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What Exactly is Asbestos Abatement in Virginia Beach, VA?

You might be wondering exactly what asbestos abatement is and how it might affect your Virginia Beach, VA home. If you live in an older home, built prior to the 1980s, and you are planning any remodeling, there are things you need to know about asbestos before you go and start tearing things apart.

First off, there were plenty of materials used back in those days which were used in construction for homes in Virginia Beach, VA that contained asbestos. Leaving asbestos-containing materials alone if they are in good condition is usually safe, but once you start tearing into drywall, pulling up old flooring, or replacing your roofing shingles, you need to make sure what they are made of. Normally, asbestos abatement is recommended before remodeling older homes in Virginia Beach, VA which contain asbestos materials.

If indeed you come across asbestos-containing materials, you might need asbestos abatement to either remove the asbestos or isolate or encapsulate the asbestos. Hiring a professional environmental company like Envirotex is your best and safest choice because this company has been in business since 2000 and is experienced in all things, asbestos.

Often the asbestos-containing materials in your Virginia Beach, VA home will become torn, cracked, cut, or damaged in some other way. When this happens, you should call in a professional asbestos abatement company.

Handling asbestos is something that should always be left up to the professionals. Trying to remove asbestos yourself could lead to releasing asbestos fibers into the air and causing you or one of your family members to become sick because of their exposure. Even the damaged asbestos-containing materials could be putting off enough fibers into the air, already causing health issues at your Virginia Beach, VA home.

A professional can determine which type of asbestos abatement would be best for your situation at your Virginia Beach, VA home. They can assess the problem and will either remove the asbestos or isolate or encapsulate the contamination. Whatever process they use and quite possibly both types of asbestos abatement will be used, you and your family will need to vacate the home until the abatement has been completed.

When Are Mold Inspections Needed in Virginia Beach, VA?

Some say once you see mold in homes in Virginia Beach, VA, you should have mold inspections performed by a licensed mold inspector. Some say if you see mold, you know it’s already there, so why have a mold inspection. All you have to do is remove the mold growth. Yes and no.  

Although you might see mold growth in your Virginia Beach, VA home, what about the mold growth that you might not be aware of? Quite possibly, if you see mold growth in several different places within the home, you have an issue and the only way to be sure if it is not hiding from you and you do not see all of it is to invest in a professional mold inspection and be safe.

Sometimes you might be experiencing a musty smell at your home in Virginia Beach, VA and can’t quite define where it is coming from. Quite possibly some members of your family could have symptoms of mold exposure which might include:

  • Sneezing
  • Coughing
  • Nasal congestion
  • A runny nose
  • Skin rash
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Watery, itchy or red eyes

Any of these symptoms could mean other health issues as well, but if the health issues continue and act up at during the more humid times of the year in Virginia Beach, VA, you could have a severe problem with mold growth.

When should a mold inspection be done?

  • If there is no visible sign of mold growth, but there is a distinct musty smell. Mold inspections and testing can discover if there is elevated mold and where it is located in the home in Virginia Beach, VA.
  • Your Virginia Beach, VA home has had plumbing leaks or other water issues, and you suspect mold growth may exist behind walls or in the air.
  • Once you have removed mold from your home, you should always have another mold inspection and testing to make sure the mold removal was done correctly and mold counts return to normal levels.
  • Health concerns as mentioned above.
  • If you are selling or buying a house, for your protection, it is best to have a mold inspection.

Mold inspections are needed to verify the cause of the mold growth in your Virginia Beach, VA home as well as its location. Whatever is contributing to the moisture at your home that causes the mold growth needs to be fixed as well as the mold removed from the home. All mold inspections and removal should be done by a professional environmental company such as Envirotex. Envirotex has the specialized equipment to do the job correctly.

Mold Removal Techniques for Homes in Virginia Beach, VA

There are several different techniques for mold removal. The best technique for your mold issues will depend largely on where the mold is growing in your Virginia Beach, VA home.

Scrubbing Non-porous Surfaces

Mold removal for surfaces such as tubs, sinks, toilets, metal, glass, and tile may be scrubbed with an antimicrobial cleaner that is available in most home improvement stores. This type of cleaner may also be used on concrete and brick surfaces, as well, but may be more difficult to clean. This type of cleaner will not work on porous surfaces such as drywall or carpet. Always wear a face mask and gloves for mold removal when using an antimicrobial cleaner. Follow the directions on the label carefully.

Removing and Replacing Porous Materials

Drywall, insulation ceiling tiles and carpets are porous materials. Other soft materials such as couch cushions and mattresses are most likely impossible to thoroughly clean. Once you remove the mold from these particular materials, microscopic mold spores can remain in the pores of these materials causing mold to regrow over the materials.

These materials must be removed and replaced to make sure mold spores don’t spread to other parts of the Virginia Beach, VA home which can expose your family to mold spores and cause health issues. Precautions must be taken by wearing safety gear such as gloves, disposable coveralls and facial masks. Heavy plastic sheeting should be used to section off work areas to keep mold spores from drifting into other areas of the Virginia Beach, VA home.

Moldy materials need to be sealed in heavy plastic bags before removing from the Virginia Beach, VA home. A HEPA filter vacuum should be used to clean up dust and small debris that can be left behind when removing drywall materials.

Wood is another porous material that should be removed if at all possible. Sometimes this isn’t possible. In that case, a mold removal professional sometimes will sand the wood to remove the mold.

Mold removal professionals in Virginia Beach, VA may also use a sealant that resembles paint to seal in the mold so it will not continue to grow. This is called encapsulation.

Homes in Virginia Beach, VA that are dealing with mold issues should call someone like Envirotex who has been in business since 2000. Envirotex has the experience to deal with environmental problems that include mold removal and testing, lead paint testing and remediation, and asbestos testing and remediation. Don’t take a chance with your family’s health; call (757) 918-0639 for all your environmental issues.

Guide to Mold Remediation in Virginia Beach, VA

Mold remediation for homes in Virginia Beach, VA can be an exceedingly difficult job and should only be left to the professionals if you have mold that covers an area of more than ten square feet or if your HVAC system has mold in it. Don’t expose yourself to health risks especially if you already have respiratory problems. Being around mold will only increase your risks for additional health problems.

Locating Mold in Virginia Beach, VA Homes

The first step to mold remediation is to locate all mold in your Virginia Beach, VA home. If you miss just a little bit of mold, it will only grow and spread again. The last thing you want is to have a full-blown mold issue on your hands again.

Having a professional such as Envirotex who has years of experience in environmental issues will guarantee no mold is left behind. This company has the equipment necessary to find mold even if you can’t visually see it. Mold can be hidden under carpets and behind walls. This is why it is extremely important that you hire a professional mold remediation company for any mold issues your Virginia Beach, VA home is experiencing.

Preparing Work Area for Mold Remediation in Virginia Beach, VA

Mold remediation specialists will prepare the work area. Areas for the mold remediation will be sealed off with sheets of heavy plastic to prevent mold spores from spreading to other areas of the Virginia Beach, VA home. Heating or air conditioning vents will be covered with plastic using tape.

Negative Pressure Set up in Work Area

Negative pressure will be set up in the work area. This causes the air to flow into the area but not out of the area which prevents mold spores from spreading from the work area.

Special Protective Gear

Mold remediation professionals will wear disposable protective clothing, face masks, and gloves and after the remediation is complete, they will safely discard.

Non-porous and Porous Material

Materials that are non-porous such as metal, tile sinks, bathtubs, countertops, will be cleaned with a special cleaner using a spray bottle and rag or scrub brush. Porous materials such as wood that cannot be removed from the Virginia Beach, VA home, will be cleaned and then left to dry. Once dry, these materials may be sanded. Sometimes a special sealant is painted on the area. This process is called encapsulation. The sealant seals the material so the mold will not continue to grow.

The source of where the mold is coming from needs to be addressed as well. If the carpet or drywall were removed, it would need to be replaced.

How Mold Testing is Performed at Virginia Beach, VA Homes

There are a lot of mold testing kits available at your local Virginia Beach, VA home improvement stores but these kits do not include a visual inspection conducted by a professional mold inspector such as Envirotex. Not only will Envirotex do a thorough visual inspection to detect issues and the problems that are related to any mold growth at your home in Virginia Beach, VA, but they will do professional sampling that will be sent to an independent lab for analysis.

Once the results from the mold testing are analyzed, Envirotex will then map out a plan of action to get rid of the mold and to correct any moisture problems that are encouraging mold growth at your Virginia Beach, VA home. Without fixing the cause, once the mold has been removed, it will only return.

Mold testing in Virginia Beach, VA is done by taking a sample of the air and/or of a surface.

Air Sample Mold Testing that uses spore traps is called a “spore trap sample.” Pumped air is forced into the collection device which impacts its sticky surface. This device catches the mold spores which are then sent to an independent lab for analysis.

Surface Sample Mold Testing is done in a variety of ways. The most common are—

  • Swab Samples: Similar to a cotton swab, the swab is rubbed across the surface areas in the Virginia Beach, VA home to be sampled and then sent to an independent mold testing lab for analysis.
  • Tape Samples: Mold testing is done with a clear piece of tape that is pressed against and removed from the surface being tested, picking up and removing some of the mold that is on the surface. This is then sent to an independent lab.
  • Bulk Samples: A piece of the area you want to be sampled is removed and sent to a mold testing lab to be analyzed.

The most common method an independent mold testing laboratory which analyzes mold samples taken from homes in Virginia Beach, VA is by transferring sections of the mold sample onto a microscope slide and adding a stain that the mold spores absorb. The sample is then evaluated for evidence of mold growth.

What to Expect From Asbestos Removal Companies in Virginia Beach, VA

You might wonder exactly what asbestos removal companies who come to homes in Virginia Beach, VA actually do.  Homeowners can expect asbestos removal companies such as Envirotex to do the following—

  1. Teams from asbestos removal companies such as Envirotex in Virginia Beach, VA will build containment areas before beginning removing asbestos at the work area.
  2. Identify asbestos materials to be removed using monitoring equipment.
  3. Walkways between mobile decontamination unit and portable showers to work areas are built from lumber and nails, and plastic sheeting and duct tape using hand tools. Scaffoldings are assembled, and work areas are sealed off with plastic sheeting and duct tape.
  4. Portable air evacuation and filtration systems in the work area are positioned.
  5. Following hazardous waste handling guideline procedures, asbestos removal companies in Virginia Beach, VA remove asbestos from walls, beams, ceilings, boilers, and other asbestos structures.
  6. Asbestos covered surfaces are sprayed with a chemical solution with hose and nozzle attached to a tank. This softens the asbestos.
  7. The Virginia Beach, VA asbestos removal company will scrape and cut asbestos from surfaces using hand or power tools such as scrapers and knives and high-pressure sprayers.
  8. All asbestos is shoveled into plastic disposal bags and sealed with duct tape.
  9. Loose asbestos is vacuumed with special HEPA filter vacuums.
  10. When the Virginia Beach, VA job has been completed by the asbestos removal company, the scaffolding and the temporary walkways are dismantled, and plastic sheeting and disposable bags are put into transport bags.
  11. These sealed bags are loaded into a truck and taken to a dumping site for hazardous materials.

Depending on the job in Virginia Beach, VA, you might find asbestos removal companies using cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment to remove hazardous asbestos materials onto trucks. All contaminated equipment will be cleaned with detergents or solvents, filter pumps, or steam cleaners.

Asbestos removal companies such as Envirotex in Virginia Beach, VA follow strict safety procedures at all times from setting up the area, the actual asbestos removal, to cleaning up the site and their contaminated equipment for reuse on their next project.

Large-Scale Asbestos Remediation by the Envirotex Team in Warrenton, VA

In the early fall of 2018, the well-known Envirotex Company completed large-scale asbestos remediation in Warrenton, VA for the Cheswick Motel. The Cheswick Motel, built in 1960, is located on four acres on Broadview Avenue in Warrenton, VA. An inspection by the Town of Warrenton, VA and the fire department found a number of building code violations. The 15,958 square feet motel was found to be a dangerous and unsanitary structure which included extensive water damage and wood rot, mold and mildew, and electrical hazards making it unsuitable for occupancy.

Large-scale asbestos remediation at the Cheswick Motel in Warrenton, VA consisted of removing 10,000 square feet of asbestos roofing tiles, 1,000 linear feet of copper piping wrapped in asbestos and 550 square feet of asbestos flooring tiles. Asbestos materials were then disposed of at an EPA approved dumping facility in accordance with environmental regulations.

Licensed professionals who handle large-scale asbestos remediation projects such as the team an Envirotex provide a safe environment for tenants of hotels, motels, and apartment buildings; employees in older commercial buildings; and students and teachers in older school facilities in Warrenton, VA that contain asbestos-related materials.

Besides large-scale asbestos remediation, Envirotex also handles smaller projects for homeowners in Warrenton, VA. Specialists test and remove any of these asbestos-related materials—

  • Vinyl asbestos tile, linoleum and sheet goods
  • Transite siding, pipe, and roofing
  • Duct Work
  • Stucco and texture coat
  • Acoustic and popcorn ceilings, plaster, and drywall
  • And more

In addition to large-scale asbestos remediation, Envirotex provides other environmental services in Warrenton, VA including—

  • Mold testing and remediation
  • Lead paint testing and remediation
  • Meth lab & Clandestine drug lab cleanup
  • Asbestos testing and remediation
  • Air-duct cleaning
  • Demolition
  • Proper containment
  • Thorough site decontamination
  • Lawful disposal of materials
  • Testing done by certified labs

Envirotex has been doing large-scale asbestos remediation for almost two decades. Fully licensed in Virginia and the District of Columbia, Envirotex is a proud member of the Associated Builders and Contractors Trade Association. Trust your commercial business or home in Warrenton, VA to Envirotex to handle identifying any asbestos materials, its removal, and any other environmental issues you might have.

Preventing Mold Growth in Virginia Beach, VA

Living in Virginia Beach, VA certainly has its charm. Take a stroll along the 3 mile stretch of boardwalk or bike along the bike path. Summer life at the beach can be enjoyed by all ages, so it is no surprise that everyone wants to come to your Virginia Beach, VA home during the summer months to enjoy all the festivities.

With extra people comes extra moisture from walks on the beach, sandy feet, wet bathing suits, and extra wet towels. With moisture comes mold growth unless you follow certain guidelines to prevent mold growth from attacking your Virginia Beach, VA home.

If you have a vacation home in Virginia Beach, VA, it can be more challenging to prevent mold because if it sits through the hot summer months with no one to check to see if the humidity is creeping up, your home will be a breeding ground for mold growth.

Preventing mold growth is all about moisture control. Without moisture, mold cannot grow. To eliminate a war on mold, you have to wage war on both the inside and the outside of your Virginia, Beach, VA home.

Outside Preventive Maintenance for Mold Growth

  1. Clear gutters free from leaves and debris and make sure the downspouts are carrying water away from your Virginia Beach, VA home.
  2. Check for cracked roofing shingles and fix is necessary so mold cannot grow.

Inside Preventive Maintenance for Mold Growth

  1. Check for standing water around your refrigerator, water tanks, washer, toilets or anyplace else water is used before leaving your home in Virginia Beach, VA for a long period of time. Drain the water from the pipes when leaving for more than a day or two.
    • A washing machine should have a 4-inch gap between the back of the washer and the wall to avoid crimping the water line.
    • A water heater’s lifespan is usually five years before it starts to leak or burst. Remove sediment by flushing your tank every six months, especially if you have hard water.
    • Toilets can back up and overflow, or water leakage can be caused by faulty supply lines or fill valve assembles. Turn off the water at the supply valve and fix immediately.
  2. Install a humidistat so that when the humidity exceeds 60 %, it will turn on your AC to draw out the moisture in the air.
  3. Declutter. Keep the air moving in all parts of your house in Virginia Beach, VA to prevent mold growth. Keep furniture away from grills and vents to keep air circulating.

Environmental Cleanup Issues in Northern, VA Homes

Environmental cleanup in Northern, VA impacts both homes and businesses. Northern, VA, still today, has many older homes and old factories, some just sitting there waiting to be torn down. Issues such as asbestos and mold can be in found in older homes and businesses in the Northern, VA area. Moisture tends to affect older homes because newer homes are constructed with newer technology so water doesn’t seem to enter homes as easily.

Basements that are damp where mold has become a major problem require environmental cleanup. Mold can be dangerous for your health especially if you live in it day in and day out. Any moisture in your Northern, VA home such as in your bathroom when there is not adequate ventilation, the kitchen, or if you have any leaky pipes, can turn into a major development of mold infestation.

An environmental cleanup project can include asbestos removal for older homes in Northern, VA. Anytime you are pursuing a remodeling project, you need to be aware of any asbestos-related materials that could have been used in the initial construction of your home. Insulation, popcorn ceilings, and flooring tiles inside could include asbestos materials. Outside your home, asbestos-related materials could be in the siding on your home and your roofing shingles. Environmental cleanup projects in Northern, VA are more frequent than most homeowners realize.

Most homeowners in Northern, VA are unaware of the environmental cleanup issues that could be part of the surroundings they are living in. Some homeowners see mold and don’t think much of it. They try to clean it up and then later it comes back. If you are experiencing a strong musty smell, don’t overlook it. Mold infestation can cause major health issues such as headaches, coughing, respiratory issues, asthma, fatigue, running nose, and can even contribute to depression. If you have noticed any mold growth in your Northern, VA home and any of your family members are experiencing any of these symptoms, an environmental cleanup should be done immediately.

Another environmental cleanup issue that could be lurking inside your home, if it is fairly old, is lead paint. All of these things, mold, asbestos, and lead paint should be taken care of as soon as possible for the safety of your family.

Protect Yourself by Hiring an Asbestos Contractor in Virginia Beach, VA

Even though asbestos is now limited in its use in the U.S., asbestos-containing materials still do exist in older homes, businesses, and schools that were built prior to 1980. If you suspect any asbestos-containing materials in your home, you should always hire an asbestos contractor.

Asbestos abatement consists of identifying, removing, repairing, and encapsulating any asbestos materials in your home or business in Virginia Beach, VA. This will eliminate any threats of possible exposure to toxic asbestos fibers and should always be handled by a professional asbestos contractor in Virginia Beach, VA.

Materials in your home that could contain asbestos include—

  • Roof shingles and siding
  • Vermiculite insulation
  • Ceiling tiles and coatings
  • Popcorn ceilings
  • Drywall and cement sheets
  • Plaster, putties, and caulking
  • Plumbing fixtures
  • Pipe and duct coverings
  • Thermal boiler and fireplace insulation
  • Vinyl floor tiles

Asbestos-containing materials are normally safe if they are not disturbed, but over time they can become brittle and crumble. If this happens, you will want to bring in an asbestos contractor to handle any asbestos-related issues you have within your home and outside the home in Virginia Beach, VA.

If you live in an older home in Virginia Beach, VA and are getting ready to do some remodeling, call in an asbestos contractor to check for any asbestos materials. Never saw, hammer, sand, drill, or break up any asbestos materials. Always leave this for professional asbestos contractors.

Asbestos contractors know what to look for and can do a thorough inspection of your home. Once asbestos has been found, your contractor will set up a time to come in and remove or encapsulate the asbestos-containing materials.

This will mean all members of your family will have to leave your Virginia Beach, VA home until the abatement has been finished. A Virginia Beach, VA asbestos contractor, such as Envirotex, is a professional environmental company who has the knowledge and experience to handle this process. The abatement team will wear special disposable coveralls and gloves, respirators, eyewear, and rubber boots. They will fully protect themselves during the process.

Inhaling or ingesting asbestos could lead to serious health problems such as mesothelioma cancer and asbestosis. Never handle asbestos on your own. Leave it to the professionals at Envirotex.