Mold Remediation Due to Leaking Basement in Shepherdsville, KY

Thursday, January 23rd, 2014 by Cassi Sherman Henes

Challenge

Leaking Basements are not usual in Shepherdsville, KY and many of those basements are finished to provide cool, below-grade retreats during the hot, humid summer months. Drop ceilings are a common component of the finishing process, but those panels can mold if the basement is leaking.

In this particular situation, a commercial building in Shepherdsville, KY was experiencing a leaking basement. The leaking was coming in through the walls and in the junction between the subfloor and the foundation, flowing along the drop ceiling and causing the ceiling tiles to mold.

The challenges in this situation were as follows:
1. Repair the water problem
2. Suppress mold spore bearing dust
3. Properly dispose of contanminated materials
4. Clean all areas to prevent mold regrowth
5. Properly clean the affected areas with level 2 products
6. Perform a visibility test
7. Properly dry and dehumidify the area
8. Replace damaged materials
9. Prevent future moisture intrusion

Solution

The following solutions were applied to the leaking basement in Shepherdsville:
The current water intrusion was remediated by removing the water and installing a Waterguard full perimeter drain system with a sump pump. The contaminated areas were isolated by closing all doors and windows, providing dust control with 6 mil polyethylene sheeting. The Healthy Spaces installation team sealed all seams on the sheeting with tape and by creating negative air flow, as well as using HEPA filters.

The Healthy Spaces team removed all the contaminated materials in sealed plastic bags. Then, they cleaned all surfaces with disposable wipes. All areas were visibly free of contamination and debris, absent of dust and dirt. The entire area was dried and a dehumidifier was used to speed up the evaporation process as well as raise the indoor air temperature. The ceiling tiles, dry wall and other infected pieces were replaced with new materials.

The building managers decided to purchase a Sanidry Dehumidifier to keep the basement area's indoor relative humidity low.

Project Summary

Project Manager: Damon Cheatham

Upon initial inspection, brown spots were apparent on the ceiling tiles. There was a noticeable odor as well.

When the tile was removed, mold growth in the drywall was observed.

The mold growth was extensive throughout the ceiling and along the outside wall.

In one particular area, the water intrusion was extensive enough that the drywall and tape had fallen down and mold was observed in the insulation.

Upon cutting into the wall, mold growth was observed in the perimeter wall.

Here is the close up of the mold growth.

The wood subfloor also had extensive mold growth present and the wood was spongy and unable to bear a load properly.

Each area that included water intrusion damage and mold growth was carefully documented and remediated.

During the remediation process, the drywall on the perimeter walls was removed until only completely dry, uncontaminated drywall was left.

After the mold was remediated and the Waterguard system was installed, the drywall was replaced.

The entire area was cleaned and wiped down.

The installation team completely cleaned up and removed any contaminated materials to be disposed of properly.

The ceiling tiles were replaced.

The area no longer smells damp or moldy and the Sanidry dehumidifier was set up to keep the relative humidity low.

About the author

Cassi Sherman Henes

Cassi holds over 15 years experience in the construction, real estate, and education industries. She is certified in foundation repair technology, soil dynamics, and system design from the Foundation Supportworks Institute.

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Mold Remediation Due to Leaking Basement in Shepherdsville, KY

Challenge

Solution

Project Summary

About the author

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