Tag Archives: Mold ID

Is It Mold or Mildew? Part Two

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Is It Mold or Mildew?

Is It Mold or Mildew?

Like bed bugs, mold or mildew can be found anywhere. The fungus isn’t particular about where it grows whether it’s a home, condo, apartment, restaurant, or five-star resort. If moisture is present and unattended, mold and mildew will make its presence known with visible discoloration on walls, ceilings, under sinks, in laundry rooms, around doors and windows, and baseboards.

Manhattan Mold Removal

If you have signs of discoloration but not sure what it is, a simple test will help solve the mystery. In most cases, carefully applying a drop or two of bleach on the affected area will produce the answer. Once the bleach is applied and allowed to sit for about five minutes, the affected area should turn in color. If it becomes lighter, that means mildew is present. If it remains dark, that means mold.

Mold, Mildew and Your Health

Neither mold nor mildew is healthy inside the home as both have aerial spores that are easily inhaled.

Mildew may cause reactions such as having a sore throat, headaches, respiratory problems, and coughing.

Mold causes the same reactions as mildew along with nasal congestion, allergic reactions, dizziness, inflamed and painful joints, extreme fatigue, and depression, to name just a few.

Due to the danger involved in dealing with mold, it’s recommended to use a professional service.

Manhattan mold removal is easily taken care of with help from Stern Mold. We have years of experience in the area of mold remediation and we have the technology and treatments to eliminate the problem. Get your home free and clear of potential health issues by scheduling an appointment for a free inspection at your earliest convenience.

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Information, Mold Tips, Mold Treatment, News

Is It Mold or Mildew? Part One

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Is It Mold or Mildew?

Is It Mold or Mildew?

When it comes to ridding homes of unsightly fungi attacking the structure, some homeowners are asking is it mold or mildew that’s discoloring my walls? There’s a difference and NJ mold removal specialists are experts at identifying the source and eliminating the problem.

Mold or Mildew – Which is It?

If you have discoloration in areas of the home that may have moisture issues such as around leaky pipes under the sink or in the laundry room, mold will appear as irregular spot patterns and in living colors such as gray, black, green, brown, blue, white, or yellow. It could also have a slimy appearance. You may see this on ceilings where there may be a roof leak or on drywall exposed to moisture.

Mildew fungus is usually colored in gray, white or yellow and lying atop a moist surface. You can see evidence of this on plant leaves. Over time, it, too, will turn brown or black in color. Its texture is fluffy or has a powdery effect.

Health Effects

Mildew creates airborne spores that may cause coughing, respiratory problems, sore throat, and headaches when inhaled.

Mold, along with the potential for structural damage, can cause asthma attacks, migraines, dizziness, fatigue, skin irritations, sneezing, and allergic reactions, to name just a few. Over time, the mycotoxins produced by mold can have long-term effects on health.

At Stern Mold, our business is detecting problems with mold and mildew in your home and providing remediation services to re-establish a safe and easy-breathing environment. If you’re experiencing this problem, contact us and we’ll send one of our NJ mold removal technicians to your home for a free inspection.

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Information, Mold Remediation, News

Why Is It So Important to Treat for Mold Spores?

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Why Is It So Important to Treat for Mold Spores?

Why Is It So Important to Treat for Mold Spores?

Have you scrubbed away the last vestiges of visible surface mold and think you’re in the clear? Not so fast! The NYC mold removal professionals at Stern want you to understand why this may be the tip of the mold-cleaning iceberg.

A Hidden Menace
Mold is challenging to eliminate due not only to its common prevalence, but its ability to grow in every hard to reach nook-and-cranny of your home – from wall cracks to carpet fibers, and the backside of tile and wallpaper. Common household cleaners and bleach are not enough to kill mold spores, they only slow their development for a short time, masking mold problems. Fungicides can help, but mold problems will only end when no hidden, dormant spores remain.

The Importance of Treatment
Treating for spores and eliminating moisture sources, rather than simply removing visible evidence of mold, are essential to kicking mold to the curb for good. Invisible to the naked eye and smaller than a single strand of hair, mold spores don’t simply die with time, but remain dormant, lurking in the shadows until conditions are favorable for their return. Spreading easily, they can quickly contaminate other areas of your home, creating more damage with each passing day.

Dormant & Dangerous
Even dormant, musty odors and associated health issues will persist, ranging from itchy, runny eyes to allergic reactions and upper respiratory symptoms including coughing and wheezing with exposure to spores.

Tracking Down Hidden Spores
The NYC mold removal experts at Stern Mold have the equipment and experience to track-down and eliminate hidden mold. Contact us to learn more about our highly effective, non-toxic mold removal process today.

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Treatment, News

Is It Mineral Staining or Mold in My Basement?

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If you have a basement, often times you may see discolorations of fluffy build-up on the walls. The first thing that usually comes to mind is “we have mold” but that isn’t always the case.

An active problem in basements is efflorescence, also known as mineral salts. You may see discolorations including white, green, tan, yellow, brown, or grey colored crystalline powder on the walls and covering the mortar between block joints. The efflorescence is created due to moisture. As the moisture evaporates, it leaves behind mineral staining.

When checking your basement for mineral staining, efflorescence may have the characteristics of a fibrous or spiky substance, fluffy cotton, fiberglass, white powder, or a crusted or fuzzy appearance.

The bad news is efflorescence isn’t picky about the type of material it affects. Mineral salt residue leaches out of stucco, concrete stone, brick, concrete and stone. The good news is it is not mold but it is a red flag that wet conditions are present that could lead to a moldy basement.

As there are different kinds of mineral salts including vanadium, nitrates, chromium, and chlorides, to find out what type is in your basement and how to treat is best determined by a professional. That’s what we do at Stern Mold. Our experienced technicians test the substance in your basement to determine if it is mineral salts or mold.

If water seepage is causing a problem with efflorescence that could lead to mold, you’ll want to have your basement inspected as soon as possible. Contact our staff for any questions, information, or concerns about mold problems and to schedule a free mold inspection and price quote.

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Treatment, News

Not All Mold is the Variety Called Black Mold

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Heat Helps Increase Mold Growth

Not All Mold Is Black Mold

With all the attention given to the issue of black mold, it can be easy to assume that any growth found in your home belongs to this variety. In reality, a type called aspergillus is the one most commonly found in homes and offices, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Here are some other tips to prevent mold and minimize the effects of an infestation.

  • Do periodic inspections for visible signs of mold or moisture problems. Water stains, foundation cracks and peeling paint can be evidence of a current or potential mold issue.
  • Don’t attempt mold treatment on your own. Items such as mattresses, linens and sofas should be discarded if they show visible mold growth. Solid wood furniture can be an exception as long as a thorough cleaning removes all signs of mold.
  • Learn to recognize the physical effects of mold exposure such as red and itchy eyes, irritated skin and runny nose. More serious reactions can include fever and shortness of breath.
  • Fight mold infestation before it starts by being proactive about controlling moisture. Repair leaks in faucets and pipes as soon as you discover them. Immediately clean and dry any wet or damp surfaces. Keep kitchens, bathrooms and other moisture-generating areas well-ventilated.
  • If your home requires professional mold treatment, make sure a plan is in place to address moisture issues so the problem does not reoccur.

Unlike most traditional remediation, our MoldExterm process includes a patented biomedical polymer seal to sterilize surfaces and keep mold from returning. Contact us today to schedule a free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Identification, News
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