The financial and emotional toll when your property in Cleveland has been affected by some sort of disaster is immeasurable. And the fact that almost 98% of basements in the United States suffer from some sort of water damage makes it more concerning. In fact, almost 1 in 60 insured homes have claimed property damage due to water damage. Whether you’re dealing with smoke damage, burst pipes, or mold growth in your property, knowing how a local restoration company in Cleveland like Americon can help can make all the difference.
Thorough Mold Remediation Process for a Safer Home
The humid summers in Cleveland make for perfect breeding grounds for mold growth. Cleveland is reported to receive about 41.03 inches of rain annually. Cleveland also gets precipitation about 151 days annually, a figure much larger than the national average.
Mold remediation in Cleveland, OH, requires specialized expertise that is capable of addressing both visible and airborne contaminants and spores.
Here’s how a local restoration company in Cleveland like Americon handles such a situation:
Containment and Air Filtration
Mold remediation starts with the containment of all affected areas. This is typically carried out by using plastic sheets and negative air pressure systems. A HEPA filter is used for this since it removes at least 99.97 % of airborne mold spores.
Removal and Disposal
Americon Restoration’s professional technicians are trained to follow EPA protocols for safe mold removal. Part of which includes using personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, protective eyewear, and N95 masks among other safety measures. FEMA guidelines also state that any materials that cannot be salvaged within 48 hours must be removed and disposed of.
Whether you use Cleveland Water and Fire Restoration or any other local company, ensure the technicians follow proper EPA safety protocols for cleanup and disposal.
Restoration and Prevention
Once all the mold has been removed, it’s important to treat the previously affected areas with antimicrobial treatment and thorough drying. A professional company, such as Americon Restoration doesn’t just stop there.
We also identify and address the allowed moisture growth and prevent future contamination that could start another expensive remediation cycle.
Deep Water Damage Cleanup to Protect Your Property
Water damage cleanup in Cleveland involves a lot more than mere removal of standing water. Professional restoration requires removing both visible and hidden damage, following a strategic method to preserve as much as of your property’s structural integrity.
With Cleveland experiencing frequent rainfalls and 19% of its buildings at risk of flooding, the importance of rapid intervention can’t be understated. Not to mention the freeze-thaw cycles that compound these threats.
Here’s a look at how professionals usually tackle such damage:
Assessment and Classification
The first order of action always involves assessing and classifying the water damage based on the contamination level. According to the EPA, there are 3 main categories:
- Category 1: originates from clean sources such as water supply pipes and poses no risk
- Category 2: originates from appliances, such as dishwashers, washing machines and toilets. This category is a health hazard if consumed by humans
- Category 3: originates from sewage backups and poses the most damaging health risks
Local restoration companies are usually thorough with this step. They often use moisture meters or thermal imaging cameras to immediately identify affected areas that aren’t visible.
Water Extraction and Dehumidification
The best way to remove standing water is by using industrial extractors. This is followed by dehumidifiers that remove moisture that may be trapped within floors, walls, ceilings and even furniture. Dehumidification can take anywhere between 3 to 5 days and sometimes more, however, this depends on the extent of the damage.
Sanitization
Standing water can often start to smell moldy or musty. Antimicrobials can help prevent any growth of bacteria and eliminate any unwanted smells. Since Americon Restoration maintains its own equipment instead of renting it out, we can help reduce drying times and any secondary damage.
Fast Fire Damage Cleanup Process to Avoid Secondary Damage
When the national average cost homeowners pay to get their homes back in shape after fire damage is $27,175, you can’t be quick enough with professional help. But fire damage cleanup in Cleveland isn’t just about removing charred materials.
The smoke from fire damage or wildfires can penetrate into porous materials, and cause adverse health effects.
Here’s how a local restoration company in Cleveland can help get you back on track:
Property Stabilization
Before the restoration process starts, it’s important for your home to be boarded up. This is to protect your property from harsh weather conditions or burglaries. Securing any broken windows and tarping the ceiling can help prevent additional water damage.
Smoke Removal
Smoke is a combination of water vapor, gases such as carbon monoxide and other volatile compounds. Removing it, however, depends on what type of smoke it is.
Smoke damage can be categorized into 4:
- Wet smoke, as a result of burning plastics or rubber and causes thick, sticky residue
- Dry smoke, as a result of fast, high-temperature burning and causes dry, powdery residue
- Protein residue, as a result of burning organic compounds such as food. This leaves behind a thin, greasy film
- Soot, as a result of chimney or large house fires and causes thick residue that requires professional-grade equipment
Odor Removal
When it comes to removing smoke odors, air fresheners are hardly enough. Instead, local restoration companies, such as Americon Restoration, use thermal fogging, hydroxyl generators and professional ozone generators to neutralize odors.
Every Hour Counts When Disaster Strikes Your Cleveland Property
The restoration industry hinges on one simple principle: speed saves your property.
While companies like Cleveland Water and Fire Restoration offer restoration services, it’s important to act fast, no matter who you call. After all, when water damage claims cost insurers a whopping $13 billion per year, you really can’t be quick enough.
A professional restoration company such as Americon Restoration understands that mold, water or fire damage doesn’t wait for convenient business hours. Within the first hour of your call, expert technicians must arrive with all the necessary industrial-grade equipment, ready to assess, contain and stabilize the damage.
In such dire times, you can only depend on Americon Restoration to provide you with a rapid response. We offer 24/7 emergency restoration services in Cleveland, ready to serve you whenever you need it most.
It’s important to keep in mind that the first call you make after discovering the damage determines the success of the entire restoration process, and the final cost you pay.
How to Choose Your Dedicated Restoration Partner in Cleveland Ohio?
Cleveland Water and Fire Restoration and similar companies such as Americon Restoration understand that clients need fast, dedicated service that doesn’t add to their list of problems. Here’s how you choose your restoration partner:
- Make sure the company you choose has IICRC certification. This provides you with the peace of mind knowing they understand the industry standards for mold, water and fire cleanup.
- All legitimate companies, such as Americon Restoration carry liability insurance and bonding. We also assist with insurance claims and provide detailed documentation to save you hundreds of out-of-pocket expenses.
- Companies that own their own equipment, like Americon Restoration, can respond faster and maintain the same quality of service every time. We maintain our own fleet of equipment, ranging from extractors and dehumidifiers to air movers.
Frequently Asked QUestions:
How do Cleveland restoration experts contain and prevent mold spread during cleanup?
Mold is contained through containment barriers of plastic sheets that seal the area and then negative air pressure is applied to keep the spores within the containment zone. Next, HEPA vacuums and air scrubbers are used to clean the atmosphere. The area is continuously monitored and thorough disinfection is carried out to ensure mold is not just removed but any sneaky spores don’t escape into other areas.
What water damage cleanup methods do local Cleveland companies use to dry and restore properties?
Water damage restoration starts with standing water extraction through heavy-duty pumps and then any industrial dehumidifiers and air movers are used to dry the affected area. Cleaning and disinfection is done next and moisture is monitored continuously while the damaged structures are restored to pre-loss condition.
How is fire damage cleanup managed by restoration professionals in Cleveland?
Restoration professionals in Cleveland manage fire damage cleanup by removing debris, cleaning soot with specialized equipment, and deodorizing smoke odors. They restore salvageable materials, repair structural damage, and ensure indoor air safety. Cleanup also includes addressing water damage from firefighting efforts and preparing properties for full reconstruction.