Not all outbreaks of mold inside your house are inadvertent. Some are brought into the house, taken care of, and watered – flourishing directly in front of you. This can often happen to houseplants as well as the fertilized soil where they develop. Mold thrives anywhere there is food and dampness in addition to a warm temperature. The soil inside a pot regularly attracts mold encouraged by the rotting leaves and other dead organic matter that falls into the dirt. Thus, the customary watering given by homeowners can sometimes make the plant an ideal place for mold growth.
Wipe the mold off of your plants
Take a soggy paper towel and, while supporting the stems with your fingers so you don’t break them, delicately wipe down the plant leaves to eliminate any surface mold. Additionally, wipe the tail of the plant. Pluck contaminated plant materials and leaves around plants and arrange in the trash to abstain from spreading sickness. When using tools to cut infected wood, make sure that you use tea tree oil to sanitize them after use. Get weeds far from plants, as they can hold creepy crawlies and microbes. Water plants routinely yet abstain from overwatering, which can contribute to mold growth. Utilize an assortment of plants since organisms will in general be plant-explicit, and buy ensured illness-free seeds and cuttings whenever the situation allows.
Take the plant outside
Take it outside and splash it with an EPA-registered fungicide that will stop mold growth. You can get guidance from a local nursery about the ideal fungicide for your specific plants. Compound fungicides can be hurtful to different plants, kids, pets and nature. Tea tree oil is a characteristic item that has been utilized for quite a long time as an antimicrobial for a wide assortment of conditions. When used appropriately, tea tree oil can help control contagious sicknesses on plants without a large number of the hazardous symptoms of compound fungicides.
Before bringing the plant again into the house, scoop out the top layer of gardening soil in the pot, diving as deep as conceivable without harming roots. Supplant this dirt with crisp gardening soil that is marked as “disinfected” to stop mold during creation.
Don’t over-water houseplants
Don’t water your plants too often as overabundant dampness can trigger mold growth. Talk to your local nursery professional about the right amount of water for your plants. Also take into account the humidity in your area – and your home as that is also a factor in mold growth.
Kill the mold with UV light
Bright light present in daylight is an easy and obvious mold inhibitor. Make sure that all of your plants get the suggested exposure they need on a daily basis.
What to do if mold persists
Though mold in plants is relatively easy to take care of, mold in the home is often a different story. If you are experiencing a mold problem, call us today. Our experienced staff of mold remediation specialists can help with a variety of mold issues. Connect with us in the DFW Metroplex today at 855-587-3786.
Mold can lead to vicious allergies and respiratory issues. Cleaning up after you’ve discovered mold can be dangerous to your health for that very reason. It’s important to know how to properly clean up and dispose of mold so you can get back to your normal life. Starting your life after mold also involves taking measures to ensure it doesn’t feel welcome in your home again. Here are the RestoPros tips for cleaning up after mold exposure and enacting future mold prevention.
Cleaning Up After Mold Exposure
Protect Yourself
Once you know there’s mold in your home, it’s important to take measures to protect yourself. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) advises people who will be interacting with mold in any way to wear: a face mask to keep from breathing in the spores, gloves to keep from coming into direct contact with the mold, and safety glasses to protect your eyes.
Don’t Cover It – Scrub It
Cleaning mold is tougher than you might think. This isn’t like scrubbing the grime out from between your shower tiles. It’s hard work. This may not have been your inclination, but many people, after trying and failing to scrub away the mold, try to simply cover it up with paint or caulking.
While this may correct the unsightly appearance, it won’t do much to protect you from mold allergies and respiratory issues. Scrub the mold away as best you can. Take a break if you need to, but then come back until it’s done.
Throw Out Porous Material
Some parts of your home just won’t be saved. If porous materials have been infected with mold, for example, there’s no amount of scrubbing that will save them. Ceiling tiles, plywood furniture, anything covered in upholstery—throw it out.
Hire a Mold Remediation Specialist
After attempting to clean the mold yourself, you might find that it’s much, much more difficult than you had imagined. Despite your very best efforts, you’re just not getting all of the mold off of the infected surfaces in your home.
Asking for help is not the same as admitting defeat. You’ve done all you can, so now it’s time to let a professional take it from here.
Future Mold Prevention
Now that you’ve seen what a headache mold can be, you’re probably thinking, “I never want to see another speck of mold again.” While it’s not possible to ban mold from your home for good, there are simple steps you can take to prevent mold from growing in the future.
Dehumidifiers
Mold loves moisture. Even the limited moisture in humidity is enough to make mold feel welcome in your house. Besides doing your best to prevent home floods (like having your plumbing inspected and protecting your home’s interior from the elements), you can dehumidify your house to keep mold at bay.
Start Seasonal Cleaning
Our society makes a big deal about spring cleaning, but really, the nooks and crannies need your full attention at least once per season.
Nooks include areas of your home you rarely think of, like: your ductwork, your air filters, your water filters, your attic, cabinets that house pipes, and really, any space that attracts moisture.
Keep these areas clean, and you’ll avoid mold.
Stay Up-to-Date on Mold Prevention Tips
Come back to our blog for additional mold prevention tips. If you need help with mold remediation and mold cleanup in the meantime, give us a call.
The negative impacts of mold can be worrying and like many homeowners, you might be inclined to test for mold and remove it on your own. While that decision might seem financially feasible and convenient in the moment, you should reconsider. DIY mold testing kits aren’t always reliable, and neither is DIY mold removal. In addition, there are laws that require a licensed professional handle the process of mold removal. We understand if you’re not fully on board with the idea of a professional—to convince you, the RestoPros team has prepared a list of the benefits of choosing a mold remediation professional.
1. Professional Mold Assessment
If you think you have a mold problem because you smell a musty scent, have excess humidity or major leaks, it is best to contact a professional to inspect for mold. As we mentioned earlier, DIY mold testing is unreliable and unhelpful. According to Consumer Reports, mold test kits that can be found at home improvement stores have had major problems. While mold removal is incredibly important, it’s also important to have a trustworthy and safe method of testing for mold. With a mold remediation company, you will get professionals using their knowledge, experience and proper equipment to test for mold in your home. There will be lesser room for any mishaps.
2. Detailed Process of Removal
Following the assessment and testing, there will be a
detailed and thorough process of removal. If you choose RestoPros, here is what
the mold
removal process will look like:
Initial Testing
A licensed mold assessment consultant will come to your home
to perform an inspection and take any air quality samples. Based on what they
discover, they will write instructions on how to remove the mold.
Removal
We will set up containment around your home to prevent mold
spores from spreading to unaffected parts of your home. Then, any affected
porous parts such as drywall, carpeting and insulation will be removed – and
non-porous parts, such as tiles, will be disinfected.
Air Scrubbing
We will use our air scrubbers (tools used to filter the air
and remove bacteria from it) for 24 hours inside the containment area.
Clearance Test
A professional mold removal consultant will ensure your home’s air quality is healthier. After about 72 hours, the consultant will issue clearance and sign a Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation.
3. Certified Expertise and Knowledge
If you’ve been following our blogs for a while, you’re most
likely an informed homeowner who knows a lot about mold. However, licensed
professionals bring certified expertise to the table and knowledge of, not just
mold, but the best methods and tools to remove and prevent it. In addition,
professionals will completely sanitize, deodorize and purify the air to ensure
healthy air quality, following any mold removal services. They are also
informed about insurance options and can even help you file a claim with your
insurance company to cover any damage.
Choose RestoPros for Mold Removal Services!
If you are looking for a mold remediation company to test
your home for mold, perform mold removal services or water damage restoration,
look no further than the professionals at RestoPros! Call us today at
855-587-3786 or fill out a service request form online!
Mold is a common and frustrating problem that many homeowners deal with daily. Often, they ask if they can remove it on their own using DIY methods. That depends on the size of the area the mold is covering and the extent of the damage it has caused. Usually, if its in a small, easy to clean area, you can remove it by yourself. To help you out, here are some effective DIY mold removal tips from the team at RestoPros!
1. Do Your Research
Whenever you take on a home service project, it’s important
to do your research and be prepared. If you just jump in without any
information, preparations and precautions you will just be making things harder
for yourself.
When doing
research, look into the Environmental Protection Agency’s guidelines regarding DIY mold removal. According to the EPA, if the moldy
area is less than 10 square feet or roughly within a three feet by three feet patch,
you can tackle the mold problem yourself. However, if there has been extensive
water damage or the moldy area is larger than 10 square feet, it’s best to call
a professional. In addition to guidelines, the EPA also has great mold removal
tips and techniques to help you safely remove mold from your home.
Another thing you should know before you remove mold is what to wear. Make sure you have long, rubber gloves on and goggles that don’t have ventilation holes. In addition, you can wear an N-95 respirator to avoid inhaling mold spores—this is especially helpful if you have mold allergies or are prone to allergies in general.
2. Baking Soda, Vinegar and Hydrogen Peroxide Are Your Best Friends
Alright, you have done your research and you have concluded
that you can handle the mold on your own. The next thing you need to know is
that baking soda, vinegar and hydrogen peroxide are great natural mold
killers. Here are some ways you can use them:
Baking Soda
Simply add one-quarter or one-half tablespoon of baking soda
to a spray bottle containing water. Then, shake the bottle until it’s
dissolved. Spray the affected area with the solution and let it sit for a few
minutes. Scrub the area until the mold is gone and rinse the area.
Vinegar
Pour distilled white vinegar into a spray bottle without
watering it down. Spray the vinegar onto the mold surface and let it sit for
about an hour. Then, scrub and wipe the area clean with water and let the
surface dry.
Hydrogen Peroxide
This solution is a great bacteria killer. Pour three percent concentration hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle then spray the entire moldy area. Let it sit for 10 minutes. Then, scrub the mold away, rinse it off and wipe it dry.
3. Spray and Scrub to Remove Exterior Mold
We’ve talked a lot about mold growing inside your home.
However, mold can also grow on the exterior of your house as well and it can
cause significant damage to your home by eating away at the wood and even
sneaking into the inside of your home.
To remove mold from the exterior surfaces of your home and spray a very diluted bleach solution (1-to-10 solution of bleach and water) on the affected area. Then scrub any stains with a stiff bristle brush dipped in solution. Let the solution sit for 20 minutes and rinse with a garden hose.
4. You Might Have to Dispose of Some Items
Keep in mind, this might not be necessary when only a very
small portion of your home has been affected by mold. However, some porous
surfaces such as carpets may have to be thrown away if they become moldy. Even
if it doesn’t look so bad on the surface, mold spores can show up in tiny
cracks and crevices of porous items and it might be impossible to get rid of
the mold entirely.
RestoPros: Experts in Mold Removal
If mold doesn’t seem to go away no matter what you do, you might have to call a professional. Look no further than RestoPros! We offer services such as mold testing, mold remediation and water damage restoration. Our well-trained and knowledgeable experts will make sure your home is 100 percent mold free! Get in touch with us today by calling 855-587-3786 or by filling out a service request form
There are few things more exhausting to cope with than allergies. From springtime sneeze attacks to missing out on playing with your friend’s new puppy, allergies keep you from many things. However, if you suffer from mold allergies, you face daily triggers that are everywhere, and don’t disappear with springtime. Are you looking for simpler methods to ease your day-to-day symptoms? Well, the experts at RestoPros are here to help by telling you about some common mold allergies and homeopathic solutions.
Identifying Your Mold Allergies:
First of all, you must identify the type of mold that’s causing the reaction. Moreover, it’s important to identify the type of mold so you can understand the symptoms that come with exposure. Therefore, to help you navigate your own symptoms, here are some common mold allergies:
1. Alternaria Allergy
• Characteristics:
Dark green, black, or grey with long velvety hairs, Alternaria is a mold that requires very little moisture to grow.
• Where it Grows:
Because it requires minimal moisture to grow, Alternaria is commonly found on carpets, clothing, basements, windows, and doors.
• Symptoms:
If you’re suffering from exposure to this type of mold, you’ll experience symptoms similar to hay fever. In addition to the hay fever symptoms, you may also experience respiratory problems and asthma.
2. Aspergillus Allergy
• Characteristics:
Because it can be grey, brown, yellow, green, white, or black, Aspergillus is often tricky to identify from other molds. That being said, this type of mold grows very quickly once the spores are released.
• Where it Grows:
Although Aspergillus mold grows quickly, it does require more
moisture than Alternaria. As a prevalent household mold, it grows in walls,
soil, insulation, basements, and clothing.
• Exposure Symptoms:
Particularly harmful to people with weakened immune systems, such as young children and the elderly, Aspergillus can cause serious infections. Releasing aflatoxin, a chemical that can cause liver damage and cancer, Aspergillus is one of the more dangerous household molds to encounter.
3. Cladosporium Allergy
• Characteristics:
With a powdery texture and grey, brown, or black in color,
Cladosporium can have dark-pigmented conidia that occur in simple or branching
chains.
• Where it Grows:
As a mold that can grow on both dead and living matter, it is
commonly found on food, dead plants, insulation, wood, and dark, damp
environments, such as basements.
• Exposure Symptoms:
If exposed to Cladosporium, you may experience allergic reactions similar to hay fever. This can include dry skin, sneezing, runny nose, scratchy throat, coughing, and watery eyes. On the more severe end, you could also suffer asthma attacks, fungal sinusitis, tightness in your chest, and difficulty breathing.
4. Memnoniella Allergy
• Characteristics:
Although very similar to Stachybotrys, Memnoniella mold is
smaller and is usually a dark green or black color.
• Where it Grows:
Growing in damp areas like bathrooms and basements,
Memnoniella can also be found on cotton, wool, canvas, walls, and ceilings.
• Exposure Symptoms:
While this mold is less common and poses a lesser health risk than others, you can experience severe symptoms. Most commonly, these symptoms include respiratory problems, coughing, and headaches.
5. Penicillium Allergy
• Characteristics:
With over 300 species, Penicillium mold is typically blue or
green. Named after the Latin word for paintbrush, the spores of Penicillium
form into what closely resembles a paintbrush.
• Where it Grows:
As a mold that has been identified world-wide, Penicillium can grow anywhere. From air and soil to leather, food, and insulation, this is a prevalent household mold.
• Exposure Symptoms:
Although Penicillium has saved countless lives, there are species of Penicillium that produce toxic compounds. If a mold-sensitive individual is exposed to the spores, they can experience congestion, eye irritation, and coughing. If food with Penicillium mold is ingested, it will also irritate the stomach.
6. Stachybotrys Allergy
• Characteristics:
More notoriously known as toxic black mold, Stachybotrys is
dark green or black in color with a slimy texture.
• Where it Grows:
Because it thrives on material with a high cellulose and low nitrogen content, Stachybotrys is commonly found on fiberboard, gypsum board, paper, dust, and lint. Therefore, this toxic mold can grow in walls, ceilings, and floorboards as long as there is consistent moisture present.
• Exposure Symptoms:
As its commonly-known name denotes, Stachybotrys can cause severe headaches, asthma, dizziness, and joint pain. In addition to the physical symptoms, it can cause fatigue and mental impairment. Furthermore, exposure to Stachybotrys has been linked to cancer, internal organ failure, and multiple deaths infant deaths.
Homeopathic Solutions
Although general practitioner-prescribed medicines address the symptoms of mold allergies, they often miss the mark in tackling the cause. Moreover, many of these medications come with a laundry list of unwanted side effects. As a result, you may start to wonder if the mold allergies are worse than the side effects of the medication.
Rather than just address the symptoms, you can explore homeopathic solutions. As a better long-term option, homeopathic solutions tackle mold allergies from within, alleviating the stress on your immune system. To lay out some natural alternatives, here are some homeopathic solutions to explore:
1. Change Up Your Diet
For many mold allergy sufferers, the exposure doesn’t end with airborne spores. In fact, many foods contain mold spores that can wreak havoc on your immune system, if you’re mold sensitive. Consequently, simple changes in your diet can produce dramatic results in lessening your symptoms. Here are some examples of the diet changes you can make:
Remove These Foods from
Your Diet:
Mushrooms
Cheese
Pickles
Sour Cream
Vinegar
Buttermilk
Beer
Wine
High-Yeast Breads, like Pumpernickel
Sauerkraut
Soy Sauce
Pickled and Smoked Meats
Dried Fruit
Processed, Canned, and Bottled Foods
High Sugar Fruits, like pineapple,
mango, bananas, melons, oranges, and grapes
Add These Foods to Your
Diet:
Pastured and organic animal products, like beef, bison, lamb, veal, wild-caught seafood, poultry, and pastured eggs
Ginger, garlic, cayenne, and horseradish
Organic fresh fruit, like berries, apples, lemons, limes
Yeast-Free Breads, such as flatbreads and tortillas
Raw nuts and seeds, like sunflower, pumpkin, flax, and chia seeds, and low mold nuts like almonds
Extra virgin olive oil, coconut milk, coconut oil, organic butter, and avocados.
Filtered water, non-fruity herbal teas, mineral water, fresh veggie juice, low-mold alcohols like vodka and gin.
2. Add Some Herbs and Supplements
Another homeopathic measure to alleviate your symptoms is adding beneficial herbs and supplements to your diet. Here are some to include:
Garlic
Pau d’arco
Oregano Oil
Tea Tree Oil
Ginger
Apple Cider Vinegar
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Turmeric
Powdered Licorice
Lemongrass Oil
Berberine
Echinacea Angustifolia (Purple Coneflower)
Grape Seed Extract
Aloe Vera
Chamomile
Tannate Plant Extracts
Flaxseed Oil
Bioflavonoids
Probiotics
Vitamin C, A, and E
Zinc
3. Explore Some Herbal Medicine
In order to relieve your symptoms with more natural methods, you can explore some herbal medicines. Here are a few to consider:
Dong Quai
This serves as an effective anti-inflammatory and antihistamine.
Eyebright –
Use this medicine to reduce congestion, as well as itchy eyes and sneezing.
Gingko –
Containing bioflavonoids, this medicine is also an antihistamine and
anti-inflammatory.
Milk Thistle –
In addition to reducing allergic, inflammatory, and histaminic reactions, milk
thistle supports your liver function.
Red clover –
This medicine serves as a resistance-builder to mold.
Yarrow –
Yarrow alleviates congestion and reduces secretion.
Stinging nettles – Stinging nettles are another anti-inflammatory and antihistamine.
4. Take Some Natural Remedies
If you’re looking for a way to fortify your immune system against mold, here are some natural remedies to explore:
ThyroLiver Protect
To help detoxify your liver and support the production of glutathione, take 1-2 caps, twice a day of ThyroLiver Protect. Using selenium, milk thistle extract, Alpha-Lipoic Acid, and N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine, this medicine helps your liver neutralize and process mold spores.
Super Glutathione
For added support to your liver and digestive tract, take 1-2 caps, twice a day of Super Glutathione.
Coconut Charcoal
To help your digestive tract detoxify mold spores, use 1-2 caps of coconut charcoal between meals and before bed.
Allium Cepa
Use this supplement to help with discharge from your eyes and nose, and to alleviate hoarseness.
Euphrasia
To alleviate discharge from your eyes and nose, a dry cough, sneezing, and diarrhea, take Euphrasia.
Natrum Muriaticum
For discharge from your eyes, cold sores, a loss of your sense of taste and smell, and headaches, take natrum muriaticum.
Wyethia
WWith Wyethia, you can alleviate extreme itchiness in the nose and throat, a swollen throat, and blocked nasal passages.
Nux Vomica
If you have a runny nose during the day and a dry nose at night, Nux Vomica may be what you need. Additionally, it can relieve sneeze attacks and outdoor reactions to pollen.
5. Reduce Exposure
Keep Your House Clean
Most harmful indoor mold growth starts with dust, dander, and moisture. Therefore, your best bet at keeping mold at bay in is keeping a clean home. This means regularly dusting and vacuuming with a HEPA filter vacuum to eliminate dust and dirt. Furthermore, you should keep damp places like your bathrooms, kitchen, and basement clean and dry.
Reduce Humidity Levels
Another important way to keep your home mold-free is regulating the humidity levels. In order to best track and control indoor humidity, we recommend purchasing a hygrometer and dehumidifier. In fact, many dehumidifiers contain a built-in hygrometer, allowing you to easily measure and maintain a healthy level of humidity.
Keep Outside Spores Outside
In order to avoid bringing harmful mold spores into your home, there are plenty of simple measures you can take. Since many mold spores are found in piles of leaves, grass, and dirt, your shoes can track them into your house. Therefore, you can avoid bringing them inside by taking off and leaving your shoes by the door. Also, you should wash your clothes and shower each evening, so you’re not taking any lingering spores to bed with you.
Filter Your Air
Because mold is everywhere, it’s impossible to avoid bringing it into your home. However, you can eliminate a large portion of it from your air. With the right air filtration system, you can breathe easy with clean, mold-free air. Additionally, there are many different air purifiers on the market with HEPA filters that are very effective in providing mold-free air.
Invest in Some Houseplants
One of our favorite natural ways to remove mold spores from your home air is keeping some purifying houseplants. In many cases, certain houseplants can even help improve conditions for asthma sufferers. For some 2-in-1 natural relief, here are some plants to consider keeping:
Peace Lilies
Mums
Spider Plants
Bamboo Palm
Areca Palm
Dracaena Plants
Snake Plants
Boston Fern
Aloe Plants
Stop Mold in Its Tracks with
RestoPros
Although you
can treat your mold allergies with homeopathic solutions, there are
preventative measures you can take to keep a mold-free home. With our
knowledgeable mold removal experts, the team at RestoPros is dedicated to
helping residents of the DFW area fight back against mold. For help from mold
removal experts you can trust, call us today at 855-587-3786 or fill out a service request form on our website!
Mold and mildew can be deeply detrimental to your health and your home. If you, like most homeowners, shudder at the thought of it invading your house, learn how to protect your AC unit from mold by following these expert tips from the team at RestoPros.
1. Use the “Auto” Mode While You’re Away
Especially while you are away during the day or on vacation, keeping your AC unit running can control the humidity levels in your home. Therefore, you should set your unit to the “auto” mode while you are away, rather than turning your AC completely off. Mold tends to grow more commonly on AC units that have been dormant for a period of time.
2. Perform or Schedule Regular Maintenance
Routine maintenance of your HVAC equipment is imperative to keeping everything in good working condition. Especially during the transition between winter and spring, you should have your AC unit professionally serviced. Because AC units are dark and warm on the inside, they can be an ideal breeding ground for mold and mildew. You can prevent this with good cleaning habits and regular maintenance.
3. Keep it Clean
As previously mentioned, keeping your AC unit clean can drastically reduce the chances of mold growth. Here are some cleaning tasks you can perform on your own between your annual tune-up visits:
Clean your exterior condenser/compressor.
Use a wet/dry vacuum to remove debris from the interior of your condenser/compressor. Then, use the brush attachment on a shop vac to remove outside dirt. Next, clean the fins by spraying them from the inside with a gentle garden hose. You can also use a fin cleaning spray for a deeper clean. Once you have done these tasks, be sure to clean the area around the unit, raking away leaves and trimming overgrowth.
Clean the evaporator coil on your indoor unit.
Opening the evaporator coil door on the blower/furnace unit, gently dust the coil with a soft brush. Then, spray the coil with no-rinse coil cleaner and allow it to foam and drip into the drain pan. Next, clean out the drain pan with soapy hot water and a little bit of bleach. Then, pour a cup of 50% bleach and 50% water down the drain.
Clean your plugged evaporator drain.
Over time, mold can build up in your evaporator drain. To clean it, find the drain line where it leaves the evaporator coil enclosure. Once you locate the end of this line, use a wet/dry vac to clear the drain.
4. Control Moisture
Moisture control within and around your AC unit is essential to mold prevention. Your ducts are the vessel through which all conditioned air travels to reach your home. Therefore, any mold growth in your ducts can threaten your air quality dramatically. To keep your ducts mold-free, you need to keep them moisture-free. You can do this by maintaining your draining channels and regularly checking for and repairing any leaks. If you ever find standing water anywhere in your duct system, you should have your system professionally serviced asap. In the case of window units, you should invest in models with humidity control.
5. Replace Your Air Filters Regularly
Because the blower filters in your HVAC system are the main line of defense between your indoor air and mold spores, changing them regularly is an important step to keep your AC unit mold-free. You should change these filters at least twice a year, but we recommend every 3-4 months for homeowners with pets or who live in a dusty area. Furthermore, we recommend using HEPA filters to remove the greatest volume of pollutants and allergens from your air.
6. Keep Your Home Clean
Although it may seem like the ultimate catch-22, a happy AC unit = clean air, and clean air = a happy AC unit. In other words, in order for your AC unit to stay clean and free of mold-causing dust particles, you should keep your home clean. Regularly dust and vacuum your home to reduce the level of particle buildup within your AC unit.
Call the RestoPros Team!
As experienced mold experts, we have a wealth of solutions to protect your AC unit from mold. If you are looking for professional help with mold intervention or remediation, call RestoPros today at 855-587-3786 or fill out a service request form on our website!
So, you’ve had a professional mold testing done in your house and your worst suspicion has been confirmed. The very thought of this issue can strike fear into the heart of even the toughest homeowners. However, you can no longer deny the fact and it’s time to take some action. So, say it with me: My home has a mold problem! Now that you have accepted the worst, the experts at RestoPros are here to help with some advice about what you can do from here.
Supplies for Treating the Mold
In serious mold cases, most experts would recommend having professional mold remediation. However, if your professional mold testing expert has verified you can clean it yourself, here are some supplies you will need:
Protective Gear
You should have a mask or respirator, eye protection, rubber gloves, a fan, and a dehumidifier. You do not want to risk inhaling the mold spores you will be cleaning.
Cleaning Chemicals
If the intense list of protective gear was not a clear indication, mold is not something you can clean with everyday cleaning supplies. On the contrary, you will need to procure non-ammonia detergent, chlorine bleach, and white vinegar to mix your cleaning solution.
Cleaning Tools
Make sure you have plenty of rags and more than one scrub brush (both of which should be disposed of after you finish treating the mold). You should also have a large pail and a plastic garbage bag.
Steps for DIY Mold Treatment
1. Dampen the Area:
This is an important first step to keep mold spores from releasing into the air. With a damp rag soaked in plain water, coat the affected area.
2. Remove as Much Mold as Possible:
With your scrub brush and detergent, remove as much of the mold as you can, and dispose of the brush.
3. Mix and Apply Your Bleach Solution:
In your large pail, mix together 1 ½ cups of chlorine bleach to 1 gallon of water. Use a new rag to generously coat the affected surface with this mixture. Once this is done, let it soak for 15 minutes.
4. Scrub the Solution into the Affected Area:
With a new scrubbing brush, scrub the area with the bleach solution thoroughly and rinse with clean water. Repeat this bleach step until all visible mold is gone.
5. Eliminate All Moisture from the Treated Area:
Use your fan and dehumidifier to dry the area thoroughly to prevent new mold growth.
6. Wash Your Clothes:
Unless you chose to wear work clothes that you don’t mind disposing of, wash the clothes you wore for the mold treatment immediately. Place them in a plastic bag to transport them to the washing machine. Add ¾ cup white vinegar to the water to kill the mold spores on your clothing.
My Home Has a Mold Problem! What Else Can I Do?
If you have followed the previous steps and removed the mold on your own, you have already saved money on professional mold removal. The best thing you can do for the long-term safety of your home is to enlist the help of mold remediation experts you can trust. Let the knowledgeable team at RestoPros take it from here. Call us at (855) 587-3786 or fill out a service request form online to conquer your mold problem today!
Exposure to dampness or mold is the estimated cause of a quarter of all asthma cases in the United States. Even for non-asthmatic homeowners, living with a mold or mildew problem can pose serious health threats. Answering the mold vs. mildew question starts with learning what to look for. The experts at RestoPros are here to share our advice on how to spot the difference.
Mold vs. Mildew: Similarities
Environments
-Both mold and mildew are types of fungi that flourish in moist, humid conditions with scarce light.
-Both mold and mildew grow when spores or seeds find their way into environments that are conducive to colony growth.
Affected Hosts
-Neither mold nor mildew can grow on synthetic materials such as plastic and metal-based products.
Odors and Physical Symptoms
-Both mold and mildew produce a similar musty odor.
-Both mold and mildew can cause similar physical symptoms to humans who are exposed.
Mold vs. Mildew: Differences
Appearance
-Mildew can be downy or powdery. Downy mildew starts as yellow spots that become brighter and then turn brown in color. Powdery mildew is whitish in color and slowly turns yellowish brown and then black.
-Mold is black, yellow, or green with a fuzzy or slimy texture. Severe mold growth looks like moss and can cause rot in its effected host.
Growth Patterns
-Mildew is a type of mold that has flat growth patterns. Unlike mold, mildew remains on the surface of its host where is can be easily removed. Mildew is drawn to moisture and grows on damp surfaces like your kitchen, bathroom, and basement. You can find mildew growth in toilets, sinks, tubs, showers, and on bathroom walls.
-Mold is a fungus that grows in patches which penetrate beneath the surface of its host. Mold grows on living sources, including food, drywall, paper, and wood. Mold can often grow on your ceilings, window sills, and walls.
Effects on the Host
–Mildew can harm the food or plants upon which it grows, but usually does not cause any lasting damage to other surfaces such as tile floors or bathroom mirrors.
–Mold can damage entire structures because it penetrates beneath the surface of its host.
Effects on Exposed Humans
–Mildew can cause similar allergic reactions to those caused by mold, such as coughing, sneezing, headache, sore throat, and respiratory problems. However, mildew is much easier to eliminate because it remains on the surface of its host.
–Mold can pose a serious threat to your health. It can trigger sinus problems, sneezing, coughing, wheezing, sore throat, migraines, itching, rashes, fatigue, and even depression. Mold is difficult to remove because it penetrates below the surface of its host.
So, now you know some signs to look for when answering your mold vs. mildew question, but what should you do about your problem? Contact the experts at RestoPros for immediate mold testing and remediation today!
Mold is the last thing you want to live with in your home, as It causes musty odors, damage to your house, and dangerous health problems. Are you are worried about mold in your home? Keep reading for some tips from the professionals at RestoPros on how to identify different types of mold.
How to Identify Different Types of Mold by Color and Physical Symptoms:
The two easiest ways to identify which type of mold is in your home is by color and correlating symptoms. Here are the color qualities and related symptoms for common types of household mold:
Yellow-green/Brown Mold:
Scientific Name: Aspergillus
Coloring: This mold is a yellow-green color on the surface with brown coloring underneath.
Where it Grows: in air conditioning systems and on starchy foods like potatoes and bread.
Potential Symptoms: allergic reactions, respiratory infections, and inflammation of the lungs.
Pink and Black Mold:
Scientific Name: Ureobasidium.
Coloring: pink and black in color
Where it Grows: in damp areas like window frames, bathroom rugs, or caulk.
Potential Symptoms: eye irritation or respiratory problems.
Black and Green Mold:
Scientific Name: Cladosporium
Coloring: This mold is black and green in color and has a pepper-like appearance.
Where it Grows: on surfaces like toilets, fiberglass ducts, fabrics, and wood.
Potential Symptoms: watery eyes, a sore throat, or respiratory problems.
Dark Green, Brown, or Black Mold:
Scientific Name: Chaetomium.
Coloring: This type of mold is dark green, brown, or black in color and produces a musty odor.
Where it Grows: in buildings that have suffered extensive water damage.
Potential Symptoms: This type of mold rarely causes health problems in humans who are exposed to it.
Blue or Green Mold:
Scientific Name: Penicillium
Coloring: blue or green, this type of mold can easily transfer from room to room
Where it Grows: on wallpaper and textiles like carpets, mattresses, or curtains.
Potential Symptoms: This mold causes allergic reactions, sinus infections, and lung inflammation.
Black Mold:
Scientific Name: Stachybotrys chartarum
Coloring: It is dark in color and produces a musty odor.
Toxic/black mold is one of most common molds associated with health problems; it produces mycotoxins.
Where it Grows: in extremely damp locations (inside air conditioning systems, near leaky pipes, and on porous surfaces like drywall.)
Potential Symptoms: Exposure to black mold can cause allergic reactions, sinus infections, asthma symptoms, fatigue, headaches, and even depression.
Green or Bright Green & White:
Scientific Name: Trichoderma
Coloring: green or bright green color with white mixed in
Where it Grows: on wallpaper, carpets, and other porous surfaces.
Trichoderma produces mycotoxins causing serious health problems.
Although you now know what to look for, it is always a good idea to have your house professionally tested if you suspect you have a mold problem. If you are looking for a professional to perform mold testing, remediation, or removal in your home, contact the experts at RestoPros! Call 855-587-3786 to make an appointment today!
We’ve all done it, you come home from the grocery store and blindly toss everything in your fridge without rhyme or reason. Expired food and containers are pushed back or obscured by the new groceries, some of which have already expired. Some will expire soon – and simply won’t be seen in enough time to eat before spoiling. It’s hard to avoid in our busy lives, but there are ways to keep your fridge clean – and weed out the expired food without throwing it all away. There are also ways of helping the food in your refrigerator last longer. All it takes is a realistic system and perhaps a few upgrades.
The professionals at RestoPros want to help you rethink your food storage in the new year. Take a few minutes to look over these simple ways to prevent food from spoiling.
Check Fridge Thermometer
This is a problem many homeowners have experienced, and one that is easy to overlook. Make sure your refrigerator and freezer are set to the correct temperature. To avoid bacteria growth, you’ll need to set your freezer to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, and refrigerator to 38 degrees Fahrenheit (max). If the food in your refrigerator tends to spoil quickly, make sure to check (and reset if needed) both thermometers.
Item Placement
Every item placed in the refrigerator should have a specific designated area. Be consistent with where you place meat and fresh produce, this will help in easily locating food that will expire soon. Showcase the containers that will expire soon by creating a rotation system where newer items goes in the back, older ones in the front. Milk and dairy products belong on the top shelves toward the back since they need to be the coldest, and your crisper bins are for fruits and vegetables separately. In these bins you can often control the humidity levels (veggies should have higher humidity than fruits).
Special Treatment
All foods are not created equal. Many have specific storage needs that, if addressed, will keep them fresh longer. For example: When you bring bananas home, you should pull them apart to slow down the ripening process. Keep them isolated from other foods on your counter. Plus, they can be used for cooking even when they are brown. Another example would be your apples: You should be checking apples daily to remove any that are starting to spoil. Meat cuts that are not going to be eaten within a few days should be placed in the freezer. Containers of soup, bouillon or other packaged liquid food that is not refrigerated should be placed in the fridge after opening.
Make it Clean
Remove anything that has spoiled, and clean up the spot where it was sitting. Even if the food didn’t leave a mess, it can leave bacteria behind which can spread to the rest of your food. Always wipe down an area where food has spoiled. A clean fridge will help greatly with keeping food fresh longer.
Back-Up Generator
Power outages are usually not preventable. We recommend getting a back-up generator in case of a power outage to prevent food from spoiling. This is especially important if you keep an extra freezer of food. Back-up generators can be automatic or manual. Unless you’re using your generator for life-support or monitoring machines, you probably don’t need a heavy-duty generator. A manual one would be a great choice.
We can all understand the frustration of heading to the refrigerator for a snack or to prepare a meal only to find that the ingredients have gone bad. These easy steps on ways to prevent food from spoiling can prolong the life of your groceries and help maximize your shopping budget. At RestoPros we are happy to help with any issue related to mold. If you are having a problem with mold in your home, give us a call at 855-587-3786 today! Don’t let mold take hold in the new year!
