Monthly Archives: April 2020

The Laws That Renters and Landlords Should Know About Mold In New Jersey

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New Laws Have Been Put in Place Concerning Mold

New Laws Have Been Put in Place Concerning Mold

The news is full of stories about homeowners battling mold, but what about renters? One couple’s story illustrates the difficult road for renters seeking Manhattan mold removal.

Mold in Apartments: Who’s Responsible?

Anthony Paredes, his girlfriend and their 17-month-old child moved into a New Jersey apartment in November 2019. Other than a powerful smell of fresh paint, they found nothing amiss.

As time went on, the couple noticed extreme dampness around the apartment. Green mold soon developed on the windows, then Paredes discovered a large mold spot on the wall behind his daughter’s bed.

The next couple of months were a nightmare as Paredes tried to get management to remove the mold, only to be told he and his family were at fault. The family eventually paid out-of-pocket for an independent mold inspector. He confirmed the presence of mold and pointed out structural damage that was the likely cause.

What Can Renters Do?

While building health risks such as asbestos and lead paint are covered by laws, no such protection exists yet for mold. Renters have the options of withholding rent or doing Manhattan mold removal themselves and deducting the costs. Unfortunately, either strategy could ultimately lead to eviction proceedings.

Manhattan Mold Removal for Any Situation

Whether you’re a homeowner, landlord or business owner, we can handle your mold problem safely and effectively. Our proprietary MoldExterm program removes mold and keeps it from returning. Contact Stern Mold for a free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold Law, News

Most Frequent Causes of Mold and What to Do About It

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What Should You Do To Prevent Mold From Growing In Your Home

What Should You Do To Prevent Mold From Growing In Your Home

A vital element in NYC mold removal is determining the cause of the infestation. Water is essential to mold growth, so the problem almost always involves excess moisture. Here are the three most common causes of mold in NYC apartments.

1. Exterior Leaks

Plumbing in your apartment may be fine, but broken pipes or overflows in neighboring units may not be immediately evident. In the meantime, moisture seeps into your apartment, triggering mold growth. Plastic water supply lines to sinks and toilets, which are more often found in newer buildings, are the most frequent culprit.

2. Blocked PTACs

Packaged terminal air conditioners, or PTACs, are all-in-one units that control heating and cooling in many apartments and condominiums. Landlords, who are responsible for maintenance of PTACs in rental properties, often don’t know they require twice-yearly servicing.

If PTAC filters aren’t replaced often enough, dust collects in the drain of the condensate pan. As a result, overflow from the pan leaks onto the floor below, but at such a slow rate that it goes undiscovered for a long time.

3. Broken Washing Machine Hose

Stainless-steel-wrapped washing machine hoses are sturdy and relatively inexpensive. Unfortunately, in many cases rubber washing machine hoses, which have a tendency to break, are used instead.

NYC Mold Removal for Apartments and Condominiums

In multi-family residential buildings, mold infestations can have a ripple effect. Contact Stern Mold for a free mold inspection and consultation with our professional NYC mold removal technicians.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Identification, News

What to Do If You Alert Your Landlord To Mold, and They Do Nothing

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Mold Litigation in 2020 - Is Suing Worth the Trouble?

Mold Litigation in 2020 – Is Suing Worth the Trouble?

Your apartment needs Manhattan mold removal. After numerous reports to management, no action is taken. Are you forced to suffer in silence? As a paying tenant, you have available options.

Why Is Manhattan Mold Removal Necessary?

Indoor mold and mold spores can cause a number of upper respiratory symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes and wheezing. Even people with no previous history of allergies can experience these symptoms after prolonged exposure. Anyone with an underlying respiratory ailment or weakened immune system is particularly vulnerable.

Whether or not you’re presenting with symptoms, mold is a documented health risk. Pulmonologist Sonali Bose, assistant professor at Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine, ranks mold as a hygenic problem on a par with a cockroach infestation.

When Landlords Fail to Act

Mold is not always visible, causing many landlords to dismiss complaints. But property owners are bound by legal requirements to maintain apartments free of health and safety risks.

Your first course of action should be to write a letter or email to management detailing the problem, including leaky pipes or any conditions that may have caused the mold. Insist on Manhattan mold removal, not a simple paint-over.

If the landlord still doesn’t respond, you could withhold rent, but that strategy carries risks that could impact your ability to rent in the future. Save this as an absolute last resort.

Turn to Stern Mold for Effective Removal and Prevention

Our proprietary MoldExterm program is non-intrusive, cost-effective and eco-friendly. Contact us for more information.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Law, Mold Tips, News

Burger King’s Moldy Burger Highlights Mold Issues

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Could Mold be at the Root of Your Strange Symptoms?

Could Mold be at the Root of Your Strange Symptoms?

A picture of a mold-ridden burger seems like an odd way to promote a restaurant. But in a move that’s somewhat counterintuitive to NYC mold removal, Burger King is using this method to sell the virtues of their iconic Whopper.

Fresh Tastes Better

In mid-February, Burger King rolled out a new 45-second commercial that opens with an appetizing picture of their signature burger. Time-lapse photography then documents the sandwich deteriorating into a lumpy, moldy mess over a period of 34 days, as Dinah Washington’s “What a Difference a Day Makes” plays in the background.

So what’s the point? Burger King is showcasing their move to eliminate artificial preservatives, colors and flavors from the Whopper. The plan is currently operational at more than 400 Burger King restaurants in the U.S., with the goal to include all locations in the country by the end of 2020.

Behind the Curve?

When it comes to removing artificial ingredients from fast food, Burger King is actually playing catch-up. Two of their main competitors, McDonald’s and Taco Bell, announced over the last two years they would be stripping artificial flavors, colors and preservatives from some or all of their menu items.

Health experts point out that not all additives are unsafe. They say features such as salt and sugar content, as well as calories, should be the main concern.

Need NYC Mold Removal? Call Stern Mold

Mold in your home is always unacceptable. Contact us to schedule a free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Treatment, News
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