Tag Archives: Mold vs Mildew

Mildew or Mold – When to Call a Removal Firm or a Cleaner

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Mildew or Mold - When to Call a Removal Firm or a Cleaner

Mildew or Mold – When to Call a Removal Firm or a Cleaner

If you are a property owner, you should be prepared to deal with mold. It is a common problem in both old and new buildings. Severe weather can create a moisture problem that quickly becomes a mold problem.

New buildings are constructed much tighter than older buildings. These tight buildings may hold in heat and cool air better but they also hold in the high humidity. The following are some tips on how to best handle an existing mold problem.

Mildew or Mold?

Mildew is the lesser evil of the two. It is typically white or a pale grey and easier to clean up than mold because it grows on the surface of damp areas like bathroom tiles. Wear proper gloves and begin your clean up effort with vinegar. Vinegar is not going to require ventilation and can be safely applied to practically any surface. Mildew is closely related to mold and may also trigger an allergic reaction in some people.

Mold? Call the experts

Mold likes to grow in out-of-the way places where you are not likely to disturb its progress. The warning signs of a problem can be subtle. Early symptoms of mold-related health problems are often misdiagnosed. A thorough mold inspection by a knowledgeable NJ mold removal expert is the best course of action if you think you have a mold problem.

If you are unsure of what to do, contact the mold experts at Stern Mold for a free inspection and consultation. Our affordable MoldExterm method can usually be completed in one day and without all the mess that comes with traditional NJ mold removal methods.

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

How to Identify Mold Versus Mildew – Part Two

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How to Identify Mold Versus Mildew

How to Identify Mold Versus Mildew

When mold or mildew infiltrates your home, it’s important that remediation take place sooner rather than later for two reasons; potential health issues for you and your family and potential damage to your home.

Manhattan Mold Removal

While mildew presents itself on the surface of areas such as plants, vegetables, and damp clothing, mold penetrates the area it affects. Sometimes, you won’t be aware of a mold problem because it’s in an area that’s not visible, like a crawl space. Other times, the splotchy and discolored areas are clearly visible.

Common Mold Types Household mold can be categorized into five types:

– Alternaria – is visible in damp places such as under sinks and in showers.

– Aspergillus – is the most common indoor mold and is found on paper products.

– Cladosporium – this mold grows in cooler areas such as wood surfaces, floorboards, curtains, and carpets.

– Penicillium – presents itself as a green or blue fungus with a musty odor. It is found on items or in areas in contact with water, which includes insulation, wallpaper, and carpeting.

– Stachybotrys chartarum – is referred to as “black mold” and is the most dangerous due to its production of mycotoxins that cause extreme health problems.

Manhattan mold removal is something we take seriously at Stern Mold. With years of experience and expert technicians, we can remedy your mold or mildew problem efficiently so you can get back to enjoying the comfort of your home. With our free home inspection, we’ll isolate the problem and use our specialized mold treatment process to clear the air.

Don’t let mold or mildew dampen your day; call us for more information and to schedule an appointment.

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

How to Identify Mold Versus Mildew – Part One

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How to Identify Mold Versus Mildew

How to Identify Mold Versus Mildew

Any area of your home that comes in contact with moisture is susceptible to mold or mildew. This can be due to several reasons such as pipes that have burst, leaking pipe connections, a broken water line, and moisture-ridden areas such as a shower, sink drains, and around a washing machine.

NJ Mold Removal

It can be confusing about which fungus is which since both cause discoloration. This is especially evident on drywall where splotches of color are clearly visible.

Both types of fungi can live indoors and thrive, which results in damage to affected areas as well as creating an unhealthy living environment.

Mold and Mildew Differences

Mold presents itself in patches or splotches of green, blue, gray, white, yellow or black. The pattern of the mold is irregular and the fungus penetrates beneath the host material. It may appear to have a fuzzy texture or it may seem slimy. Over time, the material it affects will usually rot.

Mildew remains on the surface of the material, is usually damp, and can be easily removed. Mildew presents itself with a fuzzy or powdery brown or yellow texture on plants and vegetables. Inside the home, think about damp towels in a laundry basket and you’ve created the perfect living conditions for mildew.

Regardless of which fungus has infiltrated your home, you need the help of professionals.

NJ mold removal just got a lot easier with the services available from Stern Mold. With proven techniques and solutions, our remediation process will leave your home environmentally healthy. Our team of specialists is standing by to get “Stern” with harmful unwanted fungus growing in your home. Call today!

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

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
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