Mold Stops Foreclosure Sale in Shark River Hills, NJ

Challenge

The Mold Solutions team was called out to a foreclosed property in the Shark River Hills area of Neptune Township. The home had been empty for a number of months without power, creating conditions that are conducive for mold growth. With no power, the (HVAC) system in the home was off, which meant no air circulation throughout the home. Poor ventilation combined with high indoor humidity is almost a guarantee for mold growth.  

When the bank attempted to sell the property, they were faced with a mold potential problem and could not sell the home without ensuring that it was free from any serious health hazards. Mold can cause a variety of respiratory and other health problems, especially when the home is occupied by children, the elderly, or those with pre-existing respiratory or immune system disorders. 

We arrived at the property thoroughly inspected all of the living spaces inside the home as well as the crawl space and attic areas. Fortunately, all areas were clear of visible mold, with the exception of one room that had visible mold growth. 

Solution

Our treatment process focused on the one room with the visible mold growth, but in addition, we were concerned with the presence of mold spores throughout the home since the home had been shuttered and had poor ventilation. We recommended an “air scrubber,” which is a HEPA filter unit that creates negative air pressure and removes airborne particles including mold spores. The bank agreed that this plan would be the safest course of action to ensure a healthy home environment.

First, 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 began scrubbing away all the mold growth.

Lastly, 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.

Now the bank can proceed with its sale of the foreclosed property.