Month: June 2020

When Is the Best Time to Have an Asbestos Inspection in Ashburn, VA?

Some of the common places where asbestos can be found are in floor tiles, joint compound, ductwork, and insulation. Asbestos was widely used in many construction materials before 1980. Chances are if your home was built prior to 1980, there are some asbestos-containing materials in your home. These materials only become hazardous when it is airborne and then breathed into the lungs. Most asbestos is locked firmly into these products, most likely causing no risk of exposure to you or your family members.

Sometimes these materials will disintegrate and become airborne inside your home in Ashburn, VA. If you suspect asbestos in your home, it is best to have a qualified environmental company to do an asbestos inspection. Your attic could be full of old insulation, or your pipes could be wrapped in a material that, when touched, crumbles. These are signs that it is time to have an asbestos inspection to find out precisely what you are dealing with.

If you are not tearing anything out of your home and nothing seems to be fraying or falling apart, you should be safe. However, whenever you decide to do any remodeling inside your home in Ashburn, VA, tearing out, breaking, crushing, nailing, or sawing any asbestos-containing materials will release asbestos particles into the air. They can be harmful to those in the home.

An asbestos inspection for older homes makes good sense so that you, as the homeowner, knows exactly the type of materials that were used during the construction of your Ashburn, VA home. If you aren’t planning on disturbing the contents and they are in good shape, there shouldn’t be a problem. The other thing is to have asbestos remediation so that you can permanently remove any asbestos-related materials in your home in Ashburn, VA. Many homeowners feel much safer living in a home where all asbestos has been removed.

Having an asbestos inspection will give you and your family in Ashburn, VA the satisfaction of knowing if your home has or doesn’t have any asbestos lurking anywhere. Peace of mind is an excellent reason for an asbestos inspection along with the knowledge that anytime you decide to remodel, you know the safety hazards and can take the necessary precautions of removing the asbestos first.

Call the experts at Envirotex, and they will be able to advise you if you should have an asbestos inspection for your home in Ashburn, VA.  

How to Avoid House Mold at your Home in Great Falls, VA

House mold can grow on almost anything that is moist enough. Inside your home in Great Falls, VA, house mold can grow quickly on damp surfaces such as your bathroom walls and the trim around your windows. This house mold may look like black stains, furry growth,  specks of black, white, orange, green, or brown.

When these mold growths appear, invisible bits of mold can float through the air causing infections, asthma, allergies and other breathing issues. To avoid these health issues, keep your Great Falls, VA home as mold-free as possible.

Moisture is released into the air when you take long hot showers, cook with uncovered pans, using an indoor clothesline to dry your clothes, and using humidifyers. Storing vegetables such as potatoes and sqash can increase chances of house mold growth.

The key to avoid house mold at your home in Great Falls, VA is to keep your home as dry as possible. Some things you can do to avoid house mold include—

  • The ground around the foundation of your Great Falls, VA home should be sloped away from the house to avoid your basement from flooding.
  • Anytime you have a leaking roof or other plumbing pipes, fix these issues as soon as possible to avoid house mold.
  • Use bath fans when showering and kitchen fans when cooking. If you do not have fans, open up a window when you shower or cook. Cover your pans when cooking and take a shorter, cooler shower. Use a clothes dryer that vents to the outdoors or a clothes line outside to avoid extra moisture in your Great Falls, VA home.
  • If your basement is prone to be damp, use a dehumidifier to remove the moisture from the air. In the summertime, you can use an air conditioner which will remove some of moisture as it cools the air. Don’t keep your windows open if it is damp outside.

If you have any questions, call the environmental experts at Envirotex and they can guide you with a plan to avoid house mold at your home in Great Falls, VA.