Mold Treatment for DIY Homeowners in Virginia Beach, VA

Mold treatment by a professional Virginia Beach, VA environmental company is recommended because trying to remove mold on your own could make matters worse and cause potential health risks. If you do decide to do it on your own, some common mistakes to avoid include—

Bleach Should Not Be Used as Part of Mold Treatment

Using bleach for mold treatment is a widely believed myth. Although bleach may change the color of the mold to a clearer or whiter shade, unfortunately, it will only create an environment for the mold to continue to grow at your home in Virginia Beach, VA. Not to mention, you could ingest bleach fumes and airborne mold spores, neither of which is healthy. Normally after three or four months of using bleach, the mold will return.

Products to Use for Mold Treatment at Homes in Virginia Beach, VA

Borax is a white powder you can purchase at most Virginia Beach, VA grocery stores in their laundry detergent section and should be used in home mold treatments. Mix a cup of borax to one gallon of hot water and apply the solution to the moldy area. This mold treatment should not be used on porous materials such as drywall because it will absorb water easily and exacerbate your mold issue by keeping the drywall moist.

Once you apply the borax solution, scrub the moldy area with a rag or wire brush until all mold is removed. Wipe the site and allow it to dry thoroughly. If need be, you can repeat the application of the borax solution. Mold treatment with borax prevents any new mold growth, so there is no need to rinse it away fully. Afterward, run a dehumidifier or a fan to help dry out the area within 24–48 hours.

Avoid Mold–Resistant Paint

Mold–killing paint may look like it solves the problem, but it does not eradicate the mold. It can still grow beneath the paint, and eventually, it will come back. Painting can make mold removal more difficult, and the health problems that mold can cause will continue because the mold is still there in your Virginia Beach, VA house.

Once you get rid of the mold from your home in Virginia Beach, VA, take care of any moisture that is causing the mold growth, and the area is thoroughly dry, you can apply a mold–resistant paint.

Do–it–yourself mold treatment should only be for smaller mold growth areas at homes in Virginia Beach, VA. On a safer note, it is best to leave any mold treatment to the professionals such as at Envirotex Environmental Services. Using a professional service will guarantee a cleaner environment for your family.

Mold Company Services for Homes in Northern VA

Mold growth at homes in Northern VA can lead to various health issues, so it is recommended that you hire a mold company such as Envirotex Environmental Services. Some of the services that a mold company can provide include—

Locating Mold—Mold can be present in your home, and you may not even see it. Even if you do see mold, it may be worse than what you can actually see. A mold company can perform a mold inspection to locate exactly where you have mold growth in your Northern VA home.

Cause of Mold—Once the mold has been located, a mold company can figure out what is causing the mold growth at your Northern VA home. You might have a leak under one of your sinks. Poor ventilation can cause condensation and humidity to build up in one of your rooms, such as your laundry room or bathroom, which can cause mold growth. Leaving wet clothes lying around can cause mold to grow. Hiring a mold company will ensure you find the cause of the mold growth and fix the issues so that once the mold is removed, it will not return to your home in Northern VA

Mold Removal—Hiring a mold company to remove any moldy surfaces or materials is the safest way to handle mold growth inside your Northern VA home. Most likely, you and your family members will be asked to leave the premises during mold removal. This is for the family’s safety so that any mold spores released into the air will not be inhaled. Mold removal experts will wear protective gear during the mold removal process to protect themselves. Precautions will be taken so as not to contaminate other areas of the home in Northern VA. 

Mold can affect your family’s health depending on their age, allergy reactions, and the level of exposure to the mold. Once the mold removal is complete, a final mold inspection should be done to check if it was done correctly. The mold company will check mold spores in the air to ensure you are safe to reenter the home.

Envirotex is a Northern VA mold company that offers services to improve your environment, including mold, asbestos, and lead paint testing and remediation. Call them today if you suspect mold growth in your home.

How to Prevent House Mold in Northern VA

The best way to prevent house mold at your home in Northern VA is through moisture control. There are several ways to curb moisture inside your home and prevent mold growth.

Take an Audit—Look for areas of your home in Northern VA that are prone to house mold growth. Does your basement flood? Are you noticing frequent condensation around your windows? Any stains on the ceiling from a persistent leak? In order to prevent house mold from growing or spreading, it may be as simple as ripping up carpet in a damp basement or replacing damaged house gutters. Preventions now will save you in mold remediation later.

Dry Areas Thoroughly and Immediately—House mold needs moisture to grow. Anytime you have a leaky pipe or a spill on your carpet, it needs to be dried within 24 to 48 hours to avoid house mold from growing. Avoid leaving wet articles of clothing lying around. You should hang any wet items up to dry either outside or in an area with good air circulation.

Proper Ventilation—Proper ventilation in your laundry room, bathroom, kitchen, or any other high– moisture area of your home in Northern VA can prevent house mold. Ensure proper ventilation for clothes dryers and cookstoves and use AC units and dehumidifiers during humid climates in Northern VA. When cooking, showering, or washing dishes, either open up a window or run an exhaust fan to rid your home of excess moisture.

Clean or Fix Gutters—Keep your gutters cleaned out and repaired as needed to prevent roofs from leaking.

Keep Water Away From House—Water can collect and seep into your basement if the ground around your home in Northern VA is not properly sloped away from the foundation.

Maintain Humidity Levels—Keep indoor humidity levels between 30 and 60 percent. You can measure humidity by purchasing a moisture meter from your local Northern VA hardware store. Pay attention to problem areas inside that have condensation, such as windows, pipes, and walls. Any time you notice any condensation, you should dry the surface area immediately and address the source of moisture.

If you have any questions or concerns about house mold, call Envirotex Environmental Services.

Protect Your Family by Hiring an Asbestos Contractor in Washington, D.C.

When you hire an asbestos contractor for your home in Washington, D.C., you are protecting your family against harmful materials that could contain asbestos. Removing asbestos–containing materials from your home should never be attempted by Washington, D.C. homeowners.

Because asbestos was used in so many common building materials years ago, if you have an older home in Washington, D.C., you and your family members could be at risk. Some of these building materials that you should be aware of include—

  • Roofing shingles and siding
  • Vermiculite installation, ceiling tiles, and coatings
  • Popcorn ceilings
  • Plaster, putties, and caulking
  • Drywall and cement sheets
  • Vinyl floor tiles
  • Pipe and duct coverings
  • Plumbing fixtures
  • Electrical switchboard panels
  • Thermal boiler and fireplace insulations

If you suspect any asbestos in your Washington, D.C. home, hire an asbestos contractor. They can inspect the premises of your home and send samples off for analysis. Once the analysis is complete, and you have been told you have asbestos–containing materials at your home in Washington, D.C., a plan to either remove or encapsulate the asbestos materials will be mapped out for you by the asbestos contractor.

Why is hiring an asbestos contractor critical? Inhaling or ingesting asbestos can develop into serious health issues, including mesothelioma, asbestosis, pleural plaques, and asbestos lung cancer. Professionals who handle asbestos wear special protective clothing and respirators to protect themselves against harmful fibers that may release into the air.

Sometimes asbestos can be encapsulated by covering it up with a protective barrier to reduce risks of exposure. Most often, your asbestos contractor will need to remove the asbestos–containing materials from the home in Washington, D.C.—

  • HVAC and electrical systems are disabled
  • Decontamination enclosure systems are put in place
  • Negative air pressure units are installed
  • Openings are sealed with plastic sheeting and duct tape
  • Wet wipe or the use of a HEPA vacuum is used to keep asbestos from becoming airborne
  • Removeable materials are placed in seal–tight containers  and transported to a safe disposal site for asbestos

For any questions about asbestos at your home in Washington, D.C., call the experts at Envirotex, an asbestos contractor serving your area.