Category: Mold Inspection

After any persistent water damage in your Fairfax, VA home, you might come across mold growth. Common molds may cause sickness with some people who have a sensitivity to “mycotoxins” which are the chemicals produced by certain molds. Some molds are worse than others and even toxic such as “black mold” better known as Stachybotrys. Mold inspections can help determine the type of mold in your home in Fairfax, VA and then a plan for remediation should be done to protect your family and your home from further damage.

Why You Should Have a Mold Inspection—

• You smell mold but visually do not see it anywhere within your home in Fairfax, VA. During a mold inspection, the inspector will sample for hidden mold sources, for example, ceiling and wall cavities.
• If you are interested in buying a home in Fairfax, VA, you will want a mold inspection done to determine any pre-existing mold conditions. Mold remediation can be costly, and if mold growth is found during a mold inspection, you will then need to consider the additional cost before you close the deal on the house.
• If you are thinking about selling a home in Fairfax, VA where mold was previously detected, you may legally be required to disclose this information. Even if you had professional remediation, you should always have a mold inspection done again to document that your home was examined and is now free of mold. Having the documentation that your Fairfax, VA home was independently and professionally inspected can be the “proof” you need to make a potential buyer more at ease with purchasing the home.

Mold inspections should always be done if you notice any of the following—

• Mold or musty smells after a rainfall or in high humidity
• Discolored or stained walls and ceilings
• Water leaks
• Windows that are leaking
• Materials that have been exposed to moisture for over 48 hours

A professional mold inspector will test different areas in your Fairfax, VA home for mold including walls, floors, ceiling, attics, rugs, basements, wall cavities and the air. If excessive mold has been identified during the mold inspection, you will need to call a company such as Envirotex for remediation to completely get rid of all molds at your home in Fairfax, VA. After the mold remediation is complete, make sure to have your home reinspected to make sure the remediation was a success.

If you are noticing a musty, earthly odor in your home in Front Royal, VA, you should call a company who performs mold inspections. Professionals who are experienced in mold inspections will know where to look for mold and collect samples from all areas in which mold is potentially growing.

These inspectors are aware of practices of mold testing, including mold that could be hidden behind your walls, in your attic, or in your basement in Front Royal, VA. Mold does occur naturally, and only professionals can determine if the levels of mold detected indoors exceed normal levels.

If you ever decide to sell your home and mold was previously detected, you might be legally required to disclose this information to the buyer. This could affect their purchase decision or the price they offer you for your Front Royal, VA home.

Anytime you have had a mold inspection, you will need to follow through with the plan of action for removing all molds from the home. After having the mold removed, you will again want to have another mold inspection for proof that your home was found free of any mold problems. Having this proof when you go to sell your home reassures potential buyers that they are purchasing an environmentally safe home for their family, free of mold.

Other reasons you may need a mold inspection at your home in Front Royal, VA is if you notice any of the following:

• Stained or discolored walls or ceilings
• Leaky windows
• Siding not properly maintained
• Evidence of leaks around your house
• Building materials that have been exposed to moisture for more than 48 hours

A mold inspection will be done to test many areas of your home for mold including walls, floors, carpet, wall cavities, attics, basements and the air. If excessive mold is determined, you will need to hire a professional mold remediation company to have the mold completely and safely removed from your home in Front Royal, VA.

Always have another mold inspection after any mold remediation to make sure the remediation was successful. Having another mold inspection done will give you peace of mind and written proof that your home is mold free.

If you have humidity or condensation problems, moldy odors, roof leaks in the past or present, any plumbing leaks or any visible mold, you need to call in the professionals. Some molds cannot be seen by the human eye so having a mold inspection done at your Fairfax, VA, residence is the best way to see if indeed you have mold, the type of mold, and how much is lurking inside your home.

The process of mold inspections in Fairfax, VA may consist of:

• Visual Inspection—A professional mold inspector will do a complete visual inspection of all areas of your home, locate potential water penetration, and search for any visible evidence of mold growth within the home. During an inspection in Fairfax, VA, a professional may use such devices as a moisture meter that detects moisture, a hydrometer to measure the humidity inside the home, borescopes so they can view inside sections of your walls, and laser thermometers to check surface temperatures and the operation of AC units. Digital photographs may also be taken to document your particular issues.
• Samples—Sometimes mold cannot be seen visually and in that case, air samples must be taken for analysis. These samples are taken by using a pump which forces air through a collection device that catches mold spores. Surface samples are another form of mold testing taken with either a swab or tape lift when visible mold growth can be seen.
• Sample Analysis—These air or surface samples are then sent to any independent lab for analysis.
• Reporting—A written report of the findings, spore levels and types, and the inspector’s final conclusions and recommendations will be given to you.

After mold inspections in Fairfax, VA, the mold inspector will recommend a remediation protocol to completely remove all molds from the home. This should be done by a professional mold remediation company who has the proper tools and experience, license and certifications to properly remove the mold from your Fairfax, VA, home.

Mold inspectors will also give the homeowner recommendations to eliminate problems that are creating the mold within your home so that this issue will not be a problem in the future.

Homes in high water areas such as Sandbridge Beach, VA are prone to flooding. Water in a home left unattended will cause mold. Anytime a home or business has been exposed to high water periods unless you completely dry the area out within 24-48 hours, mold inspections should be performed to analyze the damage.

Mold inspections need to be performed by a certified and licensed mold inspector, such as Envirotex, who will do a visual examination of the home and HVAC system, take surface and air samples, and then send off to an independent lab to be analyzed. Envirotex has been doing mold inspections since 2000. We have state-of-the-art equipment that enables us to go into a home and inspect areas that are not visible to the human eye. Mold gets behind walls, in attics, basements, flooring, rugs, and the air. Our thermal imaging equipment allows our technicians to get behind the scenes to look at the source of the problem without having to demolish property to homes in Sandbridge Beach, VA.

Envirotex can help you develop a mold remediation plan so that our mold removal experts can then properly contain or remove the mold from your Sandbridge Beach, VA home and instruct you on what needs to be done to prevent mold regrowth in the future. Anytime you have a mold remediation, it is always recommended to have a mold inspection a second time to make sure the remediation was completed.

Homeowners in the Sandbridge Beach, VA have come to rely on Envirotex for all their environmental service needs. Envirotex was founded by Mr. Freeman, who gained his vast knowledge and his experience while serving his country in the miliary’s environment services field. Envirotex has acquired contracts with many government projects such as Fort Belvoir Army Base, Quantico Marine Base, and Naval bases in the northeast and southeast districts.

Our goal is to perform quality work, cost effectively, with our customer’s safety being our number one priority. We specialize in:

• Mold Removal and Remediation
• Asbestos Abatement
• Lead-Based Paint Removal
• Air Duct Cleaning and Demolition
• Meth Labs and Clandestine Drug Lab Cleanup

Trust the experts at Envirotex for your family’s environmental safety.

Even though you might save money by trying to collect your own samples for mold rather than hire a profession mold inspector, you will not be able to collect samples from all the locations where mold could possibly be growing. Mold inspectors are trained in the current guidelines and practices in testing for mold including mold that could be hidden in between your walls, in your attic, or in your basement.

If you try to sell your home in Washington, DC and previously detected mold, you may be required by law to disclose this information to potential buyers. Knowing there had been a mold problem in the past could affect a buyer’s offer or may change their decision to buy your home. After you have a mold remediation, you should contact a mold inspector to evaluate the remediation process and provide you with documentation that your home was found to be free of the mold problem. It will allow a potential buyer to feel comfortable about purchasing your home if you can provide them proof that the problem was taken care of by a professional.

Even if you are not selling your home in Washington, DC, you should contact a mold inspector if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• Moldy or musty odor especially after heavy rainfalls.
• Excessive humidity during hot and humid weather.
• Stained or discolored ceilings or walls.
• Leaky windows.
• Evidence of chronic leaks.

Other mold symptoms could be health-related issues. You might have heard the term “sick building syndrome.” This is when an indoor air environment is experiencing mold-related issues, and everyone is feeling sick because of it.

When a professional mold inspector comes to your home in Washington, DC, he will test many different areas for mold such as floors, ceilings, walls, attics, basements, wall cavities, rugs and carpets, and the air. If excessive mold is found, you will need to hire a mold remediation company in the Washington, DC area to remove the mold completely and safely. After the remediation process, you should have your home reinspected to make sure the remediation was successful.

Mold inspections in Fairfax, VA, yield vital information regarding Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and the environmental health in and around a building.

Most people give little thought to the air around them. But, for those with sensitivities and allergies, a mold outbreak can lead to significant health risks. Mold inspections are scientific examinations of the materials and air in your home or workplace that can undeniably identify simmering environmental issues like a mold outbreak,  And, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), who in 2009 published the WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality: Dampness and Mold, research evidence clearly links indoor mold exposure and respiratory illness in otherwise healthy people.

Experts estimate Americans spend as much as 90 percent of their lives indoors. Threats to air quality include molds, bacteria and biologicals, VOCs, radon, secondhand smoke, formaldehyde, lead and atmospheric hazards from home remodeling and common household products. Homeowners and businesses can employ mold inspections in Fairfax, VA, as a component of a more comprehensive safety and environmental security plan.

As anyone who has experienced the nightmare of an environmental disaster, large or small, will tell you, do not delay in addressing environmental concerns – because the problem will only grow and become more expensive if neglected. Ensuring the overall  environmental health of your property is imperative to the well-being of family, coworkers, friends and guests.

If you suspect mold or something in your indoor environment is making you sick, or have concerns about the presence of harmful or toxic substances in your home or business, contact the environmental experts at Envirotex.

Envirotex – creating a healthy environment one building at a time for nearly 20 years.

 

Before you buy or sell a home have a professional contractor provide a mold inspection in Fairfax County, VA, to protect the integrity of your largest personal investment.

Along with ensuring your home is structurally sound and in compliance with building codes and occupancy requirements, inspections required before the sale or purchase of real property reveal defects, latent damage, and hidden hot spots that could mean expensive, uninsured repair costs years down the road.

Mold inspections in Fairfax County, VA, are typically performed along with termite inspections and mandatory testing for lead paint, radon, and asbestos. These inspections are critical to evaluating the health and proper operation of all home energy, mechanical, electrical and water systems. Smart homeowners will also have a Home Energy Audit completed to verify the integrity of the roofing system, HVAC and ductwork, as well as the secure performance of the building shell.

Test results that indicate the presence of dangerous mold, asbestos, radon, or lead will trigger development of an environmental remediation and management plan to repair and replace poorly functioning components and materials and restore a healthy and energy-efficient home environment. Mold inspection assures Fairfax County, VA, property purchasers they are buying a well-built home that will appreciate in value over time if properly maintained. While some people are susceptible to the presence of environmental toxins, the true danger uncovered in a professional mold inspection in Fairfax County, VA, is costly property damage.

Your mortgage lender may require a mold inspection in Fairfax County prior to authorizing your loan. More importantly, many insurance companies do not provide coverage in standard homeowner policies for damages resulting from water leaks that could have been remedied with simple preventive household maintenance. These can include problems like an excessive level of indoor humidity, continuous water seepage or repeated leaks, property erosion or unchecked stormwater drainage, or internal condensation around bathrooms, doors, HVAC equipment and windows. Homeowners insurance policies generally exclude damage related to flooding no matter the cause, but they do provide coverage for sudden and accidental disasters.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), flooding is the most costly disaster in the United States. Their website states “anyone can purchase a policy as long as their local community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Northern Virginia property owners and renters can visit  http://www.fema.gov/fema/csb.shtm  to see if their property is located in a community that particpates in the NFIP.

When you need the confidence of a thorough professional mold inspection in Fairfax County, VA, call the experts at Envirotex. Licensed, certified, and fully insured, we are an environmental services company of highly-trained and accredited professionals devoted to restoring the health of your environment through careful collection and scientific testing of sample materials from your home. We have safely performed thousands of environmental services, including mold inspections for Fairfax County, VA, homeowners, since 2000. Contact Envirotex now to take control of your property and schedule your FREE, no obligation, indoor environmental consultation.