Tag Archives: Mold Treatment

What Are the Impacts of Hidden Mold?

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Mold Anatomy

Hidden Mold

As we get older, we become accustomed to aches and being more frail. Feeling run down and having unexplained flu-like symptoms is often endured and ignored. The same often applies to people with asthma or who are highly sensitive to allergies. Many people suffering from mysterious illnesses do not realize they really need a mold treatment of their home or business.

A toxin in many homes

ABC News tells the story of 5-year-old Caitlin Murray. She suffered for three years with terrible headaches and swelling on her face. The doctors tested her for leukemia, cystic fibrosis, and many other diseases without being able to identify the true cause of her illness. Only when she and her family left their Pennington, New Jersey home did Caitlin’s condition begin to improve. Jill Murray of the Children’s Hospital Philadelphia diagnostic center found large amounts of mold in the crawlspace.

One in three persons affected

According to Dr. David Zhang, who is a biologist with New York’s Mt. Sinai Medical Center, 50 of the over 100,000 different mold species are toxic. Also, one out of every three people are allergic to mold. And exposure to mold spores can trigger life-threatening problems for children, the elderly, people with asthma, and anyone with a compromised immune system. Mold not only damages the physical health of home owners and occupants, it can lower a home’s value and make it difficult to sell.

One of the most potentially harmful issues you may have in your home or business can be easily addressed and corrected. Call the experienced professionals at Stern Mold for a free inspection and mold treatment consultation today.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Identification, 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

Keeping Safe If You Think You Have Mold

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In 2012, Superstorm Sandy became the second-costliest hurricane in U.S. history, affecting New Jersey and 23 other states. Lingering effects include persistent mold infestations resulting from chronic dampness in flooded homes. It’s estimated that it will take a minimum of seven years to fully restore affected areas.

Claire Galiano, a health and safety trainer for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), has been traveling Eastern states leading seminars educating residents about mold treatment. Here are some of her tips for safely dealing with an infestation in your home.

  • There are several brands of paint and other items on the market aimed at preventing mold. Be sure to learn about any product you may use as some of them can be toxic.
  • Black mold is the most well-known of the 16 toxic species, but testing is needed to determine whether a patch of black mold is the toxic variety.
  • When cleaning out a moldy area, use a respirator, goggles and ear plugs to prevent mold spores from entering your body. Afterwards, immediately place protective gear into a plastic bag to keep the spores from dispersing to begin a new colony.
  • Mold spores can become trapped in porous surfaces like wood paneling or furniture upholstering. Galliano recommends, “If in doubt, throw it out.”
  • A mixture of powder Cascade, Borax soap and water makes a safe cleaning solution. Dispose of brushes, clothes and any other materials immediately after use.

If your New Jersey home requires mold treatment, let our trained technicians handle it with our innovative MoldExterm system. Visit our website to learn why MoldExterm is a safe, effective and cost-efficient alternative to traditional remediation.

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

Keeping Mold Away After Water Damage Cleanup

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Water is the lifeblood of mold, providing the elements that sustain its life and growth. It’s no surprise, then, that if your home has been flooded, it becomes a hotspot for a potential mold infestation.

If your home suffers water damage, cleanup should be done with an eye toward possible mold danger signs. Experts recommend these tips for successful preventive mold treatment.

  • Flood waters can contain any number of chemicals, pollutants and other bacteria-ridden substances. Be firm about discarding anything that has been touched by the water, no matter how minimal the contact.
  • Discard objects with a porous surface like wood that can retain moisture even when it appears dry. This includes wood paneling, carpeting and pads, and upholstered furniture.
  • Clean all remaining items with an anti-microbial solution that will inhibit mold growth. Bleach throws up a roadblock and slows the process, but it’s not strong enough to kill mold.
  • During clean-up, mold spores can be transmitted through the air. In addition, an infestation may already be developing in a hidden area. Be sure to wear a protective mask to avoid inhaling the spores.
  • Take measures to create air movement and remove moisture from the area, such as installing a dehumidifier. Even after the flood damage has been cleared, dampness creates an atmosphere conducive to mold development.

Has your home recently sustained flood damage? Don’t take a chance with you and your family’s well-being. Allow our professional technicians to give you peace of mind with our safe and effective mold treatment. Contact us today to schedule a free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Treatment, News

Even Animals Suffer From a Mold Infestation

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For some homeowners, the prospect of mold infestation never becomes a problem while for others, a home with mold has been a reality. When mold infests a home, it causes damage that must be repaired. It also poses a health issue not only for humans, but also for pets.

Health-Related Issues

For humans, a variety of issues can result from black mold growth. These include:

  • Sinus infections
  • Allergic reactions
  • Asthma
  • Stuffy or runny nose
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Eye irritation

For pets, common health issues can include:

  • Upper respiratory problems
  • Eye ulcers

Depending on the severity of the mold infestation can determine the type of treatment necessary.

Mold Remediation

This was the standard process of choice for many years. Through this process, infected building materials are removed and replaced. This can be a time consuming process as it will take however long is necessary to make repairs especially if remediation encompasses a large area. Remediation can also be expensive as it requires hands-on labor to remove the affected areas containing mold.

Mold Treatment

At Stern, our experienced NJ mold treatment technicians use a different approach using MoldExterm. This treatment addresses the source of the mold versus just the symptoms.

MoldExterm does not involve the removal and reconstruction of infested areas. It is safer, cost-effective, and takes much less time than remediation. The versatile and durable product removes and kills the toxic mold and provides a base that resists future infestations of mold, mildew or other microbial contaminants.

For more information on NJ mold treatment for your home or business, or to schedule a free mold inspection, contact Stern by phone or use our convenient online form.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Tips, News
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