Stachybotrys Mold in
Brooklyn
Stachybotrys mold can be a serious problem if it is growing in your home.
There are thousands of mold species, and many of them are harmless, but this
is not the case with Stachybotrys mold, also known as black mold or toxic
mold. This mold may also be called
 Stachybotrys chartarum or Stachybotrys
atra, and it can cause serious and even fatal health problems in some
individuals when they are exposed to these mold species. Stachybotrys mold
has frequently been in the news and in newspapers and magazines, because it
is one of the most dangerous molds around and can be the cause of many
health problems. The appearance of this toxic mold is black and slimy.
Under certain conditions though, such as flooding and plumbing leaks
resulting in water damage to building materials and other items, Stachybotrys mold can grow and even thrive in your home. The mold itself is
not harmful, the problem occurs when certain people come into contact with,
inhale, or ingest the mycotoxins that are secreted by the mold.
Not all types of black mold are Stachybotrys mold, or even toxic. Some black
molds may be harmless, and have no effects on humans at all. If the mold
present in your home is of the Stachybotrys species, the result can be
serious health problems for you and your family, even if every family member
is healthy and has no medical conditions or lowered immune systems. Exposure
to this mold in small doses can result
in neurotoxic effects which are mild
and may include nausea, headaches, pain in your joints and muscles, muscle
cramps, fatigue and lethargy, memory loss and an inability to concentrate
normally, skin rashes, and a suppressed immune system. Large concentrations
and long term exposure to the Stachybotrys mold can cause more severe
medical illnesses and conditions. These can include nosebleeds, internal
bleeding, hemorrhaging, brain damage, kidney and liver damage and failure,
problems with many of the systems in your body such as the nervous and
circulatory systems, and even death if the exposure is severe enough or if
an individual is extremely sensitive to mold.
Stachybotrys mold needs specific conditions
 to grow and thrive. Large
amounts of moisture and water are needed to provide the right environment
for this mold, and it is very prevalent in homes and basements that
experience flooding or that have had water problems such as leaks. Another
way that conditions may become ideal for this type of mold to grow is in
areas where condensation may form because warm air and cool air meet, such
as windows and doors that lead to the outside. If you see visual areas of
black mold, smell any odors that can indicate mold growth, or have signs of
water damage or moisture collection in any areas of your home, you should
test for Stachybotrys mold, as well as other types of mold that can pose a
health risk to you and those you care about.
 If testing reveals the presence of Stachybotrys mold contamination in your
home, mold remediation needs to be done. Because of the risks posed by this
mold species, and other toxic molds as well, you should have a professional
come in and perform the remediation to guarantee it is done properly and
safely. In large areas that are contaminated with these harmful molds,
professional cleanup is the only option to protect not just you and your
family, but also neighbors and others in the area of your home. If small
areas are contaminated by Stachybotrys mold, it may be possible for you to
do the cleaning and removal as long as you wear the proper protective
equipment, which includes a respirator mask, goggles, and gloves to protect
you from accidental exposure. Any soft or porous materials that are
contaminated must be removed and thrown away, and hard surfaces should
be
treated with a solution of one quart of water that has had one fourth of a
cup of bleach added. This solution will kill the mold, and then soap and
water can be used to scrub the mold off of the surface after the bleach
solution is rinsed off.
Home mold testing kits can be a terrific resource if you are worried about
Stachybotrys mold in your home. Home mold testing kits will allow you to
take samples and submit them for mold detection and identification at our
lab. We offer reliable and accurate home mold testing kits and we also offer
in-home professional mold inspections by a certified mold inspector if you
live in New York, New Jersey, and the surrounding areas. Call toll free
866-476-2056 for an appointment, free consultation or a price quote.
Call Toll Free 866-476-2056 for
a Free Estimate and Consultation
within Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, the Bronx, Nassau County, Yonkers,
Westchester, Manhattan and New York areas
What Is Mold? Manhattan
is infested Too
What is mold? Mold is the name given to microscopic fungi that is neither
animal nor plant. Molds contain enzymes which eat dead and decomposing
matter, such as plants and animals. These fungi thrive in a damp or moist
environment and when the conditions are right, mold can grow and contaminate
your house. If there are areas in your home that are warm, moist, and dark
you can end up with a mold
 problem in
places you might not expect. If the
building materials in your home become wet, from water leaking into your
home or high levels of humidity in the air, mold can attach to and destroy
drywall, carpet, wallpaper, wood, gypsum board, fiberboard, particle board,
and almost every other type of building material. The space between your
walls, under your floor boards, in your basement and attic, and other unseen
locations can help contribute to mold contamination that you may not even
know is there. This can lead to health problems in some people, ranging from
mild to severe depending on the exact type of mold growing and your
individual health conditions, as well as how severe the contamination is.
Mold can cause problems in many ways. Some molds can cause infections, and
in an infection the mold itself will grow on or in the body. This can be
caused by coming into contact with the mold through your skin, eyes, nose,
mouth, or by inhaling the spores or particles of the mold into your lungs.
There were reports of people getting mold infections in their eyes from a
contact lens solution that was contaminated just a few years back, and the
infection resulted in blindness for some people who used the contaminated
lens solution. Mold infections are rare, but they can be a serious health
problem for the few people who end up with one.
 Toxic mold is a problem for a reason other than infection. When a mold is
called toxic, the mold itself is not the problem. Toxic mold releases a
substance called mycotoxins, and these toxins are the cause of some medical
problems. When certain people come into contact with the toxins that are
released by the mold, there can be many symptoms indicating serious health
problems. The exact symptoms you experience will depend upon the types of
mold present, how long you were exposed, how much mold is present, and other
factors. In addition, many mold types can cause mild symptoms which are not
serious, such as allergy or flu like symptoms, even though these molds may
not be considered toxic molds. If you have a mold contamination problem, you
may experience some of the following symptoms: ongoing flu-like symptoms,
headaches, fever, wheezing, coughing, sneezing, a runny nose, a stuffed up
nose, asthma, sinus problems, skin rashes, diarrhea, pneumonitis, immune
responses and disorders, hypersensitivity, and other allergic symptoms.
Mold can affect some classes of people
 more severely than others. Healthy
adults usually have no problems with mold, but anyone who is elderly, young,
or has a weakened immune system can be affected much harder because their
body can not fight off the mold or toxins as efficiently. Toxic molds can
have a serious affect even on many healthy adults, because the toxins
released can cause serious complications and be harmful to your health.
What is mold? In the world of science, mold is named filamentous fungi, and
there are over one hundred thousand types of these fungi. More than one
thousand of these mold types are commonly found in Ame rica. Even if mold is
not seen, the spores are always present, and all a spore needs to become
mold is food and moisture. Mold is present both inside and outside of your
home, and can get into your home many different ways. Spores are carried on
the wind, and can blow in with the air when you open the doors or windows.
Mold spores can also land on your clothing or shoes, and then be carried
unknowingly into your home when you enter. Bags, such as those containing
groceries or other shopping purchases, may capture mold spores and then
carry them into your home.
Mold can be a serious problem if it is growing undetected in your home. If
you have leaks or plumbing problems, these can create the perfect breeding
ground for mold that is hidden, and this can cause serious health
consequences for you and your family if left untreated. Olympian offers a
home mold testing kit that can help you determine if your home is
contaminated by mold. If you would like an in-home mold inspection conducted
by a mold inspector who is experienced and certified, and you live in New
York or New Jersey, contact Olympian today at toll free 866-476-2056.
Call Toll Free 866-476-2056 for
a Free Estimate and Consultation
within Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, the Bronx, Nassau County, Yonkers,
Westchester, Manhattan & New York, NY areas
Mold Causes Serious Damage to Health...
whether you are in Brooklyn or the Bronx
 It is a proven fact that mold can cause serious damage to your health. This
does not mean that all molds are harmful, and out of the possible hundreds
of thousands of mold types, less than fifty of these can cause health issues
or medical problems. In fact, the biggest and most common threat posed by
mold growing in your home and in the air outdoors is mold allergies which
may make you uncomfortable. Unfortunately, some molds can cause health
problems in addition to allergies, and sometimes these health problems can
be serious and severe if the mold involved releases mycotoxins. These molds
are also called toxic molds, and the health risks that they pose can be
serious and require medical attention.
Most molds may cause allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, coughing, watery
eyes, itchy nose and throat, and even a fever or nausea. Other molds may
cause symptoms which mimic the flu, and
 can be debilitating when they occur
but are usually not harmful in the long term. Allergies are only one type of
health risk posed by mold. Another is infection, and although rare, these
medical conditions can be serious or even fatal. A mold infection occurs
when the mold grows either on or in your body, and causes problems. Unlike
toxic molds in which the mold itself is harmless (here the problems are
caused by the toxins the mold releases), can cause an infection that
actually grows and thrives in and on your body, which can be very difficult
to treat and eliminate. These infections are more common in individuals who
have an immune system which has been weakened, or whose immune system is low
because of a young or old age.
Mold can also cause health problems because it is irritating to your
tissues, either on the inside or the outside of the body. If your skin comes
into contact with mold, you may develop skin rashes and irritation that may
need a prescription cream from your doctor to treat and get rid off. Mold
irritation can cause itching, swelling, welts, and even hives to appear on
your skin. Of all the health risks posed by different types of molds, the
most serious are toxic molds.
 Toxic molds are called “Toxic” because they release toxins which can be
harmful to humans. The most notorious of these molds is the Stachybotrys
mold, and news reports in the past few years have shown that this mold can
cause devastating health effects in anyone who is exposed to large amounts
of this mold, or has been exposed for long periods of time. With small
children and others who have weakened immune systems, this mold can cause
many serious health problems, such as nose bleeds for no reason, memory or
concentration lapses, fatigue that does not go away after resting or
sleeping, difficulty breathing, fevers, a worsening of asthma symptoms, and
even more serious problems, such as organ failure including the kidneys and
liver, because these organs can not handle the toxins released by some toxic
molds. Even adults can be affected by toxic molds. There may be a link
between the Stachybotrys mold and the medical condition acute idiopathic
pulmonary hemorrhage among babies, but this link is not confirmed by science
yet. More studies need to be conducted in order to definitively link the
mold and the disease together.
Because mold can cause serious damage
to your health, it is important to
have your home tested and inspected for this problem. Mold can hide in your
home, out of sight and undetected in wall spaces, ventilation ducts, and
other areas that are dark and damp. If mold is not detected quickly, it can
spread and contaminate other areas. This can increase your risks from mold,
and contribute to more health problems. Some mold toxins are even considered
a carcinogen, and have been proven to cause cancer in some people.
Preventing and removing any mold contamination in your home will let you
protect your health, as well as the health of your family and loved ones.
Testing your home for mold does not have to be complicated or difficult.
Olympian offers a home mold testing kit that can give you peace of mind, or
alert you to the fact that your home has a mold problem so that a more
thorough professional inspection and eventually, proper mold remediation can
be performed. These mold testing kits give accurate results with a simple
easy to understand process that takes very little time. Olympian’s low cost
home mold testing kit requires no experience and will help you detect toxic
mold and quite possibly prevent unnecessary exposure, as well as potentially
serious medical problems that can be caused by these fungi.
Call Toll Free 866-476-2056 for
a Free Estimate and Consultation
within Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, the Bronx, Nassau County, Yonkers,
Westchester, Manhattan & New York, NY areas
How To Kill Mold
in Staten Island New York
Many homeowners may wonder how to kill mold. This may be necessary because
of visible patches of mold growth and contamination, or because of a
suspicion that there is hidden mold growth in their home. Mold contamination
can have detrimental
 effects on your health if the molds growing in your
home are toxic or trigger mold allergies, and care needs to be used when
dealing with mold to prevent spreading the contamination. Mold can be killed
fairly easily, with soap and water, vinegar, bleach, biochemical sprays, or
other cleaning supplies intended to destroy mold. The real problem with mold
is not killing it off but preventing it from returning. Mold thrives on
surfaces that are damp, dark, and generally have high moisture content. If
you want to prevent and stop the mold from growing, you have to stop the
moisture which is contributing the problem.
If you want to know how to kill mold, consider all the sources of moisture
in your home, and areas where mold may thrive undetected. If your home is
not graded properly, moisture may seep in from the outside and cause mold to
grow in the basement or foundation of your home. This condition may be
perfect for a specific strain of mold known as black or toxic mold, called Stachybotrys mold. This type of mold has been in news reports as being
responsible for many ill health effects and serious medical conditions. If
you determine that your home has been contaminated with toxic mold, mold
remediation by professional mold inspectors and cleaners who have the
experience and knowledge needed to do the job safely and thoroughly should
be done.
If you want to know how to kill mold, cut off any moisture and water
sources. Check to make sure your roof is in good shape, and there are no
areas or holes where water or moisture can get into the interior of your
home and promote mold growth. Check all the plumbing to ensure that no pipes
are leaking, dripping, or busted. Take steps to seal your basement, to
ensure no condensation on the basement walls or high levels of humidity in
the air. Make sure all bathrooms have a ventilation fan that vents to the
outdoors installed, to draw any steam and moist air out of the bathroom
during showers and baths. This can help prevent moisture from building up in
the bathroom, making it more difficult
 for mold to grow. If there is no
ventilation then it may be wise to open a window when bathing to allow this
moisture to get outside.
It is important to know how to kill mold, so that you can keep your home
safe and mold free. Many molds found in homes may not be harmful to humans,
but they can still cause damage to your home and should be tested, cleaned
and eliminated. Mold that is wet does not cause the same problems that dry
mold does, but mold particles can still be knocked loose and inhaled while
cleaning up the mold contamination. Before attempting to clean and kill any
visible mold in your home, make sure you are equipped with the proper safety
equipment. An N95 respirator mask should be worn, to prevent any spores or
particles from getting into your nose or mouth, or being inhaled into your
lungs. Goggles should be worn to protect your eyes against infection or
contamination by the mold being killed and cleaned. Gloves are also
important when killing mold, because contact between your skin and the mold
can result in rashes, allergies, and other medical problems.
Knowing how to kill mold can help you ensure that you do a thorough job and
prevent the mold from returning. If you are going to clean and kill mold, it
may be advisable to wet down the area being cleaned. Mold will not release
spores when it is wet, only in the dry state. Wetting the area down before
cleaning and killing the mold, will lower the risk of contaminating the air
in your home with the mold. Make sure there is plenty of ventilation to help
keep the air clean and safe while you are killing mold and cleaning
contaminated areas that have mold. There are cleaners called biocides which
can be used to kill mold, and professional mold remediation should be done
to kill mold contamination in large areas or those caused by toxic molds. If
you suspect you may have mold contamination in your home, click here to
order a home mold testing kit, or contact us at toll free 866-476-2056 to
schedule an appointment to have a home mold inspection done if you live in
the New York or New Jersey areas. Do it today, for your peace of mind, your
health and for the health of your loved ones!
Call Toll Free 866-476-2056 for
a Free Estimate and Consultation
within Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, the Bronx, Nassau County, Yonkers,
Westchester, Manhattan and New York areas
BLACK MOLD TESTING & TOXIC MOLD
INSPECTION SERVICES IN:
Manhattan, NY, Brooklyn,
Queens, Staten Island, New York, Bronx, Long Island - Nassau County and Suffolk, Yonkers, Eastchester, Westchester, New Rochelle, Mt. Vernon,
White Plains, Scarsdale and Vicinities
About Mold;
New York Black Mold Testing & Mold Inspection / Detection |
|
Mold Testing
in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island and Queens New York
Mold testing is on the minds of many homeowners lately, and every time you
turn around, mold is in the news and people are affected. There are many
different types of mold, and many are harmless and pose no threat to your
health. There are some types of mold that can be irritating or even toxic,
and these molds can cause anything from light allergy symptoms resembling
hay fever to a serious and even life threatening illness. Toxic black mold
has been reported widely in the news. Many times when black mold is seen,
people worry about the toxicity level which can cause serious medical
symptoms. This may not be the case. Toxic molds can be found in many
different colors, but the most serious is Stachybotrys mold, which is black
in color. The problem with toxic mold is that when the mold dries, spores
are released into the air that can be inhaled into your lungs. This can lead
to serious illness. Mold testing is an efficient way to determine if there
are any mold colonies growing in your home, as well as what types and levels
of mold are present.
 If you are going to buy a home, you should have mold testing conducted to
ensure the presence of good air quality in your new home. Mold testing can
be done several different ways, including a home mold testing kit and a home
mold inspection, where samples of the mold are taken by a certified
professional and then analyzed by an accredited laboratory. The way you test
for mold will be determined by several factors, including your budget, the
area you live in, and your preferences. Mold testing will help you determine
whether or not there is a mold problem, how bad it is, and what mold types
are involved. It is not always possible to detect mold by looking at the
walls, because it can hide inside the walls and ventilation ducts, spreading
spores in the air and threatening the health of you and your family. There
are times that you can see mold on the walls and ceilings as well, and if
you see mold it should be tested and cleaned accordingly. Mold growth is
caused by excess moisture, and these fungi really thrive in warm, damp, and
dark places, like basements and bathrooms. Sometimes a small leak in the
roof or exterior of the home can allow water and moisture into the interior
structure, and cause mold colonies to grow. This is another reason why mold
testing should be done. A mold inspection can also help you locate water
problems and damage before it worsens.
 Mold testing may just be the first step in finding and repairing a mold
problem. If mold testing shows that you do have harmful mold in your home,
it should be taken care of immediately. The methods you can use will depend
on how bad the problem is. If there are just a few small spots on a hard
surface, use soap and water or bleach water to wipe down the areas and
eliminate the mold. If porous or softer items are spotted with mold, you may
need to throw them away and replace them. If your home has a significant
mold problem, you must hire an inspector and may also need to have
remediation done.
Mold testing can alert you to the problem, and remediation can solve the
issues and keep the air in your home toxic spore free. Even small areas of
mold should be cleaned up in a safe and efficient manner. Always use a N95
respirator mask, gloves, and goggles to prevent any spores from being
inhaled or getting in your orifices and on your skin. Any clothes, rags,
sponges, and other cleaning materials should be thrown away to prevent any
spores from becoming airborne when dry. If the mold problem is severe,
covers a large area, or there are a lot of spores in the area, more safety
equipment may be needed to thoroughly protect you from the mold.
Recommendations by the EPA are that you wear a full face powered air
purifying respirator, or PAPR for short. These masks should have HEPA
filters equipped, and you should also wear disposable shoe covers, gloves,
and coveralls to prevent and reduce exposure.
 Mold testing should be conducted to give you peace of mind, as well as
prevent any health issues caused by airborne mycotoxins. A professional mold
inspection will be needed, especially if the mold is extensive and more than
you can handle. Olympian offers quality home mold testing kits and
professional in-home mold inspections throughout the New York and New Jersey
areas, to help you determine whether or not you are dealing with a serious
toxic mold problem, and how to safely get rid of it.
Call Toll Free 866-476-2056 for
a Free Estimate and Consultation
within Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, the Bronx, Nassau County, Yonkers,
Westchester, Manhattan and New York areas
Mold Testing in New
York and
Nassau County
Mold testing in New York: It might not
sound like the most glamorous job in the world, but few issues will affect
as many homeowners' personal safety as this one will. You can bet that more
people have dangerous mold in their homes than will ever be in a house
fire.
Just what are we talking about when we refer
to household mold? Molds are of course microscopic living organisms,
specifically fungi, that grow in larger groups called filaments. When you
"see" mold, you are not seeing any individual fungus, but an entire
filament. Molds are found naturally in the environment. Outside, molds are
an important part of Mother Nature's work, as they break apart dead organic
material (for instance, dead trees and leaves). However when they make it
inside your house, they become dangerous to living organisms--specifically
you and your family. Molds reproduce and multiply through tiny spores,
which are invisible to the human eye, but float at will throughout both the
indoor and outdoor air. It's usually when these spores land on surfaces
inside the house that they start growing indoors. An important point to
remember is that there is no mold which will grow without moisture / water
nearby.
 When mold spores land on damp or wet spots
and start growing, then their threat to your health increases. Big Apple
residents beware, when this happens, the need for mold testing in New York
is very real!
Molds can produce substances which spur
allergic reactions, they can produce irritants, and sometimes, even toxic
substances. If a family member touches or inhales the mold spores, this
could cause allergic reactions if a person is sensitive to such allergens.
These responses might include runny nose, sneezing, skin rash or red eyes.
Of special concern is the fact that molds
often bring about asthma attacks in those with asthma, especially those
allergic to fungi. Exposure to mold also often irritates people's skin,
eyes, throat, nose and lungs. This can happen in both those who are and
aren’t allergic to mold.
Remember when we said that mold cannot grow
without moisture? This is what makes mold testing in New York so tricky.
When you're in a more naturally-humid environment, for instance, in
Louisiana or Florida, the places where mold can be found are more obvious.
But in the Big Apple, it tends to hide in not-so-plain sight. This is why
trained professionals are so important in this area.
Olympian’s New York inspectors are very
careful about looking for mold in the home. Whether the inspection takes
place in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Manhattan, Staten Island, Yonkers or
somewhere else, finding the mold--and especially the harmful black mold--is
not only difficult, but can be downright dangerous. Mold testing in New
York has become an important health concern throughout the state, and is
important within the re-sale home market throughout New York.
 Inspectors have become quite effective at
finding molds in the basement, around leaks. However, it's somewhat tricky
since sometimes, basement mold has been found even where there is no leak.
Many of these fungi have become adept at hiding within the walls or beneath
the basement carpet. For this reason, New York inspectors are training
regularly to learn more about these health hazards.
We cannot overstate the importance of
finding a trained inspector to detect mold in your home. The health risks
are quite real. In fact, there are documented cases of mold falling on a
person's face and making them sick for weeks, with lung infections.
Your best bet: Do not disturb the mold
yourself unless you're a trained inspector. Even then, the inspector should
wear a respirator if the area is seriously moldy. Repeated exposure to the
stuff can cause your symptoms to become even more serious.
Mold inspections, which are needed to determine the
type of mold
and extent of the contamination in your home, are becoming a common practice
today as the public becomes more aware of what could be making them sick.
Mold inspections are sometimes requested when the fungal contamination
indoors exceeds an individual’s ability to perform adequate clean-up, or
 when the occupant is suffering from suspected mold associated health
problems, and are performed by air and swab sampling along with a visual
inspection looking for water issues. They are becoming increasingly popular
when people purchase homes, joining structural and wood-boring insect
inspections as contract contingencies, and are now performed on a regular
basis for activities such as real estate transactions. Especially if you
are buying or selling a home, mold inspections are the key to protecting you
and your wallet. What mold inspections are about, is finding the source of
the problem. Mold inspection and testing services should always be
considered when individuals, or businesses, suspect health risk, or hazard,
to occupants in an indoor environment.
Mold is a name given to any growing fungus. Mold needs food, the
substrate in which mold grows on; the proper temperature, mold tends to grow
best in the temperature that we live in; and moisture, this is the only
ingredient that we can control. Mold can look white, gray, black, brown,
yellow or greenish. Mold colonies may appear cottony, velvety, granular,
leathery and glassy. Mold can be visible, or sometimes hidden. Mold is a
structural, health and environmental problem. Mold spores can cause serious
health problems even if the spores are dead or dormant or inactive while
waiting for more moisture to resume growth. Mold growth is often the result
of a structural or construction defect, or of maintenance neglect, that
allows moisture to enter the building. Mold grows by eating and destroying
organic building materials and other cellulose-based materials such as
carpeting, upholstery, and clothing. Molds will often grow in damp or wet
areas indoors. Mold has the potential to cause health problems and even
make a home uninhabitable.
Mold can be found in several places in the home environment. Mold
begins to grow indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet or
damp. Mold will
 not grow without water or moisture. Mold will always be
found floating in the air and in house dust. Mold has the potential to
damage property and create adverse health effects. Mold spores are
microscopic, and are not observable with the naked eye. Mold infestations
often result when building materials such as drywall, wood framing and
cabinetry, become wet, for 24 or more hours. Molds can be found almost
anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is
present. Mold growth can damage your furnishings, such as carpets, sofas and
cabinets. Mold, the most dangerous offender of all, often goes undetected
because of its invisibility. Molds can be found on plants, dry leaves, and
on just about every other organic material.
When mold is found thriving in indoor environments the health risk
or hazard to susceptible individuals can increase significantly. Health risk
is greatest in the elderly, immuno-compromised, and children. Mold
inspections and mold testing services should always be considered when
individuals, or businesses, suspect health risk, or hazard, to occupants in
an indoor environment, because the negative health effects of mold are
usually caused by the spores and other allergens released by the mold into
the air. Inhaling, or coming in contact with these spores or toxins is what
causes negative health effects. Health effects and symptoms associated with
mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory
complaints.
Mold Inspections are needed to determine the extent and type of
mold in your home, and are suggested in areas that get moderate to plus
rainfall. Mold inspections
 are performed by air and swab sampling along
with a visual inspection looking for water issues, and are often requested
when the fungal contamination indoors exceeds an individual’s ability to
perform adequate clean up, or when the occupant is suffering from suspected
mold associated health problems. They are becoming a common practice today
as the public becomes more aware of what could be making them sick.
Builders should have a protocol in place so that mold inspections are done
during the construction process and addressed with the appropriate
techniques and products. Especially if you are buying or selling a home,
mold inspections are an essential tool in helping to protect you and your
wallet.
Mold inspections are a win, win, for everyone involved in the
transaction.
Call Toll Free 866-476-2056 for
a Free Estimate and Consultation
within Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, the Bronx, Nassau County, Yonkers,
Westchester, Manhattan and New York, NY
Avoid the Mold Scam… Mold Inspection
in Brooklyn
When faced with the discovery of mold in your home and the disgusting
task of having to remove it and clean it up, it is sometimes
overwhelming because you often get conflicting information about what
actions you should take. Unfortunately like everything else, there are
many scam artists out there who will tell you anything to get your money
and have no compassion for your predicament. They only think of it in
terms of how much money they can make on the deal.
Everyone will tell you that the first thing you should do is have the
mold tested and then have the mold removed or remediated by a
professionally trained worker. While this is all true there are many
other factors that you should look at prior to listening to first person
who answered your call for help. Many companies that want to test your
home for mold use their own employees for testing, which can be a
conflict of interest – especially since most companies are in business
to make money. So they have an incentive to provide results that may
prove you have a serious mold problem that needs some major remediation
– and guess who can do that for you? The same company!
Like everything else, finding a reputable company to do the work for you
is essential because the most important thing that you need is to have
your mold problem go away. But if the testing results were flawed then
it is difficult to know the extent of your problem unless you have an
independent mold inspector do the testing and air sampling, and another
company to do the actual removal of the mold once you are confident that
you know exactly what you are dealing with.
Let’s face it – mold inspection has become more and more popular as we
become more aware of the problems that exist with mold in terms of
health and safety. It has become a huge business that thrives on the
fact that most people don’t want to deal with mold so they can charge
exorbitant prices that people will pay because they just want to get rid
of the problem. So for any part of the process – the inspection, the
testing and the remediation – if you use the same contractor for any two
or all three parts of the
 process you face the possibility of compromise
as the contractor obviously would like to do the whole job because he
will make more money.
One way to avoid this is to hire a mold inspector that has been
certified to do inspections only and does not do any other parts of the
process. He is therefore motivated to just do a good job for you so that
he gets paid. Unfortunately there are some who do the mold testing that
provide you with results that show that your home has serious mold
infestation – the problem is that the report is not about your home, it
is another one or one that is just made up to reflect what the tester
wanted to show. Again, if this person is not the one who is going to do
the remediation, he will be more inclined to show the correct testing
results because he has no reason to care whether the results are good or
bad – all he will be paid for is the testing.
Another scam that is often done to homeowners to supposedly get rid of
mold is to tent a home like you would for ridding it of termites (in the
south), only this contractor intentionally injects huge volumes of ozone
gas into the structure. The intent is to rid your home of the mold which
it will do if the ozone comes in contact with it, but it will not get to
the hidden mold that lies behind walls, carpeting or furniture. Not only
is it ineffective at ridding your home of mold, but it will damage
anything that has plastic or rubber components – such as your
appliances, any electronics, electrical lines or extension cords and
your heating or air conditioning controls. To top it all off it is not
safe for humans according to the Environmental Protection Agency!
It is amazing that scam artists will prey on the misery of homeowners
who just want to eradicate the mold and make sure it doesn’t come back,
but the only solution is to seek a professional that is reputable and if
possible is recommended by someone that you trust. There are currently
no federal licensing requirements for the mold testing and remediation
industries and most states do not have requirements either. You can also
seek assistance from the Environmental Protection Agency or EPA to find
out the best approach to remedying your problem.
Any contractors that you hire for inspection, testing or remediation
should provide you with references that you should check thoroughly and
there are certifications for the inspections so you
 can get that
individual to give you recommendations for doing the testing and the
remediation. Your best bet is to avoid any of the ones that say they
are a one-stop shop to do the whole process for you with many offering
the inspection for free or the money spent to go toward the remediation
because they know they will nail you on the laboratory results and the
need for major remediation – and unfortunately you will not know if it
is justified or not. Once the remediation is completed, have a third
party inspection give you an all clear that the mold problem has been
resolved effectively based on an unbiased inspection and laboratory
results. These tips should help you avoid the Mold Scam.
Call Toll Free 866-476-2056 for
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within Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, the Bronx, Nassau County, Yonkers,
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Queens, Staten Island, New York, Bronx, Long Island - Nassau County and Suffolk, Yonkers, Eastchester, Westchester, New Rochelle, Mt. Vernon,
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About Mold;
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in
sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms,
such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis).
Allergic reactions to mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed.
Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to
mold. In addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose,
throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people. Symptoms
other than the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as a result
of inhaling mold. Research on mold and health effects is ongoing.
This brochure provides a brief overview; it does not describe all potential
health effects related to mold exposure. For more detailed information
consult a health professional. You may also wish to consult your state or
local health department.
online
stores as well. (They cost about $12 to $25.)
Some N-95 respirators resemble a paper dust mask with a nozzle
