Month: May 2018

Mold and IAQ (Indoor Air Quality)

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We all know mold can be damaging to our homes. But what happens if we inhale it? After all, mold is a type of fungus, and fungus can be full of bacteria and contaminants that would be dangerous to inhale. So, it’s not uncommon to wonder the possible effects of breathing in mold.

However, to answer this question, we must first find the correlation between mold and your IAQ (indoor air quality). The experts at RestoPros have been helping Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowners deal with the effects of mold for years; read below for our thoughts on how to approach spores in the air.

Can Mold Affect Your IAQ?

When mold has infested your home, it’s next objective is to reproduce. This is done by spawning mold spores that then travel through the air to find a new home. Once they’ve found a suitable place to grow, they attach themselves to the surface and begin “planting” new mold. With these spores traveling through the air, this creates a possible correlation between mold and IAQ.

So, can these mold spores affect your IAQ? The answer depends on amount of mold in your home. In small amounts, mold spores generally won’t have any effect on your IAQ, provided you clean it immediately.  The larger the infestation however, the more spores are produced. And with an abundance of spores in the air, your IAQ can be affected negatively.

This is due to the confined space of your home. Generally, mold spores don’t affect people as much outdoors. But within a tighter enclosure such as your home however, the allergens and irritants in the spores have a greater probability of contact. This can affect your IAQ, and trigger allergy symptoms as well as leading to sickness.

Spores aren’t the only way mold can affect you, however. Other molds, such as black mold, also produce mycotoxins. These are toxic substances that can also cause allergy triggers and sickness. But with the vast types of mold that can grow in your home, it would be useless to try and identify black mold. Therefore, it’s important to treat all mold the same.

What are the Effects of Breathing In Mold?

So, what happens if you inhale these mold spores or mycotoxins? Most of the time, it won’t be anything severe. You may experience allergy symptoms such as a runny nose, coughing, sinus headache, or other types of congestion.

However, these symptoms may increase in severity for those with weaker immune systems or an allergy to mold. Mold can be devasting if you have a condition such as a lung disease, as inhaling it can lead to a serious infection. Mold can also trigger asthma symptoms to those who suffer from the condition. Additionally, if you’re allergic to mold, the original symptoms can exacerbate. Therefore, it’s best for people with existing respiratory problems, weaker immune systems, and mold allergies to stay away from mold as much as possible.

It is important you know the correlation between mold and IAQ, as well as the effects of breathing mold. And if you have discovered mold infesting your home, contact RestoPros immediately. Give us a call at 855-587-3786 for affordable mold remediation services from Dallas/Ft. Worth’s leading experts.

4 Bathroom Mold Prevention Tips

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Are you aware that mold can grow in your bathroom? With bathrooms being the place for moisture build-up and humid climates, they can fall victim to mold much easier than other areas of your home. And once mold begins to grow in your bathroom, it’s hard to remove it without the help of a professional.

Because bathrooms are more vulnerable to mold, it’s helpful to practice some bathroom mold prevention tips. Below are some ideas provided by the experts at RestoPros for your Dallas/Ft. Worth home!

  1. 1. Clean Your Bathroom After a Bath/Shower

After a bath or shower, excessive moisture can build up in your bathroom. This excessive moisture can lead to mold growth, as the humidity paired with warm temperatures and little sunlight provides the perfect habitat for mold spores to reproduce. So, you’ll need to give your bathroom a quick clean after every bath or shower. Follow these tips below:

  • Wipe your shower nozzle and bath faucet after every use.
  • Clean and dry your shower items and bathroom contents after every use (e.g. shampoo, sponges, shavers, etc.)
  • If your bathroom floor is wet, dry it using a towel.
  • Check inside your bathroom cabinets for any moisture or soaked wood. Dry using a cloth if needed.

  1. 2. Utilize Your Bathroom Exhaust Fan

Bathrooms have their own way of preventing mold: an exhaust fan. Bathroom exhaust fans allow humid air and moisture to ventilate out of your bathroom. They are used to prevent water damage, poor IAQ (indoor air quality), and mold growth. Exhaust fans are usually controlled by a switch next to your bathroom’s light switch.

Every time you notice moisture on the walls or mirrors of your bathroom, run your exhaust fan for about 30 minutes to help prevent mold growth. This is especially beneficial after a bath or shower.

  1. 3. Dry Your Towels Before Storing Them

Wet towels should never just be thrown on the floor or in a hamper. The moisture they hold becomes a suitable habitat for mold. And when you pile wet towels in a location where they can’t properly dry, don’t be surprised when you notice traces of mold. To help protect your bathroom against mold, you’ll need to dry your towels properly before storing them.

Hang wet towels on your bathroom rack or shower rod for a few hours before placing them in the hamper. Be sure to have your bathroom’s door opened and, if possible, the exhaust fan running. This allows airflow to draw out moisture much easier. Once a towel feels dry to the touch, store it appropriately.

  1. 4. Resolve Bathroom Leaks Quickly

Moisture from a bath or shower isn’t the only cause of mold – water leaks are just as, if not more of, a cause. Leaking pipes, broken toilets, or clogged sinks can all lead to water damage, which then leads to mold growth. Therefore, if you notice a leak in your bathroom, contact a professional immediately.

Keep your bathroom protected from the destruction of mold! And if you have noticed mold growth in your bathroom, or water damage from a leak, contact RestoPros immediately. Call us at 855-587-3786 for affordable mold remediation and water damage restoration services for your Dallas/Ft. Worth home.

 

Related Articles

A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home – EPA

Facts About Mold and Dampness – CDC

5 Signs you Have a Mold Problem

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A mold problem in your home is bad, but an undetected mold problem is even worse. Mold infestations don’t always stand out. Mold can be hidden at first, but once it becomes visible it may have already become very severe. This is especially true when mold grows in unexpected areas. It’s important to discover mold growth even if you can’t see it. But how exactly do you do that?

Fortunately, there are certain signs to look out for. The mold removal experts at RestoPros are here to advise Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowners on how to identify the common signs you have a mold problem.

1. Random Stains Appearing in Your Home

If mold is already in your home, its next objective is to reproduce. If given enough time, mold will begin to produce spores that travel to find a new habitat. Mold requires an environment that is dark, warm, and humid to grow. If mold spores manage to find an environment to suit these conditions, new traces of mold will begin to grow.

What this results in is random stains appearing in your home. Mold growth spreads rapidly and will stain any suitable surface, especially porous materials such as drywall. The frequency and location of these stains are random, as the spores will travel until they find a suitable location. If you notice random, dark or brown colored stains appearing randomly on wood, drywall, or cloth, your home may be infested with mold!

2. Increased Allergy Symptoms in Your Home

If you find yourself sneezing, coughing, or having a headache more often, it can be one of the signs you a mold problem. Mold produces allergens, which are substances that cause allergy symptoms. These allergens can contaminate your home’s air, and lead to various symptoms. These symptoms can increase in severity for those with weaker immune systems as well. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms in your home with no visible explanation, the cause may be mold.

3. Musky, Pungent Smells Coming from Your Home

Mold never got the personal hygiene memo, because it smells bad. Mold can produce a musky, pungent smell throughout your home, which can be a sign of a mold problem.  The scent of mold is best compared to the odor of decayed wood or dirty socks. If you notice this smell from several areas of your home, it is recommended you test for mold.

4. Water Damage in Your Home

When there is water in your home, there might be a mold problem. When water enters your home, whether it be from a leak, puddle of water, or past flooding, it will begin to soak and damage any nearby surfaces. Items such as wood, cloth, and drywall are especially vulnerable to water damage. Water damage then leads to mold growth, as the moisture gives mold a suitable habitat.

5. High Humidity/Moisture in Your Home

If your home’s humidity is above normal levels, it’s best to check your house for mold. High humidity and moisture levels are how mold thrives. Humidity also brings warmer temperatures, another requirement for mold growth. Causes of humidity can be poor ventilation, exposed attics and crawlspaces, and past flooding among other things.

Don’t let a mold problem go undetected – follow these signs to help protect your Dallas/Ft. Worth home. And if you have discovered mold in your home, or would like mold testing done, contact RestoPros today. We offer mold remediation and mold testing services with affordable quality. Contact us at 855-587-3786 for immediate assistance.

Treat Mom by Cleaning her Home for Mother’s Day

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With Mother’s Day right around the corner, what better gift for mom than cleaning her home! Not only will mom greatly appreciate how you’ve spruced up the place – you can help prevent the possibility of mold infesting her home.

We at RestoPros want to give our Dallas/Ft. Worth moms the best for Mother’s Day. And there’s nothing better than a clean home! For those in need of Mother’s Day gift ideas, follow these cleaning tips below to give back to mom!

Give Mom’s Floors A Thorough Clean

Certain floors are known to frequently become dirty. Heavy foot traffic in living rooms, kitchens and bathrooms can produce some unwanted stains on mom’s floors. So, giving them a thorough clean is something she’ll appreciate!

Using the wrong cleaning methods can damage the flooring, possibly making a stain even worse! Let’s discuss some general tips when cleaning different types of flooring in mom’s home:

Note: Be sure to vacuum the floor before cleaning it. Failing to do so can leave residue from the loose debris and dirt.

  • Tile – Use warm water and a steam mop to give tile a thorough clean. Avoid using a sponge mop or chemical cleaners. Both can make tile harder to clean and may even damage it.
  • Hardwood Floor – Using a dry mop and dish soap, give your hardwood floor a thorough clean. Be sure to mop with the grain to avoid damaging any flooring. Soak up any soap residue with a cloth before letting it dry.
  • Carpet – Give carpeting a thorough vacuuming to remove as much debris as possible. Be sure to use the hose attachment for corners and hard-to-reach spots. For any carpet stains, spray a vinegar-water solution only on the stained area and clean the spot with a dry cloth. After which, sprinkle a little baking soda and vacuum it up to deodorize the carpet.

If you suspect that mom might need new carpet, click this link.

Clean Mom’s Fridge

Fridges can easily be forgotten when cleaning a home. But cleaning them is important! A fridge houses a variety of items, some of which can cause stains and odors. Spoiled food can also lead to the possibility of mold growth in a fridge. Clean out mom’s fridge by following these general tips below.

  • Clear out a fridge’s contents before cleaning
  • Discard any spoiled or contaminated food
  • Clean a fridge using vinegar, water, and baking soda
  • Clean out shelves using dish soap and vinegar and let them dry before placing them back into the fridge.
  • Place an open box of baking soda in the fridge to help eliminate odors.

For a more detailed guide on how to clean a fridge (especially for mold), click here.

Remove any Stains from Drywall in Mom’s Home

Drywall can be susceptible to mold growth, and what may seem like a negligible stain may be the cause of a mold infestation. Drywall is a porous surface, meaning it can absorb liquid easier than other surfaces. Therefore, you’ll need to use a cleaner that can thoroughly cleanse drywall.

Consider using a vinegar-water solution to clean drywall. Vinegar is excellent at cleaning porous surfaces and can be used to remove soaked stains and other filthy spots.

Give your mom a clean house for Mother’s Day! And if you happen to stumble across any mold in her home while cleaning, give RestoPros a quick call. Our mold remediation services are performed by the best specialists in Dallas/Ft. Worth. Give us a call at 855-587-3786 to schedule an appointment today!

Related Links:

Cleaning Mold, Mildew, and Bacteria – FEMA

5 Steps to Clean Your Refrigerator – CDC