Tag Archives: Identifying Mold

Steps To Identifying Mold In Your Home

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Steps To Identifying Mold In Your Home

Steps To Identifying Mold In Your Home

Due to associated health risks and potential structural damage, Manhattan mold removal should be done as soon as an infestation is discovered. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) offers guidelines for identifying mold in homes and commercial buildings.

Tips for Identifying Indoor Mold

• Indoor mold grows when excess moisture meets organic materials such as wood, paint, wallpaper and carpeting that serve as a food source.

• While it’s not possible or necessary to completely eliminate the presence of mold spores indoors, visible mold growth should always be removed as soon as possible.

• Visual inspection is the primary focus of indoor mold identification.

• Mold inspection should go beyond open surfaces to include hidden spaces, such as behind drywall and inside ventilation systems. Moisture meters and infrared cameras can facilitate the process.

• Care should be taken to minimize disruption of mold colonies, which could lead to further spread of the infestation. Use of gloves, masks and other personal protective equipment is recommended.

• A thorough inspection includes determining the source of the excess moisture and taking steps to correct the problem.

• In most cases, environmental sampling isn’t required before proceeding with remediation.

• The DOHMH recommends obtaining the assistance of a Manhattan mold removal professional for assessment and creating a plan of action.

Stern Mold: Leaders in Manhattan Mold Removal

Get peace of mind with effective mold remediation by our friendly and experienced technicians. Contact Stern Mold to schedule a free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold Identification, News

Can You Smell Mold?

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Can You Smell Mold?

Can You Smell Mold?

Mold is a generic term encompassing more than 100,000 known species with a wide range of colors and textures, which also emit a number of distinctive odors. Our Manhattan mold removal experts explain the cause of mold smells and how to identify them.

What Makes Mold Smell?

As mold grows, it releases chemicals known as microbial volatile organic compounds or mVOCs. When mVOCs reach the air, they emit a pungent and unpleasant odor that often has a strong musty element such as you might find in a damp basement or waterfront cottage.

Just as mold species differ in color, specific mVOCs can have a variety of odors. Some are described as earthy, like the smell that follows rainfall. Others have the medicinal smell of camphor, or a scent similar to fermentation of alcohol. Herbaceous, nutty and fatty are also terms that have been used in connection with mold smells.

Identifying the Odor of Mold

If you have one of these odors lingering in your home despite your best efforts, chances are good it’s from a hidden mold infestation. You could even become “nose-blind” to persistent smells. Step outside for a few minutes and take some deep breaths of fresh air, then go back inside and compare.

Stern Mold: The Manhattan Mold Removal Experts

Our professionally trained technicians have extensive experience locating and treating mold infestations, even those not readily visible. Contact us to schedule a time for a free mold inspection and consultation.

Posted in Mold Identification, News

Is Black Mold Common? How About Other Types of Mold?

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Black Mold Can be Life Threatening.

Black Mold Can be Life Threatening.

Why do you need the services of a Manhattan mold removal team? It’s a valid question. Millions of individuals are unknowingly affected by the presence of mold in their homes. As a result, those same people develop troubling health symptoms.

Black mold is not a rarity. It may not be as common as other types of molds, but it can wreak havoc on your health.

Why You Need Manhattan Mold Removal

Mold spores exist everywhere. They threaten your health when they find vulnerable materials to feed off of. No matter what type of mold spores have taken up residence in your home or on your property, prudent action is needed. What can you do to address the problem?

Manhattan’s high levels of humidity increase the likelihood of mold spores infesting the home. Stern Mold’s Manhattan mold removal team of experts can identify, diagnose and remediate different types of mold that may be invading your space.

Identifying Mold Invitations

There are four indoor molds that frequent the inside of homes across America. These are Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Penicillium. They love to linger in homes with:

– Poor ventilation

– High humidity levels

– Damp bathrooms

– Wet carpet

– No exhaust fans

– Flooded basements

– Leaking pipes

If your home includes any of the above red flags, then it’s time for a mold inspection from a trusted Manhattan mold removal company. You can keep mold out of your home and away from your lungs with our expert help. Stern Mold experts get to the root of the problem. With our expertise, you can finally get the solutions you need to address any mold issues that have plagued your health.

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Information, News

NYC Mold Removal – Is Mold Abatement Mold Removal?

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What IS the Difference Between Mold Abatement and Mold Removal? Read On.

What IS the Difference Between Mold Abatement and Mold Removal? Read On.

If you’ve been researching ways to get rid of mold, you’ve probably come across several industry terms such as mold abatement and mold remediation. In practice, your NYC mold removal service should use a variety of tactics to kill mold, remove it from the property, and encapsulate it to prevent regrowth.

The Difference Between Mold Abatement and Mold Removal

People use the various terms for mold treatment interchangeably at times. Here’s how our NYC mold removal experts would define each one:

– Mold abatement refers to any complete solution that removes mold and/or prevents it from growing on surfaces and affecting air quality.

– Mold removal is the component of treatment that involves killing mold with antimicrobial solutions and safely removing it from the area without disturbing spores.

In other words, a complete and effective mold treatment involves more than just mold removal. Mold abatement might include encapsulating surfaces so dormant mold spores cannot grow back months or years later, as well as dehumidifiers to prevent a mold infestation from coming back.

You may also hear the phrase mold remediation, which is the old term for practices that were borrowed from lead and asbestos removal. Traditional mold remediation involves drastic measures of mold removal, such as tearing out drywall.

NYC Mold Removal for a More Permanent Solution

Do you want more than a band-aid solution for mold? Make sure to choose a mold removal company with a multi-pronged approach. Stern Mold uses advanced mold abatement methods including a polymer sealant to block mold growth instead of ripping out walls.

Contact us for a free inspection and get non-invasive, more affordable NYC mold removal with a guarantee.

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Information, News

EPA Shares Information on the Identification of Hazardous Mold

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The EPA Knows Mold!

The EPA Knows Mold!

You’re right to be concerned about mold and your health. Every year, mold leads to an incredible number of health issues for many people, and a lot of them don’t even realize they have mold problems. Fortunately, there are organizations that have done a lot of work to find out as much as they can about mold and its effect on us, as well as how to properly identify it. The EPA is one of those organizations.

Detecting Dangerous Molds

At one time, there wasn’t a lot that was known about different types of molds, and even less was known about the health consequences of them. However, two EPA scientists found a way to quickly detect and identify dangerous molds, including Stachybotrys (black mold), as well as several other types of molds. The technology they used allowed them to identify molds within a few hours, as opposed to a few weeks, like previous methods. This allows for quicker action on the part of professionals who can rectify the problem.

The Problem with Mold and Your Health

Did you know that there are as many as 100 different types of common indoor molds that are responsible for many of the health issues people face today? Sick building syndrome is a serious problem for many residential homes and commercial buildings. However, mold can stay hidden for a long time in water damaged areas that don’t receive much or any traffic. By the time it’s discovered, quite often, significant health damage has already been done.

A mold inspection is recommended for anyone who is concerned about a potential mold issue. Contact us here at Stern Mold for help.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Identification