Tag Archives: Mold Identification

Most Frequent Causes of Mold and What to Do About It

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What Should You Do To Prevent Mold From Growing In Your Home

What Should You Do To Prevent Mold From Growing In Your Home

A vital element in NYC mold removal is determining the cause of the infestation. Water is essential to mold growth, so the problem almost always involves excess moisture. Here are the three most common causes of mold in NYC apartments.

1. Exterior Leaks

Plumbing in your apartment may be fine, but broken pipes or overflows in neighboring units may not be immediately evident. In the meantime, moisture seeps into your apartment, triggering mold growth. Plastic water supply lines to sinks and toilets, which are more often found in newer buildings, are the most frequent culprit.

2. Blocked PTACs

Packaged terminal air conditioners, or PTACs, are all-in-one units that control heating and cooling in many apartments and condominiums. Landlords, who are responsible for maintenance of PTACs in rental properties, often don’t know they require twice-yearly servicing.

If PTAC filters aren’t replaced often enough, dust collects in the drain of the condensate pan. As a result, overflow from the pan leaks onto the floor below, but at such a slow rate that it goes undiscovered for a long time.

3. Broken Washing Machine Hose

Stainless-steel-wrapped washing machine hoses are sturdy and relatively inexpensive. Unfortunately, in many cases rubber washing machine hoses, which have a tendency to break, are used instead.

NYC Mold Removal for Apartments and Condominiums

In multi-family residential buildings, mold infestations can have a ripple effect. Contact Stern Mold for a free mold inspection and consultation with our professional NYC mold removal technicians.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Identification, News

Five Fast Facts About Mold: Identification, Risks, and Remediation

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Here are Five Facts to Help Equip You to Deal with Mold

Here are Five Facts to Help Equip You to Deal with Mold

Mold and its effects have been topics in a wide range of articles and reports. How do you wade through all that information to find the important details? Our NYC mold removal experts share five facts you should know about mold identification, health risks and remediation.

Five Fast Facts About Mold

1. Mold comes in a variety of colors, including gray, black, green and yellow. It may appear furry, slimy or powdery and frequently has a musty smell.

2. Water is key to mold growth, so infestations are likely to be found in damp, humid places. Mold tends to develop on the surface of materials such as paper, fabric, sheetrock and wood.

3. Exposure to mold can trigger sneezing, itchy eyes, coughing and other upper respiratory symptoms, even in people who have not previously suffered from allergies. Individuals with pre-existing lung conditions or weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable.

4. While mold-to-skin contact can cause irritation, most problems arise from inhaling airborne mold spores.

5. Be proactive about mold prevention by repairing leaky pipes, drying flooded areas and reducing humidity levels. Small patches of mold can be cleaned with commercial products, but seek professional help when extensive NYC mold removal is required.

Experienced NYC Mold Removal by Stern Mold

Our technicians are trained in the use of our proprietary two-step MoldExterm program, which safely eliminates mold and prevents its return. MoldExterm remediation is non-invasive and usually completed within one day. Contact us for more information.

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Information, News

Guess What? Black Mold is Not Always Black!

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Information on Black Mold

Information on Black Mold

It might be hard to believe, but it’s true. Black mold isn’t always black. That means it could be lurking in your home right now, completely unidentified, making you and your family sick. It’s important to get the facts about it, and your Manhattan mold removal experts are here to help.

What Kind of Mold is in Your Home?

People often see black-colored mold and assume that it’s toxic when it might not be. There are more than 100,000 mold species, and they come in just about every shape, size and color you can think of. It can be nearly impossible for a layperson to identify whether a certain species is dangerous or not. Doing so requires the help of a professional.

Should You Have Your Home Tested for Black Mold? 

It may surprise you to learn that the CDC recommends not testing for black mold simply because the results may not be accurate. Not only that, but testing isn’t really necessary because the mold will need to be removed regardless of the results. If anything, testing will only slow down the removal process while you wait for results.

When Should You Call For Manhattan Mold Removal?

The best time to call a professional for Manhattan mold removal is when you first spot mold in your home. It might be a minor problem, or it might be a major one. Either way, it doesn’t take long to spread, so taking care of it quickly is important.

At Stern Mold, we offer free inspections. Contact us!

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Tips, News

Smell Your Way to Home Mold Identification

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Smelling for Mold

Smelling for Mold

You’ve read stories about problems with interior mold, but how do you know when it’s a problem in your own home? Our NYC mold removal experts share the top signs that should alert you to the presence of indoor mold.

Visible Mold Patches

Visible growth is the most common and easily detectable sign of mold. But if you do spot surface mold anywhere in your home, don’t assume that’s the extent of it. Chances are more mold exists in hidden areas.

Damp, Musty Odor

There’s no mistaking the damp, pungent smell of indoor mold. That odor doesn’t occur in “healthy” homes, so don’t assume you can cover it up with air freshener and call it good.

Water Leaks and Flooding

Water is the key to mold growth, so leaky pipes and roofs create ideal conditions for spores to grow and multiply. If your home has experienced flooding due to broken pipes, bad weather or other mishaps, assume that mold will develop and contact our NYC mold removal team for treatment.

Allergic Reactions

Prolonged exposure to mold can trigger allergic reactions, even in people with no previous history of allergies. If you or members of your family experience symptoms such as coughing, sneezing and watery eyes, it could be due to indoor mold, especially if symptoms subside when you’re away from home.

Effective and Eco-Friendly NYC Mold Removal

Our MoldExterm program removes mold safely and leaves a protective barrier to prevent its return. Contact Stern Mold to schedule a free inspection.

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Information, News

Is There Such a Thing as Non-Toxic Mold?

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Mold May Affect Your Lungs

Mold May Affect Your Lungs

The term “toxic” is often used in conjunction with mold in reports of Manhattan mold removal. Is it redundant, or is there such a thing as non-toxic mold?

Types of Toxic Mold

Toxic mold, sometimes called black mold, refers to particular species that emit dangerous substances called mycotoxins. When you hear or read about toxic mold, it generally involves these types:

• Stachybotrys chartarum has a greenish-black, soot-like appearance, although dampness can add a slimy sheen to the surface. High moisture and cellulose content plus low nitrogen content provide the perfect breeding ground for Stachybotrys chartarum, which is why this species is so often found in water-damaged buildings.

• In contrast to Stachybotrys chartarum, Aspergillus niger is dark black to gray in color and dry in appearance. The two species do share the common feature of producing mycotoxins that create serious health risks.

While a number of other mold species may be black in color, not all of them are toxic. Cladosporium is the most common type of non-toxic mold. Other non-toxic species include Dresclera, Alternaria and Ulocladium.

Can Non-Toxic Mold Affect Health?

Side effects of non-toxic mold are not as serious as those caused by the toxic variety, but any type of mold can trigger allergic symptoms. Seek professional Manhattan mold removal any time you suspect an infestation in your home or building.

Efficient and Cost-Effective Manhattan Mold Removal

Our trained technicians are skilled at finding and eliminating mold in homes and buildings. Contact Stern Mold to schedule a free inspection.

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Information, News
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