The team at RestoPros understands the importance of keeping our children safe, secure and happy at all times. As mold remediation experts, we understand the potential health effects mold growth can have on babies and young children. To mark the beginning of this National Baby Safety Month, we’re going to tell you a little bit about how you can protect your kids from mold!
Health Effects of Mold on Children
Before we tell you how you can protect your kids from mold,
we suggest you read up a little bit about how mold can negatively impact the
health of children.
According to the Center for Disease Control
and Prevention, the Institute of Medicine found “limited or suggestive
evidence” that exposure to damp indoor environments can lead to shortness of
breath and other respiratory illness in generally healthy children. In
addition, there could potentially be a link between early mold exposure to
development of asthma in some children, especially those who are prone to asthma
developments.
If your child already has asthma,
mold spores they inhale can cause airways and lungs to constrict, leading to
shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing. While there is still some research
to be done on the link between adverse health problems and mold, there is no
harm in taking the right precautions to keep your children safe from mold.
Get Rid of Indoor Dampness
The most common reason behind why mold continues to infest
homes is excessive dampness and moisture. Mold is a fungus that primarily grows
in moist and damp environments. Therefore, the best way to prevent respiratory
reactions to mold, is to eliminate its ideal environment for growth. Here are
some ways you can get rid of indoor moisture and dampness to protect your kids
from mold.
Don’t Leave Damp Items Around
Mold can start to spread between 24-48 hours in excessively
damp areas. Keep items dry to prevent mold. When you’re done using a towel
after the shower, don’t throw it on the floor or in the hamper. Instead, hang
it up to dry. Or put it in the washer to wash immediately. If you have older
children, you can train them to do this too.
Check for Leaks
Inspect your bathtub, bathroom and kitchen sinks, and toilet
to ensure there aren’t any leaks. You could have leaks because of deteriorated caulking,
which can lead to mold.
Have
Proper Ventilation
Properly ventilate areas where there is potential for
moisture such as your laundry room, bathroom and kitchen.
Wipe Everything Down
Whenever you’re done using your sink or shower, any splashed
water can collect in corners and lead to the ideal moisture content for mold.
Take a minute to squeegee your bathroom walls or use a paper towel to wipe down
the sides of your sink. This is a great cleanliness lesson to teach your kids
as well!
Use a Dehumidifier
A dehumidifier is a great appliance to have, especially if
you live in a humid climate. Dehumidifiers give you greater control of the
humidity and moisture in your home. The ideal humidity for your home should be
between 30 and 50 percent. Dehumidifiers come in many sizes and you can choose
one that fits your needs and budget. In addition, they can prevent allergens
that are active in humid environments. Read our ultimate
guide to dehumidifiers to learn more about these convenient appliances.
Educate Your Kids About Mold
It’s never to early to start educating our children about the
wonders of science (and the horrors of mold). To educate your kids about fungus
and mold, there are many science
experiments you can do that can increase your children’s observation skills
and help them develop a love for science. In addition, these experiments can be
great boredom busters.
Avoid Areas with High Mold Counts
If your child has asthma or is relatively prone to
respiratory illnesses, it is best to try to avoid areas where there are high
mold counts. Higher counts of mold spores can be found in places where there
are compost piles, cut grass and wooded areas.
Protect Your Kids from Mold with RestoPros
We hope this list of ways to protect your kids from mold is a
helpful and informative start to National Baby Safety Month. If you would like
to learn more about mold prevention and removal, get in touch with the experts
at RestoPros. We provide services such as mold testing, mold remediation and
water damage restoration. Call us today at 855-587-3786 or schedule an
appointment online!
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!
Your home’s sewage system is probably not something that remains top of mind in the day to day. In fact, most homeowners would rather not think about it at all. But what happens when you are confronted with raw sewage in your home or yard? The devastating repercussions should be enough incentive for you to do a bit of research into the matter. Fortunately, the professionals at RestoPros have experience in dealing with a variety of water and sewage damage concerns. They have detailed the most important facts in case it happens to you.
There are a few reasons why raw sewage might flood your home. Backflow from your system, clogged or damaged plumbing, or sceptic tank issues can result in a sewage leak. In addition to expensive structural damage, the health issues that can result from exposure are myriad. Raw sewage contains harmful microorganisms that can spread parasites, viruses and deadly bacteria. Exposure to humans and animals can result in illness, some of which can prove fatal.
When dealing with raw sewage in your home, here are some facts to keep in mind:
When you notice a sewage leak inside your home, make sure that children and pets are evacuated immediately (or kept far away from the affected area). You will know the difference from a typical plumbing leak immediately – either by the smell or the dark color.
Turn off the electrical power in your home (if this can be done safely).
If possible, turn off the water supply to your home. Make sure that you also turn off any running water – and do not drink any water from your plumbing system.
Wear protective equipment such as rubber gloves, protective eyewear and rubber boots before securing the affected area. This includes removing any electrical equipment and furniture that was not directly contaminated by the leak.
Add some chlorine bleach to any areas containing standing water. This will help a bit with disinfection.
Be proactive about cross contamination and close doors between rooms. Also make sure that you do not use your central air system to keep airborne toxins from traveling throughout the home.
During an emergency it is easy to forget the big picture. After you have made the necessary calls and secured the area, make sure that you properly document the damage with photos – and any essential notes for the insurance claim. Your insurance company should also be alerted the day of the incident.
Open windows and doors to get fresh air into the home – and to aid in drying out the standing water.
If sewage has leaked into your front or back yard – make sure that the neighbors are made aware of the problem. Consider making a sign or roping off the contaminated area if possible.
Seek medical help immediately if direct contact has been made with the sewage.
Do not attempt to clean/repair your home yourself. Make sure that you contact a reputable water/sewage restoration company with experience in all aspects of remediation.
If your home is affected by a raw sewage leak, don’t panic! Follow the notes listed above – and make sure to contact the most respected mold and water remediation company in Dallas! Call RestoPros at 855-587-3786 to schedule an appointment today!
When an item is considered hazardous waste, that means it can be ignitable, explosive, corrosive, or toxic. This means that if hazardous waste is discarded in a trash can like any other item, it may cause a reaction that can compromise your safety. Therefore, you’ll want to be aware of what items are considered hazardous waste. And believe it or not, some of your household items may fit this criterion.
The experts at RestoPros would like to inform Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowners on 5 household hazardous waste examples.
1. Mothballs
Mothballs are small, chemical-filled balls that are used to repel certain pests and mold from a given area. And you’ll typically find them scattered in closets and attics. But while their function may seem useful at first – they contain enough pesticides and chemicals to be considered hazardous waste.
Mothballs can contain two active chemicals – naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene. Both chemicals are considered hazardous waste and must not be discarded in the trash can or flushed down the drain. Additionally, mothballs should never be placed within reach of pets or children. If consumed, they should be taken to a medical facility immediately.
2. Furniture Polish
Furniture polish can be a very toxic concoction. It’s made of several different polishing agents, solvents, and hydrocarbons. And if accidentally consumed, even in small amounts, emergency medical attention is quickly needed. Simply inhaling furniture polish can also lead to headaches, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Due to this high toxicity, furniture polish is considered hazardous waste.
Usually, the manufacturer will provide instructions for proper disposal on the product’s labeling. If not found, research the manufacturer’s website to see if any instructions are available.
3. Glass Cleaner
Most glass cleaners contain very potent cleaning agents. And while it may be able to remove stains off glass surfaces more thoroughly, it can also be toxic, flammable, and corrosive. Glass cleaners tend to contain isopropyl alcohol, ethanolamine, and butyl glycol. These chemicals, especially ethanolamine, can be highly reactive if mixed with other chemicals. Therefore, it’s important to take considerable caution and find the right disposal procedures for glass cleaners.
4. Drain Cleaner
Drain cleaners can contain strong acids as their active ingredients. The common chemicals found are lye and sodium hydroxide. But you can also find drain cleaners containing potassium hydroxide. All these chemicals are highly corrosive, with sodium hydroxide even able to be explosive if mixed with certain metals.
5. Batteries
Certain batteries can contain the same chemical found in some drain cleaners – potassium hydroxide. And if a disposed battery containing potassium hydroxide gets punctured or damaged while in the trash, this chemical can leak. Potassium hydroxide can cause severe burns on the skin and eyes if contacted, as well as being corrosive and reactive to water. Therefore, you’ll want to research the type of batteries before discarding them, and follow any additional instructions provided by the manufacturer.
Help improve the safety of your home by knowing which household items are considered hazardous waste. And contact RestoPros if your Dallas/Ft. Worth home ever requires professional hazard cleanup services. Give us a call at 855-587-3786 to schedule an appointment and get started.
If your Dallas/Ft. Worth home has a swimming pool, it’s probably seen a fair amount of usage over the summer. After all, temperatures for the metroplex have been reaching the triple digits, so spending several days in your swimming pool is a common go-to solution for beating the heat. However, with this extra usage comes a higher need to clean it, especially if you’ve discovered swimming pool mold and algae.
Mold and algae are both self-reproducing organisms that can infest your swimming pool. Their growth can be the result of several causes with your swimming pool such as chemical imbalances, improper water circulation, no filtration, and other maintenance-related issues. And since mold and algae thrive on warm temperatures, summer is their preferred time to grow. Therefore, it’s important to know about treating swimming pool mold and algae.
RestoPros has detailed a step-by-step guide on this process below for Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowners.
Remove all Pool Items and Sanitize Them
Pool toys and accessories used in mold or algae-infested water should be regarded as contaminated. Remove all pool items from the water and sanitize them using bleach and a soft scrubber. Be sure to wash any used swimwear as well. If you feel bleach is too strong, try using white vinegar instead.
Vacuum the Pool
Once pool items have been removed, it’s time to vacuum the pool. You will need a pool vacuum hose, pool vacuum head, and a pool pole to do this. Once assembled and connected, you’ll then want to switch your pool’s valve to the “waste” setting. Finding this setting is dependent on your pool’s valve type. But for multiport valves there should be a handle position with a “waste” setting. Begin vacuuming the bottom of the pool to start removing lingering mold or algae. Be quick, as the water levels will be dropping!
Scrub All Noticeable Spots on the Pool’s Sides
After vacuuming as much of the mold or algae as possible, you’ll then want to start scrubbing away all the mold or algae spots you see on the sides of the pool. Be sure to use a brush with firm bristles that stay intact underwater. Scrub away stains as thoroughly as you can.
Note: Do NOT use bleach as a cleaning agent to scrub the pool. Bleach mixed with chlorine creates a deadly gas that can seriously harm you.
Test Your Pool’s pH Levels
After scrubbing, you’ll then want to test your pool’s pH levels. pH levels show whether your pool is considered acidic or basic. Any pH level below 7 is considered an acid, while levels above 7 are considered a base. Generally, your swimming pool should be within 7.4-7.6, as this keeps chlorine levels high enough to kill mold and algae without being harmful to your body. You can find pH level testing kits at almost any department store. Once pH levels have been measured, adjust your chlorine levels if necessary to fit within the 7.4-7.6 range. This should help eliminate what’s left of the mold or algae.
Protect your swimming pool for the summer by knowing how to treat swimming pool mold and algae! If you’ve noticed a mold infestation in your home, you’ll want to contact RestoPros for our mold remediation services. Give us a call at 855-587-3786 to have Dallas/Ft. Worth’s leading mold-removal experts treat your mold problem.
With spring approaching, along comes increasing chances of severe storms and heavy rain in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. Although the intensified precipitation seems like a welcome change from the bitter cold, the associated rain leakage can be a detrimental issue, leading to the likelihood of water damage and mold.
Without rain leakage protection, you may be spending your spring cleaning wiping up mold and contacting a water damage restoration company. RestoPros recommends every Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowner to make ample preparations against rain leakage. Follow these tips below to ready your home for spring!
Maintain Your Foundation
Check along the foundation of your home for any cracks, chips, or any other degradation, as these problems can lead to leaks.
If cracks are larger than a hairline, clear out any debris using a screwdriver, and use an adhesive patch to seal the crack (Polyurethane, silicone, or latex concrete caulk is available at almost any department store).
Be sure to monitor the bricks and concrete around your doors and windows as well, as these are especially vulnerable to rain leakage when surrounding foundation is damaged.
Monitor Your Exterior Paint
After examining your foundation, you’ll want to monitor your home’s exterior paint for additional cracks and deterioration.
Receding exterior paint offers little defense against rainwater seeping into your home and should have a new coat added if in poor condition.
Generally, wood siding requires new coats every 3-7 years, while aluminum siding lasts about 5-6 years. Additionally, painted brick has a much longer lifespan of 15-20 years, but can still require the occasional touch-up depending on its condition.
Clear Your Downspout and Gutter
Rain leakage is no different than winter leakage when it comes to gutters and downspouts, as blockage and clogs can cause the same kind of damage.
Flush out any clogs in your downspout using a water hose or drain cleaning tool, and make sure your downspout has a clear passage before cleaning your gutter.
When cleaning your gutter, be sure to practice ladder safety: keep ladder legs on solid and level ground, never use the top step, and dry your feet before stepping on the ladder.
Using a water hose or drain cleaning tool, unclog any blockage on each of your gutters. Be sure to test your gutters with a pitcher of water after cleaning to ensure they have a clear passage towards your downspout.
Inspect Your Roof
While you’re up next to your gutters, be sure to give a quick examination of your roof to avoid rain leaking into the attic.
Your roof should be examined once a month for any damages or loss of shingles. Doing so will help you act accordingly to avoid an issue becoming too severe over time.
Seal Windows and Doors
Using weather stripping, seal any open cracks on your doors and windows to avoid moisture seeping into your home.
Weather stripping can be found at almost any department store and are used on both doors and windows to prevent drafts and moisture.
Additionally, you can purchase insulated covers for your windows, as well as door seals to maximize moisture protection for your home.
Rain leakage protection is important as we enter spring and should be practiced by every Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowner. However, do be aware if rain leakage has occurred to contact RestoPros to assess your home for any water damage or mold. Our water damage restoration and mold testing services help to guarantee safety and comfort for your home. Give us a call at 855-587-3786 to schedule an appointment and get started.
