Restoration questions, answered
Short, sourced answers to the questions property owners in DuPage & Will County ask us most, from what insurance covers to how long drying takes. Each answer links to the service page and the longer guide behind it. For an emergency, call (630) 241-1111, 24/7.
Water Damage Restoration
- Does homeowners insurance cover water damage in walls?
Often, yes, if the water came from a sudden and accidental event such as a burst pipe or a split supply line. Damage from a slow leak that ran for weeks or…
- How can you tell if drywall is wet?
Wet drywall often shows stains, bubbling or peeling paint, a soft or crumbly feel, swelling or rippling near the floor, and a musty smell. Walls can look…
- How do I get rid of water damage marks on my ceiling?
First make sure the leak is fixed and the ceiling is completely dry. For a light, dry stain, clean the surface, seal it with a stain-blocking primer, then…
- Is 15% moisture in drywall considered bad?
Not by itself. Most pin meters read on a wood or reference scale, so 15% does not mean the drywall is 15% water. What matters is how the reading compares…
- What could be causing a brown spot on my ceiling that isn't wet?
A dry brown spot is usually a stain left by water that has since dried: an old roof or plumbing leak, ice-dam meltwater, attic condensation, or a dripping…
- What could be causing a leaking ceiling after rain?
Rain coming through a ceiling usually gets in at damaged or missing shingles, failed flashing around chimneys, vents, skylights or roof valleys, overflowing…
Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration
- Can you stay in your house after a small fire?
Only after the fire department says your home is safe to enter, and only if utilities work safely, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms function, and soot and…
- Is fire damage covered by homeowners insurance?
Yes, in most cases. Standard homeowners policies list fire and smoke as covered perils, so accidental fire damage to your house, detached structures and…
- Is smoke from a house fire toxic?
Yes. Smoke from a house fire is a mix of poisonous gases, including carbon monoxide, and fine particles, and Ready.gov notes that smoke and toxic gases kill…
- What is the purpose of a restoration company?
A restoration company’s job is to stop damage from getting worse and return a property to its pre-loss condition after fire, water, storm or mold damage.…
- What to throw away after a house fire?
Throw away food, drinks and medicine exposed to heat, smoke, soot or firefighting chemicals, including refrigerated food reached by fumes. It is also wise…
Mold Remediation
- Can I live in a house with mold in the basement?
Often you can, if the growth is small, the moisture source is fixed and nobody in the home is especially sensitive. Basement air reaches upstairs through…
- Can mold be successfully removed from a house?
Yes. Active mold growth can be removed from a house, and it stays gone when the moisture that fed it is fixed. No one can remove every spore, since EPA says…
- How can you tell if mold is behind drywall?
Look for clues first: a musty smell with no visible source, stains or discoloration, bubbling or peeling paint, and a history of leaks in that wall. A…
- How urgent is mold remediation?
It depends on what you find, but the moisture is always urgent. EPA says to dry water-damaged materials within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold. An active…
- Is bleach or vinegar better for killing mold?
Neither one is the real answer. EPA does not recommend bleach or other biocides as a routine mold treatment, because dead mold can still cause allergic…
- Is mold a biohazard?
Not in the regulatory sense. Mold is not covered by OSHA's bloodborne pathogens rules, and no federal exposure limits exist for it. EPA says bagged moldy…
- What does it mean when a house has been remediated?
It means a specific hazard in the house, most often mold, water damage or fire and smoke residue, was corrected and its cause fixed, not just cleaned up.…
Biohazard Cleanup
- How do you get a hoarder to get rid of stuff?
You usually can't make someone get rid of things, and forced cleanouts tend to backfire. What works better is staying calm, focusing on safety such as clear…
- How long does biohazard cleanup take?
There is no fixed number. A small spill on hard surfaces is a short job; a scene where fluids soaked into carpet, subfloor or drywall, or that went…
- Is pee considered a biohazard?
Usually not. Under OSHA's bloodborne pathogens rules, urine is not considered potentially infectious material unless it is visibly contaminated with blood.…
- What are five examples of biohazardous waste?
Five common examples, drawn from OSHA's definition of regulated waste: liquid or semi-liquid blood or other potentially infectious materials; items that…
- What are the five stages of hoarding?
The "five stages of hoarding" usually refers to the Institute for Challenging Disorganization's Clutter-Hoarding Scale. It rates a home, not a person, from…
- What is the fastest way to clean a hoarder's house?
The fastest safe approach is a planned one: walk through first, deal with hazards, arrange a dumpster, set aside documents and keepsakes, then clear one…
Cleaning Services
- Can a cleaning company be bonded?
Yes. Cleaning companies can carry a janitorial or fidelity bond, which covers losses from theft or other dishonest acts by employees. A bond is separate…
- How often should an office be cleaned?
It depends on how many people use the space. Busy offices typically need restrooms, break rooms, trash and high-touch surfaces handled daily, desks and…
- Is post-construction cleaning worth it?
Often, yes. Construction leaves fine drywall, wood and concrete dust on every surface and inside air returns, and dry sweeping tends to spread it around. A…
- What are 7 common cleaning mistakes?
Seven common cleaning mistakes are mixing bleach with ammonia or acids, disinfecting without cleaning first, wiping disinfectant off before its label…
- What does a house deep clean include?
A house deep clean covers everything a routine clean does plus the build-up it skips: inside the microwave and oven, cabinet fronts, the range hood, tile…
- What is the difference between cleaning and commercial cleaning?
Regular cleaning usually means a home or small space cleaned around the occupant's schedule. Commercial cleaning covers offices, stores and other…