Month: February 2018

8 Best Mold Prevention Products for Your Home

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Preventing mold growth in your home is more of a holistic endeavor and not something that can be achieved by simply cleaning an outbreak with paper towels and soap. Although you may seemingly wipe away the area to prevent initial mold growth, spores can still thrive and begin ravaging your home. Instead of using up all your soap, consider these mold prevention products for your Dallas/Ft. Worth home. The experts at RestoPros recommend having these products on standby, as using a combination of these products during your spring cleaning can prevent mold from ruining your home, as well as attack any present growth.

Home Air Purifier

Cost: $60-900

As their name suggests, air purifiers clean the air, removing contaminants and mold spores by passing them through a HEPA filter. Air purifiers work well to prevent mold growth by keeping airborne spores from finding a suitable environment in your home. They are best placed in bathrooms and kitchens, as well as near the corners, doors, and furniture of other rooms. Available in portable and whole-home sizes, air purifiers kill spores and halt mold growth.

Home Dehumidifier

Cost: $30-300

A dehumidifier reduces humidity levels within a nearby area and removes unforeseen moisture build-up in your home. Mold requires a dark, warm, and humid habitat to grow and reproduce, and a dehumidifier prevents this habitat by removing moisture. Dehumidifiers run quietly and without interrupting your daily activities and are available in different sizes to accommodate each room of your home.

Borax

Cost: $1-20

Also known as sodium tetraborate, borax is an odorless mineral that is used as a natural pesticide and a household cleaner, as well as being a prominent mold killer. Relatively cheap to purchase and found at almost any supermarket, borax provides the compounds to protect areas from mold growth, as well as killing existing mold. Borax can be found in laundry detergents, stain removers, and other cleaning products, and can also be purchased by itself. Combining borax with other soaps during mopping and cleaning adds a protective layer against mold growth in your home.

Baking Soda

Cost: $.75-10

Baking soda is a staple in most homes, but do you know of its mold prevention properties? Baking soda provides the means to both kill and prevent mold growth in your home without being harmful to kids or pets. Baking soda also acts as a deodorizer, eliminating foul odors within a nearby area. As a rule, you should keep an open box of baking soda in your fridge and consider mixing a tablespoon of baking soda in a spray bottle with water to act as a quick mold killer.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Cost: $1-4

Much like baking soda, hydrogen peroxide is a multi-use tool, possessing both medicinal and cleaning properties. As an effective alternative to bleach, hydrogen peroxide actively kills mold and works well as a prevention agent. One essential benefit of hydrogen peroxide is its ability to thoroughly clean porous surfaces, something bleach cannot do. Use hydrogen peroxide to clean porous surfaces such as drywall and prevent mold from residing in these vulnerable areas.

White Vinegar

Cost: $2-25

White vinegar is a deadly foe against mold, being able to kill over 80% of all mold species. Much like hydrogen peroxide, white vinegar can clean porous surfaces such as drywall and prevents mold from forming in your home. Simply combining white vinegar with baking soda, water, and soap will offer an extensively beneficial cleaning agent that coats your home with mold-protection properties.

Drain Snakes

Cost: $6-25

A common cause of mold growth is from water damage, often coming from your plumbing. Clogged pipes have a chance to burst, causing leakage and eventually mold growth. A drain snake works to unclog your plumbing and stops build-up from bursting your pipes. When cleaning bathrooms and the kitchen, slide a drain snake down your sink to remove build-up and prevent mold growth.

Lemon Juice

Cost: $2-10

Besides making lemonade, lemon juice also is a strong mold killer! The high amount of citric acid prevents mold from sticking to covered surfaces and provides a natural scent to kill foul odors.

Using these prevention products will help keep your home mold-free. However, If your home is already dealing with an outbreak, contact RestoPros immediately. Our mold remediation services will remove any mold in your Dallas/Ft. Worth home, and our professionals will guide you on preventing mold growth for years to come.  Give us a call at 855-587-3786 to schedule an appointment and get started.

Mold Allergy Prevention: Protecting Your Home and Household

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Feel like you’re sneezing more than usual? Coughing in the middle of the night? The cause may be more than the weather! If you are looking for one more reason to hate mold, you’ve come to the right place. Mold growth does more than damage your home – it can greatly compromise your health. What you may not notice is the frequency of which mold can impact your health, especially as we leave winter. With spring being right around the corner, Dallas/Ft. Worth homes are at a greater risk of cultivating mold. The experts at RestoPros are here with tips to help identify and treat mold-related allergies.

What Mold Causes Allergies?

Before we continue, we must express that mold is not one specific substance. In fact, it is an umbrella term for many different types of fungi. Some types of mold are relatively harmless (albeit still a nuisance), while others possess allergy-causing effects. Black mold is a good example of a sickness-causing mold and is a known culprit for allergies in the home. Regardless, hundreds of different types of mold can exist in the same area, meaning all mold growth has a chance of causing allergies. But how exactly does it give this effect?

How Does Mold Cause Allergies?

The main goal of mold is to reproduce, but unlike plants, mold does not possess seeds of any kind. Instead, mold produces spores that travel through the air to find their new home. This is one way to cause allergies, as those with a sensitivity to these spores can experience runny noses, irritating eyes, and chronic cough. Mold spores are a known type of aeroallergens.

Spores are not the only way however, as with variations such as black mold, there is the substance known as mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are toxic substances produced by certain types of mold that travel through the air and cause symptoms of allergies. Although earlier we have stated that no scientific conclusion has been made on the actual severity of black mold, symptoms of allergies and sickness are still present from mycotoxins.

The more obvious cause of allergies from mold can also come from general contamination. If you happen to encounter mold via touching or inhaling, then this can cause symptoms of allergies. Mold holds bacteria and pathogens, and while some of them may not be airborne, touching them can give off the same effect.

Is Mold in my Home?

Although allergies can signify mold growth in your home, that’s not the only indication. Here are some additional signs that mold is present in your home.

  • Musty and Lingering Smells
  • Randomly Appearing Stains
  • Moisture Build-Up
  • Roof Leakage
  • Trash Build-Up
  • Fungus Around Your Home
  • Previous Flooding

If you have noticed mold in your home, contact RestoPros immediately for mold remediation services.

Preventing Mold?

There are many ways to prevent mold in your home and stop the runny nose from ruining your day. Protect your home from mold by using these tips below!

Although we can’t stress enough the importance of mold prevention, we must also advise you on what to do when mold is present in your home.

If you do discover mold, you must contact a mold-removal professional. Mold grows at a rapid rate, and what may seem like a small stain can lead to severe damage to your home, as well as causing sickness. If your home is infected with mold, contact RestoPros immediately. Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowners must be ready to restore their home to a safe environment, and our mold remediation services provide the means to accomplish this at an affordable rate. Give us a call at 855-587-3786 to schedule an appointment with your mold-restoration experts.

 

 

5 Signs You Need New Carpet

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You always want the best for your home, and sometimes that means replacing your old carpet. Regardless of how much you clean and maintain it, your carpet will eventually reach the end of its usefulness. However, with carpet, it isn’t always immediately evident when this has occurred. Sometimes an older carpet might not exhibit any signs of wear yet may be hiding years of mold growth or other contaminants underneath. While figuring out whether or not you need to retire your carpet might be difficult, the professionals at RestoPros are here to guide you!

Every Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowner should mindful of when their carpet needs to be replaced. There are a few common signs that signify age or damage that will help you make the best decision for your home. Below are a few that our remediation experts have complied:

  1. Noticeable Wear and Matting
  • Once your carpet is noticeably damaged, it’s difficult to save it.
  • Examine your carpet for ripples, as this can be caused by worn padding underneath.
  • Padding that loses its form also has reduced cushioning and insulation.
  • Check every area of the carpet for tears, holes and other visual clues that might indicate a replacement is needed.
  • Matted carpet, or carpet that has become frayed, can be caused by heavy traffic or improper installation.
  1. Unremovable Stains
  • Every carpet gets a stain occasionally, but once they start to stay, it’s time for your carpet to go.
  • Although most carpet designs come with stain-resistance, this often loses effectiveness with age, and stains can become prevalent.
  • Some lingering carpet stains can also soak through the carpet, harming the floor and potentially causing mold or mildew.
  • If stains are appearing out of nowhere on your carpet, then this may be mold growth. Contact RestoPros immediately for mold remediation services.
  1. Foul Odors
  • A smelly carpet is a bad carpet, and the stronger the odor, the faster you should seek solutions to get rid of the smell.
  • Foul odors in your carpet can be caused by various things including pets, foot traffic, spills, or old age.
  • Foul odors from your carpet can compromise your indoor air quality and may lead to health problems including headaches and nausea.
  • If you have had your carpet professionally cleaned and the odors remain, you should consider replacing it.
  • Foul odors that persist can also be the cause of mold growth. If your carpet is damp or musty, call the experts at RestoPros for mold remediation services.
  1. Increased Symptoms of Allergies
  • When you find yourself sneezing or coughing a lot when entering a room, your carpet may be the reason.
  • An older carpet can hold allergens and affect the health of a household.
  • Other symptoms of these allergens could include runny nose, hives, dizziness and headaches.
  • If these symptoms persist even after a professional cleaning, you should consider replacing the carpet.
  1. Older Than 8 Years
  • When your carpet is old, don’t expect the same results as when you first got it.
  • Most carpets tend to have a lifespan of about 8 years (or less), but this lifespan can be even shorter with larger families, homes with pets, and homes with leak problems.
  • If your carpet is 8 – 10 years old, consider replacing it. After the fibers have become worn and frayed, it is more difficult for it to withstand stains and other damaged caused by everyday foot traffic.

Never let your carpet be the cause of an unhealthy home. If you are experiencing any of these problems, consider replacing your carpet. And if you believe that your old carpet might be harboring mold, contact RestoPros immediately. We are the most trusted mold remediation company in Dallas/Ft Worth and can help with a variety of infestation problems. For affordable mold remediation services give us a call at 855-587-3786 to schedule an appointment.

 

Don’t Let Water Damage Break Your Heart (This Valentine’s Day)

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Water damage can be a serious problem for Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowners, and with Valentine’s Day right around the corner, it’s last thing you want to see. Even though our winters are relatively mild, freezing temperatures are still an occurrence. Having your pipes freeze can cause them to crack and burst – and the occasional ice and snow can contribute to roof and foundation leaks. Water can ruin metal, damage drywall, and lead to mold growth.

Luckily, RestoPros is here to help those winter leaks from damaging in your home. Don’t let water damage ruin your home this Valentine’s Day, or any day for that matter. Instead, work to prevent it and live comfortably with the winter weather. As the water damage experts, we have compiled a list of tips for prevention:

Monitor Your Sinks

  • Watch what goes down your disposal, as certain organic detritus can clog your pipes, causing water pressure to increase and burst your plumbing.
  • Fatty and greasy substances such as lard, cooking oil, and bacon grease can harden and clog your pipes, regardless of the water temperature.
  • Soap scum and starchy food residue can also be lodged inside your drain.
  • If your sink is clogged, use a sink plunger to remove any initial build-up (kitchen sinks most commonly experience clogged garbage disposals).
  • Use a drain snake to remove clogs lying deep within your pipes.

Protect Against Winter Leaks

  • With Valentine’s Day residing in winter, Dallas/Ft. Worth residents are still at risk for winter leakage.
  • Be sure to clear you gutters and downspouts, along with sealing your doors and windows.
  • More info about preventing winter leaks can be found here.

Examine Major Appliances Regularly

  • Refrigerators and washing machines should be maintained regularly – and inspected closely for leaks.
  • On the back of these major appliances are hoses connected to the water supply; these hoses should be examined every few months.
  • Examine each hose for dripping, tears, loose connections, or knots.
  • After an examination, be sure each hose is hidden and not at risk of being stepped on or tripped over.

Maintain Outdoor Plants and Trees

  • Although they seem harmless, plants and trees with invasive roots can burrow towards your plumbing and potentially cause unsuspecting damage.
  • Trees such as willows, birches, and poplar all have invasive roots, and plants such as boxwood shrubs and ivy follow suit.
  • Plan where you plant your vegetation and avoid having these close to your plumbing.

Monitor Your Water Bill

  • Since your plumbing system is complex, identifying a burst pipe or water damage may seem difficult at first, but your water bill can be a notification.
  • An high increase in your water bill may mean your plumbing is losing water in a certain area, and this lost water may be affecting an area you can’t see.

Prevent water damage for Valentine’s Day and avoid the broken heart that comes with expensive repairs. If you are experiencing water damage in your home, contact RestoPros immediately. Being the leading water and mold restoration company in Dallas/Ft. Worth, our water damage services ensure your home is restored to a safe and quality condition. Give us a call at 855-587-3786 to schedule an appointment and meet your local professionals. Happy Valentine’s Day!