Virginia – Envirotex Blog

Common Environmental Cleanup Projects in Northern VA

Environmental cleanup in Northern VA homes could be for several different issues. The most common environmental cleanup projects are for homes with asbestos or mold. A lot of older homes in Northern VA that were built prior to 1980 could very well contain building materials with asbestos.

Some of the products you should be concerned about include—

Insulation
Popcorn ceilings
Pipes
Roofing
Ducts
Drywall
Linoleum
Flooring tile

Asbestos that is in good shape, not damaged in anyway should be safe if left alone. The real problem comes when Northern VA homeowners take on home renovation projects and are unaware of these asbestos–containing materials.

If you live in an older home in Northern VA and are thinking about remodeling or simply removing old flooring tiles, you should check with a company such as Envirotex, a company who specializes in environmental cleanup projects.

Asbestos is hazardous to your health and any handling of asbestos needs to be left up to environmental cleanup professionals. These companies are licensed and insured and know the safe way of handling asbestos materials and how to safely dispose of such materials. These materials can’t just be dumped into any dumpster or landfill. There are special landfills who deal with asbestos.

Another common environmental cleanup project for homes in Northern VA is mold problems. Some mold areas that are no bigger than a 3×3 feet area normally can be handled with special cleaners by the homeowner. However, to be on the safe side, if you have several different areas within your Northern VA home that is infected with mold growth, you should call in an environmental cleanup crew to handle the situation.

Often times you may notice surface mold, but what could be lurking behind your walls or under your floors could be a much greater problem and needs to be handled by a professional. Professional mold technicians use specialized equipment such as thermal imaging, to look behind the scenes to find your problem source without demolition. The moisture source causing your mold problems will need to be remedied, or any mold treatment will only be a temporary fix.

Call the team at Envirotex Environmental Services for all your environmental cleanup needs in Northern VA.

What is Black Mold in Alexandria, VA and How Do You Get Rid of It?

Any mold in Alexandria, VA homes could bring health issues for family members, especially Stachybotrys. Those Alexandria, VA family members with lung problems, compromised immune systems or just allergies to mold are more susceptible to health problems around mold. No type of mold is healthy in a home.

Stachybotrys chartarum, otherwise known as black mold is not actually black in color but rather a greenish-black color. There are over 100,000 types of mold, many of which are black and can be found in homes in Alexandria, VA. However, unless the mold is Stachybotrys, it is not “black” mold and might not even be toxic.

The black mold itself, in Alexandria, VA homes, is not what you would call poisonous. Some molds are “toxigenic” which means that they can produce toxins (specifically mycotoxins). Usually, mold only releases spores when it is disturbed in some way. Sometimes all it takes is the breeze of a closing door or the vibration of a hammer at your Alexandria, VA home. Also, black mold does not release mycotoxins all the time, and just because the spores are released, doesn’t mean the toxins do.

To properly remove black mold from homes in Alexandria, VA requires a lot of expensive equipment and expertise, so it is best to leave the job to the professionals. Any area under 3 feet by 3 feet that has been infected by mold, the EPA says a non-professional can do the job. Anything more than that can be a health risk, and if you do not know what you are doing, you can contaminate other parts of your home in Alexandria, VA.

How Professionals Perform Black Mold Removal

The infected area must be sealed off from the rest of the house.
A negative pressure environment to ensure black mold is not carried to other parts of the house.
A HEPA vacuum is used to remove any visible growth.
Any materials that cannot be disinfected and cleaned such as drywall and carpet are removed.
Infected materials are properly bagged and disposed of.
Infected areas are treated and allowed to dry.

Anytime you are dealing with black mold, the source of the moisture that is causing black mold growth at your Alexandria, VA home will need to be repaired.

A Growing Danger – Drug Lab Cleanup in Culpepper, VA

Whenever a meth lab is discovered or suspected, authorities and certified environmental specialists put their safety on the line to perform professional drug lab cleanup for Culpepper, VA, property owners.

Methamphetamine makers are using a creative assortment of locations, including “mobile meth labs,” high-end luxury homes, and continuing health care facilities to house their one-pot meth cooking rigs. Law enforcement cites a recent bump in the use of the ‘shake and bake’ method for cooking meth as a major factor contributing to the increase in lab incidents that threaten communities across the nation.

How do you know a site has been home to a meth lab near your Culpepper, VA, home? Cleanup experts say to look for these telltale signs:

Excessive trash and debris from the production of meth can litter the site and surrounding area. You may notice frequent trash hauling for illegal disposal in an off-site location.
Packaging from ingredients, large containers and plastic soda bottles used in the “shake and bake” technique of meth production. Common ingredients include the cold medication pseudoephedrine, drain opener, lithium from batteries, water, Coleman camp fuel and ammonium nitrate.
Strong fumes and chemical odors, unusual ventilation and covered windows.
Other signs may include dead patches of vegetation where chemicals are dumped and a patchwork of security measures like signs and video monitors.
Residents tend to exhibit suspicion and paranoia, staying indoors except to smoke cigarettes and entertain frequent and familiar visitors.

Effective July 1, 2015, home sellers and landlords in Virginia are required by law to disclose the known use or production of methamphetamine in a residence. The disclosure must state if the property has not been cleaned up in accordance with federal and state regulations.

Call Envirotex and your local authorities if you suspect a meth lab is operating in your rental property or neighborhood. Envirotex has the certification, experience, high-level training, and high-tech resources to provide you with comprehensive meth lab cleanup in Culpepper and throughout Virginia.

Asbestos Removal in Middleburg, VA, is Crucial Before Remodeling an Older Home

Asbestos Fibers found in Middleburg, VA Demolition

When you need safe, licensed asbestos removal in Middleburg, VA, look no further than the highly-skilled, accredited environmental professionals at Envirotex.

Asbestos-containing materials were used in residential home construction up until 1980 when, in the wake of mounting scientific evidence, federal legislation required manufacturers to eliminate asbestos due to health concerns over long-term exposure. Since sealed or contained asbestos poses no threat, and the law only required commercial, government, and public buildings to remove asbestos in Middleburg, VA, most homeowners remained unconcerned.

Fast-forward 35 years. More and more older homes are likely to demonstrate asbestos degradation and damage, creating a hidden, potentially hazardous situation for you and your family. If you own an older home you may need professional asbestos removal in Middleburg, VA, especially if you are considering changes to your home interior, are planning an addition or a remodeling project, or are preparing to list your home for sale.

The experienced asbestos experts at Envirotex have provided asbestos removal for Middleburg, VA, property owners, as well as government installations, and a variety of businesses throughout Virginia since 2000. We offer comprehensive asbestos services, from inspection and testing to abatement and removal, with safety as our first priority.

Asbestos Removal Team at Envirotex

Asbestos removal assures Middlebug, VA, property owners their home is healthy and free of potential exposure to asbestos. While this can be an expensive endeavor, the cost of critical asbestos removal in Middlebug, VA, may be covered by your homeowner’s insurance.

Envirotex delivers appropriate containment and asbestos removal with thorough site decontamination and lawful disposal. And our asbestos testing is performed by a certified, independent third-party bio-laboratory to prevent any conflict of interest.

Your home is the one place you need to be safe, healthy, and comfortable. Call today to schedule your home asbestos inspection and achieve your optimum home environment with asbestos removal in Middlebug, VA, performed by the meticulous asbestos experts at Envirotex.

Professional Meth Lab Cleanup for Lynchburg, VA, Property Owners

You may not know it, but you could be living in or near the site of a former meth lab. Cleanup of Lynchburg, VA, properties directly and indirectly affected by hazardous chemical residues while essential, is dangerous and requires a team of specially-trained, licensed, and certified environmental specialist like those at Envirotex Environmental Services.

The pros at Envirotex are compliant with the Virginia Department of Health Services, OSHA, and other existing regulatory agencies to perform state-of-the-art meth lab cleanup for Lynchburg, VA, clients. Envirotex also offers Methamphetamine Testing by GC/MS to compliment our robust menu of environmental services to help you keep your environment healthy and safe.

Meth lab cleanup in Lynchburg, VA, is an expensive, dirty, toxic endeavor that should only be performed by highly-trained, well-equipped environmental technicians. The highly-experienced Envirotex team works in partnership with federal, state, and local agencies, utilizing sophisticated safety, detection, testing, and remediation technologies, to bring environmental indicator levels back to EPA accepted standards so you can breathe easy.

While many insurance policies do not cover the expense of meth lab cleanup, Lynchburg, VA, property owners can trust the services of Envirotex to restore their home or business to health following discovery of a meth-lab. The incentive is clear – for every pound of meth produced, five to seven pounds of chemical waste remains. Those residues can cause health problems, ranging from breathing issues, skin irritation, and headaches, to nausea and dizziness. Over the long-term studies show people living with exposure to meth lab residue can develop liver and kidney damage, neurological problems, and an increased risk of cancer.

There is new legislation regarding the disclosure of meth lab cleanup in Lynchburg, VA. Virginia landlords are now required to tell prospective tenants whether their rental unit was previously used to manufacture methamphetamine, as well as whether the space has been professionally cleaned by a qualified contractor to meet state standards.

To learn more about meth lab cleanup in Lynchburg, VA, contact the highly-qualified meth lab specialists at Envirotex Environmental Services today.

The Risks Of Drug Lab Cleanup In Richmond, VA

There are serious, even deadly, risks associated with drug lab cleanup in Richmond, VA. It affects residents, neighborhoods, law enforcement and the trained professionals that provide drug lab cleanup services.

Unlike cocaine, marijuana, heroin, and other naturally derived drugs, synthetic drugs, including methamphetamine, opiates, cathinones, and cannabinoids, are manufactured using common chemicals and toxic substances. According to the White House website 51 new synthetic cannabinoids, 31 cathinones, and 76 other synthetic compounds were identified in 2012 alone. Street names such as Molly (MDMA), Spice, Bath Salts, and Krokodil are now familiar across the U.S.

All of these so-called designer drugs pose a frightening threat to individuals, buildings, homes, and neighborhoods. A recent development is the alarming increase in mobile or traveling drug labs, which demand a new angle for drug lab cleanup in Richmond, VA.

There are significant dangers created by the swirl of environmental contamination left by the manufacturing of synthetic drugs, the residues of which can permeate building materials and leave behind a mini hazardous waste site. Drug lab cleanup in Richmond, VA, is often done long after an illegal drug lab is abandoned, or after police have made arrests. In either case drug lab cleanup in Richmond, VA, is expensive, harrowing, and performed by environmental specialists specifically trained to deliver effective decontamination for locations once used to produce synthetic drugs.

Harmful fumes and highly explosive chemical compounds make drug lab cleanup in Richmond, VA, a high-risk for anyone in the surrounding area. If you suspect an illegal drug lab is near your home or workplace, touch nothing, vacate the area immediately, contact the authorities, and call the environmental experts at Envirotex Environmental Services – specializing in safe, effective drug lab cleanup for Richmond, VA, residents.

drug lab cleanup Richmond, VA

Protect Property Investments With Asbestos Inspections in Upperville, VA

Professional asbestos inspections in Upperville, VA, can help pave the way for a smooth real estate transaction or property renovation.

Any wise investor knows to complete their due diligence prior to purchasing a property. Along with requirements from the lender and the law, asbestos inspections of Upperville, VA, properties lend integrity to any transaction and deliver peace of mind for those considering a real estate purchase or a home renovation.

Asbestos fibers are ubiquitous in materials used in building construction before 1980, when medical research revealed the deadly link between airborne, or friable, asbestos and certain types of upper respiratory conditions, lung diseases and cancers. Although owners of residential properties with four units or less are not required by law to remove asbestos, most experts recommend asbestos inspections in Upperville, VA, to identify and eliminate asbestos as a household hazard.

Envirotex is highly qualified, licensed and insured to perform professional asbestos inspections in Upperville, VA. We perform precise, cost effective, quality work with safety as our cornerstone. With ongoing training and certification, plus expertise in air monitoring and hazardous materials testing, the professional environmental experts at Envirotex are well-prepared to safely and efficiently help alleviate any environmental problems, including asbestos, in Upperville.

Before you sign on the dotted line, be absolutely positive the property you are purchasing is free of undesirable contaminants and other toxins. Contact Envirotex for proof positive that the property you are buying is completely asbestos free and healthy. Schedule asbestos inspections in Upperville, VA, today with the environmental experts at Envirotex.