In the wake of a burst pipe or a flood caused by Mother Nature, one of the worst things a homeowner can experience is mold growth. Mold can damage property, and even more seriously, have dire health ramifications on a household. Axis Response Group in Chicago offers four ways that our experienced team can help prevent and treat mold growth in the aftermath of a burst pipe or flood.

Examination

If you experience flooding in areas like Winnetka, Schaumburg, or Chicago, the first step in our mold remediation service is to conduct a thorough examination of the scene. There are several reasons why this is important. For insurance and tax purposes, it’s vital to inspect and document any damaged property. Even more critical is that we nullify any safety hazards caused by the flooding: gas, electrical, or structural. Once it’s safe to enter the scene, we’ll inspect the affected area and all of its contents. The general rule applied to any flooded area is that anything below the water line is discarded. Anything above the water line, including building materials (walls, wallpaper, shelving, etc.) is examined for odor, discoloration, and damage.

Removal

Immediately upon completing our examination, our environmental contractors will begin the process of water removal in the flooded area. This could necessitate using a water pump, wet vacuum, buckets, shovels, and the like. The goal is to ensure that every nook and cranny of the flood zone is water-free: for example, the entire basement including the crawlspace and area around the HVAC system.

Once the area is dry, Axis Response Group begins removing all building materials that were below the water line. This includes finished flooring (carpet, vinyl flooring, hardwood, etc.), insulation, and wallboard materials (drywall, plaster, paneling). This process is well documented so that you have a photo/video inventory of what was thrown out.

Clean-up

When everything below the water is removed, we’ll go through the affected area with a HEPA vacuum and remove as much loose debris as possible. A HEPA vacuum is ideal because it prevents dust and mold spores from being projected into the air, only to settle down on a clean surface. Speaking of surfaces, all of them are cleaned with a cleaning solution, applied either by hand or via low-pressure flushing. If mold is still visible after the first round of cleaning, another round of cleaning is done, and then another, until the mold is completely removed.

Dry-out

Mold spores thrive wherever there’s moisture – which means that even with highly trained technicians using the latest equipment, it’s impossible to remove every last spore and contaminant. This is why we move quickly to dry out the entire affected area, aiming to have dried off within 1 – 2 days after cleanup. Drying a flood-affected area is a job for professionals like Axis Response Group in Glenview. We know how best to direct airflow so that contaminants are contained, whether barriers are needed to enclose a certain space during drying, and how best to employ our detection and monitoring equipment to confirm that every single area has been checked and double-checked for mold.

Once dry-out is complete, we’ll talk with you about how to keep the area dry, which is vitally important to prevent future mold growth. Our advice will likely include a combination of dehumidifiers, air-conditioning, and water-sensing alarms — depending on the extent of the damage.

Axis Response Group attacks mold removal with the utmost professionalism and expertise. Contact us today and learn more about our services for homes in Palatine, Arlington Heights, Skokie, and beyond.