Category Archives: MoldExterm

Mold Testing – What You Need to Know

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Mold doesn’t make a grand entrance. It’s a stealth invader, finding its way into hidden spaces in your home. Even if you have no reason to suspect a problem, mold testing provides peace of mind by ensuring your home’s safety or detecting a problem before it gets out of hand.

The techniques are more sophisticated than relying on visual cues. Here is a primer on mold testing to give you a better understanding of the process.

  • Air tests are helpful if there are not any visible signs of mold. A sample of the air in your home is examined under a microscope to check for the amount of mold spores present.
  • In surface testing, swabbing or other methods are used to lift samples from household surfaces for examination. This technique identifies the presence of mold but cannot determine its airborne presence.
  • Bulk testing collects actual pieces of material from your home for examination to determine if mold is present and how concentrated the particles are.
  • While testing gives you a picture of mold presence for a particular time and place, mold spores travel, causing the concentrations to fluctuate. Conducting a series of tests at different times and locations provides more accurate results.
  • DIY test kits are available on the market, but hiring an experienced professional mold tester is the most effective way to obtain a thorough and accurate report.

If a mold problem is discovered, our friendly, trained technicians will use our eco-friendly MoldExterm system to remove all traces from your home and install measures to prevent future infestations. Contact us today to schedule a free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, MoldExterm, News

LA Library Battles Mold Growth on Rare Books and Documents

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If you have a chronic mold problem in your home or business, have you had your HVAC system checked recently? Shreve Memorial Library is spending more that a quarter of a million dollars in an effort to save their rare and historical books and documents.

The third floor of the library in Shreveport houses rare Louisiana books, periodicals and microfilm along with documents relating to petroleum, government and law. Mold treatment had been completed in 2007, but in 2013 staffers noticed mold growing on microfilm and book jackets.

The Larkin Edwards room holding the library’s special collection was also found to be infested. While the room has been sanitized, it is no longer in use and all items have been moved to other locations in the library.

Pollution control company EnviroCare was engaged to test the air in the library, which was found to be safe for staff and patrons. EnviroCare then brought in engineering firm Storer Services to evaluate the HVAC system. It was determined that the system was functioning poorly, allowing high levels of humidity. Excessive moisture creates a prime setting for mold growth.

Plans are underway to renovate the entire HVAC system during the first half of this year. Staff members have marked mold-stained materials with yellow dots to alert patrons.

Your building doesn’t have to store rare items to be at risk for mold. Our proprietary MoldExterm system provides safe and effective mold treatment that is normally completed in only one day. Contact us to schedule a free mold inspection.

Posted in MoldExterm, News

The EPA on Hidden Mold

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Mold isn’t always visible, but it can still cause a wide range of health problems. When mold spores find a damp spot indoors, they can grow and spread, possibly leading to health issues, such as sneezing, skin rashes or asthma attacks.

If you’ve noticed a moldy odor but don’t see anything growing, your home could contain hidden mold. The EPA provides some valuable mold information on this potential problem.

Where Hidden Mold Grows

Mold that isn’t visible can grow in several places indoors, including the following:

  • Underneath carpeting
  • On top of ceiling tiles
  • Behind drywall or wallpaper
  • Around pipes inside walls
  • Inside ducts

When to Check for Hidden Mold

Schedule a home mold inspection if you can smell but not see any signs of mold. If your home has had water damage, keep in mind that mold can easily thrive in the affected areas if they weren’t cleaned, dried and repaired promptly. If you or someone in your family experiences health issues that could be caused by mold, such as irritated eyes or frequent sneezing, have a professional check for hidden mold, especially if you’ve had water damage.

Don’t Do Your Own Inspection

Don’t peel back wallpaper or remove ceiling tiles to look for signs of mold growth. Doing so can cause a large number of mold spores to be released into your home, which could make the problem worse. Let a professional mold inspector check for hidden mold safely to reduce this risk.

For more mold information or to schedule a free mold inspection, contact Stern Mold. Our mold specialists can look for hidden mold in your home or business and safely treat to kill it.

Posted in Mold Identification, MoldExterm, News

Is There a Difference Between Mold and Mildew?

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You probably haven’t read a lot of news stories about lawsuits over unsightly mildew in the showers of newly constructed homes. Mold removal just seems to carry a more ominous connotation. Mentioning it brings up images of large homes sitting vacant due to deadly spores growing in the walls and floors. Mention mildew to most people, and they think of the cartoon mascots of some household cleaner taking care of chores for the happy humans. The two fungi are different.

Mildew

Mildew typically has a white or grey appearance and is powdery or velvety in texture. it can be found on plants like roses and other flowers. Mildew from the oomycota type of fungus grows on produce like grapes and potatoes. Although not a fungus, it was an oomycota species that brought on the 1845 Potato Famine in Ireland. In your home, mildew will likely appear in the bathroom shower, where moisture on the curtain and around the tub makes a convenient environment for growth.

Mold

Mold typically grows thick and may take on the appearance of a plant when it spreads over a surface. It is typically a green, red, black ,or blue color. Without proper mold removal, walls and floors with mold will begin to rot. Molds may have toxins that can cause allergic reactions and serious health issues for people with respiratory problems or compromised immune systems who live in a mold-infested home.

Toxic black mold can make a home uninhabitable for anyone. Don’t take a chance with your family’s health. If you suspect a mold problem, contact the experts at Stern Mold for a free mold inspection.

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

Black Mold Shuts Down School

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A current mold news story demonstrates that the fungus is an equal-opportunity invader with no respect for any demographics. Schools, hospitals, office buildings and other heavily populated facilities are all susceptible.

Workers at Carlin C. Coppin Elementary School in Lincoln, CA discovered mold while repairing leaks in the air conditioning system. After testing revealed the presence of black mold, the school was shut down for nearly a week so officials could investigate further.

The school was built in 1973 and has undergone periodic testing for black mold. Results of extensive testing in 2010 came back negative. At this time it’s believed that the infestation is a result of renovations in the affected classrooms over the past summer.

Students with allergies would be adversely affected by any mold in the building. Even people without a history of allergies or sinus trouble can eventually develop upper respiratory ailments such as runny noses and itchy, watery eyes.

Moisture is the lifeblood of mold. Any time a spore lands on a damp spot, it has the resources it needs to grow and expand. The experience at Coppin Elementary points out the importance of regular inspection and repair of air conditioning, faucets and other potential sites of water leaks.

If you discover a mold infestation in your home or office, you don’t have to look forward to the major inconvenience they had at Coppin Elementary. Our MoldExterm program provides safe and effective treatment that is usually completed within one day. Visit our website for more mold news and schedule a free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, MoldExterm, News
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