Monthly Archives: December 2015

Where to Look for Hidden Mold

Posted on by

As you know, interior mold and fungus can cause a wealth of health problems with symptoms such as runny nose, watery and itchy eyes, swollen eyelids, wheezing and coughing, just to name a few. Before you can combat mold, you have to know where it is coming from.

Moisture Causes Mold to Grow

Mold and fungus needs moisture to grow and spread. The first place to look for hidden mold would be in places like bathrooms, laundry rooms, adjacent walls and/or flooring and tiles. Generally, if you see signs of mold on the outside a wall, the chances are great that there will be hidden mold behind the wall.

Here are some common places to look for and inspect for hidden mold:

  • Above ceiling tiles, particularly in damp locations
  • Under sinks in bathrooms and kitchens
  • Inside your heating and air conditioning vents
  • Beneath carpeting in and around damp locations
  • In your attic, especially if you vent household humid air into that space

Hidden Mold Causes Problems

In all cases, unless there is an outward bloom of mold that can be readily seen, it will be difficult, at best, to find any signs of hidden mold. But if you have symptoms of mold infestation, and mold is not readily present, it may be time to call in a professional to help track down and eliminate any mold problem, hidden or not, that you may have., also

For the best in NYC mold treatment, rely on the professionals at Stern Mold. We are part of the Stern Environmental Group, and have been serving the New Jersey, New York City, and Long Island area since 1995.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Identification, Mold Tips, News

The Mold Issue in College Dorms

Posted on by

College is a time for young people to experience independence and begin adapting to life on their own. Along with the perks of being surrounded by fun-loving people their own age and having an unlimited supply of pizza readily available for breakfast, lunch and dinner, that college dorm can house some some health hazards. Recent studies indicate that mold is literally a growing problem in college dorms. The problem requires many schools to relocate students while mold treatment takes place and can cause a wide range of health problems for students.

Why is mold a problem for college dorms?

With class schedules and social activities, college students stay busy. They do not always devote adequate time to housekeeping tasks like cleaning up spills and cleaning the bathroom. Another thing about these bathrooms, they are often in older buildings that do not have sufficient ventilation. Several students using the same facilities for hot showers increases the humidity present around the clock.

What should students do if they find mold?

They should notify the environmental services for the college immediately. Depending on the severity of the mold problem, they may need to request a move to another dorm temporarily. Proper identification and mold treatment should be left to professionals. According to the EPA, mold spores in the air can cause skin irritation, headaches, itchy eyes, sore throat, and breathing difficulty for many people. Students should see a doctor right away for any mold-related health problems.

Stern Mold has been serving New York City, New Jersey, and Long Island since 1995. We use the most advanced methods like MoldExterm. Contact us for a free inspection.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Remediation, Mold Treatment

Not All Mold is Bad Mold

Posted on by

Mold is a scary word for home owners; for good reason. It causes eye irritation, difficulty breathing, and skin irritation for many people. The CDC reports that exposure to mold spores can cause respiratory illness for otherwise healthy children. Mold can be extremely hazardous for individuals with a compromised immune system, seniors and infants. Proper mold treatment mitigates these risks by eliminating the mold and creating an environment that is not conducive to future mold growth. In addition to this dangerous and problematic mold, there are some molds that are helpful to mankind.

The good molds?

Let’s be clear about one thing: Any mold growing on the interior walls of your home is bad mold. Analysis by a knowledgeable professional can determine if it is a toxic mold, and thorough mold treatment is needed to protect your family. But, mold is used in positive ways in controlled environments. Penicillin comes from the Penicillium fungi and is used to treat many infections. Mold has been used in wine making to improve texture. And cheese-makers use specially cultured molds to produce many high-quality cheeses.

Rather than say there are some good molds and some bad molds, it is more accurate to say that some molds are utilized in controlled environments for useful purposes. The mold that occurs due to moisture problems never has a positive use.

You should call the experts at Stern Mold for thorough mold eradication and to ensure it does not come back. We have been serving the mold treatment needs of New York City, New Jersey, and Long Island for more than twenty years. Call us today for a free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Remediation, Mold Treatment, MoldExterm

Did You Know That There Are Good Uses For Mold?

Posted on by
The Good Uses of Mold

The Good Uses of Mold

As unpleasant as it may be to think about, mold spores exist all around us in very small quantities. Mold that does not release mycotoxins does not pose an immediate risk to people. And in some cases, mold can even be used for good.

The most famous example of mold being used for human benefit is penicillin. You are probably familiar with the basic story: Dr. Andrew Fleming discovered the bacteria-killing properties of mold by accident after spores grew in his petri dishes.

The full story of penicillin’s discovery sheds light on just how far science has come in its understanding of infectious diseases. This history of penicillin explains that it took many years and teams of international scientists to achieve the easily available form of penicillin that we know today.

Penicillin is essentially a mold treatment — not to kill mold, but rather to use mold toxicity to kill off diseases. Mold has “good uses,” but only because it is indeed dangerous!

When controlled and harnessed, mold can be used for good, including several medicines besides penicillin. It’s also used to produce cheese, soy sauce, cured meats and other foods.

Otherwise, it’s always a safe bet to assume that a mold infestation in your home or business poses serious health risks.

Just as mold has benefited science, science has developed innovative methods of mold treatment. Modern mold remedies can kill and seal off mold without the need for tearing open walls and floors.

Don’t expect mold in your home to lead to the latest medical breakthrough. If you have an infestation, contact us to find out about the most advanced method of mold treatment, MoldExterm.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Tips, News