Everyone knows that mold is bad for you, but there is a lot of confusion about exactly why and how to fix the problem. It is important to thoroughly understand the danger so you can hire the best mold remediation specialist in Washington, D.C.
Here are a few reasons why you should consider hiring a certified, licensed professional for mold remediation in Washington, D.C.:
Mold is a fungus, which is a natural organism. It’s not exactly a plant and not exactly an animal, according to scientists. Mold is made up of tiny spores that travel throughout the environment, in the air, the soil and on decaying matter. In the woods, when you see an old log stump slowly falling apart, you can be sure that mold is part of the process.
Mold is usually pictured as green or brown, but the fact is it’s a colorful organism. It also shows up as orange, white and black. Its texture is unappealing, something like a piece of stringy slime, or with a powdery, furry look.
All mold is bad for you, but the black mold sometimes found in homes and offices is the worst. This is the type that is linked to brain damage and other serious hazards. But black mold is the least common of all types found in homes and commercial structures.
The other strains of mold, and there are thousands of them, work more slowly, but cause problems for the human body. They can lead to rashes, dizziness, headaches, hay fever and other reactions, nausea, sinus infections, asthma and other respiratory problems. If you have an immune system that is already compromised, mold can trigger significant lung infections. This is why mold remediation in Washington, D.C. is so important.
Mold moves easily through the air so it can grow just about anywhere indoors. The perfect recipe for mold growth is a combination of spores, the level of moisture and temperature, and atoms of carbon for them to feed on. In certain locations, all of these elements are common. That’s where you will find mold.
Here is a closer look at each of the individual ingredients.
Spores. Though naked to the eye, spores move routinely through the air. They can easily attach themselves to just about any object, especially to damp or porous surfaces.
Temperature. Mold does best in temperatures that are close to that of the human body, but they can grow in areas that are both hot and cold. What mold really likes is humidity and moisture.
Moisture. Mold is made to pinpoint moisture. Once it does, it moves in. Moisture comes with weather conditions, leaky pipes, areas that trap condensation or vapor like in cabinets, around furniture and under tarps.
Carbon. Almost every living thing naturally releases carbon into the environment, ranging from skin cells to wood. This is what mold feeds on. Once the spores have moisture and the right temperature, they will find carbon. Then they grow and grow, which is why people call professional mold remediation specialists in Washington, D.C.
Since mold can grow just about anywhere, even in the cleanest, most spotless homes and offices, it is hard to totally prevent the growth of all mold. But the obvious areas in any structure can be made less hospitable for it to thrive. Professional mold remediation specialists in Washington, D.C. can make recommendations for specific ways to reduce moisture and mold on your property.
The logical places for it to show up in a home are in bathrooms, basements, around laundry equipment and in kitchens. The best ways to stop it from growing are to keep all areas as well ventilated and dry as possible and prevent moisture from entering the structure.
Here is an overview at how to prevent mold growth.
Careful ventilation. Every basement needs a system for regular ventilation. This brings in air that is fresh and removes water vapor. If the basement doesn’t have windows, a dehumidifier or fan to circulate air will work.
Repair cracks in foundations, walls and windows. Even a small crack is the perfect spot for mold to start to grow. They develop quickly in the frames of windows and doors. Waterproof chalk is a good way to stop cracks in frames and in the corner areas of foundations. Always check the basement and foundation before the rainy season starts in your area. If you find cracks in the foundation, call a professional repair company to fix it.
Organize your storage. Don’t pile boxes and furniture on top of one another in your storage area. This is an ideal way to trap moisture, prevent air from circulating and attracting mold.
Use baking soda. It’s an old solution, but it works in small areas. Keep open boxes of baking soda in your kitchen, bathroom, and refrigerator. This absorbs moisture, preventing the ideal environment that mold loves.
Clean air ducts. Your entire HVAC system can spread mold spores. Ducts are constructed to push warmed or cooled air throughout a home or office. It is also an excellent place for mold spores to collect and move from room to room.
The solution is to get your air ducts cleaned regularly. Air conditioning units and systems also need their filters cleaned and changed on a schedule. Professional HVAC technicians and air duct cleaners have the tools and training to handle this job. Many professional mold remediation companies in Washington, D.C. like Envirotex, also handle duct cleaning.
Testing is best done by professionals, like the experts at Envirotex. It’s true that home improvement centers sell mold testing kits, but results can be ambiguous. Professionals have the right tools and devices to test air and surfaces thoroughly. Professional testing is the first step to expert mold remediation in Washington, D.C.
It is more reliable to hire technicians who are trained in mold identification and removal techniques. They do a visual inspection and then use a specialized device called a sniffer to check the air. If their inspection warrants it, they will send the mold sample to an outside lab for scientific testing.
If an independent microbial laboratory determines that mold is present, a mold remediation company like Envirotex in Washington, D.C. will put together a plan that spells out the method they will use to get rid of it, the scope of the problem, how long it will take and the controls that they will use. This lets you know how they will handle your mold remediation problem in Washington, D.C.
If there is a current emergency on the property, Envirotex first gets rid of all the wet material and starts air circulating to get rid of dampness, which causes mold.
For problems that are caused by slow leaks or developed over a long period of time, they will survey the problem. This helps them to determine the best way to get rid of the mold, depending on what type is involved and its location.
Mold is dangerous and difficult to remove. Though you might think you are saving money by buying a do-it-yourself kit from the home improvement center, you are actually wasting your time and money.
The spores are dangerous when you inhale them. When you try to remove them, you stir up the air, making it hard to avoid breathing in the spores.
Professionals in the mold remediation field in Washington, D.C. have the safety gear, equipment, and knowledge to remove mold safely and quickly. They know how to return your home or business to a healthy condition, without spreading the spores and without causing health problems.
Beside the level of expertise they bring to the job, another reason to hire professionals is their access to the latest equipment. Envirotex uses the most advanced thermal imaging devices that speeds up the process of finding and identifying mold on your property. This is a crucial step for successful mold remediation in Washington, D.C.
Thermal imaging also lets technicians pinpoint where the moisture is coming from. Getting rid of the mold is only part of the job. Until you stop the moisture, you can’t stop the mold. But some sources are extremely difficult to find. With this high-tech equipment, the job is much easier and accurate.
Using this computerized infrared camera technology, technicians are able to diagnose the building’s mold problem, detect sources of mold and identify the correct strain, help focus on HVAC and plumbing problems that are contributing and recommend ways to manage moisture and restore the air quality to your building.
Envirotex has been helping home and business owners and government agencies get rid of mold since 2000. They have one of the most highly trained teams of mold remediation technicians available in the Washington, D.C. area.
The company was founded by a vet who learned about environmental services from the ground up. The company has worked on projects for:
They work on a range of environmental projects, including:
Trust the experts to get rid of mold on your property. Call Envirotex today.
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