Choosing the Right Property Damage Restoration Professional is Critical to Disaster Recovery

Insurance policies, emergency evacuation plans, smoke alarms, fire extinguishers – these are the types of things that knowledgeable homeowners put in place to help minimize the losses if a disaster strikes. That is where the preparation stops for most people, because they never fully plan for disasters that might devastate their home or business.

But, the fact is that disasters do happen. A cooking accident, electrical short, a burst pipe, a blocked chimney, a severe storm and other everyday hazards can turn an ordinary day into a nightmare.  Recovering from that nightmare takes the same type of planning and forethought that you put into your disaster-prevention plans.

When disaster strikes, leaving water or fire damage in its wake, you need to act quickly to begin the clean-up, and it is very important that you choose your restoration professional with care. Water and fire damage restoration is a very specialized field, so choosing a firm with a reputation for professionalism, efficiency and quick response is critical.

Use this checklist when selecting a property damage restoration professional.

Make Sure Your Property Damage Restoration Professional:

• ·         Specializes in water and fire damage restoration services. 


• ·         Is licensed and insured.


• ·         Responds immediately when disaster strikes – 24/7.


• ·         Has industry-recognized training certifications (such as IICRC).


• ·         Presents a contract that specifies the work to be done and the price to be charged – before any work is started.


• ·         Offers references from clients who used the same services you require.


• ·         Treats your home, its contents and you with compassion, respect and professionalism.


• ·         Is able to work with your insurance company to complete the claim as quickly as possible.


• ·         Uses "state-of-the-science" equipment and processes to minimize time, damage and disruption.


• ·         Keeps an open line of communication throughout the job, including the clean-up and follow-up process.

If you need property damage restoration services, focus on quality over price. This checklist will lead you to a specialist in fire and water damage restoration, and that's the person you need to restore your home or business back to normal. Cutting corners almost always results in incomplete or substandard work, and then more expensive repairs and more disruption later.

PuroClean Property Restoration Specialists serving the Chicago area specializes in property emergency services. PuroClean certified technicians help families and businesses overcome the devastating setbacks caused by water, fire, mold and other conditions resulting in property damage.

For more information about PuroClean Property Restoration Specialists serving the Chicago area or for additional advice on choosing a property damage restoration expert, please contact Scott Majeski at 312-453-1500 or smajeski@puroclean.com.

Preventing Indoor Mold - warm weather tips on moisture control

With the rain and the coming heat, Chicago area homeowners should worry about mold in their homes during the summer months.  Mold can grow almost anywhere there is moisture and it grows on almost anything: paper, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood, fabric, insulation, even dust.  It can cause serious damage to a family's home and health if the homeowner doesn't take steps to control and deal with it quickly and effectively.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the key to both preventing and remediating mold in the home is controlling moisture.  Mold cannot grow without moisture, so a homeowner needs to identify and control moisture sources in the home to prevent the spread of mold.

During the warm summer months, we advise homeowners to keep an eye on these seasonal sources of moisture and take steps to control or eliminate them:

• Air conditioner drain pans


• Condensation caused by high indoor humidity or overly cold indoor surfaces


• Outdoor sprinklers set to allow the spray to hit the walls of the home


• Unvented kitchen and bathroom moisture


• Clothes dryers that vent indoors or wet towels and clothing left to dry indoors


• Overwatering house plants


• Moisture from human sources (sweat, wet hair, breath)

These less-obvious moisture sources can be as dangerous as the typical leaks, spills and flooding that most homeowners recognize as potential breeding grounds for mold.  Mold causes a hazard wherever it grows indoors, so homeowners need to be vigilant about controlling indoor moisture. 

Homeowners need to understand how prevalent mold is and how easy it is for mold to find a foothold in the home. You also need to stay on the alert to identify and correct everyday sources of moisture before mold has a chance to grow.

For more information about PuroClean Property Restoration Specialists serving the Chicago area or for additional advice on protecting a home from mold, please contact Scott Majeski at 312-453-1500 or smajeski@puroclean.com.