Home decontamination

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 may be an indication that contaminants have entered your home. In addition to health issues, you may have detected foul smells or sooty stains. You could improve your quality of life and give your family members 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 develop in vulnerable places, such as bathrooms, poorly ventilated attics, basements, laundry rooms and walls where water infiltration may have had place through damaged roof or pipes.

Mold growth is often caused by the ingress of water, or water vapor, which 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 which 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 using a special scraper. Thereafter, he will apply a product intended to decontaminate and destroy the remaining molds, thus preventing their proliferation by destroying any form of life on the surface and by decontaminating, if necessary, the ambient air. Some spots may remain, but they will no longer have a harmful 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 foundations, cracks may be created. On the other hand, pyrrhotite is a copper mineral which consists of iron sulphide which can blacken and crystallize into strips when exposed to air, possibly causing cracks in concrete structures. These manifestations are not harmful to health but they can affect the structural integrity of your house or building by weakening the foundations.

Home decontamination: Dry rot (Serpula lacrymans)

 

This fearsome fungus, commonly known as “building cancer”, spreads in dark, enclosed and humid places. Most of the time, it is present in crawl spaces. It is not always large and imposing, its infection generally begins with light white spots. 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 like bleach, which would promote the growth of fungi.

Home decontamination: Asbestos and vermiculite

 

This substance is found in walls, ceilings, pipes, caulking, roofing, latex paint, vinyl tiles and injection insulation. Before removing, please take precautions and consult a professional. Asbestos poses a health hazard only when it is cut or shaken. In the context of work involving the handling of this substance, it is important to call in a professional. Thus, it will ensure the complete and safe elimination 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 asbestos yourself. If you do, you will release asbestos fibers into the air and that is not desirable at all.

Home decontamination: Radon

 

Radon is emitted by the natural decay of uranium in soil and stones. Colorless and odorless, this gas enters buildings through the floor, walls and exhaust pipes. Ask a radon specialist to have your home tested. During this analysis, if your radon concentration is above the limit of 200 Bq / square meter, you will have to take measures to decrease this potentially harmful concentration.

• Évacuer le radon vers l’extérieur par le biais d’une pompe située sous le faux plancher. Cette technique est également connue sous le nom de dépressurisation sous la dalle de fondation.

• Renouveler l’air au moyen d’un ventilateur-récupérateur de chaleur (VRC) qui rehaussera la ventilation de votre maison.

• Colmater les différentes brèches et fissures de vos murs ou de vos fondations par lesquelles le radon circule librement dans votre maison. Cela s’applique également aux canalisations et aux tuyaux d’évacuation.

En présence d’un de ces problèmes dans votre maison ou de toute autre situation problématique, tel qu’un déversement de matières comme du pétrole, il est essentiel de faire appel à un spécialiste en décontamination qui identifiera l’origine du problème, le corrigera et le décontaminera avant que votre santé, et celle de votre famille, n’en pâtisse.