Monthly Archives: April 2020

Mold And The Law… What Landlords Should Know

Posted on by
Can You Smell Mold?

Can You Smell Mold?

If you’re a commercial property owner, liability lawsuits are an unfortunate reality of your business. But slip-and-falls aren’t the only issues you need to be mindful of. Failure to handle Manhattan mold removal in your properties can leave you open to legal action by your tenants.

Dangers of Toxic Mold

Mold species S. chartarum and S. chlorohalonata, commonly known as toxic mold, are more than just aesthetic annoyances. These types of mold emit mycotoxins that pose a number of health risks, ranging from allergic reactions such as sneezing and coughing to infections, asthma attacks and more serious respiratory ailments.

While mold spores are always present in the air, they’re generally harmless. Problems arise when indoor conditions are excessively damp, giving spores the moisture they need to grow and reproduce. High humidity levels, broken pipes and leaky roofs are frequent culprits behind toxic mold development.

How Mold Issues Affect Landlords

Landlords are responsible for maintaining habitable rental properties. If mold is due to physical damage or improper cleaning after a flood, you could be subject to compensatory and punitive damages on behalf of affected tenants.

NYC wants to make it easier for tenants to receive Manhattan mold removal as soon as possible. In addition to contacting their landlords promptly, tenants are urged to report mold-related issues on the city’s official 311 website.

Commercial and Residential Manhattan Mold Removal

Contact Stern Mold to schedule a free mold inspection and learn more about our proprietary two-step MoldExterm program.

Posted in Mold Law, News

Still Living In The Shadow of Hurricane Sandy? Mold Remains a Huge Problem in New York City

Posted on by
Is Dampness and Mold A Reoccurring Problem for You?

Is Dampness and Mold A Reoccurring Problem for You?

Mold spores are always around, but they’re largely harmless until indoor conditions become excessively damp. Years after Hurricane Sandy, how are NYC public housing residents faring with Manhattan mold removal?

In the Wake of Hurricane Sandy

In 2012, Red Hook Housing in Brooklyn was one of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments hit hardest by Hurricane Sandy. Four years post-storm, a survey of residents in 280 units found that 94 percent had experienced problems with mold, while 40 percent were still struggling with mold.

Unfortunately, mold has been a chronic problem in NYCHA properties. Prior to Hurricane Sandy, roughly 34 percent of Red Hook residents had complaints about mold. This situation is made even more urgent by the fact that nearly one-quarter of Red Hook public housing residents are asthmatic, a rate three times greater than the rest of the zip code.

Tenants Demand Action

Frustrated by lack of response from NYCHA, a tenant’s advocacy group filed a class action lawsuit against the organization in 2013. Terms of the settlement included timelines for addressing and completing repairs along with a 60-day window to follow up on results.

Both parties were back in court two years later over noncompliance with terms of the original suit. The court appointed an official overseer, but organizers for the tenant’s group are seeking a more proactive approach.

Manhattan Mold Removal for All Situations, Big or Small

Contact Stern Mold to schedule a free mold inspection by our friendly and experienced technicians.

Posted in Mold Information, Mold Treatment, News

Everything You (Didn’t) Want To Know About Mold Remediation

Posted on by
Becoming More Aware of the Mechanics Behind Mold Remediation

Becoming More Aware of the Mechanics Behind Mold Remediation

So you suspect a mold infestation in your home or building. What’s the next step? Our NYC mold removal experts fill you in on state requirements for effective mold remediation.

1. Mold Licenses Are Not One-Size-Fits-All

Mold remediation involves three separate jobs, each of which requires a specific license. A mold assessment contractor will inspect and evaluate your property to determine the presence of mold. If there is an infestation, a mold remediation contractor will head up the project using mold abatement workers in his employ.

Since mold generally develops due to excess moisture, you’ll need to find and address that situation. Assessment, remediation and abatement licensees are forbidden by law to complete that job, which must be done by a county-licensed home improvement contractor.

2. Mold Remediation Is a Two-Company Job

Under mold licensing laws, the same person or company can’t perform both assessment and remediation on a single job. This also holds true when an individual owns an interest in two separate companies. A searchable database listing licensed mold contractors is available on New York State’s Department of Labor website.

3. All Plans and Reports Must Be Submitted in Writing

Necessary documentation includes:

* Itemized mold remediation plan, post-remediation assessment and clearance report from the assessment contractor

* Work plan from the remediation contractor

Stern Environmental: Your First Choice for NYC Mold Removal

Whatever your mold remediation needs are, we have licensed and experienced team members to handle them. Contact us today to schedule a free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold Remediation, News

New York City Council Announces New Legislation to Help Housing Authority Residents with Mold

Posted on by
Moisture Breeds Mold. Ensure You Are Keeping Your Humidity Under Control!

Moisture Breeds Mold. Ensure You Are Keeping Your Humidity Under Control!

Until now, NYC public housing residents haven’t had effective recourse for Manhattan mold removal. Local officials are trying to change that with new legislation to help residents report cases of mold in their apartments.

Fighting Mold in Public Housing

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) has been making headlines recently, and not the good kind. For more than a decade, residents of NYCHA housing have been battling mold-related issues. Much of the problem has been blamed on poor maintenance and failure to adequately repair water damage.

Last January, the NYCHA kicked off a $50 million project to clean and update ventilation systems in their 326 apartment complexes. In addition, the agency has earmarked another $156 million for pipe work to be completed over the next five years.

New York City Council Steps In

In late February, the New York City Council passed legislation in an effort to further assist public housing residents struggling with mold problems. NYC is now required to give tenants information about reporting complaints.

According to City Council member Ritchie Torres, the NYCHA has a dismal history of responding to tenant complaints about mold. The new call center is currently available to residents in more than two dozen developments, with plans to roll it out to all by July 2020.

Need Manhattan Mold Removal? Call Stern Mold

Stern Mold has been providing cost-effective, state-of-the-art Manhattan mold removal since 1995. Contact us today to schedule a free mold inspection for your home or business.

Posted in Mold Law, News

Take Moldy Smells Seriously – It’s Your First Sign Something Is Wrong

Posted on by
Are Mold Spores in the Air of Your Home?

Are Mold Spores in the Air of Your Home?

Don’t assume that dank, musty odor is from damp towels. Even if there are no visible signs, moldy smells can send an alarm that your home is in need of NYC mold removal.

Why Mold Smells Funny

Mold emits mVOCs, or microbial volatile organic compounds, that produce a distinctly unpleasant odor. Think of a locker room or a waterfront cottage that’s been closed up for a lengthy period. Airborne spores may also cause mild irritation in your nostrils.

Those mVOCs causing that rank smell can also trigger upper-respiratory symptoms including sneezing, itchy eyes and coughing. People with pre-existing lung conditions or weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable.

Tracking Down Moldy Odors

Once you identify the room where the moldy smell is strongest, the next step is to zero in on the specific culprit. Areas with excess moisture, such as leaky pipes, are likely candidates. Other possible sources include:

• Clothes washers and dishwashers

• Towels, shower curtains and bathmats

• Secondhand purchases, such as furniture or clothing

• Soil in potted plants

• Garbage cans and wastebaskets

• Pet bedding

Professional NYC mold removal will eliminate the infestation, but you can take steps to get rid of the smell:

• Open windows and turn on a fan.

• Put out open containers of white vinegar or baking soda.

• Wash fabrics in hot water.

Stern Mold: Experienced and Professional NYC Mold Removal

Don’t struggle with mold removal on your own. Contact us to schedule a free mold inspection by our cheerful and knowledgeable technicians.

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Tips, News
« Older Entries