Month: November 2018

How to Clean a Blood Stain

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How to Clean a Blood Stain

You’ve checked online and in all the mail circulars. You know who has the television you want and at the price you want to pay. But there’s a problem: the store only has one left in stock, and you know there will be a hundred people waiting outside for the store to open, hoping to get their mitts on your television.

Let’s face facts, folks – holiday shopping is a blood sport – a zero sum game. If someone gets to that television before you, you don’t get that television. So, chances are good that you may come home from a shopping trip with a blood stain. Fortunately for you, the leading mold, water, and bio and trauma remediation company for the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex – RestoPros – is going to teach you how to clean a blood stain.

 

How to Remove a Blood Stain That’s Fresh

 

  1. Soak in Cold Water.

The first thing you’ll do is make sure the blood stain is still wet. If it is, then immediately soak the stain in cold water with two tablespoons of ammonia – or table salt if you don’t have any ammonia. There’s a misconception that using hot water is better for removing blood stains. It is not. Hot water will actually make the stain set.

  1. Apply Hydrogen Peroxide.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is an oxidizing agent. Peroxide reacts with enzymes in blood, causing an exothermic reaction and resulting in the breakdown of enzymes in blood. Apply the peroxide to the stain using a cotton swab. You should begin to see bubbling or foaming on the stain. This means the peroxide is working. If your fabric is dark colored and want to avoid bleaching, rub the stain with a bar of soap.

  1. Launder with Enzyme-Based Detergent.

You’re now going to machine-wash the article of clothing in cold water using an enzyme-based laundry detergent. Most big-name brands of detergent are now enzyme-based, but check the box to make sure. Once the cycle is complete, make sure the stain is gone before putting the garment in the dryer. Remember, heat will cause the stain to set.

 

How to Remove a Blood Stain That’s Dry

 

  1. Soak in Cold Water.

The first step is basically the same. Soak the fabric in cold water so that the fabric and stain are both wet.

  1. Pre-Treatment Laundry Spray.

If you have a spray bottle of stain remover, spray that on the stain and let it sit. If you don’t have any, you can mix some laundry detergent and water and apply that to the stain instead.

  1. Apply Ammonia to the Stain.

Using a cotton swab, apply some diluted ammonia to the stain. Make small circles with the cotton swab over the stain. Do this at least twice.

 

  1. Launder with Enzyme-Based Detergent.

Same as with a fresh blood stain, you’re now going to machine-wash the article of clothing in cold water using an enzyme-based laundry detergent.

 

While these tips should give you the knowledge to get most small blood stains out of your clothes, they are not comprehensive by any means. The fact is, bio and trauma cleanup are not for the faint of heart and can often be extremely dangerous for those without the proper training, gear, and clothing required. The bio and trauma cleanup experts at RestoPros have a long-standing reputation for expertise, professionalism, and hard work.

If you’re looking for a skilled and highly trained technician for bio and trauma cleanup, mold testing, mold remediation, water damage restoration, or HVAC duct cleaning anywhere in the Dallas Metroplex, call us at (855) 58-RESTO (855-587-3786) to schedule an appointment today!

Common Mold vs Black Mold

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Common Mold vs Black Mold

The irritation in back of your throat has gotten worse. You also bought some eye drops, because your eyes have been red and itchy lately. It was a wet October here in Dallas this year. You’ve even had some water damage in the house, but it was minor – or so you think. You pull back the corner of the carpet in the bedroom where the leak was the worst and see black colored mold.

 

Like some vampire from an old movie, you immediately cover your mouth and nose with your arm and run out the room. Does the color of the mold mean you’re in danger? Fortunately for you, the professionals at RestoPros – the leading mold and water remediation company for the greater DFW Metroplex – are going to teach you the differences between common mold and black mold.

  1. Molds Defined.

There are several types of mold that are black colored. Some of these molds are toxic and some are not, and not all toxic molds are black. Generally speaking, mold is the visual growth produced by filamentous fungi. Mold is sometimes confused with bacteria, but unlike bacteria, mold is a eukaryote organism with a complex cell structure. Mold serves an important role in the ecological system as a decomposer – and in some cases – mold is responsible for saving more lives than it has taken.

 

  1. Is Black Mold Dangerous?

While black mold can be harmful to humans, its reputation as a deadly killer is somewhat overhyped. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, calling black mold toxic isn’t even accurate. Some molds are indeed toxigenic and can produce mycotoxins, but the molds themselves aren’t toxic or poisonous. While black mold is definitely harmful to humans, the simple fact is there are very few links that suggest that toxigenic black mold found inside the home can cause any serious risk to your health. Black mold is mainly a problem for those with underlying medical issues like asthma or a who have a weakened immune system.

 

  1. How Common is Mold?

Mold isn’t just common – it’s ubiquitous. You will never completely rid your home of mold. Mold will happily grow anywhere this is moisture inside of the home, especially in areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and basements where moisture is constant companion. The most common types of mold you’ll find in your home are Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Alternaria. While Stachybotrys chartarum (black mold) is a less common problem for homeowners, it’s far from rare.

 

  1. What Do I Do If I Find Mold?

While black mold probably isn’t going to kill you, you should take steps to get rid of it. Molds that are on hard surfaces can usually be taken care of with a good cleaning. There are several store-bought cleaners that do a reasonably good job of this, but bleach is still the best method. Mix 1 cup of bleach with 1 gallon of water and pour this mixture into a spray bottle. Molds found on porous materials like drywall, carpet, and ceiling tiles will need to be thrown away.

 

While we hope this information will give you a better understanding of mold and the risks it creates inside the home, it is no substitute for an experienced professional. The fact is, proper mold removal may be too difficult and dangerous for the average homeowner. The CDC recommends calling a professional mold remediation company in most cases. The mold remediation experts at RestoPros have a long-standing reputation for expertise, professionalism, and hard work. If you’re looking for a skilled and highly trained technician for mold testing, mold remediation, water damage restoration, or HVAC duct cleaning anywhere in the Dallas Metroplex, call us at (855) 58-RESTO (855-587-3786) to schedule your appointment today!

 

 

How to Avoid Water Damage in Your Home

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How to Avoid Water Damage in Your Home

Water damage is a serious threat to you and your home, and it doesn’t take much water to do serious damage. The fact is, an undetected small leak can cause more damage than a major leak that’s detected right away. Many plumbing leaks happen in areas where they might go unseen or unnoticed for weeks. Leaks located behind walls, under floors, underground, or those that happen while you’re away can be costly to the homeowner.

What’s more, you also have to think about rain and flood damage, because while homeowners insurance will cover most sudden accidents, it does not cover flood damage or leaks caused by unresolved maintenance issues. Fortunately for you, the professionals at RestoPros – the leading mold and water remediation company for the greater DFW Metroplex – are going to show you a few things so you know how to avoid water damage in your home.

  1. Invest in a Leak Detector.

Leak detectors are a great way to ensure that you know about a possible leak before it has time to do any damage. While these gadgets used to cost a lot, they’ve come down in price over the years. Some of the most popular brands are available for less than $50 and should have enough sensors to cover your water heater, dishwasher, refrigerator, and washing machine. The sensors work by detecting moisture. If they detect moisture where there shouldn’t be any, they send a notification to your phone, alerting you to the trouble.

  1. Check Your Gutters for Obstructions.

One of the more common ways water enters you home is through the roof. Sometimes that’s because you have damage to your roof or are missing shingles, perhaps due to a storm or high winds. The other way is much sneakier in its attack. Rather than pounding its way inside the home, it reverses directions and sneaks in through perfectly good shingles. Shingles are designed to be a watershed for water flowing down your roof, but they don’t work so well if that water reverses direction. When gutters and down spouts are obstructed and clogged with debris like leaves and vermin, they begin to act like a dam of sorts. As water backs up behind this dam, it enters home by travelling in the opposite direction the shingles were designed for. This can cause major damage to walls, ceilings, and electronics.

  1. Annual Maintenance Checks.

All pipes, lines, and machines that produce or carry water need to be inspected once a year for signs of wear or damage. Think of it as your home’s annual physical. Like putting off getting a check-up from your doctor, putting off your home’s inspection can lead to more problems and damage later. Nothing lasts forever, so do yourself and your home a huge favor this year and schedule an annual check-up with a qualified professional. These inspections can detect problems to come before those problems come for you.

 

While we hope these tips will help you avoid water damage in your home, they’re no substitute for an experienced professional. The water damage experts at RestoPros have a long-standing reputation for expertise, professionalism, and hard work. If you’re looking for a skilled and highly trained technician for mold testing, mold remediation, water damage restoration, or HVAC duct cleaning anywhere in the Dallas Metroplex, call us at (855) 58-RESTO (855-587-3786) to schedule an appointment today!

4 DIY Tips on Removing Black Mold

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Your eyes have been watery and itching lately, and you’ve been coughing and sneezing more than normal. There has also been a musty, unpleasant smell that, regardless of how many candles you burn, just won’t go away. You then notice a fuzzy little greenish-black patch of slime in the bathroom. You, my friend, have a toxic invader: black mold. A serious threat to homeowners, black mold can wreak havoc on your home and health.

Black mold is found in the dark and damp areas of your home and, left unchecked, can quickly spread and become a serious threat to you and your loved ones. Fortunately for you, the professionals at RestoPros – the leading mold and water remediation company for the greater DFW Metroplex – are going to show you 4 DIY tips on removing black mold.

  1. Gear Up for Battle

Before you confront the enemy, make sure you’re properly outfitted and ready for battle. For under $10.00, hooded disposable coveralls will protect you and your clothing from mold spores. You will also need a high-quality N-95 respirator, air tight safety googles, and a pair of good rubber gloves. Because the health concerns are so serious, we must insist that no short cuts are taken. Even short exposure to black mold spores can cause respiratory infections, joint pain, rashes, and even blindness.

  1. Remove and Toss Porous Materials.

Any porous materials with mold growth will need to be removed and discarded. This can include materials like drywall, paper, carpeting, and ceiling tiles. Because mold can spread rapidly, it’s important to check behind walls with mold grown on them to see how far the infection has spread. This might mean having to remove large sections of drywall and carpeting to ensure all black mold is found and treated. While wooden studs can be treated and cleaned, drywall will need to be discarded and replaced after the mold is eradicated from the area. This holds true for all carpeting as well. Hardwood floors may be cleaned, but the carpeting will need to be removed from the home.

  1. Disinfect and Clean the Area.

There are a number of inexpensive products on the market that can be used to clean mold. For years, products like bleach or ammonia have been the preferred choice, but today there are several products that are made especially for the removal and cleanup of mold and can be purchased at any major grocery store. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, bleach may still be the most effective way to remove mold from the home. If you decide to use bleach, mix 1 cup with 1 gallon of water. Pour into a spray bottle or use with a bucket and sponge. Never mix bleach and ammonia, as it produces a toxic gas.

  1. Prevent Mold Growth from Reoccurring.

Make sure that the root cause for the moisture has been fixed. Places like bathrooms, kitchens, and basements need to be cleaned regularly and kept dry. For large areas like basements, a dehumidifier will allow you to regulate the amount of moisture in the air. Air conditioners are another good way to reduce humidity in the home. In areas where it is difficult or impossible to eliminate moisture, you can mix 1 cup of bleach with 5 gallons of water for use in controlling the growth of mold.

 

While we hope these DIY tips help in your battle with black mold, they’re no substitute for an experienced professional. The fact is, the job may just be too difficult and dangerous. The CDC recommends calling a professional mold remediation company in most cases. The mold remediation experts at RestoPros have a long-standing reputation for expertise, professionalism, and hard work. If you’re looking for a skilled and highly trained technician for mold testing, mold remediation, water damage restoration, or HVAC duct cleaning anywhere in the Dallas Metroplex, call us at (855) 58-RESTO (855-587-3786) to schedule an appointment today!