Tag Archives: Mold Information

Why is Dehumidification Important to Treat Mold

Posted on by

Do you believe that keeping your house or office clean is a sufficient defense against mold? The truth is that your housekeeping habits really have no impact. When it comes to mold infestation, the real enemy is water, not dirt.

Mold spores travel through the air unseen by the naked eye. You come into contact with them nearly every day, and no amount of cleaning can remove them from your surroundings. Most of the time they have no effect until they come into contact with moisture, which is the essential ingredient for mold growth. Once a spore lands on a damp spot, it has everything it needs to begin multiplying freely.

This is why humid areas like bathrooms and basements are fertile areas for an infestation. An effective mold removal program requires dehumidification to eliminate problem areas and prevent future occurrences. Air conditioners and dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air, keeping the condensation process from creating damp surfaces.

It’s not just the moisture in the air that you need to be concerned about. Check regularly for plumbing and roof leaks so they can be repaired as soon as possible.

Our proprietary MoldExterm mold removal system includes installation of a professional-grade dehumidifier that controls atmospheric moisture even in hard-to-reach areas. Visit our website to learn more about why the MoldExterm process is superior to outdated remediation methods.

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

Mold and Sick Buildings a Real Problem

Posted on by

You’ve probably heard tales regarding black mold and health issues related to contaminated buildings… But what’s the real story?

The CDC and EPA inspire confusion over mold and health issues
Though the CDC denies a correlation between mold and health issues, the EPA sustains molds have the potential to cause serious illness. Once inside the sinuses and lungs of susceptible individuals, mold spores colonize the body. Reproducing and metabolizing, the spores excrete mycotoxins, poisoning the blood and attacking the immune system.

Symptoms of black mold exposure include:

  • Irritation to the eyes, skin, throat, nose, and lungs of mold-allergic and non-allergic individuals.
  • Hay fever symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, and red eyes.
  • Skin rashes or dermatitis.
  • Immediate or delayed allergic reactions.
  • Asthma attacks.

Where is black mold hiding?
Black mold needs a consistently moist environment to grow and reproduce. It hides in the nooks and crannies of high cellulose, low nitrogen materials. It loves to grow on paper, fiberboard, drywall, fiberglass insulation, under floorboards – even on dust and lint. If you have attempted to remove this mold with soap and water – you’re only scratching the surface.

Guarding against mold

  • Limit standing moisture, paying special attention  high humidity areas such as kitchens, showers, bathrooms, and utility areas containing washers, water heaters, and pipes.
  • If mold issues are identified, address them promptly – furnishings and building materials must be dried within 24-48 to prevent colonies from forming.

Avoid toxic mold and health issues. Contact Stern Mold and remove mold from your home and your life today.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Treatment, News

Why MoldExterm Instead of Mold Remediation?

Posted on by

Discovering that you have a mold infestation is enough bad news. You don’t need even worse news that you have to endure long, invasive and expensive mold treatment by way of remediation. Here’s some good news: MoldExterm offers a safer, more efficient, cost-effective way of removing and preventing mold.

Our proprietary MoldExterm system is based on technology developed by Dr. Leonard Pinchuk. This brilliant researcher holds more than 80 patents for biomaterials and medical devices, most notably the nylon angioplasty balloon catheter used to treat cardiovascular disease.

Here’s a closer look at just a few of the advantages MoldExterm has over remediation:

  • Remediation involves physical removal of affected materials, which can actually escalate the problem by dispersing mold spores into the atmosphere. MoldExterm encapsulates and treats the surfaces to prevent the spread of mold.
  • We use an EPA-registered anti-microbial to kill the mold and follow up with a patented polymer seal to prevent it from returning. Remediation puts no prevention methods in place.
  • MoldExterm preserves your building materials, making it a more eco-friendly solution than remediation which creates a significant amount of mold-covered debris.
  • Our skilled, professionally trained technicians are usually in and out of your home or office within one day. Remediation is a long, messy process that disrupts your everyday activities.

In addition to all these benefits, MoldExterm saves you up to 50 percent over the average cost of remediation. When it comes to mold treatment, you have a better option today. Visit our website for more information about our unique process and schedule an appointment for a free mold inspection.

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

Is It Mold or Mildew? Is There a Difference?

Posted on by
Mildew Or Mold?

Mildew Or Mold?

Many people think of mold and mildew as being the same type of fungi. However, they are different, and they must be treated differently. Perhaps you have a mold or a mildew problem, but you’re not sure what you’re dealing with, or what to do about it. Read on to find out more about these common household problems and to learn valuable mildew and mold prevention tips.

Mildew

Around your home or office, mildew is most commonly found in the bathroom or in the kitchen. That’s because the moisture in these spaces offers mildew the perfect growth environment. If you leave wet cloths lying around, mildew is likely to grow on them too. The best way to prevent mildew is to make sure to launder everything properly, and if you leave wet cloths in the bathroom or kitchen, spread them out so they have an opportunity to dry.

If mildew isn’t taken care of, it can become mold.

Mold

Mold has a fuzzy or slimy appearance, and can grow on different surfaces. It can begin to look like a plant growing as it spreads, and it spreads quickly. Mold can appear in different colors, including white, green, black or gray. If it’s not taken care of quickly, it can lead to rotting of the surface it’s growing on, as well as many health problems, such as asthma or allergic reactions.

Mold prevention is important, and regular cleaning of household surfaces is recommended to keep areas mold-free. However, no method is bullet-proof, and sometimes mold growth can happen without your knowledge.

If you have a mold problem, it’s important to act quickly. Please contact us today.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Treatment, News

What is the Issue with Mold Spores?

Posted on by
Mold Spores

Mold Spores

Most people are aware that mold is a part of nature that should remain outdoors. However, spores are the real basis of the problem. They’re the primary reason why an infestation can be so difficult to battle. What makes these seemingly harmless cells so dangerous?

You may remember from high school biology that spores are the means by which mold and fungus propagate. These microscopic organisms travel unfettered throughout the atmosphere, reproducing once they land in an area with the right conditions. This is one of the reasons you’ll often see mushrooms in many of the same places where you find mold.

When it comes to “the right conditions”, tops on the list is a damp place. Mold and fungus need water to grow. Since spores aren’t visible to the naked eye, there’s no way of preventing them from coming to rest in your shower or on a basement wall.

Spores are also the cause of the health threat presented by infestations. Mold itself is not particularly harmful. Allergic reactions and other issues arise when mold spores are inhaled, causing irritation to linings in the upper respiratory system. Some people are highly sensitive to these effects, while others may develop an allergy after prolonged exposure. Studies have also demonstrated a link between exposure to mold spores and development of asthma in children.

Traditional mold remediation can actually aggravate the problem by causing spores to disperse more widely. With the MoldExterm system, affected surfaces are encapsulated and treated with a non-micron mist for safe, effective removal. Visit our website to schedule a free mold inspection from our trained technicians.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Treatment, MoldExterm, News
« Older Entries Recent Entries »