Contained Bathroom Remediation in an Older Home
- When:
- Early 2026
- Loss:
- Bathroom water damage with suspected microbial growth
This Midvale bathroom had water damage and visible growth on the affected surfaces. No sampling was taken, so what follows describes what was observed and what was done about it rather than any identification of what the growth was.
The home was old enough to have plaster-era finishes, which changes the inspection. Older wall assemblies do not telegraph moisture the way modern drywall does — a hard, dense finish can look sound while the material behind it is wet, so thermal imaging was used before anything was opened to find out how far the moisture actually reached.
The order of operations mattered here. Disturbing materials with suspected growth releases spores, so full containment went up first, HEPA filtration ran for the duration, and the crew worked in Tyvek and respiratory protection. Only then did demolition start: ceiling drywall off to the joists, and tile and drywall out around the tub surround. Exposed framing and sheathing were treated, then dried.
What the work involved
- Initial inspection with thermal imaging to identify the extent of moisture behind finishes
- Full containment established before any disturbance of the affected materials
- Crew in Tyvek suits and respiratory protection for the duration of the work
- Ceiling drywall removed to expose joists across the affected area
- Affected wall tile and drywall removed around the tub surround
- HEPA filtration run throughout the work
- Antimicrobial treatment applied to exposed framing and sheathing
Result
Affected materials removed and the cavity treated and dried, leaving the bathroom ready for reconstruction.
Services used on this job: Mold Remediation, Water Damage Restoration