Tag Archives: Mold Extermination

Presence of Mold Can Drop Your Real Estate Value

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Having a mold problem in your home taken care of as soon as possible is important for health and safety reasons, but don’t overlook the financial consequences as well. Black mold can reduce your home’s value, making it much harder for you to sell and increasing the risk of having to settle for a lower price.

The owners of the Coe mansion in Meriden, CT found this out the hard way while trying to sell the property. The mansion, which dates back to 1875, has dropped in price from $899,000 to $595,000, but the owners are expecting to get even less for it when they do find a buyer. Black mold has been found inside the property, creating a health risk, and the home has been vandalized a number of times. The Coe mansion has been vacant for several years and has not been well-maintained, which explains the presence of mold and other problems. Despite having 8,600 square feet of space on 1.4 acres, the mansion will require extensive work, including mold removal.

The drastic drop in price for the Coe mansion is an important lesson for homeowners to keep in mind. If you’ll be putting your home on the market soon, hiring NJ mold treatment services sooner rather than later is essential. Otherwise, your home could end up on the market for a lot longer than you expected.

If you think you have a mold problem, contact Stern Mold. Our NJ mold treatment experts can safely get rid of these harmful growths in order to keep your home environment a healthy one for you and your family.

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

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

Do Certain Building Materials Promote Mold?

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Mold can grow unnoticed inside the walls of a home or in areas like basements and closets for a long time. The mold spores are tiny and easily inhaled. Living in a home with mold is harmful to anyone and can cause an allergy that occupants did not have previously. To keep your home free of mold it is helpful to understand which materials are more conducive to its growth.

Paper faced gypsum board

Mold thrives on organic material for nutrients. If walls are kept free of moisture, it is not going to be a problem area for mold. Once damage occurs from a roof leak or plumbing problem, some type of NJ Mold Treatement is necessary to prevent future occurrences of mold. Areas like your tub and shower should not have any paper faced gypsum board. Use cement board, mortar, or some type of non-paper faced gypsum in these areas.

Wood

The dark corners of a damp basement or crawl space are ideal environments for mold to grow unnoticed. Minor plumbing leaks can saturate insulation and provide the moisture mold needs to flourish in obscure areas of your home. It is important to replace old pipes before they start to leak. Replacing damaged wood in these difficult to reach areas can be very expensive.

One of the best things you can do to prevent mold problems in your home is to have a thorough inspection done by one of the NJ Mold Treatement experts from Stern Mold. If mold is present, our experts will consult with you on the best method to safely treat it and prevent it from coming back.

 

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

The Anatomy of Mold

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Mold Anatomy

Mold Anatomy

If you happen to live in a New Jersey, you may find that your home is more at-risk for the detrimental effects of mold due to our periodically damp climate. Mold is often a quiet predator, lurking in dark, damp spaces and wreaking a silent havoc on your home’s structural integrity.

Some things to know about mold include:

Moisture is the Culprit

Moisture can facilitate the growth of mold in and around your home and business. The best description of mold is that it is a furry, dark fungus that thrives in dark, moist spaces. With so many nooks and crannies in the constructs of your home and building, there are numerous alluring places for mold to grow.

What to Do If You Suspect You Have Mold

When you suspect that your home or building has become a breeding ground for mold, contact professionals for mold treatment services. Don’t delay action; breathing in mold spores can cause respiratory issues and illness among those living and working in the building. Feel like your allergies are acting up? Be sure that it isn’t the repercussions of mold growth in your home.

What Can Happen?

In addition to the health complications that can be caused, the consequences of mold extend to your primary investment: your home or building. Mold can compromise the integrity of your building’s structure, which over time, can result in deterioration and rot.

If your property is in NJ, NYC, or Long Island, you are in luck. Stern Mold provides services to these areas for anyone who is concerned about mold. Contact our team at www.SternMold.com for more information and a free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Treatment
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