Frequently asked questions

There are three: Surfacing Materials, Thermal System Materials, and Miscellaneous.

Surfacing material. It’s most likely on the ceiling of your house. Surfacing material was installed in many dwellings in the late 60’s and 70’s.

It the surfacing material has the texture of oatmeal or popcorn, it may contain asbestos. Testing may be appropriate.

The key word is “friable”. This means the material may be crumbled by hand pressure. Any asbestos that is friable may create a health hazard.

To be absolutely sure, the material must be tested by a certified laboratory. The most common test is “Polarized Light Microscopy”. Sample collection follows special protocol, and should be performed only by a certified Asbestos Inspector.

The two most common remedies are encapsulation and abatement. The first deals with sealing or covering the asbestos, thus eliminating possible exposure. The second is abatement, which deals with complete removal of the asbestos containing material.

Ceilings in good condition should probably be left alone. Keep the ceiling coated with an appropriate sealant. If the ceiling is cracking or crumbling, then abatement is probably the best choice.

It can be expensive. Depending on the type of material, the area affected and condition of the material, costs may range from several thousand dollars to $25,000 up.

Exposure can lead to “asbestosis”, which is similar to emphysema. It can also lead to a rare and incurable form of cancer, called “mesothelioma”. It is a slowly progressive disease with a latency period of 15-30 years.

You can call Bexar Environmental at (210) 622-3500. We will be glad to discuss the issue and remediation alternatives.

While some molds are useful, such as those used to make antibiotics and cheese, others can be highly toxic when ingested. Toxic mold is any mold that becomes potentially hazardous to your health. The two most common toxic molds are Aspergillus and Stachybotrys C.

When allowed to flourish in the structure of your home or building, these molds can cause chronic health problems that present hay fever-like symptoms, including chest infections, throat irritations, runny nose, itchy eyes and skin rashes. Other symptoms associated with mold exposure include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints, and in extreme cases, it can even lead to death. Mold can cause bleeding lungs in infants.

People with allergies, existing respiratory conditions or suppressed immune systems are especially susceptible to health problems from mold exposure. Infants and children, pregnant women and the elderly are also susceptible to becoming ill from mold exposure.

Mold develops from very tiny particles which float in the air around you. These particles are called spores. Spores float in air currents until they find a suitable place to grow. As soon as they find an area with the right conditions for growth, they establish colonies. These colonies then produce more spores, and the next thing you know, you have a major health and structural problem in your home or business.

Mold needs three things to thrive – moisture, food, and a surface on which to grow. The key to mold growth is water. Without it, molds can’t get started, much less spread. When water is left to sit for as little as 24 hours, common molds can take hold. If water continues to sit and areas become completely saturated, Stachybotrys, a more lethal mold, can move in.

Indoor spaces that are wet, and have organic materials that mold can use as a food source, supports mold growth. Mold germinates and grows when the relative humidity reaches or exceeds 70-75% and remains at this level for several days. High temperatures, poor air circulation, dim light, and accumulated grime assist and accelerate the growth of mold once it has germinated.

Sources of indoor contamination includes carpeting, wicker baskets, walls and ceilings. The bathroom, living room, and bedroom are all breeding grounds for airborne spores. Mold thrives in places that hidden from view:

• Above ceilings and behind walls (due to roof leaks).
• In bathrooms (showers, sinks, toilets).
• In kitchens (sinks, dishwashers, garbage disposal).
• In laundry rooms.
• Around window and door frames.
• Inside ventilation systems.
• In carpeting.
• On wicker baskets and furniture.

Large accumulations of hidden or concealed mold may be growing in an area that you cannot see, like air ducts, remote attic or basement spaces, or wall cavities. In this case, the only way to know if you have mold spores is to test the suspected areas.

Bexar Environmental, Inc. can conduct air sampling to detect the presence of these spores in your home.

Yes! If mold becomes well-established in wood, dry rot can form if the mold dries. Dry rot causes wood to shrink and break up. It siphons moisture, which rots more wood.

When mold dries up and “dies”, mold spores remain and will blossom when they become wet. The spores will also move to other areas through air currents or other disturbances.

This process repeats itself and eventually causes structural damage to your home or business.

Identifying and removing the source of moisture through repairs or dehumidification is critical to preventing mold growth. Bexar Environmental, Inc. offers trained and qualified professionals who will stop the mold growth, clean the collection, and render the affected area safe for use again.

When dealing with an environmental issue such as mold, don’t rely on a roofer or other contractor to handle your mold issues. call Bexar Environmental, Inc.

Bexar Environmental, Inc. has removed microbial contaminated materials from residential properties, commercial buildings, facilities such as hospitals and multi tenant high rises. Bexar Environmental, Inc. follows all recommendations made by both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Occupational Health & Safety Administration. Bexar Environmental, Inc. strives to exceed all industry standards with regards to the training of our employees as it relates to the remediation of microbial contaminated materials.

How can anyone place a value on the health of their loved ones? But beyond the peace of mind and the satisfaction of knowing that your family’s exposure at home has been eliminated, there is a realistic economic consideration. A home with mold has a diminished resale value! Astute and knowledgeable homebuyers are already demanding that the mold be removed before closing on their homes. Today, more and more, home inspectors are “red-flagging” homes with mold problems. In most cases, the cost of removal is probably considerably less than you imagined.

In addition, homeowners can incur large bills for structural damage caused by water or water vapor trapped behind the walls. This is a prime location for mold to grow. That’s why it’s important to identify potential areas or situations where mold can grow.

Since mold is increasingly recognized as being such a widespread problem, more and more insurance companies are providing coverage for mold removal. If you do seek reimbursement from your carrier, remember to thoroughly document everything.

First the original cause of the problem must be fixed prior to any mold “remediation”. Once the problem has been fixed then the mold can be removed and the area properly cleaned. It is recommended that a professional service provider perform the remediation. This will ensure that the mold remains contained and that the affected areas will be properly remediated, the area(s) cleaned with the appropriate biocide and appropriate testing performed by a third party Consultant before the area is released back to the owner.

Although bleach is sometimes recommended, it often does a superficial job cleaning only the mold that is easily visible. Bleach is a quick fix, and can actually spread the spores when sprayed. If you notice a very large segment of mold, call a professional. Mold can make you very sick, and it needs to be handled correctly. The most effective way to treat mold is to correct underlying water damage and clean or remove the affected materials.

If the mold returns, it may indicate yet another underlying problem. To successfully eliminate the recurrence of mold, the underlying water problem must be fixed. If mold contamination is extensive, a professional abatement company, such as Bexar Environmental, Inc., should be consulted.

You can call Bexar Environmental at (210) 622-3500. We will be glad to discuss the issue and remediation alternatives.

Eating paint chips is one way young children are exposed to lead, but, surprisingly, it is not the most common way that people, are exposed.

Lead exposure occurs when lead dust from lead-based paint chalks, chips, or peels from deteriorated surfaces and is ingested and inhaled by your loved ones or employees. You can generate lead dust by walking on small paint chips found on the floor, opening and closing a painted frame window, sanding, scraping or heating lead-based paint. Lead dust can settle on floors, walls, and furniture and children can and do ingest lead dust from hand-to-mouth contact when playing with toys or eating food.

Settled lead dust can re-enter the air through cleaning, such as sweeping or vacuuming, or by movement of people throughout the house. Many newly-made imported plates and cups are still found to have high levels of lead. Other sources of lead include deposits that may be present in homes after years of leaded gasoline use and from nearby industrial sources, such as industrial facilities.

Lead paint should only be removed by someone who knows how to protect you from lead paint dust. However, by washing floors, window sills, carpets, upholstery and any objects children put in their mouths, you can minimize their exposure to lead.

You can temporarily reduce lead hazards by taking actions such as repairing damaged painted surfaces and planting grass to cover soil with high lead levels. Each of the common paint-removal methods (sandpaper, scrapers, chemicals, sandblasters, and torches or heat guns) can produce lead fumes or dust. Fumes or dust can become airborne and be inhaled or ingested.

Removing moldings, trim, window sills, and other painted surfaces for professional paint stripping outside the home may also create dust.

Painting over lead-based paint with non-lead paint is not a long-term solution. Even though the lead-based paint may be covered by non-lead paint, the lead-based paint may continue to loosen from the surface below and create lead dust. The new paint may also partially mix with the lead-based paint, and lead dust will be released when the new paint begins to deteriorate.

These actions, called “interim controls”, are not permanent solutions and will require ongoing attention. In short, they do not make the problem go away.

To permanently remove lead hazards, you must hire a certified lead “abatement” contractor. Abatement, or permanent hazard elimination methods, includes removing, sealing, or enclosing lead-based paint with special materials.

Bexar Environmental, Inc. employs qualified workers who follow strict safety rules set by the State of Texas and the federal governments. We know how to do this work safely and have the proper equipment to remove the lead thoroughly. If you have lead-based paint, you should take steps, not just to reduce, but to eliminate your exposure to lead.

You can call Bexar Environmental at (210) 622-3500. We will be glad to discuss the issue and remediation alternatives.