Preparing Your South Chicago City Business for Winter Storms: Key Steps to Prevent Damage?

12/17/2024 (Permalink)

We restore storm damage 24/7 in Chicago.

Local businesses trust our teams in Evergreen Park/South Chicago City to restore storm damage quickly and efficiently. Winter storms in Chicago can bring intense cold, snow, and ice, which can cause significant damage to commercial properties.

Preparing your business for harsh winter weather is essential to minimize risks and keep operations running smoothly. Start by inspecting and sealing windows and doors to prevent drafts and water intrusion. Weatherproofing these areas can reduce heating costs and protect interiors from moisture seeping through gaps.

Next, ensure that your plumbing is protected from freezing temperatures. Insulate exposed pipes, especially in unheated areas, to prevent bursts that can cause costly water damage. Drain exterior hoses and shut off outdoor faucets, which are essential for preventing freezing.

Another key step is to schedule an HVAC checkup. A well-maintained heating system keeps your building comfortable and prevents costly breakdowns during freezing weather. Finally, inspect your roof and gutters. Clear gutters of any debris to allow proper drainage and prevent ice dams, which can lead to roof leaks.

Taking these preventive measures helps shield your business from potential storm-related damage, saving money on repairs and minimizing disruption during the colder months.

Call Us Today!

When your South Chicago City commercial business or home needs storm damage restoration services, our local teams in Evergreen Park/South Chicago City are Here to Help. ® Call us today at 773-337-3900.

SERVPRO Team Zubricki is proud to be SERVPRO's Franchise Of The Year for 2024.

SERVPRO® franchises are independently owned and operated.

The Impact of Flash Flooding on Basements During Summer Storms in Mount Greenwood?

9/24/2024 (Permalink)

We restore storm damage 24/7 in Chicago.

Our local Evergreen Park/South Chicago City teams witness the damage summer storms cause to properties in Mount Greenwood. Summer storms often bring intense and sudden downpours that can quickly overwhelm the city's drainage systems, leading to flash flooding.

Basements are particularly vulnerable to water intrusion when these heavy rains occur, especially in older homes with compromised waterproofing. The rapid accumulation of water can seep through foundation cracks, causing significant damage to walls, flooring, and personal belongings.

Proper basement waterproofing protects your home from these summer storm-related floods. Ensuring that your basement is sealed against water intrusion, with intact foundation walls and appropriate drainage systems, can prevent costly repairs. But it's not just about the initial setup.

Regular maintenance of a reliable sump pump is essential. Sump pumps help remove water that has entered your basement, pumping it out before it can cause extensive damage. By regularly inspecting and servicing your sump pump, especially before the storm season, you can take a proactive role in ensuring it operates effectively when needed most.

Taking these preventative steps can help safeguard your basement from the devastating effects of flash flooding, protecting your home's structure and peace of mind during Chicago's unpredictable summer storms. Don't wait until the next storm hits—prepare your basement now to avoid potential disaster.

Call Us Today!

When your home or business in Mount Greenwood has storm damage, our local Evergreen Park/South Chicago City teams are Here to Help. ® Contact us today at 773-337-3900.

SERVPRO® franchises are independently owned and operated.

How Can I Ensure Safety During a Power Outage in Downtown Chicago?

4/23/2024 (Permalink)

We restore storm damage 24 hours a day in Downtown Chicago.

You can trust SERVPRO of Team Zubricki to respond quickly to storm damage emergencies. Power outages are an inevitable part of urban life, and for residents of Downtown Chicago, they can present unique challenges. Being prepared is critical to ensuring your safety during these disruptions.

First, establish an emergency kit containing essentials such as flashlights, batteries, non-perishable food, water, and a first aid kit. Keep this kit easily accessible in case of sudden blackouts. Additionally, consider investing in a portable phone charger or a backup power source to keep communication lines open.

During a power outage, conserve energy by minimizing the use of electronic devices and switching off appliances to prevent overload once power is restored. If you're using alternative lighting sources like candles or lanterns, ensure they're placed on stable surfaces away from flammable materials and never leave them unattended.

Stay informed about the outage through local news channels or emergency alerts and follow any instructions from authorities. If you must venture outside, be cautious of downed power lines and potential hazards, especially in heavily trafficked areas.

Also check on neighbors, particularly those needing assistance such as the elderly or individuals with medical conditions. By staying prepared and looking out for one another, Downtown Chicago residents can navigate power outages with resilience and safety.

Call Us Today!

When you discover storm damage in your residence or business, SERVPRO of Team Zubricki is Here to Help®. Call us today at 312-877-9937.

SERVPRO® franchises are independently owned and operated.

Fast Emergency Response Saves Customers from Costly Repairs in Downtown Chicago?

4/16/2024 (Permalink)

We respond to storm damage emergencies 24 hours a day in Downtown Chicago.

SERVPRO of Team Zubricki is a trusted leader in storm damage mitigation and restoration services. Fast emergency mitigation for stormwater damage is crucial in preventing secondary damage and reducing the overall cost of repairs. When stormwater damage occurs, immediate action is necessary to mitigate the effects and prevent further harm. If not promptly addressed, standing water can lead to structural damage, mold growth, and electrical hazards.

Quickly removing excess water and drying affected areas helps prevent secondary issues such as mold and mildew growth, which can develop within 24 to 48 hours in moist environments. Additionally, swift action can prevent structural deterioration caused by prolonged exposure to water, reducing the extent of repairs needed.

Also, promptly addressing stormwater damage can help salvage items and materials that might be irreparably damaged. Salvaging belongings reduces replacement costs and sentimental losses for property owners.

Property owners can rely on our teams of highly trained technicians to minimize the extent of damage, prevent secondary issues, and ultimately reduce the financial burden associated with repairs and restoration efforts. We typically arrive onsite within four hours of your call for help.

Call Us Today!

When your residence or business in Downtown Chicago sustains storm damage, SERVPRO® of Team Zubricki is Here to Help®. Call us today at 312-877-9937.

SERVPRO® franchises are independently owned and operated.

What Can I Do to Prepare for a Power Outage in Downtown Chicago?

4/9/2024 (Permalink)

We are leaders in storm damage remediation services in Downtown Chicago.

Preparing for a power outage in Chicago, where extreme weather can be a factor, is crucial for safety and comfort. SERVPRO of Downtown Chicago offers these tips for preparing for a power outage:

Emergency Kit: Assemble a kit with essentials like flashlights, batteries, candles, matches, a battery-powered radio, non-perishable food, and water for each household member for at least three days.

Backup Power: Consider investing in a generator for backup power, primarily if you rely on medical devices or have essential appliances.

Communication Plan: Establish a communication plan with family and neighbors. Ensure everyone knows how to reach each other and where to meet if necessary.

Protect Electronics: Safely unplug sensitive electronics to prevent damage from power surges when the electricity comes back on.

Insulation and Weatherproofing: Ensure your home is well-insulated and weatherproofed to retain heat during winter outages. Seal windows and doors to prevent drafts.

Alternate Heating: Have alternative heating sources such as a fireplace, wood stove, or space heater (if safe to use) and proper ventilation.

Stay Informed: Keep abreast of weather forecasts and emergency alerts. Follow guidance from local authorities and utilities.

Preserve Food: Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to maintain cold temperatures. Use perishable food first and have a cooler with ice for items that need to stay cold.

First Aid: Have a well-stocked first aid kit handy in emergencies.

Call Us Today!

When your residence or business in Downtown Chicago has a storm damage emergency, SERVPRO® of Downtown Chicago/ is Here to Help®. Call us today at 312-877-9937.

SERVPRO® franchises are independently owned and operated.

Must-Do Tasks After Suffering Storm Damage | SERVPRO of Evergreen Park/South Chicago City

2/17/2024 (Permalink)

Did your home suffer damage from an unexpected storm?SERVPRO of Evergreen Park/South Chicago City has your back. Call us today!

We all may think that we have all the time in the world to prepare for thunderstorms in our community. While we are grateful that our forecasts and local authorities are able to give us advanced notice of incoming weather, we truly don’t know what is in store for us until the storm has arrived. 

What may have been predicted as a moderate thunderstorm could quickly intensify and bring serious rain, intense wind and large hail. Even a tornado or straight-line winds could impact your home without much warning.

These types of situations are always unexpected, so using caution when walking around your home can help you stay safer before, during and after a storm. 

After the Storm Passes

Once the first storm cell passes over your home, don’t be too quick to jump out of your safe sheltering location. We all know that another storm cell could be right on the horizon. Walk about carefully, carrying your phone and weather radio with you.

If any family members were out of the home when the storm arrived, check in with them right away to ensure their safety. You should also take this time to check on your neighbors. Storms can follow distinct paths and while your home may have been spared, your neighbors might not have been.

Once everyone is safe and the whole storm system has moved on, it’s time to now survey your home and get started on the restoration process. Take pictures of whatever damage you uncover and give us a call right away so we can get started on your restoration. 

While You Wait for Us

Our team is proudly locally owned and operated, which means we will be at your home fast and ready to work as soon as you call us! However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take steps to minimize more damage while you wait for us to arrive. 

If your roof was damaged and it is still raining, lay tarps over the damage or over your possessions to keep them dry, and board up any windows that were broken. We will do this more extensively when we arrive, but taking these steps right away will never hurt!

Once we arrive, we will get to work on your repairs. Storms can cause water damage, structural damage and even fire damage if your home was the unfortunate victim of a lightning strike. 

We will work quickly but carefully to ensure every part of your home is addressed and your repairs are taken care of. Our goal is to return your home to its pre-storm condition as quickly and as efficiently as possible. 

We can be at your home faster after a storm disaster. Contact SERVPRO of Evergreen Park/South Chicago City right away. 

Preparing for Rain, Preventing Water Damage | SERVPRO of Evergreen Park/South Chicago City

11/17/2023 (Permalink)

Unsure of how to handle your home water damage? No worries, we will take care of it. Call SERVPRO of Evergreen Park/South Chicago City today.

When it rains, it pours in the Chicago area! We see our fair share of rainstorms throughout the year that can range from gently falling rain to heavy rainstorms accompanied by intense wind. 

No matter the weather situation, rain can infiltrate our homes and cause significant water damage. 

Preparing for the weather is one of the best ways to prevent damage, so tackle the tasks below to get ready and help your home stay drier and damage-free. 

Getting Ready Around Your Home
Each different storm system brings a different intensity to the area, and yard debris and leaves  can get blown around your property. As the seasons pass, that debris can find its way to your gutter system and cause serious clogs. 

The next time it rains, that clog will force water to back up onto your roof or pour over the edge of your home, which can leak down into your foundation easily.

In order to avoid this frustrating situation, you need to be cleaning out your gutters regularly. If you live in a single-family home or a townhome that has a gutter system, get up on a ladder and pull out that clog to help encourage water to flow down and away from your home. 

The Roof and Windows

Your roof undergoes all kinds of weather hazards throughout the year, and it absorbs a lot of the impact of storms so you can stay safe and dry inside. However, that also means that your roof is often the first place for storm damage to occur, which can easily invite water into your attic. 

Check your roof after every storm to look for missing shingles, gaps or even general sagging issues so you can address repairs right away.

If you live in an apartment or rent a house, you still need to take steps to reduce your risk of water damage. Take the time to ensure all windows and doors are securely shut and occasionally check them for signs of moisture when it is raining. If you discover a bead of water coming from a small hole in your caulking around a window, it is crucial that you address the issue right away. 

Overcoming Water Damage

Water sometimes has a mind of its own, and it can leak and seep into the most unsuspecting crack or gap in your home. If that happens to you and you discover a significant water spot on your wall or your basement floods, call us right away. 

Our SERVPRO® team will arrive quickly to start removing the excess water while also using thermal cameras to detect hidden moisture behind your walls. We will completely dry your space and then get to work on your repairs. 

Water is known to warp and swell floors, ruin carpet, and make your drywall soggy, and we can help you recover from any of these situations. We are here for you for all of your water damage scenarios!

Overcoming water damage is easier with SERVPRO of Evergreen Park/South Chicago City on your side. Call us today. 

SERVPRO Offers Premier Water Damage Repair Services in Chicago

1/15/2023 (Permalink)

Our technicians will evaluate the particular needs of the water damage situation in your home when selecting the appropriate equipment for your home.

Water Damage Repair in Chicago is Fast and Effective, with SERVPRO In-charge

An effective water damage repair of your Chicago home after a storm is essential to ensure no long-term complications happen in the future. SERVPRO techs use scientific, industry-leading methods to ensure that the water restoration of your home is efficient, quick, and safe.   

SERVPRO’s technicians follow the IICRC-S500 guidelines during the water damage repair of your Chicago home. Our technicians quickly remove any standing water from your property and create ideal conditions to speed up the drying process. We aim to restore your home “Like it never even happened.” After all, SERVPRO is a Downtown Chicago Licensed Operator. 

Creating a Drying System During Water Cleanup

SERVPRO techs aim to create a drying system that quickly and effectively dehumidifies the air in the affected structure. An effective drying system uses dehumidifiers and air movers to remove moisture from the air and speed up the rate of drying. SERVPRO techs ensure that the dehumidification system removes the water vapor from the air as fast as, or faster than, it is being added by evaporation. 

We use two types of dehumidifying systems in Chicago homes during water damage restoration-

• Refrigerant Dehumidifiers: These are the most common dehumidifiers used in water restoration projects and work similarly to air conditioners. When air is passed over the cooled copper coils of refrigerant dehumidifiers, the temperature of the air is brought below the dew point, which forces the water vapor to condense. 
• Desiccant Dehumidifiers: These dehumidifiers don’t rely on the dew point principle; they use special chemicals called desiccants that absorb moisture from the air. The advantage of these dehumidifiers is that they can dry the air to a lower humidity ratio (RH.)  

Call SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City at (773) 337-3900 for a round-the-clock water cleanup service.

Quality Flood Damage Assistance Available in the Chicago Area

9/23/2022 (Permalink)

Flood Damage Assistance

After a flood, things may appear worse than they are, you can recover much of what you see by obtaining the services of a quality restoration company. These technicians clean, dry, and rebuild flooded homes all of the time, enabling homeowners just like you to return to their home sooner than you might think.

When dealing with flood damage in your Chicago area home, play it safe. Never enter your property to take a look around or assess the damages alone. Safety hazards are lingering in the rubble that put you and your family at severe risk, some that only a trained eye can spot quickly enough to avoid. Making it necessary for you to ask for help immediately.

Companies like SERVPRO assist homeowners with recovering from flood damage on their property while also providing recommendations to assist with limiting your losses during any future events. Using the right company can make the difference between preventing or limiting flood damage, or losing your home entirely to the next problem that occurs.

At SERVPRO you and your family come first. We want you to be safe, avoid stressful situations, and concentrate on a more important side of your restoration, your health. Flood situations take their toll on your family both physically and emotionally, once you have expressed your concerns and had your questions answered by our onsite supervisor, leave your restoration in our hands.

SERVPRO can help you floodproof your home as we perform your restoration. Our initial inspection outlines problems that exist providing you with a timeline for recovery and prevents you from being surprised by anything that might arise. We help you rescue your cherished items, restore your furniture, and protect the structural stability of your home.

Our services include the removal of any standing water, getting air moving to reduce moisture caused by condensation and humidity. We clean and disinfect everything found within the affected area, removing debris that makes its way inside. We check for broken or leaky pipes and perform any necessary repairs to help return things to normal, in the most efficient way possible.

Contact SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City for additional information or to begin your home’s restoration, today (773) 337-3900.

If you are looking to learn more about Chicago visit https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en.html.

Why the Type of Water in a Flood Matters More Than the Amount of Water

9/2/2022 (Permalink)

Clean vs. Contaminated Water after a Flood

A flooded home is always an unwelcome event, but there's more to water emergencies than most people realize. Water level isn't the only challenge and potential hazard involved, and whether the flood water is clean or contaminated plays a huge role in the cleanup process.
 
If you've experienced flood damage in Beverly, you may not be aware that whether items within your home can be restored heavily depends on whether the water is contaminated or not. Here are the differences between clean and contaminated flood water, and how we deal with each.
 
Clean Water
 
This type of flood damage comes from water that is not contaminated with any waste, hasn't been used, doesn't have organisms in it that can carry disease, and has been treated. For instance, if your water heater malfunctions and floods your basement, that water is likely to be clean as it's been sitting in an enclosed tank waiting to be used. Flood damage from burst pipes also commonly involves clean water.
 
Clean water poses the least risk to your family, and SERVPRO technicians will have a much better chance of saving items affected by it. Here are some of the things that we're typically able to restore in this situation:
 
- Carpet and carpet pads
- Books and documents
- Electronics and appliances
- Furniture
- Electronic media
 
Contaminated Water
 
Gray water and black water are both contaminated, and the difference between the two is that black water has solid waste and is potentially more hazardous. Gray water has been used, but it doesn't contain human or animal waste. Examples include water dumped from broken washing machines and dishwashers, and toilets that have overflowed when not in use.
 
Flood damage from natural disasters and storms, backed up sewage, and used toilets that have overflown are examples of black water. This is the riskiest type of water emergency to handle, which is why SERVPRO technicians take special precautions when dealing with black water.
 
Though area rugs, some possessions and furnishings, and appliances can often be saved when they've come into contact with contaminated water, carpet padding is thrown out for safety. Carpet can be cleaned if the flood is from gray water, but it's best for your family's health that it be thrown out if black water is involved.
 
The team at SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City have the tools and expertise needed to handle all types of water emergencies quickly. For a quote or to learn more about our flood damage services, call us at (773) 337-3900.

Preparation is Key for Staying Safe Through a Storm

8/17/2022 (Permalink)

Storm Plans Need To Include Supplies and Reasearch As To Recovery Service Companies Storm season is upon us and we have noticed a dramatic increase in the number of customers that contact us for immediate help to clear up storm damage in the Downtown Chicago area. Some storms are brutal and take a significant toll on the population in the area. Restoring commercial and residential properties after a dramatic storm is our business. It is something that we take great pride in because we know that it is very beneficial to the local community. The fact is that SERVPRO of Evergreen Park South Chicago City is a locally owned business and we provide 24-hour service to storm disaster victims in the community. Preparing for Storms We realize that storms might hit out of the blue. One minute, the sky is crystal clear, with a calm breeze. The next minute, a storm is brewing over the area. We advise our customers to start preparing for storms and storm damage long before they occur. We've all heard stories about people that are preparing for the Zombie Apocalypse or the great disaster that ends the world. However, it is more practical to prepare for a real life situation that could occur at any time. For example, thunderstorms, tornadoes, lightning strikes, hurricanes, and floods are more apt to strike a community than the disasters mentioned above. It is important to have a plan in place for any storm. For example, plan a safe location for the family in the home or a nearby evacuation center. Put together a storm disaster kit and store it away for use during the event. It is also a good idea to have a battery-operated radio that is tuned to the local weather station for updates on the storm. Make sure that the entire family is well aware of the emergency plan to keep everyone safe. Practice the plan a few times per season to stay on the safe side. More Storm Safety Tips Believe it or not, the safest place to be during a storm is inside your own home. Don't rush outside, in the middle of a storm looking for safer ground. Instead, we suggest that you stay inside, listen to the weather forecast, stay away from corded telephones, avoid interacting with any type of electrical equipment in the home. Storm Damage Downtown Chicago SERVPRO of Evergreen Park South Chicago City is recognized for their fast response to emergency situations after storms. We serve both residential and commercial customers promptly. Our staff of highly trained technicians will work quickly and efficiently to restore your property. Contact us at (773) 337-3900 for more information today.

Is Ice Damming Dangerous for Chicago Properties?

8/14/2022 (Permalink)

Water can damage your home anytime of the year. Contact SERVPRO 24/7 for professional services and remediation.

Freezing Pipes and Ice Dams from a Polar Vortex Cause Water Damage in Chicago

Ridges of ice forming along the edges of a roof can become a threatening scenario for your Chicago home or business. When thawing water cannot safely find its way off the roof via gutter channels, downspouts, and diversion installations, this ridge of ice grows in size and ponds water on the roof. This accumulating water can allow for seepage through the shingles, vents, wall systems, and into related areas of your home. This water damaging penetration can be costly and challenging to dry and restore, from the attic to the basement!

Effective Water Removal and Evaporative Drying

These freezing weather events cause extensive water damage in many Chicago properties. Because temperatures are expected in the single digits and wind chills even more severe, the threats of burst pipes require prompt action from our responding technicians. Damaged plumbing often involves the removal of standing water using advanced and efficient extractors. 

Can Loss Effects Get Reduced with Quick Actions?

As leading restoration professionals across multiple franchises locally, we can be a top choice for large-loss recovery and restoration during an emergency. Our SERVPRO team can begin establishing containment barriers by hanging poly-sheeting to isolate drying areas. These initial actions can ensure more efficient management of humidity, airflow, and temperature, thereby mitigating the water damage.

What Materials Require Repair and Replacement After Damming?

Whether it is one of the thousands of homes in the area or large commercial structures, ice damming can impact several building materials. Some of the most common areas that require our general contractor license for repairs and build back include:

• Shingles
• Roof supports
• Underlayment
• Flooring
• Wall Systems
• Insulation

Having sufficient insulation can often reduce the creation and sustaining of ice dams on your roof that can generate attic moisture. Whenever you contend with roof breaches that damage your home or business, you can count on our SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City team to help when you call (773) 337-3900. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

The Flood Damage Insurance Claims Process for Chicago Homes

7/11/2022 (Permalink)

Storm damage? Call SERVPRO! Our team is equipped and trained for complete restoration.

SERVPRO Helps Flood Damage Claims Get Approved

In and around Chicago, it is always advisable for homeowners to secure insurance against flood damage where possible. When natural disasters like flooding occur, you must still jump through some metaphorical hoops to get the damage claim approved and restoration work paid for by the insurance provider. SERVPRO can help. 

Assessing the Condition of the Property

Flood damage to Chicago homes and businesses varies by the incident, making it essential to have competent professionals assess the damage. Structural, content, and environmental damage can all have a place in evaluating the type of restoration and recovery work needed for the property. 

Documenting Content and Structure Damage

Whether to complete the estimation the insurance provider needs or to keep the customer apprised of the conditions of their home, the inspection of the house should yield considerable documentation on the requirements of individual contents and structural elements. A complete recording of the home's state can show where specific restoration and repairs are necessary. 

Interfacing with the Insurance Adjuster

An insurance provider will designate a representative to help with a damaged home as work begins with trusted restorers like SERVPRO. We work with this individual to keep our customers from being a forced middleman mediating the transfer of information, documents, and progress reports. 

Creating a Detailed Estimation of Restoration Work

Damage claims will not be approved, and the notice to proceed is delivered without a detailed estimation of the work SERVPRO believes is necessary. Our expected timeline to complete this work. With flood damage, this estimation could include several tasks such as:

• Extraction
• Cleaning
• Drying
• Content cleanup
• Disinfection

When your home needs extensive reconstruction or restoration, it pays to have insurance. Our SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City can help to meet the requirements, so this vital work starts as soon as possible. Call us now at (773) 337-3900.

Chicago Weather Can Cause Flood Damage To Local Homes And Businesses

6/26/2022 (Permalink)

Restoring A Flood Damaged Home

Sitting next to Lake Michigan and receiving a steady and robust air current helped Chicago earn its nickname as the Windy City. This same lake also gives area residents plenty to do year-round. Making great memories by boating, fishing, and gathering together for beach picnics remains a positive part of life here for many families.

The weather around Chicago sometimes causes flood damage to local homes and businesses. While the lake can swell and rarely cause problems, smaller streams overflow much more rapidly. Flooding in a neighborhood can happen because of this, or when curbside drains become clogged, and water from rainy weather cannot drain away safely.

Technicians at SERVPRO earn certificates in Applied Structural Drying (ASD) after learning the intricacies of removing water, reducing moisture, and treating various materials correctly to achieve the desired results. Other certificates from the IICRC focus on remediation of microbial infestations and caring for damaged flooring types, furniture, and other furnishings. We offer our customers an integrated service, making it possible to quickly restore your home, so it looks "Like it never even happened," once more.

We know that after a flood, stress levels soar, and the constant reminders that things in your daily lives have changed only makes things worse. SERVPRO wants your family to feel safe again, and able to live in their own house with the belongings in place that make it 'home.' We start as quickly as possible and start with our Green Fleet's pump trucks. Our highly efficient pumps can remove thousands of gallons of water quickly.

Once the water no longer covers your floors, we can safely begin working to clear away the debris. While the flood dumped copious amounts of muck inside at one time, we work methodically, so we remove the most massive pieces of debris first, always working down to the next smaller size.

We keep air circulation a constant aspect in your home. Even though your home's air contains substantial amounts of moisture, microbes, including mold, bacteria, and viruses, stay suspended in the air. To clean the air and prevent these microorganisms from landing and causing problems for you, we use air scrubbers that filter out any particles. Because these no longer exist in the air, odor control becomes much easier to accomplish.

SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City's flood damage mitigation professionals is always ready. If the Little Calumet crests and causes flood damage to your Riverdale or Dolton home, call us at (773) 337-3900 so we can mitigate the destruction created during the event and remove the risks left behind.

Storm Damage to Your Chicago Home May Require Professional Flood Restoration

6/21/2022 (Permalink)

 The end of winter and the onset of spring often brings storms in the Chicago area that leave a lot of precipitation and damage. If your home is subjected to high winds, snow, sleet, and rain, you may have to call the professionals for restoration. Our team at SERVPRO understands how unpredictable the weather can be, which is why we have specialized processes in place to tackle all your flood mitigation needs.

Should you have flood damage in Chicago, taking quick action to mitigate appropriately is critical. Even though the floodwaters recede, they leave behind sludge filled with bacteria and other contaminants. Known as black water, floodwater must be addressed carefully so that you and your family can get back to life as usual without potential health hazards. With a simple phone call, we deploy a team that comes out to your home, perform an assessment, and put cleanup measures into motion to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Initial Restoration Measures

Any carpeting throughout your home impacted by floodwater is usually discarded if it is unable to be cleaned thoroughly and restored. Our skilled technicians know how to quickly perform pack-out services that help remove electronics, furnishings, and other belongings from areas near moisture. Items must be relocated to dry, safe places so that moisture does not take hold. Any damaged items that can be restored are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized, followed by deodorization. Items that are not salvageable can be replaced.

Controlled Demolition

Our trained technicians go through your home to determine the best places for flood cuts in the drywall. Floodwater gets behind baseboards and starts to wick up the drywall, so cutting away enough drywall several inches above the area of saturation helps to prevent mold infestation. Flood cuts allow SERVPRO technicians to speed up the drying process by setting up air movers to get into the wall cavities. We also use dehumidifiers to help further removal of vapors from the air.

SERVPRO of Evergreen Park/South Chicago City is available whenever you need assistance with flood damage restoration. Give our team a call at (773) 337-3900, and we send out a team to begin the assessment process. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergency service.

Purchasing Insurance Needs to be an Educated Decision

5/16/2022 (Permalink)

There Are Many Things To Consider When Purchasing Insurance For Your Home

When purchasing homeowners insurance, there are many factors to consider, especially what would happen in the case that you experience storm damage. If you live in an area that is prone to severe storms, it is even more important to understand the kind of insurance policy you have, the limitations of it, what it covers and the kinds of storms for which you might not be covered.

Overview of Storm Damage Insurance
 
A lot of homeowners have experienced a bad hailstorm already or seen the storm damage which hail can cause to automobiles, homes, businesses and other property. When hail hits, it does the most damage to the outside of your property or home. Types of damage that are commonly caused by hail include siding damage, roof damage, window damage, shingle damage and automobile damage.

Thunderstorms

Most homeowner standard policies, known as HO-3 policies, will cover your home and its contents. Usually you are covered against theft, storm damage, some major disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes and hail, plus pet damage.

Floods and earthquakes are not usually covered under a majority of stand insurance policies and need a separate policy. Home insurance policies, remember, don’t cover normal wear and tear or poor maintenance, so you should ensure that your home is properly maintained at all times.
 
Shopping for Homeowners Insurance

When you are in the market for a homeowner’s policy, it is a good idea to look at several different companies first. Different companies for insurance will offer a significant range of coverage levels, prices, and discounts. Don’t just shop the ones you know best, but look for the policy which works for your situation the best. If you find a policy which looks good but is offered by a company you don’t know, it is helpful to look into their background. There are three websites you can check for the financial strength of an insurance company: Fitch Ratings, Ambest and Moody’s Investor Services.

When choosing a policy, begin by researching the area you live in. you will want to have a firm knowledge of the history of storm damage in your neighborhood related to:

• Tornadoes
• Hailstorms
• Flooding
• Wind storms
• Natural disasters
• Earthquakes

Ensure that the insurance policy you select will cover adequately the natural disasters and storms in your area. Look out for insurance companies that are known for denying claims unfairly. Each year, the American Justice Association publishes a list of the ten worst companies. If your insurance company is found on this list and your claim for insurance has been denied, ensure you connect with a contract that is reputable, such as SERVPRO, who has the experience to be able to fight for what you deserve.

Insurance for storm damage in Southside Chicago deserves to be researched thoroughly before you decide on which insurance company to go with. If you do experience storm damage of any kind, make sure and contact our professional technicians at SERVPRO of Evergreen Park/South Chicago by dialing (773) 337-3900 right away so we can assess your damages and make sure that you get the compensation you deserve.

Managing Flood Damage Contaminants in Chicago Properties

5/9/2022 (Permalink)

Floodwater often contains contaminants. SERVPRO has the equipment necessary to restore your home.

We Manage Flood Damage Contaminants After Disaster

Contamination is one of the continued threats after flooding. When natural floodwater penetrates a property, it can bring debris and organic matter. Bacterial and viral pathogens are present in decaying matter, sewage, and other harmful substances rushing floodwater could absorb or pull in as it passes. We work quickly to assess the likelihood of blackwater events in your house and the appropriate steps to ensure the safety of those exposed.

Is the Water Contaminated?

One of the distinctions of flood damage in Chicago homes and commercial structures is whether a contaminant is believed to exist. Even speculated threats need treating with the same level of care that confirmed contaminants require. Flooding can be a challenge for restoration professionals because of the presence of hazardous substances like:

• Sewage
• Chemicals
• Organic Matter

Removing Contents and Bulk Materials

Our team must treat the exposure of loose contents and personal belongings with urgency, which often means relocating these items to another portion of the property or our SERVPRO facility for cleaning. Bulk material removal is also a method of reducing pathogenic threats and contaminant spread in houses where these materials have been heavily exposed after flooding. 

Controlled Demolition

Addressing contaminants might also require the removal of exposed materials altogether. Controlled demolition might be suitable for any impacted building material when contaminants are considered a threat. SERVPRO technicians will remove carpeting, perform flood cuts on wet drywall surfaces, pull out wood trim, and eliminate other impacted construction elements as necessary. 

Disinfection Cleaning

Permanent construction elements like concrete, masonry, and other non-porous installation requires thorough cleaning with our potent disinfection products. Sanitizers in our inventory can destroy pathogens and bacterial threats on surfaces quickly. 

It is vital to act quickly after flood damage in the Windy City. We appreciate the impact natural flooding can have on buildings and homes, so our SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City and our trained storm response team will arrive quickly to help. Call now at (773) 337-3900.

How Can I Keep My Pets Safe From Flood Damage In Chicago?

4/13/2022 (Permalink)

If you are faced with flood damage, call on our experts for help. We are available to assist you 24/7.

Chicago Homeowners Want To Keep Their Four-Legged Friends Safe From Flood Damage

As every Chicago pet owner knows, our furry (and sometimes finned or scaled) friends quickly become part of the family. Looking after a pet requires time, care, dedication, and money. Sometimes, caring for a pet involves planning, such as arranging for their care when you are on vacation.

Flood damage in Chicago is distressing for anyone, but it can be extra stressful if you also have pets. Keeping your companions safe during a flood is a top priority. The very best way to keep your pets safe during flooding is to make preparations ahead of time. SERVPRO also recommends printing a list of actions to take when flooding occurs and keeping it somewhere that is both floodproof and easily accessible.

What Can I Do to Prepare For Flooding?

SERVPRO suggests taking the following actions before a flood happens:

• Contact your local shelters and also friends and neighbors to find out who will be able to take your pet should the worst occur and you have to evacuate – please note not all human shelters allow pets, so it is essential to have a plan
• Please make sure all dogs and cats are microchipped and have a sturdy collar and tag with up to date information on it
• Make arrangements with a neighbor for someone to take your pets in should an evacuation order happen when you are out of town
• Always ensure you have a good stock of food and medicine for your pets
• Double-check your flood escape route and make sure it’s pet friendly

What Should I Do When I Get a Flood Warning?

Swift action is essential when a flood warning comes. SERVPRO recommends you check flood warnings for your area regularly, and should you hear an alarm, take the following steps:

• Bring all dogs and cats inside as soon as you can
• Move all pets upstairs if possible, and take food, water, and medicine supplies upstairs too
• Fetch warm blankets and familiar toys and place them in the room with your pets for both warmth and comfort (the familiar smell of favorite toys helps calm pets in distress)
• Put medical information, vaccination information, vet details, microchip number, a recent photograph, and any other useful information about your pets in a sealed waterproof bag
• Make sure you have portable pet carriers (for cats and smaller animals) and a sturdy leash or harness (for dogs) close at hand

You might also consider asking a friend who lives outside the flood area if you can take your pets to them until the danger has passed

How Should I Take Care of My Pets When Flooding Happens?

If your home floods and you have not evacuated your pets, do not panic. There are still things you can do to take care of them during a flood incident.

The most important thing is not to leave your pets behind. Even if you think they are safe upstairs, you do not know how long it will be until you return home. Use a sturdy carrier to transport smaller animals and a good quality leash to keep dogs close to you – do not let any animals roam free during a flood.

If you have to evacuate with your pets, remember to take food, bowls, a favorite toy, and bedding.

If you do have to leave animals behind for your safety, shut them in an upstairs room with ample food, water, and bedding. Leave a note on the door of your home stating that there are animals inside, and contact your local animal charity if you can.

What Can SERVPRO Do About My Flood-damaged House?

SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City understands that even once your pets are safe, it is still distressing to see your flood-damaged home.

Our highly-trained teams are on hand to take care of every aspect of flood repair and restoration, leaving your home feeling like your own again.

We start with an initial assessment of the damage and take care of emergency needs such as removing hanging plaster, putting a tarp on the roof, and boarding up doors and windows if necessary.

Our flood mitigation process covers everything from using powerful pumps to extract excess water to positioning air movers and dehumidifiers to dry out your home and make it liveable once more. Our SERVPRO teams also take care of damaged personal effects, disposing of those we cannot salvage and cleaning and sanitizing the items we can save.

We finish every project with deodorization to rid your home of lingering damp odors.

You can rest assured that we will liaise with you at every stage. For flood mitigation, you can rely on SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City at (773) 337-3900.

SERVPRO Uses Heavy Machinery To Restore A Flood Damaged Property

2/18/2022 (Permalink)

Storm Damage in Chicago Gets Help from SERVPRO!

Flood and Storm Damage Need the Expertise of a SERVPRO Storm Team

When flood damage strikes, the results can be devastating and extensive. Floods are often thorough, affecting large regions or the entirety of a home, sometimes making it temporarily unlivable. Flood debris and water are difficult to repair and clean up after, and often require heavy industrial-grade equipment. SERVPRO utilizes and keeps stock of such equipment, and when you employ our services, we bring some or all of these large, powerful pumps with us to help get your home back to the way it was before as quickly as possible.
 
Extractors
Many downtown Chicago flood damage cases involve the use of extractors, machines which suck any remaining water out of a room and out to the building exterior. Depending on the scale and location of the room flooded, these can be either truck-mounted or portable. Note that these machines do not strictly dry out a room, they only remove large volumes of water still present in the area.
 
Air Movers and Dehumidifiers
The combination of these two types of machines allows for the fastest possible drying of a room and its surfaces. Air movers do exactly as the name implies, using powerful motors and fans in specific orientations so as to get the air in a room moving quickly, picking up water molecules from surfaces in the room at a rapid rate. This only solves half the problem, however, as the water is still in the room, just in the air. This is where dehumidifiers come in, and they remove the water molecules from the air by either chemical or thermodynamic means. The result is a room full of dry surfaces and dry air, where there once was flooding and invasive moisture. The humidity levels are then restored to normal levels.
 
Deodorization and Disinfecting Equipment
The last of our equipment will usually be deodorization equipment once antifungal and antibacterial products have been sprayed and fogged into the affected areas of the structure. Floods can leave behind extremely foul odors, as they pick up biological and chemical elements which can stain surfaces and continue to emit odors for long after the room has been dried. Fogging machines are used to saturate the air and absorb smells from the room, removing any detectable odors remaining. This rapid drying will also mitigate the growth of mold.
 
SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City is a locally owned and operated business which brings the heavy machinery and firepower necessary to deal with floods of all shapes and sizes in the local area. If you've suffered flood damage to your home for any reason, don't hesitate to call us at (773) 337-3900.

What Storm Damage Cleanup Can Chicago Homeowners Safely Perform?

1/17/2022 (Permalink)

After a home incurs storm damage, SERVPRO technicians inspect the property to determine the problem areas that need attention.

SERVPRO Technicians Can Handle All Types of Chicago Storm and Flood Damage

Water damage in a Chicago home from the weather can come in many forms, such as wind damage allowing rainwater to enter, tree limbs damaging the structure, or floodwater in the house. 

Many Chicago homeowners attempt storm damage cleanup on their own. However, many actions can be dangerous. SERVPRO technicians have the training to deal with downed limbs and other hazards safely. In particular, when the water has entered the structure, as long as the electricity to the home is on, there can be a danger of electrical shock. 

Temporary Repairs are Part of the Service

After damage from a storm hits a home, SERVPRO technicians inspect the property to determine the problem areas that need attention. The techs have different types of equipment to locate areas of moisture behind walls and under flooring without the need to damage the structure by removing portions of a wall or lifting a tile on the floor. The probes and infrared cameras can give a good overview of the structure's water residues. Additionally, it is not uncommon for the techs to perform actions to stop water from entering the home due to wind or water damage. Typical provisional repairs such as:

• Tarping over damaged roofing
• Boarding up windows broken by winds or limbs
• Placing barriers around doorways or entryways to stop water from entering

In cases where the electricity to the home is non-functioning or turned off for safety, the technicians can bring multiple generators to power their extraction and drying equipment. Other types of tools include saws for removing ruined drywall and vacuums with special attachments for safely pulling out wet insulation from the interior cavities of the walls can dry completely.

SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City at (773) 337-3900 brings professional storm damage cleanup to Chicago properties available around the clock 365 days a year.

Flood Damage & Protecting Your Chicago Home

1/5/2022 (Permalink)

When flood damage strikes, SERVPRO strikes back!

SERVPRO Can Restore Your Chicago Residence From Flood Damage 

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

Our staff at SERVPRO of Evergreen Park/South Chicago City anytime you need our assistance to get standing floodwaters out of your home with industrial, truck-mounted pumps, dehumidifiers, and fans. Just give us a call at (773) 337-3900, so we can get your life back to normal as soon as possible.

For more information regarding the city of Chicago, click here.

Basements and Crawlspaces with Flood Damage in Chicago Alter the Rest of the Home's Condition

12/18/2021 (Permalink)

Team SERVPRO Stands Behind Every Flood Loss Cleanup and Restoration in Chicago

When water flows into your home in Chicago and makes it unlivable, you need a rapid response from a skilled team who can make things right again. SERVPRO says We're Faster To Any Size Disaster, including the messier ones. We mitigate damage throughout your residence because we look at how one area can interact with and affect another location inside your home.
 
Restoring your Chicago home's condition to normal includes flood damage mitigation and ensures that it becomes dry again, as well as safe for your family. We know how to protect your home, so it also becomes safe for your entire family. When your property sits on a basement or crawlspace, flooding happens there, also. We use submersible extraction units attached to our truck-mounted pump to remove this water. Along with this water, a large portion of the silt and mud also gets removed.
 
Because evaporation of floodwater continually puts more moisture in the air, we immediately start the drying out process as soon as we have eliminated standing water in the dwelling. Just like we dry out the upper areas of your home with desiccant machines and air movers, we also use these in non-living areas to rid the area of water vapor. If we allowed this humidity to remain, this water vapor might cause future problems.
 
When water vapor remains present in a home, the home's environment can become uncomfortable to breathe. What makes occupants feel sticky in summer and clammy in winter also lets mold grow excessively. The moisture that flooding adds to a residence lasts indefinitely and does not disappear on its own. Getting it out as soon as possible after an event restores your home's natural feel, keeping you comfortable.  We can improve your indoor air quality.
 
Also, cleaning the surfaces in your home is another aspect that we carry out in making your home safe again for your family. The pathogens brought in by a flood are not the only dangers present. Chemicals can also cause health effects, making the removal of carpets and other ruined materials insufficient alone. Hard surfaces also require cleaning with a potent antimicrobial that gives your home an extra advantage in protective measures. Not only do we remove residues from automotive fluids that mix with floodwaters, but lawn care chemicals also get wiped away during cleaning.
 
SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City helps those residing in Calumet City and around Mount Greenwood. Call us at (773) 337-3900, so we can mitigate flood damage and prevent long-term problems from your home, including the basement and all other areas of your home.

Learn right here about some local history

Basements and Crawlspaces with Flood Damage in Chicago Alter the Rest of the Home's Condition

12/13/2021 (Permalink)

Team SERVPRO Stands Behind Every Flood Loss Cleanup and Restoration in Chicago

When water flows into your home in Chicago and makes it unlivable, you need a rapid response from a skilled team who can make things right again. SERVPRO says We're Faster To Any Size Disaster, including the messier ones. We mitigate damage throughout your residence because we look at how one area can interact with and affect another location inside your home.
 
Restoring your Chicago home's condition to normal includes flood damage mitigation and ensures that it becomes dry again, as well as safe for your family. We know how to protect your home, so it also becomes safe for your entire family. When your property sits on a basement or crawlspace, flooding happens there, also. We use submersible extraction units attached to our truck-mounted pump to remove this water. Along with this water, a large portion of the silt and mud also gets removed.
 
Because evaporation of floodwater continually puts more moisture in the air, we immediately start the drying out process as soon as we have eliminated standing water in the dwelling. Just like we dry out the upper areas of your home with desiccant machines and air movers, we also use these in non-living areas to rid the area of water vapor. If we allowed this humidity to remain, this water vapor might cause future problems.
 
When water vapor remains present in a home, the home's environment can become uncomfortable to breathe. What makes occupants feel sticky in summer and clammy in winter also lets mold grow excessively. The moisture that flooding adds to a residence lasts indefinitely and does not disappear on its own. Getting it out as soon as possible after an event restores your home's natural feel, keeping you comfortable.  We can improve your indoor air quality.
 
Also, cleaning the surfaces in your home is another aspect that we carry out in making your home safe again for your family. The pathogens brought in by a flood are not the only dangers present. Chemicals can also cause health effects, making the removal of carpets and other ruined materials insufficient alone. Hard surfaces also require cleaning with a potent antimicrobial that gives your home an extra advantage in protective measures. Not only do we remove residues from automotive fluids that mix with floodwaters, but lawn care chemicals also get wiped away during cleaning.
 
SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City helps those residing in Calumet City and around Mount Greenwood. Call us at (773) 337-3900, so we can mitigate flood damage and prevent long-term problems from your home, including the basement and all other areas of your home.

Learn right here about some local history

When Storm Weather Hits Hard - SERVPRO Hits Back Harder!

11/13/2021 (Permalink)

Extensive Water Damage in a Living Room of a Home

Professionals Can Determine the True Extent of Damages After a Storm

A water disaster from Chicago storm damage can strike at any time. Usually these occurrences are unexpected and sudden, often the damages are quite difficult to detect, depending on the specific nature of the loss. The most frequent type of loss widely reported in the insurance industry is from water. Things such as broken pipes, sewage backup, leaks from appliances, water getting in from a roof opening and other levels of a building from heavy rain are water losses typically seen and which are covered under a majority of risk property policies. For anyone who never had prior experience in dealing with an insurance claim, the language of the policy can be quite confusing to say the least. To get fair compensation for a loss, it is a good idea to have an experienced claims advocate to advise you, since the method for adjusting these losses can be very technical and impact the way the settlement gets determined.

After you’ve experienced storm damage near Chicago, the most important thing you have to do is start the right emergency mitigation. You need to immediately get removal and dry out started. You should call our professional team at SERVPRO to help guide you through this process. How you handle a water loss in the first twenty-four hours can be critical to the outcome of your damage claim to your insurance. We have seen many times, for example, adjusters interested in saving money for the carrier having neglected removing baseboard and other kinds of finishings. Removing the baseboard stops the circulation of air throughout the wall system of a building. Wet carpeting needs to be pulled out completely or you could be harboring conditions that could lead to more damage or mold. Putting a blower in an up-lifted corner of the carpet won’t do the job right, since often the padding is soaked, too, and needs replacement.

You need to consider seriously calling us at SERVPRO. Your carriers preferred vendor isn’t always the best choice since they could be operating under cost constraints which limit their ability to do the job that is needed. Either way, it is very critical that you don’t sign any paperwork authorization forms without agreement from the insurance company or the representative adjuster to approve charges. You can have help going through this process with a public adjuster.

The next step is figuring out the extent of the damages, and this involves using moisture detectors, infrared cameras and hygrometers to find the exact location of the water. If the insurance company doesn’t follow this protocol, the outcome of your settlement will be hugely impacted and the total restoration and dry out process of the insured home could be in jeopardy. This is why you need us at SERVPRO to do this work for you. You’ll also need the right disinfectant products applied to stop any fungi, bacteria or mildew from forming and causing more damage.

That is why it is essential when you experience any storm damage in Chicago due to water damages that you call our experts at SERVPRO of Evergreen Park/South Chicago at (773) 337-3900 so that we can properly assess your damages and do the cleanup and restoration that is needed.

Steps to Recover from Flood Damage in Chicago

9/23/2021 (Permalink)

Unfortunately, flooding can happen without warning. When water enters your home, call SERVPRO for fast, effective remediation.

SERVPRO Technicians Quickly Dry Out Your Property After a Flood

Water tamed into taps and pipes is necessary for cleanliness and drinking. Water raging because of storms or infrastructure failures is one of the most destructive forces, including the effects of flood damage to Chicago homes. Professional assistance when floodwaters invade your home makes a tremendous positive difference, guiding to a successful restoration.

Illinois experienced both drought and heavy rains that caused Chicago flood damage within the same season. Homeowners need to be alert to the possibility of pop-up thunderstorms that dump vast amounts of water on the parts of the state in a short period. Sections of Chicago, like any other established urban area, struggle with adequate storm sewer drainage during this type of downpour. Many residences experience a degree of basement flooding during torrential rains, and the challenges of removing the water from and drying out the underground spaces require the expert services we offer.

Do Not Delay a Call to SERVPRO When Water Floods your Lower Levels

The faster the floodwaters exit, the more likely your home’s structure and contents survive the deluge with minor lasting damage. Because the water building up in your basement is probably a combination of backed-up sewer flow and rainwater seeping through foundation walls, contamination is an immediate concern. Our crews receive advanced training in identifying and remediating gray and black water and ensure we extract the possibly hazardous and infectious mixture, then contain and discard it according to local codes.

Truck mounted pumps and extractors tackle the task of removing the flooding efficiently, even during power outages. Our crews then carefully inspect for hidden water in cinder block foundations or behind paneling or drywall, drilling through mortar joints or removing sections of wallcoverings to release the water. SERVPRO technicians place air movers and desiccant dehumidifiers to dry the basement thoroughly, using moisture meters to set and monitor drying goals.

The contaminated water leaves lingering hazards that our team attacks through the use of proven cleaning products and antimicrobials. We arrange an evaluation of any damage done to the mechanical systems and appliances that suffered from the incursion of floodwaters and recommend they be put back into use only after it is certain their operation cannot result in safety concerns.

SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City is your full-service partner when floodwaters threaten your residence. Call (773) 337-3900 for a 24-hour response, with crews dispatched as soon as possible to get the restoration on track.

Our Team Arrives to Support Louisiana Community After Hurricane Ida Devastation

9/2/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO's Heroes in Green from Chicago ranged far to assist Louisiana with Hurricane Ida cleanup

SERVPRO Disaster Recovery Team is Ready to Help Cleanup Whenever Necessary

Hurricane Ida hit towns as a category four with a strong storm surge along the Louisiana coast. The resulting winds and flooding left most of the city of New Orleans without electricity and several areas needed help for the water cleanup. The Disaster Recovery Team is a group of elite SERVPRO franchise owners that have the equipment and personnel to help communities in distress. There are four regions that cover the entire continental United States.

Anthony Zubricki, co-owner of the franchise, left the Evergreen Park area and arrived in Louisiana the day before Ida hit and brought along a 53-foot trailer with water cleanup equipment. VP David Mason left on Monday with a second 53-foot trailer loaded with equipment, and franchise owner Frank Zubricki will arrive this week. The first 24-hours after a disaster like Hurricane Ida are the most crucial for preventing or limiting secondary or permanent damage to the residential or business property. SERVPRO brought along an RV for sleeping, resting, and serving as a central headquarters during the disaster restoration service. In anticipation of the electricity being out, the trailers included multiple generators to power the extraction and drying equipment necessary. The estimated time SERVPRO will be present for cleanup and demolition support is roughly two weeks. Most residents evacuated the area before Ida struck and only got to view their properties after the storm passed to ascertain the damage done and found SERVPRO was already on-site assisting with the cleanup.

How SERVPRO Helps After Disaster Strikes

SERVPRO of Evergreen Park's Disaster Recovery Team will lend a hand to the community for cleanup with actions such as:

• Assisting residents moving items out of homes
• Handling controlled demolition of structures as needed
• Water removal and drying

SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City at (773) 337-3900 supports areas that need disaster response with a large-scale cleanup. We are ready 24/7 to help communities in need.

Are You Worried About Weather Patterns That Cause Flooding in Downtown Chicago?

8/25/2021 (Permalink)

When Downtown Chicago flooding surprises you, call SERVPRO--We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

SERVPRO’S Restoration Team can Relieve Storm Damage Stress

There is evidence that heavier rains and aging sewer infrastructure are combining for some very challenging flooding situations in our metropolitan area. No matter how diligently a homeowner tries to limit the damage done by periodic flooding when torrential rains drop many inches of water in one storm, you need the help only SERVPRO provides when your basement floods.

Urban areas struggle with flood damage, and Downtown Chicago is no exception. The aging wastewater disposal systems fill up, overwhelmed by the amount of precipitation falling in a given area. Since it is likely that flooding continues to happen, but it is impossible to tell which neighborhoods risk flooding next, the smartest thing to do within a homeowner’s grasp is to choose a well-prepared flood restoration company.

SERVPRO stands out from the many recovery firm options in the area because of well-trained staff and the ability to ramp up the scale of restoration efforts. We have a commitment to local homeowners and our shared community. Because we also live and work here, we understand the struggles you confront when our weather does not cooperate. Although we have a local focus, we are part of a larger, nationwide network of flooding and water damage restoration experts.

SERVPRO Helps with Summer Flood Damage in Downtown Chicago

Should your neighborhood be one that suffers from heavy rains and compromised wastewater disposal this summer, make sure you have SERVPRO on speed dial. We respond quickly when flooding threatens to damage your basement and its contents. Our staff uses submersible pumps and extractors to remove standing water, the equipment mounted on our service trucks. We evaluate the viability of any HVAC system, water heaters, and laundry appliances after we clear the water. Our staff uses industrial strength air movers and dehumidifiers to dry flooring, walls, and other structures.

Furnishings and bedding saturated with floodwaters need assessment for the safety of restoration rather than disposal. Floodwaters contain the potential for infectious waste, and disinfecting porous articles like upholstery and mattresses is not always possible. We discuss this with you and your insurance company, making the best choice based upon your safety and welfare.

Flooding in your community needs the expert help of SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City. Gear up your response by calling our team at (773) 337-3900.

What Does Commercial Flood Damage in Downtown Chicago Entail?

6/25/2021 (Permalink)

Storm damage can be overwhelming for any property owner. SERVPRO is here to help. Just call (773) 337-3900.

Flood Damage Needs to Be Quickly Dealt With to Prevent Resulting Hazards

Flood damage in Downtown Chicago can be one of the trickiest obstacles for any business. Flood damage is often thorough, impacting a wide area across a building and finding its way into dark and forgettable places. If given time, flood damage can later cause more types of damage through corrosion and mold growth if you are not careful. 

Who's at Risk? 

Any building could experience flooding, but locations near water or low-lying areas are particularly vulnerable. Never assume that your building is immune to flood damage near Downtown Chicago simply because it is on high ground; internal leaks or floods could strike unexpectedly. 

What Happens in Floods? 

Floodwaters tend to cover all or a vast part of a building, ruining, staining, and contaminating floors and low-lying objects. The waters are often loaded with dirt, grime, and biological or chemical hazards, making cleanup tricky and dangerous. Furthermore, floods often create ideal conditions for mold growth, which may cause health effects. 

How are Floods Cleaned Up? 

First, any remaining water is pumped out with heavy extractors, sometimes truck-mounted for more significant amounts of water. Then, air movers and dehumidifiers are used to dry out the area and eliminate any remaining moisture. Finally, deodorization and cleanup can begin, with all affected areas and objects scrubbed and sanitized. During this phase, mold removal and restoration processes may also take place, depending on the situation. 

We are Highly Trained Storm Damage Specialists

As a Downtown Chicago flood damage restoration leader, SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City has the specialized expertise, equipment, and training to restore your home to its pre-storm condition. We offer 24/7 emergency service for Chicago, Downtown Chicago, and South Side Chicago. Call (773) 337-3900.

Storm Damage Cleanup in Chicago Homes Must Be Done Promptly

6/11/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has the tools and equipment it takes to get your home back in order after storm damage.

SERVPRO Saves Chicago Homes by Offering Quick and Efficient Storm Damage Cleanup 

If storm damage cleanup of your Chicago home does not happen fast, it can lead to potentially serious issues that can increase your repair and restoration cost. SERVPRO technicians work hard to prevent any long-term damage by ensuring that the water is removed and the structure is dried as quickly as possible.

SERVPRO technicians often create drying zones during the storm damage cleanup of your Chicago home, especially if the damage impacts only a part of the structure. The drying zone is created by sealing off any openings between the affected and unaffected areas of the structure. SERVPRO professionals use plastic sheeting barriers to create containments. The humidity, temperature, and airflow in the drying zone are carefully controlled to speed up evaporation. 

The Advantages of Creating a Drying Zone During Water Damage Restoration of Storm Affected Chicago Homes 

Drying zones established by SERVPRO techs at your Chicago home during flood restoration serve a couple of purposes-

• Focus Air Movement to the Affected Area- Drying zones enable SERVPRO professionals to focus the dry air produced by drying equipment on the wet structure and material. The humid air from the unaffected area cannot enter the drying zone, and technicians can maintain drier conditions for faster evaporation during water damage restoration. 
• Provide a Location for Drying Content- Moving content from structure to a warehouse is not always necessary during water cleanup. The wet contents can be dried more efficiently in a drying zone.

Call SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City at (773) 337-3900 for a fast and reliable storm damage cleanup service. 

Flood Damage In Downtown Chicago Requires Fast, Complete Attention To Detail

5/12/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City is here and ready when a storm hits your property, call us today.

SERVPRO is Here to Help with Flood Damage Restoration

Water damage to your home is such that, without immediate attention, soaked drywall, carpets, and the possible infection of molds make your home an uncomfortable place to live very quickly. This is what makes it necessary to call for the flood damage cleanup that Downtown Chicago area homeowners appreciate.

What Is Critical To Understand About Flood Damage In Your Downtown Chicago Area Home? 

Flood damage in Downtown Chicago can happen at just about any time due to many factors, not the least of which are overflowing area basins and the storms that occur all too often. The flooding can come into your home through the basement due to faulty waterproofing and can get to work on destroying your home's foundation often before you are aware of it. 

That is why it is crucial to enlist the services of a flood damage restoration company.

Getting Back To A Healthy Home 

When you contact a flood damage restoration firm, they arrive to begin the process of a complete inspection while setting up large air movers. Thus begins the evacuation of the bad air that wet things throw off. The process of removing the water starts at the same time.

The removal of the water immediately assists in preventing as much additional damage as possible because the furniture, wallboard, and carpet become soaked even more and continue to break down as well as the molds that may be present take hold and are transported, by the water, into other areas.

This water removal process may involve submersible pumps and powerful commercial wet-vacs in all areas affected and on all surfaces. Nothing else can be attempted, nor should be, until the water has been removed and the air is a bit sweeter.  It is necessary to organize and carry out the removal of furniture and other items that must be done to accomplish the drying out of the premises.

Dehumidifiers are then placed to assist in getting all of the moisture out of your home. This moisture, if not removed, continues to help molds and mildew and their dangerous work in your home and everyone who occupies it. It continues to get into all spaces, such as the closets in which your delicate clothing is hanging. It also continues to affect the building materials negatively.

The Next Step In The Flood Damage Restoration Is The Cleaning 

Powerful sanitizing agents are used on all surfaces that can be cleaned. This occurs after everything that can not be wiped completely has been removed. This means a complete detailed cleaning of all rooms, spaces, and areas to ensure nothing, such as mold spores, germs, or other allergens, remains.

Restoring Your Home After This Flood Damage Cleanup In Downtown Chicago 

Restoration involves the finishing touches of repairing your carpets or doing some patch and paintwork. Water can damage hardwood floors and drywall. Some of the flooring or drywall may need to be removed and replaced.

There are so many things that need to go right, and we have it down to a science, so, as a family-owned and operated franchise, we at SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City stand ready to help your family during this confusing time in your life. When a major flood makes your home uninhabitable, give us a call as we have the personnel, the equipment, and the experience for anything relating to this emergency. That number, at any time, is (773) 337-3900.

Your Kids Can Make Yummy Holiday Cookies in Chicago

12/18/2020 (Permalink)

It will be exciting to see the community participating in the Kidz Can Cook classes!

A Chicago Event That Teaches Kids the Fundamentals of Baking

Do you have a cookie lover in your life? Sign them up for the holiday baking class called held at Kidz Can Cook, "Cookies, Cookies and More Cookies."  While it can be tough to figure out fun things to do with the kids every day during the pandemic, baking is often fun for kids of all ages. Your child can enjoy making and then tasting their cookie creations. Each child will have the opportunity to create and bake a few different kinds of cookies, and each participant leaves the class with at least a dozen cookies to share as they wish. 

• The classes have a limit of ten children 
• The fee for a class is $45
• Classes available for ages five and up
• The class takes place on December 21, 2020, from noon to 2 pm

SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City at (773) 337-3900 provides restoration services to local Chicago properties for any size flood damage within a structure. The trained techs make the damage to the property, "Like it never even happened."

How Has Chicago Prepared for Flood Scenarios in the Future?

11/10/2020 (Permalink)

Even a city like Chicago can be impacted with storms and floods. SERVPRO continually trains for these events and is always prepared.

Past Disasters have Taught City Officials the Need for Permanent Solutions to Address Rising Water and Flash Flooding Threats Affecting the Municipality 

As the third-largest major city in the United States, it is no great surprise that there is an ever-present need for professional restoration in Chicago. The positioning of the town and its outer lying areas alone allows for the continued threats of flooding and storm damages, which can be even more accentuated by harsh weather conditions expected during the worst of the winter and summer months. The Windy City might be known for strong gusts against its well-constructed buildings, but it must also survive a gauntlet of terrible weather conditions like cyclonic storms, torrential rains, hail, and blizzards. The present threat of flooding encourages city engineers and structural designers to provide modern solutions to protect the city and its residents. 

A History of Flooding in Chicago 

Much like every major city in the country, Chicago has not always had the most positive history. While a great fire in the 1800s is the disaster the city was most recognized for, flooding has always been a plague for the area. Because so many creeks, streams, and rivers converge in and around the metropolitan area, Cook County remains an area likely to experience damages from flash flooding, groundwater, and human/structural failures. No time would this be more relevant than the flood that damaged the city in 1992. 

To this day, the individuals at fault have never been exclusively identified, though the cause has been. Repair work on one of the city's bridges over the Chicago River inadvertently damaged a utility tunnel underneath the river. Once an opening existed, more than 250 million gallons of water would make its way into nearby basements, structures, the Chicago Pedway, and the Chicago Loop. As a trusted remediation and restoration team, SERVPRO can help customers through situations like these when they happen now. 

Ultimately, this human error would lead to a 2-billion-dollar cleanup and restoration drive for all of the affected and damaged properties in the path of the water. Even the repair of the tunnel's breach would be an elaborate process, only becoming successful by applying a superior concrete. If it happened today, 1992's $2 billion to repair the impacted structures would be much closer to $4 billion dollars. With no one directly taking responsibility for the disaster, repair costs and restoration bills were footed mostly by property owners and insurance companies. 

Steps Taken by the City to Avoid Catastrophe  

Much work is necessary to prepare Chicago for hurricane-level storms thoroughly. Situations like Hurricane Harvey that devastated Houston, TX in 2017, would become a catalyst to locations like The Windy City to do better for storms that might be in its future. Chicago itself is a feat of engineering to manage wastewater, stormwater, and drinking water. As it stands, the most significant contingency that Chicago has to manage flooding is TARP (the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan.) Deep Tunnel, as it is more commonly known, is a network of wastewater tunnels designed to redistribute water to substantial reservoirs that can handle shy of 20 billion gallons. 

Considering that Hurricane Harvey unloaded close to 20 trillion gallons of water in its five day run on the land, Deep Tunnel could not handle a storm system even partly that strong without overwhelming the city's infrastructure. Comparing it to one of the worst storms that Cook County has experienced in the past 50 years that would have had the municipality managing 124 billion gallons of runoff, TARP cannot handle this water volume. As such, engineers are currently working on feasible solutions to protect better Chicago and its residents moving forward from threats that might be coming in the years ahead. 

Is Evacuation Always Necessary with Widespread Flooding?  

High-rise structures are designed to be among the most stable and permanent systems in the world, reinforced with steel and concrete. These construction elements can be calming when flooding has impacted lower levels and the building's main floor. In many cases where flooding occurs, apartment owners and renters do not have to vacate the premises provided that risks of contamination like bacterial or viral pathogens do not exist. 

Structural evaluations must typically occur to ensure that a decision to stay in your apartment after flooding impacts other floors does not ultimately damage your unit. The same concerns exist when apartments above yours become threatened by penetrating water through the building's roof. 

Managing Flooding for Chicago Structures  

Many residents have purchased or leased apartments in the high-rises throughout the city's downtown area and various neighborhoods. Flooding in Chicago apartment buildings requires an immediate response from competent restoration professionals like our SERVPRO team to prevent the situation from worsening. Water can spread rapidly, especially when the flooding gets into open structural cavities in shared walls, between floors, or in other spaces. The appropriate response reduces the number of apartment units impacted by flooding. 

Assessing the structural damage is critical to determining the extent of flood damage to an apartment. Often high-rise buildings can only suffer damage to upper floors through roof vulnerabilities that allow water penetration. Our team's in-house contractors can perform emergency services like board up and tarping when we first arrive to make mitigation efforts as efficient as possible. Once repairs have taken place, SERVPRO professionals can evaluate the spread and severity of flood losses through discovery tools like thermal imagery cameras. 

When water removal services are required, we rely on several tools to get this job done. With upper floor flood damages to apartments, extraction becomes a complicated process. High-pressure pumps can be the ideal choice for their long-range and powerful output in many situations, making them suited for higher elevation operation and even subterranean extraction efforts. 

Flooding does not have to be devastating to your apartment. Give our SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City team a call today at (773) 337-3900.

What Steps Can Professional Flood Restorers Take for Chicago Homes?

10/28/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is ready and equipped for your Chicago storm damage.

Who does flood restoration near me? Our SERVPRO team is ready and able to answer the call whenever disasters strike. 

Many Chicago homes have seen first-hand how devastating floods can be for structures. Flash flooding and natural flooding situations can develop over short periods. With many outlying areas of the city in designated flood zones, knowing whom to call when disasters strike can help save time and money on recovery. 

When you ask about flood restoration near me in Chicago, it is unlikely that you would not encounter our reputable and leading team of professionals. Instead of the headaches of contending with the restoration of your property on your own, which often results in unsatisfactory results, many have looked to SERVPRO to help in many ways. With our fast response to emergencies, we can begin many vital actions quickly to reduce the loss from the flooding.

Essential Steps for Flood Restoration in Chicago Homes Include:

• Extraction: Water removal is often one of the first needs for a flooded home. We can use a combination of wet vacuums, submersible pumps, and other tools to help. 

• Debris Removal: Removing the water can often show the mud, debris, and organic matter left behind on exposed surfaces and flooring. Our contractors can work to remove these threats quickly.

• Repairs: Between structural repairs and controlled demolition often necessary after emergencies, in-house contractors can ensure that you do not need to schedule with a second company.

• Drying: Drying is vital to any water or flood loss recovery and includes a combination of powerful tools and technologies. These include centrifugal and axial air movers, desiccant and refrigerant dehumidifiers, and positive pressure systems. 

• Cleaning: Contamination is always a concern with natural flooding, so we rely on several potent antibacterial cleaning products.

Flooding can be a devastating event for your home, but our SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City team can return your property to preloss condition. Give us a call today at (773) 337-3900.

How Can I Remove Floodwater That Filled My Home?

9/9/2020 (Permalink)

Whether a Large Flood in Your Chicago Home or a Small One--Call SERVPRO for Water Extraction and Restoration

Prompt Floodwater Extraction Is Imperative - Call SERVPRO to Address Your Chicago Home for Rapid Removal!

Whether you have a little bit of water coming into your home from a flood or a lot, you need to remove it quickly to lessen the damage. After flooding from around your Chicago property starts to seep into the lower portion of your home or the basement, your interior is at risk from potentially harmful contaminants. Trying to tackle this contaminated water with DIY methods can leave you with a mess on your hands and costly secondary damage. Rather than going it alone, you can contact our trained water restoration technicians (WRT) at SERVPRO to remove water quickly.

Why Should I call Someone for Skilled Restoration?

Rapid removal and proven methods are the best way to handle a flooding incident on your property. When you call us for floodwater extraction in Chicago, our IICRC-certified technicians get to work quickly. Not only does this cut back on secondary damage, but we have steps in place that help to inhibit mold growth. Once we arrive on your property, our team will:

• Assess the Damage – The crew looks at the path of water migration and any building materials impacted by moisture. This allows us to carefully plan the right course of action to facilitate cleanup and water extraction.
• Standing Water Extraction – We use a broad range of tools and equipment to pull up standing water, such as submersible pumps and truck-mounted extractors.

Is There Something I Can Do Until SERVPRO Arrives?

There are several actions any homeowner can take until our Green Fleet arrives, including:

• Closing off the flood-damaged zone of your interior to the rest of your home.
• Check to see if you can shut off the power to the flooded area so that you can cut back on potential shock hazards.
• Never touch the affected area due to the potential for coming into contact with contaminated water.

Prompt Action is Critical!

Our motto is We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster, which means that we arrive within hours of your initial call for help. Once we arrive, we assess the damage, including testing the water coming into your home. This gives our crew insight on potential contaminants like chemicals and bacteria so that we can select the proper antimicrobial treatments.

Containment is another crucial step in the process, as this allows us to limit the amount of cross-contamination happening throughout the water extraction and drying phases.  We have protocols in place that include our crew wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). Additionally, air scrubber equipment helps capture airborne particulates while improving indoor air quality throughout extraction and restoration.

What Makes Floodwater Dangerous?

In addition to various debris, floodwater also comes with a range of unknown contaminants. This is why DIY methods and household cleaning agents will not do the trick. Non-porous items within your home have the best chance of full restoration. Our technicians can use immersion cleaning techniques to achieve cleaning goals with many items and belongings that fall into this category.

It is important to note that within 24 hours of the floodwaters infiltrating your interior, mold, and mildew begins to colonize and spread. We have remediation techniques that allow us to work proactively to handle microbes before they can multiply out of control.

Issues that our flood-loss event clients generally encounter may include:

• Loss of all carpeting and carpet padding should all restoration efforts be exhausted
• Water wicking up through the sheetrock, which calls for partial replacement
• Delaminated resilient tile flooring or tack-down laminated flooring
• Hardwood flooring that calls for partial or complete replacement

Each case is unique, and our crew works to restore versus replace whenever possible.

What About Odor Control Throughout My home?

It is understandable you would worry about musty odors after encountering a flood incident in your Chicago home. We extract all water and look for hidden moisture pockets to lessen the change of lingering odors. To help battle odorous particles, SERVPRO uses specialized deodorizing and cleaning techniques that work to disinfect surfaces. All of the strong antibacterial and antimicrobial cleaners that we use are EPA-registered and safe.

Should odors still be lurking, our technicians use thermal fogging techniques to pull out embedded odors. Our thermal foggers heat solvents to create a fine mist that covers all areas that floodwater touched. Once the fog touches odorous molecules, it adheres and breaks down the odor chain to eliminate musty smells.

We can also employ hydroxyl generators that use ultraviolet (UV) rays to address odor-causing airborne molecules. Even though these powerful machines are tough on stubborn odors, they are safe for use around houseplants, pets, and your family members.

SERVPRO of Evergreen Park/South Chicago City is here to make floodwater extraction easy and hassle-free. If you have experienced floodwater in your home and need assistance, you can reach us by calling (773) 337-3900.

A Storm Left Me Dealing with Flood Damage in My Property. Where Should I Seek Help?

8/27/2020 (Permalink)

Not all super heroes wear capes. We are prepared to handle any water damage emergency in your home!

Talk to Technicians from SERVPRO in Chicago to Help You Perform Flood Water Removal in Your Home

Coming home to a soggy living room and a flooded basement can leave your head spinning. Taking immediate attention after the unfortunate incident is essential to prevent costly repairs. SERVPRO professionals have decades of experience and hi-tech equipment that has helped us clean up and restore thousands of storm flood-damaged homes across Chicago.

What can floodwater ruin?

Depending on the magnitude of the damage, flood water can seep into drywall, floors, and furniture, among other valuable contents ruining them. SERVPRO professionals can conduct flood water removal at your Chicago home quickly to help stop further damage. We know the significance of a fast response when it comes to flood cleanup. When our technicians get to your property, we can concentrate on saving as many possessions as possible. Some of the repercussions of flood damage include:

• Mold growth occurs within 48 hours.
• Health threats continue to increase the longer the water or moisture is left in the property.
• Saturated wallboard may begin to sag if the drying process is delayed.
• Moisture can cause your laminate flooring to peel off.

What precautions should I take?

Do not attempt to enter a flooded property with live electricity. Find the circuit breaker and turn the power off. Before entering the flooded areas, equip yourself with necessary personal protection such as rubber boots and gloves. Since you may not have advanced restoration equipment and clean up skills, let highly trained experts perform water removal.

How do you conduct water removal?

Before we begin the water removal process, we conduct a thorough damage inspection to determine which tools and equipment to use during the restoration process. Since floodwater washes down dirt and debris such as sand, tree branches, and mud, we can use a self-priming trash pump to remove the floodwater from your home. The equipment can pass solids that are less than 8".

How can you dry my home?

The drying action is an essential step in flood damage restoration. We can use hi-tech equipment to dry the areas with moisture as fast as possible. For instance, we can use a heavy-duty venting box fan to increase airflow in the affected area. The equipment speeds up the evaporation process and gets rid of odors present in the property.

It would help if you had assistance to restore your home after it floods. SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City can perform efficient flood water removal to make the flooding incident appear "Like it never even happened." Call us today at (773) 337-3900.

More about Chicago.

How Does a Flood Damage My Chicago Basement?

4/19/2020 (Permalink)

You can trust SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City to handle your flood cleanup needs.

SERVPRO Helps with Flood Cleanup to Protect Your Chicago Basement from Structural Damage and Mold Growth

A homeowner never wants to deal with flooding in their basement. However, this is a situation that you must address quickly so that your home’s interior is not left compromised. The longer that water sits in your basement, the more chance you have of experiencing structural damage or the development of mold. Instead of letting the flooding harm your foundation or begin migrating to other areas of your home, calling in the help of experienced technicians gets you the prompt results you need.

What Happens if I Wait to Have Water Removal?
There is a lot that can happen if you wait too long for thorough flood cleanup in Chicago. The stagnant water in your basement can start to impact different aspects, which is where our team at SERVPRO springs into action to halt the damage.

The physical integrity of various supporting structures for your home can become impaired. This is a result of the force and pressure that comes from flooding, including:

    •    The siding, doors, and windows of your home may begin to warp or break
    •    Wood or metal framing can begin to shear off or bend
    •    The potential for the foundation to become washed out
    •    Hydrostatic pressure can force water through cinder block masonry and also collect within the hollow cells

With the deterioration of the structural components, failing to have the water cleaned up in a timely fashion also harms porous materials throughout your basement. Drywall, ceiling tiles, particleboard, and insulation take on water and start warping, crumbling, or become packed down.

Do I Have to Worry About Contamination?
With any water loss from flooding, there is a risk of contamination throughout the water. Not only can the contents and surfaces in your basement become contaminated, but the air quality is also jeopardized. Hazardous substances that may be found in the water that floods into your basement from the outside can include:

    •    Dangerous microbes, bacteria, mold, and viruses
    •    Animal or human waste, which has the potential for hazardous pathogens
    •    Chemicals from containers in your basement or outside the home, such as gasoline, oils, fertilizers, and more
    •    Lead or asbestos that comes from other structures or surfaces that became disturbed due to floodwater and activity during the cleanup process

How Does SERVPRO Deal with Flood Cleanup?
We feature trained technicians that follow the standards set forth by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). Our team employs all of the latest strategies and techniques to begin securing your structure. We then work to halt deterioration to preserve your interior and start removing all biohazards to dispose of them appropriately. We must formulate a detailed course of action that allows us to adequately clean and disinfect the impacted areas of your home so that we can get everything dried and back to the preloss condition.

Upon Our Arrival
Once our team arrives at your property with trucks loaded with equipment, we work to secure the basement. This is done by:

    •    Boarding up or taping any holes or broken windows
    •    Bracing your structure to ensure safety for your home and our crew
    •    Turning off the electricity as well as any other utilities that be a potential risk of fire or shock

We inhibit continuing damage in several ways. In the initial phase of the assessment process, the crew chief works with the team to put a plan in place for the cleanup and restoration. Each water loss situation is unique, so we address areas like:

    •    Pumping and extraction of all water located in the basement
    •    Containment of any contaminated water, making sure that everything is disposed of properly and following local guidelines
    •    Putting buffers into position where there is only partial flooding
    •    Move out, or pack out, services for any contents to be dried in another location
    •    Containment barriers put in place with plastic sheeting and air scrubbers that utilize negative pressure

Throughout the water removal and cleanup process, our crew is outfitted in personal protective equipment (PPE) for their safety. This also helps to prevent debris and hazardous materials from getting tracked into unaffected areas of your home.

How Will I Know My Basement is Dry?
SERVPRO not only works to remove water, deep clean surfaces, and disinfect everything with EPA-registered antimicrobials, but we also employ the use of moisture detection technology. Sensors, meters, and thermal imaging cameras allow us to locate areas where moisture is lingering so that it can be appropriately addressed. If necessary, we reposition our air movers, dehumidifiers, and heaters until we get normal readings on all of our moisture detection equipment.

You can trust SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City to handle your flood cleanup needs. Give us a call at (773) 337-3900, and we will send out a team to make it “Like it never even happened.”

For more about Chicago click here.

How Can Homeowners Remediate Water Damage in Chicago

4/15/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO draws out moisture under carpets and replaces carpet pads to reduce the risk of delamination.

Professional Restoration in Chicago Needs to Be Part of Your Emergency Plan

Storm damage along the South Side of Chicago is unfortunate to both residential and commercial communities. Many of the tall skyscrapers are prone to the natural elements and sustain high winds. Wind, rain, and hail may produce significant damage to rooftops, windows, doors, glass, and cars. The physical consequences of storm damage are not the only type of problems that may occur. Many adults and children may be frightened by the sights and sounds of the storm, sirens, the physical destruction of property, and fears of the unknown.

Aside from the initial shock of the storm, we are positioned to respond to structural damage that may have occurred to residential homes and commercial businesses. Storms can lead to widespread power outages, downed power lines, and interruptions to mass communication. The saturated ground can make tree roots loose introducing another hazard of fallen trees. Trees can fall over into houses creating additional property damage in Chicago.
 
It is important to recognize that storm damage can be extensive, and the clean-up and recovery efforts may be widespread. Detrimental impacts may also impede the ability to go to the grocery store to obtain food and clean water. Public and private transportation may be temporarily prevented, and that may interfere with people getting back and forth to work. This creates financial burdens that people have to deal with. Fortunately, there are relief efforts in place to help offset the storm damage when it is significant to have widespread effects.
 
In the event of storm damage, have faith in our team of experts to help you clean up the destruction. We recognize that emergencies like this can cause emotional and disaster-related stress. Be sure to review your family emergency plan with the members of your household to be better prepared in the event of a disaster. Recognizing that disasters can occur without warning is essential to developing an appropriate plan of action. An emergency supply of food and water for 3 days is the minimum amount of resources needed to be prepared for the unexpected. A first aid kit is recommended to keep with your emergency preparedness supplies. Be prepared for down cell phone towers and the absence of modern technology.

SERVPRO Can Quickly Dry Out Your Flood Damaged Chicago Home to Prevent Further Damage

The current storm season in Chicago has hit our area with massive amounts of rainwater. Despite the millions of gallons of water that have fallen out of the sky, it is the hundreds of gallons from failed appliances and leaky pipes that cause the majority of damage to homes.

Storms cause flooding and flood damage to Chicago homes primarily affects the carpets and floors. SERVPRO technicians train to remove any standing water, draw it out of surfaces, and take quick action to prevent secondary damage.

We start with removing water. Depending on the depth, we begin with commercial grade pumps to draw out most of it and then switch to water extraction wands. These two devices help us to not only get the water out but to draw moisture out of carpets and floorboards carefully.

Drawing out moisture helps us lower the risk of delamination in carpets. It happens when the water softens the adhesive in the carpet which causes the layers to separate. That allows bubbles to form between the layers and carpet fibers to loosen and pull away when vacuumed. The risk of delamination is why we remove the pad from underneath every carpet. It is a source of water that soaks every inch of a carpet it touches.

Floorboards absorb standing water, and even pressure treated wood can start to twist and buckle after a single day under just an inch of it. The extraction wands allow SERVPRO restoration specialists to pull water from between the individual floorboards, reducing that risk of damage. Quickly removing the water also helps reduce the chance of mold infestation in floors and carpets. Spores cannot expand and grow without a source of moisture.

To speed along the drying process, we use air movers to force warm, dry air over and under the carpets and floors. Our specialists can adjust both the temperature and speed of the airflow to dry out both types of flooring without splintering the wood or heating carpet adhesive too quickly and forming air pockets.

When you need storm clean up, call our team of experts at SERVPRO of Evergreen Park/South Chicago City to start the process at (773) 337-3900.

Click here for more information on the city of Chicago.

Chicago Flooding? No Worries! Call SERVPRO for Extraction and Cleanup

3/11/2020 (Permalink)

Whether the Great Chicago Flood of 1992 or a Stormwater Intrusion in Your Home--SERVPRO Can Extract the Water and Dry Your Property

Dealing with Contaminated Water After Flood Damage in Chicago

Many Chicago residents still remember the Great Chicago Flood of 1992 when a broken, hundred-year-old utility wall under the Chicago River cracked wide open near the Kinzie Street Bridge, allowing about 250 million gallons of water from the river to flow into underground basements, facilities, and subway lines. People downtown evacuated and had to wait three days before the flood cleared. Typically flooding is not this extreme, but when it happens, it still has a significant impact on your life.

If your Chicago home sustained flood damage, the biggest concern is typically not the floodwater itself but the clean up after the flood. Floodwater is either category 2(gray) or 3(black) water, meaning there is a high potential for contamination of microbes, including bacteria and viruses. Cleanup of category 2 and 3 water requires special attention and safety precautions to ensure the health and well-being of pets, residents, and restoration professionals.

Remediation procedures for significantly (category 2) and grossly contaminated (category 3) are as follows:

Protect Occupants and Workers

For category 2 water, technicians use protective gloves only, and occupants may be able to remain in the home. For category 3, however, occupants need to leave home, and technicians use personal protective equipment (PPE) including full-body suits, waterproof boots, and a full-face respirator to allow safe breathing,

Create Engineering Controls to Limit Cross-Contamination

Technicians take several precautions by engineering the environment to make sure that they limit any potential cross-contamination and promote safety. They contain the contaminated areas by sealing any openings to the impacted area with 6-mil polyethylene plastic and create a decontamination chamber that acts as a middle space between the contaminated areas and non-contaminated areas where workers can put on their PPE and store contaminated items. Air quality is an important consideration, so the HVAC system is shut off, and technicians use an air filtration device to suck up and blow air out of the building. This, also known as negative pressure, allows contaminated air to leave the building and only clean air to enter the affected areas.

Removing Water and Debris

Technicians remove water with extraction equipment, including submersible pumps, if it is more than two inches deep, truck-mounted extractors, and portable extractors. SERVPRO flood restoration specialists dispose of contaminated water according to local and state regulations. Technicians remove unsalvageable debris like carpet padding and ruined drywall to dispose of it safely. They often take any salvageable but damaged contents off-site to clean and restore.

For 24/7 assistance after a flood, contact SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City at (773) 337-3900.

How SERVPRO Handles Storm Damage in Chicago

2/20/2020 (Permalink)

Storms are frequent in Chicago and flooding happens. We are always on call.

Wind, Flood, Storm? Call Us for Help After Devastating Conditions Damage Your Chicago House 

As the weather changes from snow to the heavy rains of spring in Chicago, your house is at risk of significant damage from high winds. The stormy conditions can bring flooding to residences in northeastern Illinois, both overland and from the roof and exterior damage. Our highly-qualified team of supervisors and technicians have training and experience addressing the devastation spring storms bring to our area. 

Fast and More than Adequate Response 

When a storm features fierce winds and flood risk, your Chicago house needs professional assessment and assistance for a full recovery. A fast and scalable response is essential, exactly what we prepare for as local restoration industry leaders. We are familiar with previous years’ weather patterns and the challenges other customers faced, providing data that improves our response for your emergency. 

Securing the Site and Assessing for Safety 

Upon arrival, a crew from the SERVPRO team boards and tarps up holes caused by wind and falling poles, trees, or branches. Meanwhile, project managers evaluate the flood damage to the interior of the house, also noting and planning accommodations for safety concerns. Electrical hazards, slip and fall issues, and contaminated fluids are frequently seen and need managing. 

Avoiding Delays and Professional Handling of Contaminants 

If we face utility outages, our SERVPRO service vehicle provides onboard power generation for our commercial-grade extraction equipment. Submersible pumps operate with gas motors, and truck-mounted and powered extractors suction massive quantities of contaminated water into holding tanks. We are familiar with local regulations concerning hazardous waste disposal, and follow them when discarding flood water appropriately. 

Cleaning and Disinfecting 

After we extract the bulk of the water that entered overland or from exterior breaches, SERVPRO crews clean surfaces with proprietary products, our goal is to eliminate bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens such as mold and mildew that swept in or developed as the waters rose. Our crew ensures hidden moisture exits as well, using controlled demolition techniques and aggressive drying strategies. To prevent any lingering biohazards, we apply EPA-registered antimicrobial products, inhibiting the drift of contamination as air movers work to evaporate water lodged in structures.     

SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City offers a trained and experienced workforce and a vast inventory of products and equipment to counteract the effects of wind storms and floods. Call (773) 337-3900 to get the recovery process going. 

More about Chicago.

We Are Ready 24/7 To Restore Your Chicago Home After A Flood

11/21/2019 (Permalink)

This fallen tree limb from storm damage required removal of the debris, and then the placing of protective tarps on the damaged structure.

Flood Removal in the Basement of a Chicago Residence

Illinois homeowners may be well aware of the risks that a flood can pose, but may not necessarily be prepared for how disastrous it can be for the home. A sewer backup, clogged drain tile, or flash flood are all you need to have standing water in your basement that can damage the foundation of your home.

If your residence requires flood removal from its basement in Chicago, SERVPRO professionals can be at your home at any time of the day or night. This team knows that disasters do not happen on a 9-to-5 schedule, so technicians are always available to restore your home to a preloss condition. SERVPRO uses scientific analysis, cutting-edge tools, and reliable cleanup methods to ensure that your basement is moisture-free once more.

Filing a Claim After a Basement Flood

• Contact your homeowners' insurance provider right away. Set up a time for a claims adjuster to visit, as most policies have specific time limits on when you can file. It is also crucial for the adjuster to see your property before you get it cleaned and repaired.
• Take inventory of losses. When you fill out your claim, describe the cause of the flood and what damage was incurred. Survey your basement and make a list of damages to appliances, furniture, and other valuables. Describe each item and include its value, brand, and model when you can. Take photographs and don't throw anything away until the insurance adjuster has seen it.
• Know your policy in and out. Standard homeowners' insurance policies may not include natural disasters like flood damage. If you upgrade your plan with flood or disaster insurance, you can get the coverage you need to repair your basement and replace your possessions.

How SERVPRO Can Help

Depending on the amount of standing water that might be in your basement, technicians have a variety of extraction tools handy to dry your structures and clean them thoroughly. Back-mounted pumps are useful for small amounts of standing water. In cases where there are more than two inches of standing water, sump pumps and truck-mounted pumps can be used to remove water from the structure thoroughly. For spaces that are more difficult to access, technicians have extraction wands available to remove moisture from in and behind structures. 

SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City is committed to bringing the community service that is Faster to Any Size Disaster. Call (773) 337-3900 to get fast disaster cleanup 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

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Our Flood Damage Specialists Discuss Ways You Can Help Restore Your Own Home After A Storm In Chicago

8/29/2019 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City at (773) 337-3900 because the locals say that We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

Flood Damage Professionals In Chicago Point Out Ways You Can Help Restore Your Own Home After A Storm

Everyone who lives in the Chicago area has seen what a vicious thunderstorm can do. One minute everything can be fine and then the next minute you can find yourself being obligated to mitigate flood damage on your property. Whenever rainwater enters your home, it is always wise to call in a professional restoration company such as SERVPRO. Our team knows the best ways to quickly remove moisture from your structure, thus reducing the severity.

Prompt actions can aid in the preventing of the formation of secondary issues like mold or humidity problems. Calling in a professional restoration contractor to help you with your flood damage project in Chicago can also help you reduce the overall cost of your catastrophe. However, sometimes calling in an experienced crew like SERVPRO is not possible right away. For example, you might not notice the problems the storm caused to your building until much time has already passed. Or it is possible that phone systems can go down during a storm and you are not able to make a phone call right away.

If you ever find yourself dealing with one of these two scenarios, it is wise to take steps yourself to reduce the overall severity of the damage. Once a storm strikes, and you start seeing rainwater enter your dwelling, this is when you need to start taking steps to mitigate. First off, follow the water to an exterior wall and try to find its source of entry into your structure. Once you discover where the leak is, you can then try to seal the leak so that moisture stops entering your building. For example, if moisture is coming in from a worn lower door seal, take plastic or rags to seal off the gaps so that the liquids stop entering your interior.

Next, it is a good idea to start removing any water that you can see by mopping, squeegeeing, or vacuuming. If you had contents such as blankets or clothing get wet, remove them from the affected room and store them somewhere until you can clean and dry them. Then, once you think you have removed as much liquid water as humanly possible, you can take steps to jumpstart the applied structural drying or ASD process. Setting up fans and turning up the heat in your house can both help speed up the natural evaporation and drying process.

But, if the storm-related problems inside your home in West Englewood, Lansing, Dolton, or Mount Greenwood ever get too big for you to handle, call SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City at (773) 337-3900 because the locals say that We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

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Wind Can Spell Big Flood Damage Trouble For Your Chicago Home

6/25/2019 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City rapid response team is available anytime by calling (773) 337-3900.

Hard Wind Can Lead To Flood Damage In Your Chicago House

Everyone can recognize Chicago and its surrounding areas as a persistently windy location to live and work. Most of the residents here have grown accustomed to this steady presence, but when severe weather systems pass through the area, the steady breeze can turn into gale-force threats capable of doing substantial damage. From tearing off roof shingles and siding from your home to breaking windows and even doors with hurdling debris, a strong storm system can leave your house exposed to potential flood effects.

Many of the homes constructed in this area have gotten reinforced to reduce potential flood damage to Chicago residences, but even these precautionary measures can be insufficient in the right conditions. When storm damages occur, you can count on the fast response of our SERVPRO professionals. With our central location, we can reach the entirety of Chicago and its suburbs in a short time, reducing the potential widespread effects of flooding as it occurs.

With many larger homes throughout Evergreen Park and other boroughs that we service, we have a Large Loss Recovery Team we can rely on when situations exceed the limitations of our specific team. We can join forces with other local branches serving the area for a significant roster of certified personnel, a nearly endless inventory of recovery tools and drying units, and a fleet of service vehicles capable of handling many restoration projects simultaneously as is often the case with severe weather.

With the damage that wind can do to the property, homeowners can also depend on our SERVPRO general contractors that can offer emergency construction solutions like board ups and tarping to eliminate further penetration of floodwater while mitigation continues.

We know how devastating floods can be for area homes, and we respond quickly to these storm emergencies with the full measure of our personnel and advanced recovery equipment. Our SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City rapid response team is available anytime by calling (773) 337-3900. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

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Chicago Stormwater Problems?? Don't Wait!! Call SERVPRO for Mitigation

5/27/2019 (Permalink)

Flooded Home in Chicago? Call SERVPRO for Cleanup--We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Flash Floods Bring Damage to Chicago Home

Flood damage is the most severe type of water loss a homeowner can experience. Storms with high winds are a common feature in the Windy City, and sometimes they result in water damage to residential properties. The faster mitigation begins limits the potential loss to both your home and its contents.

SERVPRO answered a call to clean up and assist with flood damage in a Chicago home. Flash floods from heavy storms in the area caused groundwater to enter a home and soaked the kitchen and living room. The homeowner used a mop and towels to remove as much water as possible and quickly realized he needed help. His insurance adjuster recommended professional mitigation for the situation to begin as fast as possible. Often SERVPRO is at the top of the preferred list of vendors for water loss restoration with many agencies.

Groundwater is sometimes referred to as "black water" and is considered a category three biohazard. This is one type of water loss event that should always have professional mitigation for both health and safety reasons. Our technicians arrived on site soon after the initial call and immediately extracted the visible water.
We scoped the affected rooms to locate every area the water may have migrated. The quick action by the homeowner stopped the absorption of water into the subfloor, but floodwater wicked into the sheetrock in the kitchen. Once exposed to water, sheetrock is not restorable, and we cut it away using a technique referred to as a "flood cut." This action allows for the removal of damaged sheetrock and lets airflow happen within the wall cavity for complete drying.

When SERVPRO technicians work on a site, along with restoring as much of the water loss contents as possible, we try to limit disruptions in the home and dry furnishings in place when possible. We removed a saturated area rug and placed the sofa and chairs up on blocks for drying as only the legs of the furnishings had been exposed to groundwater.

Our air movers blow high-velocity air that causes water vapor inside objects to rise to the surface. Once that happens, the dehumidifiers capture and port out the moisture. This method enables warm, dry air to bring down the moisture levels in the room and its contents in an expedient manner. Once confirmed dry though moisture readings, we clean and disinfect all surfaces affected by groundwater to ensure they are sanitary.

SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City is available at (773) 337-3900 to mitigate flood damage in your home. No matter the time of day or night or how large or small the water loss, we can be onsite within hours and make it "Like it never even happened."

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When Your Chicago Property Experiences A Flood Damage Disaster, Call Our Experts Right Away!

5/7/2019 (Permalink)

You can depend on our technicians to be there any time you need us.

Window Damage That Can Allow Flooding In Chicago Apartments

With many high-rise apartments throughout Chicago, severe wind storms that come along with torrential rainfall could introduce many aging apartment complexes to widespread flooding. When windows break, you have a direct line of access for direct rainfall and runoff to access individual units in the apartment building. With the connection of units to one another, multiple properties could become affected simultaneously by both multiple points of entry and quickly spreading effects. Our professionals can help all property owners in this scenario to quickly dry up water damage and work to reduce the spread of these flood effects throughout the building.

No matter when flood damage occurs to Chicago apartments, people have come to depend on the fast response and expertise of our SERVPRO professionals in a crisis. We can arrive quickly with all of the tools to help address the spreading effects quickly and confidently. Before we can get to work on removing the water damage from the building, however, we have to address the broken windows to prevent further elemental effects from pouring into these vulnerabilities.

We have a contacting division with years of experience in the building trades to quickly address the structural damages that have occurred to the high-rise apartment building. We can quickly board up and tarp over penetration points to prevent further water flow, allowing our SERVPRO technicians to get to work in other areas of the building to dry up and extract any water damage encountered.

Once the mitigation phase has completed, our contractors can seamlessly transition into a full-scale repair and replacement of damaged or missing structural components. We can install new windows and help to rebuild or repair damaged elements like electrical systems and interior construction weakened by flooding.

Our specialists know how crucial it is to have every professional that your building needs respond to your emergency at once, and that is what makes the comprehensive restoration approach of our SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City team to effective. You can depend on our technicians to be there any time you need us. Give us a call 24/7 at (773) 337-3900.

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Call Us When Your Chicago Apartment Has Suffered Flood Damage

3/3/2019 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City emergency response team is standing by 24/7 to help at (773) 337-3900.

Roof Damage On Chicago Apartments Can Lead To Flooding

Many of the apartment buildings in Chicago are among the oldest structures in the city. While this adds some historical value to the skyline, it does not always mean that the buildings get as maintained as they should. While you might not be responsible for the upkeep of the structural integrity of the apartment building, damage to the roof could allow flooding to occur in your apartment below, which requires fast and immediate response on your end to protect your belongings and property as much as possible.

While someone owns the building you purchased your Chicago apartment from, their failure to upkeep on potential risks to the roof can create breaches in the material that allows runoff and rainfall to penetrate directly into the ceiling area of your apartment beneath. Our SERVPRO professionals can respond quickly to flooding situations in Chicago, working to avert a further crisis with the emergency board up or tarping services for the penetration points and offering effective mitigation strategies to protect the things you value most in your apartment.

Many apartment owners do not add in coverage for flooding to their property primarily because of their residence being so far above potential flood zones. In situations like this where flooding can occur, it is vital then for mitigation to begin as quickly as possible to limit your out of pocket expenses to restore the damage to your unit.

Our SERVPRO estimator can work quickly to determine the full scope of the damage and communicate what your property needs after this emergency. We can work quickly to begin extraction of floodwater and dry up damaged elements with our initial visit, beginning the process of restoring the unit completely.

While you cannot account for the possibility of flooding in your apartment building, knowing whom to call when disaster strikes can save you time and money. Our SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City emergency response team is standing by 24/7 to help at (773) 337-3900.

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How Our Specialized Equipment Can Help You Get Rid Of Odors After A Flood In Your Chicago Home

10/30/2018 (Permalink)

Even if you mask these odors with Febreeze, perfume, or cologne, it can still linger around your establishment.

Fogging Equipment Mitigates Flood Causing Odors In Chicago

Weather-related problems like heavy rain, hurricane, or anything that can cause vast amounts of water to enter your residential area can lead to severe flood damage. Since flood water contains a lot of contaminants, toxins, and micro-organisms, it can leave a nasty odor after the traumatic experience. Even if you mask these odors with Febreeze, perfume, or cologne, it can still linger around your establishment. If you don’t get rid of them, the smell can only grow stronger and stronger to the point where it can reduce the value of your real estate.

There are two main instruments that you can use to get rid of the odor from flood damage in the Chicago location. The thermal fogger and the Ultra-Low Volume Fogger (ULV) are often advance equipment that experts used to get rid of the disastrous odor. However, these tools can be very pricey and often require an experienced person to utilize it correctly and to its full potential.

The SERVPRO technicians are experts when it comes to deodorization equipment. They know how to use it effectively, and they understand the mechanism behind these tools. The ULV fogger can produce a fine mist that can penetrate areas where odor-causing residues have accumulated. The SERVPRO techs can also use the equipment to inject fungicide and disinfect into inconspicuous areas that are hard to access. The thermal fogger can release a large amount of solvent product in confined areas. They can release fog products that have small solutions that can destroy odor-causing particles. With flood remediation experts, you can rest assured that your home can be odor free after experiencing flood damage.

If you're ready to get rid of odor-causing residue from the aftermath of flood damage, then feel free to give SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City a call at (773) 337-3900, and we can promptly send our flood remediation experts to your residential establishment to get started immediately.

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Water Mains Can Allow for Major Flood Damages to Your Chicago Residence

8/26/2018 (Permalink)

Water mains and other associated plumbing equipment can malfunction causing flooding in your home. Call SERPVRO right away to remediate.

Team SERVPRO is Always Ready to Help You Deal with Flooding in Your Home Regardless of the Cause

All throughout Chicago, substantial water mains weave through commercial and residential areas. These lines get tapped at every residence to provide drinking water. The size of the line itself gets determined by the draw of usage, and if the lines need to feed storage tanks and other offshoots at future junctions continually. The greater the diameter of the main line, the higher the pressure inside.

Many of the main lines still in service throughout the area are ductile iron. This type was the standard at one point for water lines, and until they see a string of problems happen over a brief period, they do not get changed over to the sturdier and more reliable PVC material that holds up better over time. The trouble with these materials is that they are essentially ticking time bombs waiting for the right circumstances to split or break apart, which can cause nearly immediate flooding damages to your Chicago home in a couple of ways.

Not all water meters contain backflow prevention devices to stop back-siphonage into your home when a water break occurs. Depending on your proximity to the break, an open service line demanding water can create a vacuum when a water break occurs, pulling the contents of the water line into a residence until they break this vacuum by shutting off their service line inside their house. Our SERVPRO professionals can quickly extract this water from the affected area, but not before damages ultimately occur.

Another way that this break could potentially flood your home is simply being downhill from the incident. Water continually flows at a high pressure from this break until valves on the main line get shut down, and by this point, you might already require flood damage restoration services from our experienced SERVPRO professionals.

There are no ways to adequately prepare for the possibility of a main water line break, but there are ways that you can help to limit the damage you might experience. One way is familiarizing yourself with the primary shutoff valve for your service line. If you have already experienced flood damages in your home, give our SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City restoration specialists a call right away at (773) 337-3900.

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Saving the Contents of Your Chicago Home Amid a Flood

6/30/2018 (Permalink)

Finding your home under a few inches or even feet of water is a reason to immediately contact SERVPRO for drying out and remediation services.

Our Certified Technicians Respond Quickly to Your Flooding Emergency

As many homeowners in the Chicago area know, the weather can be a little unpredictable. While the moniker of the Windy City has stuck around for decades, homes here have to contend with a lot more than high paced breezes. With roaring storms that can roll off of the Great Lakes and cause much damage to the area, homes often find themselves contending with natural disasters like flash floods and traditional flooding scenarios with little warning.

Knowing that your house is at the mercy of rising waters can be a little unnerving, and also leave you overwhelmed at the thought of preserving what can get saved and restoring the damage once it is said and done. Flood damages to your Chicago home often come on quickly, leaving you little time to formulate a plan. The best thing you can do is to plan on what professional restoration team can help you amid the crisis to save your home and ultimately return it to its former condition.

Our SERVPRO technicians can respond quickly to the flooding and help you to seal off the vulnerable areas and assess the damage that your home faces. Items and contents within these affected areas get removed from harm's way as part of our pack-out service. This process ensures that these items do not suffer irreparable damage being left in the damaged areas for too long.

Also, this process ensures that our SERVPRO professionals have room to work. By removing the contents of your home from these affected areas, we have the space to bring in larger pieces of equipment that can make shorter work of the damage you face. Once the restoration is complete, these items get returned to their original locations.

Flooding in your home is often a difficult thing to have to witness. Fortunately, you are never asked to deal with the damage that it causes alone.

You can rely on our SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City team of experienced technicians to quickly clean up the mess and remove the water. Give us a call 24/7 at (773) 337-3900.

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Lightning Can Strike Your South Chicago City Property and Wreak Havoc—Call SERVPRO for Emergency Cleanup

6/21/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Strikes As Fast As Lightning for South Chicago City Cleanup and Restoration

Trust SERVPRO to Secure and Cleanup Your House after a Lightning Strike

A South Chicago City family experienced a "bolt out of the blue" during a recent thunderstorm, their home suffering significant physical and fire damage in an instant. Lightning struck right through the roof, the electrical force and subsequent fire destroying both the roof and the ceiling of an interior room, exposing the attic and the living area to the elements. Within the hour Ed Kowalski, our Business Development Manager, arrived on the scene to arrange for emergency fire and storm damage recovery. The accompanying photo depicted the damaged and exposed exterior requiring securing with tarps and boards. The hanging debris and possessions within the structure need careful removal to ensure a safer working environment for our SERVPRO crew.

Storm damage this extreme in South Chicago City might be rare, but when it happens to your family's residence swift and sure action on the part of a reliable restoration company is exactly what is needed. The tasks are many -- securing the areas blasted and burned openings, assessing the extent of the fire and water damage, developing a comprehensive remediation plan, and setting the plan in motion. We wasted no time moving on this project, proving We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.
 
Our high-qualified crews use their training and experience to complete a controlled demolition of the devastated area, followed by a thorough cleanup of all related damage. The combination of the violent, almost explosive action of the lightning, fire, and firefighting efforts challenge the SERVPRO team to bring their very best to this catastrophe. We remove water and debris, dry out the affected spaces, and employ appropriate cleaning tools, products, and techniques to clear the smoke and soot residues.
 
We reduce the potential for secondary microbial damage through treatment with EPA registered disinfectants. Lingering odors from the fire and water damage require elimination, any residual unpleasant smells preventing homeowners from putting the shocking and destructive events behind them. SERVPRO technicians choose from an array of strategies to rid a storm-damaged home from malodors. If deep cleaning and sealing of surfaces do not eradicate the smell, we employ technological advances to deodorize. Thermal fogging or oxygenation delivered via hydroxyl generators seeks out the odor-carrying particles and alters their chemical composition on a molecular level, neutralizing the stench permanently.
 
Protected, clean, sanitized, and deodorized, SERVPRO leaves your storm-damaged home ready for repairs and restoration from the general contractor of your choice. Move on with your rebuild confident that all preliminary preparations are in place courtesy of our expert disaster response team.
 
SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City shows its commitment to our promise to make it "Like it never even happened," with every job we complete. Call us any time of the day or night at (773) 337-3900 to schedule a speedy and proficient evaluation of your emergency scenario.

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Preparing For Floods Can Help Minimize Flood Damage to Chicago Homes

1/19/2018 (Permalink)

Floods can damage your home, but our SERVPRO team can help restore it.

Prepare Your Chicago Home For Flood Disasters 

The aftermath of Hurricane Irma in 2017 was a painful reminder of the fury of Mother Nature and the consequence of playing ignorant in the wake of such a disaster. Chicago, which got its fair share of the calamity, is naturally chilly and prone to torrential downpours, as you are probably aware, but the resultant water damage led to thousands of dollars of losses. Of course, you may not always be in control of such a situation, so it is important to plan ahead. This means having a flood damage restoration company at speed dial to deal with the outcome of the disaster.

At SERVPRO, we have a team of highly skilled, highly motivated flood damage restoration experts for dealing with flood disasters in Chicago. Our tools and techniques are in line with IICRC guidelines to ensure a seamless restoration process. Every action we take is designed to restore your property to pre-damage condition, “Like it never even happened.”
Controlling flood damage from natural disasters begins by understanding the risk of flooding in your area.

According to NOAA (The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), the four different flood alerts are flood advisory, flood watch, flood warning, and flash flood warning. Any warning means that you should respond at once.

Flood damage can include blocked roads, power outages, polluted water, and debris. Extreme conditions may hinder SERVPRO technicians from accessing the site and initiating the water removal and cleanup process. A general rule of thumb is to always have sufficient food and water in the house to feed your family and animals for at least three days.

SERVPRO has an efficient response system for controlling flood damage. Once we arrive, our water damage restoration experts proceed to restrain any hazards in the area and then remove the excess water using truck mounted or portable extractors. During the water removal process, we apply a moisture meter to find out how far water has traveled within the walls, ceilings, floors, and carpets.

Before drying, our experts check the flooring and carpets to determine the extent of flood damage. If these have not sustained severe damage, we treat them with an appropriate deodorizer and then position air movers to dry the wet surfaces. Every job ends by cleaning all debris from the structure.

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

If your home, unfortunately, sustains flood damage, you can count on SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City to restore your property. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster, thanks to our strategic position that allows us to respond quickly to local emergencies. For any assistance, call us today at (773) 337-3900

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Repairing And Restoring A Chicago Home From The Effects Of Flood Damage

9/21/2017 (Permalink)

Repairing and restoring your home from the effects of flood damage can be an expensive process.

The Effects Of Flood Damage

Storms are a common occurrence in our city. Not so common is the flooding that happens afterward, but it has been more of a problem in the last few years.

Repairing and restoring a Chicago home from the effects of flood damage can be an expensive process. SERVPRO works not just to fix your home now, but to prevent more damage in the future.

The best repair and restoration work we can do is before a flood happens. Much of the damage we find related to storm flooding comes from damaged or improperly installed drainage systems. A small gap between two gutter sections or a misdirected drain pipe can allow hundreds of gallons of water to flow down an outside wall. It can cause damage to the inside and outside of a home from the foundation to the attic.

Our technicians are trained to replace or fix most gutters, but we help you check if yours might still be under warranty before we get started. Drain pipes are easier to fix; in most cases, the pipe simply pulled away from the wall. It takes just an hour or two for us to check and either tighten or replace the restraining straps and bolts that hold the drains in place around your home. It takes another hour or two to make certain the reattached pipes drain away from your home and into the nearest storm drain.

Foundations are a source of leaks and seepage that can affect an entire home. Small leaks can put water into a basement which means not just water damage, but mold as well. To stop more flood water from coming into your home, we recommend waterproofing. To do this, our technicians dig out and expose the foundation walls. After we clean them, we apply a commercial-grade, liquid rubber sealant to all concrete and cement surfaces. This procedure stops water completely unless it rises high enough.

The weather looks good for the next few days, but the rain is coming back next week. If you prepare ahead of the next flood or may have damage left from the last storm, call SERVPRO of Evergreen Park / South Chicago City at (773) 337-3900.

For more information about the city of Chicago visit https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en.html.

When A Chicago Flash Flood Is Over The Cleanup Begins

7/7/2015 (Permalink)

A flash flood situation is very dangerous.

When A Flash Flood Is Over The Cleanup Begins 

You didn't anticipate a flash flood, but it happened. A building that held your business or the place you call home has felt the impact of flood water. How should you handle this situation? What is the next step? Questions will fill a person's mind, and their emotions will be difficult to handle. Recovering from a flash flood will not happen quickly. It will take time to return to normal.

Remain Informed
When trying recover from Chicago storm damage, it's important to stay aware of events from the local media such as television or radio. Weather radio can also provide important information. There is always a chance of dangerous flooding even after the water levels have dropped. The news media will be able to provide information on when it will be safe to return or go outside.

Examine Utilities
If a person returns to a building and sees wires that are frayed or broken, smells burning insulation or sees sparks, the electricity needs to be turned off immediately. Avoid going into water to reach a fuse box. Ask for help from a professional electrician if this is the case. It is possible that a building's sewage or water lines have sustained damage. A licensed plumber needs to be asked for help. In some cases, people may smell propane or natural gas or hear a hissing noise. If this happens, a person should leave the area immediately and inform the fire department.

Do Not Consume The Water
When a flash flood has impacted a building or home, neither the well or tap water should be used for drinking or anything else. It is best to wait until the authorities declare the water does not contain any type of pollutants. It is best to get bottled water or water from a safe source to use until the building's or home's water is safe. Boiling water will kill most types of unsafe microorganisms. Bleach will destroy most types of bacteria. Eight drops for each gallon of water should be effective. Once the bleach is put in the water, it should not be used for at least 30 minutes.

Children And Pets
A flash flood situation is very dangerous. Children and pets need to be watched closely to keep them safe from harm.

Flooded Areas
It is important to stay away from flooded areas. Barricades should not be challenged. There could be a number of problems that are visible as well as invisible. This includes road damage, bridge damage, and a number of other problems. It's important to follow the recommendation of emergency workers. Avoid driving as much as possible and keep roads clear for emergency vehicles.

Moving Water
It's important for people to stay away from any moving water. It only takes half a foot of moving water to knock a person down. A few feet of moving water can sweep away most automobiles.

Traveling
When going any place after a flash flood, it will require the utmost caution. Traveling should only be done with necessary. It would be best only to go when the flood water is no longer moving. If going across flooded areas, a stick should be used to determine depth and firmness before each step. Contaminated water is a danger as well as dangerous debris, unnoticed animals, weakened roads and walkways can make traveling very dangerous by both foot or car. Do not go into any building surrounded by flood water. Wait until authorities have declared it to be safe.

Get Help
SERVPRO can be contacted to restore items in a building or home that have been impacted by water damage.

Cleaning and Disinfecting
Once the floodwater has lowered, it is time to begin the process of cleaning and disinfecting all wet items in a home. This will protect homeowners from chemical contaminants as well as sewage and more. Wearing protective clothing such as rubber gloves and boots is essential during this process. In many cases, to eliminate the damage caused by Chicago storm damage, it may require upholstery cleaning as well as carpet cleaning, mold remediation and more.

Throw Away
Any food in cans or jars that came in contact with flood water need to be thrown away. It's also a good idea to get rid of any plastic utensils, bottled water, baby bottles and more that were in flood water.

Scammers
After every flood, there are going to be fake contractors who will try and take advantage of the situation. This is the time to only work with reputable contractors who are professional. They will provide the best cleanup and repair service.

Drainage
When a building's basement get flooded, it is best to drain it slowly. Experts recommend approximately 1/3 each day. This is a safe drainage method and will prevent structure damage. If water is removed too quickly, it could cause a structure to collapse.

Insurance Claims
Once a flash flood has happened, it's time to contact the insurance company and start the claim recovery process. Many homeowner policies do not cover Chicago flood damage. Confirm flood coverage prior to a flood.

Help
When trying to figure out recovery steps from a flash flood, it's important to stay in touch with the local television and radio. They can provide important recovery information such as government and other organizations to contact. SERVPRO is able to restore any building or home impacted by a flash flood. Contact us immediately, and the work will begin as soon as you need.

Locally Owned Company with National Storm Resources

We live and work in this community too; we might even be neighbors. As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of Evergreen Park/South Chicago City is close by and ready to respond to storm and disaster events. We are proud to be an active member of the Chicago community and want to do our part to make our community the best it can be.