When You Can't Remove It: A Haberfield Case Study on Mould Encapsulation & Rebuilding

The beautiful Federation homes in Sydney's Inner West are treasured for their character, but their complex structures can sometimes hide serious issues. Our team was recently called to a stunning apartment in Haberfield where the owner was dealing with a persistent damp and mouldy smell in a bedroom. Our investigation quickly revealed that a slow water leak had caused a significant, hidden mould problem, with some affected areas being completely inaccessible. This case study details how we tackle such a challenge, combining advanced remediation techniques like encapsulation with our capabilities as licensed builders.

Step 1: A Partnership in Professional Standards

Our process began with a thorough inspection using moisture meters and thermal imaging cameras to map the extent of the water damage. Mould testing of Air and surface samples were also taken to understand the level of contamination. We then sat down with the client, their strata manager, and the insurer to explain our findings and our proposed scope of work. We took the time to educate them on the AS IICRC S500 (Water Damage) and ANSI S520 (Mould Remediation) standards, ensuring they understood that our plan was based on global best practices for a safe and effective outcome before they proceeded with the quote.

Step 2: The Meticulous Pack-Out and Containment Setup

Day 1 & 2: Protecting the Home and its Contents Our first on-site action was to professionally pack-out all contents from the affected rooms and transport them to our North Rocks warehouse for our specialist team to begin the content remediation process.

Next, we focused on site safety. It's not enough to just put up plastic; a professional setup is an engineered system. We used the Zipwall® dust barrier system with 200um plastic sheeting to construct a fully sealed containment zone. Within this, we created a "decontamination chamber"—a three-stage airlock entrance—where our technicians could safely put on and take off their protective gear without any risk of cross-contaminating the rest of the beautiful heritage home.

We then established negative air pressure using HEPA air scrubbers, a critical step that ensures all airborne particles are contained within the work zone.

Step 3: Remediation – A Targeted Approach to Cleaning

Day 3 & 4: Removal and Deep Cleaning Our IICRC certified technicians began the source removal process.

• Materials identified as Condition 3 (with active, visible mould growth), such as the plaster ceiling, walls, and yellow tongue flooring, were carefully cut out, double-bagged with a 'goose-neck' seal, and disposed of according to NSW EPA regulations.

• Surfaces identified as Condition 2 (contaminated with settled spores but no visible growth) underwent our meticulous two-round cleaning process, starting with a HEPA vacuum and damp wipe.

  
  

Step 4: The Solution for Inaccessible Areas: Mould Encapsulation

Day 5: Sealing the Problem Permanently In some parts of the heritage structure, full removal of affected timber was not possible without compromising the building's integrity. For these specific, inaccessible areas, we used a specialised technique called encapsulation. After cleaning and treating the surface as much as physically possible, we applied IAQ6000, a high-performance mould encapsulation membrane.

This sealant creates a durable, waterproof, and antimicrobial barrier that permanently locks away any residual microscopic mould and prevents it from ever accessing moisture or releasing spores into the home again. It is the professional standard for dealing with mould in areas that cannot be physically removed.

Step 5: Drying, Air Washing, and Verification

Day 6, 7 & 8: Final Decontamination With the cleaning and encapsulation complete, we began the drying process using our advanced equipment. This was followed by a 24-hour "air wash," where multiple HEPA air scrubbers continued to filter the air. Finally, we conducted our own internal pre-clearance tests using Air-O-Cell® cassettes and surface tape lifts to ensure the area met the criteria for clearance before scheduling the independent hygienist for the final Post-Remediation Verification (PRV).

Step 6: The Final Step – Rebuilding by Licensed Builders

Day 12: A Seamless Restoration Our service didn't stop at remediation. As a fully licensed builder company, we have the unique capability to see the job through to the very end. Once the area was certified as safe, our building team came in to install new timber frame walls, floor joists, and yellow tongue flooring, providing a seamless transition from remediation to restoration and saving the client the hassle of coordinating multiple trades.

This Haberfield project showcases our ability to offer a complete, end-to-end solution for the most complex water damage and mould issues. By combining our expertise in IICRC-standard remediation, advanced techniques like encapsulation, and our qualifications as licensed builders, we were able to restore this beautiful heritage apartment to a safe, healthy, and structurally sound condition.

Photos from this mould removal job site in Haberfield

we remove a section of the water damage timber floor to expose the floor joist

this is the second bedroom with mould on the walls and floors bfore we start strip out

If you have a complex mould issue in a heritage or strata property, contact the team that can handle the entire project, from inspection to remediation to rebuilding.

About the Author

Michael Nguyen is the founder of AAA Mould Removal and a leading expert in mould remediation and building science. His mission is to help Sydney residents maintain healthy indoor environments through scientifically-backed, professional remediation services.

With a unique combination of hands-on and academic expertise, Michael's qualifications are extensive:

• IICRC Certified: Water Damage Restoration, Applied Microbial Remediation & Applied Structural Drying.

• Microbiology: Completed specialised study in Microbiology at RMIT University.

• Licensed Builder & Carpenter with a Diploma in Building & Construction.

• Current University Studies: Double Bachelor’s degree in Medical Science and Environmental Science at Macquarie University.

This deep understanding of building structures, environmental science, and microbiology allows Michael to diagnose the root cause of mould problems, not just treat the symptoms. He specialises in residential and commercial mould removal, black mould treatment, and water damage restoration.

Need a true expert to assess your property? Contact AAA Mould Removal today for a comprehensive mould inspection.