Tag: IAQ

How to Avoid 4 Health Problems Caused by Mold

Published on
health problems caused by mold

Have you recently been experiencing watery eyes or a slightly stuffy nose? Resist the urge to look these symptoms up on WebMD because you’ll only scare yourself. Instead, you might want to inspect your house for mold—your body could be reacting to it. Mold is a type of fungus that grows particularly in areas with excess moisture and spreads via microscopic spores, sometimes ending up indoors. It can be a nuisance in addition to being harmful to your health, especially if you are susceptible to allergies. We know this all sounds a little worrying but if you do your research and take the proper precautions, you will be fine. For your knowledge and safety, the professionals at RestoPros have created a quick guide on how to avoid health problems caused by mold.  

Worsening of Asthma

 21 percent of the current asthma cases in the United States are attributed to dampness and mold in the home. Mold spores inhaled by people with asthma can cause the airways in the lungs to constrict and produce more mucus. Reactions to this can include shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing.

How to Avoid It

While asthma is a life-long disease, one of the ways you can manage it is by limiting your exposure to certain things that might trigger your asthma, such as mold spores. Some ways you can do this:

  • Use DIY mold cleaning products in your bathroom, kitchen or other areas prone to mold. It’s a great alternative to products containing bleach that can be toxic for your health and can trigger asthma in some people.  You can mix baking soda or vinegar with water to create non-toxic, asthma friendly, mold cleaners. When buying asthma friendly products, look for the green seal of approval on products.
  • Include exhaust fans in your home to ensure proper ventilation.
  • Use a dehumidifier or humidity monitor that indicates humidity levels in the home. Be sure to keep humidity levels below 50 percent.
  • It’s difficult to avoid mold spores outside but try to stay away from areas where mold counts are high such as parks and gardens. If you must be outside, wear an allergy mask.
  • Skin Irritations

While there is a weak link between exposure to mold and excessive skin irritation, some organizations such as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention still consider skin irritation as a symptom  of exposure to mold, albeit a less common one.

How to Avoid It 

  • According to the American Academy of Dermatology, outdoor allergens such as pollen and mold spores could trigger Eczema in some children who already have it. If your child’s Eczema flares up when outdoor mold counts are high, try to limit their time outdoors. Also, keep your child off the lawn a couple of hours after it has been mowed.
  • Antihistamines are good for symptoms of allergy such as sneezing and itching. Zyrtec and Benadryl are some of the most common antihistamines taken to reduce allergy symptoms. You can also try applying calamine lotion to relieve any skin irritation. Read all the directions before you take any medications and consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any concerns.
  • Take an oatmeal bath! Sure, it might be a little messy but it’s good for relieving irritated skin. You can either take the DIY route by making your own oatmeal powder, or you can purchase Oatmeal bath treatment kits from a pharmacy.
  • Sinusitis or Sinus Infection

Inhaling allergens can lead to the inflammation of the sinuses leading to a sinus infection. Signs of this condition are nasal stuffiness, sinus headaches and fever. A more serious version of this is allergic fungal sinusitis, which is the swelling of the sinuses after fungus comes into contact with the sinuses. Some people with allergic fungal sinusitis might need surgery to remove fungal debris from the sinuses.

How to Avoid It

  • Do saline rinses to keep your sinuses clean. You can purchase saline solutions from your local pharmacy or make your own saline solution.
  • Stay away from sugary foods– fungus feeds on sugars. Try this anti-fungal diet instead.
  • Stay hydrated by drinking lots of fluids.
  • Eat fish oil tablets to strengthen your immune system.
  • Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is a condition caused by an allergic reaction to certain dusts you inhale, leading to the inflammation of the lungs. It is also called Farmer’s Lung as it is common amongst farmers and cattle workers who breathe in allergens from mold on hay. There is also something known as mold-induced hypersensitivity pneumonitis, which can be caused by contaminated humidifiers and ventilation and even areas with water damage. Symptoms of hypersensitivity pneumonitis include chest tightness, dry cough, shortness of breath and chills.

How to Avoid It

  • Thoroughly clean out your ventilation systems.
  • Make it a goal to be active for 30 minutes a day. Go for a jog, a brisk walk or take the stairs instead of the elevator. Exercising can help your metabolism and increase the efficiency of oxygen transportation in your body.
  •  Eat foods that are known to reduce inflammation. Some examples are green tea, turmeric, leafy greens and blue berries.

These might be great preventative solutions, the best way to avoid health problems caused by mold is by removing exposure to the mold. If you think your house might have a mold problem call RestoPros at 855-587-3786 or schedule an appointment on our website. With years of experience and a dedicated team, we’ll make sure your home is mold-free.

Mold and IAQ (Indoor Air Quality)

Published on

We all know mold can be damaging to our homes. But what happens if we inhale it? After all, mold is a type of fungus, and fungus can be full of bacteria and contaminants that would be dangerous to inhale. So, it’s not uncommon to wonder the possible effects of breathing in mold.

However, to answer this question, we must first find the correlation between mold and your IAQ (indoor air quality). The experts at RestoPros have been helping Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowners deal with the effects of mold for years; read below for our thoughts on how to approach spores in the air.

Can Mold Affect Your IAQ?

When mold has infested your home, it’s next objective is to reproduce. This is done by spawning mold spores that then travel through the air to find a new home. Once they’ve found a suitable place to grow, they attach themselves to the surface and begin “planting” new mold. With these spores traveling through the air, this creates a possible correlation between mold and IAQ.

So, can these mold spores affect your IAQ? The answer depends on amount of mold in your home. In small amounts, mold spores generally won’t have any effect on your IAQ, provided you clean it immediately.  The larger the infestation however, the more spores are produced. And with an abundance of spores in the air, your IAQ can be affected negatively.

This is due to the confined space of your home. Generally, mold spores don’t affect people as much outdoors. But within a tighter enclosure such as your home however, the allergens and irritants in the spores have a greater probability of contact. This can affect your IAQ, and trigger allergy symptoms as well as leading to sickness.

Spores aren’t the only way mold can affect you, however. Other molds, such as black mold, also produce mycotoxins. These are toxic substances that can also cause allergy triggers and sickness. But with the vast types of mold that can grow in your home, it would be useless to try and identify black mold. Therefore, it’s important to treat all mold the same.

What are the Effects of Breathing In Mold?

So, what happens if you inhale these mold spores or mycotoxins? Most of the time, it won’t be anything severe. You may experience allergy symptoms such as a runny nose, coughing, sinus headache, or other types of congestion.

However, these symptoms may increase in severity for those with weaker immune systems or an allergy to mold. Mold can be devasting if you have a condition such as a lung disease, as inhaling it can lead to a serious infection. Mold can also trigger asthma symptoms to those who suffer from the condition. Additionally, if you’re allergic to mold, the original symptoms can exacerbate. Therefore, it’s best for people with existing respiratory problems, weaker immune systems, and mold allergies to stay away from mold as much as possible.

It is important you know the correlation between mold and IAQ, as well as the effects of breathing mold. And if you have discovered mold infesting your home, contact RestoPros immediately. Give us a call at 855-587-3786 for affordable mold remediation services from Dallas/Ft. Worth’s leading experts.

Earth Day: 5 Easy Plants to Grow

Published on

With Earth Day right around the corner, what better way to celebrate than buying some plants to grow! Plants are extremely important for protecting and strengthening the environment. Plants absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. This gives us and mother nature fresh air to breathe, but the benefits don’t stop there. Some plants offer health benefits and improve your IAQ (indoor air quality). Other plants bear vegetables, helping to save you money on produce!

Don’t have the green thumb to grow and care for plants? Don’t worry, the experts at RestoPros have found 5 easy plants to grow in your Dallas/Ft. Worth home!

1. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is one of the most versatile plants to grow! They can be grown either indoors or outdoors and require little care to maintain. Aloe vera is a succulent plant, which is similar to a cactus. This means they can go long periods without water. On average, aloe vera plants require water every 2-3 weeks, making it incredibly easy to maintain.

Aloe vera is also versatile in its benefits. The gel inside the leaves is often widely used in alternative medicine. Aloe vera gel can be used to treat cuts and burns, as well as sunburn. Additionally, the gel is a natural laxative. Beyond medicinal uses, aloe vera also helps to purify nearby air, improving IAQ.

2. Snake Plant

Snake plants seem almost designed to be forgotten. They require little light, meaning they’re perfect for indoors. Snake plants also only need to be watered when the soil is completely dry. As a rule, a snake plant will live better if underwatered than overwatered, so be sure not to create any puddles or sitting water in the soil.

In terms of benefits, snake plants help to improve IAQ. They naturally filter out air contaminants such as mold spores and replace them with clean, fresh air.

3. Cactus

Although they may not be the friendliest plant, a cactus is incredibly easy to maintain. However, you’ll still want to be sure they have enough resources to thrive. A cactus in a pot requires more water than a cactus in a ground. At first, you should place them in indirect light, but later they can handle direct sunlight with no issue.

A cactus improves IAQ in its own unique way. Cacti eliminate airborne bacteria and even radiation. Additionally, cacti absorb carbon dioxide during the night, further producing more clean oxygen.

4. Rubber Plant

A rubber plant is like a snake plant in terms of wanting to be neglected. They even both have boring names! Rubber plants thrive with indirect light, and a light watering schedule. One thing to remember is to wipe off leaves if they are wet. Doing this prevents leaves from rotting or changing to a less-pleasing color.

Rubber plants improve IAQ very similar to snake plants. They remove harmful gases and mold spores from the air, replacing them with clean oxygen.

5. Cherry Tomato Plant

If you are a big fan of tomatoes, you’ve found the perfect plant! Cherry tomato plants are a sort of “entry-level vegetable”. They can be grown either in a pot or garden and are a great way to learn how to grow and harvest a plant.

Cherry tomato plants do require a lot of sun, so be sure no shade is blocking them. With Dallas/Ft. Worth experiencing warmer temperatures, now is the perfect time to plant them. Cherry tomato plants require water every 2-3 days, as the soil should always remain moist. After about 2-3 months, the tomatoes should be ready for picking!

Celebrate Earth Day with these easy-to-grow plants! While we recommend you bring plants into your home, the same should not be said for mold. If you are experiencing a mold problem, or would like to test your home for mold, contact RestoPros today for our mold remediation and testing services! Give us a call at 855-587-3786 to schedule an appointment and get started!

What is Air Scrubbing?

Published on

Ever wonder how a RestoPros expert cleans mold? It’s not just wiping away floors with some vinegar and water. Professional mold remediation involves several different methods and high tech tools, and one of the most viable steps is the air scrubbing process. By air scrubbing, we don’t mean grabbing a sponge and flailing it in the air! Knowledge of air scrubbing is crucial for any Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowner.

Air scrubbing is the process of removing several contaminants from the air within a general vicinity. Essentially, unclean air is filtered many times, removing bacteria, particles, chemicals, and other contaminants. After filtering, this newly cleaned air is redistributed through the original area. Mold professionals rely on this process to fully perform mold remediation services, guaranteeing you’ll never see mold again.

How is air scrubbing accomplished? As we mentioned, it takes a bit more power than just a sponge. Instead, the job is performed by devices known as air scrubbers.

What are Air Scrubbers?

An air scrubber is a heavy-duty, portable device that passes air through a filtration system to “scrub” it clean and redistribute back to its original area. Filtration systems may have air passed through several times to ensure contaminants are completely removed. Every mold professional has air scrubbers ready for remediation. Air scrubbers also come in smaller sizes for more personal use, but their larger counterparts are used almost exclusively by mold remediation experts. Furthermore, air scrubbers can differ in their range, filter ability, and energy usage. Air scrubbers are an essential tool for mold remediation, but do you need to have one in your home?

When Should you get Air Scrubbing?

Anytime contaminants are airborne, air scrubbing should be performed. Mold, pollen, and dust are common causes of polluted air, and lead to health risks if left untreated. Worse, these contaminants can work in conjunction, meaning your indoor air quality is decreased heavily. Before air scrubbing, you must restore and fully eliminate the causes of polluted air. Contaminants such as mold growth are persistent, and finding and removing mold is a downhill battle without the help of a professional. After a restoration job, you must have air scrubbing performed. During a restoration job, the pollutants are removed from the area, but still left in the air, in which most times air scrubbing will commence. As a rule, you should always perform air scrubbing when mold is present, and after any restoration job.

Knowledge of air scrubbing is essential in the case of unsuspecting pollution or mold growth. If you are experiencing mold growth, contact RestoPros immediately. We are your trusted mold removal experts, dedicated to helping any Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowner keep their home safe and healthy. Our mold remediation services coupled with air scrubbing guarantees your home never takes another sick day. Give us a call at 855-587-3786 to schedule an appointment and meet the experts you can depend on!