Home decontamination

for the effective elimination of all types of situations

If you or a family member is experiencing breathing problems, migraines, throat or skin irritation, this could be an indication that contaminants have seeped into your home. In addition to health problems, you may have detected foul odors or soot stains. You could improve your quality of life and give your family members back better health by decontaminating the premises.

What are the most common types of contaminants?

Many types of contaminants can cause problems in your home. The most common are:

Home Decontamination:

Mold

When the moisture content is high, mold can grow in vulnerable areas, such as bathrooms, poorly ventilated attics, basements, laundry rooms, and walls where water infiltration may have occurred through the roof or damaged pipes.

Mold formation is often caused by the infiltration of water, or water vapor, that remains trapped in confined areas of your home. It is common to detect mold on walls, in an attic or any other place exposed to high humidity and that can be poorly insulated.

How to remove all traces of mold?

First of all, it is essential to find out where the problem comes from and determine its cause to remedy it before everything spreads. Once the situation is resolved, the decontamination expert you hire can start removing large layers of mold with a special scraper. Subsequently, he will apply a product to decontaminate and destroy the remaining molds, thus preventing their proliferation by destroying all life on the surface and decontaminating, if necessary, the ambient air. Some spots may remain, but they will no longer have a detrimental effect on your health.

Home decontamination: Pyrite and pyrrhotite

Pyrite, a mineral found in stone, generates sulfuric acid when it comes into contact with moisture and oxygen. If this reaction occurs in the foundation, cracks may be created. In contrast, pyrrhotite is a copper mineral that consists of iron sulfide that can blacken and crystallize into strips once exposed to air, eventually causing cracks in concrete structures. These manifestations are not harmful to health but they can affect the structural integrity of your home or building by weakening the foundation.

Home decontamination: Dry rot (Serpula lacrymans)

This fearsome fungus, commonly known as “building cancer”, spreads in dark, enclosed and damp places. Most of the time, it is present in crawl spaces. It is not always large and imposing, its infection usually begins with slight white spots. In order to remedy this, a specialized professional will use the appropriate equipment and products and apply chemical or hot air treatment to neutralize the contaminant and prevent its proliferation. It is not recommended to use a homemade recipe such as bleach, which would have the effect of promoting the growth of fungi.

Home decontamination: Asbestos and vermiculite

This substance is found in walls, ceilings, pipes, caulking, roofs, latex paint, vinyl tiles and injection insulation. Before proceeding with the withdrawal, please take precautions and consult a professional. Asbestos only poses a health hazard when cut or shaken. In the context of work involving the handling of this substance, it is important to call on a professional. This will ensure the complete and safe disposal of this substance. Since it is an extremely toxic product when inhaled and can cause serious illness, you should not try to encapsulate, paint or remove asbestos yourself. If you do, you will release asbestos fibers into the air and this is not desirable at all.

Home decontamination: Radon

Radon is emitted by the natural decay of uranium in soil and stones. Colourless and odourless, this gas enters buildings through the floor, walls and drain pipes. Ask a radon specialist to have your home tested. During this test, if your radon concentration is above the limit of 200 Bq/square metre, you will need to take steps to reduce this potentially harmful concentration.

The same specialist will then perform the following:

• Evacuate radon to the outside through a pump located under the false floor. This technique is also known as depressurization under the foundation slab.

• Renew the air with a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) that will enhance the ventilation of your home.

• Plug the various gaps and cracks in your walls or foundations through which radon circulates freely in your home. This also applies to pipes and drain pipes.

In the presence of one of these problems in your home or any other problematic situation, such as a spill of materials such as oil, it is essential to call on a decontamination specialist who will identify the origin of the problem, correct it and decontaminate it before your health, and that of your family, suffers.