Pool House Has Mold Brielle, NJ

Challenge

This homeowner in Brielle, NJ converted a pool house, which was located above a crawl space, into an additional living space. As part of the conversion, he installed a bathroom with a sewage pump put in the crawl space. The new residents in this converted unit soon noticed the tell-tale musty smell of mold, so we were called to inspect. Sure enough, the crawl space had mold growth on the cross beams and sheeting. The homeowner wanted a permanent, long-term solution beyond getting rid of the existing mold, so this problem would not resurface. 

Solution

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. After treating the area, we used our mold stain remover to scrub away all the mold stains throughout the crawl space.

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.  Now the mold is removed and the selling process can continue.

We explained to the homeowner that a crawl space always has a high risk of mold growth if it is not kept dry. Once indoor humidity exceeds 50%, which is common in virtually all open, vented crawl spaces, mold can grow, and over 60%, mold thrives. The homeowner agreed that it would be best the investment to take care of this crawl space once and for all. He contracted with us to insulate and encapsulate the crawl space, creating a barrier against the destructive outdoor elements. We also installed a special commercial-grade dehumidifier to keep down humidity, as well as a sump pump.

We explained that his new “clean space” would not only keep out not only hot, humid outdoor air but also insects and rodents. The air in the living space above would be cleaner, crisper, and healthier. The homeowner and the new residents of this living space were pleased with our installation, and happy that the mold was gone, along with the smelly air and all of the potential health issues that mold can bring.