Water Damage & Property Restoration in Oak Brook, IL

So, you have water in your home?  What do I do now?  First of all, don’t panic.  Whether it’s water in your basement from a failed sump pump,  a leak in your roof, or a broken appliance water line, Restoration 1 of Fox Valley is ready to tackle any water disaster that might affect your property. Here are the steps we take to get your property dry and back to normal, safely, and quickly. When you call Restoration 1 of Fox Valley, we will first identify the source of the water and help you shut it off at its source, if at all possible.  We will do a preliminary assessment based on your description of the problem.  Any photos or videos you have taken that you can share with us are huge in helping us understand the scope of your disaster.  At this point, with your permission, we will dispatch our technicians to your property. We take an active role in your clean up. Beyond cleaning up and drying your property, we will contact your insurance provider and get your claim started, assisting you through the claims process.  We also have a large network of referral partners who offer other services that you might require for the build back of your property.  Be it a plumber, painter, or carpenter, we have highly qualified and professional partners to replace your pump, paint your walls, or replace your trim, once we have dried your property.  We hold them to the same standards of quality, safety, and professionalism that we hold ourselves too. Your home is our home. We understand how stressful a water disaster can be.  Most of us have been there.  Our goal is to make the process of restoring your home as easy as possible.  We will explain clearly and thoroughly the processes and techniques we will be using.  We will provide a timeline as to approximately when each step will be completed.   And, we will use techniques that are un-invasive as possible, only removing materials that are beyond being able to salvage.  Oh, and speaking of home, we are right here in Oswego, making our response time to our neighbors in the Fox Valley area quick.  When water is present, time is of the essence.  Combining our local coverage area, with 24 hr  emergency services, we can be on site to begin the process of mitigation within a couple of hours. Exacting standards. There’s a reason to call the professionals at Restoration 1 of Fox Valley.  Simply using a mop and bucket and a couple of fans invites the possibility of future problems.  Water can and will find its way behind walls, cabinets, even under flooring.  If not properly dried, mold can form within days of the event, and begin to grow.  The health hazards of mold exposure have been well documented and can range from headaches and congestion, too much more serious illnesses.  Restoration 1 employs the very latest in technology and industry techniques to professionally dry your property.  But the most valuable tool we employ is our team of technicians.  Expertly trained, they know all the tricks of the trade needed to get the job done right.  Courteous and efficient, they will treat your home like it’s their own, and have you back to normal as quickly as possible. So, relax!  We’ve got this!  No one wants to deal with water in their home, but life happens, and sometimes, we need the experts to bail you out.  When water finds itself as an uninvited guest to your home, have the guys at Restoration 1 of Fox Valley, kindly show it the door, and get your home warm and dry in no time.  They use all the appropriate PPE, and make every effort to keep you and your family safe throughout the entire process. 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

Restoration 1 of Fox Valley We are your advocate when you find a problem with your property, and we specialize in water, sewage, fire, smoke, and mold mitigation and remediation for residential, commercial, and municipal properties. We handle it all and our estimates are free! Please understand that we cannot give an accurate estimate over the phone without seeing the scope and size of the problem. Please remember, water is time sensitive! It is the silent destroyer and will increase in damage over time. Sump pump failures that lead to flooded basements, burst pipes, broken water heaters, and broken supply lines on toilets and washers. Also, dishwasher flooding, refrigerator supply lines, or toilet or tub overflows are number one priority. Always treat unwanted water with urgency before mold sets in. Why? Water damage is covered by insurance, but mold is not and will be a financial hit to the property owner. We understand that you may want to think about it. But please remember two things: 1. Water is time sensitive. The longer it goes unattended the bigger the damage and the more demo that might be needed. We have equipment that can save some demo, but only if we can get to your problem quickly. 2. Sewage backups need immediate attention. They contain health risks and need cleanup, steaming and sanitization. 3. You choose who you hire, not your insurance. Your insurance agent might tell you to wait for your adjuster to look at your problem, but that is not necessary. You are the boss, you pay the premium, and you choose who you want! Remember: Expect more damage the longer you wait.  Your agent or adjuster might encourage you to use their “preferred vendor,” but when you hear the term “preferred vendor” what that really means is another vendor has offered a discount to your insurance company for your business. We work with all insurance companies. Most importantly we work for you! 4. Fire and smoke damage are also a top priority, but there is time while investigations by insurance and local fire departments are completed, and both release your property. We will never chase after you for your fire/smoke mitigation business, we believe that during your worst time you need compassion and resources. Reach out to us and we will work with you to get you back in your home. 5. Mold is also dangerous and if untreated can lead to health problems. It may also delay the sale of your property if not properly mitigated. While not an immediate emergency, please call us for an estimate and we will schedule your mitigation. One last critical point on mold… mold is rarely covered by insurance, so that means it is an out-of-pocket expense born by the property owner and this is why we are so adamant about treating water damage with urgency. To sum it all up…if you should have anything unusual happen to your property, call Restoration 1 of Fox Valley at 630-345-8678. We will take care of it. 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

Ice Damming   With the colder temperatures and snowfall coming, there are some reasons ice damning situations manifest in the subsequent colder months. Ice damning is a phenomenon that occurs when snow on your roof is heated and refrozen by the cycle of the sun combined with heat loss from your home. That melt/freeze cycle produces an ice dam perpendicular to your gutters on the roof. That dam holds snow above it that melts with heat loss through your roof. As it builds, the water finds its way under your shingles and into your home.    What to do if your home suffers from ice damming?   If your first reaction is to call a roofer, you would be right. However, roofers will only be able to make temporary repairs. Permanent repairs are not feasible until temperatures are consistently above 40 degrees. What you might not realize is that you need someone to mitigate the damage to the interior because the moisture will develop mold. Additionally, the insulation will be wet and ineffective and needs to be replaced on both your outer walls and attic above. Lastly, the ventilation in your attic needs to be fixed. Attics should have air flow which keeps the attic interior cooler than the outside temperatures. If your attic is superheating in winter, then you have a circulation problem in your attic and ice damming is going to be an issue.   

Fire and smoke can quickly destroy property and it can put the structural safety of your home or commercial property in question. Besides the inconvenience of having to deal with the aftermath of a property fire, there is also an intensely stressful emotional aspect of the restoration process. Our team at Restoration 1 understands that you and your loved ones are going through a difficult time. You can trust that we will provide caring, immediate services. Here are some fire safety tips to help you avoid damage to your home. · Never leave your stove unattended while cooking. With some of us still working from home, this is a big temptation! Stay in the kitchen while you’re cooking and baking. · Keep your cooking area free of combustible materials. Keep your cooking area clean and clutter-free. Remove anything that can catch fire, such as food packaging, oven mitts, and towels, away from your stovetop. · Create a kid-free and pet-free zone. Create a space of at least three feet around your stove and other areas where hot food is prepared and be aware of little ones and your pets. · Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. This helps avoid accidental bumps or tipped over pots and keeps handles far away from where children can grab them. · Have a fire extinguisher nearby. Make sure you have the correct type of extinguisher, know how to properly use it, and have it readily accessible. · Keep cooking equipment clean. Crumbs in a toaster, built-up grease on the stovetop, and excess dust behind your appliances are fire hazards. If these areas aren’t clean, they can accidentally catch on fire. · Never throw hot grease in the garbage. Let grease cool before disposing of it and never pour grease or oil down the drain. · Avoid using kitchen appliances if you’re sleepy or have consumed alcohol. If you should have an incident where smoke and soot belches back into your living space, call Restoration 1 of Fox Valley to remediate the smoke damage caused from your fireplace. Smoke and soot are toxic and should be addressed immediately. RESOURCES Don't Get Stuck With Damaged Property Fill in your details, we'll contact you right back. First Name**

Ice damming is a common occurrence in the Fox Valley area during the winter months. Ice damming is when heavy snow buildup melts from warmer temperatures and then freezes when temperatures drop. When this cycle is repeated the melted water and ice work up under your roof’s shingles and water enters your attic. This can lead to damage on your ceilings, walls, and the interior of your home. How do you prevent ice damming?Here is a quick checklist for you: Have a well-insulated attic: By making sure that your attic is well-insulated, you can minimize the likelihood of ice damming. Properly ventilated attic: This helps manage the temperature in your attic and can help combat ice build-up. Clean you gutters: If you keep the gutters clean on your home, you are less likely to have a build up of water and ice under your shingles. Drainage: Make sure that your drainage is working properly. If you do not allow for proper drainage, you are more likely to get leaks in your attic and home. Keep branches and trees trimmed around your home: If you can keep your roof clear of debris and branches you are less likely to have blockage in your gutters.       If you do have the misfortune of having water in your home from ice damming, burst pipes, or frozen spigots remember: Water damage is time sensitive. Call us first so we can get started on mitigation right away. Review your home insurance policy and we can help you start your claim. The sooner Restoration 1 of Fox Valley can get to you, the closer you are to getting your home back.   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

The holidays are approaching quickly and those of us in the Fox Valley region are making plans. If your plan is to spend the holidays out of town or you intend to be a snowbird and have an extended stay somewhere warm for the season, we at Restoration 1 of Fox Valley have a few helpful tips to make sure you return home to no surprises. Make sure you have a friend or neighbor check your home on a regular basis. An unoccupied home is most at risk. Checkups can limit damage. Many insurance policies require you to have your home checked at a regular interval. If not checked your insurance company may deny your claim. Bookmark Restoration 1 of Fox Valley in your phone: 630-345-8678 or restoration1.com/fox-valley . If your neighbor calls with a problem, call us. We can limit the damage while you are away. Shut of water at the main valve in the house. Then open a faucet at the lowest level of the home. This will relieve the pressure in the water line a limit the potential causes for most water damage incidents link a broken supply line, burst pipe, or froze spigot on the exterior of the house. Shut faucet when the water is drained. It won’t limit them all, as your water heater could burst. However, it would only limit the water to the size of the water heater instead of constantly running until discovered. Remember to keep your furnace on, and at a temperature of 60-65 degrees. Your water lines are drained, so pipes should not freeze and burst. 60-65 degrees will keep the finished building materials from contracting and causing joints in your trim to expand and show cracks. Ice damming is a destructive winter phenomenon. As the warmth in the hose escapes thru your roof and the sunshine melts the snow on your roof and it refreezes. That continuous cycle results in a ledge of ice where your roof meets your gutters. As it builds up, water starts to back up on your roof and enters the home. Have a roofer’s number handy for ice removal and repairs. Call Restoration 1 of Fox Valley to dry out the affected area before mold activates. Remember that even with all of precautions above water could still find its way into your home through a failed sump pump, burst water heater or insufficient drainage and grading of your property. If you should have any questions on the info above or incur Water Damage, need sewage clean-up, suffer fire or smoke damage, or have a pesky mold problem gives us a call. We will assess the damage free of charge, provide direction and a solution to return your house to a home. A blessed Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to all our friends in the Fox Valley. From all of us at Restoration 1 of Fox Valley 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

With Thanksgiving only a few weeks away, your local team at Restoration 1 of Fox Valley thought it pertinent to provide a few important tips on what not to do when attempting to fry a turkey. For anyone who has seen the mishaps you know that this is no joke. Have a safe Thanksgiving with no trips to the ER. 1. Measure how much oil you will need first. Before you fill the fryer with oil, put the turkey in the cold fryer and using cold water, fill until the turkey is covered. Keep track of how much water is used. Then fill the fryer with that same amount of oil. This will keep your oil from overflowing when you drop your turkey for frying. via GIPHY 2. Keep it outside. Fry your turkey outdoors, on a flat and level surface. Preferably on grass or driveway, not a deck, and as far from the house, garage or deck as possible. Also, remember that oil is also hard to clean off of concrete. Make sure to clear the area of children, pets, and intoxicated relatives. Being aware of these precautions will help you avoid fire damage cleaning and fire restoration in your home. 3. Thoroughly thaw that frozen Turkey. When a frozen turkey hits the hot oil, the moisture turns to steam and that steam expands the oil and causes a dangerous flare up causing splatter and a spillover effect, starting an explosive fire and a lot of smoke damage. 4. Stuffing on the side. You will have to keep the stuffing on the side when frying a turkey. Submerging the stuffing hot oil will not be appetizing. Remember to remove the giblets from the bird’s cavity before frying. 5. Turn off the burner before lowering the bird into the oil. This will limit the flare up should anything go wrong as you lower your bird into the hot oil. Do not drop the turkey into the deep fryer. Once the bird is securely in the fryer you can restart your burner and congratulate yourself for avoiding fire damage. 6. Do not attempt to move the pot. Moving a pot of hot oil is extremely dangerous. Your deep fryer should stay in one place until your oil is cooled. 7. Use a thermometer. Your oil should be no hotter than 350 degrees. This is a safe temperature to operate under and it will help to control the process to avoid any mishaps. 8. In this case, a watched pot does boil. Do not leave your turkey unattended. If necessary, take shifts. It can only take a moment for something to go wrong. 9. Be ready to extinguish if something goes wrong. Have a fire extinguisher and a heavy blanket ready in case things get out of control. DO NOT use water when trying to extinguish. See number 3 above, water will only spread the ignited oil. 10. Stay sober until after the oil has cooled. Thanksgiving is about giving thanks for all our blessings. One of which is a successfully fried bird, better to be alert until this bird is cooked. 11. Have that beer before you carve. Celebrate your success while the turkey rests for at least 30 minutes, in order to retain the hot juices. Enjoy your meal.

In our Fox Valley region, the colors are turning, the days are shorter, and the nights are cooler. An evening walk lets us know that our neighbors are firing up their fireplaces. While wood burning fireplaces are less popular, there is no doubt that the ambiance of a crackling fire is still preferred. If you have a wood burning fireplace in your residence, here are some tips to keep your home and family safe this season by avoiding fire and smoke damage. Make sure your chimney flue is open and unblocked. A good idea is to burn a few pages of newspaper to warm the flue and make sure air flows properly. Doing this before you light your fire will keep smoke from backing up into your living space which would cause smoke damage from your fireplace. Never use lighter fluid, gasoline or any other accelerant.  When lighting your fire use newspaper, kindling. Avoid using fresh cut wood which will contain moisture and could lead to more smoke and deposits building up on the inside of the chimney. Wood should be seasoned and dry. Also avoid using woods heavy with resins such as pine. This could lead to a build up of creosote over time. Creosote is highly flammable, and if left to build up it can burn hot and crack your chimney all of which could lead to smoke damage and increased risk of a fire in your home. Burn a couple of logs at a time. You want a slow, steady burn with logs at the back of the fire box to prevent fire, ashes, and sparks from finding their way out of the hearth. Only burn wood.  Burning wrapping paper, or other materials such as evergreen wreaths or garland materials can flare up and get out of control quickly. Open the fireplace doors and use the fireplace screen.  The doors are meant to keep drafts out when not using your fireplace and can shatter if exposed to too much heat. Fireplace screens can help keep embers inside the firebox. Don’t leave fire unattended. Keep the area around the hearth clear and clean. Do not position your Christmas tree near the fireplace and don’t hang stockings, drape your mantel with garlands, or hang cards around the fireplace. Clean the firebox between fires. Have the chimney cleaned yearly. Creosote buildup can ignite and cause a dangerous chimney fire. By doing this you can better prevent the risk of fire in your home. Keep a fire extinguisher handy. When shutting down your fire, leave the flue open until the fire is out and cool. Remove cool ashes in a metal container before closing flue and air intakes to keep the indoor heat from escaping up the chimney. If you should have an incident where smoke and soot belches back into your living space, call Restoration 1 of Fox Valley to remediate the smoke damage caused from your fireplace. Smoke and soot are toxic and should be addressed immediately. RESOURCES Don't Get Stuck With Damaged Property Fill in your details, we'll contact you right back. First Name**

Many of us in the Fox Valley region of Illinois don’t turn our furnaces on until October.  This means that they have been off for four to six months. Before the cold gets here, it is important to go through some essential maintenance tips. If you’re a handy individual, you can try some of these yourself. However, for peace of mind and to avoid voiding any warranties, it is recommended you use a licensed HVAC contractor to perform the following seasonal maintenance.   Clean your filters.  You should change or clean your filters at least twice a year. However, in the winter months it may be advisable to change them in shorter intervals because your furnace runs more during the winter season. Vacuum out your registers. Using a Shop Vac and a bristled nozzle attachment, remove your registers and vacuum out debris. Seal up drafty areas on the interior of the house. If you would like to have a home assessment of where these possible draft areas are located, call Restoration 1 of Fox Valley. We will document these areas with our FLIR camera. Have your heat exchanger cleaned by a service technician. This is a critical component that heats the air used to generate heat for your home and should be cleaned once a year. Have your fan and blower motor cleaned, checked and oiled. Check your thermostat. Turn it to heat and set the temperature to a level where it will turn on. If you don’t hear the furnace turn on in a minute, then you might have some trouble. While you are at your thermostat, replace the batteries and while you’re at it, replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon dioxide detectors. Take advantage of pre-season inspection deals advertised in your local area. Almost all HVAC manufacturers require tune-ups at certain intervals to keep warranties in force. The cost of tune-up can keep you from being exposed to a larger financial hit if you might need major work without warranty coverage.   We are proud to serve the Fox Valley region and are your local restoration team. If you have are in Aurora, Plainfield, Oswego, St. Charles, Naperville, Bolingbrook, Geneva, Wheaton, West Chicago, Batavia, or any of the surrounding areas we are able to get to your home quickly to help service water, fire, or mold issues.   Don't Get Stuck With Damaged Property Fill in your details, we'll contact you right back. First Name**

We at Restoration 1 of Fox Valley are used to getting calls for water damage and flooded basements. The Fox Valley area, specifically Oswego, Aurora, Naperville, Geneva, St. Charles, Wheaton, Plainfield, & Bolingbrook can all specifically suffer water damage to their homes. That damage can be caused by failing mechanicals like sump pumps, water heaters, condensation lines, and exterior water spigots. However, foundation problems can also produce the same sort of water damage. These problems are often hidden because they are below ground and/or hidden by your finished basement. Restoration 1 of Fox Valley can help you identify the common signs of foundation problems. If you notice gaps in concrete or brick on the exterior of your structure it can be a sign of foundation problems. Your foundation can move and settle over time causing foundation cracks. Expanding and contracting soils caused by inclement weather, or the freeze-thaw cycle is often the cause of the problem. New construction can settle for the first 2-3 years causing various cracks. If you are thinking of finishing your basement in your new home, it would be wise to wait a couple of years. Pay attention to the type of crack. Vertical cracks, while a source of water, are not necessarily a structural problem. However, horizontal and 45-degree angled cracks are definitely a sign of critical foundation problems. Other signs of critical foundation problems can be sloped floors, cracked plaster or drywall, doors or windows that don’t close properly, and counters and cabinets separating from the walls. These could be caused by improper grading and drainage, compacting soils beneath your foundation, hydrostatic pressure around your foundation that causes soil movement or erosion, and even potential sinkholes. Drainage issues are some of the most destructive problems yet least expensive to fix. Take steps to shed water away from your foundation. Water that percolates down through the soil next to your foundation can freeze. Once water freezes it expands. That expansion puts pressure on your foundation walls resulting in cracking. Trees that were planted next to the home when it was built may have grown and begun to encroach on the foundation or roots might be inhibiting proper drainage. Remove vegetation next to your home that can impede drainage. Keep your gutters clean. Extend your downspouts 10 feet from the home. Grade or slope the soil away from your home. Making sure that the soil is below the top of your foundation. Make sure all drains are clear of debris. Owning a home takes work. It takes effort to protect your investment. If you believe you might have issues, call us at Restoration 1 of Fox Valley and we can walk your foundation to develop a plan to minimize the risk to your home. First, let us come look! Unfinished Basements 1. We can help you with standing water and refer you to a partner that can help with cracks and leaks. 2. We can mitigate clean-up and work quickly and efficiently to get the mess cleaned up Finished Basements: 1. We use a Flir camera to detect where water is coming from in a finished basement- we do not rip out walls to check, we check and then remediate. 2. We will walk the perimeter of your home to check for exterior evidence of cracks. 3. Next, we open areas in the drywall or finished area to get to the root of the cause 4. Finally, we can call out referrals if there are additional foundation issues. 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

At Restoration 1 of Fox Valley, we are here to help you mitigate water or mold events for you as quickly as possible! Your family deserves to stay safe and dry. Water events in the home can be overwhelming, so here is a list of frequently asked questions to help you better understand our water and mold mitigation process. What is a reasonable response time for water or mold restoration? It depends on proximity and backlog of jobs already in the pipeline. When there is a catastrophic event, such as flooding or tornado damage, response times could range from 3-4 hours to the next day. During normal conditions, our goal is to be able to respond to water events within 90 minutes. I have water in my finished basement and my insurance agent told me to wait until the adjuster can get out to look at the damage? We hear this often, and it is bad advice every time. First, get a new agent! Secondly, water in your home is time sensitive, and your insurance company knows it. In fact, you are obligated to minimize and mitigate damage as soon as possible. Waiting will result in more damage, longer mitigation, and even longer reconstruction. At the first sign of water trouble in your home, call us immediately. You are the boss! If I have water damage, will I have mold growth in my home? It depends. If you have water do not wait to contact us. Waiting only makes mold growth in your home more likely. Mold begins its viability within 48-72 hours. We can usually have your affected area out of the mold range within 24-48 hours. But you must contact us as soon as you notice something.  Remember the clock on mold starts when water intrudes, not when you notice the water! So, you may already be past the 48–72 hour window.  Do not wait! Call us immediately. Should I use my own fans and dehumidifiers after a room in my home flooded? It may be dry to the touch, however that is not a dry standard. Depending on the material, it could be soaked beneath the surface. If water in your home is not dried completely or removed, it will only be a matter of time before mold activates. Mold growth is harmful to humans and pets and can cause debilitating symptoms. Mold is almost always not covered by insurance companies. For the health of your family, peace of mind and to limit your financial risk of incurring a large expense removing mold. Don’t DIY. Call us! (630) 343-1952 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

Restoration 1 of Fox Valley is committed to serving our community by helping those who can’t help themselves. There is no better example than our doggos! A recent puppy up for adoption from Starfish Animal Rescue Group An important part of our Restoration 1 of Fox Valley mission is to partner with the community in working to protect and rescue animals. If you are a dog lover, we invite you to participate by following our Facebook page and sharing to help us build a community for the benefit and celebration of our canine counterparts. We need your active participation to grow our digital community. The more traction we have the more we can help and the deeper our involvement can be! We aspire to encourage an active and impactful community to bring attention to dogs in need. Lend a paw and get involved! Learn more at facebook.com/Restoration1FoxValley , or if you have questions or suggestions for possible partnerships please contact Tracy Hodges at 630-251-9006 or tracy.hodges@restoration1.com . 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

There is mold in every home. In most cases, these are areas such as the far corner of the basement, the attic, or most commonly the bathroom. Anywhere moisture is present you will probably have mold present. If you want to control mold, eliminate the moisture. If you suspect mold in your home, give Restoration 1 of Fox Valley a call. We will check for signs of moisture from past water events or current sources. Mold may be hidden on the backside of drywall, wallpaper, or paneling. The top side of ceiling tiles, the underside of carpets, and carpet pads are also areas where mold can manifest. If mold is found, we have the experience and the awareness of the complications to remove it in a safe way. As with most water-related problems, a sense of urgency about mitigation is necessary. The same is true for mold. Mold damages what it grows on by causing staining or cosmetic damage. Dead mold may still cause your family or pets to have allergic reactions, so killing mold is not enough, it must also be removed. Sometimes the removal of the affected building materials could be the only option for removing the mold! Restoration 1 of Fox Valley is very deliberate when remediating mold. Our number one concern is for the occupants of the home. We take great care to contain the area and minimize cross-contamination during removal. We also use Air Scrubbers to filter the air of harmful spores which could cause allergic responses. Because of the possibility of cross-contamination, we do not recommend attempting to remove mold yourself. We have the proper PPE for the job and operate with expert care to minimize the aspiration of spores. We also take great care to clean our equipment thoroughly and understand that you do not want contamination from another home. Once the mold removal is complete, you should not see any signs of water or moisture in the area as visible mold and odors should not be present. But remember, since mold can cause staining and cosmetic damage prior physical damage or cosmetic damage may linger, making it all the more important for you to have mold properly removed as quickly as possible. Once your mold is gone, remember if water appears in the future, you have 24-48 hours to dry damp materials before mold begins growing. As always, if you think you have a mold problem, call Restoration 1 of Fox Valley at 630-345-8678 to schedule a free assessment. 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

When water is an issue in your home, it is usually caused by obvious external factors such as a heavy rainstorm that overwhelms your sump pump or a clogged main sewer line that backs up and floods your basement. However, there are many more items in your home that can be the source of water damage, where causation is not so cut and dry (pardon the pun). In this installment we will discuss the following items, their location, and signs of water damage from mechanical failure. Bathrooms, Kitchens and Laundry Rooms are obvious sources of water damage due to mechanical failures, but utility rooms, hose spigots, and construction methods are less obvious and often just as common. Water Damage in Bathrooms Most common water events are overflows. As with all water events, toilet overflows, sink and tub overflows need immediate attention. Water is very invasive. If left unmitigated, water will soak deep into subfloors and if there is a room below, it too is in jeopardy of damage. Many homes are designed with utilities proximate to each other. You will see bathrooms on upper floors above bathrooms on lower, or over kitchens. These rooms are the costliest rooms in your home, so if water is allowed to go unmitigated the damages can expose you to high replacement cost. Additional but not so obvious signs of water damage in bathrooms are leaking and broken supplies lines to toilets and sinks. Worn out cartridges in shower and tub handles, and a tired wax ring under your toilet. Trouble signs from these items develop slowly. They usually manifest as a spot on the ceiling below that grows larger over time. Restoration1 of Fox Valley has the technology to pinpoint the source of the water.   Water Damage in Kitchens Most common water damage in kitchens is caused by leaking or clogged dishwashers. If you are in the habit of running your dishwasher overnight, you are taking a risk. Only run your dishwasher while you are home and awake. You are much more likely to notice a problem and avoid the destruction that could come about if that dishwasher runs the entire cycle with a leak. Water damage from refrigerator water lines is also a common cause of water damage in kitchens.   Water Damage in Laundry Room If you have a newer home or your local building codes called for it, your clothes washer has a pan under it. Laundry rooms came up from the basement during the 1980’s, and now many laundry rooms reside on the second floor of the home. Which means that a worst-case laundry room water damage scenario can affect every floor beneath, down to your basement. Supply lines should be steel braided, and valves that automatically shut off can be installed.   Water Damage in Basement Water heaters usually have a life expectancy of 10 years.  If yours is older you might want to keep an eye on it as deposits of sediment will reduce its efficiency and at times they can leak or burst. Sump Pumps and Ejector Pits These two items look similar but are different in functionality. Sump pumps usually have one pipe attached and is responsible for discharging the water in the drain tiles that surround your home. When the sump pump fails, you will notice water appearing on the perimeter of your basement slab. Ejector pits have two pipes attached and are responsible for discharging waste from a basement or first floor toilet. Clogs in the discharge pipe could result in toilets backing up and overflowing and can even cycle that overflow. Your HVAC systems has a condensation line and a condensate pump. Both are part of the system that discharges the water in the system when you run your air conditioner. A failure in the line of this system could lead to sustained water damage and mold activity over time.   Water Damage from Hose Spigots Hose spigots can also be a hidden source of water damage in your home. Often, spigots crack during the freeze thaw cycle of Winter/Spring. They can start leaking and doing damage long before noticed and they are usually discovered when the homeowner waters the grass or garden for the first time.   In summary, there are many sources for water damage in your home. If your water bill seems higher than usual, it may be a sign that you have a leak. Another good idea is to walk your property exterior and interior, on a weekly basis looking for signs of water damage. If you do see early warning signs, give Restoration 1 of Fox Valley a call. We will assess the problem and provide guidance. Remember, water damage is time sensitive, the quicker you act, the quicker you will get your home back to normal.   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

If you’re reading this, it is a good bet that you have water invading your home.  You should know that the process between you and your insurance company is much different than a more traditional claim. Most people don’t have enough water events to gain knowledge through the experience. That’s a good thing, because you and your family are dry and comfortable! For those of you that are less fortunate, we would like to offer some information to help with your expectations of the process.   Water Damage is Time Sensitive Water is very destructive to your home. It is second to only fire in its time sensitivity. The longer it sits, the more damage is done. This increases the damage, cost, the scope of the rebuild and ultimately the time before you can return your house to its pre-event condition. When you have water in your home, don’t wait! Call Restoration 1 of Fox Valley immediately so that we can help you clean up your home as quickly as possible.   Water Damage and Insurance Companies From your insurance company’s point of view, you have only two obligations as a policy holder.  The first is to pay your premium. Second, you are obligated to mitigate damage as quickly as possible. It is for this reason that the process for water damage differs from the traditional process.  There is no requirement to gather multiple estimates for your insurance company’s approval.  Your insurance company understands that the longer it takes to mitigate and remediate the mess the more it will cost them as more building materials become unsalvageable.   You are the boss! As policy holder, you call the shots! You can and you should get started with Restoration 1 of Fox Valley immediately.  Whether it is water in the basement from a storm, a failed sump pump, a leak in mechanicals such as water heater, pipes, or condensation line, appliances such as dishwasher, clothes washer, or supply lines to toilets or overflows from toilets, tubs or showers.  We handle them all!   You can get the process started faster than your insurance company.  Remember you are the boss. It is your policy and thus you can use whomever you want to use for remediation.  If you choose Restoration 1 of Fox Valley you get an advocate who works for you.  We will assist you with your claim, mitigate the cause, and remediate the affected area by following the industry standards set forth by the IICRC. Our goal is to approach your problem smartly and as non-invasively as possible. It doesn’t always work out that way, and if we have to remove building material, we do so cleanly, taking great care to protect areas that are not affected by the damage.   So when you have water, please remember: Water damage is time sensitive. Call us first and get us started on mitigation right away. Review your home insurance policy and we can help you start your claim. The sooner Restoration 1 of Fox Valley can get to you,  the closer you are to getting your home back.   Don't Get Stuck With Damaged Property Fill in your details, we'll contact you right back. First Name**

Why does mold grow? Mold is a naturally occurring part of the environment. It helps to break down dead organic material like dead leaves and trees, but indoors, mold growth is to be avoided. The appearance of mold is usually a sign of a larger, more pervasive problem, such as water damage from a previous water event that was not properly remediated, or moisture from supply lines to dishwashers, refrigerators, and wash machines. Cracked fittings behind walls can develop from corrosion, seasonal freeze/thaw cycles, or settling. Left undiscovered, these issues can result in sizable mold problems or structural problems. Mold in the Home There is mold in every house and is usually not a problem until the spores land on a wet surface. No mold can grow without water. Once those spores begin to grow, they produce gasses called mycotoxins. This process is called off-gassing. These mycotoxins are what cause the allergic reactions in you and your pets. The reactions are common, and they can be immediate or delayed. Mold spores can be found floating through the air and in house dust. These spores will activate once they contact water. Therefore, we emphasize having Restoration 1 of Fox Valley clean up and fix persistent water problems in your home. In fact, according to your insurance company you only have two obligations: Pay your premium and mitigate any water problem as fast as you can. Which is why mold is usually not covered by insurance unless you have a mold rider on your policy. Mold is evidence that you did not do the later. Moisture Control is Essential Moisture control is essential to mold control. Once again, mold cannot grow without the presence of water it also needs a food source which is usually absorbent materials like drywall, wood, carpeting, ceiling tiles. Fixing leaks and other water problems as soon as possible and drying the space and its items completely is the key to eliminating your mold problem for good. You have about 48 to 72 hours to dry materials before mold growth begins. Some things you can do to prevent mold from returning are: 1. Reducing the humidity in your home by running dehumidifiers or your A/C: Air conditioning is a dehumidification process. 2. Vent your appliances properly: Appliances such as dryers, stoves and heaters should be properly vented outside. 3. Watch your bathrooms for excess humidity: Bathrooms are a stubborn source of humidity. Open a window or run the bathroom fan when showering and leave the fan running long after you have showered to exhaust all humidity from the bathroom. Also check to make certain that your bathroom fan is properly ducted through the roof. 4. Pay attention to moisture in your attic: Many older homes have fans exhausted directly into the attic which results in black mold growth on roof deck and rafters. 5. Move Air: Move air with the use of portable and ceiling fans when practical. Prevent condensation by increasing air temperature, covering cold surfaces such cold water pipes with insulation RESOURCES Don't Get Stuck With Damaged Property Fill in your details, we'll contact you right back. First Name**

Restoration 1 of Fox Valley (Oswego, IL) opened its doors in late 2019 and quickly hit the ground running. With its core team of owner/operator Mark Sandstrom and project manager Luke Wilke, the location is providing the highest level of mitigation and remediation services to the cities and towns in the Fox Valley region. From St. Charles to Aurora , Naperville to Geneva , we are here to help! Our mission statement is simple: Do no harm, help people, and make friends along the way. Restoration 1 of Fox Valley is your home’s medical team after a catastrophic event occurs. We identify the damage, clean out the infection (so to speak), and make the necessary repairs or referrals to specialists to get your home 100% again. R1 of Fox Valley is constantly recruiting and cultivating relationships with the trades, ensuring their ability to provide whatever resources a client might need during their event. Our goal is to become our customer’s go to resource. We are committed to providing smart, accurate guidance and direction to our clients so they can make informed decisions about their homes or businesses. This approach has resulted in rapid growth allowing R1FV to expand from one to four territories during 2020 despite a pandemic that throttled the economy. The trend line is up, and we are not slowing down. Our local community involvement includes memberships in various Chambers, BNI’s, and small business networking groups. We also look to support local dog rescue and adoption programs, as well as military families. R1 of Fox Valley’s strong social media presence allows clients and referral partners to stay up to date on latest news, trends, and innovations that Mark and his team employ to set the standard for quality and safety. Many of our clients have become advocates for R1FV, sending us referrals through Facebook. We value our clients and are appreciative of their support. Restoration 1 of Fox Valley (Oswego, IL) is thankful for the opportunity to live and work in the Fox Valley region. We understand that our customers are our friends and neighbors and that a home or business is more than the roof over your head. It is a place where memories or fortunes are made. Our job is to return our clients to memory or revenue mode as quickly as possible. We look forward to fortifying our relationship with our community! If something in your home or business does not seem right, give us a call for a free assessment and we will diagnose and provide you with direction and options to fix the problem. For important info, updates, and tips to navigate Water Damage, Mold or Fire events please give us a follow at Facebook and YouTube . RESOURCES Don't Get Stuck With Damaged Property Fill in your details, we'll contact you right back. First Name**

So, you have water in your home?  What do I do now?  First of all, don’t panic.  Whether it’s water in your basement from a failed sump pump,  a leak in your roof, or a broken appliance water line, Restoration 1 of Fox Valley is ready to tackle any water disaster that might affect your property. Here are the steps we take to get your property dry and back to normal, safely, and quickly. When you call Restoration 1 of Fox Valley, we will first identify the source of the water and help you shut it off at its source, if at all possible.  We will do a preliminary assessment based on your description of the problem.  Any photos or videos you have taken that you can share with us are huge in helping us understand the scope of your disaster.  At this point, with your permission, we will dispatch our technicians to your property. We take an active role in your clean up. Beyond cleaning up and drying your property, we will contact your insurance provider and get your claim started, assisting you through the claims process.  We also have a large network of referral partners who offer other services that you might require for the build back of your property.  Be it a plumber, painter, or carpenter, we have highly qualified and professional partners to replace your pump, paint your walls, or replace your trim, once we have dried your property.  We hold them to the same standards of quality, safety, and professionalism that we hold ourselves too. Your home is our home. We understand how stressful a water disaster can be.  Most of us have been there.  Our goal is to make the process of restoring your home as easy as possible.  We will explain clearly and thoroughly the processes and techniques we will be using.  We will provide a timeline as to approximately when each step will be completed.   And, we will use techniques that are un-invasive as possible, only removing materials that are beyond being able to salvage.  Oh, and speaking of home, we are right here in Oswego, making our response time to our neighbors in the Fox Valley area quick.  When water is present, time is of the essence.  Combining our local coverage area, with 24 hr  emergency services, we can be on site to begin the process of mitigation within a couple of hours. Exacting standards. There’s a reason to call the professionals at Restoration 1 of Fox Valley.  Simply using a mop and bucket and a couple of fans invites the possibility of future problems.  Water can and will find its way behind walls, cabinets, even under flooring.  If not properly dried, mold can form within days of the event, and begin to grow.  The health hazards of mold exposure have been well documented and can range from headaches and congestion, too much more serious illnesses.  Restoration 1 employs the very latest in technology and industry techniques to professionally dry your property.  But the most valuable tool we employ is our team of technicians.  Expertly trained, they know all the tricks of the trade needed to get the job done right.  Courteous and efficient, they will treat your home like it’s their own, and have you back to normal as quickly as possible. So, relax!  We’ve got this!  No one wants to deal with water in their home, but life happens, and sometimes, we need the experts to bail you out.  When water finds itself as an uninvited guest to your home, have the guys at Restoration 1 of Fox Valley, kindly show it the door, and get your home warm and dry in no time.  They use all the appropriate PPE, and make every effort to keep you and your family safe throughout the entire process. 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