Mold Problems Can Cause Landlords More Than Headaches

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Whenever you read or hear a news story about Real Estate and Mold, you are likely to also notice the words litigation and plaintiffs. That is because mold in apartments or rental properties can be a serious health risk to occupants and a major liability to landlords.

People with any type of immunodeficiency condition are at highest risk. That can include young children, seniors, people with diabetes, those with Graves’ disease, asthma sufferers, and many other common conditions. That means every landlord has some tenants that are highly sensitive to mold spores and at risk of serious illness from unhealthy air.

Indoor air quality laws

In 2001, California was the first state to pass any law dealing with toxic mold in residential rental properties. That state was quickly followed by Maryland, New Jersey, Nevada, Texas, and Washington. By 2003, 30 states and the federal government had passed some form of Real Estate and Mold legislation. Also growing at a brisk pace are personal injury lawsuits connected with mold exposure in apartments and rental houses. The Environmental Law Institute has a database of indoor air quality laws for every state.

Other legal actions

As homeowners are finding out in Ypsilanti Township, properties can draw legal actions even without having any current occupants. The board of trustees for Ypsilanti has served notice to eight homeowners that they need to make the needed repairs or the houses will be declared a public nuisance and demolished.

To protect your tenants from unhealthy air and protect yourself from possible legal action, call Stern Mold to schedule a thorough inspection of all your buildings. Ask about our effective MoldExterm system.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Tips

Actress Suzanne Somers Reveals Her Frightening Ordeal with Black Mold

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Keep Your Family and Friend Safe from Mold

Keep Your Family and Friends Safe from Mold

Wealth and fame are no protection when it comes to mold and health issues. Actress Suzanne Somers, who is scheduled to compete in the new season of Dancing with the Stars, detailed her frightening experience in her book “TOX-SICK: From Toxic to Not Sick”.

After their Malibu home burned down a few years ago, Ms. Somers and husband Alan Hamel moved into a temporary rental. They were unaware of a black mold infestation in an unfinished downstairs room that spread to the home’s heating and air conditioning ducts.

During the four years they lived in the home, Ms. Somers noticed that her usually healthy husband began getting sick frequently. When the advocate for nutritional eating started experiencing stomach upsets, she decided to investigate and discovered that the black mold was affecting her digestive system and her husband’s sinuses.

At that point Ms. Somers and Hamel immediately left the rental home and both recovered after moving to a healthier residence. After the couple lost all their personal belongings in the fire, Ms. Somers bought all new furnishings and accessories that they had to leave behind rather than risk transporting the mold to their new home.

Fortunately, Ms. Somers’ recovery to full health is allowing her to compete on Dancing with the Stars. The story could have had a much different ending if she had not discovered the toxic mold affecting her and her husband.

Everyone is vulnerable to destructive mold and health issues. Our unique MoldExterm system uses non-invasive methods to remove all traces of mold from your home or office. Safeguard your health by contacting us to schedule a free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Treatment, News

How Do You Test for Mold?

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You might think that any possible mold infestation is easy to spot, but if you suspect a problem it’s important that you have a test performed. The results will confirm whether or not it actually is mold and if so, what type. Testing can also indicate the presence of mold even if it’s out of sight.

NJ mold treatment includes three different types of mold testing. Here is a look at each along with the pros and cons.

  • Air testing involves taking samples for examination under a microscope to determine the concentration of mold spores. This is a good way to detect mold that might not be visible to the eye. On the other hand, the amount of spores in the air can change significantly in a short period of time, making the results less accurate.
  • Surface testing is similar to air testing, except the samples are collected by swabbing or tape lifting from surfaces around your home or building. Once again, the uneven distribution of mold spores can cause the results to vary. In addition, this method cannot identify the concentration of spores in the air.
  • Bulk testing uses actual pieces of materials from your home or building. This method can confirm a mold problem as well as zero in on the concentration of mold particles.

Mold testing is also recommended if someone in your household is suffering allergic symptoms as well as post-mold removal to ensure the success of the treatment.

Our experienced NJ mold treatment specialists can perform an free inspection of your building. Visit our website to learn more about our effective and cost-efficient MoldExterm system.

Posted in Mold Identification, News

LA Library Battles Mold Growth on Rare Books and Documents

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If you have a chronic mold problem in your home or business, have you had your HVAC system checked recently? Shreve Memorial Library is spending more that a quarter of a million dollars in an effort to save their rare and historical books and documents.

The third floor of the library in Shreveport houses rare Louisiana books, periodicals and microfilm along with documents relating to petroleum, government and law. Mold treatment had been completed in 2007, but in 2013 staffers noticed mold growing on microfilm and book jackets.

The Larkin Edwards room holding the library’s special collection was also found to be infested. While the room has been sanitized, it is no longer in use and all items have been moved to other locations in the library.

Pollution control company EnviroCare was engaged to test the air in the library, which was found to be safe for staff and patrons. EnviroCare then brought in engineering firm Storer Services to evaluate the HVAC system. It was determined that the system was functioning poorly, allowing high levels of humidity. Excessive moisture creates a prime setting for mold growth.

Plans are underway to renovate the entire HVAC system during the first half of this year. Staff members have marked mold-stained materials with yellow dots to alert patrons.

Your building doesn’t have to store rare items to be at risk for mold. Our proprietary MoldExterm system provides safe and effective mold treatment that is normally completed in only one day. Contact us to schedule a free mold inspection.

Posted in MoldExterm, News

Do Certain Building Materials Promote Mold?

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Mold can grow unnoticed inside the walls of a home or in areas like basements and closets for a long time. The mold spores are tiny and easily inhaled. Living in a home with mold is harmful to anyone and can cause an allergy that occupants did not have previously. To keep your home free of mold it is helpful to understand which materials are more conducive to its growth.

Paper faced gypsum board

Mold thrives on organic material for nutrients. If walls are kept free of moisture, it is not going to be a problem area for mold. Once damage occurs from a roof leak or plumbing problem, some type of NJ Mold Treatement is necessary to prevent future occurrences of mold. Areas like your tub and shower should not have any paper faced gypsum board. Use cement board, mortar, or some type of non-paper faced gypsum in these areas.

Wood

The dark corners of a damp basement or crawl space are ideal environments for mold to grow unnoticed. Minor plumbing leaks can saturate insulation and provide the moisture mold needs to flourish in obscure areas of your home. It is important to replace old pipes before they start to leak. Replacing damaged wood in these difficult to reach areas can be very expensive.

One of the best things you can do to prevent mold problems in your home is to have a thorough inspection done by one of the NJ Mold Treatement experts from Stern Mold. If mold is present, our experts will consult with you on the best method to safely treat it and prevent it from coming back.

 

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Identification, Mold Treatment, News
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