You know that there are different types of mold and that mold can be harmful, but you’re not sure about the range. You may have even eaten a slice of bread or cheese just to discover that there was mold on it, but nothing bad happened. What are the consequences of being around mold? Is mold harmful? Can mold kill you? The experts at RestoPros have answers to all these questions and more.
Different Types of Mold
Green Mold
Green is the most common color of mold. A range of greens
can tell you different things about the mold you have, including whether or not
it’s dangerous. Dark green molds have been known to cause sinus, eye, and skin
infections and can even cause brain infections in rare cases. Green-ish blue
molds are usually found on food and may not have any adverse effects unless you
have a mold allergy.
Blue or White Mold
This type of mold usually grows on food or on the walls of
homes. Like the green mold that grows on food, you may not have an adverse
reaction to this type of mold unless you specifically have an allergy to it.
However, breathing in spores can eventually cause respiratory illnesses. It’s
always better to be safe than sorry when dealing with mold.
Black Mold
This is the type of mold that causes the most problems. Black mold has been linked with major health conditions like lung bleeding and memory loss. If you see black mold in your home, it’s best to call a mold specialist right away. Do not try to remove it yourself.
Negative Effects of Mold
From the short list of different types of mold above, you
can see that even “harmless” mold has negative side effects. Here are some
allergy symptoms and conditions you can develop from being around mold:
Itchiness
Nasal Congestion
Runny Nose
Watery Eyes
Wheezing
Coughing
Asthmatic Reactions
Rash
Fatigue
Headaches
Nausea
Vomiting
Lung Bleeding
Memory Loss
Can Mold Kill You?
The short answer to this question is: probably not. However,
those who have fragile immune systems who also neglect their health (by not
visiting their primary physician regularly) may develop extreme symptoms that
lead to death. However, this is very unlikely. That’s not to say that mold
isn’t dangerous. You can see from the list above that it can cause a series of
health problems.
What to Do If You See Mold in Your Home
Call a mold remediation specialist immediately. We’ll come
out and give you an estimate. You’ll know exactly how much the treatment will
cost before we do any work. However, having black mold in your home can be very
serious. We want to work with you to make sure that you and your family members
are safe and healthy. If you feel that our prices are too high, talk to one of
our friendly representatives. Call today to have all your questions answered,
to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists, and to have your mold
problem taken care of!
Summer is here and the Texas heat is in full swing. You’re
probably ready to have a cookout in your yard, attend pool parties and have a
good time. But if you’re someone who is
susceptible to allergies, you can’t help but worry about the mold spores acting
up in the atmosphere. Mold is a common fungus that requires heat and
humidity to grow and brings a myriad of allergies with it. While most of
the mold allergies you hear about are respiratory allergies, some people with
sensitive immune systems might also be allergic to certain fungi or food that
is prone to mold.
You don’t have to worry too much though, because there is
such a thing as an anti-fungal diet. If
you want to take some precautions this summer or just want to try a new diet, the
experts at RestoPros have prepared a quick
guide on how to reduce mold allergy symptoms with an anti-fungal diet that
you’ll enjoy!
What is The Anti-Fungal Diet?
The anti-fungal diet is also known as the Candida
cleanse diet. Some practitioners believe the overgrowth of Candida albicans, a fungus in the
intestines, leads to fatigue and headaches. While some Candida is normal in the
human body, excessive levels of Candida can aggravate gastrointestinal disease.
A Candida cleanse diet offers a preventive solution to this problem by creating
a diet that cuts out sugar, yeast, and cheese. Like many diets, it might not
work for everyone. There is also very little research on Candida overgrowth as
a medical issue. However, cutting out processed
food and excess sugars, like this diet suggests, might make you feel
healthier. Plus, it will reduce mold allergy symptoms as this anti-fungal diet
avoids foods prone to molding. So, why not give it a shot?
Foods to Avoid on This Diet:
High-Yeast Breads like Pumpernickel and coffee cakes.
Cheese
Sour cream, sour milk and butter milk
Fruits high in sugar such as bananas, grapes,
and mangos
Processed, smoked meats such as salami, bologna,
and pastrami
Mushrooms
Nuts suspected to be high in mold
such as walnuts, pistachios, and cashews
Beer and Wine
Soy sauce, ketchup, mayonnaise, and white
vinegar
Starchy vegetables such as squash and potatoes
Refined and processed fats and oils such as
margarine, canola oil, and soybean oil
Fruit juices and energy drinks
Foods to Eat:
Yeast-Free Breads such as tortillas and
flatbread
Consider gluten-free options such as buckwheat
and quinoa
Organic, pasture raised
animal products such as beef, veal, poultry, eggs, and wild-caught seafood.
Seeds such as chia, flax, and pumpkin seeds
Low-Mold nuts such as almonds, pecans, and
Brazil nuts
Coconut oil, flax oil, sesame oil, and olive oil
Organic fruits low in sugar such as berries,
apples, lemons, limes, and avocados
Garlic, onions and ginger
Cinnamon, turmeric, salt, pepper, and apple
cider vinegar
Vegetables low in starch, such as kale, spinach,
asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, and cucumber
Filtered water and herbal tea
Sweeteners without sugar such as stevia and
xylitol
Make it Delicious:
When most of us hear the word diet, we think of a
restrictive regimen that forces us to eat foods we don’t like. But it doesn’t
have to be that way. Here are some easy, delicious recipes that incorporate
foods from the anti-candida or anti-fungal diet.
Coconut Smoothie
Ingredients
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
4 unsweetened coconut milk ice cubes
Flaked coconut
2 tablespoons almond butter
1 teaspoon chia seeds
1 teaspoon alcohol free coconut extract
4 drops liquid stevia
Directions
Place all ingredients except for flaked coconut
in a blender and blend until the mixture is smooth
Top off the smoothie with flaked coconut
You can also try replacing coconut with any
low-sugar fruits and coconut milk with any nondairy milk of your choice!
Avocado Toast with Egg
Ingredients
1 slice of gluten-free bread (try Buckwheat
bread)
Half of an avocado
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 egg
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Directions
Toast the bread
Cut the avocado in half, remove the pit, slice
it and layer it out on the toast. You can mash it a little if you want and
season it with some salt and pepper
You can either boil the egg, poach it or fry it
Gently place the egg on top of the toast and
season with salt and pepper
Mediterranean salad
Ingredients
1 large English cucumber
6 Roma tomatoes
15 to 20 grams of parsley
2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice,
Salt to taste
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Directions
Dice and chop up the cucumbers, tomatoes and
parsley.
Place them in a salad bowl, add the black
pepper, lemon juice and salt. Give the salad a quick toss and it’s ready!
While you might reduce mold allergies with this anti-fungal
diet, you can take increased preventative measures to limit exposure to mold – and
the professionals at RestoPros are here to
help! Our dedicated team of professionals will assist you in any way you need
to ensure a mold-free home. Call us
today at 855-587-3786 or fill out a service
request form on our website.
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!
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!
There’s no denying that houseplants add undeniable appeal to any room. With virtually endless choices at your fingertips, you can add any plant to a room and instantly enhance its overall look. And, as a bonus, you can simultaneously improve your indoor air quality too. While houseplants are relatively easy to care for, one side effect of owning them is the possibility of mold growth. When this happens, you not only compromise your plant’s health, you can also compromise the health of your household. If you see mold start to grow on any of your plants, you need to act quickly to stop it from progressing. Follow these essential tips on how to remove and prevent mold growth from houseplants.
Removing Mold from Your Houseplants:
Step 1: Determine the extent of mold growth.
Mold loves dark, damp spaces, making your plant’s wet soil the perfect place to call home. Look for a white fuzzy substance. In most cases, the growth will be located just on the soil’s top layer, so you can simply use a spoon to scoop it up. This kind of mold only becomes a potential health risk to you and your plant when ignored. If you were to leave it there for an extended period, it could give your plant root rot.
If mold growth has reached the plant itself, take a damp paper towel and gently wipe the leaves. Use a new part of the towel each time you wipe to avoid mold from re-attaching to the plant. Once the paper towel has been used entirely, grab a new one and continue the process. If an area of growth is too strong and cannot be removed with a paper towel, cut off that leaf.
Step 2: Once the mold is removed, add an anti-fungal protectant.
We recommend scattering a small amount of either cinnamon or baking soda over the soil, which should help in preventing mold from returning. Make sure to spread it across the soil evenly.
Preventing Mold on Your Houseplants
If you find mold on any of your indoor plants, don’t panic. This doesn’t mean you should throw out all of your plants and replace them with fake ones. However, it’s extremely important to address mold issues promptly so that you can remove all growth and put measures in place to stop it from happening again. Here are four simple and effective ways to stop mold from appearing on your plants:
Use high-quality soil.
It’s tempting to purchase the cheapest soil you can find, but if you want healthy houseplants, you’ll need to find the right soil, and sometimes that winds up costing a little bit more. We recommend switching to a commercial potting soil because it’s rich in nutrients.
Don’t over water your plants.
In many cases, plants die because they haven’t been watered enough. This is especially true with indoor plants because too many plant owners see them as almost invincible. While it’s not as common for people to overwater their plants, it does happen, and wherever there’s a damp space, expect mold to grow there. For tips on watering your plants, check out this article from Better Homes & Gardens.
Make sure your plants are located in areas with adequate light.
Unfortunately, you can’t plop a houseplant just anywhere and call it a day. Plants are living things – they grow, eat and reproduce; therefore, it’s essential to place them in a location that allows them to thrive. This might mean relocating your plant to an area that isn’t next to your bed or media center. For a plant to survive it needs adequate light, and if you want to inhibit mold growth this step is critical.
Keep pots free of debris.
Routinely check your potted plants for any debris such as dead leaves. Also, trim away any dead parts of a plant to avoid dead organic matter from accumulating on the soil in the first place.
If you have any questions about mold growth related to plants or anything else, give us a call today! We’d be more than happy to help you on your way to achieving a mold-free home. Give the experts at RestoPros a call today at 855-587-3786!
No one wants to see mold growing in their home. Mold is unsightly. It can damage your foundation, and it can wreak havoc on the health of your household. But for all the negative effects of mold, there are several exaggerated and even completely false beliefs that should be pointed out. The professionals at RestoPros, the most trusted mold remediation company in Dallas, have collected five of the most common myths about residential mold.
Read the facts below and educate yourself before attempting to clean or diagnose a mold outbreak in your home.
Myth 1. Black Mold Is Deadly
There are over 20,000 different species of “black mold,” which is technically not even a scientific term. Black is simply the color of certain strains – and one of the least common colors of fungal growth. Stachybotrys, which is considered to be the most toxic strain of mold, can be any color depending on the surroundings. In most cases this toxic mold is a greenish-black color, but attempting to identify it by the color is futile. Aside from testing the mold directly, the only sure test for the toxicity of a mold in your home is a direct allergic reaction.
Myth 2. Bleach Kills All Mold
Bleach is the go-to product many people use to clean a mold outbreak. While it works well enough to “clean” mold off of a non-porous surface, bleach can irritate the skin and the fumes are dangerous if inhaled. Bleach is also not an ideal cleaner for porous surfaces – and can exacerbate the situation by seeping into wood, plasterboard, wall paper and other materials. Hydrogen peroxide and white vinegar are both preferred mold cleaners for mold growth on both porous and non-porous surfaces.
Myth 3. Mold Will Make You Sick
This is partly true, but not all mold will make you sick. In most cases, the person is suffering from an allergic reaction to the mold. The “toxic mold” mentioned above, which is rare, can cause all sorts of respiratory problems, chronic fatigue, eye irritation and rashes among other symptoms. Toxic mold can make you sick, while most common mold outbreaks are more likely to trigger allergy symptoms. Mold allergies can include sneezing, itching, running nose and throat irritation; basic allergy symptoms generally associated with seasonal allergies.
Myth 4. A Small Amount of Mold Is Not A Problem
If you notice mold anywhere in your home, you need to clean it immediately. Even a small amount can do damage to the surface area and will continue to spread. Sometimes mold will grow in an area that was left damp (usually places in the kitchen or bathroom). But mold on the ceiling or a wall might indicate a separate problem that also needs to be dealt with. Roof and plumbing leaks are major causes of mold – and until they are fixed, the growth with only return if cleaned.
Myth 5. Mold Remediation Is a DIY Project
If you are experiencing a serous mold outbreak, do not attempt to clean and eradicate the growth on your own. Mold that is the result of serious flooding or a major leak needs the attention of a professional remediation company. Mold can be an insidious intruder. It can ruin homes and greatly compromise the health and happiness of a household. Never attempt a DIY fix when dealing with a mold infestation. Trained experts can offer a full assessment (including diagnosing the root of the problem) and will have the latest equipment to deal with the growth. Experienced mold remediation technicians can also help file insurance claims to help cover the cost of the damages.
Now that you have a clearer understanding of these common “mold myths,” you can be better prepared to deal with an infestation. While the mere sight of mold in your home should not be cause for alarm, it is important that it is dealt with right away. If you discover widespread growth, do not hesitate to call the professionals at RestoPros. We can send someone out to assess the problem and offer solutions for all aspects of the problem. Call us at 855-587-3786 to schedule an appointment today!
We all know mold can be damaging to our homes. But what happens if we inhale it? After all, mold is a type of fungus, and fungus can be full of bacteria and contaminants that would be dangerous to inhale. So, it’s not uncommon to wonder the possible effects of breathing in mold.
However, to answer this question, we must first find the correlation between mold and your IAQ (indoor air quality). The experts at RestoPros have been helping Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowners deal with the effects of mold for years; read below for our thoughts on how to approach spores in the air.
Can Mold Affect Your IAQ?
When mold has infested your home, it’s next objective is to reproduce. This is done by spawning mold spores that then travel through the air to find a new home. Once they’ve found a suitable place to grow, they attach themselves to the surface and begin “planting” new mold. With these spores traveling through the air, this creates a possible correlation between mold and IAQ.
So, can these mold spores affect your IAQ? The answer depends on amount of mold in your home. In small amounts, mold spores generally won’t have any effect on your IAQ, provided you clean it immediately. The larger the infestation however, the more spores are produced. And with an abundance of spores in the air, your IAQ can be affected negatively.
This is due to the confined space of your home. Generally, mold spores don’t affect people as much outdoors. But within a tighter enclosure such as your home however, the allergens and irritants in the spores have a greater probability of contact. This can affect your IAQ, and trigger allergy symptoms as well as leading to sickness.
Spores aren’t the only way mold can affect you, however. Other molds, such as black mold, also produce mycotoxins. These are toxic substances that can also cause allergy triggers and sickness. But with the vast types of mold that can grow in your home, it would be useless to try and identify black mold. Therefore, it’s important to treat all mold the same.
What are the Effects of Breathing In Mold?
So, what happens if you inhale these mold spores or mycotoxins? Most of the time, it won’t be anything severe. You may experience allergy symptoms such as a runny nose, coughing, sinus headache, or other types of congestion.
However, these symptoms may increase in severity for those with weaker immune systems or an allergy to mold. Mold can be devasting if you have a condition such as a lung disease, as inhaling it can lead to a serious infection. Mold can also trigger asthma symptoms to those who suffer from the condition. Additionally, if you’re allergic to mold, the original symptoms can exacerbate. Therefore, it’s best for people with existing respiratory problems, weaker immune systems, and mold allergies to stay away from mold as much as possible.
It is important you know the correlation between mold and IAQ, as well as the effects of breathing mold. And if you have discovered mold infesting your home, contact RestoPros immediately. Give us a call at 855-587-3786 for affordable mold remediation services from Dallas/Ft. Worth’s leading experts.
Feel like you’re sneezing more than usual? Coughing in the middle of the night? The cause may be more than the weather! If you are looking for one more reason to hate mold, you’ve come to the right place. Mold growth does more than damage your home – it can greatly compromise your health. What you may not notice is the frequency of which mold can impact your health, especially as we leave winter. With spring being right around the corner, Dallas/Ft. Worth homes are at a greater risk of cultivating mold. The experts at RestoPros are here with tips to help identify and treat mold-related allergies.
What Mold Causes Allergies?
Before we continue, we must express that mold is not one specific substance. In fact, it is an umbrella term for many different types of fungi. Some types of mold are relatively harmless (albeit still a nuisance), while others possess allergy-causing effects. Black mold is a good example of a sickness-causing mold and is a known culprit for allergies in the home. Regardless, hundreds of different types of mold can exist in the same area, meaning all mold growth has a chance of causing allergies. But how exactly does it give this effect?
How Does Mold Cause Allergies?
The main goal of mold is to reproduce, but unlike plants, mold does not possess seeds of any kind. Instead, mold produces spores that travel through the air to find their new home. This is one way to cause allergies, as those with a sensitivity to these spores can experience runny noses, irritating eyes, and chronic cough. Mold spores are a known type of aeroallergens.
Spores are not the only way however, as with variations such as black mold, there is the substance known as mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are toxic substances produced by certain types of mold that travel through the air and cause symptoms of allergies. Although earlier we have stated that no scientific conclusion has been made on the actual severity of black mold, symptoms of allergies and sickness are still present from mycotoxins.
The more obvious cause of allergies from mold can also come from general contamination. If you happen to encounter mold via touching or inhaling, then this can cause symptoms of allergies. Mold holds bacteria and pathogens, and while some of them may not be airborne, touching them can give off the same effect.
Is Mold in my Home?
Although allergies can signify mold growth in your home, that’s not the only indication. Here are some additional signs that mold is present in your home.
Although we can’t stress enough the importance of mold prevention, we must also advise you on what to do when mold is present in your home.
If you do discover mold, you must contact a mold-removal professional. Mold grows at a rapid rate, and what may seem like a small stain can lead to severe damage to your home, as well as causing sickness. If your home is infected with mold, contact RestoPros immediately. Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowners must be ready to restore their home to a safe environment, and our mold remediation services provide the means to accomplish this at an affordable rate. Give us a call at 855-587-3786 to schedule an appointment with your mold-restoration experts.
