How Chicago's Summer Thunderstorms Can Cause Hidden Roof Damage in Bucktown?

9/24/2024 (Permalink)

We restore storm damage in Chicago “Like it never even happened.”

Our local West Loop/Bucktown/Greektown teams restore storm damage 24 hours a day. Chicago's summer thunderstorms bring heavy rain, strong winds, and hail, which can cause significant, yet often hidden, damage to your roof. While the damage might not be immediately visible, minor leaks, cracked shingles, and weakened structural components can develop over time, leading to more severe issues if left unaddressed.

One of the primary concerns after a summer storm is the potential for small leaks to form in the roof. These leaks may start as minor drips but can quickly escalate, leading to water intrusion, mold growth, and damage to your attic and ceilings. Cracked or missing shingles are another common issue, often caused by wind or hail. They expose your roof to the elements and reduce its lifespan.

To prevent these hidden problems from worsening, homeowners should regularly inspect their roofs after storms. Look for signs of damage, such as loose or damaged shingles, water stains on the ceiling, or debris accumulation. Additionally, ensure your sump pump is in good working order, as a compromised roof can lead to water infiltration that could overwhelm your basement during heavy rain.

Early detection and prompt repairs can prevent costly repairs down the line, keeping your home safe and dry throughout Chicago's stormy summer season.

Call Us Today!

When your Bucktown home or business has storm damage, our local West Loop/Bucktown/Greektown teams are Here to Help. ® Contact us today at 773-434-9100.

SERVPRO® franchises are independently owned and operated.

Top Tips for Recovering From a Flood | SERVPRO of Downtown Chicago/West Loop/Bucktown/Greektown

5/14/2024 (Permalink)

Don't let flood water damage your Chicagoland residence or business! Call SERVPRO of West Loop/Bucktown/Greektown to restore your property.

While we can all appreciate a little rain from time to time, a lot of it in a short amount of time can overwhelm the Chicago community and can quickly lead to flooding concerns. Hot and muggy summers can lead to storms that fire up in the afternoon and evening, causing intense waves of rain to fall all over the area. 

Our community can quickly become overwhelmed with rain, and that can lead to it running down our streets and causing flash flood concerns.

Knowing what to do before, during and after a potential flood can help you navigate the entire situation with more confidence, and it can actually help you avoid more serious damage. 

Focus on Your Safety

Flash flood warnings can be issued during most of the year, but especially from spring to mid-summer. If a strong storm is forecast or a flash flood watch is issued, you should start preparing your home and family right away. Fast-moving water can quickly infiltrate your neighborhood, and even just six inches of fast-moving water is enough to knock you off your feet. 

Stay home and start preparing your property for the rain. Secure any outdoor furniture, grills or other heavy equipment that cannot be moved inside, move valuable possessions out of the lowest level of your home, and consider turning off electricity to that lowest level if your home has been known to flood before. After that, sit tight and stay above the water line if water does start rushing in. 

Navigating Your Home Post-Flood 

Once the water has stopped flowing in, use extreme caution when moving about your home. Floodwater can cause serious damage to your walls and floors and compromise your living spaces. Avoid walking through the water, as it could be contaminated with storm runoff, chemicals or sharp debris that could be dangerous to your health. 

Take photos of any damage you notice right away, but you should also just take pictures of the scene itself. These fresh images can help your insurance company file the most accurate claim for you. Once those are taken, get us on the phone!

Recovering From a Flood 

Our flood restoration team will jump right into action to help dry out your home and address your repairs. The longer standing water sits on your floors, the worse your damage can become. This can even lead to structural integrity issues and also mold infestations. Our team is dedicated to your recovery from start to finish. 

We will expertly remove the water with our blowers and industry-leading drying equipment and then we will repair any ruined walls, floors or ceilings. Our goal is to return your home to its pre-flood condition as quickly and as efficiently as possible.

Suffered a flood? SERVPRO of West Loop/Bucktown/Greektown is here to help you recover.

Stopping a Rainwater Leak at the Source | SERVPRO of West Loop/Bucktown/Greektown

1/27/2024 (Permalink)

Has a recent storm caused water in your damage home? Call SERVPRO of West Loop/Bucktown/Greektown to get help today!

When it rains, it can seriously pour around the Chicago area. While we may be grateful for an intense rainstorm in the heat of the summer, strong storms can quickly become troublesome for our homes. Rain has the ability to infiltrate the tiniest gaps in our houses that can quickly become serious water leaks. 

Over time, a single water leak can be the catalyst for extensive water damage around your roof that travels into your walls. Knowing what to do before a storm hits can help you avoid these more serious water leaks.

Protecting Your Home
Storms are anything but predictable, so you should always start preparing for the different possibilities as soon as the storm is forecast. Go outside and make sure your gutter system is clean and functioning properly, and ensure your downspouts are pointed away from your foundation. A single clog can lead to water that backs up onto your roof, so take the time to clear these away before the rain starts to fall.

If your home has a sump pump in the basement, now is the time to check it to make sure it is functioning properly. Sump pumps work by pulling excess moisture away from your home by pumping it back up to ground level. This can be a helpful way to avoid water damage, but only if it is working!

Inspect Your Roof

Most storms are predicted at least a day or two in advance, so you should make sure you get up on your roof during this time to check for residual damage. 

Our roofs are the first line of defense when it comes to rain, wind and hail, so they can experience significant damage during the course of a normal year. Checking all of the shingles, gutters and vents to ensure there is no structural damage is vital to avoiding serious water issues in your attic.

Even just a single missing or broken shingle can be the reason your attic walls become soaked during a storm. Grab a ladder and do a visual inspection often, especially after a strong storm rolls through. Address any damage issues that you see quickly so that your home can weather the next storm with confidence. 

Drying Out Your Home

Even if you do everything right and prepare your property for an upcoming storm, Mother Nature can be unpredictable. Water leaks can occur quickly and can leave water stains on your walls or it could even feel like it is raining inside your house when a ceiling leak starts to drip. 

In any case, we can help you recover right away. Lingering moisture can quickly lead to further issues like mold growth, so we work fast to ensure a full recovery. 

We will remove the excess water, detect hidden moisture behind your walls and handle repairs efficiently so you can get back to your normal life as soon as possible. What are you waiting for? Give us a call right away!

A quick recovery after suffering water damage is vital. Call SERVPRO of West Loop/Bucktown/Greektown for immediate assistance.

Flood Damage in Chicago Should Not Keep You Down

5/14/2023 (Permalink)

When flooding affects your home, you need to call in the professionals. Team SERVPRO is standing by 24/7 for your emergency call.

Activities to Occupy You as Experts Handle Flood Restoration 

A property heavily soiled and contaminated by flooding may not be as functional as usual. Finding a way to address flood damage expeditiously should restore normalcy. SERVPRO can help when your Chicago property is affected.

Finding an appropriate venue within the greater Chicago area should be easy. As the professionals work to fix flood damage at your Chicago property, you have other things to take care of, ensuring everything does not come to a stop. If you had organized something with your friends or family, those plans could continue even if your home is out of commission.

Where to Hold Events in Style within Chicago

• Navy Pier - sitting on the Lake Michigan shore, it offers a variety of spaces for events, including the Lakeview Terrace, a Grand Ballroom, and Crystal Gardens.
• The Art Institute of Chicago - its museum is world-renowned, but it also offers event spaces like the Bluhm Family Terrace, the Ryan Learning Center, and its Modern Wing.
• The Drake Hotel - the historic hotel sits on the Magnificent Mile and has unique spaces like the Gold Coast Room, the Grand Ballroom, and the Palm Court.
• The Chicago Cultural Center is a historic landmark but also offers stunning function locations like the Preston Bradley Hall with its Tiffany Dome or the G.A.R Rotunda. 

Even when no formal events are planned with your family or friends, you can still choose to head out as SERVPRO IICRC-certified technicians clean and decontaminate your property. One of the best ways to have fun is by attending local events.

Notable Events to Attend in Chicago

• Spectate or participate in the Chicago annual Marathon, which draws in visitors from all over the world
• Watch fireworks on display over Lake Michigan at the Navy Pier on Wednesday and Saturday nights during summer
• Explore the winter wonderland of light displays at the Lincoln Park Zoo 
• Explore different foods from vendors at the Taste of Chicago Festival held in July.

SERVPRO of Downtown Chicago / West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown helps whenever flood damage develops. You can reach us at (773) 434-9100.

Chicago Storm Damage Calls for Expert Water Restoration

3/27/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can make your flood damaged Chicago home appear "Like it never even happened." Sometimes, it takes time to complete the project.

Contact SERVPRO 24/7 for Storm Damage Cleanup

Living in and around the Windy City means being prepared for storm damage. You need skilled technicians to handle cleanup if your Chicago property takes on water damage. Whether you have hefty debris that caused roof damage or flooding coming into your living space, SERVPRO has the staffing and equipment to provide safe, efficient results. Our team is IICRC-certified and follows all the latest protocols for handling contaminated water and all possible safety hazards present with a storm-related project.

Why call for storm cleanup and water restoration in Chicago?

The faster you contact professionals for water mitigation and cleanup, the better your chance of a full recovery. SERVPRO also works to limit the loss by repairing versus replacing, so you can save costs overall.

Can you salvage personal items and collectibles?

How we address any contents impacted by storm damage hinges on several factors. For example, if porous items come into contact with contaminated floodwater, the chances are high that they will need to be thrown out. Some of the contents that often fall into this category include:

• Carpeting and carpet padding
• Mattresses
• Comforters, pillows, and some linens
• Upholstered furnishings

You can rely on our moisture detection and control

SERVPRO follows the migration path to determine areas where moisture pockets might be hiding. We have specialized moisture detection equipment to determine saturation levels within wall cavities, subflooring, behind baseboards, and the tight regions in and under cabinetry.

Build back, and reconstruction are vital in any storm-related water incident. Luckily, SERVPRO works with trusted area contractors and vendors to ensure you get the desired results. From flooring repair to handling roof damage from falling tree limbs, we have you covered as we make it “Like it never even happened.”

Call SERVPRO of Downtown Chicago/West Loop/Bucktown/Greektown at (773) 434-9100 if you have questions about storm damage or wish to schedule our water restoration team. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster – getting to your door within hours of initial contact.

Even Minor Storm Damage Can Affect Your Home for Months in West Loop

8/21/2022 (Permalink)

Storm damaged homes and structures in Chicago always benefit from SERVPRO services. "Like it never even happened."

Storm Damage Getting the Best of Your West Loop Home?

Sometimes, a storm may not seem very powerful. Weaker storms can be deceiving, making you feel there is minor possible storm damage. Storm damage does not always mean that a tree has fallen on your home, crushing the roof. Storm damage can be as little as a few shingles that have blown off or twisted hinges on a screen door. Both of these situations, and others, require repairs. Left alone, they can be sources of additional damage. Preventing those situations from escalating can also prevent increasingly higher repair bills from becoming a reality for you.

West Loop area homeowners who do not repair minor storm damage often find themselves coping with even more damage that can be extremely extensive and expensive. We can help you avoid these additional problems. There is no reason to procrastinate on having repairs made, but there are many reasons to have restorative work done as soon as possible.

Because we are SERVPRO, we have extensive training in all aspects of repairs and restorations. We have completed many different jobs over the years, and we can successfully handle any size disaster, including the one you are facing. Our certifications cover the many different cleaning and restorative types of work that storm damage can cause.

We are certified to repair your home's siding, shingles, and other roof components. Other structural elements can be restored, including gutters, windows and frames, screen doors, and much more. When storm damage happens, these repairs are necessary to prevent additional damage from affecting your home. Repairs protect your home and the contents inside.

If shingles have been torn off, or siding was peeled away, water and insect pests can enter at the first opportunity. Larger openings in your roof can permit rodents and birds to come in and make their homes in your attic space. Some rodents are more damaging than others and may move to the house's living areas. If windows are damaged, your home is at increased risk for burglaries.

Call SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100.

What Can I Do to Remove Groundwater from My Flooded Chicago Basement?

2/2/2022 (Permalink)

When your basement is flooded with contaminated groundwater, SERVPRO responds rapidly to your Chicago home for storm damage mitigation

SERVPRO Can Swiftly Extract the Groundwater from Your Basement

Statistically speaking, many Chicago households might face some water-related damages in their lifetime, and unfortunately, flood damage is in that broad category. Waking up to find your basement flooded with groundwater after a massive storm and all the contaminants that come with it is not an ideal morning. However, when these kinds of misfortunes happen, it’s essential to try and remain in control and get the help you need.

As flood damage hits your Chicago home, it can bring debris and biohazards with the current. Tree branches, rocks, stop signs, petroleum fuel, chemicals, and biowaste could make the water in your basement unsafe. To avoid hurting yourself or exposing yourself to blackwater, get professional help as soon as possible.

Can SERVPRO Help Me Immediately? What Could Happen If the Water Sits Too Long?

Here at SERVPRO, we strive to ensure the job gets done as soon as possible. From the moment you call, our team can assemble and prepare to travel to you. We know any water-based damage only gets worse with time. If left unattended, water can:

• Cause mold damage
• Rust metal and decay the wooden framing
• Soak drywall and flooring

Water should always be removed as soon as possible to avoid further damage inside your home.

How Can SERVPRO Extract the Groundwater from My Home?

Our technicians are highly skilled and trained to use advanced technology. To remove groundwater, we can:

• Clear out debris, such as tree branches, rocks, signs, and lawn decor
• Remove any furniture and dispose of any carpets exposed to black water
• Use wet/dry vacuums, portable pumps, and extractors to remove the water

Once the water is gone from your property, our techs can dry and disinfect your basement. We can use antimicrobial agents to try and ensure that mold growth does not occur.

If you need groundwater extraction services, never wait. Get in contact with SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown by dialing (773) 434-9100. Our experienced technicians are always happy to help you.

How Long Is Flood Damage Restoration at My Chicago Home Likely to Take?

1/10/2022 (Permalink)

Flooding can happen at any time of the year. No worries! SERVPRO is always on call!

SERVPRO Provides the Necessary Resources to Expedite Flood Damage Restoration

Knowing early enough when you can get back into your Chicago home after a flooding incident can help you plan your routines better, whether seeking alternative accommodation or otherwise. However, with the incident's clutter, soling, and damages left at the property, such estimation is not that simple.

An estimate of the time flood damage restoration at your Chicago home might require can be based on several factors. Professionals like SERVPRO make an assessment based on the activity’s restoration might involve since each activity requires time:

Typical activities when restoring floods include:

• Water extraction and material demolition
• Cleaning the structure and contents
• Decontamination and deodorization
• Drying and rebuilding or refinishing

Some activities take minimal time, although they significantly impact the restoration outcome. For instance, our SERVPRO crew chiefs can inspect your entire home within the first hour of arriving at your premises. The information gained from the inspection helps reveal the resources needed for restorative work, including the number of people, machines, and cleaning products. The assessment reveals when you are likely to get back into your home since it shows how much work is involved in the main restoration tasks.

Some time-consuming actions after a flooding incident include:

• Organizing and decluttering the site
• Cleaning various items
• Drying wet materials

In addition to providing accurate estimates, our SERVPRO teams can also expedite the process. For instance, we can run the restoration without creating too much clutter since our large trash cans store waste materials such as demolished drywall or ceiling panels. We can use several air movers and dehumidifier units during drying, thus completing the drying process faster.

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown relies on better information, skills, and equipment for faster flood damage restoration. Call us at (773) 434-9100. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

What Can Be Done About Frozen Pipes in Chicago Homes?

12/27/2021 (Permalink)

Be sure an take preventative measures to protect your pipes as winter weather approaches.

Freezing Plumbing can Threaten Several Chicago Residences During Cold Winter Conditions

The winter is one of the most memorable seasons for many Chicago residents, but not always for the right reasons. When cold conditions infiltrate a home or business, vulnerable pipes can freeze and rupture.

How Do Pipes Freeze? 

Whether frozen pipes or ice damming Chicago homes experience, the winter months can be brutal. Cold air circulating exposed water lines can freeze still water, and the subsequent expansion can cause the pipe to rupture under certain conditions.

Is It Possible to Prevent Burst Pipes? 

It is possible to avoid costly water damage and structural weakening with a few preventative measures. Break it down into three simple words:

• Insulate – Ensure that the pipes have the appropriate insulating material when exposed to cold air or exterior elements. 

• Circulate – Make sure warm air moves through the house and accesses these vulnerable pipes whenever possible. 

• Operate – It is a good practice to run faucets connected to problem lines at a steady drip to ensure complete freezing does not occur. 

What Should You Do If You Know Your Pipes Are Frozen? 

You might not realize that insulation is inadequate until pipes have already frozen. Resolving this situation is possible without further damage when acted upon quickly to thaw out the ice blockage in line with heat from a hairdryer. 

Can SERVPRO Help? 

As a leading restoration team for the city and its surrounding areas, we are one of the trusted names for mitigating the loss of homes and businesses when these water damages occur. As rapidly as conditions can worsen and compromise areas of a property, we mobilize fast with extraction and drying tools to show We're Faster To Any Size Disaster. 

Homeowners have steps to limit the possibilities of freezing pipes and subsequent line breaks. When these disasters occur, you can count on the fast response of our SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown team wherever you are around the metropolitan area. Call today at (773) 434-9100.

How Can Chicago Homeowners Quickly Find Storm Damage Mitigation Services?

12/6/2021 (Permalink)

A damaged roof can let in water and debris from outside into your home after a storm. Contacting SERVPRO can quickly start the damage remediation.

Chicago Storm Damage Mitigation from SERVPRO Provides Emergency-Response Disaster Cleanup

While Chicago homeowners are accustomed to stormy weather, the damage that these weather events leave behind is not always preventable. However, one of the most effective ways to minimize damage and repair needs after a storm is to call licensed professionals to clean up as soon as possible.

SERVPRO storm damage mitigation technicians provide Chicago homeowners fast relief from flooding, roof damage, and other storm-related concerns. SERVPRO staff, technicians, and franchise owners alike receive flood damage cleanup training and education that complies with Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) standards.

Storm Damage Inspection and Cleanup

Before SERVPRO can get to cleaning, sanitizing, and drying stormwater damage, technicians need to inspect the affected property. This can entail:

• Taking inventory of affected structures and contents, which can include taking pictures or videos of the damage
• Using penetrating moisture evaluation tools to test interior moisture levels
• Applying calibrated non-penetrating moisture sensors or meters to determine surface-level
• Determining ambient temperature and relative humidity levels to use as variables for calculating drying goals
• Using thermal imaging cameras to detect potential moisture inside wall and ceiling cavities or underneath floors

All of these calculations are necessary for formulating and implementing an effective structural drying plan that returns structural materials and contents in your home to a pre-disaster condition with appropriate moisture levels for each affected surface. Inspections are performed throughout the cleaning and drying process to ensure that drying goals are met on time.

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown is available for cleanup 24/7. Call (773) 434-9100 for a crew that can show you how We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

What Does Chicago Kitchen Flood Water Removal Entail?

11/30/2021 (Permalink)

Finding flooding in your kitchen can certainly cause some panic. Contact SERVPRO to quickly assess your situation and formulate a removal plan.

SERVPRO Professionals Render Flood Water Removal Services in Chicago

Even small amounts of ground flooding seeping into a property’s kitchen can have wide-reaching effects on everything from drywall and wall cavities to cabinets, flooring, and subfloors. The potential for mold, which can cause health effects, and other contaminants to permeate possessions can make DIY cleanup solutions inadvisable for homeowners.

Chicago flood water removal technicians at SERVPRO can perform emergency-response cleanup and build-back services 24/7, including weekends and holidays. This team’s commitment to comprehensive training for staff and technicians ensures that restoration professionals are well-equipped to restore flood-affected structures and contents.

Caring for Kitchen Walls, Floors, and Cabinets After Flooding

• Floodwater creeps up drywall as it saturates the gypsum and paperboard sheets, which can cause them to warp and eventually deteriorate. SERVPRO professionals address waterlogged sheetrock segments by cutting them away and prepping the wall cavities for extraction, drying, cleaning, and other restoration tasks as needed before implementing repairs
• Floorcare varies depending on the materials affected. Ceramic tiles, for example, can often be cleaned, dried, and reinstalled. Vinyl sheets and tiles, on the other hand, lose adhesion to the floor and may require a partial or full replacement, depending on the extent of the flooding
• Cabinets, especially those mounted directly onto exterior walls, require meticulous care to dry completely. Cabinets fixed to interior walls, meanwhile, are easier to access. SERVPRO IICRC-certified techs can cut away sheetrock on the other side of the wall, leaving an open cavity to force air through to dry the interior of the cabinet

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown can restore residential space so that they look and feel “Like it never even happened.” Homeowners can call (773) 434-9100 for fast-acting remediation.

Storm Damage Restoration Experts in Downtown Chicago

11/4/2021 (Permalink)

Affected by a recent storm? Our technicians are standing by for your emergency call. We have the equipment necessary to complete the remediation.

SERVPRO Can Restore Your Storm Damaged Property

Chicagoans are very familiar with Lake-influenced snowstorms, severe tornadoes, and intense thunderstorms that vastly disrupt homes and businesses. These storms, water deluge, high winds, and the possibility of fire cause costly structural damage. This type of damage combination displaces families and businesses within our communities. Our full-service skills mean that one call can bring the scientific approach, heavy-duty equipment, technical expertise, and experience that you need to restore your property quickly.

Storm damage in Downtown Chicago can also bring sewage problems and mold growth. Storm emergency damage occurs with little warning and can be devastating. When you call SERVPRO, we do everything needed to restore instead of replacing damaged property. Don't worry; if reconstruction is required, we can handle the entire process.

Water Removal Services

We begin with a thorough inspection and assessment. Our water removal and drying process includes thermal scanning and the use of high-tech equipment and tools. With our IICRC certified technicians working on your behalf, they clean and sanitize your personal investments. Restoration can involve minor and major repairs, which we are qualified to handle.

SERVPRO is as close as your nearest neighbor because we are locally owned and operated. We are dedicated to responding immediately to water and storm damage emergencies. Our experts take photos and provide documentation of each damaged area. We can offer a stress-free claims process to help you manage the needed insurance paperwork with this action. We are not an insurance company, but our vast experience coordinating storm damage restoration with you and your adjuster is a plus.

With fire damage to your property, we don't just show up and leave when everyone else has left. We go through the restoration and repair process with you. We bring your residential and commercial properties back to life. In no time, we can have it looking "Like it never even happened." We can empathetically give families and business owners the peace of mind they deserve.

Call SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown, to see how our trained technicians can restore your property. Our friendly customer service consultants are available to answer any questions you may have about our services. We are easy to reach for any emergency service 24/7; call (773) 434-9100.

What Options Do You Have When You Need Flood Cleanup Services in Chicago

5/26/2021 (Permalink)

When a storm strikes your home, have no doubt. Call SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown we will help.

SERVPRO Can Provide Solutions To All Flood Cleanup Needs in Chicago

No matter how prepared you are as a Chicago resident, at one point, you may need flood cleanup services. If you find yourself in this type of a situation, you have to work with a restoration company like SERVPRO to return your property to its preloss state quickly. Flood water is normally full of contaminants such as sewer, so safety is paramount during the restoration process.

Why Should SERVPRO Be Your Preferred Flood Damage Restoration Company in Chicago?

Our SERVPRO technicians are qualified and have the necessary flood damage restoration certifications to serve Chicago residents. On top of the training, we have the essential experience and use state-of-the-art equipment and procedures to lower damage in your business or home after the disaster. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster and offer you all the written estimates before the restoration starts so that you have a reasonable expectation as we work with you. Some of the additional services you should expect from us include:

• Mold damage removal and prevention
• Replacement of wood panels, drywall, and other structural elements
• Restoration of furniture and other personal items
• Document relevant information to help you with your insurance claims

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown promises stress-free flood damage restoration services that follow state and industry regulations. Call (773) 434-9100 to work with a reputable restoration service provider.

Emergency Flood Cleanup Can Prevent Downtown Chicago Properties from Total Loss

5/4/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO saves Downtown Chicago homes from excessive flood damage and build backs with a fast arrival. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster

Cleaning and drying can sometimes prevent repairs and reconstruction in Downtown Chicago homes 

When natural flooding occurs, it could have direct and debilitating effects on homes and businesses in the Windy City. Flood cleanup and debris removal often start the restoration process of removing bacteria, debris, and other solids from the house. After flood damage occurs, our SERVPRO responding technicians can begin our muck-out cleaning to remove:

• Silt
• Mud
• Contaminants
• Organic matter
• Creatures/Insects

Responding Fast to Clean Flooding Incidents Reduces Build Back Time

Not all flood cleanup in Downtown Chicago homes follows after natural flooding with possible contaminants. Clean water incidents, such as water penetration into post-storm roof damages, also require cleaning. From the removal of deteriorating and damaged building elements to the use of insulation vacuums to efficiently manage oversaturated materials, we have several solutions to clean up after devastating and destructive flood damage.

When flood cleanup is necessary, many homeowners can appreciate the training and experience of our experienced SERVPRO roster to help. Water restoration professionals and cleaning technicians of our SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown team are available 24/7 to help at (773) 434-9100.

What Tools Work Best for Post-Flood Extraction in West Loop?

4/12/2021 (Permalink)

When flooding affects your home, make sure team SERVPRO is on your side. We are standing by 24/7 for your emergency call.

West Loop homes can benefit from multiple mitigation tools.

Mitigation is critical when flooding impacts area homes and businesses. We respond fast with powerful drying instruments and flood extraction devices to begin the water clean up your home needs.

What Are the Ideal Flood Extraction Instruments for West Loop Homes?

Because standing water needs to be removed as quickly as possible, multiple instruments can help to achieve flood extraction for West Loop properties. After flooding, various extractors are required to eliminate flood water pooling on the surface. Because debris and solids are a threat in this situation, not all of the tools for water removal services can be effective. Some of these devices include:

• Truck-mount extractors
• Self-priming trash pumps
• Wet vacuums
• Weighted extractors

When it comes to flood extraction, there are multiple tools and instruments our SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown team can use to protect your home. We are ready 24/7 to help at (773) 434-9100.

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.

Which Air Mover to Use after West Loop Flood Damage?

2/9/2021 (Permalink)

Storm damage can be overwhelming, let SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown help you with your property storm damage.

Choosing the right air mover is important after flood damage

When there is flood damage in your home, it is tempting to try and sort it out yourself. It might seem that opening windows and perhaps running fans is enough.

However, after flood damage in West Loop, it is much better to call in the experts. SERVPRO has access to professional remediation equipment that you simply will not find in your basement or garage. One crucial bit of kit is air movers, which shift air across the surface of the floor, walls, or furniture and encourage water evaporation.

The three main types of air movers we use are:

• Centrifugal air movers use centrifugal force to direct air to a specific area.
• Axial air movers produce higher volumes of air at a lower pressure than centrifugal units, allowing them to cover a greater area.
• Structural cavity drying equipment directs air into wall cavities to change the pressure and enhance evaporation.

Using the correct equipment means faster drying and less risk of fungal growth in damp materials.

Do not try to fix flood damage yourself. Call SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown on (773) 434-9100

Looking for Flooding Mitigation in Chicago?

1/28/2021 (Permalink)

If you are a food connoisseur, Chicago is the place to be.

Do not let risk of Chicago floods spoil your appetite

With a population of 2,693,976, Chicago is the most populous city in the United States' Midwestern region. Chicago is an iconic city famous for many things, including deep-dish pizza, jazz music, Al Capone, loyal sports fans, and a wide range of museums.

One of the things Chicago is most famous for is its rich culinary heritage, and any visitor to the city will be spoiled for choice when it comes to finding a place to eat.

Chicago has a delicious culinary history

The city's ethnic and working-class roots have given rise to a wealth of different cuisines, and you will find everything from fine street fare to world-class restaurants here. Three of the most famous Chicago meals are: 

• Deep dish pizza. Authentic Chicago deep-dish pizza has a deep base with lashings of cheese and a chunky tomato sauce on top of the cheese instead of underneath it. If deep dish is not your favorite pizza, you will be glad to learn that Chicago is also famous for crispy thin crust pizza cut into squares.
• The Italian beef. This curiously named dish is a sandwich – but it is not like any sandwich you have tasted before! The Italian beef features thin-sliced beef simmered in gravy and served with Italian seasonings, on a roll soaked in the meat juices.
• Chicago-style hot dogs. Chicago dogs have an all-beef sausage on a poppy seed bun. A real dog has mustard, onion, tomato, peppers, dill pickle, sweet pickle relish, and celery salt – but never ketchup.
  
  

Chicago's food does not stop with these three popular dishes, however. Some lesser-known but still delicious dishes to look for include:

• The Big Baby cheeseburger, with cheese tucked between two hamburger patties.
• Pork chop sandwiches with a tender bone-in chop served with mustard and onions.
• Breaded steak sandwiches featuring breaded steak fried Milanese-style and served in a roll with marinara sauce.
• A gym shoe (sometimes known as Jim Shoo) sub sandwich with corned beef, gyros, and roast beef.
  
  

If you have a sweet tooth, you will love Chicago Brick. This ice cream dessert looks like traditional Neapolitan ice cream, but instead of strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate flavors, it has orange sherbet, vanilla, and caramel.

Chicago also has a burgeoning farmer's market culture, and it is becoming more common for whole families to spend a morning shopping for local cuisine. There are currently more than 30 farmer's markets in Chicago, and many are run by the city.

SERVPRO offers help with flooding mitigation

Chicago's restaurants suffered a blow in 1992, when the Chicago Flood caused billions of dollars damage to homes, offices, and retail units. The flood was caused by the breaching of a disused utility tunnel, and remediation took weeks.

Natural causes can bring about severe flooding too. When you need flooding mitigation, call SERVPRO. Our teams arrive quickly to begin the remediation process:

• First, we assess the situation and the extent of the damage.
• We draw up a personalized drying plan.
• We evacuate as much water as possible from your home.
• We monitor moisture levels during drying for optimum results.
  

When remediation is complete, we deodorize your home to get rid of damp odors.

If you need help with flooding mitigation, call SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown on (773) 434-9100

What is the Best Way to Restore my Chicago Home After a Flood?

7/11/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown is your restoration partner when disaster strikes.

The Best Way to Restore Your Chicago Home After a Flood is to Call a Certified Water Restoration Company

Storms can cause damage even if the rain is not catastrophic in Chicago. It only takes a rise in water levels for your home to fall victim to damage result of higher moisture levels as well as the contaminants within storm waters. Quick action is essential to protect your health, and calling a reputable company to address the damage is your first line of defense.

Preserve your Chicago home after flood damage by calling our SERVPRO crew and allowing us to take proper steps towards a successful restoration. Our team trains with industry experts in the latest technology and methods for eliminating traces of water damage. When you reach us at our 24/7 hotline, you can access that knowledge and expertise, which we put to work for you as soon as we receive the call.

What can I do about the dirt and debris floodwaters invite into my home?

As a homeowner, you are right to worry about the outside elements that now reside in your home. Our SERVPRO team knows that some of your possessions, such as carpets, upholstered chairs, and other textiles, may need to be removed from your home for your protection. However, not everything goes into the "discard" pile. We can restore any of your belongings by applying our knowledge. For example, we may be able to spare your valuable documents and photos by using specialized techniques for document restoration. Some steps towards saving your precious items may include:

    •    Air drying
    •    Using dehumidifiers
    •    Vacuum freeze-drying
    •    Vacuum thermal-drying

All options have their use depending on the circumstances and extent of the damage on each of your items. Our SERVPRO team is here to guide you through the process and make the most appropriate action for each surface we clean.

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown is your restoration partner when disaster strikes. Call us at (773) 434-9100 and let us leave your home, “Like it never even happened.”

What is Involved in Flood Damage Remediation?

6/25/2020 (Permalink)

When flooding occurred in this home, SERVPRO was there. We restored this home to its preloss condition.

After a Storm, SERVPRO Has the Flood Damage Restoration Techniques Necessary to Bring Your Chicago Home Back to Pre-Loss Condition 

With a flood loss event, it might seem overwhelming to determine what is salvageable in your Chicago residence and what is not. Regardless of the devastation level, it is imperative that you have a team on your side ready and promptly handle water removal and restoration. SERVPRO responds fast to not only put your mind at ease but also to lessen the development of secondary damage. Everything gets done to ensure your interior is left "Like it never even happened." 

Is the Floodwater in My Home Dangerous? 

We want our customers to know that dealing with flood damage in Chicago is best left to the experts as this water is known for harboring many contaminants. We have specialized procedures for mitigating the water damage while ensuring your interior remains protected from the transmission of microbes and bacteria from the loss zone into other rooms. Once we arrive on your property, we work to eliminate various safety hazards by: 

• Wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Our technicians wear foot coverings to eradicate the chance of grime and debris tracking
• Posting signs
• Setting a perimeter
• Tarping off areas to limit tracking from one room to the next
• Treating the flood-zone with specialized products to keep hazards to a minimum 

We must work diligently, yet carefully, to remove silt and debris from your interior that the floodwaters bring in. Floodwater often contains hazardous materials such as: 

• Lead
• Asbestos
• Fuel
• Fecal matter, and more 

In some cases, our skilled technicians may implement containment measures to keep contamination from spreading to unaffected areas. Some contaminated regions benefit significantly from negative pressure, limiting the spread of hazardous mold spores into clean spaces within the house.

How is the Water Removed from My Interior? 

SERVPRO technicians can execute timely water extraction by using: 

• Truck-mounted extractors capable of handling large amounts of water riddled with debris
• Submersible and portable pumps
• Light wand extractors
• Weighted extractors, known as rovers, use the technician's weight to push water out of carpeting and the padding beneath 

What Makes Floodwater Harmful? 

After a significant storm that results in flooding, black water throughout your home poses a considerable health threat to your family and pets. Blackwater is standing water, discolored with visible contaminants floating within. Such pollutants include debris that comes from outside your home and usually consists of a range of biohazards and bacteria.  

You Can Count on Us to Safely Address Black Water from a Flood 

Our skilled water restoration technicians (WRT) can handle whatever safety hazards and flood damage your Chicago home encounters after a storm. We have experience dealing with significant flooding and extensive interior damage, allowing us to formulate a plan of proven restoration methods.  

You mustn't try walking or wading through any portion of your home with standing water, which could lead to potentially dangerous pathogen and bacteria exposure with possible health effects. There could be hidden hazards within the murky water that could lead to bodily injury or electrocution. Once our crew arrives on the scene, we will carefully perform an assessment to tell us what type of damage to which we are working. We formulate a plan using a unique process that helps us determine the best equipment for the job. The restoration steps usually resemble the following: 

• Flood-zone assessment
• Address any potential safety hazards
• Determine the structural integrity
• Water extraction using industrial-grade equipment
• Drying measures using air movers, powerful fans, and dehumidifiers
• Moisture detection to keep hidden moisture pockets from festering and creating secondary damage
• Controlled demolition to remove unsalvageable building materials, including baseboards, drywall, carpeting, carpet padding, and subflooring
• Detailed cleaning, sanitization, and disinfecting to ensure your interior is ready and safe for your family to enjoy once again 

Besides Flooring and Drywall, What Other Items May Not Be Salvageable After Flooding? 

Each case gets treated as unique due to the uncertainty of contaminants within the flooded portion of your home. Once we perform the initial loss assessment and begin the cleanup process, we will have a clearer picture of which items need disposing. Depending on how long the water is left to fester, many belongings, fixtures, furnishings, and other building materials may call for a total replacement.  

Throughout the cleanup and restoration process, you can trust that our crew will take a detailed inventory of any pack-outs and items with which we dispose of, which helps with your records, as well as your insurance claim. 

SERVPRO of West Loop/Bucktown/Greektown is here whenever you need professional assistance with flood damage. Call us 24/7 for emergency service at (773) 434-9100, and we send out a team as soon as possible. 

A Storm Has Caused Flooding in My Chicago Home, What Should I Do?

6/6/2020 (Permalink)

Our professionals can help restore your property to its preloss condition within a short period.

Hire Professionals from SERVPRO to Handle the Storm Flood Damage in Your Chicago Home

Severe storms accompanied by fierce winds and heavy rainfall can lead to significant damage to your Chicago home. It is vitally essential to act fast by seeking professional help to minimize secondary damage and get your property back to normal.

When should I call the professionals?

You should call professionals soon after your Chicago home sustains storm flood damage. Before you enter your home, ensure your safety. Watch out for standing water that could be electrically charged, fallen power lines, and wild animals. Beginning the restoration process soon helps prevent additional destruction like:

    •    Mold growth
    •    Wood rot
    •    Odors
    •    Swelling of laminate

When we receive our customer’s emergency call, we respond immediately. We use approved techniques and advanced equipment to restore homes effectively. Our skills and experience help us provide our customers with professional water removal, elimination of microbial threats, and odor removal.

What does flood damage restoration include?

Floodwater from a natural disaster is hazardous for human health. Therefore, it is wise to let professionals handle the restoration process, which includes:

    •    Water extraction: Immediate floodwater removal, minimizes damage and speeds up the drying process. We can work hard to preserve your home and remove the damaged materials. We can use a self-priming trash pump to remove the floodwater since it may contain solids such as leaves, stones, silt, and sand, among other debris.    
    •    Controlled demolition: Our SERVPRO team has advanced training and resources that help us save as much property as possible. To clear damaged areas effectively, we offer controlled demolition services taking care to remove what is necessary. For instance, we can use a carpet knee kicker, and a carpet razor knife to remove the carpeting and pad.  
    •    Structural drying: The drying process is essential to prevent mold growth. We use state-of-the-art equipment that helps us dry even the hard-to-reach areas and speed up the process.
    •    Application of anti-microbial products to prevent mold growth: Mold flourishes in humid areas. It can spread through airborne spores that only an effective treatment can stop. We can remove the moldy materials or use anti-microbial solutions to kill the mold.
    •    Monitoring moisture levels: After water removal, cleaning, and drying of the affected areas, we inspect the affected areas to ensure they are dry, and your property is safe to occupy. Our experts can use a non-penetrating moisture meter to detect moisture. The device is useful in detecting moisture in materials such as drywall and plaster.

Do not let flood damage distract you from your daily activities for long. Contact SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100. Our professionals can help restore your property to its preloss condition within a short period. “Like it never even happened.”

Whom Should I Call for Flood Damage Remediation in Chicago?

5/17/2020 (Permalink)

If you are ever faced with a similar situation, call SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100 for assistance.

In Chicago, There are Many Services You Can Call, but SERVPRO is Perhaps the Best Option

Spring rainstorms in the Midwest can be quite severe. They routinely wreak havoc up and down the region every year. In the Chicago area, in particular, it is far from uncommon for them to swell rivers and cause massive flooding. Recently, a local resident experienced this firsthand when floodwaters deluged the basement and ground floor of his suburban home. This occurred after a particularly stormy period and resulted in extensive flood damage to the homeowner’s property. Once the floodwaters receded, he frantically searched for a cleaning and remediation service that could help him.

Who Did the Homeowner Contact for Help?

After doing an extensive search online, the resident learned more about companies that handle flood damage in Chicago. While he found several that did this work, SERVPRO appeared to be the one most capable of dealing with his specific situation. Some of the reasons he was impressed by our service and decided to contact us for help are:

    •    We are part of a disaster/large loss recovery team that pools equipment and resources, like 53-foot recovery trailers and massive electrical generators, to resolve even the biggest, most difficult jobs.
    •    SERVPRO has advanced industrial-grade cleaning and restoration equipment and products.
    •    Our Chicago firm is certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC).
    •    Company technicians are individually certified in relevant fields like water damage restoration and applied structural drying.

What Did SERVPRO Do for the Homeowner and What Can It Do For You?

The suburban Chicago resident was amazed by how rapidly we were able to remediate his flood damage. Moreover, we saved him time and money by helping to prevent:

    •    Structural damage
    •    Future dry rot and related issues
    •    Buckling of wooden flooring
    •    Fungal growth that could lead to an unhealthy breathing environment

After we completed all our work, the homeowner quickly regained his sense of security. If you are ever faced with a similar situation, call SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100 for assistance.

For more about Chicago click here.

How Can I Clean Muddy Water Out Of My Carpet in Chicago?

5/5/2020 (Permalink)

“Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO has the tools and experience to restore Chicago homes to their preloss condition

When the Windy City has high winds along with a storm, it can drive rainwater, dirt, and debris into a home. Once this water enters, it needs cleanup as fast as possible. Waiting too long to start the cleanup can result in:
    •    Foul odors
    •    Loss of the carpet
    •    Warped subfloor from water absorption

Can the Deep Stains From Flood Damage in My Home Get Cleaned Up?
Flood damage in a Chicago home frequently is not just rainwater coming in. The problem gets compounded when the water picks up dirt and sometimes debris along the way. A leaking roof can mix with water in a dusty attic and trickle filthy water through a ceiling onto the furnishings and carpet below.

The following actions are necessary for cleaning carpets with water loss.
    •    Extraction of the water
    •    Drying
    •    Determination if the carpet is suitable for reuse or requires disposal

?The reason the determination happens after drying is that wet carpet is dense and has the potential to cause lifting injuries, so the water needs to get extracted, and the carpet dried before moving if necessary.

Removal of Water Stains from Carpet
It is not uncommon for carpet, particular short pile, or Berber-type carpets. After careful vacuuming to ensure any sand or dirt gets removed, SERVPRO technicians can use bonnet cleaning or hot water extraction to even out the carpet fibers and remove the stains left behind by the water loss. Although bonnet cleaning is one of the least aggressive cleaning methods, the carpet must be in good structural shape, or the rotary action during cleaning can damage the carpet. The technicians always inspect and test the carpet before choosing a method for cleaning.

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100 brings the experience and equipment to local properties to handle any type of storm damage to both the structure and contents.

For more about Chicago click here.

We Discuss Measures To Prevent Flood Damage In Your Chicago Home

10/16/2019 (Permalink)

“Like it never even happened.”

Actions to Prevent Flood Damage in Chicago Homes

People who reside in flood zones know to expect the area or occasionally flood, but the fact is that is can happen anywhere.

When flood damage occurs in Chicago, homes with some prior preparation have the potential to limit loss with actions such as possessing sandbags for use to create a barrier, having HVAC equipment raised off the floor, and the installation of sump pumps in basements.

Move Important Documents and Heirlooms Out of the Threatened Area
In the event, groundwater begins to enter your home. It is good to have a plan of action. Determine items that need to go to other areas of the house. Homeowners should turn off the gas and electricity if there is a danger of water coming into contact with wiring or outlets. Most importantly, have the phone number for both your insurance agent and a restoration services company in the event you find yourself dealing with floodwater in your house.

Actions to Limit Damage from Floodwater
Once groundwater is in the home, it is vital to engage a professional restoration services company. Until the water receives testing to determine the nature of any contaminants or sewage, residents and pets should avoid contact. SERVPRO technicians arrive on-site quickly and extract any remaining water.

Drying is Crucial
Running fans on wet furnishings or carpet does little to assist in the limiting of flood loss. In some cases, this action increases the damage. Carpeting compromised by groundwater has no restoration potential and requires disposal as a biohazard. After the elimination of saturated items and building materials, SERVPRO technicians use a combination of high-velocity centrifugal air movers and dehumidification equipment to capture and port away the moisture to quickly dry the property.

Odor Control Before Reconstruction
Post-flood loss cleanup, there are often repairs and rebuilding efforts needed. SERVPRO technicians use different applications to give homeowners a water-odor-free structure to build on, so there are not musty scents trapped anywhere in the home.

At the first sign of damage, contact SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100. The certified technicians have both the experience and equipment to clean up and restore your home to its pre-flood condition, “Like it never even happened.”

For more about Chicago click here.

Our Trained Professionals Are Ready To Restore Your Chicago Home After A Flood

9/26/2019 (Permalink)

We have the equipment to remove the residual flood damage and moisture trapped in your walls and floors after a flood.

Enhanced Moisture Detection Equipment and Skills Needed to Map Out and Manage Flood Damage Perimeters in Chicago

Out of sight, out of mind is not a phrase that bears repeating when coping with flooding in Chicago. If you own one of the Arts and Crafts or Prairie Style homes our area is known for, be prepared for the possibility of significant water migration inside your home after a flood. An incredible amount of water can seep through and hide in, between, and under the hardwood floors and built-in cabinets, bookcases, and buffets these dwellings feature.

Water Sources

Chicago residents see flood damage during extreme late summer and early autumn weather patterns dumping many inches of rain over a short time. Significant water incursion occurs because of overland flash flooding, damage to your home exterior, and seepage that follows supersaturation of the ground around your home.

Obtaining Water Metering and Other Locating Skills

Our managers and technicians develop and hone their skills during the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) training. We know that substantial quantities of water hide in building cavities after flooding. Skill in using moisture meters and probes help us “see” water on the other side of building structures. Infrared imaging cameras use temperature fluctuations to locate larger caches of water. We map out the places where excess flood waters hide.

Considering Controlled Demolition Techniques to Reach Trapped Water

Water that flowed under your built-in kitchen cabinets or dining room buffet can release for extraction by removing kick plates. Drilling holes inside a set of drawers or through the faux floor of an under-counter pantry or corner lazy-susan are strategies. Our technicians might use negative pressure to suction the flood waters out and then switch to directing warm, moving air into a series of drilled holes to complete drying.

Negative Air Pressure Floor Drying Mats

Extracting flood water that drained below to the subfloor accomplishes by sealing mats to spaces identified as lying just above areas of subfloor saturation. Hoses attach to the mats, and the water pulls out after the conduits are connected to an extractor.

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown employes trained employees and stocks sensitive detection tools to find hidden flood water before it damages structures and encourage mold growth. Call us at (773) 434-9100 to schedule an extraction evaluation and plan.

See more about Chicago.

We Get You Back To Business In Chicago After A Flood

8/6/2019 (Permalink)

Storm Damage can leave the site of the damage without power or without sufficient power to operate. Our team has the equipment to handle this.

Chicago Retail Flood Damage Risks Need Professional Attention

Every time meteorologists announce that a rainstorm battering Chicago approaches record-breaking status, you wonder if the next round of extreme weather will exceed the mark. Knowing that your store could be in the line of business-busting flooding after another storm is a scary proposition. We offer you an opportunity to plan for disaster and streamline recovery.

Operating a store on the Magnificent Mile means residents and visitors from around the world are in line to stroll into your high-end Chicago venue. Flood damage in Chicago impacts not only the customers who queued up to disappointment immediately after flood damages your premises, but also the friends and family to whom they express their frustration.

Business owners stand to lose more than inventory, equipment, and decor after a flood. Your reputation is also at stake. SERVPRO understands how essential a rapid and effective response is for the future of your store. We recommend working with us on an Emergency Ready Plan and Profile (ERP) to prepare for a flooding crisis.  

An experienced SERVPRO manager inspects and assesses your store before any flood damage occurs. We do this for two reasons. First, to familiarize our team with the layout of your store and how you conduct your operations. Second, to note vulnerabilities on your retail floor, storage and inventory spaces, and offices or other areas. A thorough viewing allows us to plan the approach we need to respond to future flooding. It also permits us to make practical suggestions intended to minimize the probability of damage to the contents and structural components of your shop.

SERVPRO’s knowledge of the locations of utility shut-offs, drains, interior recesses, and other features unique to your store speeds our water removal and structural drying process. Understanding how you manage customer flow can help us prioritize and even plan with you strategies to keep a portion of your operations open during remediation.

Take advantage of our mobile app-driven Profile to designate SERVPRO as your mitigation and remediation contractor. Share the contact information of vendors and consultants who designed your spaces and systems if we have concerns or questions. Appoint trusted employees or other individuals to guide the recovery effort if you are unavailable or unable to do so yourself.

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown knows the whole community benefits when you survive flooding events with your commercial property and customer base intact. Call us at (773) 434-9100 now for an ERP assessment.

See more about Chicago.

Our Experts Discuss How to Protect Your Chicago Home From Flood Damage

8/5/2019 (Permalink)

Don't let flooding take over your Chicago home. Call the professionals at SERVPRO today for remediation assistance.

How Costly Flood Damage Can Be for Chicago Homes 

When disasters strike your Chicago home, especially natural disasters like flooding, there is no time to lose to correct the effect on your property. Saturation and potential contamination all play a role in how critical it is to act immediately when your home gets damaged by rising floodwater. Often these circumstances can be overwhelming, and it can be challenging to know what is the best solution and approach to restoring the property. 

Unfortunately, there is little that you can do initially to ward off flood damage in Chicago residences when these situations develop unexpectedly. The ideal approach in these situations is to determine the severity of the damage as safely as you can and determine your competency to restore, clean, and dry these affected areas. Often people reach out to the experienced professionals of our SERVPRO team when flooding occurs. 

Restoration costs considerably less when the symptoms of the damage are manageable. When our professionals can arrive and extract standing water or dry saturated elements fully without the need for demolition and later reconstruction, the overall costs of restoration and recovery stay as low as possible. When homeowners delay in reaching out to professional technicians like ours to help, or even wait to begin their own versions of recovery, damages can compound and increase exponentially in severity. 

Our SERVPRO professionals have a 24/7 response to all storm relief and flood recovery situations, and we can mobilize our experienced team quickly with our fully-stocked ready trailers and service vehicles at our facility. This readiness combined with our trained Water Restoration Technicians (WRT) and Applied Microbial Remediation Technicians (AMRT) accredited through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), we can offer customers a confident and efficient restoration approach. 

No two flooding incidents are the same, and so our SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown specialists must formulate a restoration and recovery plan tailored to your residence and its needs. We can help to save our customers money because We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster. Give us a call anytime you need us at (773) 434-9100.

Click here to see more about Chicago. 

A Quick Response Is Crucial After A Flood In Your Chicago Home

7/23/2019 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100 for 24/7 service. We can meet all of your flood damage needs.

Flood Damage Chicago – Quick Response Reduces Losses

Storm systems moving quickly through a neighborhood can cause a great deal of damage in minutes. With heavy rain, creeks and rivers overflow, storm drains are overwhelmed, and many homeowners find their homes flooded within short time frames. The amount of destruction caused in these situations can be significant and only gets worse the longer your house remains filled with water. High moisture can cause the growth of mold if not dealt with quickly.

SERVPRO responds to flood damage in Chicago and surrounding areas. We provide water removal services, moisture removal, and drying services. Our crew is highly skilled in these areas in addition to providing restoration services to bring your home back to its original condition.

SERVPRO technicians follow a time tested process to ensure that we deliver the best service possible to our clients in the least amount of time. We aim to minimize the losses to your family and reduce the stress of these events.

The process we follow immediately after receiving a call from a customer in distress is first to scope out and evaluate the damage. We take the time to assess the issue and martial the equipment and team members needed to deal with damage to your home caused by disasters.

Next, we focus on protecting the structure and contents. We board up windows and doors if needed. A hole in the roof is covered to reduce the amount of additional water penetrating the home. It is also essential for the homeowner and our technicians to establish a safe environment. For example, We shut off electrical circuits and gas mains if needed. Next, we focus on extracting the water and drying the structure and contents.

Our team works with the homeowner to prioritize the drying and recovery of essential documents. Various items are often removed for further treatment. We dry the documents and restore these materials to the best condition possible. Restoration can begin as soon as drying and moisture removal is complete.

Call SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100 for 24/7 service. We can meet all of your flood damage needs. We serve Chicago, South Lawndale, Cicero, and surrounding areas. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster!

For more about Chicago click here.

Summer Storms Can Spell Big Trouble For Your Chicago Home

6/19/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown is prepared to respond 24 hours a day to your request for flood damage assessment and remediation.

Summer Storms Bring Flood Damage To Chicago Residents

North Central Illinois to Lake Michigan can be a corridor for severe summer storms. Every time the skies lower and darken,  your home risks the devastation that tornadoes or straight-line winds and heavy rains can inflict on the Chicago area. Overtaxed sewer systems in some areas of the city also contribute to the possibility that your basement might soon be swimming in rain runoff. We are up to the challenge of remediating your flooding woes.

Flood damage in the greater Chicago area needs fast and professional attention. The combined load of overland and street flooding experienced from heavy rains plus the additional water pouring through holes into a wind-damaged home send significant quantities of water rising in the living, utility, and storage areas below your first floor. Our trained technicians offer customers well-honed skills in everything from tarping and boarding up exterior damage to water removal and drying to cleaning and disinfection of flood-affected areas.

SERVPRO crews arrive with all equipment needed for flood damage remediation packed into our signature green trucks. As our crew leader assesses the damage, members of the team begin securing any breaches in your roof, windows, or siding. Once the project plan finalizes, our crew immediately gets to work removing water, employing high-efficiency submersible pumps and extractors to evacuate the majority of the flooding. Since storms often cause electrical outages, SERVPRO ensures access to alternative power sources to avoid delays in our response. Our gas powered pumps and truck mounted extractors can operate using onboard fuels and generators we transport to your site.

Flood water contains contaminants including human waste from sewage backup, chemicals from roadways and the surrounding landscape, and decaying organic matter such as deceased animals. The levels of contamination require us to treat flood water as hazardous waste and SERVPRO follows local requirements by containing and properly disposing of the tainted fluids.

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown is prepared to respond 24 hours a day to your request for flood damage assessment and remediation. Call us at (773) 434-9100 to arrange for a consultation as soon as possible after the storm.

For more about Chicago click here.

Storms Off of Lake Michigan Can Damage Roofs in Chicago--Call SERVPRO for Cleanup and Restoration

1/7/2019 (Permalink)

Stormwater Leaks in a Chicago Attic Need a Fast Cleanup and Drying Before This Happens--Call SERVPRO

Flood Damage Technicians in Chicago Discuss Problems with Attics

One common place that can get negatively affected by a severe thunderstorm that comes into Chicago is your attic. The confined space above your living area is a common spot that can develop flood damage after severe weather strikes. The most frequent cause of problems with your attic is a leak in your roof. Excessive rain or hail can ruin your roof's shingles and allow moisture to get into your home. When mitigating flood damage after a storm, our SERVPRO technicians always inspect your roof and attic for issues.
 
Once moisture gets into confined spaces in your home the humidity level in the area can rise significantly. Elevated relative humidity levels can cause your building materials to get wet and create flood- damaging effects inside your Chicago residence. When the humidity rises inside your attic, it can start to ruin your structural components. Elevated humidity levels can also create an environment that is prime for mold growth. Attics are a common place for fungi to develop since there is a large number of organic substances and natural microbes present.
 
Whenever dealing with problems inside your attic structural materials such as your insulation can get ruined. When insulation gets wet, it lowers the R-value of the material. Some types of insulation must get removed when it gets wet. Other types of insulation such as fiberglass, can sometimes be saved with drying procedures. There is also the problem of personal possessions and contents being ruined from the water or moisture.
 
When drying out an attic, our SERVPRO technicians can contain the area with a plastic barrier to better control the environment. To do this, we seal off the entrances and any vents inside your attic. We then attach an air scrubber to the containment chamber to suck up any harmful particles that get caught in the machine's HEPA filter. Once the region is contained, we set up air movers to create a counterclockwise airflow within the affected area. The fans help water evaporate into the air as dehumidifiers work on removing moisture from the air and dispensing it in liquid form.
 
If you ever notice wet materials inside your attic after a storm, call SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100 any day of the week.

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Tips To Protect Your Home In Chicago From Being Destroyed By A Flood

12/11/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown provides help with flood damage mitigation and restoration when worst comes to worst.

Fixes To Protect Against Flood Damage In Chicago And Improve Your Home

Although flood damage in Chicago is usually a rare event, it still holds the chance to cause you significant amounts of grief when you least expect it. With a few small steps, you can both help keep your home safer against flooding in the future and implement a few common-sense improvements to your daily life. Although you can never fully protect your home from the effects of storm flooding, these ideas may make its impact on you much smaller down the road.

Keep Valuables in Plastic Bins
Electronics, fabrics, and other items that could take permanent and severe flood damage in your Chicago home can all be placed in plastic bins for easy storage, organization, and protection against floodwater. Although a thin plastic barrier may not stop the most powerful of floods, they can protect your belongings from most floods we see, which are usually not powerful enough to topple bins over or rise above their brim.

Prioritize Storage on Upper Floors
Although basements and some ground-level floors may seem to be ideal places to store your belongings, almost all danger of flood damage to them can be avoided by instead storing these items in an attic or upper floor space. Consider also prioritizing the placement of expensive rooms, such as home offices, on upper floors as well to avoid losing valuable objects and sensitive information contained in them.

Seal Up Windows and Doors
Many older homes suffer from degrading windows and doors that fail to completely separate the inside of the home from the outside air. On top of adding to your risk of incurring flood damage from a storm, these cracks and openings can cost you a great bit of money in the winter months as your heating leaks out into the cold air. Protecting these spaces with new windows and doors or, at the very least, one of many available commercial sealing products can save on both your heating and potential flood damage restoration bills.

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown provides help with flood damage mitigation and restoration when worst comes to worst. Call us 24/7 at (773) 434-9100 for our help.

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After Your Water Heater Bursts In Your Chicago Home Call The Experts At SERVPRO!

11/12/2018 (Permalink)

Whether you have flooding in your home from a broken water heater, leaky window, plumbing pipes, or fixtures, SERVPRO can help.

What To Do When The Water Heater Bursts In Your Chicago Area Basement

Getting up in the morning every day is hard enough all on its own. You have to tear yourself out of your nice warm bed, wash up, get dressed and head to the kitchen to start your day. What happens when you go to turn on your faucet or shower they fail to produce any hot water?

You may think that your water heater isn’t working and that you might be facing flood damage in your Chicago area home this morning instead of going to work. Unfortunately, this is a scenario that homeowners face all too often, and it is something most of us dread. However, when you have a local restoration expert on speed-dial, things become a lot easier.

Whether you have flooding in your home from a broken water heater, leaky window, plumbing pipes, or fixtures, SERVPRO can help. Our technicians assist with shutting down the water source fast and limit the affected area to minimize damage. We also have access to a variety of extraction equipment that makes fast work of water removal after a flood.

Even if you already have a sump pump installed in your basement, SERVPRO can use emergency water extraction services to get the water out quicker. The longer you let water sit, the more damage you have to deal with in the long run. Standing water can ruin your carpeting, flooring, furniture, baseboards, drywall, and many other contents of your home.

Unless you have the equipment, training, and resources of a company, like SERVPRO, you should never attempt dealing with large amounts of water on your own. You could expose you and your family to a variety of biohazardous conditions that cause even more issues. Our company provides you with a quick, thorough solution to flood damage problems in your home and help you get back to normal in no time.

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown has technicians available 24/7, 365, always ready to respond quickly to your call for help. With extensive cleaning and restoration training, we work hard to make your property look its best. Call today (773) 434-9100.

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How Our Specialists Tackle Flood Damage In Your Chicago Home

10/30/2018 (Permalink)

Properties affected by flood damage in Chicago require a thorough inspection to establish the extent of the problem.

The Correct Approach Helps Deal With Flood Damage In Chicago Effectively

Floods can occur anywhere, but some people believe that since their Chicago property is outside known flood zones, there is no need to take precautions. Buying flood damage insurance is vital because the standard homeowner cover is not sufficient. Even with the right coverage, you still need to do a lot to restore the property after a flooding incident. We offer professional restoration services and help homeowners file proper claims with the insurer.

Properties affected by flood damage in Chicago require a thorough inspection to establish the extent of the problem. Such examination should reveal the kind of waste dumped in the affected area, the materials affected by the water and all the sections the water reaches. When our SERVPRO team carries out such inspection, we can identify the kind of equipment necessary for restoration.

In a case involving floodwater, there is more to worry about apart from the effects of excessive moisture, or microbial growth. This is because the water carries many contaminated wastes including sewage, silt, among other debris. The person handling the restoration must, therefore, follow the right procedures to decontaminate the structure. Our SERVPRO crew first sprays EPA-registered disinfectants into the affected areas before starting the recovery. We also have proper protective gear including rubber gloves, boots, and full body suits, so you do not have to expose yourself to contaminants.

Removal of porous materials from the affected areas is important because cleaning does not remove all traces of contamination. Our SERVPRO crew is well versed with carpet and pad removal as well as proper disposal since such material can be considered infectious waste. We always consult your adjuster before removing such materials to ensure we iron out the cost implications.

Although contamination might be a big concern after a flood, there is still need to dry the structure properly to prevent mold development and bad odor among other issues. We use various approaches to ensure the property dries to the correct levels. For example, where the conditions are right, we can ventilate the affected area by opening windows then use air movers to drive moist air out of the building. Another alternative is a closed drying system whereby we seal off the affected area, then use air movers and dehumidifiers to extract moisture.

Flooding incidents are very disruptive, but they are easier to deal with when you have a professional helping you. Call SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100 to assist. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

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Flood Damage and Your Chicago Home's Floors

9/10/2018 (Permalink)

Tiles and Parquet Floors, Stormwaters in Chicago, and SERVPRO for Cleanup and Restoration

SERVPRO Can Remove Moisture from Joists and Subfloors During Demolition of Damaged Floor Tile from a Flooding

When inclement weather comes indoors in a Chicago house, it can create some pretty bad conditions for homeowners. Dealing with such problems do not happen on a regular basis, but SERVPRO is always available to get your home back to how you want it, quickly and efficiently.
 
In Chicago, houses sometimes suffer flood damage because the water in nearby streets cannot drain rapidly enough because of debris covering the drains. When the water in affected streets rises high enough, the water can enter homes and apartments. SERVPRO can handle the messy cleanup work and flood damage mitigation needed so your family can reside in a clean and dry home free of potential adverse health effects.
 
The floors in a home with flood damage can easily retain water and become ruined because of the tight seal that adheres tile to the floor. What once kept the floor in pristine shape now can create a severe problem. Such tile can begin to break when some areas swell underneath and push upward under the tile. Once enough pieces become broken, restoring the floor can become highly tricky. Many insurance adjusters opt to replace the floor instead of funding restoration efforts that might result in long-term maintenance needs that fail to provide cost-effective benefits. SERVPRO can attempt to dry the underpinnings or use drying mats to salvage tile and vinyl flooring components.
 
To remove tile from a home can prove difficult without the right tools. We first seal off the area to prevent dust, broken tile pieces, and any other debris from affecting other areas of your home. When we keep the space involved in this stage as small as possible, cleanup can happen much more efficiently. We also wear protective gear as tile can easily cut exposed skin, and the process of breaking it up turns many pieces into dangerous mini-projectiles.
 
Once these pieces have been broken down, we use a bully tool to slide them away from their base. This process works well in small areas with a hand-held tool, but for larger ones, we often use a powered machine which quickly removes the loosened tile pieces. This method leaves the floor ready for the reinstallation of new tile or another flooring of your choice. Afterward, we remove these from your home and dispose of them. Older tiles can contain asbestos, so we want to assure you that we follow all applicable regulations regarding such materials.
 
SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown is always ready to help the residents of Ukranian Village, Cicero, and Pilsen with expert guidance and professionalism in all stages of flood damage mitigation. Contacting us by calling us at (773) 434-9100 puts you in control of your home again.

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Monitoring the Progress of Flood Damage Mitigation in Chicago

8/12/2018 (Permalink)

Flooding is something that can happen quickly after a storm. Should your home get flooded, contact SERVPRO for remediation services.

SERVPRO Technicians Remediate Flooding to Help Prevent Any Secondary Damages From Occurring

Residential properties in Chicago can end up with all sorts of problems because of our proximity to Lake Michigan. SERVPRO can help homeowners through these problematic situations so the damage sustained by their homes remains minimal. We handle situations every day of the year, making us a reliable and professional company you can depend on in emergencies.
 
One type of situation that often affects area homes involves flood damage in Chicago. Our skilled technicians can effectively mitigate this type of problem, restoring your home back to its previous state. Making everything inside your home “Like it never even happened” includes ensuring the safe conditions, as well as the visual aesthetics that made your house a home.
 
Making sure your home is completely dry again minimizes the risk of microbial infestations, damage from water, rust of electrical components (including any newly installed units), warping of wood trim throughout your home, and peeling of paint and wallpapers and trim. Water vapor left behind by flood damage can continue to affect your house in many ways long after we finalize the visual aspects of flood damage mitigation.
 
In a thoroughly saturated home, the process of taking moisture level readings is just as important as taking measurements within a home where the problem seems minimal. We gather this information so we can assist your insurance agency in understanding the gravity of the emergency situation. In less severe situations, these measurements help us detect hidden water that you may not know about before we arrive. We continually monitor the amount of moisture in your property at various locations for similar reasons.
 
We must replace any walls that became saturated for a different reason than what carpets require similar treatment. The materials that your walls are made of cannot withstand the forcefulness that floods often produce, nor can they become undamaged, no matter how dry they become. Once damage by water occurs, only replacing these affected sections suffice.
 
Because damp conditions can adversely affect replacement materials of any kind, the technicians at SERVPRO use state of the art technology and the latest equipment to restore your home's interior to normal humidity levels. Our equipment not only removes moisture but it also measures its presence and helps us find hidden pockets that we might otherwise miss.
 
SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown can be contacted by calling our 24-hour emergency services number, (773) 434-9100 whenever you need us. Flood damage can affect your home and lead to long-term problems that early mitigation can prevent.

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Restoring Your Flood Damaged Chicago Area Home Does Not Have To Be Hard

2/27/2018 (Permalink)

The amount of water that entered your home can make restoring your home somewhat tricky to handle.

Restoring Your Flood Damaged Home

Many homeowners struggle with whether or not they should choose to hire an IICRC certified company to address flood damage on their property. Hopefully, today we can help you understand why it is so important to have a licensed professional with the proper equipment, training, and resources provide you with the help you need.

After experiencing flood damage in your Chicago home, you may wonder how long the restoration process is or how much it might cost, or even whether or not you can perform repairs yourself and save a couple of dollars along the way. Well, each restoration is different, depending on the amount of damage present in your home. It takes a trained expert to locate all of the damage and drastically reduces your long-term losses, further protecting your home and living environment.

The amount of water that entered your home can make restoring your home somewhat tricky to handle. With the right equipment, a few inches usually does not last long. However, if you are dealing with over 4-5ft of water, it can take hours, if not days to get things under control. SERVPRO technicians can put a variety of hand-held or truck-mounted units to work for you, making water removal and drying procedures faster than ever before.

Flood damage restoration services are also highly dependent on the water source that causes the event. Local rainfall, broken pipes, and sewer backups all require a specific response. SERVPRO’s fully-trained restoration experts can provide you with the services necessary to handle contaminations of hazardous products such as sewage, oil, and gasoline that clean and disinfect your entire home after a flood. Doing cleaning like this on your own can often lead to missed areas that develop corrosion, rot, or mold.

Handling damage to household goods can be overwhelming as well. Are you dealing with just a few pieces of hardwood furniture, a few rugs, and a small area or are you faced with an entire structure, filled with dozens of boxes, books, furniture, bedding, carpeting, clothing, appliances, and more? SERVPRO can perform services on all of these items, limit any losses you experience, and get things back to normal quickly.

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown services the entire area, providing quality cleanup and restoration services you can trust, call today (773) 434-9100.

Visit https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en.html for more about Chicago.

Professional Flood Damage Crews In Chicago

2/15/2018 (Permalink)

Whenever a window breaks during a rainstorm, water gets inside your house and causes damage.

Professional Flood Damage Restoration

Most of the time when a rainstorm hits the Windy City, high winds occur. Whenever it gets windy, things like rocks become airborne and possibly break windows inside your Chicago home. Whenever a window breaks during a rainstorm, water gets inside your house and causes damage.

Water that gets in from a broken window causes damage to contents and building materials inside your home. If you notice water damage from a broken window inside a room in your house, it is smart to call in SERVPRO's flood damage experts in Chicago. Rainwater that enters your home during a rainstorm potentially causes some significant issues.

Any time rainwater gets into your house, contents and building materials get wet. Even if the damaged area seems small, it is possible that there is damage you cannot see. SERVPRO's IICRC Certified team has experience in mitigating both small and large problems. In any rainwater damage scenario, our team first tests the water to see if it is contaminated. If the water coming in from the outside has high contamination level, then some items inside the home get removed. In some cases, all of the water gets dried out, and removal of things is not necessary.

If drying is possible, then our specialists come in and remove furniture or objects from the damaged area. The experts then set up specialized drying equipment to bring moisture levels back down to normal so that mold growth cannot occur. The number of air movers, heaters, and dehumidifiers set up depends on the extent of the water damage.

If the damage inside your dwelling is small, then the drying process will be quicker. For small areas, our team can set up a small number of air movers and possible one dehumidifier to keep the moisture level in the air low. If the wet area is large, then furniture gets set up on blocks, and more air movers get put into the region to dry out all building materials before fungi can grow.

Any water damage situation involving rainwater needs to get professional attention immediately. If you notice moisture inside your home, it is wise to call SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100 for assistance 24/7.

Visit https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en.html for more about the city of Chicago.

How Flood Damage Gets Restored to Your Chicago Home

1/21/2018 (Permalink)

Flooding can literally leave you under water. Contact SERVPRO after you and your family are safe to dry out and remediate your property.

Team SERVPRO Responds Quickly to Your Flooding Disaster

Natural disasters can occur with little warning. While local news teams work tirelessly to give you the latest information about developments and the possibilities of instances like flash flooding occurring, the warnings do not always happen in enough time to stop the damage. When your Chicago home falls victim to a flash flood or other circumstances that leave several inches of water in lower levels of your home, it might not always be clear how to clean up the mess and restore the damage.
 
Flood damage to your Chicago residence is something that everyone does not have to experience or deal with in their lifetime, but the possibility is always there. With even the most sound construction of homes, mortar joints in foundations crack and erode, leaving pathways for water penetration into your basement or lowest level of your home. Once a path is available, it only becomes more significant over time as more water can pass through unabated.
 
Resolving this issue might be a product of hindsight once you already have flooding in the lower levels of your residence. Our SERVPRO professionals have the tools and experience to extract the water quickly and restore the damage to your home. Additionally, our focus has to follow with preventing future flood damage by repairing the fractures and cracks in the foundation.
 
Repairing the damage to the foundation is often as simple as using hydraulic cement and applying it to cracks and missing mortar joints. To polish this look, sometimes mortar is reapplied over the hydraulic cement to give the appearance of natural blockwork again. Unless water is actively still pouring through these pathways, our SERVPRO technicians focus first on extracting the pooled water to prevent structural damages and other potential problems.
 
In most instances of flooding, our SERVPRO team utilizes pump trucks within our fleet to pull the water from the floors very quickly. With the use of this truck and spot extractions with a wet vac, the affected area is ready to be dried. With a combination of dehumidification equipment and our air movers, we can thoroughly dry the entire area.
 
Flood damage does not have to be a costly and traumatic event in your family’s home. Trust the experienced technicians at SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown to get the job done right. You can reach our emergency response team anytime at (773) 434-9100.

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Safety With Electricity After Flooding In Your Chicago Home

12/28/2017 (Permalink)

If the weather and flooding have taken you by surprise in your Chicago home, the flood damage you are faced with can be very daunting.

Safety After Flooding

Disasters are bound to happen at some point. It is how life goes. Even in Chicago, you can be a victim of flood damage. You might not live in an area which is prone to heavy rains, but changing weather patterns can send surprises to people who thought they were safe. It's in your best interest to do all you can to prepare and prevent flood damage from heavy rains.

If the weather and flooding have taken you by surprise in your Chicago home, the flood damage you are faced with can be very daunting. It can come upon you quickly, as well, and before you know it your once dry home is under inches or feet of water. SERVPRO understands how stressful and overwhelming something like this can be, so that is why we are always available when you need us.

When we are faced with a flooding situation, environmental hazards are present. These include structural hazards, electrical hazards, and hazardous materials.

Water conducts electricity, and mixing the two can be disastrous. Flooding can cause water to enter the wiring system of your home. The first item we check is the power distribution box. All circuit breakers are turned off at the panel. Doing so is especially important if water got into electrical outlets or wall cavities, or when you have outlets on the floor.

Since SERVPRO’s equipment to remove the water from your home requires electricity, we must use ground fault circuit interrupters which cut the power if they detect too much current. We always check any tools, cords, and other accessories for damage before using them, and ensure the ground plugs are not broken, and the cords have no cuts, frays, or nicks.

Once we have made sure that no electrical dangers are present in the home, we can begin working safely to dry your home back out and restore your structure and possessions.

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown takes pride in our safety procedures on every job to keep your family and our staff safe. Residents in the areas of Ukrainian Village, Wicker Park, or Bucktown can rest easy when they call us at (773) 434-9100 to clean up flood damage.

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Be Prepared for Flood Damage in Chicago This Winter

11/3/2017 (Permalink)

When snow melts it can make its way into your home causing flood damage.

Rely on SERVPRO if Your Home Experiences Flood Damage from Wintery Conditions

Predicting the weather months in advance is a process too complicated for even the most powerful modern supercomputers, but you should be prepared for winter flooding regardless. Flood damage can still happen in Chicago in the winter and early spring, even when the ground stays snowy and the precipitation remains frozen. Snow can melt, rainstorms can melt ice to create sudden flood incidents, and even some household water lines can freeze or break and create a big problem. SERVPRO is ready every hour of every day to respond to flood damage calls in the local area, so never hesitate to contact us in an emergency.

While flood damage in Chicago is most common in the later spring and summer months, it is still entirely possible in the coldest parts of the year. Any of the reasons mentioned above could cause flooding in your home, or other, less common issues could crop up. Regardless of the cause, we do not allow cold weather to get in the way of our service to the community. Any time and any day you have an issue, we should be available to respond.

Winter conditions can sometimes complicate flood damages in unusual ways. Water that is allowed to freeze and melt repeatedly can cause severe and lasting damage to a home's building materials. If snow manages to get into the home, it can melt into surprising volumes of water that can seep deep into carpets and flooring materials. Also, in the event of a major blizzard or snowstorm, snowpack may be so thick and heavy that it can cause significant water damage to the exterior of your home before the bulk of it ever gets a chance to melt. If you feel that any of these factors have managed to permanently damage your home, be sure to call SERVPRO to learn how we can help.

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown is a locally owned home damage restoration company with the resources and backing of a national label. Contact us at (773) 434-9100.

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Flood Damage Restoration and More Throughout the Chicago Area

10/9/2017 (Permalink)

When you are facing flooding in your home, it's time to get to safety and call the professionals at SERVPRO. Our quick response will right after.

Our Certified SERVPRO Technicians are Ready to Tackle Your Flooding Disaster

Harsh weather conditions can take a severe toll on your property and even cause separation issues when things get too rough. If you find yourself facing significant flood damage to your Chicago area home, call us for help.

When overwhelmed or caught off-guard, it helps to know that professional help is available. We can help you return to your home safely and provide flood damage restoration services in Chicago needed to recover quickly. With qualified cleanup and restoration technicians available 24/7, We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster and have the personnel, equipment, and resources available to tackle any size job.

After you place a call to our office, it becomes our duty to make damages disappear. "Like it never even happened." We put all of our training and expertise to work, focusing on your home, family, and the situation you find yourselves experiencing. Our entire staff drives your restoration as quickly and efficiently as possible while producing the excellent results you deserve. SERVPRO staff works with you and your insurance company to make the process as stress-free as possible.

As fully IICRC-industry certified technicians, every SERVPRO team member makes every effort to limit your losses. We have access to advanced water extraction equipment, water detection devices, and drying equipment that makes getting water out faster. We help you return home safely and get the most out of a possibly devastating experience.

We provide technicians with several years of experience, who understand what it takes to save many of the items affected by a flood. Your furniture, carpeting, and personal items just might be salvageable; it just takes a professional to perform the right services to make it a reality. SERVPRO can help you get back on track, providing unique solutions tailored to fit your home’s specific conditions.

Call SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown for full-service solutions throughout Bucktown, Greektown, and more. We are ready whenever you need us and provide you with the understanding, caring, hardworking professionals that help make your house a home again call today. (773) 434-9100

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SERVPRO Flood Damage Bucktown

2/27/2017 (Permalink)

Trust SERVPRO of West Loop/Bucktown/Greektown to restore your flood damage!

SERVPRO Bucktown Flood Damage 

Floodwaters in our area usually come from storms and when the North Branch of the Chicago River overflows its banks. It has been more common this winter because of the incredible rains we have had so far.

Flood damage to Bucktown homes is never a routine issue for residents, regardless of the source. Water not removed quickly enough damages walls in just a day or two which now must be demolished and replaced. SERVPRO has the trained personnel and the equipment needed to restore your home to its pre-flooded state.

Drywall is particularly vulnerable to absorbing water and begins crumbling right off of the wall frame or in the hands or a restoration crew, regardless of how careful they are with each panel. If removed successfully, the drying procedure still takes five to seven days before a single panel is safely re-hung in your home. This extended drying time costs almost as much as new panels.

Double layers of drywall require ten days to two weeks to completely dry out. These panels are not as common and are used to provide additional soundproofing where needed. Double layer drywall costs more obviously, but if a homeowner can wait, it is still cheaper than buying new panels.

However, if an insurance company is paying for alternate housing while we work to restore your home, the additional cost of new panels may be cheaper than an extended stay in a hotel or motel; especially for a large family. Our managers have extensive experience with the major insurance companies and do their best to keep you and your insurer happy with the process.

If an inspection shows the panels are not too soaked from the flood damage, there is the option of drying in-place. Our technicians use commercial air movers and specialized heaters to dry the panels and the air behind them The process is monitored from start to finish using a penetrating moisture tester. In-place drying is the only option available if a homeowner wants to save panels covered with wallpaper.

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

There may be some rain later this week, but the temperatures stay above freezing till the weekend. It is the perfect time to call SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown to look at previous flood damage or to ask for an inspection and try to get ahead of the next foul weather. Contact us today at (773) 434-9100.

Flood Damage Services Offered To Chicago Homeowners

2/27/2017 (Permalink)

In some cases, the standing water in your home exceeds two inches in depth, making submersible pumps necessary to remove water in larger volumes.

SERVPRO Offers Flood Damage Services to Homeowners in Chicago

Flooding issues can become a major problem in areas like your kitchen, bathroom, or basement that contain a constant water source, causing significant problems if not maintained correctly.

Whether it is the result of a broken pipe, faulty fixtures, or improper drainage, flood damage can endanger your Chicago home and create some serious health risks for you and your family.

SERVPRO technicians are flood damage restoration experts who come prepared to perform quick, efficient services, returning your home to a quality preloss condition with limited interruptions to your daily routine.

We offer 24-7 emergency services, providing customers with immediate attention and solutions that meet their schedule. We work quickly to help avoid additional losses from occurring and fast-growing fungus from thriving on your property.

SERVPRO has access to water extraction equipment of all sizes, from hand-held extractors that have a 5 to 12-gallon waste tank to truck mounted extractors with 60 to 100-gallon containers.

In some cases, the standing water in your home exceeds two inches in depth, making submersible pumps necessary to remove water in larger volumes. Our technicians have the right tools available to address your situation.

All of the water exposure causes problems with vulnerable items like photographs, paperwork, electronics, or expensive belongings that other companies may give up on saving.

SERVPRO technicians have experience in cleaning and restoring many damaged items and materials, delivering the appropriate antimicrobial, antibacterial, or disinfectant treatments necessary to eliminate potential health risks that may exist.

If you are concerned about unpleasant odors that develop along the way, we offer services that involve the use of air scrubbers and fogging equipment that help remove even the most persistent odors caused by flooding.

Air scrubbers are a portable HEPA filtration system that uses filters to draw air in from the surrounding area, removing various particles, gasses, and chemical substances from the air within the affected areas of your home.

SERVPRO also safely disposes of materials and items that are beyond restoration and help with the repairs needed to return your home to a quality pre-damage condition that you and your family can enjoy.

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

Contact SERVPRO of West Loop - Bucktown - Greektown today to learn more about the high-quality flood damage restoration services available in your area. (773) 434-9100

Storm Damage Issues in Chicago

12/16/2016 (Permalink)

Storms can damage your home as they pass through. Call SERVPRO today to remediate!

SERVPRO Technicians are Ready to Assess and Tackle Storm Damage to Your Property

Although snow is only expected for two days over the next week, we all know that the forecast can change on a dime. With the threat of a new polar vortex coming our way, now is the time to consider what to do if your home suffers damage from the coming weather.

Storm damage to Chicago homes does not have to be a permanent problem. Roofs can be fixed or replaced, and outside walls can be repaired. SERVPRO does not do major construction, but we are one of the largest restoration companies in the State of Illinois when to comes to putting the interior of your back together after the snowstorms have passed.

First, our response team will remove any standing water or puddles that are in your home. As a company with a nationwide network available, we can use the exact size pumps needed to get the job done.

Next, we will use specialized vacuums and extractors to draw out the water from your carpets and floors. Technicians will then use heaters that are designed to touch and dry carpets without scorching the fibers or discoloring them. If the carpets have been under water for too long, the pads underneath may need to be removed and replaced.

As the carpets are dried out, commercial heaters and dehumidifiers will be used to dry out floors and walls. Besides the need to prevent wood floors from warping, returning your home to a normal level of moisture also helps to prevent the growth of mold.

If the water removed from your home has a large amount of dirt or other soil in it, you will need us to clean and sanitize the carpets and floors as well. We have a large inventory of cleaners and sanitization agents to accomplish this. If the water has been standing for too long, we may also need to apply deodorizing cleaners to furniture and walls to remove lingering odors.

Dealing with the aftermath of a severe storm is never simple. At this time of year, it can be a disaster. SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown is here to help you restore your home to its original state and hopefully get you back in the holiday spirit. Call us today at (773) 434-9100 to get started.

Safety is Crucial During Flooding

10/14/2016 (Permalink)

Flooding can be devastating. Get to safety and then call SERVPRO to remediate your property!

SERVPRO Can Help You Recover from Flood Damage

If your home has been flooded, it is useless for us to offer you preventative advice -- the damage has been done. However, it is important to avoid being caught unaware after you have fallen victim to flooding in your home.
 
Flood damage in North Side Chicago can be a scary experience. Nobody wants to experience a devastating event like flooding, and many homeowners can find themselves at a loss of what to do after it has happened. SERVPRO takes pride in being a part of the incredible Chicago community, and our specialists are sympathetic and sensitive to your needs during a disaster.
 
What to Do After a Flood
After flooding has taken place in your home due to natural disaster or a burst pipe, it is important to make sure you make the right decisions during and after the event.
 
Turn Off the Electricity
First, if you are able to do so safely, turn off the electricity at the main breaker or fuse box. Even if the power is off in your community due to a natural disaster, shut down the power regardless. Once this is done, you can avoid electricity safety issues.
 
Get You and Your Family to Safety
The most important thing during a flood is your safety and the safety of your family and/or pets. If it is an in-home flood, take what you can on your way out (waterproof tub of important documents, cell phone, pets), but do not risk your life. During a natural event, it is of particular importance to get to higher ground and stay safe, even if you cannot grab anything on your way out.
 
Call Your Insurance Agent
Call your insurance agent once you and your family are safe. Make sure someone comes out to inspect the damage. It is always better to have your insurance company inspect the damage, even if you do not think they will cover it. Your policy may pay for it after all.
 
After a natural flooding event, if it is catastrophic, call FEMA, the Red Cross, or another federal/local government disaster agency if needed. If you need help with food, shelter, clothing, and more, do not be afraid to seek assistance to get what you need.
 
Contact Us Today
If you have run into an unfortunate flooding event, we are happy to take your call and get you on your way to recovery. Our Emergency Services line means you can call us 24/7 when disaster strikes. Contact SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100.

How much snow on your roof is too much?

2/3/2015 (Permalink)

Snow roof risks

Snow levels totaled over 19 inches in the Chicagoland area after the Superbowl Blizzard this weekend. When snow/ice on your roof exceeds 20-25 lbs. per square foot, your roof may be in the 'Danger Zone.' A roof rake can help to safely remove snow and prevent damage to your home. As the ice and snow begin to melt, it's the best time to check for leaks. Check for soft spots on your roof, ceilings, and walls. Look for signs of water around windows, showers, and toilets.

If you happen to have roof damage or water leaks from the snow, SERVPRO of West Loop/ Bucktown/ Greektown is here to help 24/7! We provide emergency board-ups, water mitigation services, and reconstruction including roof repairs.