Category: Asbestos Removal

In September 2018 charges were made against a Virginia Beach, VA Fire Department because of the mishandling of a demolition burn of a vacant home in April 2018. There was no prior asbestos testing, so therefore no asbestos removal occurred, and the burn took place. After the burn, a bulk sample was taken from the remains of the home, and it indeed contained asbestos. Unfortunately, this puts everyone at risk that was close by, especially the firefighters breathing the air around them because of the asbestos fibers in the air. It just goes to show homeowners need to know what materials in their home could possibly contain asbestos.

If your Virginia Beach, VA home was built before 1980 and you decide you want to replace the flooring in the kitchen, know your flooring first. Floorings such as vinyl sheet goods, vinyl asbestos tile, and linoleum in your home that contain asbestos will need a professional asbestos removal company to come and remove it from your home in Virginia Beach, VA.

The methods used in asbestos removal have a lot to do with where the asbestos is found in your Virginia Beach, VA home, what kind of condition the asbestos-containing materials are in, and whether the material is friable or non-friable.

Friable asbestos—crumbles easily or it can reduce to a powder form that can become airborne.

Non-friable asbestos—more tightly bound with another material. Therefore, its fibers are not easily prone to become airborne unless the asbestos-containing material is disrupted such as sanded, cut, sawed, or nailed.

Normally if the materials are in good condition within the Virginia Beach, VA home, not frayed, cracked, or cut, you should be okay just to leave it alone. No asbestos removal should be necessary. But in the case of remodeling, like replacing your kitchen flooring, you might want to be on the safe side and call in the experts, Envirotex, and they can send their crew out to your home in Virginia Beach, VA and do an assessment of what needs to be done and what methods will be used for asbestos removal.

Some asbestos removal involves removing the materials whereas another method might be to use encapsulants sprayed over the materials. This seals the materials so its fibers won’t release into the air.

Whatever your environmental needs, leave the job to Envirotex. They have been in business since 2000 and can handle any environmental issues you have within your home in Virginia Beach, VA. Whether you need mold removal, asbestos removal or testing done, they can help you.  

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.

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.

Handling asbestos has to be done with great care because of the toxic properties of the substance, and it’s a known carcinogen. Any asbestos removal at homes in Arlington, VA should be handled by licensed asbestos professionals such as the team at Envirotex.

Homeowners in Arlington, VA shouldn’t be concerned if the asbestos-containing materials in their home are in good condition because it doesn’t usually present a hazard. However, if the asbestos-containing materials are damaged or worn this can present a great health and safety risk to family members because the fibers that flake off can become airborne. Inhaling these toxic fibers can become embedded in the chest and years later, this asbestos exposure can develop into serious diseases including asbestosis or mesothelioma.

Older homes in Arlington, VA are known to have some form of asbestos lurking around. Homeowners should be cautious of materials that could contain asbestos including insulation, flooring, ceiling tiles, shingles, and siding. If unsure, Arlington, VA homeowners should invest in an asbestos inspection before doing any remodeling. Because asbestos fibers can be harmful to you and your families health, under no circumstances should you ever cut it, drill it, sand it, saw it, scrape it, scrub it, dismantle it, demolish it or dump it.

Asbestos removal should be done to eliminate any asbestos-containing materials. Because of the dangers of asbestos removal, as a homeowner, you must take extra precautions if you decide to remove a small amount yourself. Wear protective clothing at all times. These should be properly disposed of after the small amount of asbestos removal by homeowners in Arlington, VA. Cover the area in plastic drop sheets to catch any debris, fibers, or dust. Wet the area containing the asbestos using a gentle mist of water. Never use brooms or brushes because this will stir up the dust which contains asbestos fibers. Never use a household vacuum cleaner to collect asbestos dust or debris.

If you attempt to do asbestos removal at your Arlington, VA home, you will still need to dispose of the asbestos-containing materials. Materials need to be put into thick plastic sheeting or bags, clearly labeled as asbestos waste and taken to a landfill site that can lawfully receive the waste.

If this seems a bit overwhelming of what you can or can’t do, call in a specialist such as the team at Envirotex who is a licensed asbestos removal contractor in Arlington, VA .

Homeowners with older homes are aware that asbestos-containing materials might be throughout homes in Washington, D.C. Once you are aware of the problem, the best and safest way to handle any asbestos-related materials is to call an asbestos contractor such as Envirotex and let them handle it. An asbestos contractor in Washington, D.C. knows what is involved in removing it from your home and making your home a safe environment for your family to return to.

An asbestos contractor should be licensed in Washington, D.C. to provide you with their service. They should be able to provide you with a written agreement about the cost involved in removing the asbestos-containing materials from your home. Ask the contractor for references from previous customers in Washington, D.C. whom they have done similar work for. Do your homework; call each reference and check to see if they were satisfied with the asbestos contractor’s work and if it was completed on time.

It is best to get bids from several different Washington, D.C. asbestos contractors. Make sure that each bid explains exactly what the costs of the asbestos removal is such as materials, labor, insurance, air monitoring costs and asbestos waste disposal fee.

The asbestos contractor should give you a written work plan describing the removal and cleanup methods that will be used. This will give you a better idea of each service so you can easily compare the different bids from each contractor.

What you can expect before and during the asbestos removal project—

1. Plastic sheeting is placed on walls and floors to isolate the work area from the rest of the house in Washington, D.C. This is known as containment.
2. A HEPA filter equipped negative air machine creates negative air pressure within the containment to keep airborne asbestos fibers from leaving the containment area.
3. An airless sprayer is used to keep the asbestos-containing materials wet during the process.
4. Air sample pumps will collect air samples during the removal process.
5. Asbestos-containing materials will be placed in sealed plastic bags before taken out of the containment area.

Do not be afraid to ask the asbestos contractors any questions you might have about the process. The team at Envirotex is there to answer your questions every step of the way. They can explain to you how the area for your asbestos removal will be set up at your home in Washington, D.C. and the complete process that they will use in removing the asbestos.

Asbestos fibers have been used in products including roofing materials, floor tiles, and vehicle brakes because of its ability to resist heat and corrosion. It is the cause of mesothelioma and asbestosis. Some older homes in Washington, D.C. still contain asbestos materials.

If you are someone in Washington, D.C. who has an older home and are planning a remodeling project or notice deteriorating materials inside your home, you should contact Envirotex, an environmental company who specializes in asbestos remediation services.

Generally, if you have asbestos-containing materials, they are not dangerous if they are in good condition and you do not disturb them. However, if these materials seem to be deteriorating or are damaged, it may involve asbestos remediation at your home in Washington, D.C.

If these asbestos-containing materials are damaged and break apart, it will release harmful fibers into the air. Also if you are thinking about any major construction or renovation projects, it is highly recommended to have materials tested for asbestos and plan on the necessary asbestos remediation for your Washington, D.C. home.

Many building materials manufactured before the 1970s and used into the 1980s contain asbestos. Common places that you might find asbestos containing materials that might require asbestos remediation in your older home in Washington, D.C. include—

• Asbestos blankets or asbestos paper tape might be insulating steam pipes, boilers or furnace ducts in older homes and businesses in Washington, D.C. If these become damaged or need to be removed, asbestos remediation is suggested.
• Floor tiles, vinyl sheeting, and floor tile adhesive that are in your home in Washington, D.C. might contain asbestos. When these are removed, and the floor is then scraped, asbestos fibers are released into the air. Professional asbestos remediation and floor tile removal will prevent a hazardous situation during your remodeling project, making it safer for your family members.
• Patching and joint compounds in walls and ceilings and textured paints used for popcorn ceilings are still found in many older homes in the Washington, D.C. district. Many of these contain asbestos and require asbestos remediation.

Any asbestos-containing materials should be handled by professionals such as Envirotex, a local environmental company who is equipped to handle these types of environmental issues.

Homeowners in Arlington, VA who suspect asbestos-containing materials in their homes should first call a professional asbestos inspector who will assess the need for asbestos removal. The asbestos inspector should not be connected with the asbestos removal company who does the actual removal of the asbestos materials from your Arlington, VA home.

The asbestos inspector should supply you with a complete visual inspection and a collection of samples taken from your home in Arlington, VA for laboratory analysis. Once asbestos is determined, the inspector should provide you with a written evaluation of the damage and recommendations for removal.

After the inspection, an asbestos contractor hired for the removal of the asbestos should give you a written contract with the asbestos removal plan and cleanup for your home in Arlington, VA.

Make sure your asbestos removal contractor follows these safety precautions—

• The worksite is clearly marked as a hazardous area.
• No one is allowed in the work area other than the professional asbestos removal team.
• The work area is sealed off from the rest of your Arlington, VA home with plastic sheeting and duct tape.
• Heating and air conditioning systems are turned off.
• Do not spread or track asbestos dust to other areas of your Arlington, VA home.
• Disposes of the asbestos materials, disposable equipment, and clothing used by the asbestos removal team. These should be sealed in leak-proof, heavy-duty plastic bags which are labeled.
• All areas of the worksite should be visually free of dust and debris.
• The entire area should be cleaned with wet mops and rags and a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) vacuum cleaner.
• Asbestos-containing materials should never be broken into smaller pieces because this could release asbestos fibers into the air.
• Asbestos-containing materials should be wet down with a hand sprayer to eliminate fibers from floating into the air.

Once the asbestos removal contractor has completed the work, an asbestos inspector should perform another inspection to assure the asbestos properly removed and areas cleaned.

Envirotex is the experts in environmental services for Northern Virginia since 2000. Call today for a free indoor environmental consultation. They can help you with any issues you have on your property in Arlington, VA.

Many homes in Winchester, VA that were built prior to 1980 may contain asbestos-containing materials including floor tiles, insulation around boilers, ducts, pipes, sheeting and fireplaces, ceiling tiles, roofing shingles,  and siding. Cement used on seams between sheetrock may also contain asbestos.

Asbestos only becomes a hazard when it becomes airborne. This happens when asbestos fibers are released due to drilling, sawing, cutting, and any other disturbance of these asbestos-containing materials. Asbestos removal for homes in Winchester, VA is necessary when these materials have been disturbed, are in poor condition, or when remodeling an older home.

It is always best to contact an asbestos removal company such as Envirotex in Winchester, VA who is licensed and certified to handle asbestos. This will minimize asbestos exposure for you and your family.

How is Asbestos Safely Removed?

• The asbestos removal professional team will seal off rooms, doorways, ducts, and windows with plastic. Asbestos signs will be placed on doorway entries to keep people out.
• HEPA filters will be installed by the asbestos removal team outside the windows to suck air from the room which creates negative air pressure to prevent the air from escaping into the rest of your home in Winchester, VA.
• During the asbestos removal, disposable suits, respirators, and gloves will be worn for protection.
• The team will wet materials containing asbestos which will be removed in whole pieces wrapped in plastic sheeting, put in plastic bags or lidden containers.
• All debris will be vacuumed and cleaned from the room. Contaminated materials disposed of in plastic bags or lidded containers will be taken to approved landfills for proper disposal.

After the asbestos removal is complete at your Winchester, VA home, an air sample test needs to be performed before anyone can enter the room without the proper protective gear.

Homeowners in Winchester, VA need to be aware of the health hazards of asbestos. It is extremely important that you hire asbestos removal professionals when dealing with any asbestos-containing materials. Envirotex Environmental Service is certified in asbestos removal and will ensure you and your family that all safety measures have been applied in the removal of asbestos from your home in Winchester, VA.

Winchester, VA is known for its historical homes and buildings. If you own or live in one of these homes or buildings in Winchester, VA, you might possibly be exposed to asbestos and will need to have it removed by an asbestos removal professional. In homes built prior to 1980, building materials were used for its insulating and fire-resistant properties. It was used in materials such as wallboard, floor and ceiling tiles, ceiling and wall plasters and some vinyl flooring backings.

As long as asbestos materials are intact and undamaged, there is no danger and usually an asbestos removal is not necessary for homes in Winchester, VA. It is difficult to identify asbestos containing materials unless they are clearly labeled. Testing for asbestos yourself is not recommended because of the dangers of releasing asbestos fibers into the air while taking samples. A licensed asbestos inspector in Winchester, VA can test materials that you suspect contain asbestos.

There is no safe level of exposure to asbestos; it is extremely dangerous. A professional asbestos removal is recommended because even a few fibers have the potential of being inhaled and can eventually cause asbestosis, mesothelioma or another cancer. At this time there is no cure for mesothelioma.

Taking Precautions Around Asbestos

• Don’t sand, drill, or saw asbestos containing materials or use any power tools on such materials.
• If you are planning renovations of your older Winchester, VA home, consult an asbestos removal professional.
• Never attempt to remove asbestos spray coatings, insulation or insulation board by yourself. This requires the training and equipment available to licensed asbestos removal professionals.

Asbestos removal professionals wear disposable suits, respirators and gloves to protect themselves. The team will seal off rooms completely and doorways, ducts, and windows are sealed with plastic. HEPA filters are used to create negative air pressure to prevent the air from escaping into the rest of the house. Debris is vacuumed and cleaned from rooms and disposed of in plastic bags.

Contaminated materials can only be disposed of at approved landfills that have the capacity to deal with it. For you and your family’s safety, always hire a professional asbestos removal company to handle any asbestos issues at your home in Winchester, VA.

Winchester, VA is known for its older homes and historic areas. If you ever pass a historic home where there is construction going on, likely an asbestos removal company was the first on the scene before any construction took place.

Most of these older homes have some type of asbestos-containing material in them, and an asbestos removal needs to be done first for the protection of the family and construction crew. Not all construction crews are trained in asbestos awareness which is why any homeowner in Winchester, VA who has an older home should always call in the professionals and have an asbestos inspection which might entail an asbestos removal before doing any remodeling.

If you are suspicious of asbestos in your home in Winchester, VA, do not touch it. Once you disturb asbestos in any way, it produces dust that contains asbestos fibers and this dust then gets released into the air which you breathe.

The presence of asbestos-containing materials in your home in Winchester, VA might not be an alarm if the material has not been damaged in any way. If it has not been damaged and shows no signs of wear and tear, you should be able to just to leave it in place. If it shows any damage or if it is in a high traffic area that family members will come in contact with daily, you might want to call in an asbestos removal professional in Winchester, VA and let them remove it to be safe.

Homeowners in Winchester, VA should never take it upon themselves to remove asbestos-containing materials. Proper equipment and clothing are required to properly and safely remove asbestos. An asbestos removal professional will wear special clothing, gloves, and respirators, some which are disposable to avoid further contamination.

They will take all necessary safety precautions which will include asking you and all family members to move out of your home in Winchester, VA until the complete asbestos removal has been done. Once the asbestos removal is complete and it is safe, you and your family will be allowed to move back into you Winchester, VA home.