Category: Mold Prevention

4 Tips to Avoid Mold this Summer

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Avoid Mold this Summer

Things are a little different this summer. You’re not just worried about beating the heat. You’re also thinking about how to reduce the spread of germs. Even the slightest sniffle can make your heart race. You can save your heart the trouble by eliminating any possible allergens in your home, including mold. Here are 4 tips to avoid mold this summer.

 

1.    Reduce Indoor Humidity

 

Summer is the hottest season of the year, and with all that heat comes humidity, moisture, and condensation. Wetness, even at this degree, is a magnet for mold. Your best bet to avoid mold this summer is to reduce indoor humidity. You can get a dehumidifier to help you with this task, but you can also avoid doing these things during the hottest parts of the day:

 

  • Cooking
  • Washing Dishes
  • Showering
  • Drying Clothes

 

2.    Make Summer Cleaning the New Trend

 

Spring cleaning is so popular because winter makes your home pretty stuffy. However, your house needs your close attention in the summer too—especially if there are nooks you may have overlooked. For example: Did spring cleaning include going through your attic storage? If not, you’ll need to go up there and sift through everything because mold could be lurking there!

 

3.    Dry Off Completely

 

When kids are coming in from the swimming pool, they tend to overestimate their drying abilities. It’s amazing how much water they can track inside. Not only is this a tripping hazard, but it’s also a secret recipe for mold. Help the kids dry off completely when they come inside and clean up any chlorinated puddles they leave in their wake. You will also want to let their wet clothes dry outside before placing them in the dirty clothes hamper. Wet clothes in dark spaces are a breeding ground for mold. If you do not have a clothesline in your yard (what decade is this?), create a makeshift one with wire – or let the clothes rest on beach towels until they have dried in the sun.

 

4.    Spy Over Spilled Milk

 

A little spill isn’t worthy of tears, but it is worthy of your supervision. It’s great to have little ones clean up after themselves if they spill a drink, but you should trail behind them to see if they were thorough. If they spilled on the carpet or upholstery, you’ll need to soak up all the liquid. Any liquid that remains could cause mold. Keeping a close watch over the kiddos can help you avoid mold this summer.

 

Call RestoPros to Avoid Mold This Summer

 

The best way to ensure your home is allergen-free is to have a licensed mold remediation specialist inspect your house for signs of mold. At RestoPros, our team members are specially trained to detect and eradicate mold in your home. They’ll also offer extra tips for avoiding mold in the future. If you suspect you have mold, call our office to speak with one of our friendly representatives today. We’ll dispatch a specialist to your home at a time that is convenient for you.

5 Tips to Lower Indoor Humidity to Prevent Mold

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ips to Lower Indoor Humidity to Prevent Mold

Mold loves moisture. Humidity, then, is like a welcome mat for this dangerous organism. Conversely, controlling or even eliminating your indoor humidity can keep mold at bay, but how, in the hotter seasons, is it possible to do so? Here are 5 tips to lower indoor humidity to prevent mold.

 

1.    Avoid Cooking During High Temperatures

 

Hot pancakes, sizzling bacon, and butter melting on toast—few things satisfy more wholly than a hot breakfast. During the summer, however, it might be better to forgo cooking until nightfall. While the sun is up, there’s greater risk of humidity building in your home. It might not be enough to make you uncomfortable, which makes it all the more dangerous: Building humidity, little by little, over time is the perfect brew for growing mold.

 

2.    Dry Your Clothes at Night

 

In the summertime, your dryer is the second-greatest source of humidity in your home. Thanks to daylight savings, summer days are much longer than winter ones, keeping the sun high in the sky for longer periods and keeping the average temperatures high too. If you dry your clothes during the day, you’re creating a terrarium for mold. Wait until the sun goes down to dry your clothes.

 

3.    Change Your Showering Habits

 

While your dryer takes second place for humidity production in your home, your shower is the unbeaten first place winner: a domesticated waterfall of steaming hot water that temporarily fogs your bathroom mirror but more extensively holds moisture in your home. As with the other suggestions above, you can reduce the humidity in your home by showering at cooler times of the day. However, you can also change your showering habits in a few other ways to decrease humidity levels like turning on the bathroom fan, taking shorter showers, or switching to baths during the summer.

 

4.    Seal Your Windows

 

Your windows are a more surprising source of moisture. If you find condensation droplets on your windows, even if you’re following the above suggestions fairly studiously, then you likely have air leaks in your window sealant. This cultivates humidity by allowing the hot summer air to seep into your air-conditioned home. If you replace the sealant around your windows, then you can reduce moisture and prevent mold.

 

5.    Get a Dehumidifier

 

This thought has likely already crossed your mind, but after reading mixed reviews of effectiveness, you may have let it pass. Or, it’s possible that you already own a dehumidifier but found that it didn’t work as well as you’d hoped. If you’re taking the above tips into account, then a dehumidifier will bring much better results. Add one to your online shopping cart or take it out of storage to make mold feel unwelcome in your home.

 

Found Mold in Your Home? Call RestoPros

 

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, mold still finds its way into our homes, or maybe you’re only reading this article because you’ve discovered mold. These 5 tips to lower indoor humidity to prevent mold will help you moving forward, but they won’t eliminate mold that has already made itself at home in your house. If you’ve found mold, call the mold remediation experts at RestoPros right away.

How to Weatherproof Your Home to Prevent Mold

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How to Weatherproof Your Home to Prevent Mold

Nobody likes to have mold in their house. And even more, nobody likes to clean mold out of their house. Aside from the health risks and negative air quality, the sight and smell aren’t pleasant to experience, it’s just gross. Although cleaning mold out of the home is a chore, preventing it in the first place doesn’t have to be! Here, we’ll discuss some tips and practices, including how to weatherproof your home to prevent mold.

Moisture

Where there’s moisture there’s mold, naturally, the best practice is to try and keep moisture out of the house! This is easier said than done, however. Aside from humid conditions outside from rain, fog, snow, etc, there are things going on in the home that create humidity too. From showering to cooking, washing and drying clothes to doing the dishes.

Doors and Windows

Humidity comes in many forms. External factors like weather and climate are easy to remedy, or at least reduce. Start by checking the windows and external doors of the home. Each one will have some kind of weather seal (a rubber fitted seal running along the frame). This seal can become worn over time, or poorly fitting seals can fall out of place. Some may have been overlooked and have no seal at all! In any case, checking to verify the seal fits effectively on any doors that face externally to prevent any unwanted exchanges in temperature and humidity.

Condensation

As humidity increases, so will condensation. Water will collect on surfaces like windows, doors, pipes, and potentially, walls. Wiping down this extra moisture will help reduce mold and mildew in the home and prevent it from growing on or in surfaces and becoming a much bigger issue later! Additionally, anything cold can produce condensation, like refrigerators, cold pipes, and AC condensers, among others. Knowing where moisture is likely to collect and wiping it down is helpful!

Air Flow

Humidity has a much easier time collecting in enclosed environments. As such, providing adequate airflow to trouble areas will help push moisture out and prevent it from reaching critical mass. Keeping interior doors open, and using fans and HVAC systems to maintain airflow is helpful for doing this. Additionally, adding dehumidifiers to this plan will drastically improve the effectiveness, if humidity is that much of an issue!

Call RestoPros for Mold Remediation Services

We can’t escape the moisture in the air, but we can certainly make it manageable. Knowing where in the house moisture collects, and circulating it to the rest of the home is great. Preventing additional moisture from entering through external doors and windows is even better, along with insulating pipes and relevant points of entry. Wiping down surfaces and using dehumidifiers should be the final nail in the coffin for any would-be mold or mildew growth in the house! If you’re unsure about any of this, or if your problem has grown farther than these steps would help, give RestoPros a call today and set up an appointment!

How to Avoid Mold in Your Humidifier

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How to Avoid Mold in Your Humidifier

Humidifiers can provide a plethora of health benefits for your household. They can potentially alleviate dry skin, irritated eyes, allergies, sinus headaches, snoring and even prevent or alleviate serious medical illnesses! As great as all this sounds, there are some potential downsides to be aware of as well. Regular cleaning and maintenance of a humidifier is a must, as their very design can breed harmful mold if left unchecked. Here we’ll discuss how to avoid mold in your humidifier.

Basic Humidifier Maintenance

In general, it’s better to use distilled water to remove any potentially harmful elements from entering a humidifier. Hard water from the tap and all its lingering mineral deposits will be sprayed into the air for you to breath in!

Whatever water you opt for should be replaced daily to decrease the chances of developing mold or having mineral-deposit related issues down the road.

How to Clean a Humidifier

Draining and cleaning of the humidifier should be done once a month at the very least, and honestly two times a month is probably wise. Do this by disassembling the humidifier and soaking it in hot water mixed with vinegar, diluted chlorine bleach, or soap. (This has the added benefit of washing away any hard water deposits that may have built up inside the storage tank as well.)

Additionally, make sure and individually clean the belt mechanism that cycles the water, as its texture may allow unwanted bacteria to grow.

Depending on soaking time and your patience level, you can opt for anything from a sponge or old toothbrush to a scrub brush or wash cloth to remove residue. Once cleaned, rinse the parts and allow them to dry before reassembling.

Tea tree oil, hydrogen peroxide, and even specially designed cleaning tablets can be used as well. If you go with chlorine, make sure it doesn’t sit too long as it may cause damage to hoses and belts, depending on the materials used in these parts.

How to Store a Humidifier

Typically, humidifiers aren’t used year-round. If this is the case for you, that means you’d likely pack it up and keep it somewhere out of sight, right? It’s nice to declutter and get it off the counter or night stand and into the closet, but is it stored properly?

A warm, dark, moist container is the perfect place for bacterial growth, and bringing out the humidifier the next time you need it might set you up for a hassle at best and trigger some unpleasant symptoms at worst.

Make sure to properly clean and dry it before stowing it away, so you don’t have a headache later on in the year.

How to Avoid Mold in Your Humidifier

So, if you’re thinking of getting a humidifier and checking on what commitments you’d be in for, or if you’re simply looking at how to properly maintain the one you’ve got, look no further!

Humidifiers are fantastic at helping keep your home comfortable and alleviate the discomforts of a dry environment, and with just a little care you can make sure they don’t cause any unwanted problems.

How to Get Rid of Mold in Your Home: Call RestoPros

Humidifiers aren’t the only source of mold in your home. If you believe you have mold, it’s important not to try to remediate it yourself. Mold remediation specialists are uniquely trained to remove mold without exacerbating any possible health risks. Call RestoPros to get rid of mold in your home today!

Protect Your Christmas Decorations from Mold

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Protect Your Christmas Decorations from Mold

Christmas has come to a close again, which means it’s time to store your Christmas decorations. (We won’t judge you if you let this chore linger into the new year, but it’s good to be thinking about your storage options anyway.) Did you know that your attic is especially prone to mold growth? Storage locations in general are also susceptible to mold growth, usually due to neglect (no one is cleaning or maintaining the area). Here’s how to protect your Christmas decorations from mold:

Seasonal Cleaning

Spring cleaning gets all the hype, but it’s important to do a thorough cleaning of your entire home about once per season. This can help you spot signs of mold before things get out of hand. And that goes for any area of your home, not just the part that stores your Christmas decorations. When you clean, be sure to put everything up, dust, and sweep.

Donating Christmas Decorations

Consider this: The fewer Christmas decorations you have to store, the less likely you are to attract mold. The idea here is that there are fewer items that go unsupervised during the year, making it less likely for mold growth to sneak up on you. Go through your Christmas decorations and only keep the items that “spark joy.”

Checking for and Repairing Leaks

Moisture is the number one cause of mold growth. Add to that a warm, cozy environment where mold can thrive, unbothered, and you’ve got yourself a real problem. When you go through your house and perform your seasonal cleaning, you should also use this time to check for leaks. Catching them early can make water damage minimal and mold remediation much easier.

Ensuring Ideal Humidity

Even in areas where there are no leaks, there’s still a chance that mold could grow and thrive. If your home has high humidity levels, then that’s all the moisture it needs to call your house a home. Ensure that your home’s humidity level is ideal, not too dry and not too moist. If you see condensation on your windows, that’s a sign you have too much moisture in your home. Consider purchasing a dehumidifier.

What to Do If You Find Mold

These are all preventative measures you can take this year to keep from finding mold growing in your Christmas decorations next year. But what happens if you find mold in your home anyway, despite your best efforts to protect your Christmas decorations from mold?

The best thing to do is to contact a professional right away, and do not try to remediate the mold on your own. Mold spores and fumes can be dangerous. Coming into contact with it can make you sick and may even make the mold spread. The mold remediation specialists at RestoPros have the training, the skills, and the equipment needed to remove mold from your home. We’ll keep you and your family safe all year ‘round. Call today to schedule service with one of our friendly representatives.

Common Misconceptions About Mold

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common misconceptions about mold

There is a lot of information about mold, its health effects and how you can prevent it – all across the internet. However, since it is the internet, some myths and misconceptions can sneak their way in. Having the right sources and knowledge is integral to becoming a well-informed homeowner. With the right information, you can tackle mold growth safely and confidently. So, to help you figure out which sources and articles can be trusted, the team at RestoPros has developed a list of common misconceptions about mold! 

1. Black Mold is Deadly

Black mold has somehow gained a reputation as the deadliest of all mold species. We believe that reputation is a little overhyped. Here are some important facts about black mold that aren’t sensationalized:

  • Black mold isn’t a specific type or species of mold. The term black mold is often used to describe molds that produce mycotoxins, which are naturally occurring toxins. One of the species known for producing mycotoxins are Stachybotrys charatarum or Stachybotrys atra—this species, which is greenish-black in color, is often referred to as black mold.
  • It is not rare, but it is not as common as other mold species such as Penicillium, Aspergillus and Alternaria.
  • The health effects of black mold are dependent on the individual. Adults and children who have weaker immune systems, frequent allergies, and asthma might react to mold exposure and mold spore inhalation.
  • Black mold can be prevented just like any other mold species: By avoiding excess moisture and by maintaining cleanliness. 

2. You Can DIY Mold Removal

There are several unreliable sources that say you can test and remove mold all by yourself and ultimately save money. While you might be inclined to go on this route, take a moment to reconsider. Mold testing kits aren’t always reliable and there are many states have laws about mold removal. These regulations often require that mold related activities such as assessment and remediation be handled by a licensed professional. In addition, mold often starts growing in porous areas (such as drywall) and it can be hard to remove mold on your own from porous materials. Because of these reasons, it is best to leave mold removal to the experts.

3. Mold is Rare

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, mold is very common in homes and buildings—it can be found in indoor environments if it has the right moisture content and nutrients. So, while you might think mold could never grow in your home, think again. Mold spores are in great quantity all around us and there isn’t anything particularly wrong with that. The problem is when they settle in a specific area in our home and start to grow.

4. No Odor, No Mold

Sure, mold might have a distinct musty smell, but just because you don’t smell any odor doesn’t mean you don’t have a mold problem. While an odor is a sign of mold, it isn’t the only sign of mold. The best way to know whether you have mold or not is to have an inspection done. Experts can perform professional mold testing and discover whether you have a significant mold problem or not.

Contact RestoPros For Mold Removal Services

We hope this list of common misconceptions about mold has been helpful. If you suspect you have a mold problem, get in touch with the experts at RestoPros! We offer services such as water damage restoration, mold testing, removal and remediation! Call us today at 855-587-3786 or schedule a service online!

How to Prevent Garage Mold

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how to prevent garage mold

With enough moisture and proper nutrients, mold can pretty much grow anywhere. In fact, mold spores can survive harsh and dry conditions as well. With the right environment, mold can settle in any place in your home, including the garage. A lot of homeowners don’t often pay much attention to their garages, but it’s an important place to keep clean and inspect for any signs of decay, mold or mildew. We at RestoPros understand that mold growth in your garage can be a great inconvenience for you. That is why we’re going to tell you a little bit about how you can prevent garage mold in order to avoid any long-term consequences.

1. Remove Standing Water

Sometimes water can collect in your garage because of rainy or snowy weather or because of water dripping from the bottom of your car. Whenever you see puddles of water in your garage, remove them by using a squeegee and pushing the liquid into the driveway. You can do this easily as driveways are slanted downwards and will allow you to push away the water from your garage floor. Clean up any leftover moisture using a paper towel or a mop. Make sure you don’t leave behind any excess water and moisture.

2. Don’t Use Cardboard Containers

While many homeowners think it wise to make use of any leftover cardboard containers to store garage supplies, it’s best you use plastic containers. The moment cardboard is exposed to water, it absorbs the moisture very quickly. Because it is porous material, like a sponge, it will remain damp and soggy for a long period. Not only will the cardboard become fragile and lose it’s sturdiness, it will also create the perfect environment for mold growth.

Clear plastic containers and boxes will be sturdier and won’t be susceptible to mold. You can purchase these containers from any home improvement store. If you want to continue using cardboard boxes, make sure they are not directly placed on the garage floor. Instead, keep them on a shelf to prevent contact with moisture.

3. Seal Up Your Garage Door

If your garage is not properly sealed up, there is a chance of water seeping into your garage and forming puddles all over your floor. You can probably squeegee it away but there are only so many times you can do that before you get tired. Consider sealing up your garage door from the bottom. You have many options such as a panel weatherstripping and garage door weatherstripping. You can purchase seals and weatherstripping from any home improvement store near you.

4. Use a Dehumidifier

If you read our blog, you know that one of the best ways to maintain humidity in any part of your home is by using a dehumidifier. This trusty appliance comes in different sizes—for your garage, go for a smaller option. Make sure the humidity is set between 30 to 50 percent as that is the ideal setting to prevent mold growth.

Prevent Garage Mold with RestoPros

We hope this guide on how to prevent garage mold is helpful and informative. If you are worried your home might be affect by mold, get in touch with the experts at RestoPros. We provide the DFW area with mold testing, mold remediation and water damage restoration services. Call us today at 855-587-3786 or schedule an appointment online!

Can Mold Show Up in My Car?

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can mold show up in my car

If you are a regular reader of this blog, then you know that mold can be found in all sorts of places. Sinks, showers, washing machines, refrigerators, even filing cabinets. However, you might not have heard of mold showing up in your car. Mold is a fungus that needs moisture to grow and spread. If it comes across the ideal damp and humid environment, it will end up growing there, even if it is in less common mold-growth area such as your car. So, to answer the question, “can mold show up in my car?”— yes, it can! Keep reading to learn the RestoPros experts’ list of reasons for car mold and easy ways to prevent it!

Reasons for Mold Growth in Your Car

  • Groceries that you put in your car, whether in the backseat or trunk, might tip over and spill. The same could occur with liquids such as coffee or juices. If ignored or cleaned haphazardly, mold can grow in the interior of your car. 
  • If you leave your car window open and it happens to rain, water might soak the interior of your car, leading to moisture build up and eventually, mold growth.
  • Your car’s AC is a place where mold can grow. Your car’s AC sucks in warm and humid outdoor heat and absorbs the moisture and heat from it to produce cool air. This can lead to moisture accumulating in your AC, specifically it’s evaporator core. If the core comes across pollen, mold spores and debris, it can become the perfect place for mold growth.

How to Tell If Your Car Has a Mold Problem

The most obvious sign of mold growth in your car is bad odors and musty smells coming from the interior of your car. Also, if you turn your AC on and you are greeted with a new and awful smell, you might have to get your car inspected for mold growth as your AC might be dealing with a mold problem.

How to Prevent Mold Growth in Your Car

While mold growth in your car is frustrating to deal with, it is also easily preventable. Here are some effective car mold prevention tips:

  • Frequently Clean Your Car

Take some time every weekend to declutter your car. Then every month or so, vacuum the interior, upholstery and carpets in your car, to ensure mold spores, pollen and other allergens and toxins have not found their way into your car. In addition, change your car’s cabin air filter to prevent a clogged, malfunctioning car AC system.

  • Prevent Excess Moisture

One way to do this is by frequently avoiding eating and drinking in your car. If you happen to spill something such as juice, coffee or any kind of food, be sure to clean and dry the area properly to avoid moisture build up.

If you are predicting a particularly humid environment caused by heavy rain or storms, sprinkle some baking soda on the carpet of your car. The baking soda will soak up the moisture from your carpet in addition to removing odors.

  • Routine Maintenance

Just like any machine or appliance in your home, your car needs routine maintenance and inspections as well. Whether you are frequently inspecting your car yourself or getting it inspected by a professional, you will save yourself from roadside inconveniences in the long run as well as ensure your car’s value is up.

Prevent Mold with RestoPros!

If you have any questions about preventing and/or removing mold anywhere in your home, from the most common places to the most unusual places, the experts at RestoPros will be sure to provide answers. Get in touch with us by calling 855-587-3786 or by filling out a service request form on our website!

Protect Your Kids From Mold This Baby Safety Month

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protect your kids from mold

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!

5 Facts You Should Know About Mold

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facts you should know about mold

The term “mold” might have been thrown around your home a few times. But most likely, if you have never directly dealt with it, you may not know that much about it. Where and how does it grow? What does it look like? Does it have any adverse health effects? The team at RestoPros has answers to all these questions with this helpful list of essential facts you should know about mold!

1. It Can Have an Effect on Your Health

Can mold have adverse health effects? The answer is; it depends. If you or someone in your family is susceptible to allergies or has asthma, chances are prolonged exposure to actively growing mold can have a negative impact on your health.

21 percent of the current asthma cases in the United States can be attributed to dampness and mold spores in the home. If you have asthma, mold exposure could possibly worsen it. Inhaling these spores can produce more mucus and even cause the lungs to constrict. This can lead to wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath.  To prevent mold spores from triggering your asthma, you will have to limit your exposure to mold by maintaining the humidity in your home and ensuring proper ventilation.

Similarly, inhaling allergens like mold spores can also lead to sinusitis or sinus infections and another condition called mold-induced hypersensitivity pneumonitis. In order to prevent these reactions, it’s important to do saline rinses to keep sinuses clean, thoroughly clean out ventilation systems and to stay hydrated.

2. You Can Find Mold Anywhere

This might sound a little confusing, so we will clarify. Yes, mold is everywhere as mold spores are always present in our outdoor and indoor environments. Even if you show allergy symptoms to mold, a small mold count is not a problem. It IS a problem, when there is excessive moisture build up and mold begins to actively grow because of this. Therefore, it is important that moisture and humidity is well-controlled to prevent mold from starting to infest your home.

3. You Can Prevent Mold by Controlling Moisture

This is one of the most important facts you should know about mold. As we mentioned before, while mold is a problem, it can be controlled and prevented. The best way to prevent mold is by controlling the moisture and humidity in your home. Here are some ways you can do this:

  • Use a dehumidifier and maintain your home’s humidity between 30 and 50 percent.
  • Use exhaust fans
  • Your AC plays a big role in maintaining the humidity of your home as well. Make sure its air filter is clean and free of dirt and debris. 
  • Don’t let moisture linger after you’re done using the shower. Take a minute to squeegee the walls of your bathroom to remove moisture
  • Make sure your home is leak-free
  • Wipe around your kitchen and bathroom sinks when you’re done using them

4. Let the Pros Handle Mold Removal

If you think you might have actively growing mold in your home, your first thought might be to save some money and handle it yourself using a store-bought mold test kit. However, that’s not a good idea as mold test kits aren’t always reliable. By handling mold removal yourself, especially if it’s a considerably affected area, you will probably do more harm than good. In addition, there are regulations that require that you must be licensed to perform mold-related activities such as assessment and remediation. It is best to contact a professional who has the right knowledge and experience to safely deduce the mold problem in your home.

5. You Cannot Paint Over Mold

Painting or caulking over mold is not the solution to removing or preventing mold. The mold will continue to grow under the paint and the paint will simply peel. It’s best to remove the mold before you do any painting.

RestoPros: DFW’s Mold Removal Experts!

Now that you’re aware of these facts you will be better prepared to prevent a mold infestation. If you think you have a mold problem, get in touch with the experts at RestoPros. Our trustworthy and experienced team of professionals performs water damage restoration, mold testing and mold remediation in the Dallas-Forth Worth area. Call us today at 855-587-3786 or fill out a service request form on our website!