When Should you Have an Asbestos Inspection for your Arlington, VA Home?

Undisturbed asbestos poses no known danger to homeowners and their families in Arlington, VA. The only time asbestos poses a threat is if a homeowner is remodeling their home and disturbs asbestos-containing materials, or if you have crumbling drywall or torn insulation that contains asbestos. If you are facing either of these asbestos related problems, it is best to hire a trained and accredited asbestos inspector to come to your home and do a complete home asbestos inspection.

Once your asbestos inspection is complete and you receive the results, you can then determine what corrective measures you need to take. If you are remodeling an area of your home in Arlington, VA where no asbestos was found but yet in another area materials were found that contained asbestos, as long as do not disturb these materials, there is no harm to you or your family.

Asbestos exposure can lead to respiratory problems such as mesothelioma (a form of lung cancer) and asbestosis (scarring and stiffening of the lungs). Exposure to asbestos for long periods of time can also be deadly for some people. If you suspect asbestos in your home, don’t put it off. Be sure to call and schedule a time for an asbestos inspector to come to your home and do the necessary testing.

An asbestos inspection will give you a better insight into future remodeling projects and what would need to be done. Asbestos isn’t dangerous until it is disturbed and becomes airborne. If you have asbestos tile and your future plans include removing the tile and replacing it, you will need to have an asbestos remediation done to have the asbestos removed and disposed of correctly and safely, so it doesn’t impose any danger to you and your family.

When hiring an Arlington, VA professional asbestos inspector, make sure the inspection will include a complete visual examination, sample collections, and an independent laboratory analysis of the samples collected. If asbestos is detected, the inspector should be able to provide you with a written evaluation. This should describe the location and extent of the asbestos damage. They should be able to refer you to a licensed and accredited asbestos remediation company to come in and remove the asbestos. The inspector can also perform checks once the problem has been corrected to make sure the work was done properly.

Haymarket, VA Homeowners in Need of Mold Remediation

Homeowners who live in Haymarket, VA may be at increasing needs for mold remediation. With our constant exposure to information, people are more health conscious than years ago. As homeowners become more aware of the signs of toxic black mold, they are finding that some of their health related issues could be coming from areas in their home that are prone to mold especially when it is hot and humid and during an extremely rainy season. No matter how much they clean, at times, it still comes back.

Toxic black mold causes serious health problems including breathing problems, mental impairment, internal organ damage and even death. Anytime you notice any signs of mold growth; you should call and have your home inspected for toxic black mold. If you do have black mold growing, you will need to call a company who specializes in mold remediation. Ensure they are fully licensed and trained to handle the safe removal of toxic black mold by doing a complete mold remediation.

Who is at Risk for Mold?

Mold needs three things to grow—an ideal temperature, a source of food, and moisture.

Most homes in the Haymarket, VA area provide the ideal temperature for mold growth. Mold’s source of food is dust or dirt. Mold feeds on dust which is impossible to eliminate from a home, and that leaves moisture. If the humidity in your home reaches above 60 percent and you have organic debris, such as dust, mold can grow.

If you have a leaky faucet or maybe water has seeped into your basement and it is not completely cleaned and dried within 24 to 48 hours, the moisture can lead to mold growth. If it took you several days to notice a leaky faucet or water in your basement, it could be too late. You might already have mold growth starting in your home.

How to Get Rid of Mold?

When you first notice any signs of black mold growth, you should call in the professionals. Never risk your family’s health by trying to do this yourself. To protect the health of you and your family, during mold remediation in your Haymarket, VA home, you should temporarily vacate the premises. Only once the mold has been completely removed should you return to your home.

Why Hire a Mold Inspector in Washington, DC?

Even though you might save money by trying to collect your own samples for mold rather than hire a profession mold inspector, you will not be able to collect samples from all the locations where mold could possibly be growing. Mold inspectors are trained in the current guidelines and practices in testing for mold including mold that could be hidden in between your walls, in your attic, or in your basement.

If you try to sell your home in Washington, DC and previously detected mold, you may be required by law to disclose this information to potential buyers. Knowing there had been a mold problem in the past could affect a buyer’s offer or may change their decision to buy your home. After you have a mold remediation, you should contact a mold inspector to evaluate the remediation process and provide you with documentation that your home was found to be free of the mold problem. It will allow a potential buyer to feel comfortable about purchasing your home if you can provide them proof that the problem was taken care of by a professional.

Even if you are not selling your home in Washington, DC, you should contact a mold inspector if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• Moldy or musty odor especially after heavy rainfalls.
• Excessive humidity during hot and humid weather.
• Stained or discolored ceilings or walls.
• Leaky windows.
• Evidence of chronic leaks.

Other mold symptoms could be health-related issues. You might have heard the term “sick building syndrome.” This is when an indoor air environment is experiencing mold-related issues, and everyone is feeling sick because of it.

When a professional mold inspector comes to your home in Washington, DC, he will test many different areas for mold such as floors, ceilings, walls, attics, basements, wall cavities, rugs and carpets, and the air. If excessive mold is found, you will need to hire a mold remediation company in the Washington, DC area to remove the mold completely and safely. After the remediation process, you should have your home reinspected to make sure the remediation was successful.