Leaky Roof

5/12/2021 (Permalink)

Looking up and seeing a large wet spot on your ceiling, or even worse, a stream of water pouring through, is one of the most frustrating things that can happen to a homeowner. What do you do when your roof is clearly damaged, the insulation in the ceiling is filled with moisture, and dirty water is dripping onto your floor? Well, the answer is actually quite simple: call SERVPRO! Of course, there are some steps you can take to lessen the damage, or even in some cases, repair the area on your own.

If water is spreading across the ceiling, you usually want to actually allow the water through before it spreads through your ceiling and damages a larger area of drywall. It’s better to poke a hole in the ceiling and let water come down through that area, otherwise it will do more damage and be harder to control. Place a bucket and towel underneath the drip area and monitor the situation. You’ll then need to find out the source of the leakage, whether it’s from a compromised roof, a leaky pipe, or something else. You may need to remove part of the ceiling or call a professional to help you.

In order to prevent mold or damage from moisture, you’ll need to remove the affected portion of the ceiling and dry it out with a fan. At SERVPRO, we provide dehumidifiers and professional equipment that will help pinpoint areas of moisture and take care of the issue. You’ll then need to replace the drywall. Of course, we’re happy to help with any of these steps and guarantee your ceiling will be restored at the highest standard. If you have any water damage, whether from a leaky ceiling or a flash flood, SERVPRO of Northbrook / Wheeling / Glencoe is here to help, available 24/7 for emergency services. Give us a call at (847) 498-8889

Commercial Storm, Water, and Fire Repair

3/9/2021 (Permalink)

Suffering any kind of commercial property damage only gets more costly the longer it takes to repair.
Fire damage can end up leaving a lingering odor and damaging the structure of your property, while
flood and storm damage can lead to warped floors and mold. Damage needs to be cleaned not only
thoroughly, but quickly, because, as anyone who owns or runs a commercial property knows, time is
money. Thankfully SERVPRO is here to help. We’re on the clock 24 hours a day, seven days a week for
emergency repairs and our team is professionally trained to clean and mitigate efficiently, so you can be
back in operation in no time and know that your property has been given the best clean possible. If you
would like to schedule an appointment, give us a call at SERVPRO of Northbrook / Wheeling / Glencoe
(847) 498-8889.

SERVPRO Continues to Offer COVID-19 Cleaning Services

3/2/2021 (Permalink)

A little over a year ago, COVID-19 appeared and changed the way we’ve lived since. Back then, we were
prepared to help homes and businesses protect themselves from contagion, and a year later we’re still
strong and operating full-scale to fight back the spread of Coronavirus.
Our team is trained to go above and beyond ordinary cleaning services. We’re prepared with the best
equipment to eliminate the virus and cover the greatest possible surface area with minimum physical
contact. We’ll clean virtually every space possible on your property. Generally, we aim to clean all
surfaces, tools, equipment, and items based on the needs of your home or business, and then make sure
to properly clean equipment and dispose of waste that could be a risk factor.
While we can eliminate traces of the virus in your property, it’s important to maintain cleanliness after
we finish our job. Of course, all areas, especially those specified by the CDC, should be cleaned regularly.
These include doorknobs, phones, keyboards, kitchens, stair handrails, as well as other areas specific to
your job. You should also practice good hygiene (was your hands with sanitizer, avoid touching your
face, and increase ventilation) and social distancing where possible.
At SERVPRO, your well-being and happiness is our number one concern, and our training and equipment
places us in a position where we can help the community through our cleaning services. If you would
like to schedule an appointment, give us a call at SERVPRO of Northbrook / Wheeling / Glencoe (847) 498-
8889.

Keeping Your Home Safe During a Blizzard

1/11/2021 (Permalink)

While we’re more used to dealing with rainstorms, snowstorms can also cause a lot of damage to your home or property. Blizzards are especially high-risk weather phenomena because, along with high winds and heavy snow, freezing temperatures can cause further damage.

Roof damage is one of the worst things that can happen to your home during a blizzard. Heavy snow and winds can cause roofs to collapse under too much weight. Wet snow can be deceptively heavy, and a collapse leads to structural and water damage, which is very expensive to repair. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do about this. When the weather subsides, you can climb onto your roof and brush snow off it (having a spotter and taking all safety precautions involved), but this can be dangerous and sometimes a storm will simply not let up.

Gutter damage is another prevalent issue. When water freezes in your gutters, it mixes with debris and can expand inside them, causing them to break and become ineffective. Cleaning your gutters regularly, and especially before expected snowfall, can prevent damage.

The other major, and perhaps most notorious, culprit are burst pipes. The water inside pipes can often freeze and expand. This leads to melted water streaming through the structure of your home, causing severe water damage. In order to protect your property, you can make sure to insulate any exposed pipes. You can also let water drip from your faucets to keep the flow moving and lessen the chance that water freezes.

Of course, if there is damage, you can always call us at SERVPRO of Northbrook / Wheeling / Glencoe, (847) 498-8889. Our team members are professionally trained and available 24/7 for emergency services.

Taking Care of Hardwood Floors After Water Damage

12/18/2020 (Permalink)

Hardwood floor damage is a common problem that occurs after flooding. Although
insulation, walls, carpets, and belongings are also at risk, hardwood floors can be especially
difficult because water can warp wood, causing structure damage. Moisture will also create an
environment ideal for mold growth.
After the flood hits, there are a few steps you can take to mitigate water damage. First,
you need to dry the area. First, you should open any windows or doors near the affected area
to allow for faster evaporation. You also need to remove water as quickly as possible. Taking
safety precautions, clear the area with either a wet / dry vacuum, mops, or, if needed, a pump.
Clear any debris or dirt that may have entered. If possible, you can then use dehumidifiers or
heaters to get rid of any more moisture.
Even after taking these steps, however, water damage can still end up harming your
hardwood floors. Thankfully, SERVPRO of Northbrook / Wheeling / Glencoe can help you
restore your home no matter the damage. Our equipment is bult to deal with any kind of water
damage, and we will be able to assess and then mitigate any damages that may have occurred
or are at risk. In the end, restoring a hardwood floor quickly and professionally can end up
saving you money in the long run, since letting the damage exacerbate will only end up costing
more in the future. If you have any questions or concerns, give us a call at 847-498-8889.

Safety Tips For Deep Frying a Turkey

12/1/2020 (Permalink)

Over 900 fires a year, according to some statistics, are caused by deep frying turkeys. Although deep-fried turkey can be a delicious way to celebrate Thanksgiving, the process can be dangerous. However, there are some precautions you can take to avoid disaster. Don’t be a turkey this year and stay safe by following these tips:

1. Keep the fryer away from your property. Frying in your home or garage can easily lead to a fire. Oil can sputter or spill, or it can overheat and cause a ball of fire to burst from the fryer. Stay at least ten feet away from any building or place of potential hazard to minimize risk.
2. Use protective gear. Often, even the handles of fryers can reach extreme temperatures. Make sure you wear protective clothing, such as oven mitts and goggles, to protect yourself from burns and grease that might sputter. Keep a fire extinguisher on hand. Water will only exacerbate a grease fire, so it’s important to have the right equipment,
3. Thaw your turkey. The excess water from a frozen turkey could cause the grease to bubble and burst from the fryer. Preparing your turkey ahead of time can help prevent this.

Make sure you monitor the frying process carefully. Pay attention to temperatures, and make sure the fryer is on flat and sturdy ground. Also make sure that children, pets, and anyone who isn’t cooking stays away from the fryer.

If disaster occurs, give us a call at SERVPRO of Northbrook / Wheeling / Glencoe, (847) 498-8889 and we’ll be there to restore, clean, and recovery any kind of fire damage.

Wintertime and Water Damage

12/1/2020 (Permalink)

A winter wonderland, for some, might be a cause for elation, for excitement, and for an opportunity to sled, ski, and drink hot chocolate. However, when winter brings water damage to your home or property, it’s anything but fun. Freezing pipes, ice dams on roofs, and flooded basements can end up costing a lot of money and be very difficult to clean or fix. Thankfully, there are a few steps you can take to lower the chances of these seasonal hazards and make the winter a less worrisome time.

1. Insulate water pipes in unheated areas. You can also get low-temperature detectors that will tell you when temperatures near your pipes are hazardous.
2. Maximize warm air flow.
3. Allow cold water to drip from faucets. Running water is less likely to freeze.
4. Check water supply lines. If they’re low, they are more likely to freeze.
5. Clean and maintain your gutters.

Following these steps can help prevent water damage, but the possibility is always there. If disaster does strike, call us at SERVPRO of Northbrook / Wheeling / Glencoe, (847) 498-8889. Our team members are professionally trained and available 24/7 for emergency services, so even if the winter does take its toll, we can clean up any mess so that it’s “Like it never even happened.”

Property Damage in Northbrook, Wheeling, or Glencoe? Call SERVPRO!

11/30/2020 (Permalink)

When disaster strikes, it can be overwhelming. The stress caused from the potential dangers,
property loss, and time commitment is stressful, and while no one wants to experience fire or
water damage, it can happen to anyone and at any time. Of all the decisions you have to make
after a disaster, don’t let finding a restoration company be a difficult one. Call SERVPRO of
Northbrook / Wheeling / Glencoe and we’ll manage all the difficulties of cleanup and
restoration. Each professional on our team has received IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning,
and Restoration Certification) training and can arrive at your property to assess damage, costs, and provide the best cleanup ability immediately. We’re available 24/7 for emergency services and can arrive at the job at any time. Also, now more than ever, you can rest assured that our entire staff is trained to take the best measures of safety and caution to prevent the spread of germs and viruses. So, if your property, whether it be home or business, suffers from any kind of fire,
water, storm, or mold damage, give us a call at SERVPRO of Northbrook / Wheeling / Glencoe,
(847) 498-8889 and you can rest assured that your property is in the best hands.

Preventing Wind Damage

11/30/2020 (Permalink)

During a storm, heavy winds can end up causing massive damage to your home. Damage to
your roof, windows, or doors can also end up letting water in, which can lead to flooding and
water damage. Although damage from wind is difficult to prevent, there are a few steps you
can take to protect your property and minimize the changes of damage. One option is to
reinforce doors and windows. You can install steel or aluminum storm shutters on glass
windows and doors to protect them from projectiles. Although this can be expensive, it can
save money in the long run. To protect your roof, you can reinforce shingles with additional
nails and stables, and you can install waterproof underlayment underneath them. This can be
difficult, and if you do not have experience working on roofs, it is best to hire roofers to get the
job done. Lastly, removing potential hazards can also help. Removing nearby trees and
fastening objects that might be picked up by the wind can prevent objects from damaging your
property.
If disaster does happen and you do experience storm, water, or fire damage, SERVPRO of
Northbrook / Wheeling / Glencoe is here to help. Give us a call at (847) 498-8889 if you have
any questions or concerns. We’re available 24/7 for emergency services.

Keep Your Carpets Clean This Winter With SERVPRO

11/30/2020 (Permalink)

Did you know that in addition to fire and water restoration and mold remediation, we offer a
phenomenal carpet cleaning service? Winter can be tough on carpets. Between wet shoes, salt,
and dirty snow, carpets can end up worse for the wear after the winter season. Thankfully,
SERVPRO is equipped with high-grade cleaning equipment that’s designed to destroy dirt and
restore flooring with heat powered vapors and certified cleaning agents.
Whether home or business, we recommend that you get your carpets professionally cleaned at
least once a year. Old carpeting can not only ruin its usual comfort and appeal, but can also
start to smell. Moreover, getting your carpets cleaned regularly can save money in the long run,
since it extends their longevity –removing and replacing carpeting can be both expensive and
time consuming. So, what better time to get your carpets cleaned than after the winter season
hits. Give us a call at SERVPRO of Northbrook / Wheeling / Glencoe, (847) 498-8889 to schedule
an appointment today!