BestPowerWashDallas.com: preventing home mold

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Are You Unknowingly a Mold Farmer?

It's a blissful scene, really. You're relaxing with your spouse on your big, comfy couch in your beautiful living room after a long day. Your kids' gleeful shouts carry up the stairs, and you smile, just taking in the scene.

The only thing marring this picturesque scene are the tiny spores, invisible to the naked eye, floating through the air. These little spores seem innocent enough; they're microscopic in size and they aren't attached to anything. However, don't be fooled by their seemingly harmless first impression. Under the proper conditions, these spores can wreak havoc on your family's health and your home.

Best PowerWash Dallas is here to help you protect your home and your family by opening your eyes to some of the ways many homeowners unknowingly contribute to mold growth in their home. The biggest mistakes homeowners make is not paying extra attention to certain areas of their homes or yards that are particularly susceptible to mold growth.

North Side of Buildings/Fences

This may seem like an odd thing to highlight as the first area homeowners overlook, but that's precisely why it's so important. Mold thrives in moist, damp, dark environments. The north side of your home or fence gets significantly less sunlight during the day, which means it is more likely to exhibit the characteristics that attribute to mold growth. Thoroughly power washing the north side of your home or fence will help cut down on mold growth.

Shaded Areas

Your yard may be on the south side of your home, but if it's heavily shaded, it may be subject to the same amount of mold growth that the north side of your home is. For example, the bench in this beautiful, shaded garden could be a prime location for mold to flourish. Take some time to critically evaluate your shaded areas to see if any of them require special attention.

Areas with Frequent Irrigation and/or Poor Drainage

Moisture is essential for mold growth. When drifting mold spores land in a moist environment, they can quickly multiply into an entire colony. We strongly recommend paying close attention to areas near your home or yard that are irrigated by private wells and/or areas that have poor drainage, as these damp areas are the perfect location for mold to grow.

Mold spores can cause moderate to severe allergic reactions for many people, especially those with asthma or other preexisting respiratory disorders. The inside of your home may be completely mold-free, but if the outside of your home is not, mold spores can be carried into your home on air currents - straight into your family's lungs. A cleaner exterior makes for a healthier interior, so starting with these important outside areas we just mentioned will help get you started on the right track.

Best PowerWash Dallas is expanding! We now offer home mold remediation services in addition to our residential and commercial power washing services.

Estimates are always free, so give us a call today at (214) 553-0431!

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Thursday, October 30, 2014

Mold is SPOOKY!

With Halloween right around the corner, those of as Best PowerWash Dallas thought it would be appropriate to shed some light on one of homeowners' spookiest threats:

MOLD

At first glance, mold's greatest danger appears to be an ugly eyesore on your ceilings, walls, or even your furniture. Unfortunately, mold poses much greater threats than that.

Causes of Mold

Mold begins as a tiny spore. Invisible to the naked eye, these spores are carried through slight air currents through the air. If they land in an area with appropriate moisture, they can begin to grow. If not stopped, a single spore can develop into a large colony.

Dangers of Mold

While most types of mold are non-toxic, they are very common allergens and can be the culprit behind your family's respiratory problems and seemingly cause-less allergic reactions. Touching or inhaling mold spores commonly causes:

Coughing
Wheezing
Runny Noses
Bloodshot Eyes, and
Skin Rashes

For people who have asthma or other respiratory issues, exposure to mold and spores can also trigger moderate to severe asthma attacks.

Mold Prevention

While there are many different types of mold frequently found in homes, they all have one thing in common: all molds require a steady amount of moisture to survive. Consequently, most molds are found in bathrooms, basements, kitchens, laundry rooms, and other parts of the home with elevated moisture levels. Reducing the moisture levels in your home, then, is the easiest way to prevent mold growth. Installing and maintaining air conditioners and dehumidifiers is a great first step towards combating moisture levels. Also, don't forget to check the caulking around doors, windows, and roof plumbing boots!

Mold Removal

If you already have a mold problem in your home, your best bet is to contact a mold removal expert. Mold can be a tricky enemy, and you need to feel confident that you're successfully protecting your family from its threats. Best PowerWash Dallas specializes in removing home mold in the Dallas suburbs, and we would be happy to help you fix your mold problem - and help prevent it from recurring in the future!