Month: September 2017

National Preparedness Month: Floods

Published on

While our neighbors in Houston continue to recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey, we reflect on the ways we can protect ourselves from similar disasters. September is National Preparedness Month, which encourages every household in America to develop an emergency plan in the event of a disaster. Though Dallas is not in imminent danger of a hurricane, we have experienced firsthand the effects of flash flooding, tornadoes, ice storms and other natural disasters. RestoPros is focusing on flood preparation this month, which is something we know quite a bit about.

Flooding usually happens in Dallas/Ft. Worth during a sustained rain shower or after several days of rain. The last significant flooding occurred last summer, when Dallas was hit with a particularly hard rain storm. Several streets were flooded, but fortunately homes and businesses were not directly affected. But regardless of the threat, it’s always good practice to have an emergency plan in place. The American Red Cross has established some important procedures that everyone should take into account when putting together a plan for your household.

Flood Watch/Warning

Know the difference between a flood watch and a flood warning. When a flood watch is issued, it means that people in the designated area should be on alert. Make sure that you have access to a live weather forecast.  A flood warning means that flooding is imminent in your area and you should evacuate immediately. Seek higher ground or go to the nearest shelter.

Assemble an Emergency Preparedness Kit

Put together a kit with the proper supplies you’ll need in case of an emergency. The Red Cross has a list of essential items to pack (which includes a  first aid kit).

Create an Evacuation Plan

Have a family meeting and discuss how you would respond to a variety of possible emergencies. In the best-case scenario, everyone will be together during an emergency, but that won’t always be possible. Discuss different evacuation scenarios – and alternate meeting places. Make sure that there is a copy of the evacuation plan notes in an easily accessible area.

Community Safety Plans

Keep informed about local and statewide information on proper safety procedures. The Texas Division of Emergency Management is a great resource for information, education and contacts.

NOAA Broadcasts

Make sure that you have access to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for the latest information on weather-related emergencies. NOAA has a website and radio presence and can be easily accessed in a variety of platforms.

Emergency Shelters

Finding the closest shelters should be a part of your evacuation plan. A flood shelter might be located in a different area than other destinations, so be mindful of the difference. Flood shelters will be located on higher ground, though the services will be the same. You can open Red Cross shelters here.

Water Preparation

Keep a stock of empty plastic bottles to fill with clean drinking water. You will also want to fill bathtubs and sinks up with water for washing clothes or flushing the toilet in case the local water supple is affected by the flood.

Outdoor Furniture

Bring patio furniture and any other outdoor belongings inside to keep them safe from harm. Large items like tables and chairs could cause damage to your home or hurt people if swept up in a flood.

Secure Home Interior

Limit the damage of your home’s interior by moving furniture and anything of value to a second floor or a higher level of the home. Unplug appliances and turn off power at the source if flooding inside your home is a possibility.

Pet Safety

During a flood watch, make sure that you bring all your companion animals inside. Have pet carriers, collars and leashes packed if you are planning to evacuate. The Red Cross has notes for putting together a pet emergency kit with several ideas for cats and dogs.

RestoPros hopes that your family never has to deal with the damaging effects of a flood. But if you ever need assistance with water damage and its various effects on your home, our professional technicians can help. We’ve been the leading water damage restoration service in Dallas/Ft. Worth for years. Call us at 855-587-3786 to set up an appointment – 24 hours a day!

Related Blogs:

Mold Awareness Month

Areas in the Home to Check for Mold

 

 

Fall Maintenance (and Mold Prevention)

Published on

Every fall the home services industry puts out the call for homeowners to begin their fall maintenance procedures. Having your HVAC system tuned up, checking the water heater and winterizing the condenser or window unit are just a few of the recommended actions. RestoPros also wants to remind Dallas/Ft. Worth residents that it is also important to inspect and prepare your home to ensure it isn’t infiltrated by mold.

Our unpredictable fall and winter weather generally comes with moisture and humidity; two elements that mold must have to grow and thrive. This means that there are areas both inside your home and out that will need to be addressed. The professionals at RestoPros have complied a list of essential areas of concern for home owners to explore before the seasons change.

Check for Air Leaks

  • Check older windows to make sure that the glass is sealed within the frame. Loose panes, cracked frames and dried or shrunk sealant can promote air leaks, condensation and mold. Reseal these areas with silicon caulk.
  • The areas where plumbing, ductwork and electrical wiring comes through walls, floors and ceilings will often need to be sealed. Check all places within the home (that are within your reach) for obvious cracks or gaps and seal with caulk.
  • Make sure that windows and doors close tightly. You can test the tightness by inserting a piece of paper in the door or window frame and shutting it. If you can easily pull the paper out, then you have an air leak. Try adding weather stripping to stop the drafts.
  • Are there any gaps or cracks where the house (or your garage) framing meets the foundation? They need to be sealed to keep out drafts and rodents. Vines can also creep into these gaps, making them wider and introducing moisture into the area.
  • If your home is particularly drafty, consider installing foam gaskets behind the outlets and switch plates. These electrical plates, which cover holes in the wall to accommodate the wiring, are often magnets for drafts.

Inspect the Duct System and Water Heater

  • Ductwork is an ideal place for mold to grow, especially within ducts that are loose or damaged. Check your ductwork for places where it may have come loose or shows signs of wear. You can fix these problems with aluminum duct tape or sheet metal screws.
  • Check the return and supply duct openings to make sure that they are clean and free from obstructions.
  • Check the water heater and surrounding area for leaks.

Inspect Gutters and Downspouts

  • Clean out the gutters and downspouts for the fall to ensure that the rain can properly drain away from the house.
  • Clogged gutters and downspouts can overflow if clogged – damaging your home and creating mold and mildew problems.

Inspect the Roof

  • Check for any missing or cracked shingles, soft spots or signs of animal damage.
  • Check the soffits/eaves for water damage, rot or signs of mold.
  • Repair any damage immediately. A roof leak is one of the leading causes of mold in a home.

Check Attics and Other Storage Areas

  • Assess all the rooms that are normally used for storage – or get little foot traffic because of the location. Check the humidity of these rooms – and check for leaks and signs of a mold outbreak. If you are dealing with a leaky roof, the attic will usually offer the earliest signs
  • In Dallas/Ft. Worth there are more crawl spaces than basements. If you have a crawl space, you should have this area assessed as well to ensure there are no leaks or mold growth.

10 Mold Prevention Tips for Your Home

This fall, include mold prevention as part of your regular maintenance procedures. Ensuring your home is free from leaks and ready for the cooler weather will help greatly in keeping it mold and mildew free. If you do spot mold growth during your assessment, and think that the problem goes beyond a minor leak, contact the experts at RestoPros. We can help with all your testing, remediation and repair needs. Call us at 855-587-3786 to schedule an appointment today!

Related Blogs:

Mold Awareness Month

Natural Mold and Mildew Removal

Don’t forget to follow RestoPros on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+ for new Updates, News, and Discounts.

Baby Safety Month

Published on

September is Baby Safety Month and RestoPros wants to make sure that you keep your child safe from mold, mildew and other potential toxins. Certain kinds of household mold can cause illness. When this happens, most otherwise healthy people can get over it. But those who have weaker immune systems, including the elderly, children and babies, are more susceptible to negative long-term effects. According to the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Infants are particularly affected by all types of mold and, when exposed, can suffer serious illnesses. The experts at RestoPros have come up with a list of The experts at RestoPros have come up with a list of symptoms to watch out for – and places to check for hidden mold.

Common Mold Allergies

Common mold can trigger allergic reactions and allergic rhinitis. There are a variety of common types of mold that can be found in homes across the U.S. Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Penicillium are not generally harmful. Most households live with them and never experience any health problems. However, infants are especially sensitive to these common types of mold and can develop severe health problems as a result. Babies with allergies might be particularly sensitive to mold, but infants who are otherwise healthy can also experience an allergic reaction. If your infant has mold allergies, you might see these signs:

  • Sneezing
  • Stuffy/Runny Nose
  • Sore Throat
  • Itchy, Runny or Bloodshot Eyes
  • Respiratory Illness (Caused by Black Mold and can Include Pneumonia)

Toxigenic Mold

More severe health reactions are found with the mold categories: Fusarium, Stachybotrys and Trichoderma. Infants exposed to these mold types might exhibit these signs:

  • Acute Vomiting
  • Severe Diarrhea
  • Asthma Attacks

MVOCs

Some molds can generate Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (MVOCs). Formed from fungal metabolism, these molds can make people very sick, especially infants. MOVCs are directly discharged into the air and can cause a variety of respiratory problems and other negative symptoms. If your baby is experiencing severe upper respiratory problems, this could be the trigger. Talk to your pediatrician about MVOCs and then have a mold assessment performed if this is a concern.

Mold Check

If you feel that mold in your home might be affecting the health of your infant, there are several places that you should check for an outbreak. Mold is generally connected to a leak or a place that is consistently wet or humid.

  • Does the nursery have a leak in the ceiling or a plumbing leak coming through the wall?
  • Are there baby toys that are usually damp from being put inside a mouth? Toys that stay damp, or have a small opening that might allow liquid inside, can easily develop mold.
  • Are there signs of mold in the bathroom? The bathroom is usually the first place that common mold types will surface. Make sure that the bathtub and sink areas are free from any signs of mold or mildew.
  • Make sure that baby bottles are properly sanitized. Mold can quickly grow in a closed bottle that has been left out for a few days.
  • Wet clothes and cloth diapers need to be washed immediately. Cloth can develop mold, which is nearly impossible to clean once it has infiltrated fabric.
  • Carpets, rugs and curtains in the nursery can very easily develop mold if left wet. Babies and toddlers are messy; urine, vomit and saliva can sometimes vanish into the surroundings. Make sure to clean up (and dry) every wet mess as soon as it is discovered.
  • Check the nursery air vents for mold – as well as the vents throughout the home. A home’s ventilation system is an ideal place for mold to grow and flourish.

If you have a baby in the house with any of the symptoms mentioned above, talk with your pediatrician about potential triggers. If mold might be the cause, investigate the common problem areas (and causes). RestoPros can help if you have found an outbreak and need professional assistance. We can help with all mold your remediation needs. Call us at 855-587-3786 to schedule an assessment today!

Related Articles:

Areas in the Home to Check for Mold

Is Mold Hiding in Your Baby Toys?

 

Mold Awareness Month

Published on

September is Mold Awareness Month and RestoPros wants to empower our Dallas/Ft. Worth neighbors with the latest information on its effects. Our wet and humid summer put us on alert with several blogs on the prevention and detection of mold in the home. We deal directly with mold every day, so we know how drastically it can affect both a home and a household. From the devastation that mold infestation can cause to the adverse health effects of a household, we have seen it all.

Keeping it from developing requires a combination of proper humidity and temperatures levels – as well as healthy air circulation and ventilation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a thorough review of residential mold infestation, its effects on people and how it can be controlled and prevented. RestoPros thought it would be helpful to share this information during Mold Awareness Month. While we have covered many of their findings in our recent blogs, having the CDC back up the information with their thorough research gives weight to the conversation.

This information was taken directly from their Facts about Mold and Dampness report, a thorough analysis of the subject.

Main Health Points:

Mold affects people differently – and some people are not affected at all by its presence.

  • Exposure to damp and moldy environments can cause a variety of health problems (or effects) or none at all.
  • Some people are sensitive to mold and can develop nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation and (sometimes) skin irritation.
  • People with mold allergies can have more severe reactions. Immune compromised people and people with chronic lung illnesses can get serious infections in their lungs when exposed to mold.
  • According to the Institute of Medicine (IOM), there is sufficient evidence linking indoor exposure to mold with: upper respiratory tract symptoms including coughing and wheezing in otherwise healthy people; asthma symptoms in people with asthma; and with hypersensitivity pneumonitis in individuals susceptible to that immune-mediated condition.
  • The IOM also found limited or suggestive evidence linking indoor mold exposure and respiratory illness in otherwise healthy children.

Mold Control and Prevention:

If mold is growing in your home you need to clean up the mold and fix the moisture problem.

  • You can help control mold by keeping the humidity levels in your home at a healthy percentage (around 40 – 50%). An air conditioner or dehumidifier can help you keep the level low.
  • Promptly fix leaky roofs, windows, and pipes so mold does not have the moisture to grow.
  • Thoroughly clean and dry rooms (within 24-48 hours) after flooding.
  • Make sure that your home has enough ventilation. Ventilate bathroom, laundry and kitchen/cooking areas.
  • Add mold inhibitors to paints before painting.
  • Clean bathrooms with mold-killing products.
  • Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have bene soaked and cannot be dried promptly. Try not to use carpet in rooms like bathrooms or basements that may have a lot of moisture.

The EPA’s A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home

If you are dealing with a mold problem in your home, simply cleaning up the evidence is not sufficient. While certain molds may not be as destructive as others, its presence means that there is a moisture source in your home that needs to be fixed. RestoPros can help with all facets of a mold infestation including testing and remediation. Call us at 855-587-3786 to schedule an appointment today!

Related Blogs:

Areas in the Home to Check for Mold

Natural Mold and Mildew Removal