Case Study: Out-of-Door Academy, Siesta Key – Post-Hurricane Milton Recovery

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Client Overview:

Out-of-Door Academy is a prestigious private school located in Siesta Key, Florida, offering education from preschool through high school. With its beautiful facilities and commitment to providing a top-tier learning environment, the school is a pillar of the local community. However, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Milton, the school faced significant damage to its buildings and infrastructure. Flooding, water intrusion, and mold growth were among the major issues that needed immediate attention. The school required urgent restoration services to ensure the safety of students and staff and restore the campus to its original condition in time for the new school year.

Problem:

In the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, Out-of-Door Academy experienced widespread damage due to high winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges that caused flooding throughout the campus. Several buildings were affected by significant water intrusion, which led to both structural damage and mold growth. The humidity and moisture trapped in walls, ceilings, and flooring created an environment ripe for mold to spread quickly, posing a serious health risk to students and staff.

With the school year already in motion, the administration urgently needed a professional restoration company to address the extensive damage, including mold detection and remediation, water damage restoration, and the necessary repairs to ensure the campus would be safe and operational for the students. United Water Restoration Group had to work fast and diligently to ensure the students could come back to school quickly and safely.

Our Role:

As a trusted restoration company specializing in hurricane damage recovery, water restoration, and mold remediation, we were called in to handle the full restoration of Out-of-Door Academy in the wake of Hurricane Milton. Our services covered a comprehensive range of restoration needs, including mold detection, water extraction, and construction, with a focus on swift action and minimal disruption to school activities.

1. Mold Detection and Assessment:
   • Following the storm, we performed a thorough inspection of the campus to assess water intrusion levels using state-of-the-art moisture detection technology and thermal imaging tools.
   • We identified high-risk areas where mold was beginning to grow, such as classrooms, hallways, storage rooms, and faculty offices, and conducted air quality tests to evaluate potential health risks from airborne mold spores. 
   • Our team provided a detailed report outlining the mold hotspots, moisture readings, and areas requiring immediate attention.

      

2. Water Restoration:
   • After identifying the areas with water damage, our team began the water extraction process, using industrial-grade pumps and vacuums to remove standing water and prevent further damage.
   • We deployed a combination of dehumidifiers and air movers to dry out affected areas, ensuring that the moisture was effectively removed from walls, ceilings, and floors to halt any potential mold growth.
   • Our technicians worked tirelessly to restore the school as quickly as possible, completing the drying process in a matter of days to minimize disruption and get the school back to full operation.

      

3. Mold Remediation and Containment:
   • With mold found in several parts of the campus, we took immediate steps to contain and remove the contaminated materials. Using HEPA filtration systems, we set up containment barriers to isolate affected areas and prevent the spread of spores.
   • Mold-infested materials such as drywall, insulation, and carpeting were carefully removed and replaced with mold-resistant, durable materials to prevent future growth.
   • We used environmentally safe cleaning agents to disinfect all affected surfaces and to ensure the long-term health of the building’s occupants.

      

4. Construction and Repairs:
   • Following the mold remediation and water damage restoration, we moved on to rebuilding and repairing the damaged infrastructure.
   • Our construction team used water-resistant, high-quality materials such as moisture-resistant drywall and mold-resistant insulation, ensuring that the school’s buildings would be more resilient in the face of future storms.
   • We also repaired roofs, windows, and doors to enhance the campus’s ability to withstand future hurricanes, providing the school with an added layer of protection from extreme weather.

      

5. Final Testing and Air Quality Monitoring:
   • After completing the restoration and construction, we conducted a final round of air quality testing and moisture inspections to ensure that the campus was free of contaminants and safe for students and staff to return.
   • We also performed visual inspections to confirm that all structural components were intact, moisture-free, and fully restored to their pre-storm condition. 

Success Factors:

• Swift Response Post-Hurricane Milton: Our team responded immediately after Hurricane Milton, arriving on-site within hours to begin the critical process of water extraction and mold remediation. Our rapid response helped prevent further damage and mitigated health risks posed by mold contamination.

   

• Comprehensive Disaster Recovery: We were able to address all aspects of the restoration in-house, including mold detection, water damage repair, and construction, providing a seamless recovery process.

   

• Advanced Technology and Techniques: By using the latest moisture detection tools, air quality testing, and mold remediation technologies, we were able to quickly and effectively address the hurricane damage, restoring the campus to a safe condition.

   

• Minimized Disruption: Understanding the importance of getting the school back to full functionality, we worked around the school’s schedule to complete the restoration process as efficiently as possible with minimal impact on school operations.

Final Results

✅ Ongoing Partnership
✅ Stronger, More Resilient Campus
✅ Preserved Academic Schedule
✅ Restored Safety and Health for the students

Results:

• Restored Safety and Health: Out-of-Door Academy was able to safely welcome students and staff back into a healthy, mold-free environment after the restoration, with no ongoing risk from mold or water damage.
• Preserved Academic Schedule: Thanks to our quick and efficient work, the school was able to resume operations on time, without significant disruption to classes or extracurricular activities.
• Stronger, More Resilient Campus: In addition to repairing the immediate storm damage, we helped fortify the school’s infrastructure, ensuring it is better equipped to handle future storms and extreme weather events.
• Ongoing Partnership: The successful completion of this project has fostered a lasting partnership between our company and Out-of-Door Academy. We continue to conduct periodic inspections to ensure that the campus remains in top condition.

Client Testimonial:

“After Hurricane Milton caused significant damage to our campus, we needed experts who could restore our school and ensure that it would be safe for our students and staff. [Your Restoration Company] responded quickly and handled everything from water extraction to mold remediation and repairs. Their professionalism and efficiency were beyond our expectations, and we are incredibly grateful for their hard work in getting our school back to normal. We are confident that we are now in a much stronger position to handle future storms.”

— Out-of-Door Academy Administration

Conclusion:

The restoration of Out-of-Door Academy following Hurricane Milton highlights our company’s ability to provide comprehensive disaster recovery services. By handling everything from mold remediation to water damage restoration and construction, we helped the school recover quickly, ensuring a safe, healthy environment for students to return to. Our proactive approach and attention to detail have made this project a success, and we continue to support the school to ensure its ongoing safety and resilience.

If your property has been affected by a hurricane or severe weather event, contact us today. We specialize in restoring buildings to their full potential and helping you recover faster and more effectively.