PuroClean of Evanston 
When disaster strikes at home, the aftermath can feel overwhelming. Water damage — whether from a burst pipe or a sewer backup — and mold can quickly transform your comfortable living spaces into hazardous zones. But with the right expertise and rapid response, even the most daunting damage can be reversed. At PuroClean of Evanston, we specialize in turning these stressful situations into stories of recovery and renewal.
In this showcase, we invite you to explore real-life examples of our water damage remediation work in local homes. Through dramatic before-and-after photos and detailed project narratives, you’ll see how our expert technicians assess, remediate, and restore homes to their original condition. Dive in to see the PuroClean difference in action!
Dramatic Attic Mold Remediation
Nottingham Ave, Glenview | April 2025
A Hidden Problem, Uncovered
Many homeowners never think to check their attics for mold — until a strange odor or a curious inspection reveals a hidden problem. On Nottingham Ave in Glenview, IL, the homeowners were surprised to discover mold spreading across their attic ceiling boards, a common issue often caused by moisture trapped in poorly ventilated spaces. What started as a simple checkup quickly turned into a priority project for our remediation experts.
The Extent of the Damage
Upon arrival, our PuroClean team found visible mold colonies on the attic ceiling boards and insulation, indicating ongoing moisture issues. The mold was not only unsightly but also posed a potential health risk to the household. The main culprits: inadequate ventilation and blocked soffit vents, which allowed humid air to linger and create the perfect environment for mold growth.
Before Restoration:
📸 Massive visible mold colonies due to attic moisture intrusion
Our Comprehensive Mold Remediation Process
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Detailed Inspection: Our certified technicians used advanced moisture detection tools and techniques to assess the full extent of the mold and moisture intrusion.
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Containment Setup: To prevent mold spores from spreading to living spaces, we established containment barriers and used negative air machines to filter the air during the removal process.
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Mold Removal: All affected insulation and ceiling boards were carefully removed and double-bagged for safe disposal. The attic was thoroughly vacuumed using HEPA filtration to capture mold spores.
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Ventilation Correction: We installed dual-vented baffles at the soffit vents to restore proper airflow and prevent future moisture buildup, an essential step for long-term attic health.
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Stain Removal and Encapsulation: Specialized mold stain removers were applied to the cleaned surfaces, followed by encapsulation to inhibit future mold growth and protect the wood.
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Air Quality Testing: After remediation, we conducted professional air quality testing to confirm that the attic was mold-free and safe for the homeowners.
After Restoration
📸A safe and healthy mold-free attic space.
The transformation in the attic is striking. Every surface now appears clean, bright, and healthy, with no trace of the mold that once covered the rafters and sheathing. The wood structure is visibly refreshed, and the once-contaminated insulation has been replaced or thoroughly cleaned, restoring the attic to a pristine condition.
With the mold completely eradicated, the attic now offers a safe and healthy environment for the home. The fresh, uniform appearance of the wood and insulation demonstrates the effectiveness of PuroClean’s meticulous remediation process. Homeowners can now enjoy peace of mind, knowing their attic is protected against future mold growth and the air quality throughout the house has been significantly improved.
Sewer Backup Recovery
The Crisis Unfolds
When these local Evanston homeowners first noticed water rising in their basement shower on a Friday morning in May, they initially suspected a typical sewer backup. However, what unfolded was a more complex blockage-induced fill-up that would require immediate professional intervention and comprehensive restoration.
The situation escalated quickly. After the first plumber cleared what appeared to be a simple blockage on Friday, the family thought their troubles were over. But Sunday morning brought a harsh reality check: water was rising in the shower once again. This time, a second plumber discovered the real culprit: a severely clogged main stack that had been causing sewage from the home to back up through the pipes and spill across the basement floor.
Comprehensive Damage Assessment
Our PuroClean technicians conducted a thorough evaluation that revealed the extent of the contamination. The basement exercise room, while structurally unaffected, showed door frame swelling that necessitated door replacement. The bathroom area bore the brunt of the damage, with baseboards requiring removal and extensive cleaning and sanitization of all surfaces.
Perhaps most concerning was the discovery that contaminated water had been unknowingly tracked throughout the first floor by the homeowners. This secondary contamination meant our team needed to expand the scope of work to include comprehensive disinfection of the main living areas, including the mud room, kitchen, dining area, and living spaces.
Our Restoration Process
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- Complete carpet and padding removal from affected basement areas
- Baseboard removal and wall cleaning to prevent hidden moisture damage
- Professional sanitization of the basement shower and bathroom
- Custom door replacement (non-standard 6’7.5″ x 30″ doors)
- Comprehensive disinfection of first-floor wooden floors and surfaces
- Thorough cleaning of contaminated stairways and back porch areas
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Before Restoration
📸 Contaminated basement shower and flooring
During Restoration
📸 Systematic carpet removal and surface sanitization
This project exemplifies how quickly a plumbing issue can escalate into a major restoration challenge. Our team’s systematic approach ensured not only the removal of contaminated materials but also the complete sanitization of all affected areas, returning this Evanston home to a safe, healthy environment for the family.
Burst Pipe Water Damage
An Unexpected Discovery
Sometimes, the most devastating water damage comes from the most innocent activities. The busy homeowner on Stone Manor Drive was simply using her garden hose for outdoor watering when she returned inside to find water covering her basement floor. What seemed like a minor inconvenience quickly revealed itself as a significant water damage event requiring immediate professional attention!
The source of the flooding was a cracked pipe connected to the exterior spigot. Hidden within the wall, this pipe had developed a fracture that allowed water to pour directly into the basement living space. By the time the homeowner discovered the situation, approximately one inch of water had accumulated across the basement’s luxury vinyl plank flooring and saturated the carpeted areas.
Extensive Basement Damage
Our assessment revealed that the water damage extended throughout the basement’s finished living spaces. The family room, which served as the primary entertainment area, suffered the most significant impact. The water had soaked through the carpeting, damaged the entertainment center’s veneer, and affected the luxury plank flooring. Bean bags and area rugs also required immediate removal for professional cleaning.
The adjacent game room also experienced partial flooding, with water extending approximately three feet from the affected wall. The storage room connected to the family room saw similar damage, with about three and a half feet of carpeting requiring professional drying and restoration. Fortunately, the utility room and bathroom remained unaffected, helping to contain the scope of the damage.
Our Comprehensive Restoration Process
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- Immediate water extraction and moisture removal from all affected areas
- Professional carpet removal, cleaning, and drying using specialized equipment
- Strategic placement of industrial dehumidifiers and air movers
- Moisture monitoring and documentation throughout the drying process
- Containment setup to create optimal drying conditions
- Assessment and treatment of wall moisture near the air handler
- Complete restoration of the family room and game room environments
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Before Restoration
📸 Flooded basement family room
📸Water-damaged luxury plank flooring.
During Restoration
📸 Professional drying equipment in action
Industrial dehumidifiers and air movers create optimal drying conditions.
This project showcased the importance of rapid response in water damage situations. Our team’s immediate deployment of professional-grade drying equipment and systematic approach to moisture removal prevented secondary damage such as mold growth and structural deterioration. The two-day intensive drying process, combined with careful monitoring of humidity levels, ensured complete restoration of this family’s cherished basement living space.
The successful restoration of both the family room and game room areas meant that this family could return to enjoying their basement entertainment space and office without the worry of lingering moisture, mold development, or potential health concerns.
PuroClean of Evanston 