Mold Solutions by Cowleys Before & After Photos

This homeowner in Little Silver, NJ found himself with mold growth in his basement. As often happens in basements and crawl spaces, chronically high indoor humidity levels caused mold growth. It is not necessary to have a water intrusion event like flooding or a leaky pipe. Sustained high moisture in the air is more than enough to trigger dangerous mold growth, and from our experience, this problem is one of the major causes of mold growth in homes.

The homeowner contacted Mold Solutions by Cowleys. Our crew treated the mold in less than a day. We treated the mold-affected areas of the basement with two applications. First, we applied an EPA-registered antimicrobial (MAPS 1) followed by a patented sealant available to licensed distributors (MAPS 2). This sealant not only kills the mold, but it is also moisture sensitive. It actually reactivates to kill any future mold growth! We also wiped down any visible staining caused by the mold. Mold stains are residue of mold growth. They are not by themselves allergenic. However, they are unsightly, aesthetically unappealing, and can give the mistaken impression that there is a mold problem.  

To control the humidity and prevent further mild growth, it is important to fix the underlying problem, which in this case, was high relative indoor humidity levels. To address this problem, we installed a SaniDry Sedona dehumidifier for this homeowner.  These dehumidifiers are specifically designed to work in basements and crawl spaces. From homeowner feedback, the best thing about them is that they are trouble-free and work automatically. There is no water pan to empty and a built-in hygrometer constantly measures the room’s humidity, turning the machine on and off as needed. 

Mold had found its way inside the closet of the master bedroom of a townhouse in Red Bank, NJ. The mold growth was triggered by a pipe leak in an adjoining townhouse that shared a common wall. Mold requires certain conditions to develop, including excess requires moisture. It is frequently a consequence of a water intrusion event, be it a leaky roof or pipe, groundwater seepage, or even chronically high indoor humidity. Also, mold has a distinct preference for dark out-of-the-way places, so it is often not discovered unless someone is specifically inspecting for it. 

With this townhouse, mold formation on a closet floor could have been easily overlooked. After all, we expect to find mold in those living areas of the home where there is water and moisture like kitchens and bathrooms, or at least where there are pipes. Fortunately, these homeowners caught the problem in its early stages, and the mold did not yet spread to other areas in the home.

The Mold Solutions By Cowleys crew follows strict protocols in treating mold. First, we applied our EPA registered anti-microbial called MAPS 1 to all of the mold-affected surfaces. This product attacks mold at its DNA and kills it instantly. After applying MAPS 1, 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. MAPS 2 is also moisture-sensitive and reactivates whenever it gets wet to prevent the return of mold.

Unfortunately, due to the fact that mold has been present in the attic for a long period of time, it stained the walls. Fortunately, these stains are purely aesthetic and pose no health risk. Once MAPS 1 & 2 have been applied, the mold is no longer a threat.

These homeowners in Belmar, NJ recently had their roof replaced because of roof leaks. During the renovation, they found mold growth in the attic from water intrusion. Fortunately, the roof replacement fixed the underlying water intrusion problem, but there was still dangerous mold growth that needed to be removed. 

As is often the case, there were no water-damaged building materials, so there was no need for any massive tear-out and renovation. Instead, we could efficiently and effectively chemically treat and kill the mold in less than a day, saving thousands of dollars on unnecessary construction. We first treated the affected areas by applying our EPA-registered anti-microbial product called MAPS 1. This application attacks mold on a cellular level and kills it instantly.

We then scrubbed away the mold and applied MAPS 2, which is our patented sealant that encapsulates the surface mold is growing on and renders the mold non-allergenic and harmless. MAPS 2 is also moisture-sensitive and reactivates whenever it gets wet to prevent the return of mold.

With the help of Mold Solutions by Cowleys, these homeowners did what makes the most sense when it comes to mold removal — treating the mold right where it sits and leaving perfectly good building materials alone. By doing so, the homeowners expediently and effectively got rid of the mold, and one less potential headache was resolved. 

Recently, during a pending sale of a home in Wall Township, NJ, the home inspector found mold growing underneath the basement stairs. At some point, there had been a small water intrusion in that corner of the basement, and, unbeknownst to the homeowner/seller, had triggered some mold growth. The mold growth wasn’t extensive, which is probably why it went unnoticed until discovered by the home inspector. Nevertheless, it was enough of a problem to potentially throw a wrench into the works, so to speak, so the homeowner contacted Mold Solutions by Cowleys to treat the mold. 

After identifying the mold-affected areas of the basement, we applied an EPA-registered antimicrobial MAPS 1, which attacks mold at its DNA and kills it instantly. Next, we applied MAPS 2, which is our patented sealant that encapsulates the surface mold is growing on and renders the mold non-allergenic and harmless. MAPS 2 is also moisture-sensitive and reactivates whenever it gets wet to prevent the return of mold. Some staining had occurred on the walls, but they are purely aesthetic and pose no health risk. Once MAPS 1 & 2 have been applied, the mold is no longer a threat.

A homeowner inspection that uncovers mold growth does not necessarily mean a lost sale or significant renovation expenditures to remedy the problem. Instead, with our mold treatment process, we can resolve most mold issues in less than a day — and with a pending sale that means no delay in the closing.

Recently, I went on a service call to a commercial property in Wall NJ, after the property owner found mold during his renovations. Before beginning my inspection, I equipped my personal protective equipment (PPE). Why? Once mole spores are disturbed, the spores detach and start floating everywhere, landing on anything and anyone. If you’re not wearing any PPE, you’re inviting all of those mold spores to settle on your clothing, the area you’re cleaning, your shoes (allowing mold to travel to other areas in your home), in your eyes, and up your nose into your upper respiratory system! This is an imperative first step to any mold inspection.  

Once I put on my PPE I began my inspection of the entire property. After a thorough inspection, I noticed a small amount of mold growth on the interior of the wall plywood. As I took a closer look, I noticed there was moisture entering from the exterior siding. Turns out the siding of the building is stucco and water was flowing from the top of the building between the stucco and the sheathing. This moisture led to mold growth. Mold thrives on organic materials like natural fibers (cotton, wool), paper, leather, wood, or surfaces coated with organic matter such as food, grease, and soil. Mold grows best in warm temperatures of 77 to 86 degrees and needs moisture that can come from water leaks, flooding, high relative humidity, or condensation. Mold growing on exterior stucco walls is not only unsightly, but it can also cause larger problems if it gets in between your home's exterior stucco and framing. 

Before treating any mold on your property, you must first fix the problem or the water source causing the mold to grow. Fortunately, the property owner repaired the leak by the time I arrived. 

In order to begin the treatment process successfully, I needed to remove the insulation in the affected areas to gain access to the sheathing. The property owner allowed me to do so as the contractor he hired will replace the insulation and drywall. Then, I applied an EPA-registered, non-toxic antimicrobial solution called Mold Abatement Polymer Solutions 1 (MAPS 1). MAPS 1 breaks down mold at a cellular level and kills it instantly. Once that solution dried, we applied a patented sealant called 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. Now the property owner can continue his renovations in a safe, mold-free environment.