A client from Delavan Avenue, Newark, NJ, contacted FDP Mold Remediation with a complaint that they had a mold problem in their home that was not easy to contain despite the treatment they had done. They had experienced a problem of mold in the basement and, while trying to fix the issue, cleaned visible mold on the walls and floor, threw away items that could not be cleaned, and did mold testing. However, a week later, the walls and floor were contaminated with new mold growth, suggesting a more profound problem.
We were able to set an inspection for September 25, 2024, to get a better view of the situation. In our investigation of the mold's state, we found signs of trapped moisture and actual mold spores, which explained why a thorough process of mold removal would be necessary. We assured the client that our professional approach and tools would eliminate the mold and the source of moisture, and no further mold would appear.
The mold problem of our client's house resulted from multiple factors that are not uncommon in most basements. Mold grows well in areas of high humidity, warmth, and inadequate ventilation - circumstances very common in most basements around New Jersey, more so in the months of high humidity. In this case, as much as the client tried, home-based mold cleaning mainly deals with surface mold. A superficial attempt like this allows those molds to remain trapped in porous objects and unreachable crevices, releasing spores to re-contaminate the environment. It doesn't address mold spores in the air or continuing moisture problems that will support continuing mold growth.
During our inspection, we noted several contributing factors to the mold growth:
Being conscious of these factors, we developed the following strategy for mold remediation. Our team would ensure proper filtration, use enhanced dehumidification, and effectively implement antimicrobial solutions to address the current mold problem and future growth.
Our mold remediation procedure includes a detailed and regular step-by-step plan according to industry standards. In the case of our client on Delavan Avenue, Newark, NJ 07107, everything began on September 25, 2024, when we first entered the client's home for the visual inspection.
Mold remediation involves several steps, but the first step is always the inspection of the mold. While conducting the assessment, several spots with active mold and significant moisture levels were found throughout the identified areas. The inspection report revealed that while the clients had made a difference concerning the visible mold, the presence of other mold colonies was out of sight and would need professional intervention. Based on our report, the client chose to go forward with mold remediation, and the project continued on October 8, 2024.
It is important to minimize the spread of mold spores during remediation to avoid scattering them throughout the house. To prevent the mold from spreading to other areas within the basement or house, we created containment barriers around the working area. We set up negative pressure in the containment area, where airflow was directed toward our filtration equipment, thus isolating spores from other areas.
When mold has penetrated the porous layer, deeper cleaning is inevitable. We cleaned some of the basement walls and sanded the areas to ensure any mold was cleared from the walls. After the sanding was over, we proceeded with the use of an antimicrobial encapsulant to form a barrier on the treated surfaces. This step is taken to ensure that mold will not grow back and to provide effective mold prevention in the future.
To enhance the protection, we applied an antimicrobial solution to all the exposed areas. This treatment is especially useful in reaching deep-seated spores that may deposit themselves on surfaces after sanding. Using this solution, we gave the client the last layer of protection against mold regrowth and hence made the basement safer and healthier for the client's family.
Mold remediation is highly sensitive to air quality. In this project, we used several HEPA air scrubbers, each with a 500 cubic feet per minute cfm rating. These devices operate on the principle that mold floats in the air, and by filtering the air to remove the spores, we can prevent spores and particles from coming into contact with cleaned surfaces. From the moment we started the remediation, we kept the air scrubbers running, which kept the air clean and minimized the chances of cross-contamination.
Mold grows best in areas that are moist, and thus, to avoid regrowth, then people should ensure that the areas around the house are not moist. Specifically for this basement, we applied Low Grain Refrigerant (LGR) dehumidifiers, which are most efficient in minimizing the level of moisture. These dehumidifiers helped to raise the pace of the drying process of the affected materials, sucking the moisture out of the air. In this case, we wanted to get rid of damp conditions that are required by mold to thrive and spread throughout the house.
Finally, we handled all trash disposal according to safety protocols, removing contaminated materials to avoid any future mold re-infestation. This step included the removal of all items that could not be salvaged, such as porous materials heavily infested with mold. Once the site was clear, we completed the final restoration, ensuring the property was safe, clean, and ready for the client to use again.
The remediation work was conducted for three days, and the project was successfully and formally closed on October 10, 2024. In the last assessment for the final inspection, we made sure that the basement did not have any mold and that the moisture levels were within safe levels. By using the containment and filtration techniques employed, all the mold spores were eradicated, and the air quality in the basement was improved.
Mold is not just an aesthetic issue because it is a health hazard and a quality threat to indoor air. It might be easy to try and do this on your own, but professional remediation deals with the source of the problem and eradicates mold and the potential for its return at a later time and for a much higher cost.
Whether it is based in Delavan Avenue, Newark, NJ 07107, or any other surrounding area, do not delay to get the professional help you need for mold. FDP Mold Remediation has all the necessary knowledge, equipment, and passion to help you make your home safe and free of mold. Call us today and make an appointment with one of our specialists to solve this problem. Mold growth does not dissipate by itself - it is time to reign in the situation and make your home a healthier environment.
Mold in the basement. This project involved:
