Category Archives: Mold Treatment

Not always the ‘Fungi’ – How To Keep Unwelcome Mold Out of Your Home

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Don't Entertain Mold in Your Home

Don’t Entertain Mold in Your Home

Entertaining house guests is usually a good time, unless they’re the “fungi” variety. Keep nasty mold and mildew out of your home with these helpful NYC mold removal tips.

Difference Between Mold and Mildew

While the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, there’s a difference between mold and mildew.

• Mold generally appears black or dark green in color, with a slimy texture and musty odor.

• Mildew is usually gray or white and powdery or fluffy to the touch.

Mildew often appears on damp surfaces such as shower curtains, while mold is more invasive, finding its way into and behind walls, ceilings and hidden spaces. Mold is also associated with a number of health problems, more so than mildew.

Prevention and Cleaning Tips

• Excess moisture is the primary cause of mold and mildew. Promptly repair broken pipes, leaky roofs and other causes of water build-up.

• Thoroughly dry affected surfaces after spills or flooding.

• Run the air conditioning regularly to keep humidity levels low. Dehumidifiers can also be useful.

• Be sure bathrooms, kitchens and other damp areas are well-ventilated.

• Make a cleaning solution with one cup of oxygen bleach powder to one gallon of hot water. Apply with a spray bottle and wait 30 minutes, then scrub the stains with a nylon stiff-bristle brush.

Stern Mold: Your Top Choice for NYC Mold Removal

Our proprietary NYC mold removal system is eco-friendly, non-invasive and cost-effective. Contact us to schedule a free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Information, Mold Remediation, Mold Treatment, News

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

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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

Having mold growing in your home can cause a wide range of health problems, including respiratory issues and headaches. When you have mold growth, you’ll need professional NYC mold removal services to eliminate it from your home. Fortunately, there are several ways to prevent mold from growing inside walls and other areas of your home.

Control Moisture

Mold spores are likely to be in your home already, so it’s a matter of making sure they don’t have a damp or moist surface to grow on. This involves controlling the amount of humidity or moisture you have in your home. You can do this in many ways, such as fixing leaks as soon as possible and correcting problems with drainage in your yard.

Other ways to lower moisture levels in your home include using a dehumidifier in basements or other areas that are likely to be more humid. You can also reduce moisture levels by using exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathroom and drying your clothes in the dryer instead of hanging them inside your home or using a drying rack.

Prompt Mold Removal

It’s important to watch for signs of mold problems, so you can have them dealt with immediately. These include water stains, moldy odors and visible signs of mold growing on surfaces in your home. Keep in mind that bathrooms, window mouldings and refrigerator doors are common places for mold growth.

If you need NYC mold removal services, contact Stern Mold to learn more about our mold treatment.

Posted in Mold Remediation, Mold Treatment, MoldExterm, News, NJ Mold Removal

Here’s What Landlords Need To Know About Mold In Rental Apartments

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How to Combat Mold in an Apartment Complex

How to Combat Mold in an Apartment Complex

There are currently no federal or local laws regulating a landlord’s responsibilities regarding Manhattan mold removal in their buildings, but a mold infestation can still result in a number of figurative and literal headaches. Follow these guidelines to mitigate issues with mold in rental properties.

What Are Tenants’ Rights?

Despite the lack of specific language addressing mold problems, landlords are bound by the legal doctrine known as “implied warranty of habitability.” Simply put, a landlord must maintain rental units in livable condition.

If tenants are faced with mold infestations, they have recourse with two self-help methods recognized by New York courts:

• Rent withholding allows tenants to stop paying rent on the basis of unlivable conditions.

• Repair and deduct is when tenants seek Manhattan mold removal on their own and subtract the costs from their rent payment.

Legal and Financial Consequences

In an effort to make it easier for tenants to report mold problems, New York City offers an online complaint form through its 311 non-emergency services program. All complaints generate a service request number for use in tracking progress.

A landlord may be liable for damages if a court finds that a mold problem was due to negligence. Conversely, if a problem was caused by a tenant’s neglect, clean-up costs may be deducted from their security deposit.

Manhattan Mold Removal for Commercial Properties

Don’t face mold problems on your own. We offer free mold inspections by our trained and knowledgeable technicians. Contact Stern Mold to learn more.

Posted in Mold Information, Mold Treatment, News

Asbestos, Mold, and Fumes Create A Hazardous Work Environment for Fire Fighters

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Asbestos, Mold, and Fumes Create A Hazardous Work Environment for Fire Fighters

Asbestos, Mold, and Fumes Create A Hazardous Work Environment for Fire Fighters

Firefighters put their lives on the line to protect the public in dangerous situations. But how do firefighters deal with mold and other hazardous conditions in their own stations? Here’s a look at the importance of NYC mold removal in the workplace.

When a Fire Station Is “Sick”

Gary Michael Horsley Jr. is a firefighter in Birmingham, AL. In December 2019, Horsley filed a federal complaint stating that asbestos, mold and toxic fumes in the city’s Fire Station 27 created a health risk for firefighters and visitors.

Built in 1956, the station underwent an assessment by an environmental services company in June 2019. At the time, Fire Station 27 was temporarily closed and firefighters were relocated.

While asbestos was found in some of the building materials, testing indicated the indoor air quality “was not significantly affected” by its presence. Based on the final report, crews replaced damaged floor and ceiling tiles in the station and the city announced plans to schedule future cleanings.

Did the City Do Enough?

Despite the city’s actions, Horsley’s lawsuit says concerns haven’t been adequately addressed and Fire Station 27 remains “a hazard to the health” of firefighters and visitors. The building was declared safe late last year, but so far Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin hasn’t officially responded to the complaint.

Residential and Commercial NYC Mold Removal from Stern Mold

Our MoldExterm program provides safe and effective NYC mold removal in homes and commercial buildings. Contact us to schedule a free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold Information, Mold Treatment, News

Is It Possible You Are Allergic to Mold in Your Co-op?

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Mold in the Workplace Can Affect Workers' Health

Mold in the Workplace Can Affect Workers’ Health

Co-ops are multi-dwelling housing units in which the owner buys shares in a corporation rather than actual property. In Manhattan, unlike most of the country, co-ops outnumber condos approximately three to one. Here’s why Manhattan mold removal is just as important in a co-op as in other housing options.

Are You Allergic to Mold?

While mold is visually unpleasant, it poses a more serious problem as a health risk. Inhaling mold spores, which are always present in the air around us, frequently triggers allergic reactions. Outdoor allergies are usually confined to certain seasons, but indoor mold makes allergies a year-round problem.

Water is a vital element of mold growth, so infestations may develop any place where spores can land on a moist surface. In a co-op, kitchens and bathrooms are primary sites of indoor mold.

Signs of Mold Allergies

Symptoms of mold allergies are similar to those of other types of allergies. When mold spores are inhaled, they irritate sensitive tissues in nasal passages, causing upper respiratory symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes and sinus congestion.

Prolonged exposure to mold can cause symptoms even in people with no history of allergies. If symptoms tend to subside when you’re away from your co-op, chances are good they’re caused by mold.

Manhattan Mold Removal for Co-ops by Stern Mold

Our MoldExterm program is an effective and non-intrusive remediation method for residential and commercial buildings. Mold doesn’t have to be visible to be present. Contact us to schedule a free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Treatment, News
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