Monthly Archives: September 2017

How Often Should Your Home or Business be Mold Tested?

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It's Time to Get Stern with Your Mold!

It’s Time to Get Stern with Your Mold!

Mold frequently grows in hidden places, remaining undetected until you and your family start experiencing health problems. How often should your home or business undergo mold testing to ensure safety?

Why Seek Professional Mold Testing?

Professional NYC and NJ mold testing should be done once each year. Since moisture creates an ideal environment for mold growth, you may want to have a test done during periods of heavy rain or if your home or business has suffered a water leak.

Mold testing involves examining an air sample using dye and a microscope. This method allows experts to detect the presence of mold even when it’s not visible.

Not All Mold Is the Same

Different types of mold can require different types of treatment. Another benefit of professional NYC and NJ mold testing is the ability to determine specific species.

  • Aspergillus, one of the more common types of indoor mold, is green or black in color and frequently found on toilets or in air ducts.
  • Chaetomium has a powerful musty smell and generally appears on organic materials such as drywall and window frames.
  • Serpula lacrymans is yellow in color and sometimes referred to as “dry rot” because it consumes wood.

While mold infestations are not always visible, they do tend to develop in certain areas. Humid locations such as bathrooms, basements and air conditioners are frequent suspects.

Stern Mold: Your Source for Effective NYC and NJ Mold Remediation

Enjoy peace of mind that comes with a healthy home or business. Our professionally trained technicians can test for mold and remove it thoroughly with our eco-friendly MoldExterm process.

Contact us today to schedule your free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold Treatment, NJ Mold Removal, NYC Mold Removal

What Does Mold Smell Like?

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Identification Is the First Step to Solving Your Mold Problem. Next Step, Call Stern.

Identification Is the First Step to Solving Your Mold Problem. Next Step, Call Stern.

Is your home starting to smell like a locker room? Chances are it has nothing to do with your laundry habits. Mold smell is a distinctive odor that shouldn’t be ignored.

Identifying Mold Smell

A moldy or musty smell usually indicates the presence of mold or mildew. It’s an earthy, damp odor similar to what you might experience walking through a forest or opening a summer home that’s been closed up for months.

Difference Between Mold and Mildew

• Mildew is a powdery substance that appears on the surface of plant materials such as flowers or produce.

• Mold has a thicker appearance and penetrates more deeply into the surface on which it’s colonized. While mold can also appear on plant matter, it’s often found on walls and ceilings as well as materials such as books, carpets and clothing.

• A musty smell is less intense than a moldy smell, but it can become magnified without immediate treatment.

Preventing Mold Smell

• Watch for excess moisture, such as high humidity levels or water leaks.

• In case of leaks or floods, immediately dry the affected areas thoroughly. It can take only 48 hours for mold to begin forming in damp spots.

• Regardless of the cause, don’t ignore a mold smell. Untreated mold infestations can lead to serious structural damages, and once the odor seeps in, it’s difficult to eliminate.

Effective and Eco-Friendly Mold Removal in NJ and NYC

Despite the smell, a mold infestation may not be visible. Our professional technicians will conduct a free mold inspection, and our proprietary MoldExterm process is thorough, non-invasive and cost-effective.

Contact Stern Mold today to schedule a free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Information

Just How Important is Mold Remediation to Your Health?

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Learn About Mold: What Are The Signs of a Mold Related Illness?

Learn About Mold: What Are The Signs of a Mold Related Illness?

If you discover mold in your home or business, you may think you’re capable of cleaning it up yourself. Without professional NJ and NYC mold remediation, you could be putting yourself and your family at risk for some serious health problems.

Mold: Not Just a Cosmetic Issue

Microscopic mold spores are always present in the air, both indoors and out. Most people are not affected unless they suffer from allergies. Difficulties start to arise when mold colonizes on an interior surface.

Extended exposure to a mold infestation can cause a wide range of upper respiratory symptoms, even in people who are not generally susceptible to allergies. These symptoms include sneezing, irritated eyes, coughing and wheezing.

Danger is even greater for people with pre-existing lung conditions or compromised immune systems. They can be vulnerable to aspergillosis, a fungus ball that develops in the lungs or sinuses, or experience bleeding from the lungs or nose.

The risks are not limited to physical ailments. Studies have linked mold exposure to sleep disorders, depression and cognitive difficulties such as memory loss.

When Cleaning Isn’t Enough

Simply cleaning a mold-infested surface doesn’t address the underlying cause, which is usually excessive moisture. If the problem isn’t resolved, you could find yourself caught in a repeating cycle of mold exposure.

Expert NJ and NYC Mold Remediation from Stern Mold

Professional mold removal doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Our proprietary MoldExterm process is non-invasive, eco-friendly and normally completed within one day.

Contact Stern Mold to learn more and schedule a free mold inspection by one of our friendly and efficient technicians.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Information, Mold Remediation, News

What Do Mold Spores Look Like?

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If You're Allergic to Mold, Knowing What Mold Smells Like can Save you an Allergic Reaction.

If You’re Allergic to Mold, Knowing What Mold Smells Like can Save you an Allergic Reaction.

There are well over 1,000 different types of mold. It can grow anywhere that it has moisture, food, and the right temperature. This fungus is so common that you may take it for granted when you see it under a sink or growing along the exposed floor joists in your basement or crawl space. Don’t ignore mold.

Mold spores

Mold spreads and reproduces via spores. These spores are tiny; three to 40 microns. That is too small to be seen with the naked eye. These tiny spores easily become airborne and cause allergic reactions in some people. A 2004 study by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found evidence that exposure to indoor mold could cause respiratory illnesses in otherwise healthy children.

Dangers of mold spores

Since mold often grows in out of the way places and the spores are too tiny to be seen, mold can thrive and cause health issues for building occupants without them realizing the source. Spores may cause eye irritation, sore throat, headaches, skin irritations, or other symptoms that compromise a person’s quality of life and later lead to more serious illness. Unless a doctor specializes in mold-related illness, they may give an incorrect diagnosis that leads to ongoing suffering and frustration.

The best solution

A report by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that as many as 50% of all U.S. buildings have water damage or moisture conditions that could lead to mold growth and illness from mold spores. The experts at Stern Mold have more than 20 years experience effectively treating mold and protecting properties from future mold problems. Contact us today for a free inspection and consultation.

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Information, News

What is a Mold Remediator and Why Should You Use One?

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NORMI Certified

NORMI Certified

Mold is a common problem that can affect any home or business. Much like common medical conditions, if not treated properly, it can result in serious long-term problems. There are many different types of mold and some are known to be highly toxic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), exposure to mold can cause asthma in some children and breathing problems in otherwise healthy adults. If you suspect you have mold, don’t take any chances with the health of your loved ones, employees, or customers. Consult a mold expert.

NYC mold remediator

The National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors (NORMI) works to protect the public by certifying mold inspectors, remediators, and environmental professionals with high-quality training. Not all home inspectors are NORMI certified and not all contractors who offer mold remediation services are actually qualified to do so.

Thoroughly inspecting for the presence of mold and effectively eliminating it should only be done by mold experts who are knowledgeable about mold and have years of experience. Be sure any mold professional you hire is a NORMI certified mold inspector and NYC mold remediator.

Remediation vs. treatment

Traditional mold remediation methods are costly and can disrupt a business or household for weeks while walls are torn out and replaced. The MoldExterm treatment method eliminates the mold problem rather than just masking symptoms. It is quicker, safer, and more effective than traditional methods.

Stern Mold has been serving commercial and residential customers in Long Island, New Jersey, and New York City for more than 20 years. Contact us today for a free inspection and consultation on our guaranteed mold extermination treatment.

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Information, Mold Remediation, Mold Treatment, News
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