Category: Mold Education

How to Identify Different Types of Mold

Published on February 28, 2019

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.
Potential Symptoms: allergic reactions, sinus infections, asthma, fatigue, headaches and depression.

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!

5 Myths About Mold in Your Home

Published on December 21, 2018

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!

The Science of Mold

Published on December 6, 2018

People often talk about mold, but they usually do so in very general terms. It’s one of those things that you know of but don’t really know anything about. You may even be able to spot mold when you see it, but determining which kind and whether it’s dangerous or not is harder. Usually, these things become easier to understand and identify the more you know.

It’s like the old saying goes: know your enemy. For homeowners, mold is definitely the enemy – costing America millions each year in remediation costs. Fortunately for you, the leading mold, water, and bio and trauma remediation company for the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex – RestoPros – knows the enemy all too well. Today, our experts are going to teach you the science of mold.

The Evolution of Fungi.

Fungi has been on earth for a very long time. It’s ancient, in fact. Fungi first diverged from other life somewhere around 1.5 billion years ago, with symbiotic fungi taking off roughly a billion years later. Because fungi are not biomineral (organisms that produce minerals), it does do not appear in the fossil record until the Paleoproterozoic period, which was about 2,400 million years ago.

Fungi held a stable but relatively unimpressive foothold on Earth for the next 2,335 million years. However, following the massive extinction of the Cretaceous-Tertiary which took place 65 million years ago, fungi basically took over the world. When the dinosaurs and plants from that event were killed off, it created the opening and conditions for a massive colonization of Earth by fungi. This is refereed as the Great Fungi Bloom, and it’s responsible for people’s mold problems today.

How Mold Spores Travel.

Mold spores travel in very interesting ways. The spores are released and are carried by the wind, people, or pets to a new location. Mold spores are released in the greatest abundance when dried out. As the mold dies, spores are released into the air. Under UV lights, the spores look a lot like a cloud of dust.

However, because mold spores are relatively heavy, they are not carried too far from the original colony. If you find mold in your home, the best thing you can do to prevent it from spreading is not touch it. Call in a remediation company like RestoPros, so it can be safely removed from the home.

How Mold Affects Your Health.

Mold affects our health in much the same manner as when it spreads. It’s not the mold itself that poses a threat to human health; it’s the spores that are the problem. When mold spores are released, we breathe them into our bodies. Generally, this just causes coughing, itchy eyes, and wheezing in people and isn’t too dangerous, though it is irritating.

However, when people who have respiratory problems like asthma breathe in mold spores, it can cause an acute health risk – and in some cases – even death. That’s why it’s important to call in a professional mold remediation company if you discover a mold colony in your home.

While we hope this information on the science of mold will give you a better understanding of the enemy, if you discover a mold problem, it’s best to call in an experienced professional. The fact is, proper mold removal may be too difficult and dangerous for the average homeowner. The CDC recommends calling a professional mold remediation company in most cases. The mold remediation experts at RestoPros have a long-standing reputation for expertise, professionalism, and hard work.

If you’re looking for a skilled and highly trained technician for mold testing, mold remediation, water damage restoration, or HVAC duct cleaning anywhere in the Dallas Metroplex, call us at (855) 58-RESTO (855-587-3786) to schedule your appointment today!

DIY Mold-Cleaning Products

Published on September 28, 2018

As a homeowner, you work hard to keep mold and mildew at bay. After all, they’re not only unsightly, they can also harm your indoor air quality, which can lead to health concerns like respiratory problems as well as irritation in the eyes, nose and throat. Mold thrives on moisture and can pop up quickly in a variety of places, including bathrooms, around window sills, in leaky pipes and wherever there’s wet carpet or fabric.

Unfortunately, mold and mildew don’t just disappear on their own; they’re stubborn and can only be removed using certain cleaning products. Store-bought cleaning products containing bleach are toxic to your health, and to make matters worse, they don’t actually remove mold or mildew fully. If you want to attack the problem head-on and eradicate mold from your home, try these three DIY mold cleaning solutions instead.

1. Vinegar & Water

When it comes to eradicating mold, distilled white vinegar works wonders. Simply combine one-part vinegar and one-part water into a spray bottle. Vinegar’s high acidity helps to clean mold and prevent future growth. It can also help get rid of lime mineral deposits and rust. With the fall season upon us, consider adding a few drops of cinnamon bark or ginger essential oils to your mixture.

2. Baking Soda & Water

Another non-toxic mold remedy is baking soda and water. Not only does it kill mold, it also prevents regrowth. Add one-quarter to one-half tablespoon of baking soda to a spray bottle containing water, and shake until dissolved. After you’ve sprayed the affected area, let sit for a few minutes. Then, using a bit of elbow grease, scrub the area until the mold is gone. Once you’ve removed the mold from the surface, rinse the area to get rid of any residue. To ensure the mold has been killed and to prevent future growth, spray the area again and let dry.

3. Hydrogen Peroxide

Your mom probably poured this solution on your cuts when you were a kid. That’s because it kills bacteria and viruses. It’s for this very same reason that it’s also great at removing mold. Simply pour 3% concentration hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle. Cover the entire area and let sit for at least ten minutes. Then, scrub the mold away and wash the area off with water and wipe it clean.

How to Prevent Mold & Mildew Growth

Cleaning mold and mildew is just part of the process. To prevent their return, you need to take certain measures. Here are five helpful tips:

Repair plumbing leaks in a timely manner.
Monitor your humidity levels and make sure they’re no higher than 50 percent. If necessary, use dehumidifiers throughout your home.
Keep your ventilation fan on while you shower or bathe, and afterwards, leave it on for at least another 30 minutes. If your bathroom doesn’t have an exhaust fan, we highly recommend installing one as soon as possible.
It doesn’t take long for your shower curtain to grow mold. Make sure to wash it frequently.
If water spills on carpet or fabrics, dry and clean it immediately.

When to DIY vs. Calling a Professional

When the presence of mold is minimal and contained, you can try your hand at DIY mold cleaning. However, if you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, or if you think the problem is too extensive to handle alone, leave the work to a professional. Serving Plano and Dallas, we are the mold remediation specialists, and our goal is to ensure your safety and peace of mind every step of the way. Not only do we offer fast response times (something that’s absolutely necessary for mold removal), we also use state-of-the-art equipment. No matter how big or small the problem is, rest assured we are here to lend a hand. Give us a call today at 855-587-3786.

4 Food Preservation Tips

Published on September 7, 2018

There’s nothing worse than spending a ton of money at the grocery store on healthy produce just to discover that it has gone bad before you had a chance to eat it. What’s worse: Spoiled food can cause mold to grow in your home, causing a health hazard for you and your family.

But you’re already storing food in the refrigerator – What more can you do to preserve your food?

Don’t worry! The experts at RestoPros did the research for you. Here are 4 food preservation tips:

1. Make sure your refrigerator is set at the right temperature

You might have pulled out a brand-new carton of milk to discover it had spoiled. How did this happen? While reaching into your fridge one day, you might have accidentally nudged the dial that controls the temperature of your refrigerator. Check the dial to ensure that your refrigerator is keeping your food at the right temperature. It should be cooling at 40 degrees or lower, while your freezer should be set at zero degrees.

2. Store food in air-tight containers

Leftovers are a great way to save money during the week – and time! Who wants to cook dinner every single night after they get home from work? Consider this though: Are your food containers letting in bacteria that could lead to mold? Confirm that your lids are fully sealed when storing leftovers and mark them with the day’s date. If you notice mold forming in the container, even after ensuring the lid was completely closed, purchase air-tight containers moving forward.

3. Don’t wash your produce before storing it

Sounds counterproductive, right? With dangerous pesticides and chemicals that could be lurking on your strawberries, it’s important to wash them before eating them! But: You don’t have to run water over your produce before storing it. In fact, doing so can cause water droplets to collect and mold between the leaves and inside crevices. Only wash your produce right before preparing it to be served to keep it fresh.

4. Keep commonly used items in the front of the fridge

Organizing your refrigerated foods like this enables you to open the door and simply grab what you need. This way, you won’t have to keep the door open for long periods of time while you rummage around in the back to find what you’re looking for. Leaving the refrigerator door open can release the cool air that preserves your food and cause it to spoil.

With these tips, you can keep your food lasting longer and stop mold from forming in your refrigerator or pantry. Enjoy a well-preserved snack for all your hard work!

Should you discover mold anywhere in your home, however, it’s important to have it inspected by professionals who are familiar with the substance as well as skilled in its remediation. RestoPros has been inspecting, removing and remediating mold for years, keeping our customers and their families safe. Call the number at the top of the screen to schedule your mold removal appointment today.

5 Common Mold Growth Areas in Your Home

Published on August 24, 2018

Ever wonder where you might commonly find mold in your Dallas/Ft. Worth home? There are several different areas, the most of which have a close proximity to a water source. It’s important you’re aware of these common places, as keeping out a watchful eye will help prevent the growth and spreading of mold before it becomes out of control.

RestoPros has assembled a guide on the 5 common mold growth areas of a home.

1. The Bathroom

Bathrooms are where we use water the most. And mold thrives in areas that are moist, humid, and dark. This unfortunately means a bathroom is more vulnerable to mold growth than other areas of your home.

After a long shower or bath, the leftover moisture can coat the walls and mirrors of your bathroom. And if you didn’t run your exhaust fan to help remove the moisture, porous surfaces such as drywall and wood will begin to soak and allow for mold growth.

Additionally, bathrooms can also experience plumbing leaks under the faucet, which, if left unattended, can create another instance of mold growth.

2. The Kitchen

Not far behind the bathroom, kitchens are second in terms of water usage in your home. If mold growth occurs in the kitchen, it is usually the result of a leak from a faucet, dishwasher, or refrigerator. Each of these items draw and use water, and often have enclosed, hidden areas which are dark and warm enough for mold growth if moisture is present.

3. The Laundry Room

If the laundry room is meant for cleaning, how could mold growth, an exact opposite of cleaning, choose it as a common place to spawn? Mostly because of the water from your washing machine. Although it’s rare to find mold actually inside the washing machine, it can still appear if there’s a leak or loose connection with a hose. Once water starts to spill and lingers under the washer or dryer, mold can easily start to form.

4. Next to the AC Unit

While not all AC units may be the same, most provide cooling through the means of evaporation. A designated unit (simply titled the evaporator coil) traps warm air and begins to cool it, which creates condensation that forms in and around the coil. Usually, this moisture is supposed to be collected into a drip pan, which is then drained out of your home. However, if the drain becomes clogged or there’s a problem with the coil, condensation can drip into puddles, which helps create mold growth.

5. Under Carpeting

If there’s one item we don’t want associated with the term “brush it under the carpet,” it’s any liquid. Carpeting can become a common area for mold growth if any spills or moisture are not immediately cleaned. This is because once a liquid hits carpet, it slowly starts to soak through the threads and pads, eventually reaching the flooring underneath. And with the dark, warm, and now-damp environment under your carpet, mold can spawn and reproduce.

Always keep in mind the 5 common areas of mold growth in your Dallas/Ft. Worth home. And if upon checking these areas you’ve managed to find an instance of mold growth, contact RestoPros for our mold remediation services! Give us a call at 855-587-3786 to schedule an appointment and get started.

Related Links

You Can Control Mold – CDC

What Foods Mold the Fastest?

Published on August 10, 2018

Have you ever opened your fridge for a quick snack, only to be greeted by the sight (and smell) of moldy food? Almost every Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowner has gone through a similar experience. And while the sight of moldy food may be bad enough, the damage it can cause can lead to worse issues. Mold spores can spread to other food items as well as the surfaces of your fridge, and too much contamination could eventually lead to requiring mold remediation.

You want to keep your fridge clear of mold as much as possible. And to help do so, you want to be aware of the foods that can expire the fastest. RestoPros has listed some of the worst offenders below.

Cooked Eggs

A staple for most refrigerators, eggs are so commonly used that we tend to forget how easily they can spoil when cooked. While raw, unopened eggs can last up to 3-5 weeks in the refrigerator, cooked eggs can last less than a week. But this expiration times varies depending on how you cook them.

If you scramble eggs or make an omelet, chances are it will only be good for about 3 days refrigerated. Hard-boiled eggs can last a little bit longer, usually up to a week. After this time, mold and bacteria will begin to form in the cooked eggs, leading to foul smell and discolored look.

Milk

Due to the high lactose amounts, adequate pH levels, and major water content, milk can become moldy very quickly, especially after being opened. Whole milk can only last 7 days unopened in the fridge, which is reduced to 5 days after being opened. However, milk can last a little longer if the fat and lactose is removed. Lactose-free or fat-free milk can last up to 10 days in the fridge, which is a bit longer but still a short lifespan overall.

Sliced Fresh Fruits/Vegetables/Mushrooms

The fresher a fruit, vegetable, or mushroom is, the higher amount of water it contains. And as soon as it’s sliced, diced, or cut in any way that exposes its flesh, mold can more easily form. Sliced fruits, vegetables, or mushrooms can only last about 3-5 days, even if refrigerated.

Cooked Grains and Beans

You wouldn’t expect grains or beans to have a short lifespan, especially considering they’re usually stored in the pantry for long periods of time when raw. But once they’ve been cooked, they only last about 3-4 days in the fridge. Cooking grains and beans expose their interiors to bacteria growth, helping mold to spawn and feed off their nutrients. Additionally, cooking grains and beans also adds water to them, which is another essential for mold growth.

Raw Meat

Raw meat is filled to the brim with bacteria and water. And only after about 3-4 days in the fridge the bacteria along with mold will grow rapidly, completely ruining the meat. Raw meat should always be cooked and eaten as soon as possible, or it should be frozen if you don’t plan on using it immediately. Although thawed frozen meat may lose some of its flavor, it’s a much better experience than eating moldy raw meat!

Help protect your refrigerator from the clutches of mold by learning about some of the foods that can turn the fastest. If you’ve discovered moldy food that has spread its spores to the surfaces of your fridge, you’ll want to contact RestoPros to have mold-removal experts restore your fridge back to a suitable condition. Call 855-587-3786 for our mold remediation services.

Mold and Its Effects on Your Health

Published on June 28, 2018

When mold is discovered in your home, a common first thought is “is it harmful?” After all, many media publications, blogs, and internet discussions have labeled mold as “toxic,” “deadly” and “poisonous.” So, it’s not far-fetched to believe that encountering or touching mold could be dangerous. However, the connection between mold and your health is more ambiguous than you might think. And answering the question “how does mold effect your health” requires more than a one-sentence response.

RestoPros would like to provide Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowners insight about mold and its impact on their health. We recommend following this article to help acquire a better understanding of mold, preparing homeowners for a plan if it appears.

What is Mold?

Before we attempt to explain the health effects of mold, we must first understand what mold is. Mold is a type of fungus that grows in environments with warm, dark and humid conditions. It spawns and feeds off organic matter. Mold’s appearance varies on the species, but you’ll generally see it as stain-like with different shades of black, brown, yellow, green or blue. It can also appear fuzzy or as a slime.

With the abundance of trees, grass, and vegetation, mold is ubiquitous in nature. You can find mold on rotting trees, dead plants, and animal carcasses. There are over 100,000 species of mold that can work in tandem, meaning one instance of mold growth could contain several different species.

How Does Mold Effect Your Health?

Mold reproduces via spores. Essentially, these are the “seeds” of mold, which travel through the air to find a suitable location to plant themselves and initiate new mold growth. These spores hold the allergens and other contaminants that can make you sick. Symptoms could be runny nose, irritated eyes, chronic cough, headaches, and other allergenic responses.

Along with spores, certain species of mold can also produce mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are small, toxic substances that can also cause symptoms of sickness and allergies if contacted.

We come in contact with mold spores and mycotoxins almost every day when going outside. So, if all the claims and rumors about mold’s health effects were true, we’d probably all be sick right now. However, considering the openness of the outdoors, mold spores and mycotoxins are so spread out that you’ll usually be safe being outdoors, provided you’re not constantly near mold.

But as the space becomes more confined, the more of a health impact mold can have. Mold spores and mycotoxins in tight spaces are now closer together and larger in quantity, meaning you have a higher chance of inhaling more of them. Therefore, having mold grow somewhere such as your home could possibly lead to negative health effects. And the adversity of these effects depends on factors such as the size of the mold infestation and the status of your own health.

Mold growth has been proven to cause worse symptoms for those with asthma or other respiratory conditions. For example, if you have a lung infection, mold can exacerbate the issue, increasing the severity of your systems. Additionally, those with weaker immune systems such as children or the elderly can also experience more severe symptoms from mold spores.

In Conclusion

Mold can have an effect on your health, but only under certain conditions. Although we recommend following safety precautions when mold has been identified in your home (contacting RestoPros for mold remediation services), you shouldn’t cower in fear upon the sight of a mold-infested plant or tree.

RestoPros is happy to inform Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowners about the possible effects mold can have on your health. And be sure to contact RestoPros for affordable mold remediation services if a mold infestation has appeared in your home. Give us a call at 855-587-3786 to get started.

3 Ways to Test for Mold in Your Home

Published on June 14, 2018

Not all stains are made equal. While some are just spilled food or water, others can actually be splotches of mold that have infested your home. Additionally, musky, pungent smells in your home can also be a sign of mold. While bad smells and unexplainable stains are both common signs of a mold problem, they’re not always indicative of an infestation. If you’ve noticed either in your home, it’s best to test for mold.

RestoPros recommends every Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowner llearnsabout mold testing. We have provided some mold testing methods below to help guide you in discovering and treating a mold problem.

Note: Do not perform any mold testing without the proper mold cleaning equipment. Wear the appropriate goggles, face mask, gloves, and long-sleeved clothes before proceeding.

1. Test Your Home’s Humidity Using a Hygrometer

Is your home a suitable habitat for mold growth? Mold flourishes in warm, dark, and humid environments. And if your home falls under these conditions, the stain or smell could have a higher chance of being from mold. Humidity arguably plays the biggest role in mold growth, so you’ll want to test your home’s humidity using a hygrometer.

Hygrometers can be found at almost any department store and are used to measure humidity levels in a given area. Adequate humidity levels for homes are between 40-60%, with anything higher possibly making your home more suitable for mold growth.

2. Test the Fragility of Stained Surfaces

Mold can lead to rot, especially in porous surfaces such as drywall. You’ll want to test the fragility of stains using a tool such as a ruler or screwdriver. If the surface of a stain feels crumbly or squishy, this could mean mold is causing rot. Be careful not to puncture the surface using a tool.

3. Utilize a Mold Testing Kit

Mold testing kits are available to purchase at almost any home improvement store and are used to detect mold and its associated contaminants. Depending on the type of mold kit, it can measure for mold spores in the air in addition to possible mold stains. Be aware that some mold testing kits require mailing samples to a lab, which could take some time to process and return the results.

What if You’ve Discovered Mold?

If a test has indicated the possibility of mold, you’ll want to contact RestoPros for quality mold remediation services that help restore your home to a healthy condition. Our mold-removal experts utilize only the highest-quality products for eradicating mold, such as Bad Axe Particulate Conqueror.

Bad Axe Particulate Conqueror is a high-tech cleaning aid used in our mold remediation process. This product attacks airborne contaminants (such as mold spores) directly, immobilizing and increasing mass for easier clean-up. This reduces the possibility of further mold growth after remediation, as well as less contaminants in the air.

Throughout the RestoPros mold remediation process, we utilize Bad Axe Particulate Conqueror for both contamination control and more thorough mold elimination. We utilize this product to contain particles before, during, and after remediation, helping to ensure your home is restored to a healthy condition.

If you have tested and found mold in your Dallas/Ft. Worth home, contact RestoPros at 855-587-3786 for “Bad Axe” mold remediation services!

5 Common Mold Types in Homes

Published on June 1, 2018

Ever wonder what types of mold can get into your home? With hundreds of thousands of mold types around, this question may seem negligible at first. But we’d like to focus on the ones that have a higher chance to grow in your home. While it’s important to treat all mold outbreaks the same, it is also essential to know the qualities and capabilities of certain common mold types – as allergy and health problems can be associated with different strains.

RestoPros recommends every Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowner know the common mold types in homes. We have detailed 5 of these mold types below.

1. Alternaria

Alternaria is the most common allergenic mold found in homes. Although the strands originally resided on leaves and plants, their reproduction can spread to any area with considerable dampness. If mold growth occurs in your bathroom, for example, there’s a high chance Alternaria is present. Usually, Alternaria is found in different shades of green, gray, and black. However, these are not the only colors.

As described above, Alternaria is a known allergenic type of mold. Inhaling the spores or coming in contact with the strands can lead to symptoms such as a runny nose, chronic cough, and irritated eyes. For those with asthma or other lung conditions, these problems can exacerbate, so it’s important to remove any mold from your home as quickly as possible.

2. Aspergillus

Being another extremely common type of mold found in homes, Aspergillus is known to form in thick mold layers and in large amounts. They come in a variety of colors, due to there being hundreds of different species.

In small amounts, Aspergillus is generally unharmful, provided you have a healthy immune system. However, this mold also carries allergens, and in large amounts could produce symptoms of allergies. This mold produces rapidly and, as described, can coat a surface in many layers. Aspergillus is also a leading cause of Aspergillosis, which is an infection commonly located in the respiratory system.

3. Penicillin

Although Penicillin was a breakthrough in creating new and more powerful antibiotics, it’s also a type of allergenic mold that can reproduce in your home. Penicillin is most commonly identified by its blue and green color. It can grow on food, carpet, wallpaper, and other damp, porous surfaces.

Much like the other allergens on this list, Penicillin can also cause allergy symptoms if spores are inhaled in large quantities.

4. Mucor

If there’s a place where mold has no right to be in, it would be your air conditioning. Unfortunately, this is a common location where Mucor can spawn. Mucor is a longer, hairy type of mold that produces similar allergy effects as other mold types on this list.

5. Stachybotrys (Black Mold)

Stachybotrys has a more notable reputation compared to the other molds. It is often known as “black mold”, with their nickname being enough of a sign you should probably stay away from it, although studies on black mold have been inconclusive, one thing is for sure – they produce mycotoxins which can be irritable to inhale.

As its nickname suggests, you’ll tend to find black mold in different shades of black. However, as with most molds, this isn’t the only color it will appear as. Regardless, you’ll want to remediate any mold you see in your home, regardless of whether you can tell if it’s black mold or not.

Although we recommend Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowners have some knowledge of the types of molds commonly found in homes, we must stress that attempting to identify the variety is secondary to fighting them. A single instance of mold growth could have multiple species residing in it. Instead, we recommend you contact RestoPros as soon as you notice an infestation in your home. Contact us at 855-587-3786 for affordable and quality mold remediation services.

Connect with us