and carpeting may need to be completely removed and disposed of to remediate heavy mold growth.

Cleaning

A variety of cleaning techniques are used to clean and sanitize your belongs such as furniture, decorative items, curtains, and clothing.

Restoration

Depending on the amount of damage and what was disposed of such as carpet, subfloors or drywall, these materials will need to be replaced or repaired.

Mold can be extremely dangerous to your family’s health, and it can also do excessive damage to your home in Winchester, VA. If you are noticing signs of mold growth, don’t put it off, call in a professional mold removal team today.

Don’t try to be a mold specialist. Mold in your Alexandria, VA home can make you and your family sick. Mold also looks disgusting to the visible eye but what about the mold that you can’t visibly see? If you see mold inside your house, how much is growing where you can’t see it? Whenever you first see signs of any mold growth, you need to get help fast.

Mold removal should only be done by a professional company such as Envirotex. We are a trusted, licensed and insured environmental services company servicing the Northern, VA area including Alexandria, VA. Our professional mold removal specialists know what to look for and where to look inside your home to detect mold growth and the best way to remove the mold from your Alexandria, VA home.

Mold left unattended can weaken your walls, floors, and ceilings. The sooner you have this mold problem taken care of, the better.

The mold removal technician from Envirotex will not only remove the mold from your home but will assess the situation to see how any further mold growth can be prevented in the future. Knowing the how’s and why’s of mold growth in your home will determine what plan your mold removal specialist will suggest.

Suggestions for Homeowners to Reduce Mold Problems

• Caulk around water fixtures—leaks around any shower, sinks, and bathtubs are sources for mold growth.
• Clean out gutters—water standing in gutters that are clogged with debris can allow water to leak into your eaves and onto the exterior walls.
• Caulk around windows—caulk around the outside of windows to prevent them from leaking during hard downpours of rain.
• Roof leaks—if your ceiling is showing signs of leaking, check your roof, your attic or crawl space above your ceiling for leaks. When these leaks go unnoticed, mold can start to grow.
• Crawl space under your home—make sure water is not accumulating and standing underneath your house. This can lead to mold growth and furthermore it can also damage the structure of your home.

By following these suggestions, you can prevent mold growth from occurring in your Alexandria, VA home. If you are already noticing signs of mold, call the environmental specialists at Envirotex for our mold removal services. Envirotex is a name you can trust.