Tag Archives: Mold Treatment

Mold 101: Will I Have Mold After a Water Leak?

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Mold requires water to grow. Since mold spores float invisibly through the air, any source of moisture becomes a potential area for infestation. Pay close attention to these clues so you can obtain mold treatment before the problem grows out of hand.

  • Water leaks are one of the biggest triggers for indoor mold. Sometimes the leak is evident, such as water dripping from the ceiling. Any time you have a visible leak, continue to monitor the area after repairs.
  • Many leaks are not immediately apparent, but there are some telltale clues. Water stains on walls or ceilings, blistering and peeling paint or wallpaper, or damp surfaces are the primary signs of a moisture problem.
  • Condensation on windows or pipes can signal a potential mold problem. The water itself provides nourishment for mold, while the high humidity levels causing the condensation will also encourage mold growth.
  • Have you ever experienced flooding in your home? That is a red flag for mold infestation, particularly in areas where the water was standing the longest.
  • Don’t rely strictly on visual cues. Mold can grow under damp carpeting, behind water-stained walls and in other out-of-the-way places. In these cases, you may begin to notice an unpleasant odor without actually seeing mold.

Mold may seem innocent, but in addition to damaged surfaces, it can cause health problems like headaches, sinus infections and other allergic reactions. Our proprietary mold treatment is quick, efficient, ecofriendly and protects against future mold infestations. Contact Stern Mold today for a free inspection by our friendly and knowledgeable technicians.

Posted in Mold Remediation, Mold Tips, News

Mold Puts a Damper on Holiday Cheer

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Even holiday cheer is no match for a mold infestation. In mid-February, the Consumer Product and Safety Commission issued a recall of certain seasonal products under the Ashland label when they were found to have Aspergillus mold.

National chain reacts to moldy products

The affected products included artificial poinsettias, cardboard holiday boxes and holiday wreaths. They were all found at Michaels, a national chain that sells craft and art supplies. According to a statement from Michaels’ corporate office, the company discovered the mold through their own testing and reported the problem to the CPSC. A full refund was offered to purchasers, with or without a receipt.

Possible risks of mold-affected products

Aspergillus is one of the more common forms of mold. Its presence can be a serious health risk for people with allergies or compromised immune systems. Mold is found everywhere, and it’s harmless in small quantities. However, since mold can multiply rapidly, it’s best to dispose of affected products immediately to avoid cross-contamination.

While there are thousands of types of mold, one thing they all have in common is the need for moisture. Environmental health specialist Todd Seib says regardless of the species, it’s important to limit exposure by venting your bathroom and keeping humidity below 60 percent. Without proper ventilation, mold can appear within 72 hours.

A specialist interviewed about the Michaels situation stated that mold treatment through remediation can take one week to several months. Our proprietary mold treatment process is usually completed within one day, resulting in little to no disruption in your daily activities. Contact Stern Mold today to schedule your free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold Remediation, Mold Tips, Mold Treatment, MoldExterm, News

Family Won a Settlement for Mold, Could This Be You?

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Seeking effective mold treatment for an infestation in your home goes far beyond preserving the condition of your property. A family in Southern California received a record $22.6 million settlement in response to claims that toxic mold caused brain damage in their newborn son.

Kellen Gorman was born during the time his family lived in their custom-built home in Manhattan Beach. His functioning was well below the standard for his age group, resulting in a need for round-the-clock care.

The Gormans claimed that Crenshaw Lumber Co., the principal defendant in the suit, improperly stored framing studs used in their home, leading to the development of mold. The suit named 16 other defendants, including a sheet metal company.

Crenshaw had several expert witnesses lined up to testify, but most of them were excluded by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Victoria G. Chaney after a defense attorney allegedly missed a deadline for designating witnesses and altered the paperwork in an attempted cover-up. The final settlement was reached the day after the judge’s decision, with Crenshaw paying more than half.

According to Raymond P. Boucher, president of the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, the total represents the largest amount ever recorded for a mold case involving a single-family home. Terms of the settlement did not include admissions of guilt from Crenshaw or any of the other defendants.

If you suspect the presence of mold in your home, don’t take any chances. Our eco-friendly mold treatment system effectively removes the infestation while preventing future recurrences. Contact Stern Mold today for your free home inspection and price quote.

 

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Treatment, News

Is Your House Sick? Find Out Before You Get Sick Too!

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Natural disasters like the hurricanes and floods that have plagued the U.S. in recent years have left hundreds of thousands with homes that are uninhabitable and sometimes unfixable due to mold and fungus infestation. But you don’t have to suffer water damage of this magnitude for mold issues to develop.

Mold can grow anywhere moisture is present. Though you may never see or otherwise become aware of the presence of mold, it can nonetheless have a serious effect on your health.

An invisible menace
Outdoors, mold and fungus play an important role in the decomposition of organic matter. Indoors however, mold that has grown and reproduced behind walls, ceilings, floors, insulation, under carpets, and even in furniture and around appliances in overly moist environments can release invisible spores into the air, worsening the problem and affecting your health.

A formidable adversary
Mold spores can survive extreme variations in temperature and humidity, remaining dormant to survive dryness and cold until moisture and oxygen provide the fuel they need to grow and spread. Even the driest buildings house mold spores. In homes with indoor moisture problems, thousands of spores may contaminate each cubic foot of air.

Be wary of symptoms
Mold-related illness resemble allergies and present with:

  • Sneezing
  • Runny nose
  • Chronic sinusitis
  • Red, itchy eyes
  • Throat irritation
  • Cough
  • Asthma
  • Skin rash

The best offense…
Is a good defense. Though some molds found in homes can produce mycotoxins, most do not. In either case, however, your health may fall victim. Worried your home may be making you sick? Find out now. Identify molds and prevent their spread. Schedule your free mold and fungus inspection with Stern Mold today.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Treatment, News

Judge Steps in to Force Mold Repairs in NY Public Housing

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When federal Judge William H. Pauley found out New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) officials were not giving proper attention to mold treatment in public housing, he appointed a monitor to oversee the work and ensure the root cause of the mold is addressed. Judge Pauley said officials were jeopardizing the health and public welfare of NYCHA residents.

Mold is a widespread problem

Over 300 housing projects are known to have mold issues, many due to damage from Hurricane Sandy. Residents complained about the shoddy workmanship being done. They said workers were just scraping off visible mold and painting over the affected area. Judge Pauley’s decree should ensure the housing units receive proper mold treatment going forward.

NYCHA sued over mold

The National Center for Law and Economic Justice along with environment group The Natural Resources Defense Council filed a class-action suit against the city back in 2013.

Many occupants of NYCHA were experiencing health issues like asthma due to breathing mold spores. The Housing Authority quickly settled the suit and said it would complete needed repairs within 15 days of any work order.

Judge Pauley issued his ruling because officials were extending repair timelines and not providing proper mold treatment. Mold also came back in about 41 percent of the areas treated by the Housing Authority because workers were not eliminating the moisture source that was feeding mold colonies.

Landlords must take mold seriously

Mold can lead to serious health problems for some people. To protect your tenants’ health and yourself from lawsuits, choose Stern Mold for your mold treatment. We use the cost-effective MoldExterm method for thorough treatment with minimal downtime for you.

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