Category Archives: Mold Identification

Keeping Mold Away After Water Damage Cleanup

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Water is the lifeblood of mold, providing the elements that sustain its life and growth. It’s no surprise, then, that if your home has been flooded, it becomes a hotspot for a potential mold infestation.

If your home suffers water damage, cleanup should be done with an eye toward possible mold danger signs. Experts recommend these tips for successful preventive mold treatment.

  • Flood waters can contain any number of chemicals, pollutants and other bacteria-ridden substances. Be firm about discarding anything that has been touched by the water, no matter how minimal the contact.
  • Discard objects with a porous surface like wood that can retain moisture even when it appears dry. This includes wood paneling, carpeting and pads, and upholstered furniture.
  • Clean all remaining items with an anti-microbial solution that will inhibit mold growth. Bleach throws up a roadblock and slows the process, but it’s not strong enough to kill mold.
  • During clean-up, mold spores can be transmitted through the air. In addition, an infestation may already be developing in a hidden area. Be sure to wear a protective mask to avoid inhaling the spores.
  • Take measures to create air movement and remove moisture from the area, such as installing a dehumidifier. Even after the flood damage has been cleared, dampness creates an atmosphere conducive to mold development.

Has your home recently sustained flood damage? Don’t take a chance with you and your family’s well-being. Allow our professional technicians to give you peace of mind with our safe and effective mold treatment. Contact us today to schedule a free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Treatment, News

Not All Mold is the Variety Called Black Mold

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Heat Helps Increase Mold Growth

Not All Mold Is Black Mold

With all the attention given to the issue of black mold, it can be easy to assume that any growth found in your home belongs to this variety. In reality, a type called aspergillus is the one most commonly found in homes and offices, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Here are some other tips to prevent mold and minimize the effects of an infestation.

  • Do periodic inspections for visible signs of mold or moisture problems. Water stains, foundation cracks and peeling paint can be evidence of a current or potential mold issue.
  • Don’t attempt mold treatment on your own. Items such as mattresses, linens and sofas should be discarded if they show visible mold growth. Solid wood furniture can be an exception as long as a thorough cleaning removes all signs of mold.
  • Learn to recognize the physical effects of mold exposure such as red and itchy eyes, irritated skin and runny nose. More serious reactions can include fever and shortness of breath.
  • Fight mold infestation before it starts by being proactive about controlling moisture. Repair leaks in faucets and pipes as soon as you discover them. Immediately clean and dry any wet or damp surfaces. Keep kitchens, bathrooms and other moisture-generating areas well-ventilated.
  • If your home requires professional mold treatment, make sure a plan is in place to address moisture issues so the problem does not reoccur.

Unlike most traditional remediation, our MoldExterm process includes a patented biomedical polymer seal to sterilize surfaces and keep mold from returning. Contact us today to schedule a free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Identification, News

The Telltale Signs of Mold

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Early detection of a mold problem in your home allows you to address the situation before it gets out of hand. Seek mold treatment if you discover any of these tell-tale signs.

  • Visible patches of mold are the most obvious signs. Some people assume that it’s just dirt, so don’t take any sightings for granted. Small colonies can spread quickly, or they may be an outgrowth of larger hidden patches, so take action regardless of the size.
  • When it comes to mold, the nose knows. Mold has a distinct musty smell that’s hard to ignore. Do you find that you’re sneezing and displaying other allergic symptoms that improve when you’re away from home? This is an indicator of a possible mold issue.
  • Mold relies on water to grow, so if your home has moisture problems or has recently flooded, the conditions are right. Peeling paint and wallpaper, condensation on windows and pipes, and water stains on walls, ceilings and floors are indicators of excess moisture. You should also keep an eye on sites of water leaks for possible mold growth.
  • Toxic varieties such as black mold can cause neurological symptoms such as headaches, memory loss and dizziness. These effects are more severe than the allergic distress caused by mold. Again, if your symptoms improve when you’re outside the home, they are likely the result of a mold infestation.

If you suspect the presence of mold in your home, don’t tackle the problem on your own. Our professionally trained mold treatment experts will safely and quickly remove the infestation using our eco-friendly MoldExterm process. Visit our website to schedule a free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Tips, News

Do You Have Black Mold Behind Your Walls?

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The question we pose in the title is a bit of a trick one. Any type of hidden mold in a business or home can pose a health risk.

Black mold produces mycotoxins that usually do more harm to human and pet health than molds that do not have these mycotoxins. What most building owners do not realize is that there are many types of black-colored molds that are not toxic, as well as many non-black-colored toxic species. Stachybotrys chartarum (Stachybotrys atra) is the black mold that you usually hear most often about in the news.

Yet, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention points out, you should be worried about any type of mold hidden behind walls.

Various non-toxic molds exacerbate certain health conditions, such as a weak immune system or allergies, in anyone who is sensitive enough to them. Plenty of mold species also weaken the immune system and cause neurological damage in previously healthy people.

Signs of Hidden Mold

At Stern Mold, we recommend you get an immediate building inspection if any of the following applies:

  • Visible mold growth or a musty smell exists.
  • Wet spots and discoloration have appeared on walls or ceilings.
  • Wallpaper or paint damage, such as cracking and peeling, recently started to appear.
  • Rust has formed on pipes.
  • Building occupants have complained of more allergies or “sick building” symptoms.

Warning: It is especially important to get an inspection if any of the above applies and one or more recent or past leaks or floods have taken place.

Stern Mold offers a free inspection and price quote. Contact us today at 888-887-8376 or use our convenient online form.

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Tips, News

Tenants in Mold Infested Housing Fear for Their Lives

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Tenants in the Bronx have filed suit against NYCHA, New York City’s public housing authority, after mold and fungus issues have been left to linger. The agency had settled previous complaints in 2013 with a new system for handling mold problems in a timely manner — but tenants say no real solution has ever come.

The lawsuit says housing conditions at Castle Hill Houses put tenants’ “life, health, or safety,” at risk. That’s no exaggeration. Mold and fungus pose significant health risks for tenants with asthma or other respiratory conditions. Anyone can develop breathing problems, infections, or even cancer after prolonged exposure to mold.

Building management blames budget cuts and old infrastructure for the problem, but that serves as little excuse to the tenants who have been reporting mold problems for months or years without an answer. Modern mold removal treatments exist that could have wiped out the building’s mold and fungus problem completely while preventing reoccurrence.

A Lasting Answer to Household Mold

When NYCHA has made mold repairs, the problem has returned. About 80% of tenants with mold issues say that previous efforts to curb the problem have been unsuccessful in the long run.

One solution for recurring mold and fungus problems: Stern’s MoldExterm system. Instead of simply killing the mold, MoldExterm applies a special polymer seal after cleaning. The seal prevents mold from regrowing, effectively blocking the underlying problem from developing more mold in the future.

The sickening health effects of mold make this problem one that landlords should never ignore. If anyone discovers mold in your building, management can take action by calling Stern Mold for advanced mold treatment and prevention.

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