During a scheduled maintenance shutdown, mold and water damage were discovered inside concealed wall assemblies at a commercial manufacturing facility in Cambridge, Ontario. Mold Assist completed controlled mold remediation, demolition, HEPA cleaning and structural drying while protecting sensitive manufacturing equipment.
Project Overview
- Location: Cambridge, Ontario
- Property type: Commercial manufacturing facility
- Affected areas: Two adjoining work areas
- Mold impact: Approximately 100 square feet
- Water-damage impact: Approximately 200 square feet
- Remediation classification: EACC Level 3
- Project duration: Five working days
- Equipment used: Two commercial dehumidifiers and two HEPA air scrubbers
- Oversight: Independent environmental consultant
- Services provided: Containment, negative air pressure, equipment protection, controlled demolition, HEPA cleaning, disinfection, drying and project documentation
How Was the Mold Discovered?
The mold was discovered while maintenance work was being completed during a scheduled facility shutdown. Visible mold growth was identified on the rear and lower portions of drywall inside a shared wall cavity between two adjoining work areas.
An independent environmental consultant investigated the affected area and developed the remediation scope.
The investigation identified:
- Confirmed mold growth on drywall
- Wet drywall and cement-board wall assemblies
- Suspected concealed mold behind stainless-steel wall panels
- Standing water inside a plumbing chase
- Wet and mold-affected paper materials
- Moisture damage extending beyond the initially opened wall cavity
- Approximately 100 square feet of mold growth
- Approximately 200 square feet of associated water damage
Laboratory examination of a drywall sample confirmed fungal growth. The consultant recommended removing the affected materials using EACC Level 3 mold-remediation procedures.
The moisture source also required further investigation and correction before replacement building materials could be installed.
Why Was EACC Level 3 Mold Remediation Required?
Commercial mold remediation inside a manufacturing facility requires careful planning and strict control of dust and airborne particles. The work must protect employees, equipment, unaffected areas and surrounding business operations.
The remediation plan accounted for:
- Sensitive machinery and workplace equipment
- Separation of contaminated and unaffected areas
- Negative air pressure and HEPA filtration
- Worker decontamination procedures
- Controlled handling and disposal of contaminated materials
- Protection of surrounding operations
- Independent environmental oversight
- Completion within the facility’s maintenance-shutdown schedule
Mold Assist coordinated the remediation work with facility representatives and the independent environmental consultant.
Mold Assist’s Commercial Remediation Process
1. Site Preparation and Equipment Protection
Before demolition began, Mold Assist protected machinery, desks, furniture and other equipment located within or near the affected work areas.
The two remediation areas were isolated using polyethylene sheeting. Controlled entrances with curtain flaps were installed, floor protection was placed and mold-hazard signage was posted at the entrances.
A worker decontamination facility was also established. It included:
- A clean change area
- A dirty change area
- A wash station
- Fresh water, soap and disposable towelling
These controls helped prevent contaminated dust and debris from being transferred outside the work areas.
2. Negative Air Pressure and HEPA Filtration
HEPA-filtered negative-air equipment was installed to maintain inward airflow within the containment. Negative pressure helps reduce the risk of airborne particles escaping into adjacent areas during demolition and cleaning.
Before removal work proceeded, the independent environmental consultant inspected the remediation setup. The following controls were documented as acceptable:
- Work-area isolation
- Polyethylene containment
- Worker decontamination facilities
- Negative air pressure
- Personal protective equipment
- HEPA-filtered equipment
- Dust-suppression procedures
- Waste-handling procedures
Following this review, Mold Assist was authorized to proceed with the remediation.
3. Protection of Wall Openings and Facility Services
The manufacturing environment included equipment, utility connections and wall penetrations that required protection. Openings and nearby components were covered and sealed to help prevent dust and debris from entering unaffected areas or sensitive systems.
4. Controlled Demolition
Affected and suspected water-damaged building materials were removed under controlled conditions.
The demolition work included:
- Removal of mold-affected drywall
- Removal of wet cement-board materials
- Removal of suspected contaminated materials inside concealed cavities
- Removal beyond visible mold growth where required by the consultant’s scope
- Removal of wall panels attached to affected assemblies
- Removal of metal framing where necessary to provide remediation access
- Opening concealed sections behind wall finishes
- Removal of wet and mold-affected debris
Demolition waste was sealed inside the contaminated work area. The exterior surfaces of the waste bags were cleaned before the materials were double-bagged and transferred through the designated waste-removal route.
5. Worker Protection
Mold Assist technicians wore respiratory protection, disposable protective coveralls, gloves and protective footwear while working inside the containment.
Appropriate personal protective equipment helped protect workers while affected building materials were removed and concealed surfaces were cleaned.
6. HEPA Cleaning, Disinfection and Protective Coating
Following demolition, Mold Assist completed detailed cleaning of the exposed wall cavities, metal framing and surrounding surfaces.
The remediation process included:
- HEPA vacuuming of exposed surfaces
- Cleaning of metal framing and wall cavities
- Wet wiping with a professional disinfectant
- Cleaning of protected equipment and surrounding surfaces
- Removal of remaining dust and demolition debris
- Application of a protective coating where required
- Continued HEPA-filtered air scrubbing
- Final cleaning before containment removal
Equipment was repositioned as the work progressed so airflow and drying could be maintained in the areas requiring treatment.
7. Structural Drying and Moisture Control
Two commercial dehumidifiers and two HEPA air scrubbers were installed to support structural drying and air filtration.
Drying chambers were created within the affected areas, and equipment was repositioned as the project progressed. Environmental conditions were monitored as work continued.
Structural drying is an important part of mold remediation. Replacement materials should not be installed until the moisture source has been corrected and the remaining assemblies have been confirmed suitably dry.
8. Final Cleaning and Containment Removal
Before containment was removed, the affected areas were:
- HEPA vacuumed
- Detail-cleaned
- Disinfected
- Inspected for remaining debris
- Treated as required under the approved remediation process
After final cleaning was completed, the containment barriers were carefully dismantled, the equipment was removed and the work areas were prepared for independent environmental review.
Independent Environmental Sampling
Independent air sampling was completed following the remediation work.
The laboratory reported:
- 2,300 total fungal spores per cubic metre in the remediated work areas
- 520 total fungal spores per cubic metre in the adjacent corridor
- 12,000 total fungal spores per cubic metre in the outdoor reference sample
At the time of sampling, the total airborne fungal-spore concentrations in the remediated work areas and adjacent corridor were below the outdoor reference concentration.
These results apply only to the locations and environmental conditions present when the samples were collected. Interpretation and final acceptance remain the responsibility of the independent environmental consultant.
Project Outcome
Mold Assist completed the commercial mold-remediation project over five working days during the facility’s scheduled maintenance shutdown.
The completed work included:
- Protection of sensitive commercial equipment
- Isolation of two affected work areas
- EACC Level 3 containment procedures
- Negative air pressure and HEPA filtration
- Worker decontamination facilities
- Controlled demolition of affected wall assemblies
- Cleaning and disinfection of exposed cavities and framing
- Commercial dehumidification and air scrubbing
- Controlled waste handling and disposal
- Daily photographic documentation
- Coordination with an independent environmental consultant
- Independent post-remediation air sampling
This Cambridge project demonstrates why commercial mold remediation requires more than removing visible damage. Effective remediation combines professional assessment, containment, equipment protection, controlled demolition, detailed cleaning, air filtration, moisture management and independent oversight.
Commercial Mold Remediation in Cambridge and Southern Ontario
Mold Assist provides commercial and industrial mold-remediation services in Cambridge, Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, Hamilton, Toronto and surrounding Southern Ontario communities.
Our commercial mold services include:
- Emergency mold inspections
- Environmental-consultant-directed remediation
- EACC Level 2 and Level 3 mold remediation
- Commercial containment systems
- Negative air pressure and HEPA filtration
- Controlled demolition
- Equipment and machinery protection
- HEPA cleaning and disinfection
- Structural drying and moisture monitoring
- Photographic project documentation
- Coordination with consultants, facility managers and property-management teams
Frequently Asked Questions
What is EACC Level 3 mold remediation?
EACC Level 3 procedures are generally used for larger or higher-risk mold-remediation projects. They may include full containment, negative air pressure, worker decontamination facilities, respiratory protection, controlled waste handling and detailed HEPA cleaning.
Can mold remediation be completed during a manufacturing shutdown?
Yes. A scheduled shutdown can provide an opportunity to isolate affected areas, protect equipment and complete remediation while reducing interference with normal operations.
Can Mold Assist follow an environmental consultant’s remediation scope?
Yes. Mold Assist can complete remediation based on a scope developed by an independent environmental consultant or occupational hygienist. Mold Assist can also coordinate required site reviews and post-remediation sampling.
How is manufacturing equipment protected during mold remediation?
Equipment may be covered and sealed with polyethylene sheeting, isolated from demolition activities and cleaned before the protection is removed. The required procedures depend on the equipment and facility conditions.
How long does commercial mold remediation take?
The duration depends on the affected area, access, containment requirements, concealed contamination and drying conditions. This Cambridge manufacturing-facility project was completed over five working days.
Does Mold Assist provide commercial mold remediation outside Cambridge?
Yes. Mold Assist provides commercial and industrial mold-remediation services throughout Cambridge, Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, Hamilton, Toronto and surrounding Southern Ontario communities.
Need Commercial Mold Remediation?
If mold or water damage is discovered during maintenance, renovation or a scheduled facility shutdown, contact Mold Assist for professional commercial mold-remediation support in Cambridge or elsewhere in Southern Ontario.