New York City Council Announces New Legislation to Help Housing Authority Residents with Mold

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Moisture Breeds Mold. Ensure You Are Keeping Your Humidity Under Control!

Moisture Breeds Mold. Ensure You Are Keeping Your Humidity Under Control!

Until now, NYC public housing residents haven’t had effective recourse for Manhattan mold removal. Local officials are trying to change that with new legislation to help residents report cases of mold in their apartments.

Fighting Mold in Public Housing

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) has been making headlines recently, and not the good kind. For more than a decade, residents of NYCHA housing have been battling mold-related issues. Much of the problem has been blamed on poor maintenance and failure to adequately repair water damage.

Last January, the NYCHA kicked off a $50 million project to clean and update ventilation systems in their 326 apartment complexes. In addition, the agency has earmarked another $156 million for pipe work to be completed over the next five years.

New York City Council Steps In

In late February, the New York City Council passed legislation in an effort to further assist public housing residents struggling with mold problems. NYC is now required to give tenants information about reporting complaints.

According to City Council member Ritchie Torres, the NYCHA has a dismal history of responding to tenant complaints about mold. The new call center is currently available to residents in more than two dozen developments, with plans to roll it out to all by July 2020.

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Stern Mold has been providing cost-effective, state-of-the-art Manhattan mold removal since 1995. Contact us today to schedule a free mold inspection for your home or business.

Posted in Mold Law, News

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.

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Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Tips, News

The Laws That Renters and Landlords Should Know About Mold In New Jersey

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New Laws Have Been Put in Place Concerning Mold

New Laws Have Been Put in Place Concerning Mold

The news is full of stories about homeowners battling mold, but what about renters? One couple’s story illustrates the difficult road for renters seeking Manhattan mold removal.

Mold in Apartments: Who’s Responsible?

Anthony Paredes, his girlfriend and their 17-month-old child moved into a New Jersey apartment in November 2019. Other than a powerful smell of fresh paint, they found nothing amiss.

As time went on, the couple noticed extreme dampness around the apartment. Green mold soon developed on the windows, then Paredes discovered a large mold spot on the wall behind his daughter’s bed.

The next couple of months were a nightmare as Paredes tried to get management to remove the mold, only to be told he and his family were at fault. The family eventually paid out-of-pocket for an independent mold inspector. He confirmed the presence of mold and pointed out structural damage that was the likely cause.

What Can Renters Do?

While building health risks such as asbestos and lead paint are covered by laws, no such protection exists yet for mold. Renters have the options of withholding rent or doing Manhattan mold removal themselves and deducting the costs. Unfortunately, either strategy could ultimately lead to eviction proceedings.

Manhattan Mold Removal for Any Situation

Whether you’re a homeowner, landlord or business owner, we can handle your mold problem safely and effectively. Our proprietary MoldExterm program removes mold and keeps it from returning. Contact Stern Mold for a free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold Law, News

Most Frequent Causes of Mold and What to Do About It

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What Should You Do To Prevent Mold From Growing In Your Home

What Should You Do To Prevent Mold From Growing In Your Home

A vital element in NYC mold removal is determining the cause of the infestation. Water is essential to mold growth, so the problem almost always involves excess moisture. Here are the three most common causes of mold in NYC apartments.

1. Exterior Leaks

Plumbing in your apartment may be fine, but broken pipes or overflows in neighboring units may not be immediately evident. In the meantime, moisture seeps into your apartment, triggering mold growth. Plastic water supply lines to sinks and toilets, which are more often found in newer buildings, are the most frequent culprit.

2. Blocked PTACs

Packaged terminal air conditioners, or PTACs, are all-in-one units that control heating and cooling in many apartments and condominiums. Landlords, who are responsible for maintenance of PTACs in rental properties, often don’t know they require twice-yearly servicing.

If PTAC filters aren’t replaced often enough, dust collects in the drain of the condensate pan. As a result, overflow from the pan leaks onto the floor below, but at such a slow rate that it goes undiscovered for a long time.

3. Broken Washing Machine Hose

Stainless-steel-wrapped washing machine hoses are sturdy and relatively inexpensive. Unfortunately, in many cases rubber washing machine hoses, which have a tendency to break, are used instead.

NYC Mold Removal for Apartments and Condominiums

In multi-family residential buildings, mold infestations can have a ripple effect. Contact Stern Mold for a free mold inspection and consultation with our professional NYC mold removal technicians.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Identification, 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
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