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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.

Improving Your Home Environment with Mold Remediation in Manassas, VA

We all want the best environment for our families. Unfortunately, homeowners sometimes have unforeseen leaks in their pipes, their foundation, or too much humidity in their homes in Manassas, VA, and so many times, it just gets overlooked. Creating the best environment for your family may mean that if you are noticing signs of mold growth, you should invest in mold remediation for your Manassas, VA home.

Mold can cause quite a few health issues that you might just be brushing off as the common cold or simple bug. No need to worry. But do you? If a member of your household is experiencing a stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing, wheezing, itchy burning eyes, or a skin rash, you just might have a bad case of mold growth in your home. If mold is the culprit, mold remediation is necessary to put your home back to a healthy environment.

Too often, homes in Manassas, VA are overstuffed, and items get piled up in a corner, and then when you go to sort through things, you discover moldy clothes, a moldy wall, and other moldy items. Grant it, you can either wash the clothes, wipe off surfaces, or throw things out, but there is a reason this mold is growing. Dampness causes mold, and until you have mold remediation to eliminate all mold and cure the reason it keeps happening, it will continue to come back to create an unhealthy environment for your household in Manassas, VA.

Many basements tend to be damp and are a breeding place for mold growth. Bathrooms, where moisture is always present, is another great breeding place. Once you start to notice the damage of mold infestation within your Manassas, VA home, it is definitely time to call in a professional mold remediation company.

  When you deal directly with a mold remediation company such as Envirotex, they not only rid your home in Manassas, VA of the mold, but they will also inform you of all the necessary steps you need to take to avoid its coming back.

The mold remediation team at Envirotex has all the latest equipment to come into your home and locate the mold and then set up a plan to completely turn your home into a happy and healthy environment for your family in Manassas, VA.

Avoiding Mistakes During Mold Treatment in Northern, VA

Have you noticed a musty odor inside your Northern, VA home? How about areas of your drywall? Has any of it turned black? Has the grout in your bathroom turned black? Have you had any plumbing leaks? Are any of your walls warped or bowed? Do any of your walls feel damp? Any of these signs could be mold growth inside your Northern, VA home and will require mold treatment to rid the mold colonies from your home.

Once you discover a mold problem inside your Northern, VA home, you may be impatient and try and clean it up yourself with some sort of home remedy mold treatment. Everyone wants to save money, but sometimes having a professional mold treatment to rid mold from your home is the best way to go about it.

Mold professionals such as the team at Envirotex are equipped to test your home for any mold growth, some of it you may not even be able to see, but they will find it with their specialized equipment. Once they do find the mold, they will layout a complete mold treatment plan so that your home will be mold-free once the removal has been completed.

Most homeowners make the mistake of using bleach for their mold treatment. Although it might change the color of the mold to either a clear or white shade, you have not stopped the continued growth of the mold. It will come back.

Some things that are out of your personal expertise should be left up to the professionals. A small amount of mold for the average homeowner may not impose a real problem for mold treatment. The question is . . . is there mold where you can’t see it?

Don’t make the mistake of taking on this dangerous task yourself. Envirotex will evaluate your particular situation and advise you on what all needs to be done to rid your Northern, VA home of its pesty mold growth so that it won’t come back in the future.

Call Envirotex today if you are suspicious of mold growth at your home in Northern, VA. Leave the rest up to them.

Finding Reputable Mold Companies in Northern, VA

If you have found mold in your home in Northern, VA, you might be wondering if you should attempt to get rid of it or look into finding a reputable mold company in your area to handle the mold removal. Mold companies are specialized in removing contaminated mold from homes in Northern, VA, and restoring your home so that it is safe to occupy once again.

Most mold companies will want to come to your home first to look at the situation. You may want to have a thorough mold inspection first, but it is not recommended that you use mold companies to do both the mold inspection and mold remediation.

During the mold inspection at your Northern, VA home, the inspector should be able to determine the cause of the mold and recommend how to fix the problem so that once the mold has been removed, it doesn’t come back.

You should talk with several different mold companies and ask for references before signing any kind of contract. They should be able to provide you with an estimate for their services along with a detailed plan of their removal procedure for your particular situation at your home in Northern, VA, as all situations are different. Ask them how long it will take them to complete the job, and if you and your family will need to vacate the premises while the work is being done. This way, you can make other accommodations for where your family will stay during the mold remediation.

The mold company you choose should be able to sit down with you and explain the process they use when they enter your home. If there is no mention of setting up some type of containment so that the mold spores do not spread throughout the rest of the house, look for another mold company in the Northern, VA area.

The team at Envirotex Environmental Services will be glad to come to your home and discuss plans for mold remediation with you and your family and the steps that are involved in the removal of mold from your Northern, VA home. They have been in business since 2000 in the Northern, VA area and are well recommended by their previous customers. They offer a free, no–obligation indoor environmental consultation. Call them today for all your environmental issues in Northern, VA.

How an Asbestos Contractor Protects your Safety in Washington, D.C.

There are numerous older homes in Washington, D.C., and if you live in one, an asbestos contractor should be your first go-to person whenever doing any renovations in your home. Asbestos was used in a wide variety of materials because of its resistance to chemicals, heat and fire, durability, strength, and flexibility. These asbestos-related materials were manufactured years ago before the dangers of asbestos were known; some are still in use today.

An asbestos contractor knows what products to be aware of when looking for asbestos in your older home in Washington, D.C. These products include:

• Adhesives, Bonding, and Sealers
• Asbestos Cement (Transite)
• Roofing materials
• Ceiling tiles
• Floor tiles
• Insulation
• Plaster
• Shingles
• Siding
• Stucco
• And then some

As you can see, most anything that you might want to renovate in your older home in Washington, D.C. may contain asbestos. Hiring an asbestos contractor will ensure that whatever home renovation project you take on is safe to tackle. If the asbestos materials will not be disturbed in any way, usually, it will be safe if left alone. Still, if it will need to be disturbed, the asbestos contractor will professionally remove all asbestos that presents a problem at your home in Washington, D.C.

Asbestos is a known cancer-causing agent and, therefore, should only be handled by an asbestos contractor such as Envirotex Environmental Services. They are equipped with the necessary equipment to come into your Washington, D.C. home and identify and test for asbestos-related materials. Once the results have been analyzed, they can draw up a plan to remove any and all asbestos materials in your home.

Asbestos should never be handled by Washington, D.C. homeowners. You put your family at risk if you disturb any asbestos-related materials inside your home. Asbestos fibers linger in the air and can easily be inhaled into the lungs by you and your family members. This can be extremely dangerous.
Your asbestos contractor knows the safety procedures put into place to protect you and your family.

How to Tell if you Need Asbestos Testing in Ashburn, VA

Asbestos has been used for years in the building industry. Because of its strength and heat-resistance, it was widely used in flooring, including vinyl tiles, insulation, popcorn ceilings, concrete, ductwork, and other products as well. Unless you have an older home in Ashburn, VA, built before the 1990s, you should be pretty safe. Asbestos only becomes a problem when you disturb it, so if you are getting ready to do any repairs or remodel your home, you should have asbestos testing done if you have an older home in Ashburn, VA and suspect asbestos-related materials.

If you tear out a popcorn ceiling or tear up vinyl flooring that contains asbestos at your home in Ashburn, VA, the dust stirred up is extremely dangerous. The microscopic fibers in asbestos are exceptionally abrasive. Once broken down, when you inhale, these fibers can cause lung-scarring illnesses and possibly lung cancer. Asbestos testing is always recommended for older Ashburn, VA homes before you go tearing out products that could contain asbestos.

Asbestos testing is necessary because asbestos cannot be seen with the naked eye. Material samples must be taken and sent to an independent laboratory to be analyzed.

Asbestos testing should be done by professionals. When they come into a home in Ashburn, VA, they know what to look for and what to test. Never do this on your own. A professional will shut all the windows, doors and turn off all fans and heating and air conditioning systems that circulate air. This will ensure still air in the work area at your home in Ashburn, VA.

Special protective gear such as face masks, gloves, coveralls, and shoe coverings will be worn by asbestos testing professionals. Once the process is over, these clothes will be discarded and disposed of properly.

Professionals know the safety procedures involved in dealing with any asbestos-related materials and take all the necessary safety precautions necessary to keep you and your family safe. Call the team at Envirotex Environmental Services for asbestos testing and other environmental issues you may be experiencing. Trust the experts at Envirotex for your family’s safety.

 

Home Renovations May First Require Asbestos Removal in Arlington, VA

If you are currently living in an older home in Arlington, VA, there is a vast chance that you have asbestos-related materials somewhere in your house and quite possibly need asbestos removal to be safe. Asbestos was used extensively in construction on residential homes during the 20th century; therefore, any older homes in Arlington, VA are sure to have some asbestos, which can possibly pose a health risk to family members. All situations are different.

Unless you built your home and were aware of the products being used, you may not realize all of the ways that asbestos was utilized in developing homes in Arlington, VA. Asbestos-containing materials were being used in the following ways—

• Thermal insulation
• Roofing (tiles, felt, and shingles)
• Cement in roof gutters
• Light fixture backing
• Sheeting under decks
• Soundproofing
• Insulation on electric wires
• Insulation on HVAC ducts and pipes
• Fireproof padding under a fireplace hearth
• Pipe insulation
• Exterior siding
• Coatings and sealants throughout the home
• Flooring tiles, linoleum sheets, and flooring adhesives

This is still not everything that asbestos is used for; you should question materials that could possibly contain asbestos anytime you are getting ready to make renovations or home improvements at your Arlington, VA home. When in doubt, call the team at Envirotex, and they can advise you on asbestos removal.

Before any home improvements or renovations on homes in Arlington, VA, homeowners should have their home inspected by a reputable environmental services company such as Envirotex for any asbestos. If asbestos is found, Envirotex Environmental Services in Arlington, VA will direct you on what needs to be done for asbestos removal.

Anytime asbestos is found in your home, asbestos removal should be done as soon as possible. It is best to hire a professional for asbestos removal to ensure the safety of your family members in Arlington, VA. Hiring a professional environment company minimizes household members from the risk of being exposed to asbestos. Once the asbestos removal is complete, you can go about your renovations and home improvements with confidence knowing you made your home a safer place for you and your family.

How Asbestos Can Affect your Health in Arlington, VA

Asbestos is a highly dangerous mineral that was commonly used in the United States up till the early 1990s. Because asbestos is extremely flame-resilient and durable, it was used in many building materials prior to 1990 and in automobile parts. Some of the building materials in homes and buildings in Arlington, VA that may contain asbestos are—

• Ceiling and flooring tiles
• Insulation
• Roofing shingles
• Drywall products

Because there are still a lot of older homes in Arlington, VA that contain asbestos-related materials, construction workers and other professionals are still at risk of being exposed to the harmful carcinogen including—

• Veterans
• Teachers
• Demolition workers
• Ironworkers
• Auto mechanics
• Firefighters

Asbestos exposure still occurs to people inside their Arlington, VA homes because of older homes where asbestos was used freely in building materials. Secondary exposure can still occur to loved ones of professionals who do repairs, renovations, and maintenance on these older Arlington, VA homes. Asbestos dust frequently is carried home with them on their clothes and person.

Disturbing asbestos-related materials at your home in Arlington, VA releases asbestos fibers, which can be inhaled or ingested. These fibers can lodge into the tissue lining of various organs in the body. The fibers can then become stuck and damage healthy tissues. Sometimes this tissue damage can cause cancerous tumors to form. It can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years of irritation from these asbestos fibers to show symptoms of mesothelioma. At this point, mesothelioma, a rare cancer, could be throughout the body.

Asbestosis, a non-cancerous lung disease, which causes lung scarring and breathing issues, forms when asbestos fibers get trapped into the lungs. This can cause persistent cough, shortness of breath, and fatigue because the lungs get progressively weaker and stiffer. There is no cure and can gradually get worse oftentimes leading to death.

Other related diseases caused by asbestos include—

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Kidney cancer
• Pleural effusions
• Pleural plaques
• Pleuritis

If you are have been exposed to asbestos and are having any related health issues, it is important to be checked out by your doctor as soon as possible.

Anytime you have questions about asbestos, need testing to see if you have asbestos-related materials in your home or need asbestos removal from your home in Arlington, VA, call the team at Envirotex.

Essential Reasons for Mold Removal at Homes in Northern, VA

Mold could be growing in unseen areas of your home in Northern, VA; oftentimes, behind walls, underneath flooring, behind tiles, and other hidden areas within your home. Mold can do destructive damage to your home and poses a significant risk to the health of you and your family members.

It is essential that homeowners are aware of all the dangers that mold can present to their homes in Northern, VA. So many times homeowners are not aware of mold growth until it has spread to a large area of their home and has caused tremendous damage. Knowing how to recognize the first signs of mold and take precautionary measures to prevent substantial damage is essential to avoid costly mold removal for your home in Northern, VA.

Mold removal should be done by professionals such as the group at Envirotex Environmental Services. Specialists have the experience to discover all the mold at your Northern, VA home, whether it is visible or hidden, and mold removal will be done efficiently and speedily. They have specialized equipment for mold removal and can find and eliminate the source that is causing the mold, such as leaks or moist materials.

An assessment of your Northern, VA home will be done first during the mold removal process to determine the location of the mold. The affected areas will be closed off from the rest of the home to avoid mold spores spreading throughout the rest of the house.

Walls, carpet, furniture, and personal items will be cleaned and disinfected to rid all mold. Some materials may need to be disposed of properly and replaced if the damage is excessive. Sometimes drywall and even the studs within your home in Northern, VA may need to be replaced because of severe structural damage. Replacing mold affected materials and applying special products will restrain any future mold growth.

Preventing any future outbreaks by removing all mold and fixing the source of your moisture that is causing the mold is the key to eliminating future mold growth.

Call the team at Envirotex Environmental Services for any mold removal assistance for your Northern, VA home. Keep your family safe by turning to the experts.

 

 

 

 

What Should Alexandria, VA Homeowners Expect During Mold Inspections?

If you suspect you have mold growth in your Alexandria, VA home, the best action you should take is to call the experts at Envirotex for a mold inspection. As a homeowner, you might be wondering what you can expect during a mold inspection, and this article will explain just that.

First of all, you should understand that the goal of a mold inspection should determine why you have a mold problem to begin with at your Alexandria, VA home. Without knowing the root cause, the source of moisture in your home will continute to grow. Once the cause has been identified, which might be a leaky pipe, leaky roof, or high humidity, the moisture problem must be fixed. Otherwise, once the mold has been removed, it will only come back if the moisture problem isn’t solved.

Next, the mold inspection at your Alexandria, VA home will determine just how bad your mold problem is. To what extent the problem is will decide the plan of action to remove the mold growth. All situations are different, so the mold remediation plan will be specific to your particular scenario.

The mold inspection will start out as a visual examination of your Alexandria, VA home to locate any visible mold. The outside of the house will be inspected for any seepage issues. The inspector will be looking to see if your drainage system is working properly to drain flowing water away from your home. The facia, eaves, and drain spouts are an essential part of mold inspections to make sure these aren’t your sources of water intrusion into the property.

Next, the mold inspector will be looking for any clues of moisture under your sinks, behind appliances, behind the baseboards, and any window condensation you might have present inside of the Alexandria, VA home . Thermal imaging testing may be used which can determine moisture behind the walls and under the flooring, because not all mold is visible to the naked eye.

Humidity levels and the temperature of each room will be taken as well as this could be a clue that there is mold in a particular place of your Alexandria, VA home.

Samplings will be taken to determine the type of mold that is present. These samples will be sent off to a third-party lab for analysis.

Once all the proper testing is finished and the results have been analyzed, a plan will be mapped out for you to determine the best route to rid your Alexandria, VA home of all mold.