Category Archives: Mold Tips

Where to Look for Hidden Mold

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As you know, interior mold and fungus can cause a wealth of health problems with symptoms such as runny nose, watery and itchy eyes, swollen eyelids, wheezing and coughing, just to name a few. Before you can combat mold, you have to know where it is coming from.

Moisture Causes Mold to Grow

Mold and fungus needs moisture to grow and spread. The first place to look for hidden mold would be in places like bathrooms, laundry rooms, adjacent walls and/or flooring and tiles. Generally, if you see signs of mold on the outside a wall, the chances are great that there will be hidden mold behind the wall.

Here are some common places to look for and inspect for hidden mold:

  • Above ceiling tiles, particularly in damp locations
  • Under sinks in bathrooms and kitchens
  • Inside your heating and air conditioning vents
  • Beneath carpeting in and around damp locations
  • In your attic, especially if you vent household humid air into that space

Hidden Mold Causes Problems

In all cases, unless there is an outward bloom of mold that can be readily seen, it will be difficult, at best, to find any signs of hidden mold. But if you have symptoms of mold infestation, and mold is not readily present, it may be time to call in a professional to help track down and eliminate any mold problem, hidden or not, that you may have., also

For the best in NYC mold treatment, rely on the professionals at 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.

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

Did You Know That There Are Good Uses For Mold?

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The Good Uses of Mold

The Good Uses of Mold

As unpleasant as it may be to think about, mold spores exist all around us in very small quantities. Mold that does not release mycotoxins does not pose an immediate risk to people. And in some cases, mold can even be used for good.

The most famous example of mold being used for human benefit is penicillin. You are probably familiar with the basic story: Dr. Andrew Fleming discovered the bacteria-killing properties of mold by accident after spores grew in his petri dishes.

The full story of penicillin’s discovery sheds light on just how far science has come in its understanding of infectious diseases. This history of penicillin explains that it took many years and teams of international scientists to achieve the easily available form of penicillin that we know today.

Penicillin is essentially a mold treatment — not to kill mold, but rather to use mold toxicity to kill off diseases. Mold has “good uses,” but only because it is indeed dangerous!

When controlled and harnessed, mold can be used for good, including several medicines besides penicillin. It’s also used to produce cheese, soy sauce, cured meats and other foods.

Otherwise, it’s always a safe bet to assume that a mold infestation in your home or business poses serious health risks.

Just as mold has benefited science, science has developed innovative methods of mold treatment. Modern mold remedies can kill and seal off mold without the need for tearing open walls and floors.

Don’t expect mold in your home to lead to the latest medical breakthrough. If you have an infestation, contact us to find out about the most advanced method of mold treatment, MoldExterm.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Tips, News

The Do’s and Don’ts on Homeowner Mold Treatment

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Homeowner NJ mold treatment, can have you spinning in circles unless you know exactly what to do. Cleaning may only cause the mold to go dormant, waiting until the time is right to re-bloom and grow. Knowing the “Do’s” and “Dont’s” on how to effectively treat mold, will give you the insight on whether this is a do-it-yourself project, or whether you’ll need to get professional help.

  • Do find the source of your mold infestation. Moist and humid areas, particularly places with running, leaking or dripping water, like bathrooms, under sinks, and damp basements or crawl spaces, are prime mold habitats. Before the mold can be removed, the reason why it is there must be addressed first.
  • Don’t think that this is going to be an easy job. Severe mold infestation may require drywall or wood replacement to effectively eliminate your mold problem.
  • Don’t use bleach to clean mold with. Bleach causes mold to hibernate, and when the situation is right again, it will come back and flourish.
  • Do use an enzyme-based mold cleaner. The enzymes literally eat and digest the mold, positively killing it.
  • Do use a HEPA filtered vacuum to clean up the area and capture the mold spores. It must be HEPA filtered, or you can potentially spread the spores around through the vacuums exhaust.

Mold treatment and eradication can be a daunting task for any homeowner. For more information and answers about mold infestation in your home and how to get rid of it, rely on Stern Mold. NJ mold treatment at its best, we have been serving the New Jersey, New York City, and Long Island area since 1995.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Tips

The Legal Aspects of an Untreated Mold Contamination

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You may not know this, but there are several legal aspects that may apply if your home, rental or even your place of work is contaminated with mold. Here are some of the basics, but when at work and you have symptoms of mold contamination, like respiratory problems, runny nose, itchy eyes, or you notice mold growing in your newly rented apartment or newly purchased home, there are legal steps you can take.

  • All employers must provide proper indoor air quality. If, at any time, the air quality in your workplace has been compromised due to mold infestation, you are entitled to paid medical expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of both wages and earning capability, among others.
  • All landlords must ensure the premises is free from mold contamination. If mold is discovered in your rental, the landlord must pay to get the mold removed and you can sue the landlord for illness and damage compensation.
  • If at any time directly after the sale of a home, you, as a buyer, finds mold contamination that was not disclosed by the seller, you can sue them for non-disclosure, any mold-born illness, damages because of mold infestation and compensation.

Although these are just the basics, if you believe you have been exposed to mold in either a business environment, your rental property or if you have purchased a new home, there are legal ways to receive damage and compensation.

For more answers about mold in your workplace, rental or home, rely on Stern Mold. NJ mold treatment at its best, we have been serving the New Jersey, New York City, and Long Island area since 1995.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Tips, News

Is All Black Colored Mold Dangerous?

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With all the attention given to the problem of black mold in homes and buildings, people have come to assume that all such growths are toxic. In reality, there are types of dark-colored mold referred to as “cosmetic” that present little danger to your home or your health.

But if you discover black mold, how can you tell which type it is? Here is some helpful information about identifying and treating cosmetic mold.

What causes cosmetic mold?

Framing lumber used in building construction sometimes comes with a harmless form of black mold. These “bluestain” fungi develop mainly on sapwood, which is the main part of a tree used for building lumber.

Recognizing the signs

Indoor mold growth is usually uninterrupted, spreading out to neighboring surfaces. An interrupted patch of mold that appears to have stopped along a random straight line is the most common evidence of cosmetic mold. For instance, you may see mold that stops at the cut end of a rafter, or side-by-side beams where only one has growth.

Steps to take when discovering cosmetic mold

If black mold is found on dry wood in configurations as described above with no signs of active growth, no action is needed. However, the presence of cosmetic mold can support the growth of other, more troublesome varieties. Inspect and monitor areas of cosmetic mold for the appearance of active colonies or major risk factors such as dampness.

Why take a chance attempting to identify mold on your own? Get peace of mind with a free mold inspection by our experienced technicians at Stern Mold. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Tips, Mold Treatment, News
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