Category Archives: Mold Identification

Do You Know the Top Four Spots Where Mold Can Grow in Your NJ Home?

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Mold - What You Really Need to Know

Mold – What You Really Need to Know

When you think about mold problems, you probably picture the places you’ve seen it with your own eyes—bath tubs, window sills, inside the refrigerator, etc. Unfortunately, mold often grows where the problem can go unnoticed. By the time you notice respiratory issues and the mold has spread around the home, you already need NJ mold removal to get rid of a large mess.

Mold needs water, oxygen, and energy, but it does not need sunlight. That’s why the top four areas for mold are dark, humid areas where it can hide:

Basement — Humidity in a basement stays fairly constant. Old newspapers or other organic matter serve as the food. Of course, you may not see mold begin to grow until it has spread quite a bit down in a dark basement.

Attic — Although attics are typically less humid than basements, the lack of ventilation makes the atmosphere similar. Hot air vents through the attic, keeping the temperature right where mold likes it. Eventually, mold will spread throughout the house across wood framing and through the ceilings.

Near plumbing — In the bathroom and kitchen, mold grows easily inside the wall or under cabinets. Ventilation and routine cleaning are key for prevention. Surfaces may need to be sealed to prevent future mold growth.

Behind appliances — Air conditioners, refrigerators, and other appliances that either use water or create condensation can all trap mold spores and allow them to grow.

Get an Inspection for NJ Mold Removal

Know the most common and hidden areas where mold can grow, and take action immediately if you see something! Stern Mold offers free inspections and guarantees results for NJ mold removal.

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

Know the Unexpected Places Mold Can Grow in Your NJ Home

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Mold Infestations Are Dangerous

Mold Infestations Are Dangerous

People tend to look for mold in the places where it’s highly visible. It’s easy to spot mold under the kitchen sink or on basement walls. You need to know the less obvious hiding places for mold because a colony can regenerate and spread if you leave spores behind!

HouseLogic has rounded up “sneaky” places that warrant a mold inspection:

– Air conditioners (both central and window units)

– Dishwashers, dishes, and other kitchen items

– Window seams and seals

– Washing machines

– Refrigerator drip pans

– Chimneys (and other brick structures)

It may help to know what mold smells like because it’s not always visible. Family members should all know the symptoms of mold illness and not ignore a cough or wheezing problem, especially if mold has been suspected or found or if a flooding issue or moisture leak has occurred in the home.

What to Do if You Find Mold

Pause for a moment before acting on the natural urge to grab bleach or multipurpose spray and try to clean mold yourself. Focus on detoxifying from mold exposure and call a professional NJ mold removal service for an inspection.

Stern Mold provides a no-obligation inspection and quote. We guarantee firm, upfront pricing without hidden fees later. We find the mold, then use MoldExterm to kill it and seal the surfaces for future protection.

Other NJ mold removal companies might fail you by failing to get rid of the mold in the long run, or resorting to expensive gutting and remodeling. Stern Mold simply finds the mold and prevents it from growing back!

Contact us today for your free NJ mold removal inspection.

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

When Should You Call in the Pros to Do Your Mold Cleanup?

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It May be Time to Call in the Mold Removal Pros for NJ and NYC - Stern Mold!

It May be Time to Call in the Mold Removal Pros for NJ and NYC – Stern Mold!

Most of us have experience cleaning mold—at least from around the tub, sink, toilet, or on kitchen countertops. Those hard surfaces can be disinfected and wiped down easily. Assuming you don’t have asthma or a respiratory problem, it’s safe to clean up small, isolated spots of mold.

But when you’re facing a significant mold infestation or have a respiratory condition like asthma, NYC mold removal services get the job done better while preventing health scares.

Hazards of DIY Mold Cleanup

Experts, including the CDC and EPA, recommend calling professional mold remediators for several reasons:

– Mold cleaning kicks up mold and spores, increasing the risk of mold sickness

– Those with asthma or lung diseases should not touch mold

– Special tools and encapsulation products should be used

– Wood, drywall, and other porous surfaces require professional mold removal

When to Call for Professional NYC Mold Removal

Mold often spreads, invisibly, to places throughout a home or building. Cleaning with household products does not stop the spores from growing more mold later.

Even if you are a physically healthy adult, you should bring in a professional to check for mold in the walls, in your HVAC equipment, and throughout the home.

In office buildings or multi-family dwellings, always assume that mold exists in multiple units. Especially those with shared walls or ductwork.

Free Inspection for NYC Mold Removal

You have nothing to lose when you call Stern Mold for a free mold inspection. We provide New York and New Jersey mold removal using bioremediation and a polymer seal, meaning we can kill mold spores without tearing out walls. Contact us now for more info!

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

In NYC, Are Indoor and Outdoor Mold Allergies Seasonal?

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Mold - What You Really Need to Know

Mold – What You Really Need to Know

Anyone who suffers from an allergy knows how frustrating it can be. People who made it through their childhood without any allergies can still develop adult-onset allergies later in life. Some may have allergies to certain foods, pollen, animal dander, and mold.

People who are allergic to mold spores may have to deal with symptoms year-round. Some mold spores are more likely to spread in dry windy conditions. Other types of spores move with fog and dew when humidity is high.

Indoor mold can grow year-round

While most outdoor molds will become inactive during cold months, indoor molds can thrive throughout the year. If mold has some organic material like wood or dry-wall paper, moisture, and the right temperature, it will continue to grow and create more spores. Unfortunately, mold likes the same temperature (60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit) people maintain inside their homes, offices, and other businesses. If you suspect you may have mold, call the NYC mold removal experts at Stern Mold right away.

Symptoms of a mold allergy

For many people, molds spores cause symptoms similar to those of other allergies: runny nose, sore throat, sneezing, itchy eyes, and skin rashes. If mold spores enter the lungs, they can cause asthma attacks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that prolonged exposure to mold spores can lead to asthma in otherwise healthy children.

Stern Mold is part of the Stern Environmental network and has been providing NYC mold removal for commercial and residential clients since 1995. Or MoldExterm method can resolve your mold problem quickly and for a fraction of the cost of traditional mold removal methods. Contact us today.

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