Envirotex Blog – Page 19

The Purpose of Mold Inspections in Fairfax, VA

Anytime a homeowner in Fairfax, VA suspects any type of mold growth, they should invest in a mold inspection. The purpose of any mold inspection is to find where the mold growth is in your Fairfax, VA home and then to find out where the water problem is that is causing the mold to grow in the first place.

Even if you can already see mold growth, it is still necessary to have mold inspections because some mold is not visible and an inspection can determine where all mold growth is located. Often times it is behind drywall, under your carpet, and in air conditioning ducts.

Mold inspectors have the experience to know where most mold hides and have the proper equipment to find it without disturbing or damaging your home in any way. As a homeowner in Fairfax, VA, you should offer any information about water leaks or flooding that you’ve experienced so the inspector can be made aware.

Mold is a serious health risk and should be taken care of as soon as possible. Anytime your family members are experiencing new allergy symptoms or a moldy smell, a mold inspection should be performed at your Fairfax, VA home. Mold inspections should be performed after developing any type of leaky pipes or roof or any type of flooding. Water left to stand will cause mold growth within 48 hours.

Whenever a homeowner in Fairfax, VA finds any type of mold growth in their home, they should never try to disturb it. Disturbing any type of mold at your home in Fairfax, VA spreads mold spores or mycotoxins throughout the home. Large mold colonies should only be handled by professional environmental specialists such as Envirotex. Proper containment is necessary during any mold removal and the pros know exactly what to do to keep your family safe.

Necessary repairs may need to be done such as replacing drywall or carpet that has mold damage. Also the source of moisture that is causing the mold growth will need to be fixed.

Once the mold removal is completed, another mold inspection should always be performed to make sure the mold removal process was successful. This is added protection for you and your family in Fairfax, VA.

Mold Inspections versus Mold Test Kits for Northern, VA Homeowners

You may be wondering whether you should purchase mold test kits or call to have professional mold inspections for any home or buildings you are occupying or tenants are occupying in Northern, VA. The most significant component of a mold inspection is the inspection itself, not the samples.

Samples taken of mold can be misleading and can at times be incorrect. Both false positive and false negative results frequently occur. A well thought out sampling plan and a visual inspection need to be done for an accurate interpretation of any mold inspection in Northern, VA.

The visual part of a mold inspection requires an understanding of building structures, water sources, and other factors that typically are not apparent to a homeowner using a mold test kit. The Northern, VA home or building may have condensation in an attic that is not adequately ventilated, possible issues with drainage around the exterior of the building, or cracks in the foundation. These are things that a professional mold inspection company such as Envirotex will be looking for during an inspection of your Northern, VA home. The source of moisture has to be taken care of first or removing any mold will only be a temporary fix. The moisture source must be fixed, or the mold will come back.

Mold test kits will not provide you the helpful information that you will need to rid your home of mold. A professional mold inspection by an environmental company such as Envirotex will find the source of moisture causing the mold growth, will draw up a plan to remove the mold and any repairs you will need to fix the moisture that is breeding mold growth at your home in Northern, VA.

Envirotex has the proper equipment to do a thorough mold inspection of your property. With the latest technology of thermal imaging and a specialized trained team, Envirotex can quickly detect and identify the sources of moisture at your Northern, VA home that is causing mold growth.

Call the team at Envirotex Environmental Services if you have any questions about mold growth or any other environmental issue such as asbestos or lead paint.

A Homeowner’s Plan for Mold Remediation in Northern, VA

When you have mold growth in your Northern, VA home, mold remediation is essential to help protect your property as well as your family’s health. Anytime you have mold growing inside your home, it can lead to health issues such as a cough, runny nose, itchy eyes and skin, and a scratchy throat. Toxic mold can be dangerous causing serious medical problems in the form of neurological damage and can lead to death.

Any mold growth found at your home in Northern, VA should be dealt with immediately by a professional mold remediation company such as the team at Envirotex Environmental Services. Even if you suspect mold and can’t see it such as musty smells, you should contact Envirotex and let them come out and evaluate the situation.

With new technology in thermal imaging, sources of moisture causing the mold inside your Northern, VA home can be easily detected and identified. Without identifying and fixing your moisture sources, removing any existing mold will eventually come back. That is why it is imperative for homeowners in Northern, VA to invest in mold remediation to stop mold in its tracks and keep it from spreading or coming back.

A mold evaluation is the first step in the mold remediation plan. The company will do a visual inspection to confirm mold is present in your Northern, VA home. More invasive techniques can determine if you have mold growing under your carpet or behind your walls. These materials may have to be removed and replaced during the mold remediation.

Fixing the source of moisture is necessary during the mold remediation plan so that mold growth doesn’t come back. You may need construction services or a plumber to fix any issues that are causing mold growth. This should be done before proceeding with the mold remediation process.

The mold remediation company should properly dispose of any materials that can’t be repaired such as mattresses, drywall, and carpet.

Once the water source has been fixed and materials have been disposed of, the mold remediation crew will dry the area. This prevents the mold from spreading although the mold remediation crew will take precautions so the mold spores and dust will not spread throughout the rest of the house.

Any items that are infested with mold will be properly cleaned with special cleaners, and a HEPA vacuum will be used to remove mold dust and debris.

During the mold remediation, the team will wear proper protective equipment to avoid inhaling airborne mold. This is why homeowners should never attempt removing excessive mold themselves.

Repairing and restoring the materials that were damaged and disposed of will be necessary to return your Northern, VA home to its livable condition.

Can House Mold in Northern, VA Affect your Pets?

Mold can grow in any moist, warm climate indoors and outdoors around your home in Northern, VA. House mold can grow in wet towels, drywall, around your windows and under your carpet. It can also be found in food thrown outside in the garbage and rotting tree stumps and in the soil. Mold can be inhaled wherever it grows as well as licked by pets at your Northern, VA home.

Mycotoxins are produced by toxic mold which can damage you and your family’s health, including your pets. Some symptoms that your pet has been exposed by house mold at your Northern, VA home include—

Inhaled house mold shows signs of difficult or rapid breathing, coughing, wheezing, sneezing, nasal discharge and in more severe cases even bleeding from the nose and/or mouth.
Ingested house mold can include loss of appetite, stool changes, and vomiting.
Allergic reaction to mold may include chewing, licking, scratching and biting itchy areas of the body. This can progress to skin sores and fur loss.

Some house mold can also affect your pet’s nervous system causing seizures and tremors. Whenever you sense your pet might have been exposed to toxic mold, get them to a veterinary immediately. House mold at your Northern, VA home can cause damage to your pet’s kidneys, liver, bones, brain, and spinal cord.

Most pets that get immediate attention after house mold exposure will make a full recovery. It is imperative that you prevent further expose and keep your pets safe and healthy going forward. Eliminating the sources of mold in your home and having mold remediation if necessary by a reputable company such as Envirotex will help to protect you and your family members which include pets.

Some extra precautions for you to take at your Northern, VA home regarding pets include—

Wash your pet’s water and food bowls once a day and never use plastic.
Keep your pet’s food in a sealed container in a dry, cold area.
Wash your pet’s bedding regularly and if it becomes damp, immediately.
Wash your pet’s toys frequently.

Keep an eye on your pets when they are outside doing their business and playing. Keep trash in a sealed container where pets can’t easily get into it until your trash has been collected or you take it to a dumpster. Always look out for any signs of house mold at your home in Northern, VA and call Envirotex when you notice any signs.

A Guide for Homeowners in Manassas, VA on Mold Remediation

Removing mold from homes in Manassas, VA can be a complex task. Hiring an environmental company like Envirotex is critical for homes in Manassas, VA who have mold that exceeds a surface area greater than 10 square feet or if you have mold in your HVAC system. Mold can be a serious threat to your family’s health, and mold remediation is necessary as soon as possible.

Professional environmental specialists such as Envirotex Environmental Services will have the latest technologies such as thermal imaging that can detect and identify the sources of moisture that is supporting mold growth at your Manassas, VA home. Mold remediation not only removes mold from the home but also informs homeowners of what needs to be done to get rid of the source that is causing the mold.

A thorough mold inspection should be done of your home in Manassas, VA. Mold samples will be taken and sent off to a third-party laboratory for analysis. After the inspection, a plan will be put in place to remove the mold from your home and the necessary repairs that need to be done. Homeowners and their family in Manassas, VA will be asked to vacate the premises during mold remediation for their safety.

Mold remediation involves these steps—

Repair any water problems causing the mold growth.
Isolate contaminated areas by closing doors, windows and covering doorways with polyethylene sheeting and sealing with duct tape.
Mist contaminated areas to suppress dust.
Remove any wet and mold damaged porous materials from the Manassas, VA home and place in plastic bags.
Moldy non-porous materials and wood surfaces are professionally cleaned during mold remediation.
Some surfaces are vacuumed with a HEPA vacuum and then are professionally cleaned.
Use fans, dehumidifiers or raise the indoor temperature to speed up the drying process of the cleaned materials.
Replace materials or repair.

Once the mold remediation is complete, additional testing should be done to verify that all mold from the Manassas, VA home has been removed.

If you have any questions regarding mold remediation for your Manassas, VA home, call the experts at Envirotex Environmental Services. They will be glad to help you with all your environmental issues.

The Health Risks of Mold in Homes in Alexandria, VA

Indoor mold in homes in Alexandria, VA requires moisture to grow, and it can be on visible surfaces, or it can hide behind drywall, under your carpet, and in your attic. Mold in homes may be unsightly and smelling damaging the materials that it lives on and impairing your homes structural integrity. In addition, mold also is a concern for health risks for you and your family members. Mold allergies have similar symptoms to other allergies affecting the upper respiratory tract including—

Runny nose
Itchy nose
Itchy throat
Sneezing
Watery eyes

Family members who have asthma have an increased risk of having their asthma symptoms triggered by mold in homes in Alexandria, VA. Some mold species can cause serious lung infections and scarring. Inhaling the mold spores of a mold species called aspergillus can develop into allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis which impacts breathing.

Mold can be found outdoors as well as indoors. It can enter your Alexandria, VA home through windows, vents, open doorways, and heating and air conditioning systems. Mold that is in the air outside can attach itself to clothing, shoes, bags and even pets and can then be carried indoors.

Mold in homes can grow anywhere there is a lot of moisture such as around windows, leaks in roofs or pipes or if you have experienced any flooding in your Alexandria, VA home. It can grow on ceiling tiles, wood products, cardboard, and even paper products as well as in dust, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, upholstery and fabric.

Homeowners in Alexandria, VA can control mold growth by taking these added measures—

Ventilate your shower, cooking, and laundry areas. Use exhaust fans when taking a shower and when cooking. Vent your clothes dryer to the outside.
If you experience any flooding, clean and dry areas thoroughly within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold in home from growing.
Fix any leaky roofs, pipes or windows promptly.

A humidifier or air conditioner can help keep your humidity levels low in your Alexandria, VA home. Keep the humidity levels as low as possible, preferably no higher than 50%.

If you have noticed mold in homes in Alexandria, VA, call the experts at Envirotex. They have been in business since 2000 and are the ones to call for any environmental issues you have in your home.

Mold Removal and Remediation in Virginia Beach, VA for Mold Growth

Living close to the beach in Virginia Beach, VA is a concern because of the humid climate, and if you take in the beach regularly, that means added moisture in your home from wet towels and bathing suits. Always hang anything damp outside to dry so it doesn’t add extra moisture to your home. Moisture can bring unwanted mold, and unwanted mold growth can require mold removal and remediation.

Mold issues frequently occur following a leak, a flood, or another type of water exposure at homes in Virginia Beach, VA. Identifying the source of where the moisture is coming from is relevant so that once it has been removed, it won’t return. The mold removal and remediation team from Envirotex are experienced in finding the cause of water exposure and can recommend the best way to take care of your problem.

Sometimes you may have mold growth in behind your drywall and can not visibly see it. A mold removal and remediation company from Virginia Beach, VA has the proper equipment to do an in-depth analysis to identify mold and remove the mold from your home. Mold needs to be handled carefully by experienced technicians who are fully protected with special clothing, goggles, gloves, and respirators to protect their health.

Mold removal and remediation experts can come to your Virginia Beach, VA home and explain what options are available and go over different ways to address your mold concerns. An inspection will be done to identify the cause of your mold growth. The experts will then offer you helpful information so you can better understand the underlying cause of the mold growth so that once the mold has been removed, it won’t come back later.

Envirotex, the mold removal and remediation team for Virginia Beach, VA, has the latest technology using infrared camera diagnostic systems to quickly find and identify sources of destructive water damage and any other contributing factors leading to your mold growth problems. Once the mold has been detected a team will come and promptly remove any mold materials that cannot otherwise be cleaned and use special cleaners on areas that can be thoroughly cleaned with chemicals.

Call Envirotex for all your mold removal and remediation needs in Virginia Beach, VA. They are also equipped to handle other environmental requirements such as asbestos testing and removal and testing and removal of lead paint.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring Mold Companies in Northern, VA

If you have noticed mold growth in your Northern, VA home, you should contact a mold company as soon as possible. Mold colonies can attach onto building materials such as wood and drywall because these materials provide it with a food source. Mold can destroy these affected surfaces causing extreme structural damage. Along with the damage, mold can also risk the health of your family members.

Hiring mold companies in Northern, VA should be carefully thought out. Removing mold takes extensive training and experience along with specialized tools and equipment. Choosing a company such as Envirotex who is properly licensed and equipped to provide the necessary skills required from mold companies is your best bet. Envirotex has been providing its services in Northern, VA since 2000 and is dedicated to offering quality service to its customers with their safety a #1 priority.

Before making your decision to hire mold companies in Northern, VA, here are a few questions you should ask—

Are the technicians certified and trained? Make sure the mold companies hire employees who have gone through extensive training and are certified to do the job.
Do the mold companies test the air? Testing the air before starting the mold remediation helps to determine where the mold is in your Northern, VA home. Then once the mold removal has been completed, another test should be performed to make sure the job was done correctly.
Is the company insured? Mold companies that you are interested in hiring should be insured. If they are not properly insured, move on to the next company.
Do the mold companies provide you with a free mold assessment? Any reputable mold company should be able to give you an evaluation of your Northern, VA at no cost and with no obligation.
Does the company isolate the infected area? This is important so that the mold does not spread to other areas in your home in Northern, VA.
Do the technicians wear protective equipment and clothing? Mold technicians should wear protective clothing, safety glasses, shoe covers and breathing masks for their safety. You never want to hire a company who doesn’t protect their employees.

Talk in depth to the mold companies you are thinking about hiring. Make sure that they answer any questions you may have so that you are clear in your mind before hiring anyone.

When Mold Inspections are Necessary for Homeowners in Fairfax, VA

If you or one of your family members have been experiencing unusual allergic reactions such as sneezing, itchy eyes, or sneezing when in a particular room or building at your Fairfax, VA property, you might want to consider having a mold inspection. A mold inspection from the team at Envirotex in Fairfax, VA can also verify that any sources of moisture have been completely taken care of after any known water or mold issues have been fixed.

Anytime you are thinking about purchasing or renting a home or opening up a business in a particular building in Fairfax, VA, a mold inspection should be done to verify there are no mold growth issues associated with the potential home or business.

Mold inspections should be performed by a qualified mold inspector who has the necessary training and experience doing mold inspections. During a mold inspection in Fairfax, VA, the inspector will look for signs of past or current mold growth. Past mold growth could mean that a water problem comes back when specific conditions return such as a repeated leak causing some sensitized family members to have an allergic reaction or some to start being sensitized to mold.

Professional mold inspections will look for mold inside walls and in other areas where mold is not easily seen and where mold growth can cause extreme structural problems such as wood decay in crawlspaces.

Some mold inspections may determine two different molds called Ceratosystis and Ophistoma which grow on lumber, known as lumber yard mold. These types of mold are frequently found growing on 2×4’s or other structural framing. These molds grow on the sap of wood and then quit growing once the wood has dried. Even though these types of molds cause black staining on wood, they will not cause structural problems. Anytime black staining is found on wood during mold inspections in Fairfax, VA, the inspector may take samples and send it to a lab for analysis to determine if it is one of these particular molds.

Mold inspections are looking for sources of moisture because water is essential for mold growth. Without sources of water, you will not have any mold growth at your home in Fairfax, VA.

Should You Be Concerned About Asbestos Testing in Virginia Beach, VA?

Asbestos can be found in residential, commercial or industrial buildings built prior to the 1980s in Virginia Beach, VA. You may be wondering when does asbestos become a problem and should you be concerned about asbestos testing for your home or business building. Asbestos was widely used in a variety of building materials including insulation, drywall, plaster, floor tile and more. Most of these asbestos-containing materials are not a problem if they are intact, in good condition, and not going to be removed or destroyed in any way.

It is better to be safe than sorry, so when in doubt, asbestos testing should be done for buildings or homes in Virginia Beach, VA. Something most people take for granted is shingles. You decide you need to replace your shingles on your home or business in Virginia Beach, VA, and it was built prior to 1980. What should you do? Be aware that you could have asbestos shingles and having asbestos testing will provide you with the answers. Being informed protects you, your family or your employees.

Prior to any renovations or repairs that you do in Virginia Beach, VA, before disturbing any building materials, asbestos testing is advised ahead of doing any work on the project. Once you disturb building materials that contain asbestos, these asbestos fibers are then released into the air and become extremely dangerous when inhaled.

You cannot detect asbestos just by looking at it. Any asbestos testing should be done by a professional environmental company in Virginia Beach, VA. Only trained professionals such as the team at Envirotex can identify asbestos. Samples are properly taken and sent off to a lab for analysis.

Once the results are back from the asbestos testing of your building in Virginia Beach, VA, Envirotex will implement an asbestos remediation plan so that the asbestos can be properly removed from the property. Once the remediation has been completed, an asbestos inspection should be done of the property to ensure the removal was done correctly.

Asbestos testing and removal should only be done by a Virginia Beach, VA environmental company such as Envirotex. Don’t take a chance by trying to do it yourself. Call Envirotex for all your environmental issues.