Tag Archives: Mold and Health

Tips on Filing a Mold Complaint with Your Property Manager

Keep an Eye Out (and Nose Even) for Mold!

Keep an Eye Out (and Nose Even) for Mold!

When living in a rental unit, virtually any type of issue with the unit’s structure must be called to attention by way of your property manager. That also includes a mold infestation, which may or may not be directly related to personal property in your household.

Here are some tips on filing a mold complaint:

• Notification — Notify your property manager of mold. Orally notifying them is good, but always take it one step further by writing a letter and making a duplicate, then putting it in the property managers mailbox. Make sure it’s dated, too.

• Pictures — Take pictures of the mold problem; you can even use your cell phone if it has a camera. Make sure you get several angles, and offload the pictures to a computer. If needed for evidence, you’ll know where to find them and they won’t be inadvertently deleted from your phone.

• File a Written Complaint — If the property manager or owner of the building won’t act quickly for mold treatment, you can file a written complaint with the housing department in your city, town or jurisdiction. Check online or go down to City Hall and ask questions about filing a legal complaint.

In most situations your property manager will be willing to help cure any mold problem that you may find. It’s in their best interest to take care of the problem as quickly and effectively as possible, to prevent health issues or legal actions from affecting their bottom line.

If you have questions about mold treatment in your rental, please contact Stern Mold. We will work with you and your property manager to rid your home of mold.

The Cost of Litigation of Untreated Mold Problems

Worried About a Possible Mold Issue? Think About the Kids.

Worried About a Possible Mold Issue? Think About the Kids.

What is the price of your family’s health? As organizations such as the Environmental Protective Agency (EPA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continue to warn about mold and fungus as serious causes of illness, courts are becoming more likely to award monetary damages.

Failure to address moisture and mold problems can result in serious liability for property owners. Here are two cases where landlords and home owners were held responsible for significant damages caused by lack of mold treatment.

Former NBA Coach Cited for “Technical Foul”

After former NBA player and coach Rudy Tomjanovich and his wife sold their Pacific Palisades home, the purchaser sued over lack of disclosure concerning water leaks accompanied by mold and fungus. The couple claimed that there had been only one leak that was promptly repaired, and they blamed the non-disclosure on their attorneys.

The Tomjanovichs were ordered to pay more than $3 million in compensatory and punitive damages. This case underscores the fact that water damage and remediation efforts must always be disclosed in property transactions.

Renter Beware

An Oregon radiologist rented a home which developed a water leak in a stairwell. The tenant promptly reported the issue to the property management company, but they took no action. When an indoor air quality expert discovered numerous defects that caused allergic symptoms, the renter sued and received an award of $103,000.

Efficient Mold and Fungus Remediation in NYC and Northern NJ

If you suspect mold and fungus in your home or business, our Stern Mold technicians can perform eco-friendly and non-invasive remediation using our MoldExterm process. Contact us to schedule a free mold inspection.

Is Mold Causing Your Sinus Infection?

Let Us Rid Your Home or Office of Mold!

Let Us Rid Your Home or Office of Mold!

Do you have sinus problems that you’ve come to accept as a chronic condition? Mold allergies can masquerade as a sinus infection or other upper-respiratory ailment, leading people to treat the symptoms rather than the source.

Mold and Your Health: The Hidden Connection

Many people believe that interior mold is merely a cosmetic issue, but according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), all types of mold present a potential health risk. Variables such as age, overall health, and length of exposure determine the severity of your reaction.

Mold doesn’t have to be visually evident to pose a danger. Microscopic mold spores are constantly floating in the air, both indoors and outdoors. Studies have found that something as benign as a Christmas tree can trigger a mold problem.

Healthcare Doesn’t Always Have the Answer

Symptoms of mold exposure can fool even experienced healthcare professionals. In the 1990s, the results of a study conducted by the Mayo Clinic strongly suggested that the majority of chronic sinusitis cases are caused by exposure to mold and fungi.

Unfortunately, most doctors continue to treat sinus infections with antibiotics. While these drugs are effective against bacteria, they’re useless in fighting mold. Be proactive with your healthcare and don’t be afraid to raise the possibility of mold with your physician.

Get Peace of Mind with Mold Treatment by Stern Mold

Our professionally trained technicians have been successfully removing mold in NYC and northern NJ for more than 20 years. Visit our website to learn more about mold and your health and find out how our eco-friendly MoldExterm process is a safe, cost-effective solution for both homes and businesses.

Can You Get Asthma from Mold Exposure?

Can Mold Give You Asthma?

Can Mold Give You Asthma?

As many asthma sufferers will tell you, mold and fungus can trigger their symptoms with a vengeance. The rest of us should also be concerned because there’s also a link between mold exposure and asthma symptoms in people who have never been diagnosed with asthma.

The common early symptoms of mold-related asthma include:

• Shortness of breath, and discomfort when breathing

• Tightening of the chest

• Wheezing and coughing

• Feeling of tiredness or lack of oxygen when exercising

If your home has a mold or fungus problem and someone in the family already has asthma, their symptoms and asthma attacks can become more frequent and severe.

Treatment for Mold Exposure and Asthma

Take action quickly to get treatment for both the mold problem and mold-related health issues. See a doctor and be sure to mention the mold issues at home, as it may help him diagnose the cause of the symptoms and prescribe an appropriate treatment protocol.

For the mold and fungus exposure, it’s best to seek professional service. Normal household cleaning cannot kill toxins that may be deep within the walls or inside of surfaces.

Modern mold treatment is less invasive and less expensive than traditional methods. Our bio remedial mold treatment avoids the need to open up walls and replace drywall. Instead, we use a safe anti-microbial treatment and apply a polymer seal to trap the mold spores and prevent them from causing further respiratory problems.

In addition to seeking appropriate medical care, contact us at Stern Mold to ask about our NJ and NYC mold treatment services. Our faster, simpler, guaranteed mold treatment is an important first step toward preventing mold-related asthma problems.

What Are the Symptoms of Mold Exposure?

One Service Away From Being Mold Free - Why You Should Trust Us To Help

One Service Away From Being Mold Free – Why You Should Trust Us To Help

It can be hard to tell if you’ve been exposed to mold since the symptoms usually feel like a common cold or seasonal allergies. There are a few things to be on the lookout for that might tip you off as to whether or not you are dealing with a mold problem.

Symptoms of Mold Exposure

A cough or stuffy nose might last a few days when you catch a cold, but it can last indefinitely if it is being caused by mold in your home. Other mold symptoms include wheezing, rash, eye irritation, and muscle aches. In more serious cases, you might experience vomiting, nausea, fever, or decreased mental/physical functions.

Feeling Better Elsewhere?

If you feel better after a couple of days away from your home or business, then go right back to feeling bad again when you return, you might have a mold problem. When your body doesn’t have to deal with toxic mold spores, you should bounce back pretty quickly.

Mold and Your Health

Suspected mold growth can usually be confirmed in just a few seconds when a trained professional takes a look at it. Depending on how much mold there is, treatment can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days. In order to prevent it from coming back, you will need our specialists to remedy the cause and remove the colony.

Our team at Stern Mold will take care of your mold problems both in your home and your business. Contact us today to find out more about the relationship between mold and your health, as well as what can be done to prevent mold and treat it.

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