Mold remediation in Chicago North Shore , or any other area, is crucial for many reasons.  Since mold exists to decompose natural materials, it can destroy your home’s wood surfaces and other building materials if left unchecked. It can also cause serious health issues like respiratory problems, headaches, and eye, nose, or throat irritation. Children, seniors, and those with existing conditions are also at risk of having severe reactions to mold.  Lastly, most homeowners insurance plans consider microbial growth as a home maintenance issue like insect infestation, so they exclude mold infestation from their coverage.   With that said, how can you prevent mold from entering and taking hold of your property?  Before we move on to some practical tips for preventing mold, it helps to understand how mold grows and multiplies in the first place.  How Does Mold Grow?  Mold is an airborne spore that requires three things to grow: moisture, food source, and oxygen. Unfortunately, since these can all be found inside your home, mold can survive and thrive anywhere, whether it be your carpet, wallpaper, upholstery, ceiling tiles, clothing, or even insulation and drywall.  It’s also worth noting that daily activities like taking hot showers, cooking with uncovered pots, using humidifiers, and drying clothes indoors create excess moisture that further promotes microbial growth.  Mold will always grow where moisture and humidity are present, so managing these factors inside your home is a fundamental step toward mold prevention .  Practical Tips for Preventing Mold Monitor Indoor Humidity Keeping the humidity level inside your home no higher than 50% is among the most effective ways to prevent mold growth. An air conditioner or dehumidifier can help you do this, while a hygrometer or humidity gauge can accurately measure the moisture inside your house.  Natural signs like condensation on windows, pipes, and walls can also indicate high humidity, so watching out for these and immediately drying affected surfaces helps prevent mold.  Ventilate Your Home Ensuring the air in your home flows freely is another way to keep molds away. This entails installing and using exhaust fans venting outside your home in your kitchen, bathroom, attic, and crawl spaces.  If you do not have fans in these rooms, opening a window while you cook or shower and covering pots when cooking are simple yet effective ways to avoid excess moisture indoors.  Watch Out for Leaks Even the most insignificant plumbing leak can cause dampness in hidden or dark spots in your home, ultimately facilitating microbial growth.  To save yourself from the shock of discovering a mold infestation a little too late, it’s best to watch out for and fix leaks regularly. Common areas worth checking are the spaces around your washing machine and dishwasher, under your sinks, and behind toilets.  Regularly replacing hoses, pipes, and fittings to major appliances like dishwashers, water heaters, and kitchen and bathroom sinks also aids in mold prevention. Keeping these in good condition helps minimize the risks of experiencing stressful plumbing emergencies and their accompanying water damage.  Maintain Your Bathroom Regularly Your bathrooms are another space you want to focus on, mainly because they’re among the best breeding grounds for mold.  Fortunately, preventing mold in these often damp and dark areas isn’t rock science. You can keep spores from propagating in your bathroom by:  Spread towels out after every use so they dry quickly.  Wiping down the shower with a clean towel at the end of the day.  Using shower curtains that dry easily.  Cleaning the room with mold-killing products regularly.  Dust Your Bookshelf Letting dust and dirt rest on your books, magazines, and newspapers is a recipe for disaster, as this makes for an excellent food source for mold. To prevent microbial growth from affecting your valued reading materials, it’s a good idea to clean your bookshelf regularly. Dusting your books and the shelves they were sitting on can help you preserve your collection and prevent microbial growth, even before it starts.  Remove Water-Damaged Items Right Away If you recently experienced flooding or a major plumbing emergency, you may have to let go of certain affected items to keep mold from propagating inside your home. For example, soaked carpets, mattresses, and upholstery that are beyond cleaning and drying have to be discarded right away. Food, paper, clothing, or other items with moldy residue must be bagged and disposed of to prevent further contamination.  Some water-damaged items may still be saved, but you will need professional mold remediation in Chicago North Shore to get the job done right. Experts in mold cleaning know how to safely and effectively remove mold from your prized possessions.  Since Chicago experiences a hot-summer humid continental climate, it’s best to always be on your guard when protecting your home from mold. On that note, prevention is always better than cure. Following the practical tips listed above can go a long way in preventing mold from wreaking havoc inside your property.  If all else fails, know that Restoration 1 is always here to provide you with swift, effective, and transparent mold remediation in Chicago North Shore. Our IICRC-certified specialists are trained to deal with mold, address the moisture problem, and restore your home to a mold-free environment. Contact us to get expert help today! RESOURCES Don't Get Stuck With Damaged Property Fill in your details, we'll contact you right back. First Name** I consent to receive text messages from this business. Name This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Δ

There’s a widespread belief that black mold can be fatal and cause severe health problems because it releases toxic substances into the air. With its ominous color, it’s easy to associate it black mold severe medical conditions and other grim situations. Many wonder, can black mold kill you?      Here’s the short answer: black mold isn’t likely to kill or make otherwise healthy individuals sick. This is because not everyone is at risk of developing mold-related concerns. Others may experience inconvenient symptoms, but some may not even show a single sign of exposure.  However, this doesn’t mean that you should ignore black mold concerns in your home or commercial property. All molds can present various issues when left unchecked and allowed to multiply. It can be helpful to dig a little further into researching black mold and the possible health problems it brings to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.    What Is Black Mold? Black mold is a type of mold called Stachybotrys that typically presents itself as black spots and splotches. Attracted to moisture, it grows on damp materials with high cellulose content, such as wood, drywall, and gypsum board. It can also produce airborne spores containing toxic chemicals, which is why many believe it is dangerous to human health.  Is Black Mold Dangerous?  Stachybotrys gained its reputation for being dangerous and even lethal in the early ‘90s. Eight infants from Ohio living in homes with severe water damage and microbial contamination became ill between January 1993 and December 1994.  All developed a life-threatening condition called idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage, and one died. This case led many to believe that black mold could kill, but scientists were unable to connect black mold exposure to the infants’ illness and death.  Still, mold can cause symptoms in the following at-risk individuals, especially with prolonged exposure:  Infants and children  People with allergies or chronic respiratory conditions  People with weakened immune systems.  It’s also worth noting that, contrary to myths about “black mold poison,” Stachybotrys isn’t any more dangerous than other types. All molds can produce toxins and pose health hazards to individuals exposed to them.    Symptoms of Black Mold Exposure As mentioned earlier, not everyone will develop mold-related problems after exposure. Moreover, individuals who do experience them will experience different symptoms and severity. Here are some of the common issues that can arise from mold exposure:  Allergic Reactions  Individuals with allergies may be more sensitive to mold and may experience the following:  Blocked or runny nose  Watery or red eyes  Skin rashes  In rare, severe cases, mold allergies can lead to hypersensitivity pneumonitis. This is an immune system disorder affecting the lungs and causing symptoms like the following:  Coughing that lasts for weeks or months  Shortness of breath  Progressive weight loss  Mold Infections  Those with healthy immune systems may not necessarily have to worry about getting mold infections. However, individuals with HIV, transplant patients, and those undergoing chemotherapy are at risk because of their weakened immune systems.  Mold infections can cause fever, night sweats, cough, shortness of breath, sinus symptoms, and dark scabs on the skin. While these infections are rare, they are often life-threatening and must be treated early.  Complications From Prolonged Exposure While black mold cannot kill or make most healthy people ill, prolonged exposure to high levels of contamination in a home can be unhealthy for anyone. Over time, prolonged exposure can cause health issues such as:  Increased risks of respiratory problems  Chronic sinusitis 

Chicago winters always offer a peak into a magical kingdom that we like to call a winter paradise. Each year, the winter brings a light blanket of powdery snow, magical light displays, and a mix of unique holiday traditions that make the holidays even more magical. However, the festivities don’t need to get in the way of your home preparations. Chicago winters are also known for being especially cold, with this year being no exception. These extremely low temperatures can do a number on your plumbing and cause significant water damage to your home. Although you can always rely on Restoration 1 to provide water damage restoration in Chicago North Shore, it’s also recommended to prep your home for the winter season to avoid having to rely on restoration services altogether. Consider the following winter preparation tips to ensure your home is winter-ready.   Inspect Your Roof Perhaps your most crucial winter preparation task is to inspect your roof or have it inspected professionally. This ensures that your first line of defense from the elements is in top shape, especially as the snow continues to accumulate throughout the season. Check for loose, broken, or missing shingles. If any require replacement, make sure to replace them right away. Neglecting to do this early on can make it more challenging as the winter progresses. Additionally, the damage could accumulate, causing your repair bills to add up.   Clean Your Gutters Although cleaning your gutters should be done every season, the most critical time to accomplish this is at the end of autumn or right before winter. As you might expect, autumn brings a lot of falling leaves, twigs, and plenty of other small debris that could end up on your gutters.  These, combined with accumulated snow, puts too much weight on your gutters, affecting their optimal function. Further, the accumulation of debris impedes water flow. Although this might not be an issue when water remains frozen, you may soon require restoration services come springtime when all that snow melts.   Recaulk Windows and Doors Recaulking windows and doors is essential in preventing water damage and heat loss. This low-cost method of winter home maintenance can ultimately lead to more savings as you minimize energy costs and avoid needing winter restoration in Chicago North Shore. Caulk the outside perimeter of your windows’ and doors’ molding for added insulation. Then, apply a thin line of exterior silicone caulk across the molding to fill all the tiny cracks and crevices.   Reverse Your Ceiling Fans As most of us learned in school, cold air sinks while warm air rises. If you ever feel cold inside your home, all that warm air resides near your ceiling. You can take advantage of all that warm air by reversing the rotation of your ceiling fan. Reversing the direction of your fans creates an updraft that combines the heated air with cool air and redistributes it around the room. This helps you reduce your energy consumption by being less reliant on your heating system, keeping you warm all winter.    Prune Your Trees As mentioned above, winter snow can accumulate as the winter progresses. This can be extremely heavy, not just on your gutters but also on the trees around your home. When the weight is too much to bear, branches can break, land on your roof, and damage your home. If you face this damage on your property, you can always call on restoration experts to perform home restoration on your Chicago North Shore home. Of course, this can be avoided by pruning your trees and cutting back branches to keep your home safe throughout the winter.   Call Restoration 1 For Home Restoration in Chicago North Shore Prevention is always better than any quick fix. Unfortunately, property damage issues can arise at any time, no matter how much you prepare. These can be incredibly stressful, especially when they happen around the holidays. If any of these issues come up, you can rely on Restoration 1 to assist you with home restoration in Chicago North Shore. Solve your wintertime property damage woes by getting in touch with Restoration 1. Get in touch with our experts today to schedule a consultation!   Don't Get Stuck With Damaged Property Fill in your details, we'll contact you right back. First Name** I consent to receive text messages from this business. Name This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Δ

When undergoing home renovation projects, it’s easy to get caught up in the finished product. After all, by the end of the project, you’re left with a beautiful space that increases your home’s resale value.  However, most homeowners also need to remember what happens while their renovation project is still ongoing. During this time, your home becomes a big construction nightmare where dust, debris, and materials occupy the entire space. And, once all is done, your home renovation project will require significant renovation clean up in Chicago North Shore. If you’re planning a renovation in Chicago North Shore, keep the following tips in mind to lighten your post-renovation cleanup load.   How to Minimize Cleanup During Construction We can’t stress this enough: prevention is always better than any quick fixes you intend to implement. In this case, site preparation is vital in reducing the clutter you must clean up afterward.  Take note of the following steps you can take during construction to minimize the amount of renovation clean up in Chicago North Shore you have to deal with: > Prep the Site Whether you’re working with a contractor or performing this home renovation in Chicago North Shore DIY-style, it’s always a good idea to prepare your site for what’s to come. Consider the space you’re planning to renovate while taking the surrounding areas into account. Clear the area of anything unrelated to the project. These can be anything from a chair to a cabinet to an appliance. Cover all pieces that need to be protected but cannot be moved.  > Seal Off and Isolate the Construction Site Isolating the construction site limits the space you have to clean up once the renovation in Chicago North Shore is completed. Consider the following ways to seal off the construction zone and prevent the contamination of nearby spaces: Hang a heavy-duty tarp from the ceiling to the floor. Make sure to cover all areas that need to be covered. Be careful not to leave any gaps, as particles and light debris can fly through them easily, no matter how small these gaps might be. If you’re planning to perform a lot of sanding, renovation experts recommend doubling the tarp amount to ensure the area is sealed tight.  Protect anything worth keeping. Aside from those mentioned above, it’s also important to lay a tarp or continuous paper over window treatments, floors, and kitchen islands, among others. Make sure all furniture is covered by a tarp or drop cloth. Even if they’re not directly inside the reno zone, they must be covered to keep them safe from dust and debris that escapes the isolation zone.  Seal up your closets with masking tape. Place the tape on the gaps between the doors and the floor so dust particles can’t contaminate your clothes. Otherwise, you will need to rewash all of them. > Clean the Air Throughout the duration of your home renovation in Chicago North Shore, it’s a good idea to clear the air of any dust particles. This limits the amount of dust you have to clean up after the fact. Vacuum the space using a unit that has a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter at the end of each work day. If you have one, run a HEPA air purifier 24/7 to ensure the air is clear of dust and smaller particles. Lastly, make sure to ventilate the space by opening the windows to keep the air flowing.   How to Clean Up After Construction After the renovation has wrapped up, it’s time to do a deep cleaning of your home to ensure it’s free from the effects of the construction project. Materials You Need

No property owner wants to deal with a flooded bathroom. It can be even more stressful when you find that the leak is coming from your toilet, which can be an overwhelming experience. If you find that your toilet is leaking, dealing with the problem immediately is key to ensuring the problem doesn’t spread to other parts of your home and cause water damage to your property. In this case, the best approach is to act swiftly and deal with the problem right away. If the leak has affected your home, you’ll likely need restoration services from a company offering home restoration in Chicago North Shore. Below, we’ll delve into tips to help you deal with a leaking toilet.   What’s Causing Your Toilet to Leak? Many reasons can cause your toilet to leak but knowing what to look out for is key to resolving the issue. Watch out for the following reasons to determine what’s causing water to leak out from your toilet:  Condensation on Toilet Collects on the Floor More often than not, water leaking out of your toilet isn’t actually coming from the inside. Sometimes, it could be just condensation forming on your toilet bowl or tank’s outer surface. This is caused by the huge difference in temperature between humid air and the porcelain toilet, which causes water vapor to condense on the toilet surface. Toilet Is Loosely Attached Bolts are used to attach the toilet to the floor and strengthen the base. These bolts are typically made from a plastic closet or metal flange. These attachments are used to connect the toilet to the floor right above the sewer line. Over time, the bolts could loosen, which causes the water from the toilet to leak out around the base. Even when the toilet base is sealed with caulk, the seal could come loose due to the water gushing out, causing water to flood your bathroom floor around the toilet. Faulty Toilet Seal Aside from the seal around the exterior of your toilet base, your toilet is also sealed with a wax ring under the base. This seal is found underneath the base against the top of the sewer pipe and closet flange and is made from wax. Issues can arise when the wax hardens, loosens or is improperly installed, causing water to leak from the pipes.  Toilet Overflow Issues In many cases, the water leaking out of your toilet isn’t coming from the base but instead comes from the toilet tank, which causes the water in it to overflow. These issues can be caused by the following: Damaged Toilet Bowl or Tank: Despite your toilet being made from durable materials that are built to last, they are still prone to wearing out over time. Cracks can form on the toilet bowl or tank, which can cause the water to leak out. Worn Out Toilet Flapper: The toilet flapper blocks water in the tank from reaching the bowl. If it is removed or damaged, water will continue to pour from the tank to the bowl until it overflows. Damaged Float: The float is designed to stop water flowing into the tank until it reaches a certain level. Once it’s damaged, water will continue to pour into the tank, causing it to overflow.   How to Fix a Leaking Toilet Finding water emanating from your toilet and flooding your bathroom floor can be alarming. If that is the case, the first thing you should do is stop using the toilet and turn off its water supply. Then, get to the heart of the issue and work on resolving the problem.  Experts in home restoration in Chicago North Shore recommend the following tips to fix your leaking toilet: Equalize Temperatures: The key to preventing condensation is by preventing extreme temperature differences in the bathroom. You can do this by using a heater, installing an exhaust fan in the bathroom to lessen humidity, and taking warm instead of hot showers. Tighten Floor Toilet Bolts: A wiggling toilet is a sure sign of loose bolts. Tighten the bolts on your toilet base by removing the plastic cap and using pliers to grip the nut to tighten it. Repeat the process on the other side. Tighten The Toilet Tank: Flush your toilet and remove the tank from the base. Remove the old gasket at the bottom of the tank and replace it with a new one in the center drain hole. Then, re-install the tank. If this stops the leaking, then a loose gasket was the issue. Replace The Toilet Seal: If you’ve done all of the above and the toilet is still leaking, it may be due to a faulty seal. You can replace the seal by removing its floor connections and lifting the toilet from the floor. Using a putty knife, scrape off the wax remnants and replace the seal with a new ring. Fix Cracks Immediately: Cracks in your toilet bowl are never a good sign and can grow over time. In some cases, a hairline crack can be fixed with waterproof epoxy. Unfortunately, replacement is the only option for cracks more prominent than a hairline crack. Replace Broken Tank Elements: Faulty tank elements are the likely culprit if the leaking stems from an overflowing toilet. Simply replacing the tank elements and installing them properly can fix the issue.   Fix Your Chicago North Shore Water Leak Problems With Restoration 1 Companies that provide restoration in Chicago North Shore services know that prevention is always better than many quick fixes. For example, when dealing with a leaky toilet, swift action to correct the issue is always the key to preventing water damage on your property. When you’re dealing with a significant problem, Restoration 1 is here to provide restoration for Chicago North Shore water leak issues in your home. Get in touch with Restoration 1 today , your go-to provider for restoration in Chicago North Shore. RESOURCES Don't Get Stuck With Damaged Property Fill in your details, we'll contact you right back. First Name** I consent to receive text messages from this business. Email This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Δ

Remodeling, renovation, and restoration in Chicago North Shore are all terms associated with construction and repair. These terms are often used interchangeably to refer to construction projects that improve the condition of a piece of property. While they seem to have similar outputs, these terms fundamentally differ in terms of project requirements, scope, and goals. Therefore, before beginning work on construction projects on your commercial or residential property, it is crucial to understand these differences, as they can dictate your project’s overall direction and output. Learn the terms and get started on your next project right away by learning their fundamental differences below.   What is a Restoration? Restoration is a process that involves returning a building to its original condition. It’s commonly used to maintain a building’s structural integrity and preserve its cultural and historical significance in some cases. However, it can also be applied to modern buildings that have been recently damaged. For instance, a flooded home can rely upon home restoration in Chicago North Shore to bring it back to its original condition. The main goal of a restoration project is to improve the condition of an old or damaged building while preserving its original features. This includes the building’s original form and inside features. In most cases, restoration projects will use the original materials for the restoration project in order to remain authentic. Key Points to Consider: A restoration project will not alter the building’s original form and function. It uses fewer resources, and less energy as most of the building’s original features will remain intact. Most restoration services perform spot repairs to fix damaged areas, especially after Chicago North Shore home damage.    What is a Renovation? A renovation improves a building’s original condition without significantly altering its original design. This can involve replacing and upgrading its current features and components for an upgraded look. For instance, you may be looking to replace an old countertop, flooring materials, or kitchen cabinets, which will require a renovation. Renovation projects aim to increase the property’s value by providing a fresh look to its features. A renovation is more concerned about aesthetics than anything else and usually requires a heftier budget than simple restoration in Chicago North Shore. When considering a renovation project, make sure to account for the building’s age, condition, and structure to avoid potential problems in the process. Consult an expert to assess your property and see if renovations can be done. Key Points to Consider: Renovation projects are primarily done for aesthetic reasons. Renovations are a great way to improve your property’s value without significantly altering its structure, function, and integrity. Consider a renovation project if you’re happy with the layout of your property and are simply looking for a fresh, upgraded look.   What is a Remodel? Remodeling means making significant alterations to your property and transforming its layout and structure. It involves projects that change the look, feel, and function of a room, which includes: Adding a new plumbing system to make way for additional fixtures. Installing new heating and cooling ducts for zoned heating and cooling capabilities around your property. Expanding the size of a room or other portion of your property. Raising the ceiling height. Creating new boundaries by adding new walls. Among all three project types mentioned in this blog, remodeling is the most expensive as it requires significantly more materials, as well as the services of a contractor, plumber, electrician, and architect. It can also take considerable time to complete, so make sure to consider your budget, resources, and time before pursuing a remodeling project. Key Points to Consider: Aside from new constructions, a remodeling project is the costliest project you can undertake as it takes considerable time and money. It requires the most involvement and can significantly alter your property’s layout.   Get Professional Help With Restoration in Chicago North Shore While renovation and remodeling projects require significant planning, some situations that call for restoration services may arise at any moment’s notice. This is especially true after unfortunate incidents that damage your property. When you require home restoration in Chicago North Shore , call the professionals at Restoration 1 to restore your property to its original condition as soon as possible. Call Restoration 1 of Chicago North Shore today! RESOURCES Don't Get Stuck With Damaged Property Fill in your details, we'll contact you right back. First Name**

A well-functioning community needs an experienced and trustworthy property restoration company. Plumbing emergencies and calamities that damage homes and buildings can happen at any moment, so it helps to have professionals in the area who can attend to your needs as quickly as possible. Restoration 1 has a reputation for providing quality restoration services for residential and commercial properties all over the country. We are pleased to bring our expertise in property restoration to Chicago North Shore to meet the needs of the community’s discerning residents and business owners. Our crew comprises construction professionals with years of experience in flood and fire damage restoration. We also have experts in mold remediation ready to address mold infestations of any scale in homes and business establishments. So whether you seek property restoration or new construction, we have the tools and skills for the job.   Emergency Response for Flooding in Chicago North Shore When a catastrophic flood damages your home or business, whether it’s due to natural causes or an unprecedented disaster resulting from a significant plumbing problem, an emergency response service can help mitigate your losses.  Professional emergency response teams act quickly to save belongings and assets untouched by the calamity and secure them in a safe place. They then focus on the affected structures and strategize to mitigate cosmetic and structural damage.  So in case of flooding in Chicago North Shore, we assist the affected individuals and get them out of harm’s way, then immediately get to work to prevent further damage to their property. The ultimate goal would be to restore the property to its pre-damage condition as quickly as possible. Our IIRC-certified team is equipped and trained to remove standing water from inside a flooded building, find the source of the flood, and stop it.    Water Damage in Chicago North Shore Immediately after cleaning up the aftermath of a flood, our team checks for water damage and strategizes the best course of action. This entire process covers the following: Mitigation  The first thing we do when responding to a call about water damage is to find the source of the flood and stop it if possible. This often means cutting off the water supply from the mains or setting up barriers to prevent more floodwater from streaming in.  Inspection  We then continue to assess the current damage and look for signs of possible long-term damage using tools like hygrometers and moisture detectors to pinpoint problem points such as soaked insulation or other porous materials. Cleanup  A water-damaged property will often have many damaged components that must be disposed of. We will likely need to remove soaked drywall, insulation, and carpeting to reduce the risk of structural damage and mold infestation. After the cleanup is complete, the team will then be able to continue with the restoration process. Restoration Professionals specializing in water damage restoration in Chicago North Shore systematically repair or replace the permanently damaged parts of a property to restore its original appearance and condition. Restoration can be partial or complete reconstruction, depending on the severity of the damage and how much of the original structure the owner wants to preserve.    Mold Remediation in Chicago North Shore Restoration 1 offers mold remediation immediately on the heels of water damage restoration. Mold is a credible threat in every property that’s been flooded. It takes a long period for porous materials like wood and drywall to dry completely after a long soaking. Also, since microbial growth can start as early as 72 hours after mold spores have been exposed to water, mold removal experts need to be on site after this window to do a complete inspection. If mold does begin to grow on your property, it’s best for professionals to deal with it. Unfortunately, many don’t realize that removing mold can worsen the problem if it’s not done right. Mold releases spores when disturbed, and these microscopic particles can disperse through the air and spread throughout the property. The cycle will repeat if they land on a wet or moist surface. Therefore, it is best to entrust mold remediation in Chicago North Shore to our mold removal experts at Restoration 1.    Fire Damage Restoration in Chicago North Shore Lastly, Restoration 1 offers restoration services for properties damaged by fire. The team works round the clock to restore the appearance of a fire-damaged property. Most importantly, they ensure that the house or building is structurally sound and safe to enter before allowing anyone back inside the property. The crew also helps save equipment and belongings that are still salvageable.  Restoration 1 is an all-rounder for property restoration and related services. Explore our website to learn more about our services, or talk to our experts in property restoration in Chicago North Shore . Call us at 847-830-6080 or fill out our contact form .  RESOURCES Don't Get Stuck With Damaged Property Fill in your details, we'll contact you right back. First Name** I consent to receive text messages from this business. Phone This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Δ

Fire hazards can be present at any time and place, including your workplace. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration found that, on average, workplace fires and explosions injure over 5,000 workers and cause around 200 fatalities yearly.  Given that these incidents can range from electrical fires to oil and gas fires to work-related processes, any line of work is at risk of workplace fires leaving behind fire damage.  To prevent fire damage in Chicago North Shore, it’s best to plan what your workplace should do in the event of a fire. Developing a process and educating your team with these tips can ensure they know what to do in the event of a workplace fire.  Here are some tips to add to your emergency plan if a workplace fire were to happen so you and your team can react as quickly as possible.    Prepare Ahead of Time Aside from having a contingency plan and ensuring everyone in the workplace is aware of this, your office should take steps to ensure that everything is set for a smooth evacuation in case of a fire. These steps include: Conducting regular fire inspections and fire drills. Scheduling electrical maintenance and inspections to minimize the risk of electrical fires. Holding regular fire safety training for all employees. Storing flammable materials properly. Assigning several fire safety roles and points of contact (POCs) to facilitate evacuations. Having maps that indicate where the fire exits are. Making sure that exits are well-marked and visible. Clearing away any objects obstructing the path to the emergency exits. There’s no telling when a workplace fire hazard can strike, but preparing these before an incident can reduce the risk of injuries and accidents when handling fires.    Spot the Signs of Fire In some cases, signs of a fire can appear even before your fire alarm goes off. Some of the signs that you and your employees should be aware of the following: Visible uncontrolled fire in the workplace. Smoke fogging up the room. A loud explosion within the building. The sound of a fire alarm on another floor within the building. The scent of smoke in the air.   Evacuate the Office Safely In case of a workplace fire, don’t attempt to put out the fire unless you’re properly trained. Instead, evacuate everyone from the building calmly but quickly, and contact emergency services. Your workplace should have designated POCs to help facilitate the evacuation. For instance, you should have POCs to ensure everyone evacuates. If one of your employees requires physical assistance to evacuate, there should be a POC to help them. Ensure your employees are aware of the evacuation zone, as it can be dangerous for them to stay too close to the building.    What Do I Do After a Workplace Fire? Once emergency services have been called, leave it to the professionals to put out the fires. Medical services should also be contacted to help if there are any employees who have been badly injured. The faster your team can react to a workplace fire, the less likely the fire is to spread. Having business insurance that covers workplace fires can provide you with financial assistance to cover the costs of medical services, commercial fire damage, and repairing your office through fire damage restoration.    Trust Restoration 1 Experts To Repair the Fire Damage in Your San Antonio North Office Knowing what to do in case of a workplace fire can ensure a smooth and safe process for your team. Once the fires have been put out, it still might not be safe for your employees to return because of the fire damage present in your Chicago North Shore workplace. In this case, hiring commercial fire damage restoration experts is the best step to ensure everyone’s safety.  Having an experienced company like Restoration 1 perform fire damage restoration can help you get your workplace up and running safely as soon as possible. The collateral damage of a workplace fire can be cleaned away, but issues like structural safety, smoke residue, and damaged equipment can put the operations and safety of your employees at risk. As an all-around restoration company, we have a team of certified commercial fire damage restoration experts to handle the repairs and determine whether your workplace is safe for operation once more.  We’d love to help you salvage your workplace and get it back into safe working conditions as soon as possible. Contact Restoration 1 today and book a consultation. RESOURCES Don't Get Stuck With Damaged Property Fill in your details, we'll contact you right back. First Name** I consent to receive text messages from this business. Phone This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Δ

Water and bathrooms are inextricably linked. Despite their seemingly harmonious relationship, problems can arise when the water starts flowing outside your sink, tub, or toilet. This may be due to common plumbing issues such as leaking pipes and overflowing toilets.  If these problems are left to persist, the continuous seepage of water can lead to a wide range of problems, from dealing extensive damage to your home to creating hazards that threaten your and your family’s health. The problem, however, is that these issues are more difficult to spot in a bathroom environment. More often than not, problems are left to persist until the damage is too great. So, how do you find out if your bathroom has water damage? And what can you do to fix the issue?  Read on to learn what signs you need to look out for to spot water damage in your bathroom. We’ll also share water damage restoration tips to help you fix the issue the DIY way.   Signs of Water Damage Water damage in the bathroom can be challenging to spot. Since your bathroom is water’s domain, any signs of water damage in Chicago North Shore often go unnoticed and are easily overlooked. Here are a few warning signs to watch out for: Musty Smell – most homeowners want their bathrooms to constantly smell fresh and clean, so the presence of a persistent damp smell should at least signal that something is wrong. Damaged Floors – constantly damp floors can lead to buckling, cracking, and staining. In extreme cases, moisture can reach your bathroom’s subfloors, causing the plywood underneath to rot.  Crumbling Walls – warping or crumbling can appear when drywall is exposed to moisture. Microbial Growth – mold can grow on any bathroom surface due to continuous exposure to moisture and warm temperatures.   Bathroom Water Damage Restoration and Repair Process When you spot the first signs of water damage in your bathroom, it is imperative that you act swiftly to prevent it from worsening by beginning the process of restoration in Chicago North Shore. Follow the steps below: Water Damage Inspection The first step in bathroom water damage restoration is determining the extent of your bathroom’s water damage in Chicago North Shore. This involves thoroughly inspecting all areas of your bathroom, including those frequently overlooked, such as under the sink, behind your drywall, or under the subfloor, to look for mold and other signs of water damage. Call a professional restoration company immediately to schedule a complete inspection if you find signs of water damage in inaccessible areas. Mold Remediation Once the inspection confirms the presence of mold and determines the extent of water damage, you can begin formulating a strategy to deal with the problem, starting with mold. For a home remedy, a solution of ½ cup of bleach, one quart of water, and a small amount of detergent can be used to clean small amounts of mold. But dealing with mold DIY-style is not recommended if the mold problem is extensive. Instead, it’s best to let a professional mold remediation and damage restoration team handle the job for safe and complete mold removal. Site Preparation After removing mold, you can begin your bathroom restoration project by preparing the worksite for renovation. Start off by shutting off your home’s main water valve to prevent further water damage in Chicago North Shore. Next, be sure to free up some space by disconnecting the toilet from the floor and the waterline.  Drywall Removal Repairing your drywall may require taking out damaged portions and patching up. Use a hammer and keyhole saw to cut out portions of the drywall and remove the damage. Cut out the material in a circular or triangular shape to make it easier to patch. Use clips to hold the material in place and tape and joint compound to secure it. Sand it down to smoothen the new surface. But if the damage to the drywall is too extensive, you will need to replace it entirely.  Floor Removal and Repair The next phase of restoration is repairing damaged floors. Begin this process by removing tiles or vinyl to expose the damaged area. Next, keep this area safe by removing any nails, screws, and protruding baseboards from the floor and its surrounding areas. Then, draw a straight line across the center of exposed joists on either side of the floor, which will serve as your guide later. Then, cut out the subfloor material using a circular saw. Allow sufficient time for the joists to dry. Measure the floor area that needs replacing and cut out the replacement strand board or plywood. Use wood screws and adhesives to secure the fresh material while laying down replacement vinyl flooring. Finally, install a concrete board over the plywood if you’re replacing the tile. Apply a thin-set router while laying the new tiles and let it dry. Finish the tile installation process by grouting the joints.  Fixture Installation Finally, complete the restoration process by installing and replacing bathroom fixtures, such as the sink, cabinetry, toilet, or any other part removed. Once you’re done, clean up all the debris and ensure the water damage’s source has been addressed to prevent it from happening again. If the scope of the restoration process is too great, consider hiring a professional service provider to handle the restoration in Chicago North Shore. Equipped with the right tools and protective equipment, a professional restoration company can safely and efficiently carry out the restoration process.   Preventing Bathroom Water Damage Keeping your bathroom free from water damage involves controlling the moisture and dampness levels inside your bathroom. Here are some tips on how to prevent water damage in Chicago North Shore: Investigate and identify the reason for any discoloration on the walls and baseboards. Inspect the floor and wall tiles regularly for signs of damage on grout or caulking. Locate the source of the problem if your sink or tub drains slowly. Use absorbent bath mats to keep your bathroom floors dry. Replace shower heads, faucets, and overflow tub drains if they are leaky. Install an exhaust fan to control the humidity levels inside your bathroom.   Seek Professional Help When Dealing With Extensive Water Damage in Chicago North Shore Your bathroom poses one of the highest risks for water damage in your home. Since it’s constantly surrounded by water, the threat of water damage looms. Despite this consistent threat, water damage can only occur if there are issues with your plumbing or water supply. Identifying and remediating these issues early can prevent extensive damage and minimize your costs of repair. However, most plumbing issues often go unnoticed until they deal extensive damage that is often difficult to fix on your own. Restoration 1 of Chicago North Shore is here to cater to your water damage repair and cleanup needs. Our restoration specialists will get to the heart of the issue while restoring your bathroom to its previous condition. Deal with water damage efficiently and effectively with Restoration 1 of Chicago North Shore. RESOURCES Don't Get Stuck With Damaged Property Fill in your details, we'll contact you right back. First Name**

Water is an essential part of daily life. But in the same breath, it can also be one of the biggest threats to you and your property. Water damage ranks as one of the most common ordeals homeowners face throughout their lifetime. Annually, homeowners pay an average of $2,582 for water damage repair and restoration, which also makes it one of the most expensive payments residential and commercial property owners have to shoulder. One way of sidestepping the common issues associated with water damage is by identifying the root cause early on. Below, we share seven of the most common causes of water damage in your home. By identifying the sources of the issue, you can take the necessary precautions and take swift action before it worsens.   Adverse Weather Conditions Natural disasters are perhaps the most easily-identifiable cause of water damage in Chicago North Shore. Drastic weather conditions like hurricanes and snowstorms bring excessive amounts of water, which saturates the soil and causes flooding. In effect, excess water enters your home and settles in various areas around your home, leaving considerable water damage in its wake. Swift action is imperative when dealing with a flooded home. Some examples of what you can do to minimize damage on your property include transferring small items to higher ground and elevating appliances.  However, ultimately, your best course of action should be to get in touch with a reliable water damage restoration company to assist you with water damage mitigation and begin the process of restoration in Chicago North Shore.    Damaged Pipes Plumbing problems are typically more common inside older homes. These issues can occur as a result of the following signs of deterioration: Corrosion Excessive water pressure Tree root intrusion Any of these problems can cause water to leak out and damage your property. It’s best to call a professional to inspect your pipes immediately if you see visible signs of water damage in Chicago North Shore, such as bulges, stains, or warping on your ceiling, floors, or walls.    Clogged Gutters and Downspouts Gutters and downspouts are one of your first lines of defense against water damage in Chicago North Shore. They provide a channel in which roof runoff is redirected away from your home.  But without regular cleaning and maintenance, small debris like twigs and leaves can clog your gutters, causing water to pool and overflow to the underside of the house. Water collects near your home’s foundation and gradually weakens it. In some cases, water may also enter your home through cracks in the basement, causing mold to proliferate.    Overflowing Toilets Toilets can easily clog when excess solid materials are flushed. Solid materials such as excess waste, toilet paper, or non-flushable items can get lodged in the toilet drain or block the toilet trap, causing water to overflow and flood the bathroom floor. Aside from causing an unwanted messy situation, clogged and overflowing toilets can also cause water damage and various health issues if left unaddressed.    Leaks in Low Traffic Areas In most cases of water damage in Chicago North Shore, plumbers tend to identify issues in the most overlooked places, such as under the sink or in the attic. These cases of water damage often go unnoticed because water seepage occurs at a gradual pace through small gaps, leaving hardly any audible and visible clues until it’s too late.  However, when left unchecked, even the smallest leaks can cause water to pool over time. To prevent such cases, take the time to regularly inspect your attic, basement, and other out-of-way places in your home. Check for signs of problems, such as dripping sounds, microbial growth, warping, or excessive coolness. Catching these problems early can make all the difference between a cheap fix and comprehensive water damage restoration in Chicago North Shore.    Faulty Appliances Appliances start to act up as they approach the end of their useful life. In most cases, various parts of appliances start to rust and weaken, such as their pipes and hoses. Refrigerators, washing machines, and dishwashers are common appliances that don’t function properly as their parts start to deteriorate. When this happens, water can leak out and cause water to pool behind or underneath the appliance, gradually wearing out your walls and floors. If your appliances aren’t working properly and you start seeing some signs of water damage, it may be time to get them repaired or replaced. Inspect them for signs of corrosion or leakage. However, be sure not to move them around too frequently to avoid spillage.    Condensation from HVAC Units HVAC units are lifesavers as they can help you get through the harshest winters and searing hot summers. While they always provide comfort, they can also be a leading cause of water damage in your home. However, despite constant usage, they won’t actually cause any problems unless they are improperly installed or are not well taken care of.  Problems with HVAC systems typically begin when drains are clogged. When this happens, condensation as a result of the heat removal process accumulates in the ducts, trickles down the walls, and pools on the floor, dealing significant water damage. Regular HVAC maintenance, such as frequent inspections, cleanup, and changing filters, can eliminate dust buildup and prevent all sorts of problems with your HVAC system.    Enlist Experts in Water Damage Restoration in Chicago North Shore There’s usually  no singular cause for water damage in residential and commercial properties. Whether it’s a natural disaster or an unfortunate incident at home, taking proper precautions can help prevent water damage occurrences, so you won’t have to stress about water damage for a long time. With this, there are some incidents that you can never really prepare for. Fortunately, you can rely on the professionals at Restoration 1 of Chicago North Shore to act swiftly to minimize property loss and restore your property to its pre-loss condition. When disaster strikes and you’re dealing with water damage on your property,  call Restoration 1 of Chicago North Shore . 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Water damage can occur in different ways. But unfortunately, it doesn’t matter what the course or source is. Whether from a burst pipe, HVAC malfunction, or widespread flooding, water damage in Chicago North Shore can be devastating to any home or business owner in the area.  If you have recently experienced a plumbing breakdown or natural disaster, seeing your property submerged in water can be disheartening. Thinking about what you need to do to get everything back to normal can be even more overwhelming. The good news is that there’s a way for you to restore as much as you can and regain a sense of normalcy: by approaching water damage restoration in Chicago North Shore quickly and correctly.  On that note, here are some pointers to include in your cleanup and restoration checklist:    Contact Your Insurance Company  Insurance policies require property owners to contact their insurers as soon as reasonably possible. So to avoid issues with your claim, it’s best to get in touch with your provider to report the loss promptly. Your plan can help you cover the expenses incurred during the water damage restoration process.  While you’re at it, make sure to take photos of the water damage, along with all affected items. Thorough documentation will help you file a successful claim and receive the compensation you need to get your home or business back up and running.    Call a Restoration Company While you are free to address water damage on your own, getting expert help is the best way to achieve a successful restoration project. This is especially true if you recently experienced a flood.  Experts in water damage in Chicago North Shore will know how to thoroughly inspect your property to determine the water intrusion class and contamination category. Moreover, they use this assessment to identify the steps to take to address the existing water damage, address hidden issues, and prevent secondary damage to your property.    Check for Safety Besides getting expert help, keeping yourself and your loved ones out of harm’s way is another priority on your checklist. If you had to vacate your place because of a flood, it’s best to get in touch with your emergency responders first to learn if it’s safe to return.  Moreover, never enter a flooded area without turning the electricity off. Even if there’s no obvious electrical hazard, it pays to remember that it’s still a dangerous environment.  If you must enter a flooded basement or any other part of your building, use your home’s electric panel to cut power to your home. But if it cannot be safely accessed, you may also call an electrician to have the property inspected before you enter or remove electrical devices from submerged areas.     Address the Water Source After ensuring the area is safe, it’s time to identify and address the water source. Doing so prevents more water from entering your property and keeps your building from suffering additional damage.  If the source is a burst pipe or a leaking appliance, locate the water shutoff valve to turn off the supply immediately. Meanwhile, if water is entering your home or workplace due to a flood, using sandbags to build a barrier can help keep water out.    Remove Standing Water Quickly The longer water sits inside your building, the more damage it can do. So to minimize your losses and achieve successful water damage restoration, all excess water must be removed as soon as possible.  While waiting for your restoration professionals to arrive, you can get started by using buckets or activating your sump pumps to remove the water. With that said, remember that it’s still best to leave the water extraction process to the experts once they come.  They use professional equipment to get standing water out of your property safely and quickly. Moreover, they come equipped with heavy-duty fans, commercial-grade dehumidifiers, and thermal imaging cameras to ensure your home or workplace is dry from the inside out.    Move Salvageable Items to a Safe Place Bringing out your salvageable items is another must-have in any water damage cleanup and restoration checklist. This is something a local water restoration company can help you with. Most teams have warehouses where they can store valuables to be cleaned, sanitized, or dried out.  Otherwise, moving your water-logged possessions to a dry and well-ventilated area is recommended.    Address Your Water Damage in Chicago North Shore With the Experts Once you have all the items above checked off, all that’s left to do now is let the restoration experts do what they do best.  At this point, you can expect your local restoration professionals to do any of the following:  Remove and replace damaged building materials such as baseboards and wet insulation.  Repair roof damage or replace weakened building components to resolve structural issues. Replace your HVAC, electrical wiring, light fixtures, and other mechanical or electrical components.  Repair or replace water-damaged ceilings, walls, and flooring.   These can seem like overwhelming projects, and nobody wants to deal with water damage and its aftermath on their properties. Unfortunately, it’s a stressful situation that many home or business owners face every year. But the bright side is this: knowing the first steps to take after a plumbing emergency or flood can help you recover from any water damage as painlessly as possible.  If you need help with water damage cleanup and restoration in Chicago North Shore, your local Restoration 1 team is here to get your home or business back to normal in no time. With our IICRC-trained experts and professional equipment, you can sit back while we prevent, mitigate, and repair any damage. Call Restoration 1 of Chicago North Shore to get expert help 24/7.  RESOURCES Don't Get Stuck With Damaged Property Fill in your details, we'll contact you right back. First Name** I consent to receive text messages from this business. Email This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Δ

Water damage from flooding is one of the most common hazards in the United States, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It is also one of the most costly, costing about $17 billion annually from 2010 to 2018 in flood damage restoration, reconstruction, and repair. Sustaining water damage to your home is never an easy experience. Below, we’ll identify the at-risk areas in the US for flooding and discuss the impact of flooding on residential and commercial properties. A Looming Disaster: New Data Reveal Where Flood Damage Is An Existential Threat New data provided by the First Street Foundation (via NPR) revealed that more than 4 million houses and small apartment buildings are at risk of flooding and flood damage each year, which is widely considered an existential threat. Currently, a significant number of counties from the following states are at risk: West Virginia Eastern Part of Kentucky Tennessee Idaho Minnesota Washington Oregon Pennsylvania New York Vermont Coastal Areas in Texas, Florida, Louisiana, and California The data also shows that most counties in Illinois don’t face the same level of risk. However, despite the relative lack of exposure, the threat remains, especially in Chicago. Urban flooding is common throughout the Chicago metropolitan area when the city’s water drainage systems are overwhelmed. In the North Shore region, flooding is also a significant concern when the lake overflows because of torrential rainfall. When this occurs, getting in touch with restoration experts specializing in flood damage in Chicago North Shore is always helpful. The Role of Climate Change in Flooding The First Street Foundation estimates that the cost of flood damage to US homes will increase by more than 50% in the next 30 years because of the effects of global warming. Aside from rising sea levels, the flood problem is also made worse by the increase in moisture available in the atmosphere, which also increases the amount of water released each time it rains. Furthermore, rains now occur more frequently, which further intensifies the effects of inland flooding. The Disastrous Impact of Floods Flooding can be caused by many factors, from thunderstorms to hurricanes to excessive snow. But aside from the natural causes, flooding can also be caused by an overburdened sewage and drainage system, a failure in the main water pipeline, or a dam failure. All these factors can occur at any time with the following disastrous consequences: Health and Safety Risks The rush of floodwaters poses the greatest safety risk to you and your family. During a flood, it is paramount that you seek higher ground and avoid moving around no matter how high or low the level of water is to prevent physical injuries. Flood damage in Chicago North Shore can pose the following safety risks: Being caught in the rapid flow of floodwater Slipping and tripping Concealment of sharp objects and deep holes Electrocution due to live wires touching floodwaters Aside from the initial safety risks, floods also pose significant health risks during and after a flood. These include: Sanitary hazards and diseases from standing water Contaminated water entering open wounds Drinking contaminated water Consumption of damaged and contaminated food products Contact with disease-causing mold Increase in mosquito population due to standing water Loss of Life Perhaps the most devastating impact of flood damage in Chicago North Shore is when it leads to death of loved ones. During a flood, it’s imperative to seek a safe place where you can steer clear of the dangers of rushing floodwaters. And in the aftermath of a flood, it’s vital to call a reliable service provider of flood damage mitigation and restoration in Chicago North shore to help you in damage mitigation and clearing away potential health and safety risks and avoid incidents that can claim the life of anyone in your family. Emotional Turmoil It’s not uncommon for floods to cause emotional turmoil among flood victims. Depending on the events that transpired, flood victims may be unable to cope and experience stress, anxiety, fear, grief, depression, and frustration while coming to terms with the event. Damage to Property and Economic Loss The most apparent impact of flooding is damage to property and economic loss. According to the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), an average of $4.8 billion is lost due to flooding per event during a tropical cyclone. Top contributors to the overwhelming economic losses after significant flooding events include: Structural damage Loss of household property Vehicle damage Destruction of commercial properties Loss of crops and livestock Cost of medical treatment Call the Experts in Flood Damage Mitigation and Restoration in Chicago North Shore Floods are one of the most destructive events in the world. After any flooding event, you can almost always expect significant property damage, especially for residents living in at-risk neighborhoods. Fortunately, the Chicago area doesn’t have the same risk level as the above areas. However, that doesn’t mean the threat is non-existent. Flooding can occur at any time, whether weather-related or due to failing water systems. Regardless of the cause, acting swiftly is always the best course of action to reduce health and safety risks, mitigate damage, and minimize property loss. Get in touch and call Restoration 1 of Chicago North Shore – the experts in flood damage restoration and mitigation!

Mold is a fungus that can thrive on any surface as long as the conditions are optimal. Just like any living organism, its most basic requirements for survival are food, moisture, and oxygen. All of these are available in abundance in clothes when they are not dried in time.  It can be frustrating to find your favorite clothes have mold – but fortunately, you won’t have to part with them just yet. Here are some tips on how to remove mold from your clothes.   What Causes Mold on Clothes? Several factors contribute to microbial growth on clothes. Mold needs darkness and warmth to thrive. Dark, humid areas are ideal for microbial growth. This is why you’ll start noticing odd smells if you leave a pile of damp, dirty clothes inside the laundry room for too long. It’s always recommended to consistently ventilate closets and create a cooler environment to prevent microbial growth.   What are the Signs of Mold in Clothes? The foul odors emitted by your clothes after a few days are a clear indicator of microbial growth on the fabric. But aside from the smell, there are also other signs that you can watch out for that indicate the presence of spores: Stains. Mold will always appear as black or green spots on the fabric. However, some spores may appear red or orange, depending on their region, age, or main nutrient source. Frequent Allergies. Mold spores act as allergens and can trigger an immune response when inhaled. When exposed to clothes affected by mold, it’s common to experience a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, cough, itchy or watery eyes, sinusitis, and postnasal drip.  Skin Rashes. In some cases, the allergic response manifests as skin rashes upon direct contact with moldy clothes.   Removing Mold From Clothes Mold infestations on your clothes can appear unsightly and can be a potential threat to  your health and home environment. While it’s best to prevent mold from growing on your clothes in the first place, sometimes washed laundry can pile up or clothes aren’t exposed to enough sun. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to get your clothing items mold-free: Pre-Treat All Moldy Clothes When you see mold on your clothes, the first course of action should be to inspect all other garments and look for signs of microbial growth. Then, gather all the moldy clothes and lay them out under the sun if they are still damp to begin the removal process. Next, grab a bucket and mix water with ½ cup borax or 1 cup white vinegar. Presoak the moldy clothes in this solution for at least an hour. Afterward, use a brush to scrub the mold stains on the fabric. Make sure to scrub hard enough that ample force is applied, but not too hard that it would damage the fabric.  Machine-Wash Moldy Clothes The next step is to machine wash the clothes with laundry detergent and hot water. Heat helps kill mold and other microorganisms, but be careful not to exceed the recommended wash temperature to avoid damaging the fabric. Add one of the following materials to aid in the mold removal process: Borax. Upon contact with water, borax reacts with water to create hydrogen peroxide, a natural mold killer. Vinegar. Has antifungal and antimicrobial properties that help in the removal of mold. Hydrogen Peroxide. A natural antimicrobial agent and disinfectant, which helps kill mold fast. Baking Soda. Modifies the pH of water and can help in the removal of odors. Run your clothes under two complete cycles before drying. For clothes that cannot be machine-washed, have them dry-cleaned instead. Dry Clothes Completely Under Direct Sunlight After washing your clothes, hang them out to dry under direct sunlight if possible. Ultraviolet rays, as well as the additional heat from the sun, will kill off any remaining mold or mildew in the fabric. Otherwise, use the recommended dryer settings for your clothes. But make sure they are completely dry before storing them in your closet to prevent mold from growing back. Inspect Clothes Again For Signs of Mold Once your clothes have sufficiently dried, inspect the fabric and look for signs of microbial growth. See if there are still visible signs of mold. If none are found, smell the material for odors related to mold. It may be necessary to repeat the first three steps if mold persists. Keep Clothes in a Clean, Dry, & Well-Ventilated Area Once you’ve verified that your clothes are now mold-free, you can fold them up and store them in an area that is completely dry and has sufficient airflow. This is a critical step to ensure that your clothes remain mold-free in the future.  Prevent Further Contamination by Addressing Sources of Mold Eliminate the conditions that encourage microbial growth on your beloved clothing by implementing some preventative measures: Break the habit of leaving damp clothes in the laundry for long periods. Wash damp clothes immediately, or at least ensure they’re sufficiently dry before throwing them into the hamper.  For items that are stored in closets, be sure to allow sufficient airflow into the closet and avoid packing away damp clothing.  Lastly, ensure your washed clothes receive adequate sun and airflow where possible. But in other cases, microbial growth could signify something wrong with your plumbing or other areas within your home. Therefore, it’s recommended to have your home inspected by professional mold remediation services in Chicago North Shore to locate leaky pipes, clogged drains, roof leaks, or steam sources and address them before they get out of hand and do more damage.   Restoration 1 Mold Remediation Experts  Mold spores are everywhere, which means mold could grow on your clothes when you forget to wash them or hang them after doing your laundry. Fortunately, your home and clothes can be mold-free with the help of professional mold remediation services in Chicago, North Shore. Detecting the causes of mold is crucial in preventing microbial growth before it becomes an infestation. Get in touch with the friendly professionals at Restoration 1 for mold remediation services in Chicago, North Shore.   Don't Get Stuck With Damaged Property Fill in your details, we'll contact you right back. First Name**

Microbial growth contributes to the ecosystem by secreting enzymes that facilitate the decomposition of organic matter. Some types of mold help fertilize the soil and nourish vegetation outdoors. Mold can be beneficial when introduced on purpose in places and situations where they are needed. Anywhere else, and they are more likely to cause harm than good. Mold can be harmful when it begins to grow uncontrollably in your home. If you discover a substantial growth, and it appears black, it’s best to call specialists for mold remediation in Chicago North Shore at once. Black mold is a known toxic mold that can be dangerous to health, especially for children and pets. What Is Black Mold? Black mold or Stachybotrys Chartarum propagates by releasing tiny, invisible spores in the air that can cling to clothing, shoes, and animal fur. The spores will grow and spread as black mold if they land in a spot that has the perfect growing conditions: Wet or moist surfaces High humidity (at least 70 percent) Temperature is between 40 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit Organic material as a food source (ex: wood, paper, food crumbs) Oxygen Unfortunately, a house has many rooms and spots that fulfills these requirements: bathrooms, kitchens, basements, attics, cupboards, even corners and walls hidden behind large and heavy pieces of furniture. Considering the speed of its growth, black mold can proliferate undetected in the hidden areas of your home. By the time you discover this type of mold, you will need to call experts in mold remediation in Chicago North Shore to get rid of the microbial growth. Children Are Vulnerable to Black Mold Why is black mold dangerous? It releases mycotoxins that are dangerous when ingested. Although there is not enough scientific evidence that links inhaling black mold mycotoxins to deadly diseases, medical professionals warn that people with weak immune systems or who are sensitive to known allergens will be vulnerable when exposed to black mold. The risk is higher in young children, whose immune systems are still in the process of maturing and strengthening. How does black mold affect children’s health? First of all, individuals react differently to mold. Secondly, certain factors affect how severe the symptoms will be or how long a person experiences them: Sensitivity Method of exposure Amount of mold Duration of exposure Children with weak immunity are more susceptible to the detrimental effects of black mold. Some might instantly show symptoms if inhaled or touched the mold. Those with more robust immune systems won’t be as affected, especially if they only touched but didn’t inhale mold spores (and washed off the fungi with a disinfectant soap). The duration and amount of exposure also matter. A quick, one-time exposure may have zero impact on a child’s health, but exposure to many mold spores at one time or over a long period may result in serious health issues. These factors can affect what symptoms children experience, how intense, and how long. The Effects of Black Mold on Children’s Health Children with reasonable sensitivity who are exposed to black mold may experience some short-term effects: Nasal congestion or irritation Sneezing Difficulty breathing Nosebleeds Water, itchy, or red eyes Blurry vision Coughing, wheezing Sore throat Asthma attacks Headaches Skin irritation, redness, or rash Children who are prone to primary immunodeficiency (a disorder that weakens the immune system) or have been repeatedly exposed to black mold (i.e., black mold grew undetected for months in their home) may, unfortunately, suffer long-term health problems with prolonged or repeated exposure to black mold: Chronic sinusitis Chronic fatigue Acquired mold allergy Increased susceptibility to asthma / developed asthma Increased risk of contracting upper and lower respiratory diseases Legionnaires’ Disease Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis Memory loss Inability to focus Organ damage The long-term effects of mold on children’s health can be significant. If a child shows any short-term symptoms without apparent reason, mold could be the culprit. It’s best to take them to a doctor as soon as possible – and in the meantime, enlist a professional to check for the possibility of a mold infestation in your home. The Effects of Black Mold On Your Pets’ Health Domestic animals can also experience health problems due to black mold exposure. In many ways, they are more at risk because they can sniff and crawl into tight corners and dark, damp spaces – right into the areas where black mold might be growing. If your pet dogs or cats love to roam all over your home, they are at high risk of inhaling and ingesting a large amount of black mold and its spores. Pets who accidentally eat and inhale large amounts of black mold spores will show the same symptoms humans do: sneezing, wheezing, watery and red eyes, runny nose, difficulty breathing, and apparent discomfort. Here are some of the severe long-term effects that you need to watch out for: Uncharacteristic fatigue Bleeding from the mouth Nosebleeds Fur loss (due to itchiness and constant scratching) Red skin, sores, or rash Loss of appetite Vomiting Chills and shaking Odd behavior or irregular movements (neurological and motor control problems) Pets depend solely on their owners for care and medical attention. Consult your veterinarian if your pet is experiencing respiratory distress and intense allergic reactions. Call Restoration 1 for Mold Remediation in Chicago North Shore Our family’s health is our number one priority – and for many of us, that includes the four-legged household members. So keep a watchful eye on the areas prone to microbial growth, and at the first sign of mold, call our experts in mold remediation in Chicago North Shore. Restoration 1 of Chicago North Shore specializes in mold remediation and property restoration. We have highly trained and certified technicians, carpenters, and engineers – all working together to ensure your home is safe, structurally sound, and properly rid of black mold. Call Restoration 1 of Chicago North Shore at (847) 713-1951 to schedule a consultation. You may also get in touch via our contact form.

Mold remediation in Chicago North Shore , or any other area, is crucial for many reasons.  Since mold exists to decompose natural materials, it can destroy your home’s wood surfaces and other building materials if left unchecked. It can also cause serious health issues like respiratory problems, headaches, and eye, nose, or throat irritation. Children, seniors, and those with existing conditions are also at risk of having severe reactions to mold.  Lastly, most homeowners insurance plans consider microbial growth as a home maintenance issue like insect infestation, so they exclude mold infestation from their coverage.   With that said, how can you prevent mold from entering and taking hold of your property?  Before we move on to some practical tips for preventing mold, it helps to understand how mold grows and multiplies in the first place.  How Does Mold Grow?  Mold is an airborne spore that requires three things to grow: moisture, food source, and oxygen. Unfortunately, since these can all be found inside your home, mold can survive and thrive anywhere, whether it be your carpet, wallpaper, upholstery, ceiling tiles, clothing, or even insulation and drywall.  It’s also worth noting that daily activities like taking hot showers, cooking with uncovered pots, using humidifiers, and drying clothes indoors create excess moisture that further promotes microbial growth.  Mold will always grow where moisture and humidity are present, so managing these factors inside your home is a fundamental step toward mold prevention .  Practical Tips for Preventing Mold Monitor Indoor Humidity Keeping the humidity level inside your home no higher than 50% is among the most effective ways to prevent mold growth. An air conditioner or dehumidifier can help you do this, while a hygrometer or humidity gauge can accurately measure the moisture inside your house.  Natural signs like condensation on windows, pipes, and walls can also indicate high humidity, so watching out for these and immediately drying affected surfaces helps prevent mold.  Ventilate Your Home Ensuring the air in your home flows freely is another way to keep molds away. This entails installing and using exhaust fans venting outside your home in your kitchen, bathroom, attic, and crawl spaces.  If you do not have fans in these rooms, opening a window while you cook or shower and covering pots when cooking are simple yet effective ways to avoid excess moisture indoors.  Watch Out for Leaks Even the most insignificant plumbing leak can cause dampness in hidden or dark spots in your home, ultimately facilitating microbial growth.  To save yourself from the shock of discovering a mold infestation a little too late, it’s best to watch out for and fix leaks regularly. Common areas worth checking are the spaces around your washing machine and dishwasher, under your sinks, and behind toilets.  Regularly replacing hoses, pipes, and fittings to major appliances like dishwashers, water heaters, and kitchen and bathroom sinks also aids in mold prevention. Keeping these in good condition helps minimize the risks of experiencing stressful plumbing emergencies and their accompanying water damage.  Maintain Your Bathroom Regularly Your bathrooms are another space you want to focus on, mainly because they’re among the best breeding grounds for mold.  Fortunately, preventing mold in these often damp and dark areas isn’t rock science. You can keep spores from propagating in your bathroom by:  Spread towels out after every use so they dry quickly.  Wiping down the shower with a clean towel at the end of the day.  Using shower curtains that dry easily.  Cleaning the room with mold-killing products regularly.  Dust Your Bookshelf Letting dust and dirt rest on your books, magazines, and newspapers is a recipe for disaster, as this makes for an excellent food source for mold. To prevent microbial growth from affecting your valued reading materials, it’s a good idea to clean your bookshelf regularly. Dusting your books and the shelves they were sitting on can help you preserve your collection and prevent microbial growth, even before it starts.  Remove Water-Damaged Items Right Away If you recently experienced flooding or a major plumbing emergency, you may have to let go of certain affected items to keep mold from propagating inside your home. For example, soaked carpets, mattresses, and upholstery that are beyond cleaning and drying have to be discarded right away. Food, paper, clothing, or other items with moldy residue must be bagged and disposed of to prevent further contamination.  Some water-damaged items may still be saved, but you will need professional mold remediation in Chicago North Shore to get the job done right. Experts in mold cleaning know how to safely and effectively remove mold from your prized possessions.  Since Chicago experiences a hot-summer humid continental climate, it’s best to always be on your guard when protecting your home from mold. On that note, prevention is always better than cure. Following the practical tips listed above can go a long way in preventing mold from wreaking havoc inside your property.  If all else fails, know that Restoration 1 is always here to provide you with swift, effective, and transparent mold remediation in Chicago North Shore. Our IICRC-certified specialists are trained to deal with mold, address the moisture problem, and restore your home to a mold-free environment. Contact us to get expert help today! RESOURCES Don't Get Stuck With Damaged Property Fill in your details, we'll contact you right back. First Name** I consent to receive text messages from this business. Name This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Δ