Tag: Green Mold

5 Myths About Mold in Your Home

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myths about mold

No one wants to see mold growing in their home. Mold is unsightly. It can damage your foundation, and it can wreak havoc on the health of your household. But for all the negative effects of mold, there are several exaggerated and even completely false beliefs that should be pointed out. The professionals at RestoPros, the most trusted mold remediation company in Dallas, have collected five of the most common myths about residential mold.

Read the facts below and educate yourself before attempting to clean or diagnose a mold outbreak in your home.

Myth 1. Black Mold Is Deadly

There are over 20,000 different species of “black mold,” which is technically not even a scientific term. Black is simply the color of certain strains – and one of the least common colors of fungal growth. Stachybotrys, which is considered to be the most toxic strain of mold, can be any color depending on the surroundings. In most cases this toxic mold is a greenish-black color, but attempting to identify it by the color is futile. Aside from testing the mold directly, the only sure test for the toxicity of a mold in your home is a direct allergic reaction.

Myth 2. Bleach Kills All Mold

Bleach is the go-to product many people use to clean a mold outbreak. While it works well enough to “clean” mold off of a non-porous surface, bleach can irritate the skin and the fumes are dangerous if inhaled. Bleach is also not an ideal cleaner for porous surfaces – and can exacerbate the situation by seeping into wood, plasterboard, wall paper and other materials. Hydrogen peroxide and white vinegar are both preferred mold cleaners for mold growth on both porous and non-porous surfaces.

Myth 3. Mold Will Make You Sick

This is partly true, but not all mold will make you sick. In most cases, the person is suffering from an allergic reaction to the mold. The “toxic mold” mentioned above, which is rare, can cause all sorts of respiratory problems, chronic fatigue, eye irritation and rashes among other symptoms. Toxic mold can make you sick, while most common mold outbreaks are more likely to trigger allergy symptoms. Mold allergies can include sneezing, itching, running nose and throat irritation; basic allergy symptoms generally associated with seasonal allergies.

Myth 4. A Small Amount of Mold Is Not A Problem

If you notice mold anywhere in your home, you need to clean it immediately. Even a small amount can do damage to the surface area and will continue to spread. Sometimes mold will grow in an area that was left damp (usually places in the kitchen or bathroom). But mold on the ceiling or a wall might indicate a separate problem that also needs to be dealt with. Roof and plumbing leaks are major causes of mold – and until they are fixed, the growth with only return if cleaned.

Myth 5. Mold Remediation Is a DIY Project

If you are experiencing a serous mold outbreak, do not attempt to clean and eradicate the growth on your own. Mold that is the result of serious flooding or a major leak needs the attention of a professional remediation company. Mold can be an insidious intruder. It can ruin homes and greatly compromise the health and happiness of a household. Never attempt a DIY fix when dealing with a mold infestation. Trained experts can offer a full assessment (including diagnosing the root of the problem) and will have the latest equipment to deal with the growth. Experienced mold remediation technicians can also help file insurance claims to help cover the cost of the damages.

Now that you have a clearer understanding of these common “mold myths,” you can be better prepared to deal with an infestation. While the mere sight of mold in your home should not be cause for alarm, it is important that it is dealt with right away. If you discover widespread growth, do not hesitate to call the professionals at RestoPros. We can send someone out to assess the problem and offer solutions for all aspects of the problem. Call us at 855-587-3786 to schedule an appointment today!

3 Different Mold Colors and What They Might Mean

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mold colors

It’s never a good feeling to see mold, regardless of where you come across it in your home. Whether it’s in the bathroom, pantry, garage or outdoors, spotting this fungus has a nasty habit of putting a damper in anyone’s day. And while it’s probably a good idea to have any mold you encounter removed as soon as possible, not all molds are the same.

Some molds are inherently more dangerous and harmful than others, but they’re all bad. Given the overwhelming numbers of different mold types, determining how concerned you should be about the one in your home can be tough.

Well, worry no longer! The professionals at RestoPros are familiar with the different types of molds you may stumble across, and we’ll help you figure out what it might be. We’ve put together a list of a few common colors of mold you might see at home.

There are 3 different mold colors:

1. Green Mold

There are two sides to this. One is that you’re probably going to come across green mold more than anything, so it’s probably not an exceedingly rare species. On the other hand, since it’s so common, determining which family a green mold belongs to is nearly impossible without a specialist.

To be on the safe side, go ahead and get rid of anything that has this mold on it just in case. While we can’t pinpoint the exact type without looking at it, mold of any kind isn’t welcome in your home and should be disposed of immediately.

2. Blue/Green/White

A mold that falls under one of these colors, especially one that you find in a place with food – such as a pantry – likely comes from the Penicillium genus. It’s fairly common as well, and it’s capable of causing some harsh respiratory system problems.

Again, any time you spot a mold that looks like one of these colors, do your best to remove it and call a professional!

3. Black

As a whole, black mold tends to get stuck with a bad reputation. That’s not to imply that black mold is in any way good, because it’s not. But more often than not, people will tell you that black mold is by far the worst color you could end up spotting, and that isn’t entirely the case.

Black mold that you notice outdoors on plants is probably either Alternaria or Cladosporium, and both need to be taken care of as soon as you can. Otherwise, it might be Aspergillus¸ which is a common mold we actually breathe in pretty often without knowing.

  • Cladosporium spores have been known to cause minor infections in places such as your eyes, sinuses and skin, but they’ve also been known to lead to significantly more serious complications like fungal meningitis in the brain.
  • Alternaria is also found indoors in darker areas, as well as in typical dust you see everywhere in your home. Although not as serious as Cladosporium, it’s still problematic.

All mold is annoying, and no matter how common or non-threatening it might look, it has the potential to cause a lot of damage. It needs to be properly removed as quickly as possible, especially if you have small children in your home or people who are susceptible to health problems.

That’s where RestoPros comes in. Our team is thoroughly qualified to handle all your mold-removal needs, and we’ll get it done safely and securely. Whether you’re in need of an emergency cleanup or just want to test your home for mold infestations, we’ve got you covered.

For the most reliable service in the Dallas area, give us a call at 855-587-3786!

How Dangerous is Green Mold?

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How Dangerous is Green Mold?This world contains many different kinds of molds and fungi.  They come in a wide range of colors, though mostly what we find in our homes are black, brown, green, and white molds (or a variation of these colors).  While many people are fearful of the effects of black mold (stachbotrys), this mold is actually green and black.  In fact, there are so many green molds that, unless you’re a mycologist, you probably won’t be able to tell the difference.  This doesn’t mean it’s ok to have green mold in your home.  Some green molds are hazardous, especially for those with pre-existing respiratory issues.

Common Types of Green Mold

Aspergillus – This mold is fairly common and can be green, yellow, brown, or white.  While most people are usually unaffected by it, this mold can cause sickness especially in those with respiratory illnesses or allergies.  It’s commonly found on and inside of walls.

Cladosporium – Green, brown, or grey, this hardy mold can live in cool environments as well as warm ones.  It still requires damp conditions and is often found on walls, cabinets, or damp carpets.

Penicillium – The family of molds that Penicillin was derived from.  Penicillium is often a bluish-green color, and can be found growing on carpets, insulation, and mattresses when they are wet or damp.

Mold Inspection

After a leak is discovered, or a spot of mold is found, the first step is to search your house to see how big the infestation is.  Mold growth in excess of 3 feet will likely require professional assistance.

You know to check the problem locations: the utility closet, the bathroom, and the basement.  But there are other places where mold is not only surprisingly common, but often grows unchecked.  After storms, humid days, damaged plumbing, or even just once a month you should do a quick inspection of all these special hiding places to make sure you don’t have secret mold hiding away.

  • Chimneys
  • Windowsills and under Sink Cabinets
  • On Dishes
  • Washing Machine (doors, detergent chamber)
  • HVAC Drain Pans
  • Carpets and Carpet Mats
  • Inside Walls

Mold Remediation

For larger infestations, professional assistance should be sought after, but for smaller mold growths it’s possible to take care of the issue yourself.

First, remove the source of water.  Stop the excess condensation, the dripping pipe, or the leaking roof that led to the humidity increase in the first place.  Clearing away the existing mold won’t help at all if the source of moisture isn’t dealt with first.

Always wear gloves, goggles, and a mask to protect yourself from mold spores.

Use warm, soapy water to wash away the mold.  Never reuse a sponge used to clean up mold.  Clean any rags and dispose of water away from your home.

Use a spray bottle with a solution of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water and spray the cleaned area to kill off any surviving mold spores.

Dry the affected area.  Place a fan or dehumidifier in the area to dry off the surface where the mold was present.

While you can never fully remove mold from your home, you can prevent, stop, or impede the growth of mild by keeping humidity levels at roughly 45% and circulating air throughout the home using fans.

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