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Does your lawn still have a grayish-white fuzz on it even after the winter snow melts? If so, you have snow mold on your hands. Snow mold happens when deep snowfall occurs early in the cold weather season and prevents the ground from freezing. The cool, moist area between the ground and snow becomes the perfect breeding ground for snow mold to become active. As long as the ground stays moist, the mold will stick around. This type of mold is sometimes also seen in piles of un-raked leaves.

Growing in walls, old books, wet documents and old carpets, mold is a problem that invades homes, schools and businesses when there is any hint of humidity. This summer the Florida Mold Bill became a law to establish standards for professionals who do mold assessments and perform remediation services in the state.

The cold weather months are some of the wettest of the year. Consequently, the extra humidity creates the perfect environment for mold to grow in a home. While your works of art, photographs, antiques and family heirlooms may have the protection of the roof in your home, they may be susceptible to mold damage if you do not display or store them properly.

“The New York Times” recently reported that the Department of Housing Preservation and Development issued over 14,000 violations for mold infestations in residential buildings in 2010. Not just found in NYC’s older buildings, the Stachybotrys chartarum strain of mold was found along with other molds linked to respiratory tract illnesses in buildings that are not even five years old. New York City investigates approximately 500 cases of mold each year.

As you prepare your spring cleaning checklist, add to it tasks that can help prevent water and mold damage. Taking the extra time to complete these extra items can help save you time and money. These spring cleaning tips work well for the home and office alike.