Category: Asbestos

Mishandling asbestos at homes in Washington, D.C. may lead to exposure to asbestos; therefore, only an asbestos contractor should handle, remove, and dispose of any asbestos–related materials. An asbestos contractor can handle asbestos safely by following proper regulations. Individuals who are exposed to asbestos may develop mesothelioma and other asbestos–related diseases.

When asbestos is mishandled by Washington, D.C. family members at home, the fibers may become airborne, causing the individual to be exposed to asbestos. Asbestos fibers can be inhaled and become lodged in the linings of the lungs, abdomen, or heart causing diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis or lung cancer.

Homes in Washington, D.C. built prior to the 1980s could still contain asbestos–related materials. Because asbestos fibers are not visible to the human eye, it can be difficult to identify. Homeowners should treat any potential asbestos–containing materials as hazardous. Until an asbestos contractor can verify these materials, these areas of the home in Washington, D.C. should be avoided.

An asbestos contractor will perform a visual inspection and remove pieces of any questionable materials and send off to a lab for analyses. If the samples from your home in Washington, D.C. contain asbestos, then your asbestos contractor will recommend the removal or encapsulation of the asbestos materials.

The condition of the asbestos materials depends on whether it will be removed or encapsulated. During an encapsulation at your home in Washington, D.C., an asbestos contractor will coat the asbestos materials with a sealant which will prevent fibers from becoming airborne.

If the asbestos needs to be completely removed, your HVAC units and seal vents will be turned off to prevent asbestos fibers from circulating into the air, the work area will be sealed off with plastic sheeting, wet cleanup tools and HEPA filter vacuums will be used to clean up the workspace and materials will be removed from the home in Washington, D.C. in sealed containers clearly marked and discarded at proper landfill sites.

During the removal or encapsulation, the crew will wear protective clothing and respirators for their protection against any asbestos fibers that are released into the air.

If you have questions about materials in your home in Washington, D.C. which may contain asbestos, give the professionals at Envirotex a call and set up an appointment for them to come to your home and assess the situation.

Asbestos was once widely used for building materials in homes and other buildings in Arlington, VA. Asbestos was used in the manufacturing of insulation and used in steam engines, piping, and locomotives. Later, asbestos was used in products such as gaskets, boilers, cement, roofing materials, and automotive brake pads. Asbestos exposure is extremely dangerous. People still die from asbestos exposure. Exposure can lead to mesothelioma. Mesothelioma commercials are shown on TV even today.

The use of asbestos was phased out during the 1980s. However, some products still carry traces of asbestos. Most asbestos exposure now comes from homeowners or business owners who renovate or demolish an old home or building. Many homeowners in Arlington, VA still have asbestos–containing materials in their home that they might not even be aware of, such as popcorn ceilings, floor and ceiling tiles, drywall, roofing sealant, duct tape, furnace cement, and glue for flooring.

Depending on your home’s age in Arlington, VA, it could still contain asbestos–related materials if built prior to 1980. Hence, it would help if you were extremely careful not to disturb any of these materials or never tear them out, hammer, cut, nail into any of these materials. If you know for sure which materials contain asbestos, that is half the battle, but so many people do not realize or know what to look for. It takes a professional to know what to look for and determine if it’s asbestos.

Before doing any repairs or renovations to an older home in Arlington, VA, be sure and call the experts at Envirotex Environmental Services for asbestos testing and remediation.  These professionals have the personal protective equipment to be able to enter a home and safely remove any asbestos–containing materials you have in your Arlington, VA home.

Never attempt to remove asbestos products from your home on your own. Always leave it up to the professionals who know exactly how to contain the asbestos–related area to avoid the asbestos dust from spreading all through your Arlington, VA home. When you use professionals such as Envirotex, you protect family members from breathing in any of the dust from the asbestos fibers and taking a chance of them developing health issues from asbestos exposure.

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.

Asbestos-containing materials are still oftentimes found in older homes in Arlington, VA. Asbestos fibers, when released into the air, are then inhaled or ingested. These fibers become trapped in the mucous membranes of the nose and throat, which can be removed; however, some pass deep into the lungs and if swallowed, into the digestive tract. Once these asbestos fibers are trapped within the body, these fibers cause health issues.

When asbestos is friable, it is easily crumbled and releases fibers into the air. Asbestos insulation that is sprayed on is highly friable, whereas asbestos floor tile isn’t. Ceiling tiles, floor tiles, shingles, siding shingles do not release fibers into Arlington, VA homes unless you disturb them or damage them in some way. For instance, if you drill into floor tiles or they become broken, this can release asbestos fibers into your home in Arlington, VA. But if you leave them alone, you should be safe.

Aging and physical impact by drilling, cutting, sanding, sawing, grinding, or buffing can break down these asbestos-containing materials at your Arlington, VA home, causing the fibers to release into the air more prevalent.

What Health Effects are Caused by Asbestos Exposure?

• Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that occurs in the thin membrane lining of the lungs, abdomen, chest, and sometimes even the heart. Those who are at risk are miners and textile workers in Arlington, VA that work with asbestos.
• Lung Cancer is the most significant related deaths amid asbestos exposure. People who work in mining, manufacturing, and milling in Arlington, VA who use asbestos in their products, are at higher risk. Symptoms include persistent chest pains, hoarseness, anemia, and shortness of breath.
• Asbestosis is a chronic, non-cancerous respiratory disease. Lung tissues are aggravated when asbestos fibers are inhaled, which causes scarring. Symptoms include shortness of breath and a dry crackling sound in the lungs when inhaling. Advanced stages can cause cardiac failure.

If you suspect any asbestos-containing materials at your Arlington, VA home, call in the experts at Envirotex Environment Service to handle the situation. Never attempt to handle asbestos on your own.

Many older homes are still standing in Washington, D.C. Some homeowners who like the charm of older homes are more apt to buy an older home and fix it up than buy a new home. These homeowners need to be aware then before any remodeling, and they should consult an asbestos contractor in Washington, D.C.

Older homes most likely have some forms of asbestos-containing materials. Building materials prior to 1970, such as roofing shingles, ceiling and floor tiles, insulation, popcorn ceilings, pipe cement, joint compound, and siding, could all be at risk for asbestos. Consulting with an asbestos contractor will give you peace of mind.

If you do come across any materials that you think contain asbestos, leave these materials alone. As long as they are not disturbed and are in good condition, not damaged or showing any wear or tear, you should be fine. Keep an eye on these materials for any future damage.

Meanwhile, if, by some chance, you want to upgrade your Washington, D.C. home, definitely have an asbestos contractor come and look at your situation before tearing anything apart. Please, by all means, take these precautions with any materials you suspect contain asbestos:

• Do not sand, drill, cut, or hammer into any asbestos-containing material.
• Do not vacuum, dust, or sweep any asbestos dust.
• Use a wet rag to get up any asbestos dust that may have been released and seal in a thick plastic bag.
• Call in an asbestos contractor.

An asbestos contractor can test your Washington, D.C. home for asbestos materials and then map out a plan for asbestos remediation. Removing and ridding your home of any asbestos-containing materials will make your older home a much safer place for you and your family.

Asbestos contractors have the proper equipment needed to safely remove any asbestos from your home in Washington, D.C., and also have the proper means of disposing of the materials. These asbestos-containing materials have to be taken to special waste sites.

Disturbing any asbestos-containing products at your home in Washington, D.C. will release asbestos fibers into the air that you breathe, and this is extremely dangerous. To avoid putting your family at risk, call in a professional asbestos contractor such as Envirotex. They will be glad to help you with any environmental issues you have at your Washington, D.C. home.

 

 

 

 

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.

Asbestos siding is composed of asbestos fibers that are mixed with Portland cement. Because of its brittleness, asbestos siding is prone to crack and break when nailed. When you nail into asbestos siding on your home in Front Royal, VA, it can release asbestos fibers into the air and the ground. Breathing these fibers can result in lung problems and cancer.

Asbestos cement was developed first in 1905 by the John-Manville company which became the premier manufacturer of cement-asbestos materials. This type of material was used in areas in Front Royal, VA where fire or extreme heat needed to be contained such as chimneys, dormer windows, shingles, skylights, nail holes in the roof, and for protecting posts, walls, beams, and ceilings. The benefits of manufacturing asbestos siding included—

• Highly fire resistant
• Resistant to termite damage and rot
• Easy to clean, but be aware that power washing asbestos siding can easily crack the shingles.
• Easily paintable because it does not soak up paint like wood and clapboard.

If your asbestos siding on your home in Front Royal, VA is in good condition and you do not want to replace, it is not dangerous. Once you start sawing, ripping or tearing it off the side of your house is when you run into risks to your health. Asbestos siding does not have to be removed just because it contains asbestos.

Asbestos siding is normally found on houses in Front Royal, VA that were built between 1905 to 1960’s. A lot of these homes still exist today. The benefit of asbestos siding is that it is fireproof, just the shingles themselves, not the underlying structure of the house.

There is also a product that is similar called fiber-cement siding. This is different from cement-asbestos siding in that it contains no asbestos. If in doubt of which type you have on your home in Front Royal, VA, call a company such as Envirotex that deals with asbestos and have them come and test your home for asbestos-containing materials. Only then will you be positively sure of the type of siding you have on your home in Front Royal, VA.

If you are considering residing your Front Royal, VA house with vinyl siding, you will first have to have an asbestos abatement company such as Envirotex to remove the old asbestos siding first. A company like Envirotex will have the proper equipment and a professional team that is experienced in asbestos removal.

Commonly used in homes and buildings in Winchester, VA from the 1920s until the 1980s, asbestos siding can still be found on many older homes. A naturally occurring mineral, asbestos was added to cement that was then pressed into siding shingles which came in a variety of textures and sizes. This resulted in a durable product that was fire-resistant and absorbed paint well. It was cheap to make and resistant to the elements. Upkeep was easy and cost very little because it was easy to clean and paint adhered to it.

The EPA banned the use of asbestos in the U.S. in 1989 for new building materials. Homes that were built before that time in Winchester, VA most likely contain asbestos in some form.

Is Asbestos Siding Dangerous?

As long as asbestos siding stays intact, it poses no real harm. If the asbestos siding is broken up, asbestos fibers are released into the air which is extremely dangerous. Mesothelioma and other cancers, asbestosis and other lung diseases are a grave danger with continued exposure to these fibers from asbestos-containing materials.

If you have asbestos siding on your Winchester, VA home, it is best to call an environment company such as Envirotex who is experienced and certified to handle asbestos materials. You should always test first because there are other products out there that look similar but contain no asbestos.

A trained and accredited asbestos professional will take samples for analysis. These professionals know what to look for at homes in Winchester, VA and because of the health risks involved, this should never be done by homeowners. If not done correctly, there is a risk of fibers being released into the air where family members could be affected.

When Should Asbestos Siding Be Removed?

No asbestos-containing materials are welcoming news for any homeowner, but asbestos siding is actually one of the easier ones.

There are products on the market that offer a wide range of new shingle siding that matches the curved and scalloped contour of many older asbestos siding shingles that are on homes in Winchester, VA. If your asbestos siding is mostly in good condition, you can replace these broken or cracked pieces.

Another option would be to encapsulate the asbestos siding and install new vinyl siding over it.

If you choose to completely remove the old asbestos siding, it is best to call in the experts. They have the proper clothing, respirators and gloves and equipment to remove it from homes in Winchester, VA safely, not to mention, they also have the means to dispose of it legally. Any issues with asbestos should always be left up to environmental experts such as Envirotex.

Older homes in Upperville, VA that have the original flooring might be asbestos flooring tiles. These were relatively common in homes build before the 1980s. There might be no reason to panic or to ever have to remove these asbestos flooring tiles from your home in Upperville, VA. Meanwhile, it does help to know how to identify asbestos flooring because removing these tiles can be a risky business.

It is best to hire an accredited professional asbestos removal company. They are properly equipped to handle the removal safely and properly, and they have the means to dispose of the asbestos safely and legally.

How To Identify Asbestos Flooring

• Asbestos flooring was made into the 1980s but was most popular between the 1920s and 1960s. If you know when your house was built, or possibly renovated, this might help you in estimating when the tiles were installed at your home in Upperville, VA.
• Measure the titles in question. Asbestos flooring tiles were manufactured in three different sizes: 9”x9”, 12”x12”, and 18”x18″.
• Asbestos flooring tiles that are still intact are not a major risk and can be left in place and covered up with other products including carpet, vinyl, linoleum or concrete. Titles that are worn should be handled carefully.
• A main ingredient in asbestos flooring tiles is asphalt. The oil from the asphalt can leach out causing the tiles or the flooring beneath to show an oily discoloration. This is a sign that the tiles most likely contain asbestos.

The only way to be completely sure if indeed your flooring contains asbestos material is to have a licensed asbestos inspector take samples of the tile in your home in Upperville, VA and have those samples sent to the proper labs for testing.

Once you know for sure your home in Upperville, VA has asbestos flooring, you will know and can take the extra precautions if you ever choose to remodel your home. Remember, anytime you decide to remove the asbestos floor, it should be done by a professional asbestos removal company in Upperville, VA.

Homes in Marshall, VA built between the 1920s and 1980s can still be found with asbestos siding. Asbestos siding was made by adding asbestos, which is a naturally occurring mineral, to Portland cement. The cement was pressed into siding shingles which came in a variety of textures and sizes. This product was extremely durable, fire-resistant and easily absorbed paint.

When is asbestos siding on homes in Marshall, VA a hazard?

• If asbestos siding on your home in Marshall, VA is being cut, drilled, or broken into small pieces
• If an entire section of your asbestos siding is breaking, cracking or disintegrating
• If you plan on removing the asbestos siding to replace with new siding

These common situations are when you need to be concerned about asbestos siding on your home in Marshall, VA. If your asbestos siding is intact and in good condition, you can paint the siding, or you can replace the siding by installing new over the old.

Asbestos siding is not necessarily a hazard if you decide to remove the siding from your Marshall, VA home. Asbestos is a major safety issue when large amounts of asbestos are removed from indoors, and proper equipment is not used to capture and collect the asbestos fibers released into the air. Even when asbestos siding shingles crack and break, it is far less dangerous because it is outside and few fibers are released.

If you suspect you have asbestos siding on your home in Marshall, VA, have an asbestos inspection performed or if it is in good condition, just leave it alone. If you have any questions, call a professional asbestos environmental company, and they can answer your questions and make recommendations.

Although asbestos siding on homes in Marshall, VA rank low on the list of asbestos-containing materials, care and proper removal procedures should be followed at all times. It is always best to call an environment company which is equipped and knowledgeable about the protocol of dealing with asbestos siding and other asbestos-containing materials.