Dealing With Mold After Water Damage In Chicago Properties

9/19/2018 (Permalink)

The last thing a homeowner wants in their property is mold.

Dealing With Mold After Water Damage

The last thing a homeowner wants in their property is mold. Unfortunately, in colder climates across America, it's an unfortunate reality. The causes of mold are varied and can occur from heavy rainfall, leaks in your plumbing or even in your HVAC. Moisture can fit into the smallest spaces or be absorbed by drywall making it difficult to guard against the growth of mold.

Properties that have suffered previous water damage in Chicago are at a higher risk of mold or mildew buildup. Anything from cracks between the floorboards, crawlspaces or behind fittings are places where moisture can seep in undetected. These areas are the ideal conditions for mold to grow and the resultant spores can cause it to spread rapidly.

When you call in a SERVPRO technician, the first thing you should provide as much information as you can. Usually, we need to cordon off the affected area to prevent spores from spreading to other areas of your home. Until the area is contained, we can not introduce air flow, such as using vacuums, as it would risk spreading.

Containment could include using plastic sheeting, negative airflow, covering of ducts (if we suspect mold in your HVAC), as well as decontamination rooms for SERVPRO equipment and PPE gear. Unfortunately, the majority of porous materials like fabrics must be removed and discarded. Non-porous materials in your home can be cleaned by our technician using HEPA vacuums or sanitizers.

Once all visible signs of mold have been removed from the containment area, the next job is to thoroughly dry materials and structure to protect against future infection. Regular drying equipment like air movers can be counter-productive and spread spores around. For that reason, SERVPRO can delay the drying procedure focusing on removing infected materials and lighter equipment like dehumidifiers.

As part of our service, we can remove and dispose of all contaminated materials to lessen the risk of mold returning to your home. We can also thoroughly deodorize the affected area using chemical foggers to get rid of that musty smell to make it "Like it never even happened."

If you spot mold on your walls or furnishings don't hesitate, call SERVPRO of Hyde Park / E. Bridgeport / Bronzeville 24/7 at (312) 509-5000.

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