Mysterious Mold in the Attic in East Brunswick, NJ
Challenge
We were sent out to a home in East Brunswick, NJ after the homeowner found mold growth on the wood framing in the attic. The homeowner was not sure how it got there, but high humidity levels in the attic produce more than enough moisture for mold to thrive, and high attic temperature levels just make the problem worse. If you have ever been brave enough to venture into your attic during the summer, the heat can be stifling, often in excess of 100 degrees. Even though there are no water pipes in your attic or ground water can’t find its way in, attics can still be subject to water intrusions because old roofs can leak. With this particular residence, there was no evidence of roof leaks such as water stains or damp insulation, and the homeowner assured us that his roof and soffits were both in great condition.
This home had extensive visual mold growth, but because of the attic ventilation, the unmistakable, pungent musky odor of mold was not present. Just because you can’t smell mold, doesn’t mean it’s not there. If you can see it, or even worse, family members are having chronic respiratory problems, you need to have it checked out. Once mold is discovered in one area of the home, even in those areas that are not living spaces, it is important to have it treated quickly. Rafter and soffit vents are necessary to maintain air flow. In the winter, it is especially important to have cold air enter the attic to prevent ice damming, where snow melts from a too-warm roof and re-freezes at the gutters. In the summer, a well-vented attic moves out hot, humid air, protecting roof shingles and removing moisture. Attics fans assist natural ventilation by drawing in cooler air from the attic vents and pushing hot air outside.
Solution
We treated the mold with an antimicrobial application called MAPS 1, which stands for Mold Abatement Polymer Solutions. MAPS 1 is an EPA registered product that attacks mold on a cellular level and immediately kills it. Next, we used our mold stain remover and scrubbed away all the mold growth throughout the attic.
Next, we applied our patented sealant called MAPS 2. MAPS 2 is a moisture-sensitive application that encapsulates the surface mold is growing on and renders it harmless, inert, and non-allergenic. One of the best features of MAPS 2 is that it will reactivate whenever it gets wet to prevent future mold growth. The homeowner was worried that the removal of the mold would require major reconstruction. Needless to say, he could not have been more pleased with the efficiency and effectiveness of our Mold Solutions service.
