Why Asbestos Testing Might Be Necessary for Older Buildings in Ashburn, VA

When you take on any building renovations or demolition in Ashburn, VA, the first step is to have a thorough and properly asbestos testing performed. If you start a project, and then the workers encounter any asbestos-containing materials, you may have to have a certified asbestos abatement contractor remove any asbestos before any renovations or demolitions can be done. It is best to have asbestos testing first to avoid any criminal or civil penalties for disturbing asbestos-containing materials without a permit and following removal procedures.

Asbestos has been used in building construction because of its stability, strength, resisted corrosion, improved heat and chemical resistance, and provided acoustical insulation. Between the 1950s and 1970s, plaster, floor tiles, thermal pipe insulation, fireproofing, joint compounds, spray-on coatings, acoustic insulation, roofing shingles, duct tape, putties and caulking, adhesives and more contained asbestos. So more than likely, depending on the age of the building, some form of asbestos-containing materials could be lurking inside, and it will take asbestos testing at your building in Ashburn, VA to locate said materials.

Asbestos testing should always be done by an environment company such as Envirotex. These professionals know exactly what to look for during an asbestos testing. If asbestos is located, then they can advise you on the proper procedures in removing, storing, transporting, and disposing of materials from your property in Ashburn, VA.

Exposure to asbestos fibers can cause a lot of health problems, which is why you need to leave any asbestos testing or removal to the experts. Buildings in Ashburn, VA that contain asbestos materials are not necessarily unsafe. It becomes unsafe when these materials containing asbestos are disturbed, like during a renovation or a demolition. Sometimes these materials get old and start to frey, and by all means, these materials need to be removed in a safe, proper fashion.

If you are living in an older home or run a business out of an older building in Ashburn, VA, it is imperative that you have asbestos testing before starting any project that requires tearing out certain materials from your home or business. Call the team at Envirotex for all your environmental issues for your property in Ashburn, VA.

Mold Companies in Northern, VA and What to Expect

Have you found mold growing at your home in Northern, VA? You might not realize it, but mold is a common condition that is found in many Northern, VA homes. Summers can be quite humid in Northern, VA, and with humidity comes moisture where mold is likely to grow.

The best way to handle mold is to call a mold company. They are the experts and should be able to explain the steps involved in dealing with your mold issues. If they can’t explain in layman’s terms and try to confuse you, tell them thanks, but no thanks. Or better yet, call the team at Envirotex Environmental Service, a local mold company that will be more than happy to answer all your questions.

Here are a few things that you should be able to expect when you hire a mold company—

  • The professional team should wear proper safety gear when handling mold at your home in Northern, VA. They should be equipped with a high filtration face mask, neoprene or vinyl gloves, a full disposable protective suit, and shoe covers.
  • The professional mold team should seal off the work area with plastic sheeting. This is to keep the mold spores from floating throughout the rest of the home.
  • Professional equipment such as HEPA air scrubbers, HEPA vacuums, and commercial-strength dehumidifiers may be used.
  • After physically removing all the mold particles from the Northern, VA home, the air should be cleaned of any airborne mold spores. This is done with HEPA air scrubbers and air exchange replacing the moldy air with clean, fresh air.
  • A special chemical is then used to clean any remaining mold and stains that weren’t physically removed.
  • Sometimes a professional mold technician may use a sealer or encapsulant, which makes the treated area resistant to water damage and mold growth. This also helps control the odor.

Mold companies have the experience and proper tools so that all the mold in your home is located. Once located, mold companies can lay out a plan to rid your home of all mold growth.


Hidden Signs of Mold in Home in Alexandria, VA

Your body could be telling you there is mold in your Alexandria, VA home. Mold, which produces mycotoxins, is toxic and can be quite poisonous. Stachybotrys chartarum is one of the more alarming varieties of mold and is normally found where moisture has been present for a long time, such as in a basement. This can trigger health problems, including headaches, trouble breathing, diarrhea, and many more issues.

All types of mold in homes in Alexandria, VA should be treated as a potential for health risks and needs to be removed. Some of these signs include—

Weird Chimney Smells—Having a chimney sweep not only removes dangerous creosote buildup, but it can also clean out toxic mold. Moisture may accumulate in the porous bricks and mortar of your chimney at your home in Alexandria, VA. If you have rusty chimney caps or flashing that needs to be repaired, this can allow rain and snow to seep inside and create an environment for mold to grow. Your chimney cap and the flashing will need to be repaired and the chimney sweep to prevent mold in home.

Watery and Stinging Eyes—Some people can have allergic reactions to mold including coughing, itchy, watery eyes, and nasal congestion when there is mold in homes. You may notice these signs when in specific areas of your home. To check to see if its mold in homes, go to an allergy specialist, and they can do a blood or skin test to confirm allergies.

Tingling Skin—People who are allergic to mycotoxins will usually experience a tingling, itching, or burning sensation when they come in contact with mold in homes. The body reacts by releasing histamines, and the result may be itchy, dry, scaly skin, possibly even hives. If this condition continues, see an allergy specialist and locate mold in home and have it professionally removed.

Asthma Acting Up—When mold spores find their way into the lungs, it triggers asthma symptoms. If your asthma symtoms seem to get worse, it may be from mold in home at your Alexandria, VA residence. Mold in homes in Alexandria, VA can cause more severe conditions such as allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, which is a dramatic allergic and inflammatory reaction that leads to severe coughing, sneezing, and shortness of breath.

Whenever you notice any difference in a family members health or you notice any signs of mold in home at your Alexandria, VA residence, call the team at Envirotex. They can help you with all your environmental issues at your Alexandria, VA home.

Removing Mold from Homes in Northern, VA with Mold Treatment

Mold treatment in Northern, VA can rid your home of any mold contamination, which is commonly found in areas where moisture is prevalent such as basements and bathrooms. Because mold can cause dangerous health issues, mold treatment by a professional should be done at the first signs of mold in your Northern, VA home.

If you see black or green areas, possibly even fuzzy looking, at your Northern, VA home in your basement or any other areas where you might have a leak or excess moisture, you will need mold treatment for your home. The area could smell musty and quite possible, you may not even see it. You should have a mold inspection if you notice a musty smell in your house.

A mold inspection will pinpoint where you have mold growth and where the moisture is coming from, causing the mold growth inside your home. A mold company such as Envirotex Environmental Services will come to your home in Northern, VA, do a visual examination, and take surface and air samples, which will then be analyzed by an independent lab.

Once the mold has been located, you will then need to set up a mold treatment plan to remove all mold from your home in Northern, VA, and the issues that are causing the moisture, which is triggering your mold growth, needs to be repaired. Otherwise, once the mold has been removed, it will come back in the future.

During your mold treatment, the crew will come in wearing protective gear such as disposable coveralls, respirators, goggles, and shoe coverings. The area where the mold is located will be contained so that the mold spores will not contaminate the rest of the home in Northern, VA.

Special equipment such as a HEPA (High–Efficiency Particular Air) air scrubber and air exchange that replaces mold air with clean air are used to clean the air. A HEPA vacuum to clean floors and other surfaces are used to remove spores still lingering.

Any moldy porous materials such as drywall or insulation will be placed in heavy–duty plastic bags and disposed of properly by the mold treatment company.

Once the mold treatment has been completed, another mold inspection should be done to ensure the mold treatment was done correctly.