Mold Solutions by Cowleys Before & After Photos

This homeowner in Old Bridge, NJ recently discovered a leak in his attic. Although he had a roofer come and repair the leak, because it wasn't discovered for quite some time, mold had grown all over the attic. So he called Mold Solutions by Cowleys and we're here to remediate the mold!

First, we applied our EPA-registered antimicrobial called Mold Abatement Polymer Solutions, or MAPS 1 for short. This application attacks mold at its DNA and immediately kills it. After applying MAPS 1, we used our mold stain remover, which removes all the excess staining on the wood and scrubbed away the mold growth. 

Lastly, we applied our patented sealant, which encapsulates the surface mold is growing on and renders it inert, harmless, and non-allergenic. This product is called MAPS 2 and it is also moisture sensitive and will reactivate whenever it gets wet to prevent future mold growth.  

This home in Freehold, NJ had severe mold growth through the insulation in the crawl space. The reason for the mold growth was high humidity levels in the crawl space. We completely tore down and cleaned out the old, moist, and soiled insulation and vapor barrier We bagged the insulation, removed it, and then properly disposed of it. 

We treated the affected areas with our EPA registered anti-microbial called MAPS 1. MAPS stands for Mold Abatement Polymer Solutions and it attacks mold on a cellular level and kills it instantly. Next, we applied MAPS 2, which is our patented sealant that encapsulates the surface mold is growing on and renders the mold non-allergenic and harmless. MAPS 2 is also moisture-sensitive and reactivates whenever it gets wet to prevent the return of mold.

Lastly, we installed a commercial grade Sani-dry Sedona dehumidifiers. These dehumidifiers are specifically designed and manufactured for the challenging environments of basements and crawl spaces. Generic residential dehumidifiers simply aren’t up to the job. For example, the SaniDry XP is a powerful energy-efficient dehumidifier that outperforms standard household dehumidifiers by as much as 10 times while using the same amount of energy to run. The SaniDry XP can effectively cover indoor living spaces over 3000 square feet, making it well-suited for basements and crawl spaces over 40” high. 

Recently, we were contacted by a homeowner in Freehold, NJ who was having mold issues in their attic. As we equipped our personal protective equipment and inspected the attic we came across a support beam that showed evident signs of mold growth. As we inspected the roof valley we noticed there was a leak. Further inspection of the attic revealed that this section was the only area that had mold growth. Roof leaks cause two types of mold growth; systemic or limited growth. Systemic growth occurs when the roof leak causes enough moisture buildup in the attic to cause mold growth throughout the entire area. The roof leak only affects a small area, but the dampness in the air causes condensation throughout. Limited growth occurs when an attic has sufficient ventilation to exhaust the additional moisture caused by the roof leak, which was the case here. Remember, all mold problems arise from a moisture problem. You cannot have a mold problem without a moisture problem.

First, we applied an EPA registered antimicrobial solution called Mold Abatement Polymer Solutions 1 (or MAPS 1 for short). MAPS 1 targets mold at its cellular level and kills it instantly. Then we apply an additional solution called MAPS 2. MAPS 2 encapsulates the existing dead mold and prevents any future mold from growing. Even though we permanently removed the mold, we advised the homeowner to schedule an appointment with a contractor to repair the leak in his roof. We’re were happy to hear that the homeowner scheduled an appointment while we were removing the mold in his attic. 

Recently, we went on a service call for a homeowner in Freehold, NJ who contacted Cowleys to resolve a mold issue that had developed in his bathroom. The most common cause of mold growth is humidity. Humidity problems occur when warm, moisture-laden air interacts with a cool ceiling, causing condensation and subsequent mold growth.

After suiting up with our personal protective equipment (mold is a serious bio-hazard in enclosed spaces), we began our inspection of the bathroom. Almost immediately, we discovered an area of the ceiling that had evident mold growth. Whenever mold is discovered, to resolve the problem long-term, it is essential to identify the underlying cause of the mold growth and have those issues remedied so that mold doesn’t return. Here, after a thorough inspection, we determined that the mold growth was due to poor ventilation. Mold growth on a bathroom ceiling is almost always caused by inadequate ventilation. 

Mold is a living, breathing fungus that multiplies and will continue to spread as long as the conditions in the home remain conducive to mold growth. In cases where there is structural damage from the moisture, materials would need to be removed. However, in this case, there was no structural damage so, with our treatment process, we are able to kill mold in its place. 

With our mold treatment process, we first applied MAPS 1, an EPA-registered anti-microbial application. MAPS 1 (Mold Abatement Polymer Solution 1) is specifically designed to kill active mold growth. Next, we applied MAPS 2, a patented polymer sealant that encapsulates the existing dead mold and helps prevent future mold from growing if conducive conditions return. Once MAPS 1 & 2 have been applied, the mold is killed and is no longer a threat. Also, MAPS 2 will reactivate with moisture to fight future mold growth.

Although we treated the mold in the bathroom, there was still the issue of the underlying condition that triggered the growth in the first place: poor ventilation. The homeowner decided to deal with this issue and hired a contractor to install vents in his bathroom. Another mold remediation treatment performed by Cowleys!