Tag Archives: Mold Treatment

Sick from Mold? Understand Your Treatment Options

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Mold Treatment Options

Mold Treatment Options

Toxic black mold and your health, the health of your employees, and the health of your customers cannot be overstated. All types of upper respiratory problems can occur ranging from a simple runny nose to itchy and scratchy eyes, to more complex issues like muscle pain, depression, numbness in the extremities, and more.

Treatment

Standard mold treatments typically include using some type of bleach solution and a lot of elbow grease for scrubbing. Although this can be effective for killing mold on contact, the spores still remain active and can re-infest the areas you’ve cleaned in a matter of weeks.

The MoldExterm Solution

This two-step process first kills the mold with an anti-microbial solution, then lays down a polymer sealant barrier that will not allow mold spores to take hold and grow. You can even paint over the sealant and it remains effective in blocking and preventing further mold growth.

There isn’t a more effective mold treatment than the MoldExterm Solution, that will protect your house, home, apartment complex or your business from mold infestation and its recurrence. In the battle between mold and your health, there isn’t a more effective remedy.

As part of the Stern Environmental Group, Stern Mold will schedule a free mold inspection at no charge to you. We will answer all of your questions about MoldExterm, how it works and why it’s the best course of action for your home or establishment. Stern Mold, serving the New Jersey, New York City, and Long Island areas since 1995.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Information, News

Consumer Advocate, Erin Brockovich, Fights Mold Contamination Issues

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Loosing Your Dream Home to Mold

Loosing Your Dream Home to Mold

The name “Erin Brockovich” has come to symbolize the consumer fight against illnesses caused by careless actions of big-bucks corporations. She then took on a battle that was literally closer to home, as she and her family dealt with the effects of black mold.

Black Mold and “Sick” Homes

After the landmark victory over Pacific Gas and Electric depicted in the movie that bears her name, Brockovich received a major promotion. She added motivational speaking and consumer activism to her busy workload and bought a million-dollar house near Los Angeles.

Her dream home began to lose its luster when Brockovich, along with her husband and 11-year-old daughter, started experiencing what she described as chronic flu-like symptoms. When she hired a contractor to fix leaks in the home, it was discovered that the house was infested with a mold called Stachybotrys, also known as black mold.

The Long Road to Recovery

Not surprisingly, she refused to let the presence of the mold drive her from her home. Mold remediation was performed one room at a time, for a total cost of $600,000.

The contractor referred Brockovich to an attorney named Alex Robertson, who specializes in toxic mold cases. They filed suit against the builder, subcontractor and former owner of her home, claiming that the mold was a result of water leaks caused by faulty construction.

Stern Mold Serves Home and Business Owners in NYC and Northern NJ

If you discover mold of any type in your home or business, don’t take chances with your health. Avoid expensive mold remediation with our eco-friendly, cost-effective MoldExterm process. Contact us today to learn more and schedule your free inspection.

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

Introducing Our New Mold Information Resource

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Get the Information You Need on Mold!

Get the Information You Need on Mold!

In recent years, the problem of interior mold growth and its effect on building occupants has gained an increasing amount of attention. With everything that’s being written on the topic, how can you tell the difference between facts and misinformation?

Our experts at Stern Mold have created a Mold Information Center on our website to promote understanding of these fungi along with how and why it should be treated. Here are some of the questions you will find addressed in the Center.

What are the Top Five Types of Mold Found Inside Homes and Buildings?

Mold is a far-ranging category that includes more than 100,000 identified varieties. Only biologists and other scientific researchers need to go into that amount of depth, so we provide an overview of the types of mold most commonly found indoors.

Is All Mold Toxic?

Much of the reporting about mold has focused on toxic or black mold, so some people have come to believe that those terms apply to any type of mold found in homes and other buildings. We explain the true meanings of those two terms as they refer to mold.

What Are Mold Spores? Why is Treatment Important?

One shortcoming of traditional mold remediation is that it can actually spread infestations by dispersing spores. Learn why effective treatment includes elimination of spores as well as the actual growth.

Stern Mold: Serving NYC and Northern NJ since 1995

Our two-stage MoldExterm treatment is more effective and less invasive than traditional mold remediation, and it provides protection against future infestations. Visit our website for more information and schedule your free mold inspection by our professionally trained technicians.

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Information, Mold Tips

Mold 101: What Is a Mycotoxin from Mold?

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Close-up of Mold Mycellium

Close-up of Mold Mycellium

Much of the risk associated with indoor infestations of mold and fungus is due to substances called mycotoxins. You probably recognize that the root word “toxin” refers to poison, but what else do you need to know about these potentially harmful substances?

How Mycotoxins are Ingested

Mycotoxins are invisible to the naked eye. They can be as small as 0.1 microns, making them even more microscopic than mold spores, which range from one to 20 microns. Their minute size and airborne nature make it impossible to create an effective barrier.

Most mycotoxins enter through the respiratory system, where they can cause problems ranging from sneezing and coughing to asthma attacks. Others pass through skin or the membranes of the eyes, while toxic mold on crops can result in people or animals ingesting mycotoxins via food.

Treating Mycotoxins

You may hear talk about killing mycotoxins, but they are not living organisms, so the process really involves breaking down mycotoxins and neutralizing their toxicity.

• Bleach that includes five percent sodium hypochlorite kills some of the more common mycotoxins, including trichothecene and aflatoxin.

• The intense heat of fire can destroy mycotoxins. At 500°F, detoxification takes 30 minutes.

• Ozone is effective against most mycotoxins, but it requires a level that is unsafe for humans.

Mycotoxins will eventually break down on their own, but it can take several years for some varieties.

Traditional mold remediation can disperse spores and mycotoxins into the air, allowing them to settle and take hold in other areas. Our MoldExterm process removes mold and fungus quickly and efficiently while preventing future outbreaks. Contact Stern Mold today for a free mold inspection.

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

What Does Toxic Mold Look Like?

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Don't let your home become a petri dish.

Don’t let your home become a petri dish.

There are many different types of mold and most of them are not a problem. But toxic black mold is, and here is what it looks like and where you’ll find it.

Black Mold

Black mold can be in streaks, clumps or patches. It may first appear to look like black dirt, black ink or black paint, which smears easily if wiped with a rag. When dried, it looks like flaky black dandruff and it will either be in large pieces or tiny spots.

Where to Find It

Toxic black mold needs moisture to survive. Which means you are most often going to find it in bathrooms, laundry rooms, around pools and spas, and even basements or crawl spaces that have high humidity.

Leaky pipes that drip or spray, are also prime areas for black mold, especially where it has been undetected and going on for a long time, like in closets, cabinets or under counters.

Another prime area is from dripping room air conditioners. These drips can get behind walls and paneling, and cause a major toxic black mold infestation that you may not even realize you have until it’s too late.

Mold Treatment

Mold treatment is a top priority for any toxic black mold infestation. If you have noticed toxic black mold, don’t take any chances. Just rely on the professionals at Stern Mold to rid your house or home of toxic black mold. We’re part of the Stern Environmental Group, and will answer all of your questions or schedule a free mold inspection for your residence. We have been serving the New Jersey, New York City, and Long Island area since 1995.

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