Mold Surprises Homeowner in Neptune, NJ During Renovations

A homeowner in Neptune, NJ was in the process of a massive renovation project. Unfortunately, during the tear-out, there was an unwelcome discovery — mold was found behind the insulation and sheetrock.  The contractor removed all of the mold-covered insulation, and the homeowner called Mold Solutions By Cowleys to treat the mold found on the studs and sheathing. 

Signs of mold growth are often subtle, especially in situations such as this where the mold growth is not visible. Hidden mold can grow out of sight behind walls in the wall cavities. These spaces can contain pockets of humid, moist air where mold can thrive. Mold requires an organic food source, and drywall is high in cellulose. Mold does not only grow on the visible side of the drywall. It can just as easily grow on the hidden side. As this homeowner found out, insulation is a fertile reservoir for mold. It may not only contain organic material, but it also traps large amounts of dust that, amazingly enough, is also food for mold. Insulation that has mold on it must be removed and replaced.  Mold may be hidden underneath the insulation’s spongy layers, so it cannot be directly treated or completely cleaned out. 

First, we applied our EPA-registered anti-microbial called MAPS 1. This product attacks mold at its DNA and kills it instantly. We then wiped away all the mold and applied MAPS 2. MAPS 2 is a patented sealant that encapsulates the surface mold is growing on and renders it useless and non-allergenic. The sealant is also moisture-sensitive and reactivates to prevent the return of any new mold growth in the treated areas. In order words, the sealant not only kills today’s mold growth; it stops tomorrow’s growth as well.

The homeowners were pleased that their hidden mold problem was resolved in less than a day and that the renovation schedule was not delayed. Since these building materials just had superficial mold growth and there was no loss of structural integrity, all of the materials could be saved and there was no major reconstruction of the home beyond what was already planned and budgeted.