Category Archives: Mold Treatment

Did You Know Mold Testing Has to Be Done by a Separate Firm?

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Did You Know Mold Testing Has to Be Done by a Separate Firm?

Did You Know Mold Testing Has to Be Done by a Separate Firm?

Sloppy and ineffective removal of mold and fungus can end up making the problem worse instead of resolving it. New York is one of several states that have enacted training requirements to protect consumers.

New York Adds Strict Regulations for Mold Assessors and Contractors

Here are the significant points of the mold law that took effect in New York during the past year.

• As of January 1, 2016, anyone working in the mold remediation industry must be properly trained and licensed. This includes assessors, contractors and all of their employees.

• Any jobs involving mold remediation or disturbance must be reviewed by a licensed mold assessor at both the start and completion of the project.

• All mold removal and clean-up jobs must be conducted by a licensed remediation contractor.

• According to the mold legislation, anyone holding a license to perform mold-related services is specifically barred from conducting both the assessment and the remediation.

• Violations of the mold law can result in civil penalties that range from $2,000 to $10,000.

Stern Mold: The Leading Mold and Fungus Removal Service in NYC

If you suspect the presence of mold and fungus in your NYC home or business, you need a company that you can trust. Using our proprietary MoldExterm system, our friendly and professionally trained technicians usually take only one day to effectively solve your mold problem.

MoldExterm is a two-step treatment that removes mold from affected surfaces and then applies a patented polymer sealer to prevent mold from returning for up to five years. Contact us to schedule a free mold inspection and learn more about the MoldExterm difference.

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Law, Mold Treatment, MoldExterm, News

The Power of Images – Mold Remediation in Action

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We Are Number One in Mold Treatment!

We Are Number One in Mold Treatment!

While there have been numerous stories about the dangers of interior mold, it’s difficult for words alone to paint the picture. Our photo gallery features before-and-after pictures that graphically illustrate the unsightly health hazard of mold and the effectiveness of our proprietary MoldExterm treatment.

Before and After: Bathroom

The first three sets of photos show a bathroom that was one of our more recent projects. Bathrooms are a common site of mold infestations due to the frequent presence of excess moisture and the lack of sufficient ventilation.

Nearly every surface of the bathroom, including walls and window frames, was covered with dark mold patches. It would have been next to impossible for the homeowner to thoroughly remove such a heavy coat of mold, and more importantly, there would be a good likelihood of mold returning.

Afterwards, all surfaces are back to their light color. No building materials have been removed, and a polymer sealer has been added to repel future mold infestations.

Before and After: Basement

Basements are dark, damp, stuffy spaces that provide ideal conditions for mold to multiply. The next two sets of photos depict the basement of an art gallery that was overtaken by mold colonies.

Once again, MoldExterm made quick work of the mold stains on the ceiling and walls. None of the wooden ceiling beams required removal. The anti-microbial substrate provides a protective layer over all affected surfaces.

Stern Mold: The Leader in Mold Removal for NYC and Northern NJ

Our MoldExterm process is an eco-friendly and cost-effective way to handle the toughest mold removal jobs in your home or office. Contact us to schedule a free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Treatment, MoldExterm

What NYC Property Managers Need to Know About Mold

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Know Your Choices on How to Deal With Mold

Know Your Choices on How to Deal With Mold

If you’re a property manager in New York City, mold and fungus are probably issues you’ve dealt with before. There’s no doubt that you understand how serious this problem is, but there’s a lot about mold and fungus that you might not know. Having the right knowledge will help you determine your approach to mold problems as they arise in your properties.

What is Mold?

Mold refers to any indoor multi-cellular fungal growth that can lead to a host of medical issues. Some of these issues include pulmonary disorders, respiratory problems, neurological disorders, or other illnesses. There are a number of mold types that can fall under this definition.

NYC Property Managers: Mold Treatment

A new law went into effect last year, which requires that certain conditions be met before someone can be considered as a contractor capable of diagnosing and treating mold. These individuals must meet three different standards of excellence, which include:

• Having the proper level of training

• Obtaining and maintaining the right licensing

• Meeting minimal work standards

Your Options for Treating Mold and Fungus

Obviously, this new law might change who you choose to contract with for mold treatment services, and rightly so. Every effort is being made to protect the tenants in your properties, as well as to protect you as a property manager. If you have a mold problem, it’s very important to be certain that it’s treated properly and efficiently.

Stern Mold offers mold treatment services, and we meet all of the requirements under the new law. If you have a mold problem, and you’d like a free inspection, we’d love to help you. Contact us.

Posted in Mold Law, Mold Treatment

Tenant Rights of Habitability – You Can’t Live With Mold

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Everyone Deserves a Happy Home, Free of Mold.

Everyone Deserves a Happy Home, Free of Mold.

You’re a tenant who has discovered mold and fungus in your rented home or apartment, but so far your landlord has not adequately dealt with the problem. Do you have any recourse other than moving out?

Is Your Home or Apartment Uninhabitable?

In the state of New York, there is an implied “Warranty of Habitability” in every residential lease that requires the property to be “fit for human habitation.” This warranty outlines a landlord’s responsibilities and your rights as a tenant.

Based on the warranty, the condition of a rental property must not pose a risk to a tenant’s “life, health or safety.” It’s illegal for a landlord to waive this warranty, and such a waiver would be unenforceable even if it’s in the lease.

The standard of compliance is whether or not a “reasonable person” would believe they were being deprived of the intended use of the property. Breaches must involve a lack of maintenance on the landlord’s part and do not apply in the case of tenant misconduct.

What’s the Next Step?

If you believe your right of habitability is being violated, it’s imperative that you notify your landlord in writing and provide a reasonable opportunity for the problem to resolved. Be sure to consult an attorney who can fully explain your rights and responsibilities in this situation.

Stern Mold Provides Quick and Effective Mold Removal and Prevention

If you discover a mold and fungus problem in your building, our proprietary MoldExterm system is more thorough and less invasive than traditional remediation. Contact us today to schedule your free mold inspection by one of our friendly and professional technicians.

Posted in Mold Treatment, MoldExterm

NYC Housing Has Mold Problems – What to Know

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NYC Is a Hub for Everything - Including Mold.

NYC Is a Hub for Everything – Including Mold.

Hurricane Sandy dumped a lot of rain in NYC and did a lot of structural damage as well. What most people don’t realize is that all of that water caused dampness and humidity inside apartment buildings that would otherwise have remained dry.

This influx of moisture caused mold complaints to skyrocket in New York city’s public housing, and of 280 residents surveyed in the Red Hook public housing units, over 90% have experienced mold and water leaks where none existed before.

Red Hook Houses

The Red Hook Houses in Brooklyn were some of the worst hit by Hurricane Sandy, and since then they have been dealing with some of the worst mold issues. Around 40% are currently dealing with mold issues, some as a direct result of Sandy, and that was back in 2012.

What’s Being Done

Unfortunately, not much. The problem is so widespread and overwhelming, that it may take a long time to take care of the problem. Mold that was caused by Hurricane Sandy is covered by 438 million dollars in government funding, and generally gets resolved quickly, but mold that was present before the storm is a different matter.

Cost Estimate

The Red Hook Initiative, or RHI, is attempting to gain public and private funding for the repairs and mold treatments that are needed, and until such time as budgets, costs and plans are formulated, the Red Hook Houses will be in a holding pattern.

For questions about mold treatment in your rental or public housing, please contact Stern Mold. We are the experts at mold remediation, and will provide you with a free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold Information, Mold Treatment
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