Right now, as you’re reading these words, you might have a mold problem somewhere in your home and not even realize it. Mold is sneaky like that. All it really needs to take root is a nice, dark, damp spot, and unfortunately, there are more of those in, around, and under your home than you might realize. Here are some of the more common places a mold colony is likely to establish itself:
Here are a few reasons why you should consider hiring a certified, licensed professional for mold removal in Virginia Beach, VA:
Then, of course, there’s your bathroom. Although not generally dark, bathrooms are notoriously susceptible to mold given the high moisture content they typically have.
Unfortunately, since mold colonies tend to get started in places you seldom venture near or see, by the time you spot the first visible signs, the problem has already become quite advanced. If you can catch a mold colony while it’s still small, you can possibly kill it yourself, but the EPA recommends calling in the cavalry for any mold problem bigger than ten square feet. That’s good advice because even the most benign mold spores can cause health issues, and not all of them are benign.
Black mold is the worst offender, and black mold removal in Virginia Beach, VA is tricky business. Exposure to the spores can lead to a lot more than just a runny nose and watery eyes, it can put you in the hospital, and if your immune system is already compromised, it can even potentially be fatal.
Of course, few people can identify mold species on sight, so you may start a DIY cleanup job thinking you’re trying to remove a relatively harmless type of mold, only to discover far too late that you’re in over your head. In this article, we’ll outline the process we utilize for black mold removal in Virginia Beach, VA, so you’ll have a better idea what to expect when you call on us.
Everything begins with detection. That might seem strange since most people call on us when they start to see mold spots on their ceiling or walls, but the mold you can see is probably only the tip of the iceberg. If we don’t get it all, then it’s just going to come back with a vengeance not long after we leave.
Detection is also important because we’re detecting for more than just the mold itself; we’re also detecting for root causes. Again, it’s not going to do any good to kill the mold you’ve got right now if we can’t identify and correct what’s setting the conditions for it to grow in the first place. That’s absolutely essential.
Don’t worry, the detection portion of our process doesn’t take terribly long and is incredibly effective. We use cutting-edge technology that even allows us to peer behind your drywall to look for signs of excess moisture which could be caused by a slow leaking pipe you can’t even see.
Once we’ve gone over your home with a fine-toothed comb and identified where the mold is and what’s causing or contributing to the growth of the colony, we’ll be able to give you a professional recommendation about how to proceed and provide you with a free, no-obligation estimate so you’ll have a clear understanding of exactly what it will take to put the problem behind you once and for all.
Containment – Once we know where the mold is located and the extent it has spread, the next step in the process of black mold removal in Virginia Beach, VA is isolation. We’ll cordon off the impacted area, sealing it so that when we begin the removal process, mold spores aren’t kicked up into the air where they may spread to other areas of your home.
We’ll be employing a number of different technologies to isolate the area, including, but not limited to:
Remediation – This is where we actually begin attacking the mold colony itself, deploying chemical agents to kill the mold spores, filtering the air as we work to capture airborne spores, and removing any material that may have been contaminated by the mold colony as it spread.
Mold is pretty insidious and not particular about what it spreads onto, so depending on where the colony is centered, you may lose clothing, paper goods, parts of your drywall, etc. We’ll gather all of these materials and dispose of them at a facility that’s licensed to handle this kind of toxic material. If testing is required, we’ll make sure it’s done and share the results with you once we get them back.
Decontamination – This is another essential part of our process for black mold removal in Virginia Beach, VA, and we couldn’t consider our work complete without it. There are lots of moving parts here, including things like vacuuming all exposed surfaces with HEPA vacuums and wiping down all the surface areas that formerly contained mold spores with cloths and/or mops, utilizing a special detergent solution designed to kill any mold spores that might remain.
Once that’s done, we’ll be employing fans or dehumidifiers to help speed the drying process.
Restoration – Finally, once all of that work is complete, we’ll turn our attention to restoring your home to the way we found it – minus the mold, of course!—so you can get your home and your life back. At this stage, we’ll make any repairs we’re qualified to make to address the root cause that led to the mold colony’s formation, but in some cases, you may need to call upon other home repair experts to address certain issues to ensure that the problem doesn’t return down the road.
As you can see, it’s a comprehensive process designed to ensure that we don’t miss anything. Your family’s health and safety are too important to do any less, and we take great pride in doing a thorough, professional job.
Of course, we do a lot more than just handle mold removal. Most people don’t realize how many potential hazards are lurking in their homes or around their property. For instance:
Asbestos was widely used in home construction starting in the 1920s and continuing on through the late 1970s. It is estimated that some 80% of all homes and office buildings in use today have at least some asbestos in them. Worse, sellers are not legally obligated to inform you about the presence of asbestos, so if you purchased an older home, it probably has asbestos in it somewhere. It was used for a great many things, including, but not limited to:
Like mold spores, asbestos is potentially lethal if small, airborne particles are inhaled, and can cause a rare type of cancer known as Mesothelioma. If you even suspect you have some in your home, or simply want your home tested to be sure you don’t, give us a call right away.
Lead paint is a much smaller problem than it used to be, but if you own an older home, it’s still possible that you have some somewhere in your home or outbuildings on your property. While sellers are legally obligated to inform you of the presence of lead paint, they can only tell you if they know themselves, and if the person they bought the property from before they sold it to you didn’t tell them, then they have no way of knowing, which means you have no way of knowing.
Lead paint isn’t as deadly as asbestos, but it can be harmful to children and the elderly.
The bottom line is simply this: Your family’s health is too important to take any chances with. If you even suspect the presence of some type of hazard, give us a call. Testing will tell the tale, and we’ll be happy to assist.
About Envriotex Environmental Services
Established in Northern Virginia in 2000, Envirotex Environmental Services was founded on military service. While serving his country, the company's owner Mr. Freeman gained vast knowledge and experience in the environmental services field. His expertise in air monitoring and hazardous materials testing prepared him for his post-military career.
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