Mold Removal in Holmdel, NJ

Recently, we went on a service call to a home in Holmdel, NJ, after the homeowner found mold in his attic, and contacted us to have it treated. The attic is one of the most common places for mold to develop because of chronic humidity issues. Unfortunately, rarely visited attics are also one of the most likely places for mold growth to go unnoticed. 

Once we put on our personal protective equipment (mold is a bio-hazard in enclosed spaces!), we began our inspection of the attic. After a thorough inspection, we determined that the mold growth in is attic was due to a lack of ventilation. Here, there was neither an attic fan nor any static vents to create an air flow. Poor ventilation can trigger mold growth. Why? Mold can form by an imbalance in temperature between the air coming into the attic and the air going out. During cold weather, warm air from the house rises, entering the cold unheated attic. When warm air meets the cold attic surfaces condensation occurs forming water droplets, and if cold enough, ice crystals. This moist environment along with a food source, building materials made of wood, creates the perfect conditions for attic mold infestation. Mold will grow on and consume anything that contains once-living organic materials, including plywood and sheetrock. 

After determining the cause of mold growth, it was time for the solution! First, we applied an EPA-registered, non-toxic antimicrobial solution called Mold Abatement Polymer Solutions 1 (MAPS). MAPS 1 breaks down mold at a cellular level and kills it instantly. Once that solution dried, we applied a patented sealant (MAPS 2). This moisture-sensitive sealant encapsulates mold, rendering it inert, harmless, and non-allergenic. MAPS 2 reactivates when it gets moist to prevent the growth of any future mold colonies.   

Although we successfully removed the mold, the underlying issue causing the mold growth, poor ventilation, still needed to be addressed. Otherwise, there would likely be future mold issues. Improper attic ventilation is a serious problem for homeowners that can lead to very expensive repairs, not to mention unnecessarily high utility bills. After speaking with the homeowner about his inadequate attic ventilation, he asked us to help with the air flow by installing static vents. With a mold problem, homeowners must not only remove the mold. For a long-term resolution, the underlying cause of the mold growth must also be fixed. The mold specialists at Cowleys do both.