Month: October 2020

Is All Black Mold Found in Leesburg, VA Homes Toxic?

The answer is no. Just because you find black mold in your Leesburg, VA home does not necessarily mean it is toxic. Black mold has a black pigment by nature and is often thought of as the toxic kind of mold, but that is not always true. Even though black mold may not be toxic, it can still be allergenic.

The most common black mold found in homes in Leesburg, VA is Cladosporium. This common black mold has no known side effects. It can be found both inside and outside of homes in Leesburg, VA. That being said, heavy exposure to black mold may trigger allergy or asthma symptoms.

Stachybotrys chartarum is toxic black mold and is usually dark black or sometimes even dark green. It is highly toxic and commonly found in attics. This particular mold releases mycotoxins, which are toxic chemicals present in mold spores that can be released into the air and then inhaled. For this kind of mold growth, the material would need to be wet for at least 72 hours with consistent moisture for mold to continue to grow.

Mold that is capable of releasing mycotoxins is definitely toxic. Typically, the reason for mold growth in an attic is from improper ventilation. For instance, a bathroom exhaust fan which vents towards the attic, instead of outside the house can produce moist, humid air that filters up to the attic and can trigger black toxic mold growth.

Attic vents that are blocked may also trigger black mold growth. If your attic vents at your Leesburg, VA home are blocked, be sure to turn off the power source before removing the blockage and make repairs. After the mold removal, the attic vent should work to remove the moisture from the attic.

Toxic black mold at your Leesburg, VA home can be hazardous and cause health issues for your family members. The damage to someone’s health depends on the length of exposure and the number of mold spores inhaled.

Toxic black mold should be removed by a professional team such as Envirotex Environmental Services.

Why Hire Professionals for Mold Removal at Homes in Northern, VA?

Mold spores can wreak havoc for homes in Northern, VA, and once it starts, it spreads quickly and easily. Unless you find the moisture source and eradicate it, the mold will flourish fast and ruin your living space. Mold removal should be done immediately once you notice any mold growth inside your Northern, VA home. Otherwise, the longer you let it go, the more damage and expense there will be in completely irradicating mold from your home.

Mold removal specialists, such as Envirotex Environmental Services, have years of experience and the specialized equipment to remove mold altogether.  A professional mold removal company will—

  • Find all the mold at your Northern, VA home; whether, it is visible or hidden.
  • Before mold removal begins, the mold areas within the home in Northern, VA are contained. This is extremely important so that once the team starts tearing out materials, any mold spores released into the air won’t travel to the rest of the home. Once the mold spores have been eliminated, any affected materials are repaired, and the cleanup is complete, the house is ready to use again.
  • Find and eliminate the source of moisture, which is causing mold growth, such as leaks or moist materials.
  • Prevent mold growth in the future by replacing any affected materials or applying select products that restrain future mold growth.
  • Repair any damage or recommend someone, depending on the particular type of damage.
  • Clean and disinfect walls, furniture, carpet, or other personal items with special cleaners.
  • Remove unsalvageable materials from the home in Northern, VA, and discard them properly.
  • Air filtration machines with HEPA filters will purify the air, so your living space is once again safe for your family.
  • Final cleanup will entail the use of HEPA vacuums.

Call the team at Envirotex for your Northern, VA trustworthy, mold removal professionals. They will be happy to come to your home and give you a free no–obligation estimate for mold removal or any other environmental issues you might be having at your home in Northern, VA.

Guided Steps for Mold Remediation in Manassas, VA Homes

Whenever you have more than 10 square feet of mold growth inside your home in Manassas, VA, you should always call in a professional mold remediation company such as the team at Envirotex Environmental Services.

Mold remediation differs on affected surfaces. Porous materials, including drywall, carpet, and insulation must be removed entirely from the Manassas, VA home. These materials should be properly disposed of to ensure complete mold spore removal.

Non-porous materials and semi-porous materials, including wood and concrete, can remain in your Manassas, VA home, and be properly cleaned with special chemicals.

A mold remediation company will come to your home in Manassas, VA, assess the situation, and map out a plan for the process. Depending on your particular situation, different steps may be used.

Protective Clothing—You should see people walking around in disposable coveralls and shoe coverings wearing goggles and respirators; this is for their protection against mold spores that infiltrate into the air.

Containment—This step should never be ignored during mold remediation. The purpose of containing the moldy area is so that any mold spores released into the air will not filter into the rest of your home in Manassas, VA.

Wet Misted—The moldy areas will be lightly wet misted to prevent mold spores from flying into the air.

Special cleaners—Some surfaces will be washed down with special cleansers and dried so that further mold will not grow.

Final Cleanup—HEPA vacuums will be used during the final cleanup once all materials have finally dried, and the contaminated materials have been removed from the home.

Any porous materials will be torn out and placed into heavy-duty garbage bags and removed from the Manassas, VA home, and later loaded on the mold remediation company’s vehicle where they will subsequently be disposed of at a landfill.

For all your environmental needs, call the team at Envirotex Environment Services. They have been in business since 2000 and are highly recommended for mold remediation at homes in Manassas, VA. They also handle asbestos testing and remediation, lead paint testing and remediation, meth lab and clandestine drug lab cleanup, and selective demolition.

Mold Remediation Process for Homes in Northern, VA

Once excessive moisture accumulates inside your Northern, VA home, mold growth often occurs, which can trigger many different health issues, especially those with asthma. Anytime you see or suspect mold within your home in Northern, VA, call the team at Envirotex for mold remediation. Put back the clean air into your home by a team of professionals.

The first step in mold remediation will be an assessment of your situation to see the extent of your mold problem; sometimes, mold can be hidden, such as in air ducts and behind the walls. An identification of the source of the moisture inside your home will also be made. The source will also need to be fixed; otherwise, the mold will only come back in the future.

The next process of your mold remediation will include containing the area where the mold resides so that removing any moldy building materials will not lead to mold spores released and spreading to other parts of your home in Northern, VA.

During mold remediation, the professional team will be equipped with protective gear, including disposable coveralls, goggles, respirators, and shoe coverings. Any occupants of the Northern, VA home will be asked to leave during the mold remediation process for their safety.

Depending on where the mold is located as to what necessary cleaning supplies will be used. Each situation is different for different homes in Northern, VA.

Dust suppression by wet misting and wet vacuuming may be used.

Non–porous surfaces will be properly cleaned and dried so that further mold growth will not return.

Porous materials with signs of mold should be appropriately discarded in heavy–duty plastic bags and removed from the property in Northern, VA, and taken to the proper landfill.

HEPA (high–efficiency particulate air filter) vacuums are used for the final cleanup once the materials are completely dry, and all contaminated materials have been removed.

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

If you ever need mold remediation for your home in Northern, VA, or have other environmental needs, call the team at Envirotex Environmental Services.