Month: May 2018

What is Black Mold in Alexandria, VA and How Do You Get Rid of It?

Any mold in Alexandria, VA homes could bring health issues for family members, especially Stachybotrys. Those Alexandria, VA family members with lung problems, compromised immune systems or just allergies to mold are more susceptible to health problems around mold. No type of mold is healthy in a home.

Stachybotrys chartarum, otherwise known as black mold is not actually black in color but rather a greenish-black color. There are over 100,000 types of mold, many of which are black and can be found in homes in Alexandria, VA. However, unless the mold is Stachybotrys, it is not “black” mold and might not even be toxic.

The black mold itself, in Alexandria, VA homes, is not what you would call poisonous. Some molds are “toxigenic” which means that they can produce toxins (specifically mycotoxins). Usually, mold only releases spores when it is disturbed in some way. Sometimes all it takes is the breeze of a closing door or the vibration of a hammer at your Alexandria, VA home. Also, black mold does not release mycotoxins all the time, and just because the spores are released, doesn’t mean the toxins do.

To properly remove black mold from homes in Alexandria, VA requires a lot of expensive equipment and expertise, so it is best to leave the job to the professionals. Any area under 3 feet by 3 feet that has been infected by mold, the EPA says a non-professional can do the job. Anything more than that can be a health risk, and if you do not know what you are doing, you can contaminate other parts of your home in Alexandria, VA.

How Professionals Perform Black Mold Removal

  • The infected area must be sealed off from the rest of the house.
  • A negative pressure environment to ensure black mold is not carried to other parts of the house.
  • A HEPA vacuum is used to remove any visible growth.
  • Any materials that cannot be disinfected and cleaned such as drywall and carpet are removed.
  • Infected materials are properly bagged and disposed of.
  • Infected areas are treated and allowed to dry.

Anytime you are dealing with black mold, the source of the moisture that is causing black mold growth at your Alexandria, VA home will need to be repaired.

Best Practices for Mold Removal in Manassas, VA

The EPA says a do-it-yourselfer can handle mold removal for a mold infected area that is less than 3 feet by 3 feet from homes in Manassas, VA. More than that, a professional mold removal crew should be hired, or you can run the risk of affecting your health and that of your family’s and contaminating other parts of your Manassas, VA home.

Even if you see mold, it is still a good practice to have professional mold testing done. A visual inspection will first be performed. The Manassas, VA professional team at Envirotex uses Thermal Imaging to rapidly detect mold sources that flourish mold growth. Once these water damaged areas are detected and whichever structural issues contributed to your mold infestation can be evaluated, a work plan for mold removal can be put in place for your Manassas, VA home.

Mold Removal Practice

Contain the infected area from the rest of the home in Manassas, VA

  • Quarantining the area is one of the most important practices in mold removal. This protects mold spores from spreading to other areas of Manassas, VA homes. Plastic wrap is taped around all vents and doorways leading into the affected area. A HEPA vacuum is used to suck up loose mold spores from dust before removing any affected materials.

Negative Pressure during Mold Removal

  • Mold removal professionals use expensive blowers and ductwork or a fan blowing out a window to create negative pressure by pulling air from the room and out of the house.

Removing Infected Materials and Disinfecting

  • Any materials contaminated with mold needs to be bagged, sealed and removed from the Manassas, VA home and properly disposed of at proper dumping sites for hazardous materials.

Cleanup

  • Allow the infected area to dry.
  • Drywall or carpet may need to be replaced as well as painting damaged areas.

Sometimes mold can’t be seen, referred to as Hidden Mold. Many times family member start to have health issues which could be a warning sign that there is mold growth in your home in Manassas, VA or you might smell a musty odor.

Anytime you buy a new home or have other signs of possible mold growth; you should always have a mold inspection for the safety of your family. Call the experts at Envirotex for any environmental issues you might have at your home in Manassas, VA including mold removal, mold testing, asbestos removal, and asbestos testing.

Potential Conditions That Call For Mold Inspections in Northern VA

Indoor mold growth doesn’t just grow on building materials by itself it requires moisture. Sources of moisture in Northern VA homes are usually because of one of these conditions—

  1. Leaky plumbing, leaky roof, poorly sealed leaking windows, backup drains, and water that runs off from showers and bathtubs.
  2. Damp concrete slabs.
  3. Condensation from humidifiers, vaporizers, inadequate ventilation, faulty windows, and high humidity.

Mold inspections by a professional should be done if you are experiencing any of these conditions at your Northern VA home. Even if you are already aware that you have mold growth, mold inspections can pinpoint the exact location of all mold within your home in Northern VA that could be hidden behind walls or under carpet and other places as well. Another reason you want a mold inspection is to find the water problem that is causing the mold to grow in the first place.

If you have had any moisture problems at your Northern VA home, no doubt you are experiencing some form of mold growth and should definitely invest in a mold inspection for your home. Maybe you have seen water stains or discoloration on floors, ceilings or walls at your home. Most likely, mold is growing behind these materials, and a mold inspection will determine the type of damage you are looking to repair at your Northern VA home.

Another moisture sign is peeling, bubbling or cracking in your paint or wallpaper. You might notice your walls are bowed or warped which could be caused by moisture. They could possibly be damp when you touch them.

Having mold inspections for homes in Northern VA when homeowners experience even the slightest inclination that they might have mold is an investment in the home they can’t afford not to make. Mold damage can destroy parts of your home where major reconstruction will need to be done to get rid of all the damage.

Take precautions now and call the team at Envirotex to come and perform a mold inspection at your Northern VA home. They have the necessary equipment and take the safety measures to properly take samples and evaluate the situation and give you a plan you should follow for mold remediation.