The CleanUP Guys handles mold removal along with water damage, sewage and flood cleanup, basement cleaning and fire damage restoration. Its website lists service in Chicago neighborhoods and suburbs such as Skokie, Evanston and Wilmette, and says the company is family-owned and has operated since 1986. The site also lists IICRC certification and 24/7 emergency response.

Listed since 10/15/2020

Mold in Chicago basements

Most of Chicago is served by a combined sewer, which carries household sewage and storm runoff in the same pipes. When heavy rain overwhelms it, water can back up through floor drains into basements. On July 2, 2023, about 9 inches of rain fell in parts of the area, and from July 2 to July 18 more than 12,000 basement flooding reports reached the city's 311 line, more than in all of 2021 and 2022 combined.

A basement that has taken on water is the usual starting place for mold here. Chicago's older brick two-flats and bungalows often have finished or semi-finished lower levels, wood framing against masonry, and plaster or drywall that holds moisture. The EPA advises that wet buildings be dried within 24 to 48 hours to avoid mold growth, a short window after a flood.

What a mold removal job involves

Removal begins with stopping the moisture, then containing the area so spores do not spread through the house. Affected drywall, carpet and trim are removed and bagged, and remaining surfaces are cleaned with HEPA vacuums. Sewage-contaminated materials are handled as a separate hazard. Ask for a written scope, whether air testing after the work is independent, and what repairs will be left. See our guide to mold after water damage, testing and remediation.