DID YOU KNOW that even the healthiest of individuals can still feel negative effects in the presence of some common things around the house?
 
It’s not something that necessarily has to start growing in the basement of your house after a flood. It’s something that can “just happen” and it’s not good news. But it can be easily fixed.
 
First of all, what are we talking about?
 
Old stuff brought in
 
There are some items that can come into your home that can trigger your allergies or other sensitivities. These can include cardboard boxes, packages and other items sent or brought to you. The worse of these would be old stuff, things that have been around a while, gathering allergens.
 
Old ‘normal’ stuff
 
We’ve all been to a library and sniffed old books. OK, maybe not all of us, but those that remember books and libraries can relate. These old books and documents can be allergen triggers, so be sure to remember this before checking them out or taking them into your home.
 
Old decorations
 
Sure, the holidays are a time when you use ornaments and stuff, and this is just a few times a year… but you have to store them, right? Remember that they can bring in allergens. It might be best to give them at least a wipe-down, if not a complete cleaning, before putting them into the attic.
 
Old mattresses
 
Ick. This is a tough one, and sometimes a sensitive issue. Sure, it’s OK to pass on mattresses from one generation to another (what is family for?), but what are you getting when you inherit an old mattress or other bedding from someone not close to you? And don’t be tempted by that new-looking mattress at your neighbor’s garage sale. You just don’t know what you are getting into. Did you know that every mattress has dust mites?
 
Old rugs and carpet
 
Rugs and carpet are very important to you, but be sure to have them inspected by your carpet cleaning pro before bringing them into your home. These are items that can collect all types of allergens and other contaminants that can affect you and your family.
 
Don’t be afraid to throw old stuff out. Remember, it’s your home and your family’s health. Protect it!
 
Just make sure that what you bring into your home is safe and sound — and safe for any allergy or asthma issues you or your family may have.

Mold. It's a scary word.

Everyone wants the safest, healthiest home environment for their families.  Mold is one of those feared substances is “mold” and with what you have seen in the news in recent years, exposure to harmful or “toxic” mold has affected the health of countless people — folks just like you.
 
This brings up the all-important question: Just exactly how dangerous is mold in homes?
 
That’s a tricky question, because there are many types of mold (black mold, for example, is especially scary) and mold is virtually everywhere. There is probably a little bit in your basement right now. Your shoes when you came home yesterday no doubt brought in a few mold spores. Mold spores can be in breathable space and travel in the air.
 
When you step outside, you are surrounded by mold. There’s nothing you can do about that. The main concern is usually what’s in the home, not outside, although if you are sensitive to mold you should avoid all damp areas that could promote mold growth, inside and out.
 
Some people are affected by even the smallest amounts of mold. They may have nasal issues, watery eyes, coughing and other physical reactions. A smaller segment of the population are very sensitive to exposure to mold, having severe reactions that can be life threatening. Others aren’t affected at all, and can be around and/or exposure to all types of molds with no apparent sensitivities.
 
The CDC has plenty of information for those concerned with mold in homes. One of the issues they raise is keeping moisture out of homes. “Mold will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been flooding,” according to the CDC government website.
 
The issue is twofold if mold is growing in your home. You must clean it up or have it cleaned up, and you must fix the moisture problem. You can do your research on how to fix the problem, but the best solution is, no doubt, getting expert advice from your professional water damage restoration contractor or mold removal or remediation company. Keep your family safe.

Just a few friendly reminders from Jeff Cross, the executive editor of Cleanfax, the magazine and online authority for restoration contractors. Let me know if you have any questions. Send me an email at jcross@cleanfax.com

Mold is a big scary word when it comes to your home. If you have mold in your home, such as in the basement, you can panic.

Mold is everywhere. Normally, it's not harmful. But when in the home, you should always take precautions and remove as much as you can.

For some, removing mold from your home is something left to the experts, Yet, when you think about it, you remove mold on your own all the time. Such as that little bit of mold in your shower stall yesterday. How did you remove it? Did you call the "Mold Police" or did you just clean it up?

Some mold can be easily cleaned up yourself, but heavy contamination is another story. When you see mold growing on walls, that can mean it is IN the walls, and calling a mold pro might be the best thing to do.

Mold can be a hazardous substance. When you see it in your home, make sure you protect your family.

Just a few friendly reminders from Jeff Cross, the executive editor of Cleanfax, the magazine and online authority for mold experts and water damage experts. Let me know if you have any questions. Send me an email at jcross@cleanfax.com