Tag Archives: Finding Mold

Buying a Foreclosed Home May Bring Mold Home

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Purchasing a foreclosed house may seem like a way to get a beautiful home at a bargain price. If it turns out that your dream house has undetected mold, it could become a costly nightmare.

Economic instability has increased the number of foreclosed homes in the United States. An unforeseen side effect is that real estate and mold have become undesirable partners. These foreclosures sit closed up for extended periods of time, preventing the natural ventilation that draws moisture up and out.

Mold doesn’t discriminate between modest houses and mansions, affecting all styles and sizes equally. It’s estimated that some states are dealing with mold and mildew issues in more than half of foreclosed homes. Companies like Farsight Management in northeast Ohio that specialize in cleaning water damage get a significant part of their work treating these moldy foreclosures.

With power shut off to these houses, there are no sump pumps or dehumidifiers running to clear out the excess moisture. This may seem like a cost-cutting move that has backfired, but realtors don’t believe that’s the case. Larger numbers of foreclosed homes simply make an already lengthy process even more time-consuming.

Realtor Rebecca Terakedis has continued to show foreclosed homes to potential buyers regardless of mold infestation, but she is aware of possible liability issues. Before entering a home, viewers are required to sign a release form indicating complete disclosure of the mold problem.

Real estate and mold don’t have to maintain this uneasy alliance. Our experienced technicians can remove mold safely and efficiently, usually in only one day. Visit our website to learn more about our innovative MoldExterm treatment.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Identification, News

Property Managers Need to Keep an Eye Out For Mold

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When property conditions present a health risk to tenants, a landlord has plenty to worry about besides repair costs. There are many problematic rental conditions for real estate and mold is at the top of that list.

In Jacksonville, Fla., an apartment complex is under legal scrutiny for renting apartments that are known to contain black mold. Property management has pledged to fix the problem, but tenants are filing a lawsuit.

Lawyers believe that damages may be owed to tenants who have suffered health problems related to mold. The property’s failure to procure mold treatment services in a timely manner and the leasing of apartments that already contained the mold may be more than sufficient grounds for a successful lawsuit.

According to the CDC, toxigenic mold has been linked to respiratory illnesses and allergic reactions similar to hay fever. These problems most commonly effect the young and elderly, those with existing conditions or weak immune systems, and occasionally people who are otherwise healthy.

In other words, all commercial and residential property managers likely have tenants at risk for health problems due to mold.

In the Florida lawsuit, the apartment complex and HUD, which subsidizes the apartments, may be liable for healthcare costs and personal injury damages. Had the property managers sought mold remediation and treatment sooner, the situation would likely have been avoided altogether.

The good news regarding real estate and mold concerns is that new, scientifically advanced methods of mold treatment and prevention are available.

The MoldExterm system avoids invasive remodeling and treats mold effectively before finishing with a durable sealant. Contact Stern Mold immediately if your property shows signs of black mold.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Identification, News

Mold Problems Can Cause Landlords More Than Headaches

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Whenever you read or hear a news story about Real Estate and Mold, you are likely to also notice the words litigation and plaintiffs. That is because mold in apartments or rental properties can be a serious health risk to occupants and a major liability to landlords.

People with any type of immunodeficiency condition are at highest risk. That can include young children, seniors, people with diabetes, those with Graves’ disease, asthma sufferers, and many other common conditions. That means every landlord has some tenants that are highly sensitive to mold spores and at risk of serious illness from unhealthy air.

Indoor air quality laws

In 2001, California was the first state to pass any law dealing with toxic mold in residential rental properties. That state was quickly followed by Maryland, New Jersey, Nevada, Texas, and Washington. By 2003, 30 states and the federal government had passed some form of Real Estate and Mold legislation. Also growing at a brisk pace are personal injury lawsuits connected with mold exposure in apartments and rental houses. The Environmental Law Institute has a database of indoor air quality laws for every state.

Other legal actions

As homeowners are finding out in Ypsilanti Township, properties can draw legal actions even without having any current occupants. The board of trustees for Ypsilanti has served notice to eight homeowners that they need to make the needed repairs or the houses will be declared a public nuisance and demolished.

To protect your tenants from unhealthy air and protect yourself from possible legal action, call Stern Mold to schedule a thorough inspection of all your buildings. Ask about our effective MoldExterm system.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Tips

How Do You Test for Mold?

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You might think that any possible mold infestation is easy to spot, but if you suspect a problem it’s important that you have a test performed. The results will confirm whether or not it actually is mold and if so, what type. Testing can also indicate the presence of mold even if it’s out of sight.

NJ mold treatment includes three different types of mold testing. Here is a look at each along with the pros and cons.

  • Air testing involves taking samples for examination under a microscope to determine the concentration of mold spores. This is a good way to detect mold that might not be visible to the eye. On the other hand, the amount of spores in the air can change significantly in a short period of time, making the results less accurate.
  • Surface testing is similar to air testing, except the samples are collected by swabbing or tape lifting from surfaces around your home or building. Once again, the uneven distribution of mold spores can cause the results to vary. In addition, this method cannot identify the concentration of spores in the air.
  • Bulk testing uses actual pieces of materials from your home or building. This method can confirm a mold problem as well as zero in on the concentration of mold particles.

Mold testing is also recommended if someone in your household is suffering allergic symptoms as well as post-mold removal to ensure the success of the treatment.

Our experienced NJ mold treatment specialists can perform an free inspection of your building. Visit our website to learn more about our effective and cost-efficient MoldExterm system.

Posted in Mold Identification, News
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