SERVPRO Assists Chicago Property Owners with Flood Removal

3/28/2021 (Permalink)

Floodwaters can bring toxic elements inside your home. Contact SERVPRO’s experienced and certified team to remediate the storm damage properly.

Chicago Storm Damage is No Match for SERVPRO's Restoration Services

One good word to describe the weather in Chicago is: unpredictable. The city can go from sunny to downpours very quickly. There is a reason that the weather is so volatile and changeable, and it is found in Lake Michigan.

Located on the northeast boundary, Lake Michigan forms a thermal mass that can influence the size and intensity of rainstorms and snowstorms. This action is due to the temperature fluctuations in the lake.

Heavy Rains are Common in Chicago

While intense storms that bring wild weather to the Chicago area are not unusual, they usually do not pose a problem to people or property unless:

• There is a type of dangerous storms or tornadic activity causing structural damage
• The sewers get overwhelmed with floodwater and back up
• There are drainage issues around a property due to improper grading

What Chicago is Doing About Flooding in the Area

Even as far back as the 1600s, explorers realized the Great Lakes would be vital to survival as hubs for trade and shipping supplies. The building of a canal to connect these areas resulted in the need to handle copious amounts of freshwater, rainwater, and wastewater.

At present, there has been an on-going project for over 50 years to control flooding. It has the moniker "Deep Tunnel" and a more official Reservoir Plan or TARP name. This project covers nearly 110 miles of underground tunnels that feed wastewater into reservoirs that hold billions of gallons. The storage has a service ng into billions of gallons' worth of reservoirs. By 2029, the storage system should have around 17.5 billion gallons in its underground reservoirs.

Green alleys are a small-scale effort to reduce the amount of water flowing into the sewers after heavy storms. There are areas of bioswales, tree pits, green roofs, and more around the Chicago area to slow the flow of water entering the sewer system.

Local architect Jeanne Gang proposes sweeping measures to make Chicago less prone to flooding and eliminate the concrete canal and replace it with a green infrastructure with a porous surface that would retain more water naturally.

What is the Difference Between Consumer Wet/Dry Vacs and Professional Flood Removal Equipment in Chicago Properties?

When Chicago homes need flood removal, SERVPRO technicians act quickly to minimize the damage to the structure. Because the city can potentially year-round issues from strong storms, the technicians are available for emergency services water damage cleanup 24/7.

Storm damage can lead to a host of issues within a home, including: 

• Ceiling leaks
• Leaking roof from storms
• Need for temporary repairs to the structure

One mistake homeowners make attempting to clean up flood water on their own is inadequate water removal using consumer-grade equipment. Professional water removal services have powerful extraction equipment and can ascertain if the water wicked into the walls or seeped under the flooring. It is impossible to discern this from a single visual inspection.

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100 is available 24/7 to handle all levels of flood removal in local Chicago properties.