Category: Preventative Maintenance

4 Patio Mold Prevention Tips

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Sitting outside in your patio is a great way to relax during the evening. But this experience can be ruined if your patio has been inundated by mold. To help ensure you have a clean, nice looking patio year-round, you must take some preventative measures against mold.

How can mold grow on a patio? Since most patios are exposed to the elements, they come into contact with rain, humidity, and other forms of precipitation. And as long as the patio’s surface is warm, dark, and wet, mold is able to grow. Therefore, patios, even those made from concrete, are at risk of mold growth.

RestoPros has detailed 4 patio mold prevention tips you can practice for your Dallas/Ft. Worth home!

1. Regularly Examine Patio for Damages

When water hits a surface, it will try and seep into any opening it can find. And if your patio is full of cracks or segmented pieces, moisture is more likely to build-up, making it easier for mold growth to occur.

It’s important to give your patio a quick inspection every month, checking every surface for any noticeable cracks or openings. Be aware that if you do notice some patio damage, it will only get worse as time goes on. You’ll want to fix any problem you find as soon as possible.

2. Mop Up Water and Liquids Immediately

Never let a spill stay on your patio. The longer a spill lingers, the more it can soak in the concrete, wood, or other material. When moisture manages to find a warm, dark area underneath the surface of your patio, mold spores are able to latch on and reproduce. As soon as you notice a wet spot or a spill on your patio, wipe it up using a mop or cloth. 

3. Keep Patio Free of Leaves and Trash

Although the occasional leaf or piece of trash on your patio doesn’t necessarily mean mold will grow, it should still be removed immediately. Leaves and trash can carry water and various liquids, which can eventually soak into your patio’s surface if left there long enough. Just to be safe, always sweep and clear your patio any time you notice any leaves or trash. Be sure to clean any stain or water left over as well.

4. Clean Your Patio with a Mold-Killing Substance

One of the best ways to prevent mold on your patio is by adding a mold-killing product to your arsenal when cleaning. Not only will using a mold-killing product add a protective coating to your patio to help prevent mold – it may eliminate some already-existing spores as well.

Not sure what type of mold-killing cleaner to use? While there are plenty of commercial options available, most of them contain VOCs (volatile organic compounds) which can be damaging to the environment. Instead, we recommend opting for a natural mold cleaner such as vinegar or lemon juice. These natural cleaners can kill mold as well as protect it from further growth.

Follow these tips to help give your patio some added protection against mold. If your patio has already succumbed to the clutches of mold, and there’s an infestation, you’ll need to contact a mold-removal expert. Fortunately, you have RestoPros as your number-one resource for mold remediation services! Give us a call at 855-587-3786 to speak with Dallas/Ft. Worth’s leading professionals today.

 

 

4 Summer Mold Prevention Tips

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During the summer, Dallas/Ft. Worth residents are usually more concerned about beating the heat than preventing mold. But it’s easy to forget that mold requires warmth, moisture, and shade to grow. And with summer weather bringing both heat and humidity, mold has a higher chance of infesting your home if you’re not practicing summer mold prevention.

Not sure how to keep mold from growing in your residence? Let RestoPros guide you! We have detailed 4 summer mold prevention tips for your Dallas/Ft. Worth home.

1. Keep Home Humidity Levels Low

As described, mold seeks humidity as one if its requirements to grow. And if your home’s humidity levels are too high, mold can more easily spawn and reproduce. Therefore, it’s important to maintain your home’s humidity levels for the summer. Below are a few tips to help achieve this:

  • Purchase a use a hygrometer to measure your home’s humidity. Generally, you’ll want to keep humidity levels between 40-60%.
  • Consider opening a door or window when humidity levels are high.
  • Utilize a dehumidifier to absorb and reduce moisture.
  • Run the exhaust fan in your bathroom after a bath or shower to prevent moisture build-up.
  • Run ceiling fans on high speed to air out any nearby moisture (use this also to save money on air conditioning!)

2. Keep Your Home Clean

Summer is the time for cookouts, barbecues, and pool parties. And while all these activities are staples for the season, the mess afterwards isn’t something you want sticking around. It’s important to clean your home as thoroughly as possible during the summer. Messiness can lead to dampness, and when it’s coupled with the summer heat it can create a suitable habitat for mold.

Be sure to clean any spill or stain immediately, and remove any food packages, cups, and other trash to avoid further surface contamination. Additionally, opt for using a natural mold cleaner to help boost the strength of your cleaning.

3. Maintain Home Temperature

Mold grows best when temperatures are above 75 degrees. So, it’s best to keep your home’s temperature below this amount to help prevent mold from growing. We recommend using both your AC and ceiling fan to achieve this temperature. Not only will this maximize cold air distribution, you’ll also be saving energy compared to just using the AC.

4. Air Dry Wet Clothes/Towels Before Storing Them

After hitting up the pool or water park, our first instinct is usually to throw our wet clothes and towels in the hamper and head for a nap. However, this is entirely not recommended, as the bundling of wet clothing and towels in a hamper creates the perfect environment for mold growth.

You’ll want to dry your wet clothes and towels before storing them. We recommend doing this via air drying, as the summer heat should remove the moisture in no time!

Maintain your Dallas/Ft. Worth home for the season by following our summer mold prevention tips. And if you have discovered mold infesting your home, contact RestoPros for our mold remediation services. Give us a call at 855-587-3786 to schedule an appointment and get started.

Related Links

Why and Where Mold Grows – Environmental Protection Agency

Rain Leakage Protection for Your Home

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With spring approaching, along comes increasing chances of severe storms and heavy rain in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. Although the intensified precipitation seems like a welcome change from the bitter cold, the associated rain leakage can be a detrimental issue, leading to the likelihood of water damage and mold.

Without rain leakage protection, you may be spending your spring cleaning wiping up mold and contacting a water damage restoration company. RestoPros recommends every Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowner to make ample preparations against rain leakage. Follow these tips below to ready your home for spring!

Maintain Your Foundation

  • Check along the foundation of your home for any cracks, chips, or any other degradation, as these problems can lead to leaks.
  • If cracks are larger than a hairline, clear out any debris using a screwdriver, and use an adhesive patch to seal the crack (Polyurethane, silicone, or latex concrete caulk is available at almost any department store).
  • Be sure to monitor the bricks and concrete around your doors and windows as well, as these are especially vulnerable to rain leakage when surrounding foundation is damaged.

Monitor Your Exterior Paint

  • After examining your foundation, you’ll want to monitor your home’s exterior paint for additional cracks and deterioration.
  • Receding exterior paint offers little defense against rainwater seeping into your home and should have a new coat added if in poor condition.
  • Generally, wood siding requires new coats every 3-7 years, while aluminum siding lasts about 5-6 years. Additionally, painted brick has a much longer lifespan of 15-20 years, but can still require the occasional touch-up depending on its condition.

Clear Your Downspout and Gutter

  • Rain leakage is no different than winter leakage when it comes to gutters and downspouts, as blockage and clogs can cause the same kind of damage.
  • Flush out any clogs in your downspout using a water hose or drain cleaning tool, and make sure your downspout has a clear passage before cleaning your gutter.
  • When cleaning your gutter, be sure to practice ladder safety: keep ladder legs on solid and level ground, never use the top step, and dry your feet before stepping on the ladder.
  • Using a water hose or drain cleaning tool, unclog any blockage on each of your gutters. Be sure to test your gutters with a pitcher of water after cleaning to ensure they have a clear passage towards your downspout.

Inspect Your Roof

  • While you’re up next to your gutters, be sure to give a quick examination of your roof to avoid rain leaking into the attic.
  • Your roof should be examined once a month for any damages or loss of shingles. Doing so will help you act accordingly to avoid an issue becoming too severe over time.

Seal Windows and Doors

  • Using weather stripping, seal any open cracks on your doors and windows to avoid moisture seeping into your home.
  • Weather stripping can be found at almost any department store and are used on both doors and windows to prevent drafts and moisture.
  • Additionally, you can purchase insulated covers for your windows, as well as door seals to maximize moisture protection for your home.

Rain leakage protection is important as we enter spring and should be practiced by every Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowner. However, do be aware if rain leakage has occurred to contact RestoPros to assess your home for any water damage or mold. Our water damage restoration and mold testing services help to guarantee safety and comfort for your home. Give us a call at 855-587-3786 to schedule an appointment and get started.

Causes of Attic Mold

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Mold never respects personal boundaries, as is the case when it enters your attic without your permission. Attic mold is an unwelcome problem that homeowners face, and the damage it can cause makes it a nuisance for any unsuspecting Dallas/Ft. Worth resident. Attic mold causes severe damage if left untreated, and can spread to other rooms of your home if not dealt with. Instead of waiting for mold to be your attic’s unlikely guest, identify how it got there to prevent its presence.

Avoiding attic mold is accomplished by knowledge of its causes. Several different factors can lead to attic mold, and having knowledge will stop it from contaminating your home. At RestoPros, our extensive experience in mold remediation allows us to share helpful information on the causes of attic mold – and how to prevent it.

Roof Leaks

  • When your roof leaks, your attic is the first one to know.
  • Leaking roofs seep water into the wood framing of your attic, and the dark space provides ample opportunity for mold growth.
  • Besides moisture and darkness, mold also prefers a warm temperature. Most attics are packed with insulation, ensuring the space is warm and ideal for mold growth.

Exhaust Fan Drainage

  • Exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathrooms are used to draw out moisture, and this moisture passes through ducts that travel through your attic.
  • In colder times such as winter, ducts can begin to drain its condensation through exhaust fans, and stain your attic.
  • With your attic soaking up water from exhaust fans, mold now has a perfect habitat for reproducing.

Improper Ventilation

  • Ventilation is a crucial aspect of your home, but much like exhaust fans, it can lead to mold in your attic if in improper conditions.
  • Damaged or old ventilation can leak out condensation into your attic, and leads to mold growth when left unattended.
  • With poor ventilation trapping moisture, it’s main function is now negated, and damages your home.

Inadequate Insulation

  • Your attic holds insulation to maintain indoor air quality in your home, but its inadequacy can lead to mold growth.
  • Inadequate insulation offers little protection from outside weather, and moisture can easily intrude into your attic.
  • Insulation can become poor through age, damages, or even improper placement.

Attic mold should never be your upstairs roommate. Knowledge of its causes can guide you to finding the right solution. Prevention methods should always be taken, and we hope to have given you guidance on the main causes of attic mold. If you are currently experiencing mold in your attic or any other part of your home, contact RestoPros immediately. Give us a call at 855-587-3786 to schedule an appointment today!

 

Fighting Winter Mold

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With the cold weather in full force, winter is wreaking havoc lately in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. Although the chilly season keeps households busy, don’t let mold prevention be forgotten. Winter means increased indoor condensation, increased humidity and cloudy days, all of which are ideal for mold growth. This means homeowners should be extra cautious in older homes, where uneven insulation and foundation cracks can compound these winter issues. The professionals at RestoPros want to help keep homeowners free from a mold infestation during the coldest months of the year, so we’ve come up with some basic tips for fighting winter mold.

Keep Rooms Well-Lit When Humid

  • Mold seeks dark areas to grow and reproduce.
  • Avoid giving winter mold a home by keeping humid rooms well-lit until dry.
  • Consider placing lamps around darker areas of the room to help eliminate too much shade.
  • Keep affected rooms well-lit until moisture has been completely removed.

Utilize a Dehumidifier

  • Mold requires moisture to survive, and will actively search for it in your home.
  • Fight off the winter moisture by using a dehumidifier to reduce humidity levels in your home.
  • A dehumidifier removes moisture and offers a dryer climate, which halts mold growth.
  • Dehumidifiers also help to remove water stains and moisture in hard-to-reach areas such as ceilings and crevices.
  • Rooms that have little ventilation require a dehumidifier to give adequate moisture removal.

Utilize a Ceiling Fan

  • Using the ceiling fan in the Winter may not seem like the best idea at first, but it’s added benefit of reverse spinning helps fight the winter mold.
  • Set your ceiling fan to reverse, as this takes warm air and forces it back down – for even distribution throughout the room.
  • Warm air is better circulated in a reverse ceiling fan, and this helps prevent mold by removing moisture.
  • Beyond mold prevention, a reverse ceiling fan also works well to distribute heat, meaning you can save money on your heating system.

Clean Your Home Regularly

  • With winter adding humidity and condensation, expect to find more reasons to clean your home regularly.
  • Be careful not to track mud when walking inside, and clean any shoes before stepping on carpet.
  • Use a vinegar-water solution mixed with baking soda to clean any dirty walls, counters, or crevices.
  • Vacuum your floors regularly, and remove dust from furniture.
  • When cleaning your home, have mold cleaners handy in case you stumble across any signs of mold.

Fighting winter mold means being smart about the early warning signs. Condensation on windows, humid air and cracks in the walls and ceiling are all precursors to mold growth. If you are currently beyond the warning signs – and experiencing any form of mold in your home, contact RestoPros immediately. We strive to keep Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowners safe and mold-free. Give us a call at 855-587-3786 to schedule an appointment and ensure this winter season is mold-free.

Fall Mold Prevention Tools (for the Home Interior)

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We’ve recently covered mold prevention for the home exterior – and home maintenance solutions that can help keep mold at bay. In the fall (and winter), there are several additional steps that you can take to ensure that your home interior stays mold and mildew-free. Fall and winter in Dallas/Ft. Worth can be difficult seasons for homeowners that have consistent mold problems. Warm fronts can come through, bringing both high temperatures and high humidity. These fronts usually bring rain or, worse, freezing rain and hail. These weather fronts often make it difficult to keep a healthy humidity in your home – and can wreak havoc on older homes with ventilation and insulation problems. RestoPros wants to make sure our neighbors have the proper information and tools to fight mold and mildew issues proactively. We’ve compiled a list of essential tools that can help keep your home interior dry and your indoor air quality healthy throughout the rollercoaster weather patterns of our fall and winter.

HEPA Vacuums

If you are concerned about mold spores, a great way to ensure your home is free of them is to invest in a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) vacuum. HEPA filters can trap the smallest particles including mold spores and other biological allergens that collect in the carpet. Only these filters are designed to remove particles that small. If your household suffers from allergies inside the home, HEPA technology can help reduce the symptoms – and keep mold spores from infiltrating your indoor air quality.

HEPA Air Purifiers

You can also fight mold spores in the air with HEPA air purifiers. These units have proven effective in removing spores and particulate pollution from small areas. They work best in bedrooms of allergy sufferers – or bathrooms where mold spores also collect and proliferate.

Do Air Purifiers Eliminate Mold?

Dehumidifiers/Humidifiers  

For Dallas homes that have rooms or areas where humidity is a year-round problem (including basements, crawl spaces and attics), portable dehumidifiers are a good way to keep the air dry – and prevent mold. They are available in a variety of sizes and designs and can be very helpful in keeping small spaces moisture-free. Be cautious in using a humidifier in your home. A humidifier is used to put moisture back into the air and most commonly found in infant’s rooms during the winter. However, even in the coldest of winters, our humidity levels don’t get very low. Dallas/Ft. Worth’s climate classification is humid subtropical, which allow for mid-to-warm winters. A humidifier is not recommended in the fall/winter unless it is suggested by your doctor or pediatrician for health reasons.

Hygrometers

These instruments measure the relative humidity in a home – and digital designs are available in most home improvement stores. Keeping tabs on the humidity in your home is a good way to prevent mold growth. Too much moisture in the air can lead to an infestation. The ideal relative humidity for health and comfort in a home is anywhere from 40 – 50%, but in the winter (on a cold day in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area) it might need to be lower than 40%.

Ceiling Fans/Portable Fans

Fans in general are great for moisture control. They help with the ventilation and indoor air quality. Ceiling fans can also help maximize the heat in the winter. By setting the rotation of the blades to clockwise (a feature on most modern designs), the fan will push the warmer air downward. Moisture control and ventilation are essential in keeping mold from growing in your home.

Efficient Ceiling Fan Directions

 

 

 

 

Jack-O-Lantern Safety

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The staff at RestoPros takes their Halloween festivities very seriously. The leaders in mold remediation are especially concerned with proper preparation, presentation and preservation of carved pumpkins; also referred to as Jack-o-lanterns. These Halloween décor staples are part of a long and storied tradition that continues to well into our high-tech age of inflatable spooks and animatronic monsters. Part of our fascination with these old-world totems is the short lives that they lead; even shorter in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area given the high humidity still prevalent during our fall. The hot, humid weather can usually be counted on to prematurely kill our creations with mold, mildew and rot. Because we deal with mold issues, we have remedies for keeping your carved creations around for longer than a few days. We also have jack-o-lantern safety tips for keeping everyone safe during the preparation of a new pumpkin design.

Carving Safety

The best place to carve a pumpkin is outside, on a grassy area where the inside contents can fall without causing anyone to slip. Find a sturdy patio or picnic table and place newspapers over the work space. Cut open the top and scoop out all the seeds and fibrous strands; placing them in a bowl. Never dispose of the inside detritus in your sink – as it will hurt both the disposal and the plumbing. Place the pumpkin insides in a compost heap or a garbage can. After carving the pumpkin, you will want to dispose of the various pieces the same way.

Preservation

One of the best ways to preserve your creation, especially if you want to keep it on the porch for a prolonged period, is to soak it in a bleach and water solution. Exposing it to the bleach will keep it free from mold for at least a week. The sodium hypochlorite in the bleach kills the microorganisms that allow the pumpkin to rot. After you have carved the pumpkin, thoroughly wash out the inside with water – making sure to clean out all the fibrous material. Fill a bathtub (or large bucket) with three gallons of water and then add three teaspoons of bleach. Using a pair of plastic gloves, completely immerse the pumpkin into the water for a couple of minutes. You will need to hold it down as it will otherwise float. Remove the pumpkin from the solution and then let it air dry outside. This will ensure that your jack-o-lantern lives to light up the night for at least a week (it will also keep squirrels, birds and other animals from tearing into it as well).

Presentation

Part of the magic of a jack-o-lantern is the orange glow that comes from the candle placed inside. However, candles are not good for the interior and are a fire hazard. The best alternative to a wax candle is a flameless candle, which comes in a variety of designs. The best flameless candle for a jack-o-lantern is a flameless tea light – the kind that replicates the flickering of a burning wax candle. Glow sticks and small flashlights have also been used as light sources, but neither offers the flickering light of the compact tea lights. Flameless candles won’t heat up the interior of the pumpkin (which helps to prematurely age them) and will last much longer than wax candles. When you are finished with your jack-o-lanterns, you can reuse your tea lights for the next big holiday.

The staff at RestoPros hopes that you and your family have a safe and happy Halloween season. If you find yourself dealing with the specter of mold during the scariest time of year – don’t be afraid! We can help with a variety of remediation solutions that best suit your household. Call us at 855-587-3786 and schedule an appointment today!

Related Blogs:

Fall Maintenance and Mold Prevention

Mold Awareness Month

 

 

Fall Maintenance (and Mold Prevention)

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Every fall the home services industry puts out the call for homeowners to begin their fall maintenance procedures. Having your HVAC system tuned up, checking the water heater and winterizing the condenser or window unit are just a few of the recommended actions. RestoPros also wants to remind Dallas/Ft. Worth residents that it is also important to inspect and prepare your home to ensure it isn’t infiltrated by mold.

Our unpredictable fall and winter weather generally comes with moisture and humidity; two elements that mold must have to grow and thrive. This means that there are areas both inside your home and out that will need to be addressed. The professionals at RestoPros have complied a list of essential areas of concern for home owners to explore before the seasons change.

Check for Air Leaks

  • Check older windows to make sure that the glass is sealed within the frame. Loose panes, cracked frames and dried or shrunk sealant can promote air leaks, condensation and mold. Reseal these areas with silicon caulk.
  • The areas where plumbing, ductwork and electrical wiring comes through walls, floors and ceilings will often need to be sealed. Check all places within the home (that are within your reach) for obvious cracks or gaps and seal with caulk.
  • Make sure that windows and doors close tightly. You can test the tightness by inserting a piece of paper in the door or window frame and shutting it. If you can easily pull the paper out, then you have an air leak. Try adding weather stripping to stop the drafts.
  • Are there any gaps or cracks where the house (or your garage) framing meets the foundation? They need to be sealed to keep out drafts and rodents. Vines can also creep into these gaps, making them wider and introducing moisture into the area.
  • If your home is particularly drafty, consider installing foam gaskets behind the outlets and switch plates. These electrical plates, which cover holes in the wall to accommodate the wiring, are often magnets for drafts.

Inspect the Duct System and Water Heater

  • Ductwork is an ideal place for mold to grow, especially within ducts that are loose or damaged. Check your ductwork for places where it may have come loose or shows signs of wear. You can fix these problems with aluminum duct tape or sheet metal screws.
  • Check the return and supply duct openings to make sure that they are clean and free from obstructions.
  • Check the water heater and surrounding area for leaks.

Inspect Gutters and Downspouts

  • Clean out the gutters and downspouts for the fall to ensure that the rain can properly drain away from the house.
  • Clogged gutters and downspouts can overflow if clogged – damaging your home and creating mold and mildew problems.

Inspect the Roof

  • Check for any missing or cracked shingles, soft spots or signs of animal damage.
  • Check the soffits/eaves for water damage, rot or signs of mold.
  • Repair any damage immediately. A roof leak is one of the leading causes of mold in a home.

Check Attics and Other Storage Areas

  • Assess all the rooms that are normally used for storage – or get little foot traffic because of the location. Check the humidity of these rooms – and check for leaks and signs of a mold outbreak. If you are dealing with a leaky roof, the attic will usually offer the earliest signs
  • In Dallas/Ft. Worth there are more crawl spaces than basements. If you have a crawl space, you should have this area assessed as well to ensure there are no leaks or mold growth.

10 Mold Prevention Tips for Your Home

This fall, include mold prevention as part of your regular maintenance procedures. Ensuring your home is free from leaks and ready for the cooler weather will help greatly in keeping it mold and mildew free. If you do spot mold growth during your assessment, and think that the problem goes beyond a minor leak, contact the experts at RestoPros. We can help with all your testing, remediation and repair needs. Call us at 855-587-3786 to schedule an appointment today!

Related Blogs:

Mold Awareness Month

Natural Mold and Mildew Removal

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Areas in the Home to Check for Mold

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It’s been an uncharacteristically wet summer in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area this year. With all the rain, flash flooding and humidity, the possibility for mold growth in (and outside) of the home has dramatically increased. Leaks in the roof and cracks in the walls can easily be compromised by the humid weather, allowing mold to infiltrate and proliferate inside a home. Even without leaks, your home and its exterior are more susceptible to a mold outbreak due to the humidity in the air. Because of this, it is important to know where the major areas for mold growth can be found. Being proactive before a potential outbreak can get out of hand will save you a lot of time and money in remediation and foundation repairs. This weekend, go through the following list and check your home for signs of mold.

Attic

If you have had problems with roof leaks, this is the first area to check for a potential mold infestation. Mold thrives in damp, humid spaces and Dallas/Ft. Worth attics without fans or climate control should be a major concern. If there doesn’t appear to be any mold, but the ceiling or walls exhibit signs of water leakage, consider drying the area out by moving air through with a fan. Have a licensed roofer check for leaks immediately.

Ventilation Ducts

Ducts are another problem area for mold growth. Ventilation ducts and, to a lesser extent, HVAC ducts often contain the right combination of warmth and vapor to compel cold growth. Checking them for mold can be tricky, but removing vents and grilles and exploring the attached vent with a flashlight is a good start.  Mold inside ductwork is very difficult to fins and contain. If you see signs of an outbreak, contact a specialist to test or treat the area.

Windows

Older windows that have cracks in the framing or damaged jambliner/weather stripping are easy targets for mold growth. Do a thorough check of all the windows in your home, opening them to check for contamination in the jambs (vertical areas). If there is furniture obscuring part of the window or areas close to it, move it out of the way. Mold can grow around window areas, especially window panes that are often affected by outside humidity. The water that collects on them can run, compromising the wall area below.

What to do About Mold Growing on Windows

Bathrooms

These are the rooms that are most frequently compromised by mold. The constant use of the bath or shower in an enclosed space, even with strong ventilation, can promote an outbreak. Check every corner of the room including cabinets – and look behind artwork on walls. Make sure that after a bath or shower that the ventilation stays on with door open until the humidity has been removed from the air.

Doors

The wet summer can be especially hard for doors in Dallas/Ft. Worth. Wood doors and doors with wood framing can very easily warp, leaving small cracks for the humidity to infiltrate the home. Check for mold on all the doors to house and any hinged garage or utility doors outside.

A/C Window Units

If you live in a home or apartment with an A/C window unit, give it a thorough inspection – both inside and out. Units that “sweat” or constantly leak are prone to mold growth. A rainy, humid summer only exacerbates the potential for an outbreak inside the unit. Cleaning mold from a window unit can be very difficult, sometimes it is easier (and cheaper) to simply replace the model.

Heating/Cooling Appliances

Refrigerators, washer/dryers, water heaters and other appliances that produce cold, heat or create condensation can create opportunities for mold growth. If it is possible, pull out the appliance and inspect it thoroughly, then check the wall and floor around it.  Certain appliances like water heaters and dishwashers are not as easy to inspect, but are also magnets for mold and should be investigated as well.

Don’t let the humid weather wreak havoc on your home. Check for mold in all these common areas – and stop an outbreak before it has a chance to harm your home and family. If you discover mold and feel that it needs to be handled by professionals, contact the experts at RestoPros. We can schedule a technician to make an assessment of the problem and offer solutions for remediation. Call us at 855-587-3786 to make an appointment today!

Related Blogs:

Natural Mold and Mildew Removal

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Preventative Roof Maintenance

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This summer has been a particularly wet one for the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. The heavy rains and hot, humid atmosphere can wreak havoc on roofs, causing cracks and leaks in older designs (and poorly installed new ones). Leaking, as RestoPros customers know, can lead to all kinds of damage – including wood rot and mold growth. A roof leak can also compromise the health and wellbeing of a household. While homeowners plan for the many potential problems that the summer weather can bring, leaky roofs are generally not high on that list. It’s never too late to begin proofing your roof against damaging cracks and leaks. The experts at RestoPros have compiled a simple list of DIY tips for keeping your roof free from damage throughout the summer – and the rest of the year.

Clear Rain Gutters

Rain gutters can very easily become congested, and when they do the water on the roof can’t drain properly. A clogged gutter will hold on to the water and keep it up next to the edge of the roof. This causes rotting and can compromise the entire roof.

How to Clean Rain Gutters

Trim Tree Branches

Make sure that any tree branches that are touching or hovering close to your roof need to be trimmed. Branches can brush up against the roof during a storm and cause considerable damage – including causing a leak.

Look for Weakened Areas

Check for areas on your roof that are rotted, soft or damaged. Pests will sometimes try to access a home through roof. If you notice any suspicious damage or signs of feces, then you might be dealing with a pest situation. Replace any missing shingles immediately – and call a professional if you believe that your home has been infested by pests.

Inspect for Debris

Inspect the roof for debris including leaves, fallen branches and other organic detritus. Clear anything that has fallen into the roof immediately. Leaves and other debris can hold dampness and create pools of stagnant water. These are two common issues that can rot a roof.

Inspect for Algae or Fungus

A particularly rainy summer, like the one we are currently experiencing, can promote algae and fungus growth. Spraying the roof with a 50 percent mixture of water and bleach will get rid of the algae. Several products on the market will not only clean the algae away, but keep it from coming back.

Seal All Penetrations

If you have a chimney, skylight or piping that protrudes from the ceiling, you should check to make sure that there are no leaks in the lining. Chimneys are the main source for leaks. Does it have a cricket to divert water? Has it been properly step flashed and counter flashed? Water can get trapped in skylights. Has this been the case after a hard rain? Caulk or reinforce any areas that look like they may be compromised.

Inspect Attics

Major leaks can occur through the attic because of improper ventilation, plumbing issues, pest infestation and many other . Inspect the attic for mold, condensation, algae stains and other tell-tale signs that dampness has infiltrated the space.

How to Find and Seal Attic Leaks

RestoPros believes in preventive maintenance for damaging water and mold issues. Roof maintenance at least once a year is essential in keeping your roof free from leaks that could potentially harm your home. After you have inspected your roof and you find that a leak has caused water or mold damage, we can help with the cleanup. Call us at 855-587-3786 to schedule an appointment with a professional today!

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Summer Project: Searching for Mold

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