Category Archives: Mold Tips

Take Moldy Smells Seriously – It’s Your First Sign Something Is Wrong

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Are Mold Spores in the Air of Your Home?

Are Mold Spores in the Air of Your Home?

Don’t assume that dank, musty odor is from damp towels. Even if there are no visible signs, moldy smells can send an alarm that your home is in need of NYC mold removal.

Why Mold Smells Funny

Mold emits mVOCs, or microbial volatile organic compounds, that produce a distinctly unpleasant odor. Think of a locker room or a waterfront cottage that’s been closed up for a lengthy period. Airborne spores may also cause mild irritation in your nostrils.

Those mVOCs causing that rank smell can also trigger upper-respiratory symptoms including sneezing, itchy eyes and coughing. People with pre-existing lung conditions or weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable.

Tracking Down Moldy Odors

Once you identify the room where the moldy smell is strongest, the next step is to zero in on the specific culprit. Areas with excess moisture, such as leaky pipes, are likely candidates. Other possible sources include:

• Clothes washers and dishwashers

• Towels, shower curtains and bathmats

• Secondhand purchases, such as furniture or clothing

• Soil in potted plants

• Garbage cans and wastebaskets

• Pet bedding

Professional NYC mold removal will eliminate the infestation, but you can take steps to get rid of the smell:

• Open windows and turn on a fan.

• Put out open containers of white vinegar or baking soda.

• Wash fabrics in hot water.

Stern Mold: Experienced and Professional NYC Mold Removal

Don’t struggle with mold removal on your own. Contact us to schedule a free mold inspection by our cheerful and knowledgeable technicians.

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Tips, News

What to Do If You Alert Your Landlord To Mold, and They Do Nothing

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Mold Litigation in 2020 - Is Suing Worth the Trouble?

Mold Litigation in 2020 – Is Suing Worth the Trouble?

Your apartment needs Manhattan mold removal. After numerous reports to management, no action is taken. Are you forced to suffer in silence? As a paying tenant, you have available options.

Why Is Manhattan Mold Removal Necessary?

Indoor mold and mold spores can cause a number of upper respiratory symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes and wheezing. Even people with no previous history of allergies can experience these symptoms after prolonged exposure. Anyone with an underlying respiratory ailment or weakened immune system is particularly vulnerable.

Whether or not you’re presenting with symptoms, mold is a documented health risk. Pulmonologist Sonali Bose, assistant professor at Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine, ranks mold as a hygenic problem on a par with a cockroach infestation.

When Landlords Fail to Act

Mold is not always visible, causing many landlords to dismiss complaints. But property owners are bound by legal requirements to maintain apartments free of health and safety risks.

Your first course of action should be to write a letter or email to management detailing the problem, including leaky pipes or any conditions that may have caused the mold. Insist on Manhattan mold removal, not a simple paint-over.

If the landlord still doesn’t respond, you could withhold rent, but that strategy carries risks that could impact your ability to rent in the future. Save this as an absolute last resort.

Turn to Stern Mold for Effective Removal and Prevention

Our proprietary MoldExterm program is non-intrusive, cost-effective and eco-friendly. Contact us for more information.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Law, Mold Tips, News

Is There Mold In Your Washer? Here’s How To Identify And Get Rid of It

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Is There Mold In Your Washer? Here's How To Identify And Get Rid of It

Is There Mold In Your Washer? Here’s How To Identify And Get Rid of It

Mold problems can lurk in places that you might not expect, like inside your washing machine. Water, laundry detergent and fabric softeners can all contribute to the growth of mold.

If you’ve never cleaned the inside of your washing machine, you could have a mold problem without realizing it. Your Manhattan mold removal experts want to help you identify it, get rid of it, and keep mold away for good.

Identifying a Mold Problem in Your Washer

The most obvious sign of a mold problem in your washer might be the smell. Your washer may take on the smell of rotten eggs, and eventually, that odor can make its way into your clothes as well. If you only use the cold water setting on your machine, you have an even greater chance of having mold.

Getting Rid of Mold in Your Washing Machine

If you think you have a mold problem, follow these steps to remove it.

• You’ll need rubber gloves, an old towel and either bleach and hot water or vinegar and hot water (never mix vinegar and bleach).

• Use the old towel to clean the entire inside of the machine.

• Run a wash cycle on the hottest setting using either vinegar or bleach.

• Wipe down the inside of the machine and leave it open to finish air-drying.

Preventing Mold Growth in Your Washer

A quick wipe-down is all that you need to keep your washer mold-free. For any other mold problems, contact your Manhattan mold removal specialists for assistance.

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Tips, News

Guess What? Black Mold is Not Always Black!

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Information on Black Mold

Information on Black Mold

It might be hard to believe, but it’s true. Black mold isn’t always black. That means it could be lurking in your home right now, completely unidentified, making you and your family sick. It’s important to get the facts about it, and your Manhattan mold removal experts are here to help.

What Kind of Mold is in Your Home?

People often see black-colored mold and assume that it’s toxic when it might not be. There are more than 100,000 mold species, and they come in just about every shape, size and color you can think of. It can be nearly impossible for a layperson to identify whether a certain species is dangerous or not. Doing so requires the help of a professional.

Should You Have Your Home Tested for Black Mold? 

It may surprise you to learn that the CDC recommends not testing for black mold simply because the results may not be accurate. Not only that, but testing isn’t really necessary because the mold will need to be removed regardless of the results. If anything, testing will only slow down the removal process while you wait for results.

When Should You Call For Manhattan Mold Removal?

The best time to call a professional for Manhattan mold removal is when you first spot mold in your home. It might be a minor problem, or it might be a major one. Either way, it doesn’t take long to spread, so taking care of it quickly is important.

At Stern Mold, we offer free inspections. Contact us!

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Tips, News

Five Types of Mold Found in Homes

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Know the Dangers of Having Mold in Your Bedroom

Know the Dangers of Having Mold in Your Bedroom

Mold is a blanket term for a type of fungus that encompasses thousands of different species. Here’s a look at five common mold types found in homes, which will require NYC mold removal.

1. Stachybotrys

When people talk about toxic mold, they’re actually referring to stachybotrys. While it’s also known as black mold, it can appear green as well. Stachybotrys gets its nickname from mycotoxins it produces that are especially dangerous to children.

2. Aspergillus

Aspergillus comes in more than 185 different species, so it appears in a wide range of colors. In addition to triggering allergic reactions, aspergillus can cause serious lung infections.

3. Alternaria

Alternaria is the #1 type of allergic mold throughout the world. This species comes in dark brown or green with a velvet-like appearance.

4. Cladosporium

Mold is generally associated with warm, damp areas, but cladosporium grows equally well in the cold. Resembling suede with its olive-green or dark brown coloring, cladosporium is often found in upholstery, carpets and other indoor fabrics.

5. Trichoderma

Trichoderma is usually white with green patches that give it a “wooly” appearance. Some species of trichoderma produce mycotoxins similar to stachybotrys. Trichoderma also contains an enzyme that destroys wood and other building materials, which can lead to structural damage.

Effective NYC Mold Removal for All Types

Whatever type of mold affects your home, it requires professional NYC mold removal. Our MoldExterm program effectively removes mold and prevents it from returning. Contact Stern Mold to schedule a free inspection by our knowledgeable technicians.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Tips, News
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