Tag: House Mold

Stopping Lawn Fungus: Keeping Your Lawn Green for Spring

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Mold isn’t the only type of fungus that can damage your home. In fact, your lawn is vulnerable to another family of fungus, known as lawn fungus. Although the name is somewhat generic, lawn fungus is a real danger to your lawn, as its effects could ruin large areas of your grass. Instead of losing an aspect of your home that you’ve taken great care to maintain, fight back with knowledge!

The experts at RestoPros are here to help you fight lawn fungus. With spring around the corner, Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowners should be prepared as the harsher storms and increased humidity drive up the chances of certain lawn fungus. But before we learn how to stop lawn fungus, it is important to know what it is.

What is Lawn Fungus?

Much like mold, lawn fungus is an umbrella term for several different types of fungi that can infiltrate your yard. Some variations may only affect leaves or turf, while others can impact the entirety of your lawn.  Preferred weather conditions also vary for each type, meaning fungus could potentially happen any season. Without a defining type of lawn fungus to convey, you’re going to need to be wary of the several causes that can trigger lawn fungus growth.

What Causes Lawn Fungus?

  • Drought
  • Humidity
  • Harsh Weather Conditions
  • Overwatering
  • Animal Decay
  • Compacted Soil
  • Insects and Pests
  • Excessive Thatch
  • Improper Mowing
  • Inadequate Fertilizer
  • Pet Urine
  • Heavy Foot Traffic

Signs of Lawn Fungus

As we described, the causes of lawn fungus are very broad. However, even with different types preferring different conditions, the effects remain similar. The signs below are indications that you might have lawn fungus.

  • Spots and Patches of Brown, White, or Yellow on Your Lawn
  • Loss of Color on Turf
  • Thin Patches of Dead or Frayed Grass
  • Dark Growth Regions on Your Lawn
  • Irregular Moisture on Grass
  • White, Pink, or Purple Powdery Substances on Leaves and Grass
  • Lack of Lawn Growth

 

 

Stopping Lawn Fungus

You may have discovered lawn fungus in your yard. If so, it’s time to put an end to it! First, avoid stepping in grass infected by lawn fungus, as this can cause it to spread to other areas of your lawn. Consider wearing shoe covers that can be removed before stepping on unaffected grass.

Lawn fungicide is the most capable killer of lawn fungus and is available in both spray and granular form. If your lawn is only partially affected by lawn fungus, we recommend using the spray form to avoid overuse of chemicals. However, if your lawn is showing severe cases of lawn fungus, switch to granular form as this fungicide works through the soil as compared to spray and is viable when treating large areas of grass.

Be sure to consult with your local department store on the possible side-effects of each lawn fungicide, as some may be specified for different types of lawn fungus.

Knowledge of lawn fungus provides you with a greater defense as you protect your home from the dangers of mold and fungus. While you focus on stopping lawn fungus, let RestoPros stop the mold in your home! Our mold remediation services help fight any infected Dallas/Ft. Worth yard; restoring it to a safe condition. Give us a call at 855-587-3786 to schedule an appointment and get started.

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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