Envirotex Blog

Asbestos Remediation Professionals Assure Safety in Front Royal, VA

Normally, you cannot determine if a material at your Front Royal, VA home contains asbestos just by looking at it unless it is specifically labeled. When in doubt, always treat the material as if it does contain asbestos by leaving it alone. If you are planning to remodel your home or if you have materials that are damaged such as drywall or insulation that is falling apart, you should call an asbestos professional to inspect the questionable materials.

Once inspected and you find you have asbestos materials in your home that have been disturbed or will be in future remodeling, you will need to hire an asbestos remediation team to address the asbestos issue in your home in Front Royal, VA.

Asbestos-containing materials that are not damaged or disturbed most likely will not pose any health risks for you or your family. If materials are in good condition, leave it alone. If materials will not be disturbed in any way such as remodeling, it will not release asbestos fibers into the air.

When asbestos materials are disturbed, removed improperly, cut, torn, drilled, sawed, sanded or scraped it releases fibers into the air which can pose a health risk. It is best to call an asbestos remediation professional. They have the training and expertise to handle these situations. They can determine rather the asbestos-containing material needs to be removed, sealed or covered so that asbestos fibers are not released into the home.

To avoid a conflict of interest, you should hire an asbestos professional in Front Royal, VA to inspect for asbestos and a different professional to do the actual asbestos remediation. The inspector should provide you with a written evaluation of the location and extent of the asbestos damage with recommendations for correcting the problem for your home in Front Royal, VA. After the asbestos remediation, the inspector should check again to assure the area has been properly corrected.

Hiring a professional asbestos remediation company will assure you and your family in Front Royal, VA that proper measures are being taken to rid your home of all asbestos-containing materials and disposed of properly. An environmental service company who specializes in asbestos remediation is equipped with the proper equipment and protective gear to perform the job in Front Royal, VA according to the federal, state, and local regulations that must be followed in the removal, handing and disposal procedures.

Hiring a trained and certified asbestos remediation professional in Front Royal, VA is the safest possible assurance that your asbestos issue within your home will be taken care of correctly.

How a Mold Removal in Washington, D.C. is Properly Performed

The two most important things to remember about mold is first, to prevent it from growing in the first place by keeping a close eye on the things that trigger mold growth such as humidity and water leaks and make sure you have plenty of ventilation in your Washington, D.C. home. Second, if or when mold becomes present in your home in Washington, D.C., have a mold removal company clean up the mold right away.

Properly taking care of mold is essential at the source of moisture. Otherwise, it will keep coming back.

Moisture

When assessing mold growth, it requires more than just looking at what is visible to the naked eye. Mold can be invisible growing behind walls and under the carpet. You need to understand that mold growth is a water or moisture problem and then you need to know where the moisture is coming from and how it is getting into your home in Washington, D.C.

Extent of Mold Contamination

Knowing the extent of mold growth will determine the mold removal process and how to protect homeowners from large amounts of mold exposure.

Mold Removal

Mold removal by a professional environmental company in Washington, D.C. will always include cleaning up existing mold while avoiding exposure to oneself and the homeowner and his family as well. Preventing new mold growth by taking care of the moisture source within the home in Washington, D.C. is an important part of the mold removal procedure. The cleanup process should include:

• Repair the water problem
• Isolate the contaminated area
• Suppress the dust
• Remove materials
• Place materials in plastic bags
• Clean all affected areas
• Allow to dry
• Replace or repair materials

After the complete mold removal process, your home in Washington, D.C. should be tested by an environmental testing company to verify that all the mold has been removed from your home. When all molds have been removed properly, the homeowners should be able to move back into their home in Washington, D.C.

By implementing these guidelines when dealing with mold removal, you can be assured the necessary steps are being taken for the health of you and your family.

Mold Removal for Mold Outbreaks in Manassas, VA

Homeowners in Manassas, VA may be able to handle mold removal on their own for small mold outbreaks. However, a larger outbreak should be left for a professional mold removal company such as the experts at Envirotex Environmental Services.

Mold removal without addressing the water source causing mold in Manassas, VA homes will be ineffective. Even once the mold spores are wiped away, the mold colonies will return when there is ample moisture. Therefore, it is critical before any mold removal to repair the source of moisture to stop future mold growth at your home in Manassas, VA.

Mold growth can cause much damage to the structure of homes in Manassas, VA. It is also harmful to those living in moldy houses. Breathing in mold spores can cause serious health issues, so mold removal is not something you want to put off. Once you have noticed any mold growth inside your home in Manassas, VA, it is best to call in the professionals and let them evaluate your situation and draw up a plan for mold removal.

A mold removal team will come into your Manassas, VA home and identify all areas of mold growth and contain those areas from the rest of the home; otherwise, removing the moldy materials will disperse mold spores throughout the rest of the house. Materials that are heavily damaged with mold will be discarded into heavy–duty plastic bags, sealed, and disposed of properly. Once surfaces are thoroughly cleaned with special mold removal chemicals, anti–microbial agents are used to wipe down moldy surfaces to prevent the mold from returning.

It is common to find mold growth along ceilings, behind walls, and under carpeting. Areas that have gotten damp and stayed damp for long periods of time will cause white, green, or black clusters of mold growth on these materials. These materials will probably be thrown out, discarded, and then need to be replaced once the mold removal is complete.

For any mold growth findings inside your home in Manassas, VA, call the experts at Envirotex and leave the mold removal to the professionals.

Black Mold Removal for Small Areas in Alexandria, VA

When you hear the term “black mold,” this refers to a type of mold called Stachybotrys chartarum, also known as Stachybotrys atra. Because everyone has different tolerance levels to allergens such as mold spores, people who have asthma, respiratory allergies, or immune suppression may feel the effects of mycotoxins from black mold more so than others who don’t have these health issues. Black mold removal should be done once it is noticed at homes in Alexandria, VA.

Black mold is usually found around water–damaged areas in Alexandria, VA homes. Plumbing issues with leaky pipes or previously flooded areas are prone to black mold growth. Drywall, gypsum board, and carpet soak up water and are a perfect breeding place for a black mold colony. Before any black mold removal, remove any affected materials to prevent mold from continuing to grow.

Any black mold removal in Alexandria, VA of more than 10 square feet, roughly 3 feet by 3 feet, should be left to the professionals such as the team at Envirotex Environmental Services. Using a professional service will guarantee the safety of your family members.

If you have a small area of black mold, and you are doing the black mold removal yourself, take precautionary measures and wear non–vented goggles, rubber gloves, and an N–95 respirator. Old clothing that you either discard or wash separately should be worn for the black mold removal process.

Before the black mold removal process, fix the problem or water source causing your black mold in your Alexandria, VA home; otherwise, the black mold will continue to come back.

Containing the work area with plastic sheets will help illuminate mold spores from spreading throughout the rest of your home in Alexandria, VA. Clean with a HEPA vacuum and wipe surfaces with special mold cleaners and allow to dry. Bag up and discard any damaged materials caused by the mold. Bag and tie tightly the cleaning towels you used during the black mold removal and discard them with your regular household garbage.

If you don’t feel comfortable with black mold removal of a small area, call Envirotex and leave it to the professionals.

The Importance of Mold Inspections in Northern VA

Mold can be potentially harmful, so at the first indication that you either suspect mold or see mold, you should look into a mold inspection for your home in Northern VA. The seriousness of having mold inspections can’t be expressed enough. Mold symptoms, especially those from black mold, are dangerous and can even be fatal. If any of your family members suffer from an autoimmune disease, the risk is even higher.

If mold becomes airborne at your home in Northern VA, the indoor air quality declines significantly. Mold symptoms and exposure comes from mold spores inhaled from the air, which then settle into the lungs or nasal passages. With a mold inspection, a mold technician will test the indoor air quality for signs of mold spores. The mold inspection will also consist of looking for any signs of mold growth throughout your Northern VA home, along with checking the air quality.

Mold growth occurs in warm, damp areas. There could be areas of your home in Northern VA where mold growth is not visible such as behind drywall or wallpaper, under your carpeting, underneath or behind plumbing fixtures or appliances, ceiling tiles, and in the flooring. The water damage causing the mold growth can harm wooden structures, insulation, and electrical wiring inside your Northern VA home. Mold inspections for homes in Northern VA may prevent structural damage or significantly reduce any severe damage from mold growth.

Mold inspections should be considered essential anytime you purchase a house. Just because mold growth is found during a mold inspection does not mean you shouldn’t purchase the home. Any home can be restored with the right treatment. Whatever moisture issues causing the mold would need to be fixed so that mold growth isn’t a reoccurring problem.

Bathrooms are a significant concern for mold growth. A mold inspection can determine if you have mold growing in behind your bathroom walls. Using thermal imaging, a technology that can detect and identify sources of moisture that support mold growth, can aid in making better–informed decisions on a plan to rid your home of any mold growth.

If you have any questions, call the experts at Envirotex Environmental Services. They will be glad to help with any environmental issues you have at your Northern VA home.

The Basics of Mold Testing for Homes in Burke, VA

Do you keep smelling a musty odor inside your Burke, VA home that never seems to go away? Mold has cotton–like features that may be gray, black, green, or white. Black mold can be dangerous to your family’s health, so mold testing should be done by a professional company such as the team at Envirotoex Environmental Services.

Although there are do–it–yourself mold test kits on the market which claim to detect the presence of harmful mold inside homes in Burke, VA, they are not a sure way to assess a mold problem. In addition, these home kits give off false positives, which means your Burke, VA home may test positive for mold, but you may not have elevated levels of mold.

Professional mold companies have the proper tools to conduct different types of mold testing, such as lift sampling and air sampling.

Types of Mold Testing

Air Sampling—This mold testing method collects indoor and outdoor samples and compares the two. Air sampling mold testing determines if you have elevated levels of mold spores inside your home, which are not naturally present outside your Burke, VA home.

Lift Tape Sample—A piece of tape is placed onto the areas to be tested. The tape is then lifted and placed onto a micro–glass slide. The slide is sealed and sent to a laboratory to be examined for the presence of mold spores.

Tape Swab Test—This mold testing uses a cotton material swab to wipe the surface to be tested and then sent to a lab for analysis. It is used to determine the type of mold that is present. This test is infrequently used because it doesn’t typically identify the spore count, which is essential in determining the elevated mold levels in your home in Burke, VA. All mold requires remediation, so the mold spore counts are more important than determining the actual type of mold.

Mold testing is recommended for these circumstances—

Musty odors
Known water issues
Visible signs of mold growth
Chronic respiratory illnesses
The documentation you might need to support the need for mold remediation and to confirm the remediation was done properly

If you suspect mold at your home in Burke, VA, give the specialists at Envirotex a call. Let them come to your home for mold testing so they can evaluate your mold problem and set up a plan to remove the mold from your home safely, making it a safer environment for your family.

How Mold Companies in Gainesville, VA Keep Families Safe

Anytime you are faced with mold growth in your home in Gainesville, VA, remember for all the mold you can see, there could be that much more that you cannot see. Hiring mold companies for mold growth at your home protects your family from the harmful damage that mold can do to a Gainesville, VA home as well as to the family who lives there.

Any place where water is found can develop mold as well as excessive amounts of humidity in a Gainesville, VA home which can condense and cause mold growth. Newer homes have a higher rate of developing mold because they are more tightly insulated than older homes in Gainesville, VA.

Areas of your home which are more susceptible to mold growth include—

Attics
Crawl spaces
Basements
Interior walls
Around chimneys
Kitchens
Bathrooms
Laundry rooms
Under sinks
Under window unit air conditioners
Ducts
Furnaces
Near foundation air vents

Mold companies such as Envirotex Environmental Services take the guesswork out of determining whether your Gainesville, VA home has any mold growth. You may be smelling musty odors from different areas of your home yet not notice any mold growth; letting this go for too long can develop into a much bigger scenario along with the added costs, plus the health issues mold causes that could place family members in danger.

A mold company can come to your home in Gainesville, VA and do a visual inspection first, then going from there with their special equipment, including thermal imaging. This high–tech diagnostic technology can quickly detect and identify moisture sources that are causing your house to smell musty.

Your mold company can make recommendations for fixing your moisture problems and removing any mold damage from your home, making your home a much safer environment for your family. The repairs needed to fix your moisture problem may be done by a sub–contractor instead of the mold company or whoever you choose to do the repairs.

Just removing mold–damaged materials from homes in Gainesville, VA by mold companies is only part of the solution. Getting rid of the source causing the mold growth is just as essential so that the mold will not come back later.

Keep your family safe by calling the experienced team at Envirotex for all of your mold–related issues.

The Process of Mold Remediation for Homes in Northern VA

Mold is a common household condition in many Northern VA homes. Areas where there is high humidity are prone for mold growth inside homes. Unless you do things to prevent mold from growing and spreading throughout your home, you may need mold remediation.

One example of mold is the kind that develops in the grout between the ceramic tiles in bathrooms. Home mold remediation for the Northern VA homeowner may be spraying the grout with a bleach cleaner and wiping off. However, other mold in your home could be more critical either from a health or aesthetic viewpoint.

Often times when Northern VA homeowners decide to remodel their bathroom and start tearing out the ceiling, they find mold. Some molds can produce health–threatening mycotoxins. Mold doesn’t affect everyone, but for some it can be detrimental. Visually, mold growth is not appealing to the eye. Insulation inside your walls can lose its effectiveness when mold growth is present.

For any mold growth that you can visually see in your Northern VA home, there could be that much more hidden inside your walls or under your flooring. A mold remediation contractor should be called in to assess the issues you are having with mold and begin the mold remediation process as soon as possible so the problem doesn’t get worse.

The mold remediation process at your home in Northern VA may go somewhat like this—

Mold Damage Assessment and Inspection—First step of mold remediation is to access the mold damage using the newest technology to detect mold and hidden water sources
Mold Containment—Negative air chambers are used to isolate contaminated areas of the Northern VA home with physical barriers and negative air pressure to keep mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process. Heating and cooling systems will be shut down to prevent mold from spreading.
Air Filtration—Specialized filtration equipment captures mold spores from the air. Air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums are used to prevent mold spores from spreading during the mold remediation process.
Remove Mold–Infested Materials—Mold–infested porous materials such as drywall and carpeting may need to be removed and properly disposed.
Clean and Disinfect—Antifungal and antimicrobial treatments eliminate mold colonies and prevent new ones from forming.
Address Mold Source—Fix the source of moisture that is causing your mold. This may be done by the mold remediation crew or a sub–contractor may be recommended depending on the work involved to fix the moisture source.
Encapsulate Mold—Mold that hasn’t been removed is encapsulated with a paint–like material.

If you have any questions about mold remediation or other environmental issues at your home in Northern VA, call Envirotex Environmental Services and they will be glad to help.

Keep Your Family Safe with Mold Treatment in McLean, VA

At the first signs of mold growth at your home in McLean, VA, you should call in a professional mold treatment company such as Envirotex Environmental Services. Mold is something you don’t want to procrastinate about getting rid of at your home. Mold treatment is necessary to protect the health of family members and the structure of your home and possessions.

Mold treatment may start with a mold inspection. Although you might be able to visually see some mold growth at your McLean, VA home, frequently, there is that much more that you can’t see. With specialized equipment, mold and its water source can be found, and then recommendations can be made to remove the mold and fix the source of moisture. Without these two mold treatments, you will forever be fighting a losing battle at your home in McLean, VA.

If you have experienced any leaks, flooding, or high humidity conditions for long periods of time, mold treatment is essential to rid your home of this nasty, smelly growth. Over periods of time, mold growth can contribute to asthma and allergies for family members costing more in medical bills, not to mention the mold treatment involved to eradicate mold from your McLean, VA home.

Mold treatment should only be handled by professionals who have the experience and knowledge to safely and effectively remove the mold from your McLean, VA home. They know the safety precautions to take to keep your family safe.

These professionals wear special disposable clothing, including respirators and goggles to protect themselves from coming in contact with the mold or breathing in mold spores that are released when disturbed. They will set up physical barriers and negative air pressure to keep mold spores from spreading throughout the rest of the house in McLean, VA.

During the mold treatment process, your family will be asked to leave until the mold treatment has been completed and it is safe for your family to reenter your home in McLean, VA.

If you are faced with mold inside your McLean, VA home, call the experts at Envirotex today and let their mold treatment team make your home safe for you and your family.

Prevent Damage with Mold Treatment in Northern VA

Mold is quite familiar to homes in Northern VA, especially in the humid summer. The most common mold develops in the grout between the ceramic tiles in your bathroom. A simple mold treatment used by homeowners is spraying the grout with a bleach–based cleaner and then wiping it off. If this is an ongoing problem, you might want to put new ventilation fans in your bathroom.

Anytime you have a leak or flooding inside your Northern VA home, you run the risk of developing mold growth. Getting mold treatment early to prevent it from spreading will save extensive damage that mold can cause in a home. It only takes about 48 hours of moisture to turn into mold.

Anytime you have damp clothes lying on the carpet or up next to a wall or other surfaces, the moisture over time will develop into mold. These are things that can easily be prevented. But sometimes, you may have a leaky roof that wasn’t noticeable until after severe damage had been done. In this case, mold treatment from a professional environmental company such as Envirotex is necessary to completely rid your Northern VA home of mold damage and make your home safe for your family.

Breathing in mold spores that float throughout your home when there is excessive mold inside your home is not healthy for your family. Those with asthma and allergies will suffer the most. Northern VA homes that are infested with mold can trigger the start of continuing health issues. Mold treatment is essential in these cases in Northern VA to protect the health of your family.

A professional mold treatment company can give you an assessment of the damages and the necessary steps to eradicate mold from your Northern VA home. They will map out a plan for the entire process and take all the safety precautions required to protect you and your family from exposure to mold spores released during the mold treatment process.

Call Envirotex Environmental Services as soon as you notice any signs of mold inside your home in Northern VA. They will be glad to help you with mold treatment or any other environmental issues you might be experiencing.