Job Stories

One day, this homeowner in Mantoloking, NJ, realized that mold was growing around his A/C unit. Concerned, he called Mold Solutions for help. As we started inspecting the area, we discovered that the A/C unit was leaking behind the wall! Not only that, but there was black mold growing behind the sheetrock, on the insulation, and on the wooden beams. Unfortunately, a full mold remediation was needed.  First, we removed all the contaminated sheet rock & insulation and properly disposed of them. Next, we treated the area with our EPA registered antimicrobial called MAPS 1. This solution attacks mold at its DNA and immediately kills it. Afterward, we applied our mold stain remover and scrubbed away all the mold stains. Lastly, we applied MAPS 2, which is our patented sealant that encapsulates the surface mold is growing on and renders it harmless and non-allergic. MAPS 2 is also moisture sensitive and will reactivate whenever it gets wet to prevent any future mold growth. Now that the mold is gone, the owner will contact a contractor to replace his broken A/C line and repair the damage to the wall. 

The owners of this commercial building in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ were having trouble controlling the moisture and humidity in the basement. Chronic moisture and humidity problems can trigger dangerous mold growth and attract insects and other pests that thrive in damp, dark conditions.  The owners knew they had potential problems on their hands if this situation was not resolved, and contacted Cowleys for help. The single best long-term solution to prevent high humidity and moisture conditions in basements and crawl spaces is by installing a commercial-grade dehumidifier. As long as humidity levels are kept low (below 55% relative humidity),  mold can’t take hold. Also, the occupants of a home or commercial structure benefit as well. Air currents circulate basement or crawl space air throughout the entire structure, and dehumidifying these non-living spaces improves the indoor air quality throughout the entire structure and gets rid of those stinky musty smells that carry upward from those damp moist areas.  At Mold Solutions by Cowleys, we install SaniDry dehumidifiers. These fully automatic workhorses are specially designed to work in crawl spaces and basements. They are daily maintenance-free with no water pan to empty or worry about overflowing. With this particular installation, we installed the dehumidifier with a  condensate pump that drains directly into the main sewer line. Often, we are able to have the dehumidifier to drain the water extracted out of the air directly into the sump pump. 

This home in Matawan, NJ, had a leak behind some sheetrock in the basement that had gone undetected. Water damage was severe. In order to determine the extent of the water damage, we cut out a portion of the sheetrock. We removed water-damaged sheetrock as well as any ruined insulation. With our mold treatment, if the building materials have not lost their structural integrity, we can treat the mold right where it sits and avoid a tear-out. However, once building materials have become water-damaged, they must be removed. A Mold Solutions team treated the mold-affected areas of the home with an EPA-registered antimicrobial (MAPS 1) to kill the surface mold, followed by a patented sealant (MAPS 2) that completely destroys existing mold. This sealant reactivates when exposed to water or moisture to prevent the return of any new mold growth in the treated areas.  The homeowner was pleased that we could deal with the mold problem so efficiently. The lesson with this particular mold job is that homeowners need to periodically inspect all areas of the home to ensure that there are no hidden water intrusion issues. Any water intrusion problem, including pipe leaks and rainwater or groundwater entering the home through the roof or foundation can trigger dangerous mold growth. Chronically high humidity and moisture conditions in basements and crawl spaces is a common cause of mold formation as well. If you have a mold problem, it is important to have the mold treated correctly. Contrary to popular belief, simply wiping bleach on porous surfaces like wood and sheetrock will not kill all of the mold.

A Mold Solution team was sent to a home in Metuchen, NJ. The homeowner had extensive mold growth in her attic. Although mold is commonly found in basements and crawl spaces, attics can also be a mold trouble spot as well. Just like in basements and crawl spaces, homeowners can find themselves with mold in their attic for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, attic mold is caused by chronically high indoor humidity levels, especially in those attics with poor ventilation or non-working attic fans This particular home had a significant water intrusion from a roof leak. Although the leak was repaired, the problem was that because of poor attic ventilation, mold had formed on the water-saturated wood. And the poor attic ventilation exacerbated the problem. We first treated the attic by applying our EPA-registered anti-microbial (MAPS 1). This application kills surface mold and airborne mold spores. Next, we scrubbed off any visible mold. Mold stains are a residue from mold enzymes. They are not harmful or allergenic. However, they look horrible, especially when it comes time to sell the home. Prospective buyers are always cautious about mold growth in the non-living spaces of the home. We then applied our patented polymer sealant (MAPS 2). This unique sealant destroys any mold at the cellular level. It is also moisture-sensitive and reactivates to prevent the return of any new mold growth in the treated areas.  To prevent mold from returning to the attic, it is important to address those underlying problems that facilitated the mold growth in the first place. Ensuring good air circulation in the attic is essential in order to prevent moisture buildup. A key part of any attic ventilation system are having soffits and gables with built-in vents that allow proper air circulation. Especially during the summer, these vents exchange cooler air from outside the house with the hot, humid air collecting in the attic. This prevents water vapor from collecting on roof sheathing and rafters, eventually causing rot wood and triggering mold growth. Also, air inside attics can reach temperatures that can warp and damage roof shingles. You also need attic air flow during the winter to prevent ice dams from forming on the roof. Blocked soffit vents will stop airflow and trap humid air, creating an environment perfect for mold growth. Even well-insulated attics need good air circulation. With this Metuchen home, we wanted to ensure that the attic had good airflow by installing plastic baffles (also called wind baffles, venting chutes, rafter vents, or insulation baffles) in the rafter bays. Baffles establish a pathway for air to circulate between insulation and the roof sheathing. They prevent insulation from restricting air movement and allow air to circulate under or near the insulation. It is common for wind blowing through soffit vents to disturb the insulation by moving it out of place and blocking the vents, especially with blown loose fiber insulation. Baffles act as screens to separate the insulation from the air currents blowing through the vents. Also, baffles allow you to insulate the entire attic floor space. Without them, you have to keep the vents clear of insulation, so a portion of the attic stays unprotected. We finished up this mold job in less than a day, and with our treatment process, the homeowner avoided extensive, expensive renovations. This attic is now mold-free, and more important, will remain mold-free. We advised this homeowner, as we would any homeowner that had attic mold, to periodically inspect the attic for roof leaks, to monitor the attic’s humidity levels, and to make sure that the attic fan is in good working condition.

This homeowner in Brielle, NJ wanted a better alternative to a store-bought dehumidifier for her damp basement. According to the homeowner, the humidity  level in her basement was so high that, on some days, she had to empty the water pan two or three times a day — and this was a low capacity dehumidifier, not even a commercial-grade machine designed to work in a crawl space or basement.  We replaced her dehumidifier with a hassle-free SaniDry Sedona dehumidifier. Now, she will never have to go down to the basement to empty the machine. With these SaniDry dehumidifiers, there are no messy trays or buckets of water that fill up and can overflow. Rather, the machine is directly connected to the sump pump or other drainage system, so the whole process requires no human intervention. They work automatically and are maintenance-free.  When installed in a basement or crawl space, this dehumidifier helps prevent mold and reduces musty odors. It produces dry, healthy air without that musty smell you often find in damp, moist areas of the home. This particular dehumidifier has the capacity to remove 100 pints per day of water out of the air and moves over 300 cubic feet per minute of dry air around your crawl space or basement. Mold will thrive if the moisture content in the air is too high. Many homeowners mistakenly believe that you need a leaky pipe, a flood, or some other water intrusion for mold to form. That’s not true!  High indoor humidity is more than enough to trigger dangerous mold growth. This dehumidifier will keep your basement or crawl space below 55% relative humidity, and this level is too low for mold to grow. Also, with this lower humidity, dust mites will die off. Dust mite fecal matter is the primary cause of indoor allergies.By improving indoor air quality and preventing mold growth, these commercial-grade SaniDry dehumidifiers are a great investment for your family’s health.

This homeowner in Brielle, NJ, called Mold Solutions after noticing a massive amount of mold growth throughout his attic. Once we arrived and started inspecting the attic, we found a few leaks in the roof. Unlike other areas of the home that are used on a regular basis, a leak that drips into an attic may go unnoticed for a long period of time. Roof leaks may not be noticed until the leak progresses enough to damage the top floor’s ceiling, and by that point, the attic’s mold growth could be extensive. After reporting what the cause of the mold growth was, the owner immediately called a roofer to come out and fix the leaks in the roof. In the meantime, we began our treatment for the mold. First, we treated the attic with our EPA registered antimicrobial called Mold Abatement Polymer Solutions 1, or MAPS 1 for short. This solution attacks mold at a cellular level and immediately kills it. Afterward, we applied our mold stain remover and scrubbed away all the mold stains. Lastly, we applied MAPS 2, which is our patented sealant that encapsulates the surface mold is growing on and renders it harmless, inert, and non-allergic. MAPS 2 is also sensitive to moisture and will reactivate whenever it gets wet to prevent any future mold growth.

After finding mold in his basement, this customer in Brielle, NJ called Mold Solutions for help and we were sent out. While we were inspecting the basement, we realized that it was cluttered with empty boxes, discarded newspapers, old open bottles filled with liquids, and old furniture. A closer inspection revealed that almost all of the items had mold in or on them! Using our hygrometer, we determined that the humidity levels in the basement were VERY high. This was the conducive condition that caused the mold growth. The owner informed us that every contaminated item in the basement can be disposed of, so we did just that! Once the basement was clutter-free, we treated the area with an EPA registered antimicrobial called MAPS 1. This antimicrobial attacks mold on a cellular level and immediately kills it. Afterward, we used our mold stain remover and scrubbed away any and all the mold stains throughout the basement. 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. To address the high humidity levels in the basement, we installed a Sani-Dry Sedona commercial grade dehumidifier. These dehumidifiers cost less to run than other dehumidifiers, cover over 3000 square feet, are energy efficient, and will properly control the humidity levels in the basement!

One of our pest control technicians was sent out to a home in Brielle, NJ to check for rodents in the attic, but instead found a massive amount of mold growth throughout the area! They told the owner who then called Mold Solutions by Cowleys and we were sent out. Attics provide an ideal environment for mold since they contain plenty of food sources such as wood and insulation. When we inspected the attic, we found the conducive condition that caused the mold growth - there was a hole in the roof! We showed the owner and he mentioned that he will fix that once the mold is gone. So we're going to do just that! First, we treated the entire attic with our EPA registered antimicrobial called MAPS 1, which stands for Mold Abatement Polymer Solutions. MAPS 1 attacks mold at its DNA and immediately kills it. Afterward, we used our mold stain remover and scrubbed away all the excess mold staining throughout the attic. Lastly, we treated every square inch of the attic with our patented sealant called MAPS 2. This application encapsulates the surface mold is growing on and renders it harmless, inert, and non-allergenic. MAPS 2 is also moisture-sensitive and will reactivate whenever it gets wet to prevent future mold growth!

A homeowner in Colts Neck, NJ was in the process of selling his home. He had accepted an offer and during the home inspection, something interesting was discovered in his crawl space — mold! In order for the homeowner to sell his home, he needed to get rid of the mold, so he called Mold Solutions by Cowleys for help. We equipped our personal protective equipment, since mold is a biohazard in enclosed spaces, and began inspecting the crawl space. Within a few moments of our inspection, we found mold all over the floor joists. We reported what we found to the homeowner, who then informed us that he had a pipe burst not too long ago. He had the pipe fixed immediately, cleaned up and removed all the water damaged material, and thought that was the end of the problem. Since he rarely goes into the crawl space, he had no idea that mold was starting to grow. One of the main causes of mold in a crawl space, attic, or basement, is high moisture levels. Mold is a living, breathing fungus that multiplies and will continue to spread as long as the conditions in the home remain conducive to mold growth.  For treatment, we applied an EPA-registered, antimicrobial solution called Mold Abatement Polymer Solutions, or MAPS 1 for short. 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. Also, MAPS 2 reactivates when it gets moist to prevent the growth of any future mold colonies. Now that the mold has been eliminated, the homeowner can continue with the sale of his home. 

The Cowleys Mold Solutions crew was dispatched to a home in Manasquan to treat the crawl space for mold. Upon arrival, we found extensive mold growth throughout the entire crawl space area that was caused by high humidity levels.  Mold, a fast-growing fungus, is the inevitable result of water or moisture problems inside a structure. There is a popular misconception that you need a major water issue like flooding or a broken pipe to trigger mold growth. In fact, as this homeowner found out the hard way, sustained high indoor humidity levels is more than enough to trigger mold growth. While mold growth can happen anywhere in a home, dark, damp basements and crawl spaces are often prime breeding grounds for mold. Crawl spaces are notorious trouble spots in a home. One of the primary reasons is that the vast majority of crawlspaces are still vented despite the overwhelming proven benefits of crawl space encapsulation. Venting not only allows thick, humid outside air to enter the crawl space area, but also provides easy access for insects and other pests. Crawl space problems are often compounded because this ignored area of the home is often “out of sight and out of mind.” Because homeowners or a repair person rarely ventures into a crawl space unless some work needs to be mold, moisture, and water problems can be festering for months or even years before they are identified and corrective action taken. This mold problem was discovered because the home was recently listed for sale and the homeowner wanted to be sure that everything was okay down below. It was not, and Cowleys was brought in to treat the problem. It was time to get to work! We treated the crawlspace by first applying our EPA-registered anti-microbial (MAPS 1) using electrostatic fogging to kill the surface mold as well as any airborne mold spores found in the crawlspace. After waiting for this treatment to dry and give the application time to kill the mold, we applied our patented polymer sealant (MAPS 2), also using electrostatic fogging. This sealant, which destroys mold at the cellular level, is moisture-sensitive, so it will reactivate if exposed to moisture or water and prevent the return of any new mold growth in the treated area. Finally, we scrubbed off all of the visible mold growth. Because of the chronic humidity issues in the crawl space, we recommended to the homeowner that a commercial-grade dehumidifier be installed to keep down crawlspace humidity levels to prevent further mold growth. To stop re-occurring mold issues, it is critical to correct the underlying conditions that caused the mold growth. However, since the home is for sale, the owner did not want to make this long-term investment. In these situations, all we can hope for is that any buyers will hire a good home inspector that will identify the dampness and humidity issues in the crawl space. Also, the seller is obligated to disclose mold issues to any buyer. The Mold Solutions team was hired to get rid of the mold and restore the home’s indoor air quality. We did a great job of doing just that — and we did so in less than a day without tearing out any building materials.