How HEPA Filters Protect You — And Why They Matter in Restoration Work

Nasutsa Mabwa

June 27, 2025

HEPA filters protect your health by capturing tiny airborne particles—including mold, dust, and bacteria. Learn how ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons uses industrial-grade HEPA air scrubbers to clean and restore Chicago homes and businesses after water, fire, or mold damage.

HEPA filters aren't just high-tech — they’re lifesavers in disaster recovery. Learn how ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons uses them to protect Chicagoland homes and businesses.

What Is a HEPA Filter?

HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air. These filters were first developed during World War II by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission to trap radioactive particles in lab environments. Today, they’re the gold standard in air filtration across hospitals, clean rooms — and professional restoration projects.

To qualify as a true HEPA filter, it must capture at least 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns — about 300 times smaller than a human hair. That includes dust, pollen, mold spores, bacteria, and even some viruses.

Why HEPA Filters Matter in Restoration Work

In disaster cleanup jobs, the air can be filled with dangerous particulates:

Mold spores after water damage
Soot and ash from fire damage
Dust, debris, and allergens during post-construction cleanup
Harmful bacteria in hoarder or sewage cleanup situations

A standard air purifier can’t handle this level of contamination. That’s why ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons uses industrial HEPA-equipped air scrubbers on serious jobs.

What’s the Difference Between Air Scrubbers and Air Purifiers?

Air Scrubbers: Heavy-duty, industrial machines designed to remove contaminants during cleanup. They cycle air through multi-stage filtration systems, including a powerful HEPA filter, multiple times per hour. They’re used in unoccupied spaces for maximum decontamination.
Air Purifiers: Consumer-grade devices designed for light-duty use in occupied rooms. Even those with HEPA filters can’t match the power or coverage of commercial scrubbers.

When and Where We Use HEPA Filters

At ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, we deploy HEPA air scrubbers in:

Water damage cleanup — to remove mold spores, odors, and bacteria
Mold remediation — to maintain negative air pressure and trap airborne spores
Fire damage restoration — to eliminate fine soot and smoke particulates
Hoarder & clutter cleaning — to remove allergens, bacteria, and contaminated dust
Post-construction cleanup — to remove drywall dust, insulation fibers, and VOCs

How Air Scrubbers Work

Contaminated air is pulled into the unit by a strong internal fan
It passes through pre-filters to catch larger debris
Then flows through the HEPA filter, which traps 99.97% of fine particles
Clean air is expelled back into the environment or ducted outside

This continuous filtration helps:

Improve air quality
Prevent the spread of mold and pathogens
Protect workers and residents during remediation

Why Trust ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons?

We bring over 40 years of certified experience in restoring homes and businesses across:

Chicago: West Loop, Rogers Park, Lincoln Park, Sauganash
North Shore: Skokie, Evanston, Wilmette, Highland Park
Western Suburbs: Oak Park, River Forest, Elk Grove Village, Addison, Naperville

We’re certified by the IICRC, trained in OSHA safety standards, and use only industry-leading tools and techniques to protect your property and your health.

Need help after water, fire, or mold damage? Call 773-376-1110 or visit our homepage to schedule service.

FAQs About HEPA Filters in Restoration

Q: Are HEPA filters really necessary for mold cleanup?
A: Yes — mold spores are microscopic and airborne. HEPA filters are essential for containing and eliminating them safely.

Q: Can I use a home air purifier instead of an air scrubber?
A: No — household purifiers aren’t powerful enough for restoration-grade contaminants. You need industrial HEPA scrubbers for proper remediation.

Q: How long do HEPA air scrubbers need to run?
A: It depends on the size of the room and level of contamination. We calculate this on a case-by-case basis using air change rates.

Q: Do HEPA filters remove odors too?
A: They help — especially with smoke, mildew, and musty smells — but we often use carbon filters alongside HEPA for stronger odor removal.

Q: Are HEPA scrubbers safe for pets and kids?
A: Yes, but we often run them when the area is unoccupied for safety and efficiency.

About ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons

ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons is a family-operated, award-winning disaster restoration company serving Chicagoland for over four decades. We specialize in:

We’re IICRC Certified, members of the RIA, and have earned honors like the 2024 Chicago Star Award, BBB Torch Award, and SB100 Best of Small Business Award.

Read our book: RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset by Sam Simon and Nasutsa Mabwa.

Let us restore your peace of mind™.

Nasutsa Mabwa is the CEO and co-owner of ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, a certified MBE/WBE firm proudly serving Cook, DuPage, and Lake Counties in Illinois. Under her leadership, the company has become one of Chicagoland’s most trusted providers of disaster restoration services, including water and flood damage restoration, fire and smoke damage cleanup, and mold remediation for residential and commercial clients.

A recognized civic and business leader, Nasutsa is a recipient of the 2020 Daily Herald Business Ledger C-Suite Award, a Crain’s Chicago Business 40 Under 40 honoree, and a 2018 ServiceMaster® Achiever Award recipient. She currently serves as a Civic Federation Board Member, an Advisory Board Member, and is the Past President of the Executive Committee for the Evanston Chamber of Commerce. She is a proud member of the WPO - Women's President Organization.

Nasutsa holds IICRC certifications in Water Damage Restoration (WRT) and Fire & Smoke Restoration (FSRT), bringing both strategic leadership and technical expertise to every project.

She is also the co-author of RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset from Water and Fire Disasters — a practical, accessible book for homeowners based on real-world experience in the restoration industry.

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