Monthly Archives: June 2019

How Can You Find Out if There Is Mold Behind Your Walls?

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Look for Early Signs of Mold

Look for Early Signs of Mold

Are you smelling a distinctive musty odor in your home or building? That’s a common sign of mold infestation, even if there’s no visible evidence. Our Manhattan mold removal technicians discuss what to do if you suspect the presence of mold behind your walls.

Moisture: Mold’s Best Friend

Mold needs moisture to grow, which is why it’s often found in damp places such as bathrooms, kitchens and basements. While the space behind walls may not seem like an obvious place for mold to develop, plumbing or roof leaks can result in water becoming trapped in a spot that’s difficult to dry.

Sometimes you can detect a leak from the appearance of thin streaks of discoloration running down a wall. Unfortunately, many leaks don’t make their presence known until the damage has become severe.

Is There Mold Behind the Walls?

So you can’t ignore that smell. How do you find out if there is a mold infestation behind the walls?

• Cut a small hole in the drywall where you suspect the problem. If there’s discoloration, use that as a guide.

• Check the wood and insulation paper to see if mold is present or if the smell becomes even stronger.

• Patching up a small hole in the wall is less intrusive than tearing it down and rebuilding it.

Choose Stern Mold for Quality Manhattan Mold Removal Services

Don’t lie awake at night wondering if your home or building has a mold problem. Let our trained Manhattan mold removal experts and our proprietary MoldExterm program give you peace of mind. Contact us to schedule a free mold inspection and quote.

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Information, Mold Treatment

Three Warning Signs You May Have a Mold Problem

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Call Stern Mold for Mold Identification and Removal Needs

Call Stern Mold for Mold Identification and Removal Needs

How do you know when your home or building is in need of NYC mold removal? Here are three specific warning signs of a mold problem that require immediate attention.

1. Visible Mold Colonies

Mold spores are undetectable to the naked eye, but indoors or outdoors, they’re always present in the air. The spores themselves are generally not a problem until they land on a surface and begin multiplying. Regularly inspect your home or building for visible mold, paying special attention to attics, bathrooms, kitchens and basements.

2. Musty Odors

Absence of visible mold doesn’t mean you’re home-free. Mold can easily develop behind walls, under cabinets and in other out-of-the-way places. As mold feeds on organic materials, it releases chemicals that have an unpleasant earthy or musty smell. The distinctive odor is often a tell-tale clue of a hidden mold infestation.

3. Allergic Symptoms

Have you noticed a tendency to begin sneezing not long after returning home? As you inhale mold spores, they irritate the linings of the nose and sinuses. Even if you don’t usually suffer from allergies, the result can be chronic upper respiratory symptoms such as sneezing, coughing and watery eyes. People with existing respiratory illnesses and compromised immune systems are particularly vulnerable.

Trust Stern Mold for Effective NYC Mold Removal

It’s virtually impossible to completely eliminate mold on your own, and traditional remediation methods are costly and inconvenient. If you notice any signs of mold, contact us to schedule a free inspection from our friendly and professional NYC mold removal technicians.

Visit our website to learn more about our safe, cost-effective and non-intrusive MoldExterm program.

 

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Information, Mold Treatment

Do You Have Mold Hiding in You AC Ductwork?

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You Can Effectively Control Mold

You Can Effectively Control Mold and Their Spores

Mold likes hiding in plain sight. The moist air in our Manhattan area keeps mold spores on the cusp of invading your space. You could have the microfilaments of mold settling into your walls or ductwork right now.

Excessive humidity or lingering residue triggered by leaks or trapped moisture invites mold spores to inhabit your space with you. Stern Mold’s Manhattan mold removal experts know the warning signs and are ready to help you take action!

The Ideal Setting for Mold Spores

Mold spores look for places to hang out and stay a while. If you’re a property or business owner, make sure to perform a weekly walk-through to spot any potential mold spore access points. Seek out areas of pooling water, blocked drains, excessive condensation near pipes and sniff out any peculiar smells. If you spot any of these signs, mold spores may be present. Check these favorite habitable spaces for signs of mold:

• AC Evaporator Coils

• Drip Pans

• Ductwork

Your heating and cooling system are where hot and cold temperature zones meet and mingle. If any mold spores inhabit these areas, they don’t stay in one place very long. They spread out, traveling through air and latching onto any available materials. Since ductwork circulates air, any mold filaments present may travel through the ductwork and pollute the spaces they reach.

Stern Mold Expertise

Family members, employees or clients in buildings with mold infested ductwork are at risk for developing short and long-term health symptoms. What should you do next? Contact Stern Mold’s local Manhattan mold removal team to diagnose and remediate any mold spores that are present today!

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Information, Mold Tips

What to Know About Mold Bio-aerosols?

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Just like airborne viruses, pet dander, and poisons used in bioterrorism attacks, mold is considered a bio-aerosol. Tiny living particles found in indoor air have the potential to cause illness.

Be Informed About Mold Bio-Aerosols

Be Informed About Mold Bio-Aerosols

contain mycotoxins that enter our breathing passages where they cause respiratory disease, inflammation, or worse.

If you live or work in a building with mold, take steps to reduce the humidity levels and get an NYC mold removal team to disinfect and block mold growth.

Bio-Aerosols Make Mold Dangerous

Whether mold causes disease or illness depends on a variety of factors. Infants and people with weak immune systems are at high risk, but anyone is susceptible. The right combination of bio-aerosol toxins, poor ventilation, and humidity can send particles of mold, bacteria, and viruses into the air.

Researchers have found that water leaks and high humidity are the primary causes of indoor mold. Dormant mold spores can sit below surfaces without necessarily causing illness. Moisture causes the spores to proliferate and enter the air—making their mycotoxins a dangerous bio-aerosol.

Reducing and Preventing Bio-Aerosols Indoors

Micro-organisms such as mold will always exist around us. The goal should be to remedy an infestation and control humidity to avoid prolonged or acute exposures to mold bio-aerosols.

The MoldExterm system for NYC mold removal takes a three-pronged approach:

• Kill mold spores and clean surfaces with an EPA-registered anti-microbial.

• Seal surfaces to prevent bio-aerosols and repel mold from taking hold again.

• Inform building tenants of ways to reduce humidity and install dehumidifiers if needed.

Are people in your building suffering from asthma, dizziness, stomach pain, rashes, or other symptoms of mold exposure? If so, call 888-887-8376 to get a free inspection and quote for our affordable, guaranteed NYC mold removal.

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

How Can You Prevent Mold Growing Moisture in Your Indoor Environment?

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Keep Your Indoor Environment Safe and Mold-Free

Keep Your Indoor Environment Safe

Mold needs several things to survive, but there’s only one that you can feasibly get rid of: moisture. After conducting Manhattan mold removal, we recommend taking ongoing action to prevent indoor moisture.

You don’t need a plumbing leak or standing water in the basement for a mold problem to grow. Excess humidity and condensation can also feed the mold spores.

EPA Recommends Moisture Prevention for Mold

According to the EPA, you can avoid mold growth by keeping relative humidity below 50% and ensuring proper ventilation and drainage.

Look out for any source of moisture that could be contributing to mold, such as:

• HVAC drainage: Check the condensate drain lines. Remove any blockage and ensure the line can drain properly.

• Bathroom ventilation: Use exhaust fans that vent outdoors or open windows when showering.

• Water around pipes: Repair plumbing leaks and insulate cold water lines to stop condensation from dripping.

• Windows and gutters: Keep window sills dry and open windows when weather permits. Inspect and clean rain gutters and drainage systems regularly.

Will a Dehumidifier Help with Mold?

Yes, a dehumidifier can keep humidity levels below the typical threshold for mold growth. Our Manhattan mold removal team can install a dehumidifier for an ongoing solution.

Even with a dehumidifier, leaks and other significant moisture sources still need to be addressed. And the dehumidifier will not kill mold spores already present. An indoor mold assessment can help identify all problem areas.

If you’re tackling a mold problem at an NYC building or want to keep mold from coming back, talk to Stern Mold about our non-invasive and highly affordable Manhattan mold removal service.

Posted in Mold Information, NJ Mold Removal, NYC Mold Removal
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