Month: April 2020

How Does Mold Affect My Pet?

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How Does Mold Affect My Pet

You know that mold can have negative side effects in your body, and maybe by now, you know what side effects to be looking for. But do your pets experience the same symptoms? If not, what symptoms should you be looking for in your pets to ensure that they’re staying healthy and that your home is mold-free? Here’s the answer to “How does mold affect my pet?”

Fever

Yes, just like humans, pets can get fevers too. When your pet inhales mold spores, fever can be a big side effect. But how can you tell if your pet has a fever? The same way you would measure your own temperature: with a thermometer. However, your pet isn’t going to sit still to get a true reading. That’s why It’s important to take them to the vet if you’re concerned.

Signs your pet has a fever:

  • Fatigue
  • Bloodshot eyes
  • Dry nose
  • Disinterest in food

Respiratory Issues

Breathing in mold spores can have negative consequences for your pet just as much as it can for you. With that in mind, respiratory issues may be the most telling sign that your pet has been exposed to mold. If you find that your pet is panting and taking rapid, shallow breaths, even while laying down, that could be an indication that they’re having issues breathing.

Coughing has also been linked to mold exposure, in humans as well as pets. If your pet sounds like they’re trying to dislodge something deep inside their throat, then maybe mold is to blame.

Sneezing

Mold exposure causes allergies in people and pets alike. Allergies in pets also have similar symptoms to those we experience. Sneezing is a sign that your pet is experiencing an allergic reaction, and it might just be mold that they’re allergic to.

The trouble is that pets sneeze for a number of reasons: Something tickled them while they were sniffing around, they bumped their nose on something, or they’re trying to indicate that they’re playing and not fighting. Before you jump to the conclusion that your pet is sneezing due to a mold allergy, consider their other symptoms and the events that occurred right before they started sneezing.

Nasal Discharge

This symptom is a little more cut and dry. It’s a sure indication that your pet needs medical attention,  if not one that there’s mold in your home. Nasal discharge shows that your pet is pretty sick. While a wet nose is a sign of good health, a leaky nose is a rare sight and easy to spot for that reason.

In extreme cases, your pet may even bleed from their nose or mouth if they’ve been exposed to mold. Nasal discharge is a sign of sickness, but blood is an emergency. Take your pet to the vet right away and have your home inspected by a mold remediation specialist.

Call RestoPros for Mold Inspection & Removal Services

If you even suspect mold may be in your home, contact a professional right away. Mold exposure can be dangerous for both you and your pets, so you should never try to inspect it or remove it yourself. The workers at RestoPros are here to help. Call us today to schedule an appointment!

How NOT to Flood Your Basement

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How NOT to Flood Your Basement 

The countless hours and probably thousands of dollars we pour into our basements to transform them into anything other than a concrete dungeon isn’t anything to scoff at. The last thing that you’d want is for a flash flood or cracked sewage line to find its way into your furnished basement, turning it into a downright hazardous area. For a basement to truly be finished, we’ve got to have some flood prevention steps in place. Layers of protection are key! We’ll go over some of those layers and hopefully save you some misery later on down the line. Here’s how NOT to flood your basement.

 

Prevention Is Key

 

Before a flood is even close to a reality, we can look at some ways to minimize the risk of a flood affecting our homes. If you tend to get a lot of rainwater, it might be worth it to do a little planning and figure out the best ways to divert all that flow away from the residence. Extending rain gutters and downspouts and making sure the grading in the yard is suitable are good first steps. Making sure water has clear pathways to sewers unobstructed is the next. Gutters won’t help if a pile of leaves is clogging the line in the street anyway!

 

Speaking of Leaves

 

After fall it’s wise to clean any pathways around your home, especially blocked gutters, which are easy to forget about! Making sure there’s no dirt, debris, or wildlife that’s interfering with your home’s ability to deal with significant downpours is a huge component of preventing flooding, as the alternative is water pouring directly off your roof onto your already soaked foundation.

 

Get a Sump Pump

 

Automatic sump pumps are vital in keeping large amounts of water from collecting anywhere, they essentially act like floor drains, and as long as they can continue receiving power, they’ll do their jobs and minimize the amount of water impacting you.

 

Get ANOTHER Sump Pump

 

Two is one and one is none. Pumps are mechanical devices, and therefore can and will fail. The point in time you would least want to discover a failing sump pump in your basement is when the water is getting high enough to do laps in. Having a backup pump is highly suggested, if not just for peace of mind than for contingency.

 

Emergency Power

 

Consider installing some kind of automatic emergency power system to ensure the continued operation of vital equipment. Your climate control and any pumps you need for sewage and emergencies can prevent a flooded home, frozen pipes, or flooded septic tank.

 

Flood Damage in Your Basement? Call RestoPros

 

There are a ton of options available to you, and even more tips to research on how to best avoid a flooded basement. If this is a worry of yours, or if you find yourself wanting to know more about the factors and preventative measures one could take to mitigate or prevent said disasters, give the experts at RestoPros a call today to find out more, or even set up an installation!

How to Weatherproof Your Home to Prevent Mold

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How to Weatherproof Your Home to Prevent Mold

Nobody likes to have mold in their house. And even more, nobody likes to clean mold out of their house. Aside from the health risks and negative air quality, the sight and smell aren’t pleasant to experience, it’s just gross. Although cleaning mold out of the home is a chore, preventing it in the first place doesn’t have to be! Here, we’ll discuss some tips and practices, including how to weatherproof your home to prevent mold.

Moisture

Where there’s moisture there’s mold, naturally, the best practice is to try and keep moisture out of the house! This is easier said than done, however. Aside from humid conditions outside from rain, fog, snow, etc, there are things going on in the home that create humidity too. From showering to cooking, washing and drying clothes to doing the dishes.

Doors and Windows

Humidity comes in many forms. External factors like weather and climate are easy to remedy, or at least reduce. Start by checking the windows and external doors of the home. Each one will have some kind of weather seal (a rubber fitted seal running along the frame). This seal can become worn over time, or poorly fitting seals can fall out of place. Some may have been overlooked and have no seal at all! In any case, checking to verify the seal fits effectively on any doors that face externally to prevent any unwanted exchanges in temperature and humidity.

Condensation

As humidity increases, so will condensation. Water will collect on surfaces like windows, doors, pipes, and potentially, walls. Wiping down this extra moisture will help reduce mold and mildew in the home and prevent it from growing on or in surfaces and becoming a much bigger issue later! Additionally, anything cold can produce condensation, like refrigerators, cold pipes, and AC condensers, among others. Knowing where moisture is likely to collect and wiping it down is helpful!

Air Flow

Humidity has a much easier time collecting in enclosed environments. As such, providing adequate airflow to trouble areas will help push moisture out and prevent it from reaching critical mass. Keeping interior doors open, and using fans and HVAC systems to maintain airflow is helpful for doing this. Additionally, adding dehumidifiers to this plan will drastically improve the effectiveness, if humidity is that much of an issue!

Call RestoPros for Mold Remediation Services

We can’t escape the moisture in the air, but we can certainly make it manageable. Knowing where in the house moisture collects, and circulating it to the rest of the home is great. Preventing additional moisture from entering through external doors and windows is even better, along with insulating pipes and relevant points of entry. Wiping down surfaces and using dehumidifiers should be the final nail in the coffin for any would-be mold or mildew growth in the house! If you’re unsure about any of this, or if your problem has grown farther than these steps would help, give RestoPros a call today and set up an appointment!

4 Ways to Protect Your Pets Against Mold

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Protect Your Pets Against Mold

 

You love and want to protect your pets from mold, and with 70% of the US owning more than 150 million cats and dogs (not even counting the other animals), it’s no secret as to why. Understandably, we want to keep them happy and healthy for a whole host of reasons. Even if we set aside the basic concept of trying to take care of a part of the family, considering the medical expenses of a sick pet is enough to make anyone with a furry friend do their best to keep them healthy.

 

Unfortunately, cats and dogs (especially the smaller the dog gets) are susceptible to mold, more so than the average human. This increased sensitivity comes at the price of increased vigilance. Some common symptoms include:

 

  • Decreased appetite, vomiting, and bathroom problems
  • Respiratory issues like coughing or wheezing
  • Excessive sneezing and nasal problems
  • Lethargy
  • Excessive tending to specific areas; scratching, licking, or chewing

 

Among other things, these are potential warning signs that you should pay attention to. Fret not, there are several things we can do to protect your pets against mold.

 

Remove Your Pet from the Environment

 

Until it’s established what exactly is causing the problem, isolating your pet and keeping them out of problem rooms (or the house altogether) is an excellent first choice. Cleaning out their living area, getting rid of any dog toys, bedding, and usual items they have around them for most of the day should be the first priority. If it’s something that’s hard rubber or plastic, it can generally be disinfected. But cloth, fabric, or has lots of porous holes or corners and crevices, you may consider tossing it out!

 

Don’t Let Your Pet Eat Spoiled Food

 

Dog owners know that their dog will, at some point, become curious about the food in the trash can. Even in a mold-free home the trash may contain spoiled or rotten food. Dogs don’t seem to be particular about it and might take a chance to enjoy an extra meal. While they’re eating it, they’ll also be breathing it in, which is a double whammy of risk. If possible, secure the trash cans away from the animal or in a container or device that’s more tamper-proof than a small plastic bin. Additionally, even the most well-behaved dogs may be eating their food as intended. This food may even be contaminated if stored improperly! Make sure their food stays in a nice and dry place while being stored away.

 

Dehumidify

 

If your pet spends a lot of time hanging out in moist environments, like a basement, you might consider getting a dehumidifier to help reduce the risk of moist, dark environments that are prime spots for mold and mildew to grow.

 

Get an Inspection

 

If you feel like this is a real problem, or you’d like to make sure it never becomes one, call the experts at RestoPros today! They have licensed and experienced professionals that can answer your questions and even set up an appointment for an inspection!