Category Archives: Mold Remediation

The Mold Issue in College Dorms

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.

Not All Mold is Bad Mold

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.

Don’t Burn Your House Down to Get Rid of Mold!

Don't Burn Tour House Down

Don’t Burn Your House Down Getting Rid of Mold!

Once mold problems take hold, it could begin to effect your health in many ways. Itchy eyes, upper respiratory disorders, coughing, sneezing, and other symptoms might occur if you are exposed to the mold spores in your home. Try as you might, you may not be able to get rid of it, and one woman took drastic measures to do so.

Burning Down the House

In Liberty, MO, a 37 year old woman decided that she had enough of the mold issue where she lived, and that the best way to rid herself of the problem was to burn down her house! Of course, for the best in NYC mold treatment, burning down the house is not the right answer, but contacting Stern Mold is.

The MoldExterm System

Stern mold uses a two part system to eliminate mold. The first part of this remedial application is a powerful antimicrobial which destroys mold and the viruses and bacteria associated with it, while effectively disinfecting and deodorizing too. The second part is the polymer sealer, which literally, seals off the surface so mold is physically repelled and can never grow on the surface again. You can even paint over this sealant with no worry of compromising its effectiveness.

So don’t burn your house down to get rid of a mold problem. Contact us at Stern Mold for a free mold inspection and price quote. It’s just that easy.

For the best in NYC mold treatment, rely on 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.

Mold: What Every Home Owner Fears

With the apparent prevalence of news stories about infested homes, it seems appropriate that “mold” is a four-letter word. Just the mention of it can send shivers down a homeowner’s spine. But is mold really something that should inspire such fear?

The truth is that mold is nothing new. Advice about mold treatment can even be found in the Biblical book of Leviticus. While it seems as though the problem has grown, experts say it’s simply that there’s more awareness of it today.

Nelson Barnes Jr., a mold treatment expert in the Washington, DC area, explains that mold is a plant that poses no threat as long as you don’t touch or eat it. The danger arises from inhaling the spores that begin circulating in the air, causing respiratory problems ranging from coughing and sneezing to asthma attacks.

Mold spores are present everywhere, according to Rob Hopkin of ProTec Inspection Services. Issues stem from a concentration of spores that is greater indoors than outside. From there it takes only food, water and the right temperature for mold to multiply.

Households generally have the right mix of food and temperature to promote mold growth, leaving moisture as the ingredient that is easiest to control. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a major event like a burst pipe to grow mold. All it takes is a relative humidity level above 60 percent.

Unlike traditional remediation, our proprietary MoldExterm method controls moisture and spore transmission, the two biggest factors in mold reproduction. Visit our website to learn more about why Stern Mold is the leader in quick and effective mold treatment.

Mold Cleanup – Can You Do-It-Yourself Safely?

Mold in your home is never good. For one thing, it can mean there is moisture seepage or a leak causing damp conditions, and for another, mold is unhealthy and can pose health problems.

Removing Mold Safely in Small Areas

When you’re faced with moldy residue, the first instinct is to clean the area eliminating the moldy material. If the area is relatively small, it is possible to remove the mold by thoroughly cleaning but it also depends on the type of material that needs cleaning. For example,moldy carpeting isn’t cleanable, and moldy drywall and insulation both need to be removed and replaced.

If it’s possible to clean a small surface, these are the things you’ll need:

  • Rubber gloves
  • Disposable mask
  • Safety glasses
  • Recommended mold remover
  • Disposable wipes, paper towels, rags or sponge

Using Professional Services

Keep in mind there is a reason for the mold and cleaning it is only part of the process. The cause must first be found and fixed to avoid future mold problems. For this reason, it’s recommended that professionals handle the job. Not only will they find the problem, they’ll provide the proper mold treatment.

The process for mold treatment for many years was the costly process of remediation. This process can take days or weeks and only deals with the symptoms. With the MoldExterm treatment from Stern Mold, we tackle the cause of the problem usually in one visit.

For issues with mold, our service technicians are at the ready to answer your questions, provide a free inspection, and devise a plan of attack to remove unsightly mold. Contact us at your earliest convenience to schedule an appointment.

« Older Entries Recent Entries »