New York / New Jersey Mold Inspections

Quick Answers to Questions About Mold

Answering people’s questions is just part of the job when it comes to Mold Inspection. Once we’re in someone’s home, they open up and start to wonder about Mold. Maybe they’ve never had to deal with mold in their lives, it can be quite unnerving finding it in your home. With that in mind, here are some of the questions we’ve been getting lately on the job and some quick answers to those questions about mold.

What is Mold?

Mold is a fungus whose growth is propelled by moist warm conditions, especially on organic matter.

Where can mold grow in my home?

Mold can grow anywhere moisture or humidity is present. Places like bathrooms, basements, and the attic. Or on organic surfaces such as drywall, wallpaper, furniture, and damp clothing.

Can Mold make me sick?

There are some types of mold that are toxic. However, the usual exposure to mold in the home results in allergy-like symptoms such as watery/itchy eyes, coughing or sneezing, and runny nose. If you feel symptoms in your home that you do not feel anywhere else it can clue you into a probable issue.

What warning signs can I look for?

Most mold is easy to spot, it usually found as spots on the walls of damp rooms,  or by the smell of musk or mildew in a basement or attic. Pay attention to any areas with moisture and try to fix any leaks you can see.

HNST Mold Inspections provides services to New York and New Jersey. Contact us a call today for your Mold Inspection, Allergen Testing, Water Damage Assessment, or VOC Sampling.

Springtime Mold Prevention Tips

Spring is upon us and now the long winter has passed. This is a time that homeowners use for cleaning, organizing and getting their home and yards together to enjoy the summer. As part of your Spring Cleaning this year,  pay attention to the presence of mold and preventing its growth. Taking the right precautions now can save you down the line. Here are our spring tips for preventing mold. …

What Does Black Mold Look Like?

Most people know what mold looks like, we’ve seen it growing on food long expired in our fridge. However, for the average person, determining if mold is in fact Black Mold (stachybotrys chartarum) by your eyes alone is not easy. For a professional mold expert, it is easier to identify a mold as stachybotrys because of its distinguishable MOLD appearance in its mature state. A slow-growing mold, Black Mold can be thick in context and black in color. Yet, if you do not know the various types of mold, it may not necessarily look much different from other mold species, which are black in nature. The only way for us to say with certainty that a specific mold is, in fact, black mold, is for us to take a swab sample for confirmation. …

Preparing For Mold Inspection

Preparing for a mold inspection is easy. For proper lab results and readings to be as accurate as possible, certain things are necessary but not required. If you have a mold inspection scheduled, read on for some tips on preparing for it. …

HNST Mold Inspections

HNST Mold Inspections has been servicing the New York and New Jersey areas for over a decade. As a small business, our number one goal is to provide you the customer, quicker turn around times, personalized service, quality of expertise and experience. …

Four Common Questions About Mold

In order to successfully deal with mold problems its important to be well informed on the causes, risks and action steps that need to be taken for mold. Here are the answers to four common questions about mold.

  1. Why does mold grow in homes? Mold is found in spores and is technically airborne. It moves through the air into and out of homes through windows and doors as well as ventilation. Things in your home such as moisture and organic material make it a great place for mold to thrive.
  2. When does mold become a problem? As we mentioned, mold is present in all homes, when it becomes a problem is when larger patches grow and cause health issues or structural damage to the home.
  3. How do I test for mold? When you suspect mold in the home, you should reach out to a Mold Investigator such as HNST Mold Inspections. Mold can be dangerous, so you’ll want to leave this one to an expert.
  4. Can I prevent mold growth? You can do your part to prevent harmful mold growth by controlling humidity in your home. Repair all leaks in the roof, wall or gutters of your home, use a dehumidifier to keep humidity below 50% in your home and use ventilator fans to air out the attic, basement, and bathrooms.

For more information and tips about mold prevention, inspection or removal, follow us on Facebook or contact HNST for your mold inspection services by clicking here. We can help you with all of your mold questions.

 

Christmas Trees and Mold

The holiday season has just ended, and you might have already taken down your tree and pulled it to the curb. If you haven’t already, don’t be alarmed by this post! We at HNST Mold Inspections like to give you the facts, and although mold can be brought into the home on your Christmas Tree, there is no need to panic, just be aware.

Christmas trees can harbor mold, after all, they are something that usually lives outside, and we bring them into a foreign environment for a month of its life for our own enjoyment. Mold on your Christmas Tree can cause issues with any pre-existing conditions you or a family member may have such as asthma.

If there is someone in your home with asthma, you may want to re-think the tree next year if:

  • Symptoms are worse when the tree is in the home
  • increased symptoms such as tightness, runny nose, stiffness, itchy eyes or cough occur
  • increase in the number of asthma attacks occur

Don’t worry about missing out on the festivity, artificial trees are more lifelike than ever! Hunt down a great deal after Christmas and find your family forever tree. Make sure to keep your artificial tree stored properly during the year in order to protect from dust, pests, and water.

 

 

What Employers Should Know About Mold

Employers need to act quickly if they find or suspect mold is in their building. Step one is calling a professional mold inspector to perform a mold investigation or inspection. Being responsible for serious health issues is not something to take lightly, and the consequences of hazardous mold exposure can be quite serious. …