It’s spooky season – and what’s spookier than haunted houses and scary movies? Mold. Mold and mildew are some of the real, hidden horrors of the season. To help tackle mold and make sure it doesn’t jump out at you this Halloween, you need to know the truth. Here’s the scary truth about mold and mildew in your home.

1. It Can Survive On Any Moist Surface

Mold thrives in damp, humid and moist conditions, so it’s no surprise that it can grow (and survive) on any moist surface. This includes:

• Cardboard
• Paper Products
• Ceiling Tiles
• Wood Products
• Around Roof Leaks
• Windows
• Pipes
• Carpet
• Fabric
• Upholstery
• Dust
• Paints
• Wallpaper
• Insulation
• Drywall

In order to avoid mold from taking over your house, make sure to keep homes as dry as possible, and take care of any wet spills, water leaks, condensation, flooding, or high humidity right away.

2. It’s Incredibly Mobile

Unfortunately, mold doesn’t usually sit still. It moves and grows the longer it’s left alone. If you have mold growing on any surface of your house, it will release additional mold spores as soon as it lands on that surface. Not only that, but it can also travel through the air and latch onto people’s skin, clothing, shoes, shopping bags, and other belongings – even your pet’s fur! Talk about terrifying.

3. It Can Have Negative Effects On Your Health

Exposure to moldy environments can cause negative health effects. If you experience symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, or skin rash, it could be due to allergies or the flu – or it could be due to mold exposure. Sometimes, it’s hard to differentiate between mold exposure and a normal illness, like a cold, flu, or your seasonal allergies. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to the signs to make sure you’re not getting sick from mold. While some types of mold can make you feel generally unwell, other types can cause serious illnesses like lung infections or anaphylaxis. If you’re unsure, have a professional come perform mold testing. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

4. It’s Not Easy To Clean

Cleaning up mold isn’t as simple as one might think. Many people believe you can just paint over it, or take a wipe and scrub it clean. Using bleach, for example, might attack the mold on the surface but the mold has the potential to grow roots down deep, which makes it hard for bleach to remove it entirely. In order to successfully remove mold once and for all, it usually requires the services of mold remediation experts.

RestoPros is Here To Help With All Your Mold Remediation and Mold Testing Needs in Dallas, TX and Surrounding Areas!

Don’t fall victim to mold or mildew growth this season. If you need mold remediation or mold testing in Dallas, TX and surrounding areas, RestoPros is here for all your needs. Call us today at 855-587-3786 or contact us by filling out our online form here.

There’s so much to love about this time of year – fall foliage, fun decorations, haybales, cornstalks, pumpkin patches and haunted houses. But if you are someone who suffers from fall mold allergies, you may not be as excited. We get it – if you’re sensitive to mold, fall is not your favorite. Any why would it be? While we often think about mold growing in damp and dark areas like the basement or bathroom, it can also grow in wet spots outside – like in piles of damp leaves, on wet pumpkins and haybales, and more.

How Will I Know If I Have A Fall Mold Allergy?

If you have a mold allergy, your immune system will overreact when you breathe in mold spores. You might notice coughing, itchy eyes, and other symptoms that aren’t fun to deal with. Some people who have a mold allergy report that exposure to mold can restrict their breathing, and is directly linked to their asthma. A lot of times, people get confused between seasonal allergies and mold allergies because the symptoms look the same. However, seasonal allergies are usually common between late February and early September, whereas mold allergies can happen year-round. However, they are common in fall because mold thrives and grows best in damp environments. And what better place for mold to grow than in damp piles of leaves?

What Are Common Fall Allergens?

The most common culprit for fall allergies is ragweed, which grows in 49 U.S. states and has high pollen levels this time of year. Ragweed pollen and mold are amongst the two most common fall allergens.

How Can I Prevent Mold Allergies?

Here are some tips to help combat mold allergies so you can have a healthier, mold-free season:

1. Try Avoiding Raking Leaves and Mowing The Lawn

This time of year, if you can avoid it, leave the raking and mowing to someone else! Raking leaves and mowing the lawn have the potential to stir up pollen and mold, which can cause your mold allergies to flare up. If you must rake leaves or mow the lawn, then wear a mask to help reduce your exposure of breathing in these mold spores.

2. Clean Heat Vents and Change Your Filter

Before turning on your furnace for the first time this season, make sure to first clean your heating vents and change your filter if you haven’t already. Mold and other allergens have the tendency to get trapped in the vents over summer and will fill your air as soon as that heater kicks on.

3. Let Decorations Dry Before Putting Them Away

Planning to set up some fall décor on your porch this month? If it rains in your area, then those items may get wet. If they do, then it’s important to remember not to put them in any sealed or closed container until they have fully and completely dried. Otherwise, you could open that box next year and come face-to-face with growing mold.

4. Regularly Check Your Home

When cleaning, check your home for any signs of mold growth. If caught early enough, it is much easier to contain. You should also clean up any wet spots or spills right away, as well. This regularly cleaning and checking your surroundings is a good way to help prevent mold from taking over your home.

RestoPros is Here To Help With All Your Mold Remediation Needs in Dallas, TX and Surrounding Areas!

If you need mold remediation or mold testing in Dallas, TX and surrounding areas, RestoPros is here for all your needs. Call us today at 855-587-3786 or contact us by filling out our online form here.