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.
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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! 
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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.
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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 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 |
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
