Tag Archives: Mold Growth

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

What Makes Mold Grow?

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What Makes Mold Grow?

What Makes Mold Grow?

Effective mold treatment is more than just removing the visible signs of infestation. Conditions need to be adjusted in order to make your home or building a less hospitable site for mold growth. Understanding the process helps you take steps to prevent future infestations.

Mold is a common sight outdoors in the vicinity of organic matter such as trees and foliage. They multiply via microscopic spores that are easily transmitted through the atmosphere. While they’re almost always present indoors, in most cases they don’t present a problem.

Remember the science class experiment where you grew mold in a petri dish? This activity demonstrates the three elements necessary for mold spores to multiply: moisture, warmth and food. The agar base provided the nutrients and moisture, and the sealed dishes were placed in a warm, dry place to incubate.

Once a mold spore settles on a damp spot in your home or building, it’s ready to start reproducing. The warmth and moisture found in bathrooms and kitchens makes those rooms the usual suspects. Damp, dark basements can also be easily infested. While the spores feed primarily on organic materials, they also thrive on cellulose which is found in carpeting, paper (including wallpaper) and dry wall.

Controlling moisture is the key to successful mold treatment. Our proprietary MoldExterm process does this with a two-step method. The affected surfaces are treated with an anti-microbial solution and then coated with a powerful polymer that springs into action when needed. Contact us to learn more about how MoldExterm can safely end your building’s mold problem.

Posted in Mold Remediation, Mold Treatment, News
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