Understanding Lead and Asbestos Abatement

 For many people, the idea of buying an older home is an alluring one. Let’s face it, they don’t build them like they used to, and if you appreciate the charm and character that comes with an older house, it is understandable that you would stay away from newer construction. It is worth noting, however, that along with the positive aspects of an older home, you can inherit some problems as well. For instance, some older homes can have faulty wiring or plumbing that needs to be fixed. In some cases, you may also have to deal with lead paint or asbestos insulation. While lead and asbestos abatement can sound daunting, especially considering some of the health risks involved, working with a seasoned team of professionals can give you some peace of mind. At Scope Environmental, we can thoroughly excise any traces of lead and asbestos in your home, allowing you to work on the more do-it-yourself (DIY) chores that can make owning an older house so enjoyable.

If your home was built prior to the 1970s, there is a good chance that there is lead-based paint in it. The reason for this is that its use was fairly common up until some of the dangers of lead poisoning were more thoroughly understood. Also, lead-based paint, when adequately covered, is generally safe–it is when it becomes exposed that it can become a problem. Asbestos insulation was also a common building material for a very long time. If it is contained, asbestos is not much to worry about, but when it breaks up and its particles are released into the air, it can cause serious harm to the respiratory system. If you think you have lead or asbestos in your home, it can help to consult with a full-service remediation business like ours to gain a better understanding of what is in your home, as well as the steps necessary to remove hazardous materials.

THE LEAD AND ASBESTOS ABATEMENT PROCESSES
Lead paint should only be removed by a professional with an Environment Protection Agency (EPA) certification. First, all furniture will need to be removed from the area. Next, the removal professional will diagnose the impacted area and either remove the paint or encapsulate it with a new surface. The method used will largely depend on where and how lead paint has been used in your home.

The asbestos removal process is somewhat similar in that the technicians doing it should have an EPA certification. Asbestos also has to be disposed of in designated locations. A team, such as ours at Scope Environmental, will come into your home and fully extract the asbestos while drawing safety gear and keeping the area properly ventilated.

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION TODAY
If you have concerns about the use of lead or asbestos in your home, we can help. To schedule your initial consultation, call us today. You can also reach us by email by visiting our contact page.

How Can a Mold Cleanup Service Help You?

If you own your own home, you may enjoy taking on the occasional do-it-yourself (DIY) project. Whether that be painting a room, installing new fixtures, or tackling landscape work, it can be personally rewarding to upgrade your home via your own efforts. There are some tasks, however, that may call for more than a simple DIY approach. If you suspect you might have mold in your home, you may need to work with a mold cleanup service to have it thoroughly removed. There are a couple of reasons for this. For one, mold is not always detectable to the naked eye. More insidious types of mold and fungus can take root behind walls or under your flooring, making them difficult to extract on your own. Another fact to consider is that certain types of mold can be hazardous to your health, and a professional team will use the proper protective gear and ventilation equipment to get the job done. Read on to learn more.

Most people have a good sense of what mold can look like. In other words, you will probably know it when you see it. In very simple terms, mold can develop in any area with excess moisture, both indoors and outdoors. Mold can also come in just about every color of the rainbow, such as white, orange, green, blue, or even black. If you think you may have a mold problem but cannot see it, you may notice the musty, damp odor it emits. If you have, say, an area of your garage that is prone to pooling water, it could potentially be a hotbed for mold. If store-bought cleaning solutions and scrubbing with a sponge is not adequately eradicating your mold infestation, a professional service such as ours at Scope Environmental can use a more serious and industrial approach.

HOW DOES MOLD CLEANUP WORK?
When a mold removal service comes into your home, they will make a thorough diagnosis of your mold situation. This may call for removing pieces of drywall or flooring to see where mold might be hiding. From there, you should move any furniture or belongings from the area where the work will be done. Next, the cleanup crew will cover the area with plastic and bring in ventilation gear. How exactly the mold will be removed may depend on its severity, but this process typically involves spraying it with a biocide and painting over it, or fully extracting and impacted materials. Once the job is done, they will then fully clean up and potentially fix any missing areas of flooring or drywall. With a service like ours at Scope Environmental, you will hardly even know we were there.

CALL US TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION
If you think you may have a mold problem at your home, give us a call today to schedule a consultation. You can also reach us by email by visiting our contact page. We look forward to working with you.