Mold in Howell Crawl space
Challenge
During the pending sale of a home in Howell, NJ the inspector discovered extensive mold growth in the crawl space. Of course, the homeowner was concerned that the finding of mold during the inspection could delay or kill the pending real estate deal, so he called our office and we were sent out to treat. During our inspection, we noticed that the crawl space was surrounded by water-saturated soil, and groundwater had seeped through the foundation’s cinder block walls. The water intrusion here was so severe that there were water stains on the wall as well as the build-up of efflorescence, which is a white crystalline substance. The efflorescence looks like white mold but is actually harmless inorganic material caused by water seeping through concrete, brick, or stone. Salt and mineral deposits are left behind once the water has evaporated.
This crawl space also had high relative humidity levels, no doubt exacerbated by the groundwater intrusion, which, by itself, is enough to trigger mold growth. Unfortunately, this house was built close to a retention basin, which are used by towns to manage stormwater. Water is diverted by a network of underground pipes connecting storm drains to a retention pond. These ponds can not only cause groundwater problems for nearby homes, but the standing water can be a mosquito breeding ground.
Solution
We equipped our Personal Protective Gear and set up our HEPA VAC “air scrubber” to direct the airflow toward the vents. Afterward, treated every square inch of the area with our EPA-registered antimicrobial solution called Mold Abatement Polymer Solution 1, or MAPS 1. This product attacks mold on a cellular level and kills it instantly.
We then used our mold stain remover, scrubbed away all the excess mold staining, and then applied our patented sealant MAPS 2. This application encapsulates the surface mold is growing on and renders it harmless and non-allergenic. MAPS 2 is also moisture-sensitive and will reactivate whenever it gets wet to prevent future mold growth. Now the sale could proceed with no change in the closing date.
