Water Hammer Results in Water Damage in West Loop Home?

12/10/2024 (Permalink)

We are water damage restoration leaders in Chicago.

Our local West Loop/Bucktown/Greektown teams respond to water damage emergencies 24-hours a day, 365 days a year in Chicago. Water hammers are a common plumbing issue that many homeowners experience, but few understand the potential damage they can cause. A water hammer occurs when water flow through pipes is suddenly stopped, causing the water to slam into closed valves or pipe walls with a forceful impact. This creates a loud, banging noise and can put immense pressure on your plumbing system.

Over time, the repetitive force from water hammers can lead to severe damage within your pipes. The constant vibration and pressure can loosen pipe connections, weaken joints, and even cause cracks in older or corroded pipes. As these pipes deteriorate, leaks may develop, leading to significant water damage behind walls, under floors, or ceilings. If left unchecked, this hidden damage can cause mold growth, structural weakening, and costly repairs.

To prevent water hammers, homeowners can install water hammer arrestors or pressure-reducing valves. These devices help cushion the impact and reduce the force that causes pipes to shake. If you're hearing banging sounds in your plumbing system, it's important to address the issue quickly to avoid potential water damage and maintain the health of your home's plumbing.

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

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

SERVPRO® franchises are independently owned and operated.

Preventing Washing Machine Leaks: Protect Your Home from Water Damage in Ukrainian Village?

11/5/2024 (Permalink)

We are trained and certified to restore water damage in Chicago.

Our local West Loop/Bucktown/Greektown teams restore water damage 24 hours a day in Ukrainian Village. A leaking washing machine can cause significant water damage if not addressed promptly. Preventing leaks starts with regular maintenance and using your washing machine safely.

First, inspect the water hoses that connect to your washing machine. These hoses can deteriorate over time, leading to cracks or leaks. It's a good idea to replace rubber hoses with stainless steel braided hoses, which are more durable and less likely to burst. Check for signs of wear and tear, and replace the hoses every five years to prevent potential leaks.

Additionally, ensure the washing machine is level. An unbalanced machine can cause excessive vibrations during the spin cycle, leading to loose connections or hose failure. Avoid overloading the washer, as this puts extra strain on the machine and can lead to leaks.

Finally, turn off the water supply to the washer when it's not in use, especially if you're on vacation. This prevents pressure buildup in the hoses, reducing the risk of leaks while you're away. By taking these precautions, you can minimize the risk of washing machine leaks and protect your home from costly water damage.

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When your Ukrainian Village home or commercial business in Bucktown has mold 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.

The Dangers of a Leaking Tankless Water Heater in Bucktown?

10/15/2024 (Permalink)

We are water damage restoration leaders in Chicago.

Our local West Loop/Bucktown/Greektown teams respond to water damage emergencies 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Tankless water heaters are favored by homeowners for their energy efficiency and the continuous supply of hot water they provide. However, like all appliances, they can encounter problems over time, including leaks. A leaking tankless water heater not only interrupts your hot water availability but also threatens your home with potential water damage.

Leaks in tankless water heaters can occur due to various factors, such as corrosion, loose fittings, or internal component failures. Because these units are often installed in basements or utility rooms, a leak can go unnoticed until significant damage has occurred. Water can seep into walls, flooring, and insulation, leading to mold growth and structural issues.

If you think your tankless water heater might be leaking, it’s important to take swift action. Start by shutting off the water supply to the unit, then reach out to a professional to evaluate and fix the issue. Routine upkeep, including checking connections and flushing the system to eliminate mineral deposits, plays a vital role in avoiding leaks altogether

Don’t let a leaking tankless water heater catch you off guard. Routine checks and prompt attention to any signs of trouble can protect your home from costly water damage and ensure your hot water supply remains uninterrupted.

Call Us Today!

When your Bucktown home or commercial business has water 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.

Tips for Maintaining Your Tankless Water Heater in West Loop?

9/17/2024 (Permalink)

We respond to water damage emergencies 24/7 in Chicago.

Our local West Loop/Bucktown/Greektown teams are highly trained and certified to restore water damage in Chicago. A tankless water heater is a reliable and efficient appliance that requires regular maintenance to function correctly. These units can become less efficient and cause water damage without proper upkeep. Regular maintenance includes:

• Descaling the unit to remove mineral buildup
• Checking for leaks
• Ensuring that all connections are secure

Failure to maintain a tankless water heater can lead to a host of problems. Mineral buildup can reduce the unit’s efficiency, causing it to work harder and consume more energy. Over time, this can also cause blockages, leading to water pressure issues and potential leaks. Additionally, if the connections and seals deteriorate, leaks may develop, leading to water damage in your home. These risks emphasize the importance of regular maintenance.

To keep your tankless water heater operational and prevent water damage, it’s essential to schedule regular maintenance checks with a professional. These checks can ensure that the unit functions efficiently and safely, extending its lifespan and protecting your home from potential water damage. Neglecting this simple upkeep can lead to costly repairs and a less efficient system.

Call Us Today!

When your West Loop home or business has a water damage emergency, 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.

Tips to Prevent Summer Flood Damage in Wicker Park?

9/3/2024 (Permalink)

We mitigate and restore flood damage 24/7 in Chicago.

Our local West Loop/Bucktown/Greektown teams witness firsthand the damage flooding can do to a home or business in Wicker Park. Chicago's summer rains can lead to unexpected flooding, but there are several strategies you can employ to protect your home beyond sandbags.

One of the most critical steps is ensuring your gutters and downspouts are debris-free. Clogged gutters can cause water to overflow and pool around your foundation, increasing the risk of basement flooding. Regularly clean and inspect them, especially before heavy rains.

Another effective method is to install a sump pump in your basement. Sump pumps help remove water accumulating in the lowest parts of your home, preventing costly water damage.

Additionally, consider grading your lawn to direct water away from your foundation. Sloping the ground around your home ensures water naturally flows away rather than towards your property.

For added protection, waterproof your basement walls with sealants to resist moisture intrusion. Finally, invest in a backwater valve to prevent sewer backups during heavy rainfall.

Combining these strategies can significantly reduce the risk of flood damage and keep your home safe during Chicago's unpredictable summer storms.

Call Us Today!

When your home or commercial business in Wicker Park has flood 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.

How to Navigate the Aftermath of Summer Flooding in Bucktown?

8/20/2024 (Permalink)

We are storm damage restoration leaders in Chicago.

Bucktown, a vibrant neighborhood in Chicago, is no stranger to the occasional summer flood. Located near the Chicago River, Bucktown's unique topography can contribute to significant water accumulation during heavy rainstorms. Residents often grapple with the aftermath of intense downpours that lead to localized flooding each year. The impact on homes and businesses can be substantial, with streets inundated and properties suffering from water damage.

The aftermath of flooding can be daunting for homeowners and businesses in Bucktown. However, the area is fortunate to have access to our local West Loop/Bucktown/Greektown teams for storm damage restoration services. Our highly trained storm and flood damage cleanup teams can provide swift and effective restoration, a crucial factor in a post-flood scenario.

Our teams of restoration professionals offer 24/7 emergency storm service, ensuring that help is available whenever needed. Our fast emergency response time, usually four hours or less, means that damage can be addressed promptly. These services also significantly facilitate an easier insurance claim process, helping residents navigate the complexities of filing claims and securing the necessary funds for repairs.

No matter how extensive the damage, residents can rely on our local teams in West Loop/Bucktown/Greektown to restore their properties "Like it never even happened."

Call Us Today!

When your home or commercial business has been damaged by flooding, SERVPRO of West Loop/Bucktown/Greektown is Here to Help® Contact us today at 773-434-9100.

SERVPRO® franchises are independently owned and operated.

So Your Dishwasher Leaked… Now What? | SERVPRO® of Downtown Chicago/West Loop/Bucktown/Greektown

5/19/2023 (Permalink)

Is your kitchen damaged from a water leak? Call SERVPRO of Downtown Chicago/West Loop/Bucktown/Greektown to get it clean and cleared up.

We are all so busy nowadays that it can be easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life and overlook signs of an emerging problem. As you run out the door to catch the L, you might not notice a single drip or a small puddle of water on your floor near your dishwasher.

While it might not be an issue now, it could certainly pose trouble for you later when you come home to find your entire kitchen flooded. If that happens to you, call SERVPRO of Downtown Chicago/West Loop/Bucktown/Greektown right away.

The Dangers of Water Damage

Even though water is an essential part of life, it can cause some widespread issues in your home. As water pours onto your floor, it will spread and leak into every possible crevice or crack that it can.

That means that water could be getting up underneath your floorboards or behind your trim where it is really hard to get at on your own!

If water seeps into your floor or behind your walls, it can be virtually impossible to dry out on your own without professional equipment or major construction. Over time, that water will linger there and can eventually cause mildew and mold growth to appear.

Once mold is present in the area, it can take over quickly and become a full infestation in a matter of days, so taking action quickly not only prevents the water damage from getting worse, you are putting a stop to a potential mold problem.

What to Do First

The first thing you should do is locate your main water valve. This will simply turn off the water connected to the appliance to prevent the water from flowing out of your dishwasher. Usually this is located in the cupboard under your sink or in the back of your machine.

Once the water has stopped flowing, turn off the power to the appliance. This ensures that your dishwasher can’t start back up again, and it also protects you from the dangers of electricity running near water.

After that, take a breath and call us. We will ask you some questions about your home and your situation, and then we will be on our way to you with our industrial drying equipment!

Why a Professional Restoration Is Important

While you could certainly get a fan out and try to dry out the area yourself, you might not be able to get all of the water on your own. Like we said earlier, water can get behind your walls and can be really hard to dry up with just a regular fan.

Our powerful drying equipment can ensure that every drop of water is gone, and we even have technology at our disposal to check for hidden moisture.

We will work hard to dry out the water for you and then we can address any necessary repairs. Water can easily warp wood and vinyl, so you might need to replace your floorboards or trim if it has been compromised. But not to worry! Our water damage restoration team can handle it all for you.

If your home has experienced water damage, call SERVPRO of Downtown Chicago/West Loop/Bucktown/Greektown.

Help for Drying Water Damaged Homes in Chicago

3/28/2023 (Permalink)

Our water damage technicians have the equipment and experience to restore your Chicago home to preloss condition.

SERVPRO Water Restoration Technicians Remediate Moisture with Powerful Drying Equipment

Water damage can be a distressing sight, particularly if the damage has been ongoing for some time. However, elevated moisture can impact more than surface-level structures. It may have microbial growth present, creating potential air quality concerns for homeowners. While letting it dry may seem like the most straightforward solution, this strategy can backfire. It is safer for professional restoration services to stop damage to property and air quality.

SERVPRO’s 24-hour availability for water damage cleanup in Chicago ensures that residents receive remediation, repairs, and restoration services necessary to return their homes to a pre-damage state. SERVPRO tools, including extractors and structural drying equipment, are designed to eliminate excess moisture from surfaces and the air more efficiently than DIY solutions.

Why DIY Solutions Can Exacerbate Water Damage

The key to effective water damage drying is dehumidification combined with air movement after thorough water removal. Chicago homeowners may feel ready to tackle wet drywall or carpet independently. However, without proper inspection tools, they may not be aware of:

• The scope of the water damage
• The source causing the continuous leaks or moisture
• The presence of mold
• The extent to which structures have been saturated
• Whether other crucial systems, like electrical or HVAC, are affected by water

SERVPRO trains technicians to detect and mitigate all of these factors in ways that help homeowners save on potential restoration costs. Water damage requires a careful balance of air movement and dehumidification to prevent secondary damage to surfaces and increases in relative humidity.

SERVPRO Water Damage Mitigation and Drying for Residential Structures

Chicago SERVPRO technicians can deploy a full suite of tools for moisture removal, such as:

• Penetrating and surface-level inspection sensors and meters calibrated for materials like wood and drywall, as well as thermal imaging cameras to inspect water damage behind surfaces
• Portable and truck-mounted extractors that can deploy heated solvents for cleaning of carpet and upholstery and pulling excess moisture out of nooks, crannies, and structural materials
• EPA-registered antimicrobial solutions designed to remediate microbes and odor-causing bacteria to sanitize and restore space
• Structural drying tools, which include commercial-grade air movers and dehumidifiers
• Odor control tools, such as wet foggers, odor counteractant beads, and hydroxyl generators

Temporary containment measures like polyethylene drying chambers can accelerate water cleanup in open spaces. Specialized techniques that target wet carpet and pad, as well as upholstery and drapes, can keep restoration on-site without the need to move belongings offsite.

In a typical residential water damage incident, technicians can set up air movement equipment every 10 to 16 linear feet to cover approximately 150 square feet per unit. These air movers are typically paired with low-grain refrigerant (LGR) dehumidifiers to collect humidity pulled out of surfaces and into the air.

For dehumidification, moist air is passed over cold refrigerant coils and collected for disposal in a treated sewer. At the same time, the LGR units expel warm, dry air that is pushed toward necessary surfaces by the air movers. High-powered desiccant dehumidifiers are also available for remediation of damage to structural materials. Technicians carefully calculate drying goals and position air movement and dehumidification units accordingly to save as much material as is feasible after a water damage disaster.

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown is proud to say that We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster and ready to address homeowners ’ concerns 24/7. Call (773) 434-9100 to get started.

Water Restoration in Chicago Homes Is Efficient with SERVPRO

2/21/2023 (Permalink)

We arrive to each job equipped and ready to get to work.

Consult Professionals for Water Restoration in Chicago

As a homeowner, water damage is one of the most stressful occurrences you might come across. You must handle the situation correctly, quickly, and with the utmost professionalism to avoid an incomplete restoration that might soon expose the house to more damage. You must contact a competent and reputable restorer as quickly as possible for your home to regain its status.

Such occurrences should not cause panic since SERVPRO can handle whatever situation you find yourself in. A combination of experienced, trained, and licensed technicians and a good reputation is enough to convince you to contact us to perform water restoration in your Chicago residence. We are a DCLO (Downtown Chicago Licensed Operator) that can conduct commercial and municipal restoration projects. 

Extraction is the first method our SERVPRO technicians use to remove water from a structure. For water extraction from flooring, we use equipment like:

• Portable extractors
• Deep extraction tools
• Light wands 
• Pumps

Our SERVPRO team chooses the most suitable extraction tool based on the materials we are restoring. For instance, carrying out an aggressive extraction might lead to the delamination of carpeting. When wet, carpets are usually 50% weaker. Therefore, we can use a light wand to prevent damage. Generally, an extraction wand works well when removing water from a glued-down carpet, while the heavier devices work perfectly on floors with large tufts and a thick pad. We have found extraction to be a better way of doing away with the water than dehumidification by a factor ranging in the hundreds.

When there is a significant amount of standing water, SERVPRO uses a variety of pumps, depending on the situation. When the water exceeds two inches in depth, we opt for submersible pumps since they provide adequate volume capacity and lift capability. We pump the water into a treated sewer for safe disposal.

You should make sure your house does not succumb to water damage by contacting SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

What You Should Do When a DIY Project Goes Wrong and Causes Water Damage

8/21/2022 (Permalink)

Attention Chicago homeowners with water damaged residences--Call us for help--SERVPRO

Team SERVPRO Arrives on the Scene with Advanced Tools to Properly Dry Out Your Home

Sometimes it can be tempting to fix an appliance or install a new faucet yourself to save some money; however, should a part of the process go wrong, you could accidentally cause water damage in your home. There are endless tutorials online that can walk you through doing installations by yourself, but they do not always prepare you for when something goes wrong. More than likely, the water damage restoration can cost you even more money than you would have had to spend hiring a professional to install the new faucet for you.

If you do not notice the leak underneath your sink for a few days while it slowly causes water damage to your Chicago home, the outcome can become even worse. All the moisture that your kitchen cupboard absorbs from the leak creates the perfect condition for mold growth. You must fix the leak once you find it so that no further water damage can occur. As a general rule, if you find water damage in your home, calling a restoration company as soon as possible can help ensure a successful job; after all, the quicker the damage is dealt with, the better it is for your home.

When you rely on SERVPRO, we strive to get a team of our IICRC-certified technicians to your home as quickly as possible. Our technicians can bring advanced technology to your home and immediately start the job. Our SERVPRO techs can open up the cupboard underneath your sink and use tools like desiccant dehumidifiers, air movers, and ventilation fans to create an ideal drying system that best fits the space.

If an accident in your home leads to water damage, do not delay. Phone (773) 434-9100 to reach out to SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown. We strive to swiftly remediate the damage in your home so you can return to your everyday life. 

Quick Professional Water Cleanup in Chicago Can Save Time and Money for Homeowners

7/23/2022 (Permalink)

Ceiling leaking? This Chicago homeowner called SERVPRO to repair the plumbing and restore the ceiling, "Like it never even happened."

Cost-efficient Water Restoration Is Key to Protecting Homes in the Chicago Area

When a water incident in your Chicago home damages flooring, personal belongings, and the structure of your home, it is hard to prioritize your next steps. Many homeowners consider water restoration a do-it-yourself project, but good intentions can be counterproductive. Failure to let a certified water restoration technician assess the situation and recommend a course of action can cause long-term and secondary damage to the house.

To speed up water cleanup in Chicago by applying industry best practices, call SERVPRO and let our certified technicians take over. Thanks to our field experience and training with leaders in the industry, we can bring to your home the latest techniques and equipment for water removal and drying. 

Water remediation is a multi-pronged approach, and each item may require a specific set of actions to return to normal. 

Some of the building blocks of a successful job include-

• Controlled demolition of drywall and other surfaces saturated with water and vulnerable to secondary damage.
• Removal of debris and discarding of unsalvageable items. The longer they stay in the residence, the more they can become a threat to the environment and a breeding ground for mold.
• Water extraction with pumps, wands, and specialty drying solutions. Sometimes this may include carefully taking inventory of certain items before moving them to an off-site location for cleaning and drying.

When water invades your home, SERVPRO of West Loop/ Bucktown/ Greektown is ready to help. Call our expert team at (773) 434-9100, and let us show you why we are leaders in the

Equipment SERVPRO Uses to Remove Water Damage in Chicago

7/23/2022 (Permalink)

Water removal and protecting furnishings and belongings are the aims of SERVPRO techs during extraction in a Chicago condo.

Extraction, Drying, and Demolition Play a Role in Water Damage Mitigation

Removing all traces of water after a flood is a nightmare for most homeowners. Water soaks into everything in a home, from tile grout to wood paneling, creating an impossible scenario for people armed only with household cleaning products. There's a reason why SERVPRO brings its heaviest equipment to these jobs: they require the fast, firm capabilities of industrial machinery. Otherwise, water may remain on surfaces, in materials, and suspended in the air until the structure sustains severe damage. These are examples of a few super-heavy machines we use to remove water after significant flooding from a split pipe or other water source.

Extractors

Extractors are the first key to Chicago water removal projects. These heavy pumps are what most people think of when they think of 'industrial water removal' - they remove high volumes of water from the structure in as little time as possible.

Esporta Washing System

We have access to an array of super-heavy-duty clothing washers and dryers to clean any drapes or smaller fabrics as soon as possible. An often overlooked part of the water removal process, clothing can be permanently destroyed if it is not cleaned quickly. These special hydraulic machines are exceptionally effective at salvaging contaminated and soiled items. Even your child's Teddy Bear!

Air Movers

Along with extractors, these machines are the second key to removing water from the structure. We train our SERVPRO technicians extensively in the proper setup and arrangement of air movers to optimize drying time without damaging the saturated materials. Hardwood flooring can split and become trash if dried too quickly. Directional air currents whisk away moisture from surfaces and porous materials.

Dehumidifiers

The airborne moisture, known as water vapor, can then be captured and removed from the ambient air. The improved indoor air quality provides a safer and more comfortable environment. LGR and desiccant dehumidifiers are always available.

Moisture Detectors

Our technicians carefully examine your home with high-tech moisture detectors to find any pockets of lingering moisture. As a result, we can easily peer behind walls and under floors to find the fullest extent of water damage in the home. Moisture restoration of building elements and materials helps inhibit mold growth.

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown is always on-call and ready to help. (773) 434-9100.

Water Removal in Chicago Needs to be Done Quickly

7/3/2022 (Permalink)

Should you find excess water in any part of your home, contact our technicians. We have the expertise to mitigate the situation and are standing by.

SERVPRO Can Perform Water Removal in Your Chicago Home

When water damage occurs in your house, multiple issues may arise, ranging from dangerous structural problems to mold growth. To prevent the deterioration of your home, you need an effective and quick intervention.

SERVPRO is well-equipped with professional water extraction and drying equipment to perform water removal in your Chicago home to restore your peace of mind. After a water damage incident in your home, microbes can grow given proper conditions and enough time. If you do not mitigate a category one water situation for 2 to 3 days, microbes can amplify and increase contamination in the building. They can turn a category one situation into a category 2 or 3 situation. Acting fast helps prevent microbial contamination from worsening with passing time. The main steps in remediation or mitigation are: 

• Eliminating moisture by minimizing humidity levels and drying the environment.
• Removing contaminated materials. 

Our team is certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). Our SERVPRO technicians have undergone rigorous training in IICRC S500 standards and psychrometry, which is the drying science. This enables us to fashion the water removal situation according to the case and perform a thorough job. Our water removal process involves:

• A thorough inspection
• Extracting the standing water
• Removing damaged items
• Drying 
• Disinfecting 

Our immediate course of action when we arrive at your house is to identify the source of the water intrusion and stop it completely. We can also assess your home to get a sense of the severity of the damage. The inspection also helps the SERVPRO team determine what items, materials, and structures have sustained severe damage and those within our ability to restore.

SERVPRO mostly follows these assessments with the extraction of standing water using pumps and removal of excess moisture using air movers and low grain refrigerant dehumidifiers. The equipment enables us to dry everything out. We can disinfect the house using antimicrobial agents.

Removing the water before the damage escalates goes a long way in ensuring your house returns to normal within the shortest time possible. Contact SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown for help at (773) 434-9100. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

When A Pipe Bursts In Your Chicago Home, Our Crew Is Here To Help!

7/3/2022 (Permalink)

Dealing with a burst pipe can often be overwhelming. Team up with SERVPRO for effective water removal and drying services. We are standing by 24/7.

Why You Need Prompt Water Removal In Your Chicago Residence After A Pipe Bursts

Water expands when it freezes, and this is the reason why soda cans explode if placed in a freezer to chill fast and are forgotten. When water expands after freezing, pressure accumulates in the pipe, and it raptures, causing water to escape. A pipe can also rupture due to age or accidents and cause water to pool in your home, necessitating water removal.

Removing the water quickly can prevent additional damage. You should call a restoration firm like SERVPRO to assist you with water removal in your Chicago residence. Failing to remove water from your home can contribute to mold and mildew growth. Our skilled technicians have extensive training and expertise in water damage restoration and can monitor and document the entire drying process.

We use extraction equipment like wet/dry vacuums and pumps to extract standing water from a property efficiently. Our technicians can use portable extractors to remove water from restricted areas. We also use dehumidifiers to dry the affected areas. Dehumidifiers remove extra moisture from the air to dry out a home. We position dehumidifiers in a water-damaged structure strategically so humid, moist air can move to the unit while warm, dry air discharged from the machine circulates back into the damp areas.

SERVPRO technicians also use desiccants with gel to eliminate moisture from the air. Unlike dehumidifiers, desiccants do not collect water through condensation, but instead, use a ventilation system to vent moisture-laden air from inside a structure to the outside. Desiccants work on the principle of absorption. Silica gel absorbs and holds water vapor in the process. Energy then reactivates the silica gel, causing the desiccant to release moisture to the outside air. When a home is dry, we use deodorization and sanitizing agents to clear odors to enhance safety and comfort in a home. We can eliminate the water and moisture after a water leak to make your home appear “Like it never even happened.”

When in need of water removal services, SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown is the right company to call. We have adequate resources for restoration jobs of any size. We serve several local communities, including Chicago, West Loop, and South Lawndale. Contact us at (773) 434-9100 and get the peace of mind you deserve.

Does Water Intrusion Ruin Hardwood Floors in Chicago?

2/10/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO's rapid removal of water-soaked hardwood flooring in Chicago may prevent demolition and expensive construction

SERVPRO is a Specialist Water Removal Firm that Can Restore Hardwood Floors in Your Chicago Home.

Does Moisture Harm Wood?

Many Chicago properties have hardwood finishing on their floors. These are typically constructed from dense, valuable, and semi-porous materials. To correct and mitigate damages to floor finishing, production technicians need to understand how water affects these materials.

There are two influential variables when attempting to restore water-damaged Chicago hardwoods: permeance, the amount of porosity of a material, and the length of exposure. Permeance is when water travels through the flooring, usually working into materials through capillary suction and wood grains. The size of exposure can often be mitigated by reaching out to a professional restorer as quickly as possible and putting in place the correct drying procedures. SERVPRO promises to arrive on-site within four hours of notification of loss to mitigate lengthy exposure times.

What Happens When Floors are Exposed to Moisture?

When water intrusion occurs, it is vital to enact water removal and hardwood floor specialists for your Chicago home. Natural materials have a moisture content level, usually around 12%, that allows them to retain their natural shape and structure. As exposure to moisture increases, laminates or varnishes can wear away, leading to direct exposure of non-protected wood grains to moisture. As these materials absorb moisture, they can begin to expand or change shape, putting extra pressure on joints, warping the floors, or leading to buckling, cupping, and crowning. The quicker we can remove moisture from your floor, the less harm occurs to natural materials. Some effects of water exposure, such as crowning, are considered non-restorable. Crowning can lead to sourcing and replacing expensive hardwood floors.

How Do Restoration Services Return Hardwoods to a Pre-damage Condition?

• Stripping the floor to ensure an even finish and drying it to its average moisture content level
• Sanding the floor to negate the effects of warping, buckling, or cupping
• Refinishing the floor with a varnish or polymer to return it to its normal, pre-damage condition.

When are Wet Hardwood Floors Repairable?

Providing that the hardwood floor's moisture content levels do not exceed 5% of its natural level, there is a strong chance of restoration. SERVPRO technicians can use truck-mounted equipment to extract water immediately from the hardwoods surfaces and reduce exposure times. If there are carpets, we can remove these along with the carpet pad to allow the floorboards to air. Air-movers can be valuable equipment for the restoration of these materials. Our technicians may frequently adjust them to push air beneath the flooring, into crawl spaces and cavities, or run air over the surface level. In some situations, small holes may be drilled into the hardwood's surface to allow for additional equipment and drying. While these may cause light cosmetic harm, they are often essential to ensure that most structure is saved.

What are the Useful Techniques for Drying Hardwood Floors?

• Do not sand floors until completely dry, as these materials could continue to expand or contract under the influence of moisture.
• To measure the extent of water absorption, Teflon-coated moisture probes are used to read moisture migration through wood layers.
• Desiccant dehumidifiers use a silica gel to reduce relative humidity below 40GPP and assist in the hardwood surfaces' drying process.

How are hardwood floors dried quickly?

It is not uncommon for woods to remain wet after the rest of the home's structure and contents are dry. One way to improve the drying times of hardwood surfaces is to erect a smaller drying chamber. SERVPRO technicians can place thick, poly sheeting over the surface using either sandbags or duct tape to seal the edges. An air-mover, dehumidifier, or portable heater can then be attached to the sheeting, inflating it and creating a drying tent. Drying tents allow for concentrate drying by providing a smaller cubic feet chamber. These drying tents often allow technicians to dry below the surface level and through the layers of woods. Ensuring that the wood flooring is completely dry before sanding and refinishing is an essential part of mitigating the wet hardwood floors' losses.

What Mitigation Strategies are Used to Prevent Crowning, Buckling, and Warping?

• Immediately reduce the relative humidity to 30% to 45% using a drying chamber or desiccant dehumidifiers.
• As moisture content readings drop below 16%, use air-movers to increase the evaporation process.
• Finished flooring can inhibit water evaporation by creating a vapor barrier. Stripping a floor can help to increase drying times and provide an even surface for refinishing.

Hardwoods are often treatable, if not curable, after water exposure by using correct drying equipment and application of drying theory. Contact SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100.

What Are Signs a Chicago Home Needs Water Damage Restoration?

10/30/2021 (Permalink)

Regardless whether the water leak is visible or hidden behind walls, team SERVPRO can help. Call us 24/7 for your water damage emergency.

SERVPRO Techs Have Extensive Training For Handling Chicago Water Cleanup

Right now, a Chicago home has a water leak that is not getting taken care of and progressively causing more damage to the house. Slow leaks can do massive amounts of damage when they are behind a large appliance or wall until the signs of a problem become noticeable.

SERVPRO puts together the top ways to know when a Chicago home needs water damage restoration services. Here are some of the early warning signs that there is a moisture problem within the structure: 

• Musty odor
• Visible water spots or stains on walls or floors
• Paint bubbles
• Presence of mold colonies
• Loose tiles
• Buckled wood floorboards

Musty odors are one of the ways many homeowners discover they have an excess moisture issue in their homes. As excess moisture wicks into sheetrock or migrates under flooring, a distinctive odor is present.

Visible signs of water damage in a home are many. Stains appearing on walls or ceilings can show where problem areas are within the structure. Also, there may be missing floor tiles that delaminated due to moisture or signs of a mold infestation. SERVPRO technicians have the training and equipment to easily handle all these scenarios that can occur during a mitigation service. As sheetrock collects moisture, it begins to buckle and warp; this level of damage normally requires removal.

Another sign of water damage that shows on walls and ceilings is known as a paint bubble. While these side effects of water damage are another visual sign but are less common. As water collects within the walls, the paint will stretch and bubble outward.

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100 brings professional water damage restoration to Chicago properties and is available 24/7.

Water in the Cellar? Not a Good Thing! Call SERVPRO to Come Out Quickly to Your Chicago Property

10/5/2021 (Permalink)

Contact SERVPRO for water extraction and damage mitigation to your Chicago area basement

Is Your Chicago Basement Full of Water?

We usually think of basements as being protected from the elements. As homeowners, we worry about roof leaks, frozen pipes, and even tornadoes, but we do not consider that our basement may one day be ankle-deep in water due to a broken washing machine or faulty toilet. As you consider how to tackle this water cleanup project, you may consider running to your local home improvement store for supplies, but this may not be the best route.

Water cleanup in Chicago is best addressed by a professional team such as SERVPRO. Our technicians hold an Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) to address situations just like yours. Combined with our field experience, we can be your best resource for achieving full restoration of your basement and avoiding future consequences.

Since emergencies happen when you least expect them, our team is available 24/7 by merely calling our hotline. As soon as we arrive at your home, we assess the situation and draw up a plan that minimizes the impact on your life and on your wallet.

Water Removal Services

At SERVPRO, we use tools and equipment that are not typically available to the average homeowner. For example, we bring handheld water extraction wands for those hard-to-access nooks and crannies in your basement. For more significant needs, we may use our truck-mounted pumps to extract substantial amounts of water. As we carry on this process, our infrared moisture meters let us know whether we are reaching optimal humidity levels based on your home and its contents. For the most part, we can salvage much of your basement, including any wet carpets and furniture, and we use specific equipment to dry these off. If there is a compelling reason to remove them from home, we take charge of this as well. Concrete can absorb water and weaken. We have the skills for a slow and controlled drying process using our advanced equipment.

SERVPRO of West Loop/Bucktown/Greektown is your best ally in restoring your basement. Call us at (773) 434-9100 and let us leave your home, "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO Offers Premier Water Damage Cleanup to Chicago Homes

9/27/2021 (Permalink)

With our Green Fleet available 24/7, SERVPRO techs offer excellent water damage cleanup services for the Chicago area

How can SERVPRO Help You with Water Damage Cleanup of Your Chicago Home?   

Water damage cleanup of your Chicago home can be a complex process depending on the extent and type of the damage. One of the biggest challenges for SERVPRO restorers is to control the contamination that might accompany certain water damage situations.

Since water promotes and sustains microbial growth, the primary mitigation steps that SERVPRO techs take during water damage cleanup of your Chicago home include-

• Drying the structure as soon as possible
• Removing any contaminated material from the premises

In certain situations, however, SERVPRO water restoration experts might need to use products that may help slow or control microbial contamination growth.

How do SERVPRO Techs Use Professional Decontamination Products During Water Damage Repairs of Your Chicago Home?

SERVPRO techs use appropriate methods and precautions while using decontamination products during the water cleanup of your Chicago home. We only use EPA registered broad-spectrum disinfectants if water damage presents a potential for microbial contamination. SERVPRO techs use the product according to the product labeling and follow application methods specified on the label of the product.

Once the techs apply the disinfecting product, it needs to have a sufficient dwell time to be effective. The technicians also ensure temperature and pH are maintained so that the disinfectant remains effective throughout the application time.

Disinfectants generally are applied on the subfloor, tack strips, walls, and wall bottom plates. Such organic materials encourage microbial growth and the development of odors associated with microbes. Restores also apply deodorizers to help with the odor issues, if any, after the decontamination process is completed.

Call SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100; Our technicians are available round-the-clock to assist you with water damage issues.

SERVPRO is Trusted for Chicago Water Damage Restoration Services

9/8/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has the training and Personal Protective Equipment to safely restore your water damaged home.

Water Damage in Chicago Can Be Severe, But SERVPRO Can Help

Many people do not realize how grave of a problem water damage in Chicago can be. When a part of your home takes on more water than it would typically be able to handle, the home can begin to undergo changes and processes that leave permanent marks on the structure that can take much more time and money to repair than a professional cleanup job. Our certified SERVPRO technicians respond quickly to any calls about water damage we receive to ensure that your home gets the fast and thorough treatment and care it deserves.

The Severity of the Damage

Although all cases of water damage are different, several broad categorizations help us to understand precisely how severe the matter is and what treatment techniques we can expect to use during the mitigation and restoration processes. The water’s color can tell us quite a bit about safety hazards and necessary preventive measures, so be sure to say in your initial phone call whether the water in your home was clear, cloudy, or dark when you first saw it. Once we get an inspector to your home to analyze the situation with a professional eye, we can provide a more detailed assessment of how extensive the damage is and what we need to do to fix it.

What Comes Next?

More severe water damage situations such as floods can take several weeks to restore. These projects usually require more drying time and minor reconstruction efforts such as replacement or refinishing of floor materials. Our drying and restoration times can have much higher variance for smaller spills, but SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown makes sure to approach every job with the best care we can provide to keep the impact on your life as low as possible.

What are Factors to Consider During the Damage Restoration?

When water leaks and damages property, the main concern many Chicago homeowners have is to restore the property to its preloss state. However, it is crucial to stick with the right steps when performing the restoration processes to achieve the intended goal. We offer professional restoration services and rely on advanced training as well as vast experience to deal with any damage "Like it never even happened."

Time

Speed is a vital aspect of any exercise involving water cleanup in Chicago. Some of the damages like staining or microbial growth that occur after a water spill incident can be tied to the time taken to extract the water. Using sophisticated equipment or advanced techniques are two ways to increase the speed of extraction. Our SERVPRO technicians combine both depending on the situation. For example, we use water extractors or the more specialized injectidry systems to remove water without tearing down the structure. In other cases, we cut vent holes or do a controlled demolition to remove water from concealed areas.

To a certain degree, the total area of the house that requires cleaning is determined by the level of water migration. As the water moves, it dissolves different materials, including dust, pet wastes, and dyes, spreading the residue all over the property. Having a proper way of tracking water migration helps ensure the right outcome. Some typical ways of doing it include controlled teardown of suspect areas and using advanced equipment. Our SERVPRO technicians rely on equipment like FLIR thermal cameras and moisture sensors to track affected areas conveniently.

Types of other Damage

The type of soiling and the materials in the affected areas influence the cleaning approaches chosen. It is easier to remove soils from hard surfaces such as wood compared to porous ones such as carpets. Cleaning should also include structural parts such as walls and subfloors for satisfactory results. Our SERVPRO technicians use pressure washers and professional cleaning agents to remove dirt and grime from hard surfaces. On carpets, we use approaches such as rotary jet or hot water extraction, shampooing, and deluxe preconditioning.

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown is your best ally in restoring your damaged property. Call us at (773) 434-9100 and let us leave your home, "Like it never even happened."

How Can Downtown Chicago Water Removal Save Wood Floors?

8/25/2021 (Permalink)

It doesn't take long for water to damage hardwood flooring. But no worries! SERVPRO has the know how to dry and restore your floor.

SERVPRO Water Removal Methods Remove Bacteria and Odors from Downtown Chicago Properties

Small household leaks are common but can account for thousands of wasted gallons of water per year. According to the EPA, ten percent of homes needing water removal experience plumbing and appliance leaks that consume 90 or more gallons of water per day. This amount of damage can compromise the structural integrity of homes in Chicago and elsewhere.

SERVPRO water removal services eliminate Downtown Chicago water damage concerns and return affected structures to a pre-disaster condition. This restoration firm’s services are available to homeowners 24/7, including all weekends and holidays.

SERVPRO Wood Flooring Water Cleanup

Hardwood floors in a home are often restorable after water damage. However, extended periods of water exposure can subject planks to swelling, warping, or cupping, not to mention mold growth. Moisture can also affect subflooring, which may require replacement.

SERVPRO professionals can address wood flooring water exposure by:

• Remove microbial growth and surface dirt and bacteria with EPA-registered biocides
• Use rubber suction mats to pull moisture out of sections of wood flooring
• Set up air movement equipment to dry above and below flooring
• Accelerate drying of contained areas with polyethylene drying chambers
• Prepare the floor for staining and refinishing with the permission of homeowners and insurers

Water is isolated and removed at an approved treated sewer by restoration technicians. SERVPRO crew members also inspect moisture levels on and inside floor planks to ensure that they reach safe humidity levels without over-drying the wood.

Property owners can call (773) 434-9100 for “Like it never even happened,” service from SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown.

Why Call SERVPRO for a Water Remediation Specialist for Your Downtown Chicago Home

6/3/2021 (Permalink)

Any type of water damage can produce mold if left untreated. Call SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown today.

SERVPRO Can Restore Your Downtown Chicago Property After Water Damage

These days, many residential property owners in Downtown Chicago are interested in maintaining their homes in the best condition possible. If this is the case for you, it's important to know that water damage can have a very adverse effect on the condition and appearance of your property. To ensure that your home is not negatively impacted by water damage, it's important to know when to call a water damage restoration company. Here are some excellent reasons to make that call.

Mold Inspections, Remediations, and Removal

Individuals who have a mold problem in the home should call a mold remediation expert in Chicago. If you leave a mold issue unresolved, your property could be subjected to structural damage that requires thousands of dollars worth of repairs. 

Mold Inspection

In some cases, you may be uncertain about whether you have a mold issue within the structure. Play it safe and call SERVPRO for a comprehensive home inspection. The highly trained professionals will be able to detect the presence of mold. Then the mold damage remediation can begin.

Water Removal Services

Individuals who have experienced a flood or a leak in their Downtown Chicago home may need water removal services. Water damage restoration specialists can provide you with a quick, efficient solution by utilizing state-of-the-art equipment.

Water Clean Up

Once a flood or significant leak has happened, you need to dry out the affected area after water removal. SERVPRO technicians make use of high-power drying fans and several types of dehumidifiers for this task.

Odor from Mold Damage

A strange odor in your residential property may indicate mold growth or a decaying animal carcass. Downtown Chicago water damage specialists can assess to determine the source of the problem and then eradicate it. ULV foggers are used to entrap and remove odors; masking an odor by simply deodorizing does not attack the source of the problem.

Water Damage Restoration

If your home in Downtown Chicago has been impacted by severe water intrusion,  structural damage may be the end product. Repair and restoration ( to minimize costs) are cornerstones of the SERVPRO work philosophy.

Biohazard Cleaning Company

Our water remediation technicians are effective in handling your septic systems as well as water utility devices.

Assessing Damage

Irrespective of the effects you've endured due to water damage, a Downtown Chicago water damage restoration company like SERVPRO can perform an assessment and then implement the restoration services necessary.

To maintain your Downtown Chicago property in excellent condition, it's essential to know that SERVPRO is local and can respond to your phone call within 5 minutes and arrive on the scene within one hour. From assessment to restoration, we can fulfill all the duties required to get you back home ASAP.

Locally Owned and Operated

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown is locally owned and operated, so we are part of this community. When you have a water or flooding emergency, we're already nearby and ready to help. We are faster to any water damage disaster. Call us for help. (773) 434-9100

Ring in the New Year with a Close Penguin Encounter in Chicago

12/21/2020 (Permalink)

What a special way to enjoy time with your family inside your Chicago home. Learn about the Shedd Aquarium penguins.

Virtually get up close and personal with the resident penguins of the Shedd Aquarium. 

On Friday, January 15th, 2021, wildlife fans can experience a once-in-a-lifetime event with the penguins of the Shedd Aquarium. This is one way the esteemed aquarium is still working to provide informative and educational experiences to Chicago residents. You can register today for your opportunity to see the penguin habitat that only the caretakers get to see.

With each penguin having its own personality, the experience is sure to be memorable for everyone. You can meet daredevil pair Edward and Annie, waddling Wellington, or explorers Izzy and Darwin. For more information, you can contact the Shedd Aquarium at (312) 939-2438.

While penguins might like a pool in their home, standing water removal in your Chicago condo should happen quickly when disasters strike. We have premier extraction equipment to eliminate surface water concerns and get to the essential drying stage. Give our SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown team a call today at (773) 434-9100.

Watch Live Stand-Up Comedy in Chicago’s East Lake View Neighborhood

12/11/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is looking forward to seeing all of the talent at Laugh Factory Chicago!

Laugh Factory Chicago Invites Audiences to Enjoy Comedic Talent Safely

Renowned comedy club Laugh Factory Chicago is opening its doors once more to audiences looking for live laughs from the best that the comedy scene has to offer. The next showing takes place on Wednesday, December 16, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Laugh Factory Chicago near the intersection of North Broadway and West Belmont Avenue.

Laugh Factory Chicago is taking extensive precautions to ensure that audiences can enjoy live stand-up comedy as safely as possible:

• Transactions and tickets are entirely paperless. Reservations are confirmed by pulling up the email you received on your phone
• Staff hygiene and facility cleaning standards adhere to current Chicago guidelines
• Disposable face masks are available upon request

This comedy event is available to persons over 18 years of age, with alcoholic drinks available to guests age 21 and older. There is a two-drink minimum per person regardless of whether beverages contain alcohol.

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown is among the premier water restoration companies in Chicago. Disaster mitigation is a phone call away at (773) 434-9100.

Enjoy a Tribute to a Holiday Classic in Chicago

12/4/2020 (Permalink)

It will be exciting to see the community at the ZooLights Event!

Chicago’s Lincoln Park ZooLights Event Features Live Jazz

On Sunday, December 13, the Chris White Jazz Trio is performing Vince Guaraldi’s timeless score for A Charlie Brown Christmas starting at 7:00 p.m. In-person tickets are limited, but virtual tickets for this event are also available. General Admission tickets go on sale at the venue, which is Cafe Brauer on North Stockton Drive. In-person reservations include one complimentary drink per guest.

• Virtual admission costs $15
• General admission tickets cost $35
• Admission is limited to stage events in accordance with Chicago public safety guidelines

Lincoln Park Zoo members are entitled to a 10% discount on their orders when they purchase tickets online. The promo code is the first three digits of your membership number.

The ZooLights event, presented by ComEd and Invesco QQQ, continues from 4:00 to 10:00 p.m. on select evenings until January 3, 2021. Admission is $5, with free nights on December 9, 17, 21, and 29.

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown provides rapid-response water removal for a Chicago condo when you call (773) 434-9100.

Chicago Residents Looking for Disaster Mitigation Receive 24/7 Assistance from SERVPRO

11/28/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage remediation needs to be handled efficiently and effectively. Contact team SERVPRO when your home sustains damage.

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown Provides Chicago Properties with Cleanup Per IICRC Standards When Residents Call (773) 434-9100

Being one of the country’s largest cities (3RD), Chicago is a testament to American industry, culture, and work ethic. Its skyscrapers, historic buildings, and art installations create a unique vibrance and energy seldom found even among other cities. This sprawling urban center is home to 2.7 million residents as of 2018, dwarfing Wyoming, Vermont, Alaska, and North Dakota combined.

Chicago’s art scene is second to none among major cities in both America and across the globe. It is also home to a swathe of art museums for locals and visitors alike to enjoy, such as:

• The Museum of Contemporary Art
• The Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art
• The Smart Museum of Art
• The National Museum of Mexican Art

The Windy City is also home to many other museums, one of the best being The Field Museum. This unique collection of archaeological and biological findings was initially intended for exhibition at the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 before evolving into one of the country’s most acclaimed natural history museums. The museum’s collection features everything from ancient Egyptian artifacts and full-scale dinosaur skeletons to a beautiful and tranquil Chinese rock garden for guests to explore.

The Evolution of Chicago Pizza and Cuisine

Chicago-style deep-dish pizza is by far the city’s most iconic dish. It comes from the wave of Italian immigration that started in the late 19th century and continued well into the 1900s. Ike Sewell and Ric Riccardo formulated a unique dish that combined Italian sensibilities with hearty American cuisine and opened Pizzeria Uno and Due in the early 1940s. Pizzeria Uno has expanded to over 200 franchise locations across the United States today.

Another family lays claim to the original idea for Chicago pizza after working at Pizzeria Uno. They have since opened a competing restaurant, Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, which serves a classic yet distinct take on deep-dish pizza.

Many other iconic Chicago eateries sprang from Pizzeria Uno’s original staff and cooks’ commercial efforts, including Louisa’s Pizza, Gino’s East, Pizano’s, and Delisi’s Pizza.

Many other dishes are associated with the Windy City’s culinary scene today, including:

Bing bread, an iconic potato, cheese, scallion, and bacon-stuffed sesame bread offered at the Korean eatery Parachute

Flaming saganaki, found at Greek restaurants all over the Midwest, is a Chicago creation. This novel dish’s beginnings date back to the 1960s in the now-defunct Parthenon restaurant. Traditionally, Saganaki is a fried sheep’s milk cheese set aflame while the server cries, “Opa!”

Chicago-style hot dogs, which feature a beef frank stuffed with toppings in a poppy seed bun covered in French fries, are a popular item at stands and restaurants all over the city. Gene & Jude’s “Depression Dogs” are among the most popular

The Chicago Art Scene

Mud City’s art offerings are diverse and blossoming, with a massive influx of innovative contemporary artists shaping the American art landscape as a whole. Many Chicago neighborhoods feature their own unique art culture, galleries, and preferred genres of creative media.

Some of the most notable neighborhoods for Chicago’s lively art scene include the following:

Hyde Park, as well as Bridgeport and Pilsen, is filled to the brim with art offerings, from artist-run galleries and showcases to sprawling warehouse venues for art exhibitions

West Loop, while more renowned for its “restaurant row,” is home to a budding contemporary art, street art, and photography scene in such galleries as the Kavi Gupta Gallery, Threewalls, and Vertical Gallery

Bucktown and Wicker Park have attracted outsider art and mixed media. This blend led to the opening of such galleries as Monique Meloche Gallery and Intuit. Many local artists live at and ply their trade at the Flatiron Arts Building on Milwaukee Avenue

Even the parks and streets of Chicago are filled to the brim with unique sculptures and art installations. Of particular note is a sculpture by Anish Kapoor referred to as “The Bean” in Millennium Park, Space Junction of Energy and the Eagle Columns of Lincoln Park, and the Batcolumn in West Loop.

How Does SERVPRO Air Movement Equipment Eliminate Water Damage from Chicago Properties?

SERVPRO offers Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)-accredited water damage restoration for Chicago residences 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including weekends and holidays. This firm’s commitment to availability seeks to minimize property and structural losses from water damage while maximizing homeowners’ savings.

One crucial element of the structural drying process is ensuring the proper air movement in the area after moisture has been extracted thoroughly from affected surfaces.

SERVPRO technicians carefully calculate the air movement and dehumidification needs of water-damaged properties by taking the following factors into account:

Humidity levels of surfaces and in the air factor into calculating how to safely implement air movement without adding the risk of secondary water damage

Scale and location of water damage present aids in determining the number of air movers needed for restoration

The status of interior structures, such as subfloors or wall and ceiling cavities, can affect the number and positioning of air movement equipment

Centrifugal air movers work in tandem with dehumidification units by pulling moist air off surfaces for dehumidifiers to absorb. The dehumidifiers then expel dry air while collecting air moisture as condensation. Air movement can also float carpet by positioning two- or three-speed air movers to blow underneath it. This process is crucial to preserving saturated carpet and pad in a water damage situation.

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown supports the Windy City with Faster To Any Size Disaster service from certified professionals. Call (773) 434-9100 to begin the restoration process for your home.

View Chicago's Memorable Skyline with a Skyline Cruise from November 21st.

11/8/2020 (Permalink)

Enjoy the water on a short cruise excusion while SERVPRO removes the water and damage from our Chicago property

Take a Cruise from DuSable Harbor and Enjoy Chicago's Skyline from Lake Michigan this Winter.

The Chicago skyline we know today erupted from a wellspring of manufacturing and design ingenuity that leads to the mass construction of 20th Century Skyscrapers. The Anita Dee is a cruise vessel with three stories that set sail on Lake Michigan this November, providing guests with unlimitable city views. The top deck is open-plan, with the remaining two a climate-controlled comfort cruise providing beer, wine, and cocktails to guests throughout. At over 140 feet long, there is enough room for all comers with safe social distancing. All guests and staff are following the "Be Safe Chicago" guidelines for dealing with Coronavirus.

• Boarding begins at 7:30 pm with QR tickets available through Eventbrite.
• Party booking discounts are on offer for groups of more than ten people.
• Enter the photo contest prize draw by uploading pictures onboard to Instagram using the hashtag #chicagopartyboat.

A roofing insufficiency or slow leak could cause extensive water damage to your home this winter. Contact SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100 now.

Can SERVPRO Provide Restoration Services When Pipes Break in your Bucktown Property

4/17/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is ready to repair damage from broken water pipes.

Generally, people think of natural disasters when Bucktown water damage comes to mind. However, the pipes in your home are responsible for water damage more often than mother nature. The source of the water does not make it any less destructive. After all, water damage of any size can be a homeowner's nightmare. Besides fixing the source of the problem, you will also need to repair the actual damage itself. 

Minor Pipe Leaks

Almost every home has a small leak somewhere. This is because these tiny leaks are hard to find. Additionally, many homeowners assume that such small leaks cannot cause big problems; this is a mistake. A slow leak under a sink can cause mold growth, rot flooring, and destroy items stored in the cabinet. If left unchecked long enough, the leak can cause thousands of dollar’s worth of damage. To make matters worse, insurance companies can rule that the problem was due to owner neglect, and refuse to pick up the bill. To save yourself the headache, just make sure to fix even minor leaks right away.

Major Pipe Leaks and Ruptures

Generally, major pluming water damage in Bucktown results from a burst line. For example, supply lines to appliances can break, and pipes can freeze solid on especially cold nights. To prevent this, professionals suggest that you replace water lines to appliances every few years. Additionally, make sure that all plumbing lines running through unheated portions of your house are either moved or thoroughly insulated.

What to look for in a repair professional

Before hiring a professional to repair the pluming Bucktown water damage, you'll first want to check with your homeowners insurance. It is possible that the entire bill covered by your policy.  

Once you've established if your insurance will pay for the cleanup or not, it's time to start whittling down your options for water damage Bucktown cleanup experts. While reading online reviews is good, you cannot rely on them alone. First, make sure you check that the business has the required licenses with your city. Unfortunately, there are some dishonest professionals who will fraudulently claim to have a license. Additionally, get all agreements in writing, make sure that they have the required equipment, and ask that all price quotes come with a guarantee.

Water or Flood Damage?

Call SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown Today – (773) 434-9100

Restoring Water Damage In Chicago

4/17/2020 (Permalink)

We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster!

Why We Use Evaporative Drying Practices for Chicago Homes

Efficiency is the heart of the work that we do for Chicago homes after water loss incidents because we realize how time-sensitive recovery efforts must be to protect more of the construction materials and contents of your residence. Drying your home involves the perfect blend of sciences like temperature, humidity, and airflow to achieve the maximum evaporation of water in saturated materials and structural elements.

Evaporation has always been a staple of restoring water damage in Chicago homes and has become a centerpiece of recovery efforts when migrating water must get addressed behind surface materials or beyond the immediate rooms where the disaster originated. Evaporative drying practices make the management of moisture removal simpler and more readily monitored so that our SERVPRO professionals always have the right information regarding the progress of drying efforts. Successful evaporation involves the union of temperature, airflow, and humidity levels.

Temperature
Especially during the winter months, drying can slow to a crawl when temperatures inside of the residence are not as warm as they could be. To counteract these sometimes-cooler temperatures in the drying zones, our team bring along portable electric heaters to warm both the entire work area as well as specific points on damaged construction materials to bolster evaporation.

Airflow
Moving air is a vital part of drying because evaporating moisture from damp materials forms a cool-air barrier along the surface of the material. By using axial and centrifugal air movers, we can regulate airflow against the damp surfaces to clear this cool-air barrier and allow warmer, drier air to impact the affected material.

Humidity
As you might expect, evaporation can lead to higher moisture content in the damaged environments of your home. Our SERVPRO professionals have multiple dehumidifiers that can pull this moisture from the air and reduce the relative humidity levels in the structure.

Evaporative drying is the fastest and most efficient method our SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown team uses to remove moisture from materials and contents in the house after a water loss. To make these disasters, “Like it never even happened,” give us a call today at (773) 434-9100.

For more about Chicago click here.

Services for Flooded Chicago Properties - What is the Process?

4/15/2020 (Permalink)

We are part of the Chicago community. We are ready 24-Hours for Emergency Services

SERVPRO Takes Charge of the Situation to Prevent Further Damage

As Chicagoans, we are accustomed to floods, intense thunderstorms, the melting winter snow, and other destructive natural forces that can wreak havoc on our homes and businesses. In addition to natural disasters, busted or frozen pipes, leaking pipelines, and other in-home accidents can occur and ruin not only your day but compromise the interior of your home and your belongings.

The Importance of Water Removal

 
If you have flood or water damage in your Chicago property, we offer a range of services for both residential and commercial properties. It is important to remember that when you have with standing water or the remains of receding water, the damage does last and must be addressed immediately.
 
Waterlogged furniture, flooring, drywall damage, the potential for mold growth, and other unsafe conditions remain. The effects of water damage require the work of professional water removal and restoration experts. This is where SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown can help you!
 
Water Restoration Professionals
 
We proudly serve our customers with the goal of ensuring that your home or business receives the care and restoration that it needs.
 
Our Services include:
• Water Removal
• Storm Damage Cleaning and Restoration
• 24-Hour Emergency Services
• Locally Owned and Operated
• Professional Equipment and Restoration Services
• Mold Remediation

 
Water Removal, Damage Mitigation, and Cleanup in Chicago

SERVPRO begins the process with an immediate and thorough assessment of the damage in order to meet your needs. From water removal, cleaning up damage, and inspecting the structure's integrity, our IICRC certified technicians will professionally clean and even replace damaged property.
 
Our process of water removal and drying include the use of thermal scanning and other high tech high tech equipment and tools for the best results.
 
Contact Us Today!
 
Dealing with a damaged property can be stressful for personal residences and businesses alike -- but when it comes to water emergencies, there is no time to waste: call us at any time and let us take care of your water removal.
 
As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown is strategically located to respond quickly to your water emergency event. When water damage occurs, we have the resources and personnel to help with water removal. Call us 24/7 at (773) 434-9100!

Learn more about the City of Chicago.

Can Apartments Receive the Same Restoration Services as Homes?

4/7/2020 (Permalink)

We give apartment complexes the same priority as houses.

SERVPRO Restores Water Damaged Properties Whether a House or Apartment Unit.

Your Bucktown water damage can be the result of many circumstances. It could be a water heater that has given out. It might be a pipe that has burst because of freezing. It might occur when a septic tank or sewer connection breaks or loosens up. It might also be a sustained level of rain that does get enough time to soak into the ground and finds its way into your basement. It might be as simple as a dishwasher or washing machine or bathtub overflowing, some of which might happen while you are out of the house for a while.

If more than a small puddle of water remains after the source of the water intrusion has been stopped, consider calling a professional company that offers water damage restoration in Bucktown. Make the call after you are safely out of your home or apartment. Be sure to call your insurance company for advice and a possible provider to restore your residence.

Looking for Hidden Damages in an Apartment

Conducting an inspection is necessary. This inspector is looking for damage, such as water-soaked building materials and stained ceiling tiles as well as warped floors and furniture that may have become de-laminated. The search for the presence of mold patches also is noted as well as water and moisture sources between the walls, above the ceiling and below the floors. During the inspection, the SERVPRO Professional will utilize a corporate software program--CCIS. This Contents Claim Inventory Service will list water damaged items and building materials on a room-by-room basis. They will be categorized as salvageable, non-salvageable or questionable. Your insurance adjuster, with your input, makes the decisions of what to discard and what to try to save. This CCIS report aids in securing your best-case scenario for monetary reimbursement along with the restoration of your Bucktown Residence. Your insurance claim and the paperwork will be easier to complete with this detail-oriented report.

The final process is the repairing of everything that was torn out by the technicians. This would include the replacement of unsalvageable drywall, baseboards, and any wood flooring. Of course, first the water must be pumped or vacuumed out of the structure, dehumidifiers and air movers placed to enhance evaporation and moisture removal, cleaning all items, and sanitizing and disinfecting affected areas with antimicrobial and antifungal agents.

 Water can be destructive to your apartment unity, but our SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown can help. Give us a call today at (773) 434-9100.

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How Do I Stop Leaking in the Ceiling of My Chicago Home?

4/4/2020 (Permalink)

“Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO Can Arrive Quickly to Dry Out Your Chicago Residence

Leaking can occur for several reasons, from poor insulation for the plumbing in your Chicago home to exterior damage on the connection points. Persistent leaks might not flood your house, but they do require immediate attention to prevent the situation from getting worse.

Water damage to Chicago homes that exist in ceiling structural cavities must get addressed using controlled demolition tactics and drying equipment. With an in-house roster of contractors, our SERVPRO team can provide real-time, minimalistic demolition was necessary to grant access to saturated materials in the ceiling assemblies and access to the compromised portions of pipe.

What can you expect when our professionals arrive at your water-damaged home?

    •    Fast and confident action to make real-time drying decisions
    •    Advanced technologies and equipment to extract water and dry materials
    •    Experienced contractors to rebuild after restoration

Water damages can be destructive to your home, but our SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown can help. Give us a call today at (773) 434-9100.

For more about Chicago click here.

Water Cleanup from Basement Leak in Chicago Ceiling

3/4/2020 (Permalink)

Our water damage technicians have the equipment and experience to restore your Chicago home to pre-damage condition.

Water Removal and Cleanup From Your Chicago Basement With Ease 

Basements have many purposes in the home, such as storage or as a home office. Others use them as playrooms or additional bedrooms. The process of having a basement dry-locked can average $10,000 or more. Once this area of the house gets finished, water damage from an interior source has the potential to be costly.

A homeowner in Chicago needed water cleanup after she noticed discolorations on the ceiling tiles of her finished basement. Looking directly below the water spots, she found the recently installed carpet directly below felt wet. 

Locating the Source of Water Loss

She called in SERVPRO to assist with water removal from the carpet and repair the basement ceiling. The techs used their moisture detection equipment and found a slow leak in a pipe in the ceiling. While the homeowner brought in a plumber to make the repairs, the techs continued the restoration services.

Minor Controlled Demo Needed

Only a small portion of the ceiling had wicked water, and the techs cut it away to open up the ceiling area for both drying and necessary repairs. They used a portable extractor with a weighted head to push the water out of the carpet and padding to prep it for drying.

Drying the Floor and Ceiling

When SERVPRO techs dry a property, they carefully set up the air movers to direct the airflow directly into wet areas to expedite drying. While the air movers cause embedded moisture to rise, the dehumidification equipment captures it and ports it away, which brings down the air moisture levels rapidly. This cycle lessens the chances of mold or musty odors being a secondary issue after the fact. The drying process gets monitored to ensure that the room attains preset interior humidity goals. 

Final Touches 

Once dry, the techs wiped down the exposed area in the ceiling with antimicrobial cleaning agents to ensure it was clean and ready for the installation of new ceiling tiles to get the room back to normal.

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100 brings their advanced equipment and skills to any size water cleanup need and makes the loss, "Like it never even happened."

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How Frozen Pipes Cause Water Damage in Chicago

2/11/2020 (Permalink)

Winters can be brutal in Chicago. Take precautions to ensure that your pipes won't freeze.

SERVPRO Handles Burst Pipe Water Removal in Chicago 

While homeowners know the necessary precautions for preventing frozen pipes from bursting, they may be surprised to know that even during mild weather, all it takes for a pipe to burst is for the temperature to be at or below freezing. In a study of 433 Philadelphia burst pipe claims, the average loss incurred from frozen pipes was $27,000, but expenses were as much as $1.7 million for more significant properties. 

If wintry weather leads to you needing water removal for your Chicago residence, IICRC-certified SERVPRO technicians can arrive at your home within hours of your call to address the source of the damage and restore your home to preloss condition. SERVPRO's state-of-the-art tools and consistent adherence to Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) standards ensure that you get high quality and thorough cleanup anytime disaster occurs in your home. 

Preventing Pipes from Bursting in Wintry Weather

• Maintain adequate temperatures in your home. To minimize fire risk, do not use space heaters, but if you do, do not leave them unattended and make sure there are at least 3 feet from anything flammable. 

• Keep pipes insulated and make sure that there is warm air circulating wherever there are water pipes in your home, including in garages and unheated areas. 

• Run some cold water on each floor of your home, especially in the areas furthest from your water main. 

• Remove garden hoses from their bibs and cover them with hose bib insulating caps. 

How SERVPRO Can Help

If the pipe bursts under the floor, water can thoroughly saturate the carpet and potentially damage the subfloor if left unchecked. With this in mind, SERVPRO technicians can use a variety of extraction tools to address and remove the issue. If the carpet is salvageable, this team can pull it up and float it. We then use air movers and low-grain refrigerant dehumidifiers to circulate air both over and under the carpet. 

However, the carpet may require removal and replacement if it is separated from the pad underneath. Exposure to moisture can weaken carpet as much 50%, so fast action is a must for restoring it. 

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown wants to ensure that your home looks, "Like it never even happened." Call (773) 434-9100 for professional disaster mitigation at any time of the day or night. 

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SERVPRO Explains Some Equipment for Water Removal in Chicago Properties

12/3/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Provides Advanced Equipment for Water Extraction and Drying for Chicago Properties Following Leaks

Water Extraction Chicago – Detection and Drying

An overflowing sink or a leaking pipe can cause a great deal of water to spread rapidly across floors, into other rooms, as well as to the floors below. Water always seeks the path of least resistance, flowing into nooks and crannies, and wall cavities. Hidden water soaking into building materials can be very problematic.

SERVPRO deploys both water extraction equipment from our Chicago offices along with moisture detectors to dry your home or office. We want to avoid potential structural damage from long term moisture exposure as well as bypass potential mold infestations. We make sure your home is dry before we leave.

Water Extraction Techniques

Once we determine that the environment is safe to enter, SERVPRO can deploy a variety of equipment to remove water from floors, cavities, and walls. Truck-mounted water extraction pumps can be deployed for large amounts of standing water. Otherwise, we utilize hand-carried vacuums and wands to remove water from the floors. Weighted extractors can be used on carpeting to remove water from carpeting and underpadding.

Water Detection

Occasionally water can penetrate walls and hard to reach crevices. We can use moisture sensors to check for water in these areas. If there is water or moisture detected, small holes can be drilled, and water can be withdrawn using small tubing. We avoid the requirement of tearing large holes in drywall by following this detection technique and then blowing dry air into the area to remove all moisture.

Reducing Humidity and Removing Moisture

SERVPRO deploys air movers to drive dry air across damp areas and under carpeting if needed. The dry air absorbs the moisture. The air is then conditioned by dehumidifiers placed in appropriate areas of the room. We may also ask the homeowner to turn on the AC to assist in lowering the humidity level throughout the home. Your home is dry to standard levels before we leave after our final walk-through.

Call SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100 for 24/7 service. We proudly serve South Lawndale, West Garfield Park, University Village – Little Italy and the surrounding areas. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

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Water Removal Chicago – Clean Carpeting

11/18/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO will be there for all of your Chicago water damage, from the pack out down to the carpet cleaning.

Carpet cleaning after your Chicago water damage.

Water leaks often occur in bathrooms, kitchens, and even laundry rooms. Water spreads from these rooms, which are typically hard surface flooring into rooms with carpets on the floors. Now is the time to not only remove the water that has collected in these rooms and clean the carpet at the same time.

SERVPRO technicians are all trained in carpet cleaning and water damage services in the Chicago area. In addition, we also provide storm damage, flood damage, and mold remediation services.

Initial Focus – Remove the Water

Our SERVPRO team's initial focus is to remove the water that may have collected on the hard surface floors. We remove water that has migrated to carpeted floors, as well. Our crew chief assesses the requirements and arranges for the appropriate deployment of equipment and team members.

Water extractors are used to remove the moisture from the carpet and underpad. Air movers are used to blow dry air over the carpet to draw moisture out of the carpet. Occasionally we may need to lift the carpet and blow dry air under the carpet to enhance drying.

Cleaning Carpets Simultaneously 

SERVPRO also provides carpet cleaning services. Our experience has shown that when there is water damage to a carpet, it is an excellent time to have the carpets cleaned at the same time. After the water has been removed, our teams can deploy our state of the art cleaning equipment.

Dust, dander from pets, food items, and skin cells regularly find their way onto carpeting and into the deeper regions of the carpet. Regular vacuuming can minimize the number of particles and dust collecting in carpets. Depending on the last time your carpets were cleaned, your floors could benefit from a thorough cleaning.

Carpet cleaning services are offered to match the condition of your carpet, from least aggressive to most aggressive.

• Bonnet Cleaning
• Hot Water Extraction
• Deluxe Precondition and Rinse
• Rotary Jet Extraction and
• Showcase

SERVPRO can clean your carpets in conjunction with water damage events, remove odors, and return your carpeted floors to like-new condition.

Call SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100 for 24/7 service. We proudly serve South Lawndale, Cicero, West Garfield Park, and the surrounding areas. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

To find out more about Chicago, click here.

If Your Chicago Home Experiences A Water Loss Event, Our Crew Is Here To Help!

5/29/2019 (Permalink)

You can count on our SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown team to arrive quickly with the equipment and experience to help.

Debris Removal For Water Loss Incidents In Chicago Homes

Once you have got the flow of water stopped through burst pipes in your Chicago home, you get your first look at the widespread damages and effects from the incident. It can surprise many homeowners how far water loss effects can move from the source to affect materials and areas of their house far from this plumbing break. Contending with moisture and dampness can prove problematic without understanding where these problems persist, and on top of this need for proper drying in your residence, you also have to begin debris removal and controlled demolition to prepare the property for reconstruction efforts to come.

There are many steps involved in water cleanup for your Chicago residence, but this process typically begins with a full assessment of the damage to your property using our sophisticated moisture detection tools and leak detection devices to determine the location of the ruptured plumbing within the walls. Our thermal imagery can often prove vital to determine which areas of your house have become severely affected by pooling water and saturation, which can help to direct drying efforts and to educate our SERVPRO professionals on irreparably damaged areas of your house’s construction.

Controlled demolition is a vital component to preparing your property for the work that is necessary to return it to preloss condition. In many cases with substantial loss incidents, flood cuts, and removals of entire drywall panels must occur to prevent secondary effects like mold and microbial growth from taking root on hosting materials like sheetrock. Instead, our thermal imagery and infrared cameras can identify moisture content and saturation and determine which portions of the wall must get removed and later replaced to make this water loss incident “Like it never even happened.”

Responding quickly to a water loss emergency is vital to protecting your property as much as possible from the spread of devastating effects. You can count on our SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown team to arrive quickly with the equipment and experience to help. Give our technicians a call anytime at (773) 434-9100.

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Water Extractors Mitigate Damage in Chicago Properties -- And SERVPRO Has Them!

5/6/2019 (Permalink)

Tall Chicago Buildings to a Studio Apartment SERVPRO Has the Equipment for Water Loss Mitigation

Water Extraction Technicians in Chicago Talk about Different Equipment

Whenever moisture enters a structure in Chicago, various types of damage can occur. The first step to preventing moisture-related issues is to conduct water extraction methods promptly. Once water sprays out of your pipes or another source, it quickly starts to soak into your contents and building materials as well as evaporate into the air inside the structure. Our professional technicians at SERVPRO know that it is much easier to remove moisture while it is in its liquid form. Therefore, we always conduct water extraction promptly after we receive your emergency damage phone call.
 
When it comes to removing liquid H2O from your contents and building materials, our SERVPRO team has many different tools of the trade we can utilize for various scenarios. Most water removal devices in Chicago that we use consist of an extractor and tools that attach to it. Extractors come in different sizes and consist of a vacuum motor and water tanks. Some units are portable and can be pushed into areas of your house that are difficult to access. Other systems are permanently mounted to trucks or vans and provide significantly more suction and lift power than portable machines.
 
After we figure out which extractor is best to use for your specific situation, we then decide the best extraction tool to attach to it. These tools range in size, and there are specific items designed for removing moisture from certain materials. For example, when removing water from small areas like closets or furniture pieces like recliners, handheld extraction tools may work best.
 
If a large portion of the carpet inside your home gets wet, then more heavy duty tools can be implemented. We can use large extraction systems that use the weight of the operator to compress the carpet, allowing more water to get vacuumed up. One such device is called a Rover, similar to a riding lawn mower.

If you ever suffer from a plumbing failure that results in wet carpet, call SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100 24 hours a day.

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Get Your Life Back on Track with Professional Water Removal Services in Chicago

7/24/2018 (Permalink)

Water Damage in Chicago Dwellings Get Mitigated with SERVPRO's Fast Service

SERVPRO Advises Property Owners to Seek Professional Help for Water Damage Cleanup and Restoration

Whether you want to take a shower, quench your thirst, clean your garments, or in some cases the house too, water should be a welcome sight. When uncontained, though, water can become a nuisance, at the very least leaving you with a challenging task when it comes to getting rid of it. In the extremes, however, water damage could threaten the health of anyone who occupies the building, be it your family, colleagues at your workplace, or even your pets. Besides, “hidden” water, being somewhat hard to find, could lead to unseen damages to your Chicago home or some other building that has been affected by any water damage or flooding.

DIY. Is it the right thing?
There is a group of Chicago homeowners who do not think that they need water removal services, so when faced by the situation, they opt for DIY solutions, unaware of the problems they create as a result. Someone may head over to a store, rent a wet vacuum so they can get rid of the water, then use different air drying methods to finalize the process. As much as the problem seems to have been solved, any case of “unseen” water could hit back in the form of mold attacks, moisture can be the cause and must be controlled.

Think professional
When faced with any water emergency, the best thing would be to act fast and make the right choice which is consulting water removal experts. At SERVPRO, we believe that any water emergency situation can be handled and the effects mitigated so you can enjoy your peace. When you think professional, think of our IICRC certified experts and the high-quality results they are capable of delivering.
 
Always prepared
Our team of able professionals can do whatever it takes to reverse the effects of an emergency situation or even a scheduled cleaning. We respond immediately with all the necessary water removal equipment to ensure that no more time is wasted for better chances of a complete recovery.
 
We are here for you
At SERVPRO of West Loop/ Bucktown/ Greektown, we are available to help  24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling (773) 434-9100.

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Remediating Water Damage and Drying Property in Chicago Homes

7/9/2018 (Permalink)

Dealing with active water damage can be exhausting and frightening. Contact SERVPRO and we arrive on the scene quickly to help.

Team SERVPRO Understands the Four Factors to Focus on During the Water Damage Remediation Process

Removing water from Chicago homes after a flood is only the first step in restoring them to a clean, dry, and safe environment. To allow the owners and residents to resume their routine means getting every bit of excess moisture out of the home and carefully drying the interior and property.
 
SERVPRO restoration teams need to bring four different factors back to normal levels to reverse the effects of water damage in Chicago homes. Once accomplished, our technicians can restore most property if it wasn’t already, permanently damage by the water by adjusting the Humidity, Evaporation, Air Movement, and Temperature.
 
Relative Humidity is the level of moisture, or water vapor, in the air inside the home. If it is over 60 percent, then the air is considered saturated, and drying slows almost to a standstill. To lower it to an acceptable level of under 40 percent, our specialists install dehumidifiers to draw water directly from the air and nearby structural property like wall panels and ceiling tiles.
 
Reduced humidity ties directly into Evaporation. As the dehumidifiers lower the humidity, natural evaporation increases. Water trapped in personal property like furniture turns to vapor faster as the air dries. Evaporation starts after the amount of water in a home is reduced to less than two inches in depth, so removal is very important.
 
At the same time, SERVPRO specialists also increase Air Movement. At key points in the home, they install air movers to blow warm, dry air throughout the home and across the surface of the affected property. To assist in this, they also install fans at doors and windows to draw out the cool, damp air and force it outside the home. Both actions help speed up the overall drying process which prevents the property from absorbing too much moisture and causing permanent damage.
 
Finally, there is the Temperature of the home. Property dries faster in a range of 70 to 90 degrees. If the outside air is below that range, and the home HVAC is not usable, then our team can bring in portable heaters to raise the inside temperature. They do this carefully, since raising the temperature too quickly can raise the humidity level, counteracting the efforts of the dehumidifiers.
 
Restoring any home from the effects of water damage is not a simple process, but a professional restoration service can get you back to your home quickly and only when it is safe. If you need us, contact SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100 today. We are here for you.

Click here for more information on the city of Chicago.

Water Damage Experts In Chicago Explain Final Cleaning

5/23/2018 (Permalink)

Excessive moisture can also cause mildew-like odors to exist after it is removed.

Water Damage

If a pipe ever breaks inside your Chicago apartment, structural components and your possessions can get damaged. Excessive moisture can also cause mildew-like odors to exist after it is removed. The last steps of any restoration project are the cleaning and deodorization stages.

Before leaving any job site, our SERVPRO technicians make sure your home is as clean as it was before the loss. During any water damage scenario in Chicago, odor control is vital. In most cases, as long as moisture is removed within 48 hours, microbial growth does not take place, but some pungent aromas can still exist.

During the work process, it is possible that dust and debris get into your home. When our SERVPRO technicians complete the final cleaning process, any soils created by the work get removed. Structural items like floors and walls often get cleaned before we finish the job.

Whenever cleaning items inside your apartment we use IICRC certified methods and chemicals specifically made for the materials, we are cleaning. During the final clean, we shampoo and deodorize any carpeting or rugs that get affected by moisture. When cleaning carpets, we pick the best method based on how severely the carpets got soiled. Different methods get implemented if the soils are just on top of the carpet fibers or if they got deeply embedded into the fibers.

In some cases, if the soils are light but the source of the water was gray water, a more aggressive method must be used. For lightly soiled carpets we typically use hot water extraction or bonnet methods. If the carpet is a low pile carpet, then we can use shampoo during the cleaning phase.

For moderate soiling, we can also use hot water extraction methods and shampoo if it is a low pile carpet. Since the soil is a little more prevalent with moderate soils we also sometimes use the deluxe preconditioner and rinse method. We also can use the preconditioner and rinse method with heavy, deeper soiling. With deep soils, we also can implement showcase and rotary jet extraction methods.

When cleaning after a restoration project, we clean until your home looks as good as it did before the water damage if not better. For help with cleaning after water-related issues, call SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100 24 hours a day.

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What to Do When Your Chicago Home Sustains Water Damage

4/10/2018 (Permalink)

Bathroom Leaks Can Lead to Major Water Damage in Chicago Homes--Contact SERVPRO for Cleanup, Drying, and Restoration

Call SERVPRO, of Course, for Swift Water Removal and Restoration

Coming home to water damage in your bathroom is a nightmare that most would not walk into willingly. Being away on a brief vacation and returning home to the piping under your bathroom sink leaking is just enough time for the problem to get out of hand. The water can pool and then slowly soaked into the floor and walls around it. Soon enough, the bathroom is in desperate need of professional services. Ignoring the problem would only allow the potential for mold growth or rot. Fortunately, professional help is not far.

Our IICRC-certified SERVPRO technicians can inspect your Chicago bathroom for water damage and then pick the appropriate method to tackle it. The longer that water sits in your home untouched, the more damage it can do. We appreciate your time is limited and strive to arrive at your home as soon as possible so that we may begin the restoration process swiftly.
 
What is essential in water damage restoration is establishing the best method to create a dry environment. SERVPRO technicians can achieve this through the use of advanced technology, such as dehumidifiers to take the moisture content out of the air. There are several types of dehumidifiers that we can pick from based on the unique circumstances that the water damage in your bathroom has created. Desiccant trailer mounted are for large loss jobs, smaller desiccants with silicone-based gel for the interior of homes, and LGR low grain refrigerant ones that condense out moisture like an a/c unit. We can also use tools like air movers and axial fans to keep air moving and taking moisture off of wet surfaces for the capture of the water vapor.
 
While it does not happen often, sometimes water damage can lead to the loss of belongings. Should you lose anything to the damage in your bathroom, such as towels or cosmetics, SERVPRO can help you take inventory of what you lost and then assist you with making a claim to your insurance company. For structural damage of non-salvageable materials, we can use our CCIS claims form to itemize losses.
 
If a pipe should leak on your property and cause water damage, do not wait. Call SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100. We can take your call 24/7 and send our technicians to your home as soon as possible.

Information about this side of Chicago right here.

Water Removal Services Can Make a Big Difference in Your Cicero Property

3/16/2018 (Permalink)

Water damage from inside or outside of your home can be overwhelming. Contact SERVPRO to send our team to dry out and remediate your property.

Team SERVPRO Detects Hidden Water on Your Property Using Specialized Equipment

If you do not go for immediate water removal services after a flood or water incursion on your property, your home may experience long-term damage. The risk is more if you are dealing with gray water. Delayed services may lead to mold proliferation in your Chicago property. Porous materials such as wallboards, carpets, ceilings, and insulations are more prone to microbial contamination.
 
Observing safety aspects is so essential when our SERVPRO technicians are offering water removal services in Chicago. We start by assessing the structural integrity, and during that step, we look for things like gas leaks, electrical shock. If the water category is black or gray, we never miss wearing Personal Protective Equipment. We also isolate the area by putting up warning signs and barriers.
 
Usually, when black water contaminates porous materials, they are not entirely safe to use even when they are dry, so discarding them is the best option. If our SERVPRO technicians have to remove any debris and excess water from hard surfaces, we perform wet vacuuming, and with a HEPA-filtered vacuum, we can clean dry your materials. To efficiently collect mold spores without dispersing them, we employ high filtration and after that dispose of the contaminants in sealable plastic bags.
 
Our SERVPRO team can also clean your furniture and any hard surfaces by using a detergent and water. After washing your contents, we dry them and monitor for fungal growth and odors. We also access hidden places such as crawl spaces, shafts, and ceilings and investigate any presence of damage. By using moisture meters, we can measure the moisture content in those areas. We remove any wet insulation and tiles and dispose of them when necessary. The hidden spaces might be the sources of odors, so we perform deodorization to neutralize the smells.
 
SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown is a trusted industry leader in storm, mold, fire and water damage restoration. Call us at (773) 434-9100 at any time of the day, and we can make it “Like it never even happened.”

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Water Removal Services That Help Protect Your Chicago Area Property

9/19/2017 (Permalink)

Water that enters your Chicago area property during a storm only takes an hour or two to spread throughout your home.

Water Removal Services

Water that enters your Chicago area property during a storm only takes an hour or two to spread throughout your home. This exposure can cause significant damages that hide within your walls, often leading to additional rot, corrosion, and even mold. Reduce the chances of being exposed to secondary damages by calling a professional.

Waking up to a broken window or standing water in your Chicago area home should make water removal flags go off in your mind. As you sleep, the raging storm outside produces a vast amount of water that can cause severe damage to unprotected areas of your home. You need professional help to determine the extent of exposure, limit secondary damages, and any losses you might experience.

SERVPRO’s team of IICRC-industry certified professionals are ready to respond to your emergency situation 24/7, 365, day or night. We train hard and work harder so that you never have to worry about environmental issues in your home again. A single call gives you full access to qualified technicians that understand how water behaves, staying on top of common problems that plague most homeowners. SERVPRO has industrial-grade water extraction and drying equipment that makes recovering fast while helping you avoid the majority of guesswork, managing your entire process from beginning to end. You never have to battle water removal alone; we are here to help. Our knowledgeable staff even works with your insurance company to make the claims process as simple as possible.

SERVPRO is locally owned and operated, making our company a valuable local resource that you can count on during an emergency. We are proud to serve other members of our local community, offering services that provide you with answers to dangerous situations and being a part of the solution that keeps you safe.

Contact SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown for full-service water removal solutions throughout Bucktown, Greektown, and Wicker Park, today. We are a part of the surrounding community, enabling us to respond, “Faster to Any Size Disaster.” Our team is ready to respond immediately, call now (773) 434-9100.

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Preventing Water Damage from a Failing Dishwasher in Chicago

9/8/2017 (Permalink)

One way to prevent your dishwasher from failing is to not overload it.

Steps to keep your dishwasher working properly

One of the most common reasons for water damage in Chicago homes is dishwashers. There are several important steps you can take to help prevent your dishwasher from failing and causing havoc to your home.

If you have already had a water emergency from your dishwasher in your Chicago home, SERVPRO are the ones to reach out to. Our staff is specially trained and experienced to handle any water damage, and we move fast to get to your home, assess the harm, and come up with a plan to remove the water and dry your home out again.

You should also ensure your drain line is hooked up correctly to the sink. It needs to be tightly connected to the plumbing underneath your sink and not loose in any way. The natural pressure from the dishwasher wears at the connection between the two if it is loose at all, possibly dumping a full dishwasher’s worth of water into your kitchen. Only run your dishwasher while you are at home so you can shut it off if something happens.

Keep an eye out for buckling or warping on the area of the floor surrounding your dishwasher. It is a sure sign there is a leak, and you need to contact us at SERVPRO right away.

If you have a basement immediately below your kitchen, monitor the ceiling in that area for water stains or any other distress signs.

Lastly, make sure you are not overfilling your dishwasher, as it causes water during the cycle to move in ways it should not be moving, exacerbating small issues.

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown has the industrial equipment, such as truck mounted pumps, to remove any standing water in your home in West Loop, Chicago, or Bucktown after your dishwasher has failed. We also have large fans and dehumidifiers to dry it out completely again. Call us at (773) 434-9100 as soon as you recognize a problem, as more damage can occur if you leave the water for any length of time.

Click here for more information about Chicago, Illinois.

The High Visibility of Water Damage in Chicago Apartments and Homes

8/11/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown is faster to any size disaster!

SERVPRO Can Clean and Restore Your Water Damage in Chicago

Many times, the damage a dwelling holds is known soon after an event by those who occupy the home. Damage often comes about as a result of the changes experienced at the molecular level. From the disintegration of normally solid materials to the staining of surfaces on walls and ceilings, evidence that these changes have taken place can sometimes be quite apparent.

Chicago homes can experience water damage and its effects in different ways. Either absorption and redistribution of substances that produce stains on walls and ceilings or expansion of the spacing between molecules before, during and after the presence of water in a sheet of drywall show how extreme water can affect these materials.

More durable surfaces, such as wood and metal can also exhibit signs that water has been present, even long after removal of any water. Wooden fixtures and floors can swell so much that they begin to buckle, warp, and even crack apart because their expansion forces them to become greater than the area they occupied. While floors have some small leeway for expansion and shrinkage, this is done only to allow for normal conditions. Other millwork falls into the same problem when faced with excess water.

Preventing the damage is always easier to do than it is to restore materials after the fact, making it crucial for residents with excess water to call as soon as possible. SERVPRO knows that preventing water damage is easier to do than restoring a home that has already begun to show signs of it within materials, both interior and exterior. Having received IICRC certifications in this and other related restorative methods ensure that our technicians are prepared to handle your home's disaster, regardless of difficulty or complicated nature.

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

Whichever stage your home or apartment is experiencing water damage, the time to call for assistance in mitigating any and all damage present and restoring your home is now. You can contact us, SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown by calling our local number, (773) 434-9100, on any day and at any hour. We are always here when you need us the most, and we are always Faster To Any Size Disaster.

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

When The Roof On Your Chicago Area Home Fails And Causes Water Damage In Your Home

4/24/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO TIp--Roof Repairs Prevent Water Damage to Chicago Properties

SERVPRO Offers Restoration and Repairs to Your Water Damaged Property

Do you find yourself constantly flipping channels to view hourly weather status updates? Have regular stations for drip bucket deployment in your home? Whether your roofing is two years old or twenty, a single leak can cause catastrophic damage to your property.  
 
To make it clear, we would like to help you prevent these types of incidents. There is no longer any reason for you to live with water damage in your Chicago area home. We cover everything from quick, simple repairs, to major remodels and renovations. Our restoration process makes damages disappear, “Like it never even happened.”
 
Roof Flashing -
Roof flashing consists of thin metal plates that get installed on joints under the shingles of your roof. Combined with a rubberized coating flashing helps create a water-resistant barrier, protecting the rest of your home from exposure to outdoor elements. Over time, this coating dries and cracks, giving various elements access to unprotected areas of your home.  
 
SERVPRO can send professional technicians in to locate the source of the leak, remove and replace old flashing if not too extensive, re-coat the area with roofing sealant and help return things to normal quickly. Roof Valley cracks are also common; our inspection catches these defects as well.
 
Broken Shingles -
As you examine the exterior layer of your roof, identify any cracked, discolored, or missing shingles. A single missing shingle may not be much of a problem. However, after inclement weather causes violent winds and torrential rainfall to scatter shingles throughout your yard, you may want to consider having someone out to perform an inspection. In the cold season, ice damming can also lead to interior and exterior water damage to your property.
 
SERVPRO technicians easily repair obvious issues, using a variety of moisture detectors, water extractors, and water removal methods to eliminate the problems plaguing your home. The sooner you call, the more likely you receive the results you are looking for, limited damage and exposure.
 
Roof Vent Issues -
Your roof may also contain pipe vents, which are used to expel excess moisture from various areas of your home. When the booting used to seal the area around the piping cracks, the excess moisture causes dark spots, musty odors, and possible mold contamination in your roof framing, or attic area.
 
All of these issues can result in major damage to the structure and indoor air quality (IAQ) of your home. Making it necessary to contact SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown as soon as possible to assist with correcting the issues you face. Call Today. (773) 434-9100

Water Damage 101

6/27/2016 (Permalink)

Got water damage issues in your Wicker Park home? SERVPRO of West Loop/Bucktown/Greektown has a solution!

101 Water Damage 

Any water damage can be devastating. It only takes a few inches of water to make a serious threat to building components, occupants, and interior furnishings. Water’s harmful effects can be lowered by the prompt and reliable water damage restoration services from our experts at SERVPRO, who will mitigate the damage for you quickly. 

Water Restoration Professionals 

Our water restoration team at SERVPRO are experts who are well-trained and knowledgeable. Every technician has gotten their Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification, or IICRC, and will perform all water restoration services in compliance with the standards of IICRC for professional restoration water damage. Our vehicles are also totally equipped with professional drying, water extraction and moisture testing equipment for all kinds of problems with water. 

We have plenty of experience in water restoration problems in businesses and homes, and we have an excellent reputation for quality, fast service. Our professional team gives you Wicker Park water damage cleanup that is unparalleled, and we’ll also work alongside your insurance carrier so you will have one less thing to worry about. 

With SERVPRO, you will get the professional service you expect and deserve, which includes:  

• Equipment that is state of the art
• Emergency service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
• IICRC insured and certified
• Direct billing to your insurance company

Emergency Water Extraction and Removal 

The key to controlling water damage and keeping your property protected is immediate action. You can count on our team at SERVPRO to help you at any hour on any day of the year. We can professionally clean up water from toilet and sewer line backups, water heater and sump pump failures, busted pipes, dishwasher and washing machine leaks, flooding from heavy rain, ice maker problems, natural disasters and ground water seeping into your basement. 

Extra moisture can hide in your foundation, floor coverings, walls and wood structures, which causes major damage to your property and makes the perfect environment for mold and other growth of fungi. It is important that water is removed, and the property is dried out, ventilated and disinfected as quickly as possible to stop the growth of fungi, bacteria, mildew and other microorganisms which are harmful. 

Advanced Equipment for Water Damage Restoration 

SERVPRO can handle any size commercial or residential water extraction job. With our processes that are state of the art, using both suction and compression and bringing water to the surface to suction it away, the water won’t be able to be re-absorbed into the carpeting or padding. We’ll also use the most efficient units for dehumidifying and air movers to get rid of moisture and stop secondary damage to walls, furniture, and flooring. 

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

When water damage has threatened your home or business, give us a call at SERVPRO of West Loop/Bucktown/Greektown by dialing (773) 434-9100. We’ll get out to your property quickly so we can avoid your property from getting damaged further and get your life back to normal as soon as possible

What to do About Chicago Water Damage

4/29/2016 (Permalink)

Chicago Water Damage From Ice Dams Needs Help from SERVPRO

SERVPRO Fixes Water Damaged Properties in Chicago

Water damage in Chicago is a problem which most property owners dread. When snow melts or heavy rains come down quickly, you can be at a higher risk for this type of damage. Thousands of dollars’ worth of damage can be caused by water by damaging upholstery, wood furniture, household appliances, electronics, and plumbing equipment. The chance of mold growth can also be increased from water intrusion, and is a problem which is highly expensive to fix. Hiring a water damage restoration company like SERVPRO is an efficient way to mitigate secondary water damage and to control costs. This company also has experienced workers who have received extensive training, adhering to the IICRC industry standards for water removal and restoration.

Water Damage Causes
There are various reasons for water damage. It can include clogged toilets, leaky dishwashers, overflowing washing machines, broken or frozen pipes, leaky roofs, broken dishwasher hoses, foundation cracks and plumbing leaks. Heavy snow, floods, and downpours can also cause this kind of damage, and can lead to water coming into your basement. Minor problems can be due to pooling or dripping water which can escalate into the destruction of businesses and homes. Once a building sustains water damage, start clean up right away. This is imperative, as it can increase the likelihood of salvaging items and possessions like water-soaked carpets, furniture, clothing, rugs, and momentoes.

Process of Restoration
The process of recovery after Chicago water damage has occurred is vital. Using the right materials and procedures will help you to save your cherished belongings and keep your home from being ravaged. Companies who specialize in water restoration can mitigate the effects of water, but the success of this restoration will depend on how severe the damage is, how much water has caused the damaged, and how quickly the intrusive water is extracted.

An experienced water damage restoration company like SERVPRO employs skilled technicians to assess a property and figure out a plan for water removal and restoration. This company has equipment that is high-tech, industry leading training, and also documents the procedures to help with any insurance claim you may have.

Hazard to Your Health
As mentioned above, you can be at risk for mold when you experience water damage. This makes it even more important to hire a professional water damage restoration company as soon as you can once you realize you have a problem. Moisture removal through the use of air movers and dehumidifiers help to lessen the chance of mold propagation. Mold can form because of moisture, and exposure to mold can cause health effects.

Should you experience any water damage in Chicago, contact SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown right away by calling them 24/7 at (773) 434-9100.

Bucktown Water Damage From Roof to Foundation

2/10/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Suggests a Sump Pump Installation in Your Bucktown Home Basement

SERVPRO Can Restore Your Water Damaged Home in Bucktown

Water damage in Bucktown can be caused by the fickleness of Nature. Water may be a vital part of life, but it can also be destructive. For homeowners, too much water can cause significant problems. In wet weather, all of that excess liquid has to end up somewhere and, very often, that somewhere is around the foundations of your building. SERVPRO points out the following guidance to help prevent the unwanted effects of water damage to your property.

The Consequences of Bad Drainage

If your property does not have a robust drainage system, there could be consequences during wet weather. If you do not take action and successfully reroute runoff away from your home, you are at risk for severe water damage. Foundation weakness occurs when an inadequate drainage system cannot prevent water from accumulating around the foundation of the structure. Dry soil close to the surface enables water to percolate deep underground. The soil expands when the water interacts with it, and this can end up shifting the structure above. This kind of water damage is responsible for cracks in the concrete and loss of perpendicular structural stability.

Foundation collapse is the most serious effect of the conditions described above. While such incidents are rare, the cost of shoring up the base to limit upper level damages is expensive. Crawlspace foundations are easier to remedy by re-enforcing existing perimeter supports and floor joists. Still, expensive and inconvenient. Why not prevent this foundation erosion by eliminating the causes?

Persistent dampness is a less urgent, but no less negative result of poor drainage. Cracks in the foundation let moisture infiltrate the concrete. This moisture buildup in a basement area, probably already lacking in proper ventilation and heat, can lead to water damaged walls, powdering plaster, and peeling paint. Tack on to this conducive conditions for mold growth and remediation becomes more urgent than initially thought.

Tips for Successfully Rerouting Runoff
Clearly, these are serious issues which can threaten the structural integrity of a home. They need to be addressed as soon as they appear, preferably with the help of a reliable company like SERVPRO. These tips will help you reroute runoff water away from your home, but you will need to call in the experts if there is already extensive water damage.

Install Rain Gutters and Keep Them Clean: just one-half inch of water running off 1,000 square feet of roofing represents around 310 gallons, so it is imperative that all of this moisture is directedly away from the foundation. The downspouts should be unclogged and angled away from the house. Use leaf guards if necessary to maintain a gravitational flow of water from the gutters. In the winter be aware of ice dams that restrict melting ice or snow from being dispatched to the downspouts. If this is an issue, consider adding insulation inside the attic. This will reduce heat convecting through the roof sheathing which will liquefy snow leading to icing. Also, be alert to possible frozen pipes.

Finding Reliable Water Restoration Services
If water damage in Bucktown still occurs, the IICRC-certified technicians from SERVPRO can respond quickly, assess the problems, remove the water, and dry out and restore your home "Like it never even happened."

Highly-Trained Water Restoration Specialists

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown has vast expertise, experience, and training that enables us to quickly return your Bucktown property to preloss condition. Call us 24/7 for help. (773) 434-9100

Chicago Water Damage Clean Up —Why is Fast Response So Important?

12/10/2015 (Permalink)

Pay attention to your water bill. A significant increase could indicate a leak.

Why is Fast Response So Important When It Comes to Water Damage Cleanup in Chicago

Water Damage Restoration: A Brief Overview

When your residential property is impacted by water damage in Chicago, experts encourage you to attain water damage remediation services within the first 24 to 48 hours. This course of action is important for numerous reasons, including that it prevents the growth of toxic microbial like mold. In a study on water damage, wet drywall that was not treated within a 48 hour period already indicated signs of microbial growth. Luckily, attaining excellent restoration services following water damage can prevent this type of unwanted activity from transpiring. Learn more about how industry professionals can assist you by reviewing the following outline:

 The Water Damage Remediation Process

 The first thing Chicago water damage contractors will do upon arriving at your property is to perform an assessment. The assessment will show the professionals the extent of the damages on your property. Once the assessment is complete, the contractors will put together a customized treatment plan that outlines how they are going to remove standing water and resolve all other damage-related issues.

 After the strategic plan is drafted, the contractors will move forward with the water extraction process. This part of the restoration work will involve discarding or removing wet materials like insulation, sheetrock, carpet pad, and carpet. After the contractors extract the standing water, they will use drying equipment like commercial air movers and high efficiency dehumidifiers to remove any moisture that remains in the air. Contractors work with speed to complete these processes to limit damage and ensure that you can return to peaceful living in a safe, sanitary home.

 Moisture Readings

 In addition to extracting water from your property, the Chicago water damage specialists will take moisture readings in affected regions of the home during the drying processes. This work will help ensure that all parts of the property are dry before the water damage repair process starts. Contractors will be sure to monitor moisture levels in hidden regions of the property such as behind cabinets and wall cavities. This prevents the growth of microbial organisms.

 If you find that your property has been impacted by water damage, there's only one company to call for fast, friendly service: SERVPRO. Our IICRC-certified technicians will work with lightning speed to restore your property. Moreover, we offer 24/7 emergency services to ensure that we can address your issue whenever it arises. Locally Owned Company with National Resources

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

 As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of West Loop/Bucktown/Greektown is strategically located to respond quickly to your flood and water emergency event. Call us today! (773) 434-9100

Chicago Water Damage Restoration How To Select A Restoration Company

2/26/2015 (Permalink)

Chicago Water Damage Restoration

What Is Required For Chicago Water Damage Restoration 

Water damage restoration is more than just mopping up spilt water with towels. After all, flood water will soak up walls, trickle in to the flooring, and seep into furniture. To ensure that the cleanup process is done properly and completely, several steps need to be followed, and professional equipment is needed. Otherwise, mold can grow, and the problem will only get worse.

- Ensure safety
Before any flood water can be entered, a homeowner or professional team needs to ensure safety. Power sources in the area should be turned off, the cleanliness of the water should be accessed, and protective gear needs to be worn.

- Find the source
Once the safety of the area has been accessed, the next step is to identify the source of the problem. This way the professional clean up team can make sure that water still isn't pouring in.

- Water removal
Next, it is time to remove the excess water. Depending on what caused the flood, this process can be greatly complicated. After all, debris can clog pumps and contaminated water will need to be handled safely. What many homeowners don't realize is that this step will include removing water from walls, furniture, and flooring. This can mean that industrial strength fans and dehumidifiers may need to be run for several days or even weeks after the flood.

- Mold damage
Water damage restoration is just as much about water removal as it is about mold control. In fact, mold damage is perhaps the biggest threat of Chicago water damage. After all, even a small leak under a sink can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage if mold is allowed to grow at an uncontrolled rate. Once excess water is removed, the humidity level will need to be lowered, and special chemicals will need to be sprayed. Otherwise, it's almost a certainty that mold will grow.

- Prevention
Now that the home is back to normal, the final step is prevention; otherwise, the problem may come back again. A professional will identify what could have stopped the problem in the first place. For example, if a frozen pipe burst, then the pipes in the home should be moved or insulated. If a backed up sewer flooded a basement, then a sump-pump might be installed. Only after this step has been done is the water damage restoration complete.

SERVPRO® Damage Restoration
Residential and Commercial Restoration Services
SERVPRO of West Loop/Bucktown/Greektown Professionals provide fire and water damage restoration services. SERVPRO of West Loop-Bucktown-Greektown proudly serves Chicago, Alsip, Riverdale, Calumet City, Dolton, Lansing, Homewood, Hazel Crest, Country Club Hills, Flossmorre, and surrounding areas. We are available 24 hours/7 days a week and are ready to restore damage to your home orcommercial structure caused by:

    •    Water Damage
    •    Fire Damage
    •    Flood damage
    •    Mold Damage
    •    Storm Damagee