Category: Mold Remediation

Hidden Dangers: Why Mold Remediation Should Be Your Top Priority

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We all love the cozy feeling of home. It’s our sanctuary, the place where we unwind after a long day, raise our families, and make memories. But what if a silent, unseen intruder was slowly taking over, jeopardizing your health and the very structure of your relaxing space? We’re talking about mold.

Now, you might think, “A little mold? What’s the big deal?” Maybe you’ve seen a bit of mildew in the bathroom and shrugged it off. Perhaps there’s a faint, musty odor you’ve grown accustomed to. But trust us, ignoring these early warning signs is like ignoring a tiny crack in a dam – eventually, it can lead to a catastrophic flood.

Here are the top hidden dangers of mold (and why taking care of it should be your #1 priority).

Hidden Dangers for Your Health

  • Persistent Allergies: Sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes that just won’t go away? Mold could be the culprit.
  • Asthma Aggravation: For those with asthma, mold spores can trigger severe attacks and make breathing difficult.
  • Respiratory Issues: Coughing, wheezing, and even more serious lung problems can be linked to mold exposure.
  • Unexplained Symptoms: Headaches, constant fatigue, and skin irritation can also be silent signals that mold is present in your home.

Hidden Dangers for Your Home

The dangers of mold go beyond your family’s health. Mold is a relentless force of nature when it finds a food source. It feeds on organic materials commonly found in our homes, such as:

  • Drywall: The very walls that provide structure and privacy.
  • Wood: Framing, flooring, and other essential structural components.
  • Insulation: Compromising your home’s energy efficiency and potentially creating more hidden growth areas.

Left unchecked, mold can literally eat away at these materials, weakening the structural integrity of your home and leading to significant and costly repairs down the road. Imagine having to replace entire sections of walls or deal with foundation issues caused by prolonged moisture and mold growth.

Why Mold Remediation Needs to Be Your Top Priority

Protecting your family’s health and preserving the value of your home should be paramount. That’s why professional mold remediation isn’t just a cleanup service – it’s an essential investment. We focus on:

  • Identifying the Root Cause: We don’t just treat the symptoms; we find and fix the underlying moisture problem to prevent future mold growth.
  • Safe and Effective Removal: Our team uses specialized equipment and techniques to safely and completely remove the mold without spreading harmful spores.
  • Prevention Strategies: We’ll provide you with expert advice and solutions to ensure mold doesn’t return to your home.

Contact RestoPros for Mold Remediation Services in the North Dallas Area

At RestoPros, we’re more than just a mold removal company. We’re your neighbors, dedicated to ensuring the health and safety of our community. We have the expertise and the commitment to provide thorough and effective mold remediation services. So, don’t let the silent intruder take hold in your North Dallas, TX home. If you suspect a mold problem, even a small one, please take it seriously. It’s an investment in your family’s well-being and the long-term security of your property. Reach out for a professional assessment today – let us help you breathe easier and enjoy a truly healthy and safe home.

Should You Paint Over Mold?

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Should You Paint Over Mold

Painting over mold is one of the most well-known techniques to shroud mold. In any case, that is the issue – you are just concealing the mold briefly. Numerous individuals pick this arrangement since it is the speediest answer for shroud the appalling indications of mold on their dividers. Regularly, when individuals decide to cover up mold it is a direct result of numbness. They essentially are not instructed about the reality of mold in the home. Notwithstanding, it is very regular for landowners, property administrators, and even a few mortgage holders to cover up mold since it is the least expensive and quickest approach.

 

Indications of Paint Over Mold

 

On the off chance that you’ve decided to cover up mold or on the off chance that you presume that your dividers conceivably have mold under the paint, you will probably observe noticeable signs in influenced regions. The whole divider might possibly be influenced, but even a limited quantity of mold can be a significant issue. Here is the thing that you may see:

 

The paint is gurgled, split, or chipped.

 

White or light shaded paint has turned yellow or taken on a yellow hint (an indication of water harm)

 

The dividers or roofs are not so much level. They bubble and additionally bow out which is another indication of water harm.

 

In the event that you see indications of mold, you no doubt have water harm on that divider that was not appropriately remediated previously. On the off chance that you presume mold development behind the paint in your home, you should decide the wellspring of the hole and make arrangements to appropriately remediate it. Mold won’t just disappear all alone, and it has a clothing rundown of genuine wellbeing illnesses that it can cause you and your family.

 

Paint over mold doesn’t forever fix or shroud the issue. In the event that you think there is mold underneath your paint because of one of the signs referenced above, take care of business now before the issue exacerbates.

 

Legitimate Remediation

 

You should appropriately dispose of mold before painting. There is no exemption. Neighborhood equipment and paint stores sell mold slaughtering or mold-safe paint. In the event that you do your examination, you will find that these cases intermittently are false. On the off chance that you have mold on your dividers, it must be appropriately evacuated preceding painting. Something else, the mold will continue developing and can really eat through the paint. On the off chance that the wellspring of the water spill has not been resolved, the mold issue can be exasperated. Surface mold is the thing that you can noticeably observe, however more often than not, the issue is more profound into your dividers.

 

On the off chance that you presume that there is mold development underneath the paint on your dividers or roofs, you should employ an expert mold remediation organization to begin an official examination. They will have the option to do an appraisal of your home and decide the degree of the mold harm just as suggest fixes. Mold develops immediately (much under the paint) so the degree of the remediation might be more than you might suspect.

 

While there are at times that you can embrace mold remediation yourself, it is regularly best to recruit an expert mold group basically on the grounds that mold is subtle and risky. In the event that you aren’t appropriately prepared, you could sully the remainder of your home, exacerbate the issue or put you and your family at a genuine wellbeing hazard.

 

Legitimate Ramifications

 

On the off chance that you are leasing property and suspect that your proprietor or property director has decided to cover up mold as opposed to appropriately remediate it, you reserve the option to request legitimate fixes. Your wellbeing is in question.

 

On the off chance that you are a landowner or property chief, consistently address mold concerns appropriately by looking for proficient remediation. While it might appear to be enticing to just cover up mold, you may end up in a costly claim should your inhabitants become sick from mold presentation that you intentionally concealed. It does not merit the difficulty!

 

If you suspect that there’s mold in your home, call RestoPros right away!

Natural Remedies for Mold Allergies

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Natural Remedies for Mold Allergies

Mold is fairly easy to spot in common spaces, and usually, where there’s water damage, there’s also mold. However, mold can also hide inside the walls, in the attic, and places that aren’t immediately accessible. Even still they can have a big impact on your day-to-day life, specifically when it comes to your health. Your indoor allergy symptoms may have been your first clue that you have mold in your house. To keep you from suffering in your own home, here are some natural remedies for mold allergies.

 

Neti Pot

 

A runny nose and nasal congestion are some of the mold allergy symptoms. Wiping and blowing your nose all day can rub it raw, and antihistamines can leave you feeling groggy. Instead, you might consider flushing your nasal passage, removing the germs and debris that lead to discomfort during allergy attacks.

 

A Neti pot works great for this: Just follow the instructions on the packaging to set it up, then pour water from the pot into one nostril, letting the stream run out of your other nostril. Temporary discomfort can bring you a lot of relief.

 

Dust Masks

 

Even if you don’t physically touch more, the spores that float around in the air can invade your airway. Ultimately, it’s these spores, breathed in, that cause your allergies. Having the mold removed is the best way to treat your mold allergies. Until you’re able to have the mold professionally removed from your home, however, a dust mask can bring you some relief from your allergy symptoms.

 

House Plants

 

What could possibly be more natural than a plant? The most natural remedy for mold allergies is indoor plants. Not only do house plants make the air cleaner in general, but there are certain types that can even fight against mold. These are the best indoor plants for mold prevention:

 

  • English Ivy
  • Peace Lily
  • Palm Plants
  • Snake Plant

 

Take Supplements

 

If you don’t trust medications, vitamin supplements can be a great, natural remedy for mold allergies. Specific vitamins can be especially beneficial in fighting your allergy symptoms. When you buy supplements, make sure they include these vitamins for best results:

 

  • Bioflavonoids
  • Flaxseed Oil
  • Probiotics
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin E
  • Zinc

 

Professional Mold Remediation

 

The above natural remedies for mold allergies work great for treating the symptoms, but ultimately, the problem will persist until the mold is removed from your home. Because contact with mold is dangerous, you should never try to clean or remove mold yourself. Contact a mold remediation specialist at RestoPros to have your mold professionally cleaned and treated at the root to keep it from coming back.

 

Have questions? We’ve got answers. Call now to speak with one of our friendly representatives. They’ll put your mind at ease. From there, they’ll schedule an appointment for mold treatment at a time that works best for you. Delay any longer! Keep yourself, your family, and your home healthy by calling RestoPros now!

Can UV Light Destroy Mold?

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can uv light destroy mold

You may have heard of a new trend for mold remediation that involves using ultraviolet light. Is this possible? Can UV light destroy mold? If so, how does it work? What is the best method for mold remediation, and can you remove mold from your home yourself? The experts at RestoPros have the answers for you.

How Does UV Light Destroy Mold?

Yes, UV light can be used as a form of mold remediation. But what is it about UV light that stops mold from reproducing? UV light actually acts as a natural form of sanitation. It sterilizes bacteria, viruses, and mold spores so they can’t multiply.

Usually a UV light device is attached to an HVAC unit so it can serve as an air purifier. If mold doesn’t grow in your air ducts, then it’s less likely for mold to become a big nuisance in your home.

Can UV Light Destroy Mold Completely?

Although UV light is now used in some forms of mold remediation, the level of UV light used in home mold remediation is too low to destroy mold completely. Even dead mold spores can still trigger allergic reactions in those who have mold allergies.

UV light devices in HVAC units can act as an effective mold prevention measure, but it’s not 100 percent infallible. Even the smallest amount of mold can spread and cause health problems for you and your family.

What Is the Best Method of Mold Remediation?

The CDC offers an eight-step guide to remediating mold in your home: It involves wearing protective gear, throwing away soiled items, improving air circulation, cleaning while keeping chemical solutions in mind, drying soaked areas of your home, and more.

This is a lot to remember for someone who isn’t trained to work with mold. Handling mold improperly can make you sick. Handling the cleaning chemicals improperly can be deadly. Leave mold remediation and removal to the professionals at RestoPros. We’ll take care of your mold problem for you.

Why Choose RestoPros

Of all the mold remediation specialists in your area, RestoPros is the one to choose. We offer 24/7 emergency mold remediation services. Our mold remediation experts employ a 106-point proven remediation process, so you can rest assured that your home is safe from the dangers of mold. Our company has your safety in mind: We always come onsite with first aid kits, eye-washing stations, and fire extinguishers. We also have full-time staff members who are registered nurses (RNs) and safety officers.

At RestoPros, we take customer safety very seriously. It’s the only thing we consider over customer satisfaction, which—as you can see from our five-star reviews on Google, Yelp, and Angie’s List—is top of mind for our business.

If you’re ready to get rid of mold in your home once and for all, call RestoPros right away.

What to Do If You’ve Been Impacted by Flood Waters

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What to Do If You’ve Been Impacted by Flood Waters

Whether you want to be prepared for a flood if it occurs or you have already been impacted by a flood and you need guidance, the experts at RestoPros can help! Follow these useful tips if you’ve been impacted by flooding:

What Is in Flood Waters?

If your home is flooded, the water that rushes in will be much different from the water that comes from your tap. If your flood is caused by a severe thunderstorm, you may think that the flood water is just rain water and poses no threat to you and your family. Unfortunately, this is not the case.

Coming into contact with flood waters also puts you into contact with:

  • Electrical Currents
  • Chemical Waste
  • Biological Waste
  • Radiological Waste
  • Carcinogenic Compounds
  • Organic Waste
  • Debris
  • Animals That Carry Diseases

Are Flood Waters Dangerous?

You may be thinking that if you know how to swim, you’ll be fine in flood waters, but this is not the case. Drowning is only one risk that flood waters pose. This water is contaminated, so being exposed to it can cause:

  • Stomach Sicknesses
  • Infections in Open Wounds
  • Rashes
  • Tetanus

What to Do If You’ve Been Impacted by Flood Waters

Get to Safety

Your very first priority is to get yourself and your family to safety. If you know a flood is heading your way, leave the area. If a severe thunderstorm caught you unawares and flooded part of your home, be sure to stay clear of the area.

See a Doctor

If you’ve come into contact with flood waters personally, it’s important that you make an appointment to see a doctor. As we’ve mentioned, flood waters are riddled with dangerous bacteria, so just coming into contact with them can make you really sick.

Contact a Water Damage Restoration Specialist

Once you know that you and your family members are safe, it’s time to consider the damage that the flood did to your home. Rather than exposing yourself to the materials that came into contact with the flood waters, call a water restoration specialist. They’ll review the site, take note of the damage, and offer you a quote for repairs.

Call a Mold Remediation Specialist

Once the water has been drained from your home, the next thing to do, to make sure your home is safe for you and your family, is to get rid of any mold that accumulated because of the water damage. Like flood waters, mold is also dangerous, so you don’t want to try to remove or clean mold on your own. Contact a mold remediation specialist instead.

RestoPros: Your Water Damage and Mold Remediation Specialist in One

If you’ve been impacted by a flood, then the best thing you can do for yourself is to contact RestoPros. Our technicians are uniquely trained to handle both water damage restoration and mold remediation. Call our office at 855-587-3786 to have all your questions answered by one of our friendly representatives. If you feel ready, you can also schedule an appointment with us.

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.

Benefits of Choosing a Mold Remediation Professional

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benefits of choosing a mold remediation professional

The negative impacts of mold can be worrying and like many homeowners, you might be inclined to test for mold and remove it on your own. While that decision might seem financially feasible and convenient in the moment, you should reconsider. DIY mold testing kits aren’t always reliable, and neither is DIY mold removal. In addition, there are laws that require a licensed professional handle the process of mold removal. We understand if you’re not fully on board with the idea of a professional—to convince you, the RestoPros team has prepared a list of the benefits of choosing a mold remediation professional.

1. Professional Mold Assessment

If you think you have a mold problem because you smell a musty scent, have excess humidity or major leaks, it is best to contact a professional to inspect for mold. As we mentioned earlier, DIY mold testing is unreliable and unhelpful. According to Consumer Reports, mold test kits that can be found at home improvement stores have had major problems. While mold removal is incredibly important, it’s also important to have a trustworthy and safe method of testing for mold. With a mold remediation company, you will get professionals using their knowledge, experience and proper equipment to test for mold in your home. There will be lesser room for any mishaps.

2. Detailed Process of Removal

Following the assessment and testing, there will be a detailed and thorough process of removal. If you choose RestoPros, here is what the mold removal process will look like:

  • Initial Testing

A licensed mold assessment consultant will come to your home to perform an inspection and take any air quality samples. Based on what they discover, they will write instructions on how to remove the mold.

  • Removal

We will set up containment around your home to prevent mold spores from spreading to unaffected parts of your home. Then, any affected porous parts such as drywall, carpeting and insulation will be removed – and non-porous parts, such as tiles, will be disinfected.

  • Air Scrubbing

We will use our air scrubbers (tools used to filter the air and remove bacteria from it) for 24 hours inside the containment area.

  • Clearance Test

A professional mold removal consultant will ensure your home’s air quality is healthier. After about 72 hours, the consultant will issue clearance and sign a Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation.

3. Certified Expertise and Knowledge

If you’ve been following our blogs for a while, you’re most likely an informed homeowner who knows a lot about mold. However, licensed professionals bring certified expertise to the table and knowledge of, not just mold, but the best methods and tools to remove and prevent it. In addition, professionals will completely sanitize, deodorize and purify the air to ensure healthy air quality, following any mold removal services. They are also informed about insurance options and can even help you file a claim with your insurance company to cover any damage.

Choose RestoPros for Mold Removal Services!

If you are looking for a mold remediation company to test your home for mold, perform mold removal services or water damage restoration, look no further than the professionals at RestoPros! Call us today at 855-587-3786 or fill out a service request form online!

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!

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!

What Is Black Mold and Is It Dangerous?

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what is black mold

The term “black mold” is often used a blanket term to give the impression that mold is a highly toxic monster waiting to enter your home and wreak havoc on your kitchen, bathroom or basement. While mold is problem that should be dealt with before it gets out of hand, it’s important to understand the facts behind it to ensure you’re informed and prepared.  If you suspect you have mold growth in your home, keep reading this guide from the team at RestoPros to answer your nagging question: What is black mold?

What is Black Mold?

Mold in general is a type of fungus that spreads through spores and can be found indoors and outdoors. While mold spores are often present everywhere, usually floating through the air or in dust, they grow in damp and moist conditions. That is why your kitchen, bathroom and basement are prone to mold—they are the damper areas in your home.

Black mold is not a specific type or species of mold. The term “black mold” is often used by news media to describe molds that produce mycotoxins. One of the species of molds that produce mycotoxins (toxic substances released by certain fungi) is Stachybotrys charatarum or Stachybotrys atra which is often referred to as black mold.

Stachybotrys atra is greenish-black in color and can grow on dust and lint as well as in areas where there is excessive moisture from humidity, water damage or flooding. There is no specific information about how often stachybotrys atra is found in residential buildings. It’s not rare but it is not as common as other mold species such as Aspergillus, Alternaria and Penicillium.

Is Black Mold Dangerous?

Now that you know what black mold is, it’s time you learned the facts about whether it is dangerous or not.

The most important thing to note about the dangers and health impacts of mold is that its effects depend on the individual. Usually, people susceptible to allergies might have a reaction to the presence of mold or more accurately, the toxins produced by mold. There is little information on the health effects of mycotoxins, but the consensus is that prolonged and direct exposure might lead to some reaction.

It has also been found that people with weaker immune systems might be more likely to get mold infections. In addition to that, people with asthma who encounter molds might experience the worsening of their asthma symptoms. Mold spores inhaled by people with asthma or those who are allergic to mold can cause their lungs to constrict and produce more mucus. This can lead to coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.

How Do You Prevent Black Mold?

Just like other molds, black mold must immediately be removed to prevent any health risks as well as property damage. Here are some ways you can prevent black mold:

  • Mold requires excess moisture to grow so it is important you maintain the moisture and humidity levels in your home. Ideally, the humidity levels must be kept between 30-50 percent to prevent mold. Invest in a hygrometer or a dehumidifier to control your humidity levels.
  • Ensure your home has proper ventilation (especially damp spaces such as your bathroom) by using your exhaust fans.
  • Keep your house clean and dust-free as much as you can. Regularly replace your AC air filters, clean out your fridge and ensure there are no clogs or leaks in your kitchen and bathroom.
  • Try using non-toxic DIY mold cleaning products for mold prevention.

Stay Mold-Free with RestoPros!

At RestoPros we believe in arming our customers with the right information about mold removal so they can tackle mold when they see it. However, keep in mind that the best way you can be mold-free is with the help of professionals. Get in touch with the experts at RestoPros for our top-notch  mold removal and remediation services by calling 855-587-3786 or by scheduling a service on our website!