Is It Safe to Stay at My Chicago Home After Mold Damage?

4/6/2023 (Permalink)

If you find mold damage in your Chicago home, call SERVPRO right away. Certified technicians can investigate the cause and help with mold removal.

The Right Controls Keep Chicago Homes Safe during Mold Remediation – Call SERVPRO

With the knowledge that mold can cause discomfort in a home, you may feel apprehensive when you notice signs of an infestation in your residence. One of the main queries is whether you are safe remaining in your Chicago home while it is contaminated or during the mold remediation processes. You are safest when the proper controls are established to protect you from dangerous exposure.

After mold damage, the main hazard in your Chicago home is contacting moldy materials. Contact can be through skin exposure or inhalation since spores and mold debris are minute and thus float freely through the air. One thing to note is that mold lies on surfaces unless disturbed. Therefore, if you do not access the affected rooms or attempt to clean them, it is hard for the contamination to affect you. However, since leaving these fungi to develop unabated is not ideal, calling a professional like SERVPRO to mitigate the problem is a better alternative.

Measures for safety and comfort during mold remediation include:

• Establishing containment
• Setting up negative air pressure
• Deodorization

The realization that a mold problem is developing comes when you notice signs like spots and discoloration of surfaces. A musty odor or general decline of indoor air quality can also alert you that things are not that good. Therefore, the first step in resolving mold issues is to evaluate how extensive the problem is and whether it is practical to continue occupying the house during restoration. Typically, it is when mold remediation is carried out following IICRC protocols.

Mold damage rarely affects an entire house unless there is a significant problem, such as an unresolved flooding incident. In regular cases, the mold appears within ceiling spaces, internal or external walls with pipes, and areas like kitchens or bathrooms where water is commonly used. Identifying the affected areas makes it easier to isolate them from the rest of the house for restoration. 

Limiting Mold from Spreading

There are two aspects of mold spreading, and both can influence your stay. The first aspect is the contamination of new areas, which would probably force you to avoid more sections of your home. The second aspect is the release of debris during cleaning and other mitigation processes. Our SERVPRO technicians use various engineering controls to limit such spreading. Setting up containment barriers to separate rooms or creating sections within a room is one common approach. Establishing negative air pressure is also essential, especially in areas where demolishing and discarding moldy materials is necessary.

Containment barriers require:

• A barrier material like 6-mil plastic sheets
• Supports such as spring-loaded metal rods or PVC pipes
• A seal such as Ziplock or tape

Negative air pressure is established with a device that directs airflow, ensuring it does not breach the containment. Our SERVPRO crews mostly use an Air Filtration Device, which is also helpful for capturing most of the mold debris disturbed during cleaning or demolition. We also use manometers to measure differences in gas pressures between adjacent containments verifying whether the negative air pressure is effective. 

With the right equipment and a skillful approach, a restoration team can address mold damage without forcing you to relocate from the contaminated property. A speedy conclusion enhances the convenience.

SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City can work to manage mold damage at your property conveniently. You can reach us at (773) 337-3993. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Critical Steps When Addressing Mold Damage in Your Chicago Home

4/5/2023 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City for assistance from a professional remediation company.

Effective Mold Remediation Solutions in Chicago Homes

The presence of mold within your home can lead to significant damage. When fungus grows on a surface, it uses the material as a food source. Given enough time, it can cause structural damage and ruin the appearance. Also, mold could impact the general indoor air quality due to debris and unpleasant odor. If you notice microbial growth in your home, it must be addressed promptly to reduce the damage it can cause.

Addressing moisture issues is essential when dealing with mold damage in Chicago homes. Mold needs both organic matter and moisture to thrive. Organic matter is readily available in most buildings, so whether mold grows depends on moisture presence. Moisture sources may be hidden from direct view, so it may take you a while to realize you have a situation going on. A professional can help you discover such hidden sources of moisture while addressing mold problems. SERVPRO crews use penetrative moisture meters and thermal cameras to gauge moisture levels. We manage the moisture sources and facilitate drying to contain the problem and prevent it from advancing.

Possible sources of moisture in homes:

• Plumbing leaks
• Floods
• Condensation

Addressing Material Damage Correctly 

Removing mold from your belongings and structure, such as furniture, drywall, carpet, and clothing, can be challenging. At times, it may even be necessary to dispose of some items. Mold also requires proper handling. We have protective gear, cleaning equipment, and containment supplies to handle moldy materials and prevent contamination. Using improper methods to remediate mold is ineffective and could aggravate the situation. Also, the risk of regrowth runs high. It is not wise to cover up mold by painting over the colonies.

Painting directly over mold can result in problems like:

• The paint improperly adheres to the surface
• The colonies continue to grow beneath the paint
• Bubbling and peeling of the fresh paint coat

SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City is equipped with the tools and expertise needed to handle mold damage “Like it never even happened.” Call us at (773) 337-3993.

SERVPRO's Annual Convention "Brand Partnership Panel"

6/23/2022 (Permalink)

"Brand Partnership Panel" presentation by SERVPRO owner/operator and VP of Operations at the annual Convention--2022.

SERVPRO of Marquette Park/West Lawn/Ford City

The SERVPRO Industries LLC annual convention 2022 is hosted in Dallas, TX. This major event assembles more than 2000 individually owned and operated network franchises to showcase our successes and experiences in the cleanup and restoration industry.

The Brand Partnership Panel is a key element of the convention's goal of expanding the SERVPRO impression. Frank Zubricki, owner/operator, and David Mason, VP of Operations for the SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City, will present. They will share successful endeavors in expanding localized branding in three initiatives.

PGA Tour & LPGA

Insurance agents and adjusters enjoy a round of golf. We maintain close connections with local agencies both on the links and by providing non-credited franchise-offered classroom education on the practical aspects of cleanup and restoration services. Frank contends that establishing insurance-driven claims enriches the revenue stream greatly.

The SERVPRO First Responder Bowl

Our sponsorship of this annual ESPN-owned college football bowl game puts our name in front of many viewers. We proudly support all First Responders who put their lives on the line every day. We often send brave individuals to the football game as a statement of our commitment to helping our communities.

The First Responders Children's Foundation

We recognize the requirement and the benefits of supporting all families of the fire, police, EMS, and other First Responders. SERVPRO franchise owners partake in many worthwhile charitable programs to help these children.

Frank and David have many years of experience operating multiple SERVPRO franchises. Growing the brand in each market with practical events and programs for local communities and national regions makes good business sense. By partnering with outside agencies, we can make our mark.

Training Event in Chicago for Multiple Team Zubricki SERVPRO Franchises

6/6/2022 (Permalink)

Team Zubricki trains hard and works harder!

Ongoing training and industry learning are imperative throughout the SERVPRO franchises. Team Zubricki is proud to bring multiple franchises together for training, such as a recent event held in Chicago. This training included SERVPRO of Marquette Park/West Lawn/Ford City and other area franchises and Florida teams.

Training went over techniques and instruction on best practices for providing excellent service, including presenters like:

• Project managers
• Franchise owners
• Construction technicians

This memorable event took place at our Chicago warehouse facility built to accommodate our Greater Chicago-area franchises. The warehouse itself is essential as a centralized location for storing all of our restoration equipment. It is perfectly sized to allow the flexibility of hosting training sessions of this scale.

Throughout the training, personnel broke into groups for office staff, sales, and production. Anyone unable to attend in person tapped into the training through Microsoft Teams. Our firm belief is that such ongoing training and bringing the employees of the Team Zubricki franchises together provides staff with knowledge and skills and helps foster a healthy company culture. We not only offer cutting-edge service and advanced equipment for our customers but for our entire Team Zubricki.

Look to us at SERVPRO of Marquette Park/West Lawn/Ford City whenever you require restoration assistance for fire, water, and mold-related emergencies. Call us 24/7 at (773) 337-3993.

Learn Your Mold Damage Restoration Options When in Chicago

6/5/2022 (Permalink)

Our IICRC trained SERVPRO technicians are trained to remediate any scope of mold damage.

Mold Damage Restoration

Discovering mold damage on your property is always frustrating. Failure to act immediately may destroy the floors and walls and cause other damage. With that in mind, it's crucial to know the signs to look out for to avoid such outcomes as a resident of Chicago.

The faster you spot mold damage in your Chicago home, the easier it is to do the remediation. But how can you fix all that when you do not have the right tools for the work? That is why you need service providers like SERVPRO, specializing in commercial and residential mold remediation. It is not that easy to notice mold when it is in its initial stages of growth - particularly when that is happening behind wallpapers and within the walls. Always call our team to inspect your property if you detect a strange smell.

Primarily, you should expect mildew growth after flooding or water damage. Since water flows freely and settles in different places, the resulting humid environments create favorable conditions for mildew growth. When our SERVPRO team responds to such incidents, we set up air movers and heaters to dry the area. Additionally, we can exterminate the spores by using thermal foggers, which dissipate antimicrobial agents.

Our IICRC trained SERVPRO technicians use air scrubbers to control surface mold, especially when it is resting on hard surfaces. If we notice it has contaminated porous materials such as carpeting and fabrics, we remove them from the area. We can introduce wire brushing, sanding, or damp wiping for semi-porous surfaces when doing the removal. HEPA vacuuming is also an option when removing loosely attached mold.

The remediation process also involves the use of mildew retardant paints that can suppress the unpleasant smells, leaving behind a clean and smooth area. IICRC certifies our technicians, which means we aim for the highest standards possible.

SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City responds to any size of disaster to restore and clean both commercial and residential properties. Call us at (773) 337-3993 for industry-proven services.

Large Loss Specialists Awarded as Inaugural Class of White Coats

5/11/2022 (Permalink)

Congratulations to the team members awarded the White Coats

Large Loss recovery is a specialty for the Team Zubricki franchises. We have a dedicated primary warehouse with equipment like a 40-ft service trailer ready to mobilize to natural disasters and storm events that threaten the country. Many of our employees are expected to drop everything at a call for help and selflessly do so. Some of our staff embody this commitment to selfless service in many ways, and owner Patricia Zubricki felt these individuals should be acknowledged and celebrated for these efforts.

During a three-day Large Loss training event bringing all of Team Zubricki franchises together to deconstruct a recent restoration project, five of our own were awarded white coats. The symbolism of the white coat is that this color stands out from the blacks, greys, and SERVPRO green of the event, just as these technicians and managers stood out with their superior service and work ethic in the field. White Coats for this inaugural class included:

• Senior Project Manager Patrick Houlihan
• Nick Laughlin
• Restoration Project Manager Eduardo Gomez
• Randall Roach
• Owner Anthony Zubricki

Tony Dantonio, Vice President of National Accounts at Team Zubricki, shares his thoughts on the team members awarded the White Coats: "The team members that were recognized with the White Coats have gone above and beyond to help make Team Zubricki successful.  The White Coats are intended to stand out just as these folks have done. They are true team players, and were caught in the act of doing things right."

Those deemed the ‘Top Guns’ of the previous year and called our White Coats met several criteria for this new annual award. This token of appreciation was given to show that Patricia and other upper management recognized the personal sacrifice and determination demonstrated in many of the previous years’ most laborious Large Loss events like:

• Massachusetts
• Chicago
• Louisiana
• Kansas
• Oklahoma
• Arizona
• Virginia

Because of how involved Large Loss recoveries can be, the cleanup and restoration can last weeks or months. That is the time removed from family and friends to serve the greater good. Our honorees earned their accolades with:

• Time spent in service of the team
• Selflessly helping others during holidays or family events
• Showing superior customer service and compassion in challenging times
• Devoting long hours on evenings and weekends to complete jobs

How to Perform Mold Remediation in Your Chicago Home

4/10/2022 (Permalink)

When you see or smell mold, time is of the essence. Contact SERVPRO for trained technicians and the right equipment to remediate your home.

Mold Remediation in Chicago Homes is Straightforward With SERVPRO's Help

Mold is a nuisance to every homeowner. It can cause health effects to everyone residing in the affected house. It is caused by water leakage into the building from sources such as burst pipes or flooding, which causes the build-up of moisture.

You can hire SERVPRO to perform mold remediation in your Chicago residence. We have a well-trained team armed with top-notch equipment to help you out. We can handle the mold by taking the following steps:

Inspection and damage assessment

Upon arrival, SERVPRO can inspect the house to determine how safe it is and then fully assess the level of damage that the mold infestation has had on your building. We can use borescopes and inspection cameras to look into cavities to examine the construction method and determine the presence of visible contamination. Most borescopes and inspection cameras can take video and record still images.

Containment and filtration

We can set up containment measures to ensure mold spores do not spread to other areas. We can then use air filtration devices like air scrubbers to ensure that airborne mold spores do not spread to areas that are not affected. We can also set up ventilation measures to ensure the careful flow of air in and out of the affected area.

Removal of mold and affected materials

Our SERVPRO technicians can remove all the affected materials, most probably for disposal.

Content and belonging cleaning

We can dispose of the materials that have been adversely affected and use industrial cleaners to clean the salvageable ones. We can then apply fungicides to the materials in the affected area to kill any remaining mold and destroy spores to avoid further growth.

Restoration

Our SERVPRO team can then help you to restore your residence by replacing or repairing damaged building materials.

SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City is equipped to help property owners to deal with mold to make it "Like it never even happened." Contact us at (773) 337-3993.

Effective Mold Removal Options for Chicago Apartments

2/11/2022 (Permalink)

If you find mold in your apartment, call SERVPRO right away. Certified technicians can investigate the cause and help with mold removal.

Removing mold from Chicago apartments requires a combination of effective remediation solutions.

Apartments can be a difficult building to manage developing and spreading mold damage. With many shared walls and structural assemblies, a growing mold condition in one of these areas could impact multiple units simultaneously. Our SERVPRO professionals treat mold growth scenarios with an urgency that illustrates our understanding of the severity of these conditions.

Evaluating the Severity of the Situation

When considering the multiple types of mold removal in Chicago apartments, our experienced team of professionals can help narrow down your residence's needs. A thorough inspection of the apartment can show where specific materials have been impacted and the likely spread of active colonies.

Surface Cleaning Strategies

One of the effective methods of removing mold from hosting materials is to utilize sporicidal products in our inventory. These powerful cleaners are formulated to eliminate mold organisms on contact, allowing them to be effective on surface mold threats without additional actions. In addition, these same products can inhibit mold growth, so they can be sprayed on surfaces that have yet to support active colonies and keep the organisms from thriving in those areas.

Aggressive Cleaning and Mold Removal Methods

There are times when more than surface cleaning is needed to eliminate active colonization and the effect of mold on structural elements. Abrasive cleaning and aggressive tactics can penetrate beyond the surface to remove the entire hyphae of a threatening organism. Some of the measures for this include:

• Sponge pressure cleaning
• Media blasting
• Sanding
• Controlled demolition

With several possible effective methods for removing mold growth in area homes and apartments, our SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City professionals can help when you need it most. The fast spread of mold damage can be stopped with a phone call to (773) 337-3993.

What Is the Best Way for Chicago Homeowners to Avoid Frozen Pipes and Ice Damming?

12/1/2021 (Permalink)

To prevent ice dams and icicles from damaging your Chicago home--follow SERVPRO'S Tips!

SERVPRO Brings Fast, Professional Restoration Services for This Type of Water Damage to Chicago Properties

When someone thinks of winter weather, the first things that come to mind might be snow, wind, and slippery roads to tread carefully upon. However, another hazard that is frequently an issue in the Chicago area is frozen pipes and ice dams.

A homeowner that takes a little time to winterize their residential property can often avoid frozen pipes and ice dams in their Chicago house. SERVPRO has some tips to help local area property owners prevent this costly situation.

Tips for Avoiding Frozen Pipes

Most frozen pipes start with faucets outside the home, with lines running into the house through cold areas such as basements, attics, garages, or crawlspaces. Understanding how frozen pipes burst within a home can help avoid the situation. While an iced-over outdoor faucet can burst, the real issue is the water in the line. The backflow of the pressure between the water source and the ice is now blocking the pipe. As the ice expands, it pushes the line and pressure to its limit, resulting in a big, wet mess.

• Homeowners should drain all sprinkler systems, swimming pool lines, and outside faucets
• Place hose socks over outdoor spigots
• Let the water drop from faucets in basements that are not climate controlled
• Open cabinets in kitchens and bathrooms to allow warm interior air to circulate around the pipes

Avoiding Ice Dams

While they can be a major issue, ice dams are not commonly known to homeowners with sufficiently insulated attics. Heat escaping from the living quarters can warm the interior sheathing of the roof resulting in melting. This hazardous situation occurs when snow on a roof melts but cannot flow into the gutters due to ice over the gutters. The backup flows under the shingles and into the interior of the home. This action can also cause the shingles or gutters to detach and fall off the structure. Icicles can be an early warning sign of an ice dam formation. Homeowners should look for signs of water damage along the exterior walls and ceilings to catch the problem head-on and bring in SERVPRO to handle the cleanup and restoration.

SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City at (773) 337-3993 supports the local Chicago community for help after frozen pipes and ice damming occurs.

Disaster Recovery Teams at Your Service – Far and Wide

11/11/2021 (Permalink)

For Chicago and Nationwide--OUR TEAM--Answers the call for emergency restoration services

SERVPRO of Marquette Park/West Lawn/Ford City Offers Local and Nationwide Response for Emergency Restoration of All Kinds

Professional flood restoration, water removal services, and reconstruction are just a few of the areas where we thrive at SERVPRO. Our team is your local Commercial Large Loss Division, but we also have the capacity to offer assistance across the United States to areas hit by sudden natural disasters. When called, we mobilize our Green Fleet of vehicles and formulate a plan of action that allows us to assist with significant flooding, storm damage, and hurricane events anywhere in the United States. All while ensuring we have enough personnel to address any restoration calls that come in here in the Chicago area.

No Job Too Big or Small

We are a locally owned restoration franchise with a plethora of national resources. We are part of the local community, and all of our Project Managers understand that time is of the essence. Our extensive training and attention to detail on any size project, big or small, gets you the results you deserve. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Leave it to Our SERVPRO Team!

As a Commercial Large Loss Division, we warehouse all of the equipment and tools necessary to handle any natural disaster or significant restoration event that arises. Our Green Fleet of vehicles include:

• Industrial-grade equipment

• Towed large desiccant dehumidifiers

• RVs for lodging on-site

• Semi-trailers equipped with generators

• And more!

As a Disaster Recovery Team, we are part of an incredible national network placed strategically across the country. We have the workforce and extensive equipment to handle whatever mother nature throws our way. Whenever and wherever there is a need, our well-trained IICRC-certified crews get deployed to help. In the local area, we can respond within hours for all commercial and residential restoration needs.

SERVPRO of Marquette Park/West Lawn/Ford City is ready and responds when you need assistance. Call (773) 337-3993 to get in touch with our team. We are the Official Licensed Downtown Chicago Operator!

Why is SERVPRO the First Choice of Chicago Residents When It Comes to Mold Remediation?

11/8/2021 (Permalink)

It doesn't take long for mold to colonize and grow. Our techs are highly trained for complete mold remediation;

SERVPRO Offers a Safe and Reliable Mold Remediation Service to Chicago Residents

Mold can cause irreparable aesthetic as well as structural damage to your home if not addressed promptly. SERVPRO's mold remediation experts of Chicago can help you minimize this damage and get your home to the preloss condition in no time. 

SERVPRO techs adhere to the IICRC S520 guidelines during mold remediation of your Chicago home. Our goal is to get the mold damage under control as quickly and safely as possible. Once the technicians assess the extent of the mold contamination, they establish containment zones to prevent the airborne spores from spreading elsewhere in the building. Technicians use air exchangers coupled with filtration devices to dilute airborne fungal concentration in the containment area before the actual cleaning can begin.  

What are HEPA Vacuums that SERVPRO's Mold Specialists use in Your Chicago Home? 

HEPA vacuums can filter particles that are as small as 0.3 microns with an efficiency of 99.97%. SERVPRO techs only use well-constructed professional HEPA vacuums during mold remediation of your Chicago home.  

These vacuums ensure that the microscopic spores are retained and not circulated back into the atmosphere when the mold colonies are removed during the cleaning process. SERVPRO techs take special precautions and care while using these systems to ensure no leakage around filters or seals to minimize the risk of accidentally spreading the contamination. 

SERVPRO techs also use a sub-micron laser particle counter to check the filters' efficiency before using these HEPA vacuums during mold remediation. 

If you suspect mold contamination or need assistance in dealing with mold in your home, call SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City at (773) 337-3993. Our highly trained techs are available 24/7 to assist you. 

SERVPRO of Marquette Park Awarded the SERVPRO 2020 Bronze Sales and Service Award

8/23/2021 (Permalink)

The Zubricki Family Accepts the Bronze Sales Award on Behalf of the SERVPRO team. From left: Anthony, Amanda, Frank, Pat, and Stephanie.

Who are the Zubricki's?

The family owned and operated SERVPRO location in Marquette Park is shown in this portrait of Patricia and Frank Zubricki, who are flanked by their three children Anthony and Amanda, on the left, and Stephanie, on the right. They are happy to receive the award on behalf of The SERVPRO team to recognize the team’s commitment to excellence in sales and service representing SERVPRO. The entire team of production technicians, sales reps, support, and office staff have earned this Award. Their dedication has made this achievement possible.

What is the 2020 Bronze Sales and Service Award?

While top service is always part of the standard service from SERVPRO, franchises that go above and beyond with detailed work and successful restorations of local properties post-water, fire, or mold damage get vaulted to the top. This standard of excellence by this family has resulted in the team being acknowledged by their parent umbrella company SERVPRO Industries LLC. This year, the Annual Convention was held at Disney World in Orlando, FL, where the team received the Bronze Icon Award for Outstanding Sales and Service, ranking in the top 15 out of over 1850 franchises. This SERVPRO franchise has been acknowledged as a top 100 franchise every year since 2012.

Helping the Marquette Park Community

The Zubricki’s support Marquette Park residential and commercial properties recover from all types of disasters through the use of their extensive training and experience handling all types of professional restoration, remediation, reconstruction, and other cleanup tasks. When they are not working within the community, the team is volunteering and donating to local charitable organizations and raising awareness to good causes such as the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and NAIFA Chicago Southland. Additionally, Pat Zubricki is also on the Board of the Children’s Museum in Oaklawn, providing hands-on learning and fun to area youth.

SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City (773) 337-3993 proudly serves the local community for all sizes and types of professional restoration services.

Should Property Owners Struggling with Significant Water Damage in Chicago Seek Restorers with Nationwide Experience?

6/30/2021 (Permalink)

We traveled to Louisiana after a Polar Vortex to help make it “Like it never even happened.”

Chicago area experts at SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City provide the local touch plus significant nationwide disaster response experience

Would it surprise you to know that property owners throughout the country also rely on the expertise of our home-grown Chicago water damage restoration specialists? The weather extremes we grin through and bear on the shores of Lake Michigan as businesspeople and residents provide excellent disaster training for the highly-trained and well-equipped workforce our company offers. The stature earned by SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City does not go unnoticed, resulting in our regional SERVPRO Commercial Large Loss Division membership. Our reputation as a go-to resource for major water damage catastrophes also is demonstrated by our recent partnership with the military residential property management giant, Corvias.

Why Did Corvias Property Management Need the Help from Our Chicago Restoration Team?

One thousand miles south of Chicago, Fort Polk is a multi-tasked military installment, housing thousands of service people and families working in and for the base's:

• Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC)
• 3rd Brigade Combat Team
• 10th Mountain Division
• 115th Combat Support Hospital
• U.S. Army Garrison
• Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital

Shockingly low,  below-freezing temperatures, ice storms, and power outages drove the families and service members out of thousands of housing units in February 2021. SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City transported crews and equipment to Fort Polk and stood firm with Corvias, finding solutions to return people to their homes fast. 

Our workers have seen the devastation the freeze and thaw cycle inflicts on some insufficiently insulated Chicago properties. In an area like Louisiana that never expects prolonged freezes, paltry or missing insulation led to burst pipes and deterioration of building materials. Ceiling leaks, crumbling walls, and flood restoration became the norm, resulting in the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issuing a Louisiana Disaster Declaration. Our SERVPRO performed efficient interventions ranging from moisture detection and controlled demolition to water removal and comprehensive structural drying, relying on our considerable experience in those tasks.

Is There a Preferred Method for Chicago Businesses and Residents to Partner with Our Local Yet Nationally Proven SERVPRO?

In addition to the professionalism evidenced during the Fort Polk water damage remediation project, SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City also holds designation as an Official Downtown Licensed Operator. Choosing us as your designated water damage restoration company makes sense. Our team invites Chicago Loop property owners and managers to improve the odds of successful recovery from ceiling leaks and obtain basement flooding cleanup by developing an Emergency READY Profile (ERP) with us. A no-obligation assessment can reveal remediable vulnerabilities while also designing a personalized recovery plan for your business or home before any disaster. 

Discover the prompt response that leads to remarkable outcomes delivered by SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City. When water damage strikes your high-density commercial or residential property, call (773) 337-3993 immediately, or be proactive and schedule an assessment for an ERP to be put in place in case of a future  water remediation emergency.

SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City

5/20/2021 (Permalink)

If you need professional mold remediation services, don't hesitate to reach out for help.

Need Mold Removal and Remediation at Your Downtown Chicago Home? Call SERVPRO

Mold spores are airborne, microscopic, and omnipresent. High humidity and a temperature between 68-860F are ideal conditions for the spores to germinate and start proliferating. SERVPRO technicians begin the mitigation process with a thorough inspection of your Downtown Chicago home to identify the state and extent of the damage. 

Mold damage at your home in Downtown Chicago can be a startling discovery. If not mitigated immediately, it can spread quickly and can cause health effects as well. You need SERVPRO mold specialists for effective and safe mold removal and remediation of your home. We have years of experience and training in mold inspections, remediations, and removal in Downtown Chicago homes. 

How do SERVPRO Mold Specialists Mitigate Mold Damage at Your Downtown Chicago Home? 

After identifying the damaged areas, SERVPRO experts take the following steps during the mitigation process:

• Establish Containment- Plastic polypropylene sheets are used to contain the affected area. Negative air pressure is also applied to prevent the mold from spreading to unaffected areas.
• Remove Mold Contamination- SERVPRO techs use HEPA vacuum systems to remove mold from non-porous surfaces. We also use abrasive methods to remove mold from semi-porous surfaces such as wood and concrete. 
• Dry the Materials- Drying materials is essential to step for attic mold and bathroom mold removal process. We use air movers and dehumidifiers to dry the materials.

Call SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City at (773) 337-3993 today for a 24/7 service. 

Can SERVPRO Technicians Provide Efficient Fire Cleanup in Chicago?

3/12/2021 (Permalink)

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

Removing Soot and Smoke Residues is Vital to Restoring your Fire-damaged Home. 

Chicago has always been a city that is mindful of fires' destructive nature, having one of the most devastating man made disasters in 1871 that leveled a portion of the metropolis. Today, fire restoration and recovery services are more efficient and advanced, and our SERVPRO team can help clean and repair damage fires can cause quickly to get you back in your home as soon as possible.

How Can SERVPRO Remove Soot and Smoke Residues? 

Partial combustion can generate soot particles that come to rest on surfaces throughout the house, making fire cleanup in Chicago a necessary step. Our technicians appreciate these particles' acidic and carcinogenic composition, making them hazardous to underlying materials and people exposed. We have multiple cleaning strategies to help in this regard to overcome residues and eliminate soils before irreparable damage and staining occurs. Some of these include: 

• Soda blasting
• Surface wipe cleaning 
• Controlled demolition

No matter how damaging fires can be, our SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City team can help. Call us today at (773) 337-3993.

Get Flooding Remediation Quickly in Chicago Homes

2/15/2021 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City when your property has a flood damage and the property needs remediation.

Local Chicago Residents Count on SERVPRO for Flooding Remediation

The cleanup of a residential property with floodwater is a lot more involved than simply removing the water and hoping for the best. Some issues can arise from the structure getting inundated with a large amount of water. 

SERVPRO technicians use their equipment to determine if different problems have arisen from the contact with the floodwater. Frequently seen issues during flooding remediation in Chicago homes include:

• Germination and spreading of mold spores
• Buckled or deteriorated sheetrock
• Sagging basement ceilings
• Pooled water in basements
• Crowning and cupping of hardwood floorboards

While the water extraction is a given during a flood damage cleanup, the drying phase of the mitigation process is crucial. The technicians monitor the process closely to ensure that the humidity levels fall in an even and timely manner. Afterward, air moisture readings on the tech's equipment can confirm that the structure is dry rather than relying on visual inspections only.

SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City at (773) 337-3993 supports the local Chicago area with flooding remediation of any size. 

SERVPRO Handles Water Removal in Local Chicago Properties

2/3/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is here to assist their Chicago community when disaster strikes.

Chicago Homeowners Trust SERVPRO for All Types of Water Damage Restoration Services

One of the most recognizable structures in Chicago is the Water Tower.  This iconic building is often featured in movies or television shows set in the city. The tower, modeled after the Louisville water tower in Kentucky, originally got constructed in 1869 to house a massive pump to draw water from Lake Michigan for the community. In the present, it serves a dual purpose as the Office for Chicago Tourism and is home to the City Gallery, an art gallery that hosts the work of local artists, photographers, and mixed media.

The Designer of the Chicago Water Tower

The tower, designed by architect William W. Boyington, was one of many unique structures Boyington created for the city. Although originally from Massachusetts, Boyington settled in Chicago when it was just beginning to expand. A large number of his buildings got destroyed in the Great Fire. However, some still stand like the water tower and are much-loved landmarks. Some of the other buildings accredited with Boyington as the chief designer are: 

• LaSalle Street Station
• University of Chicago
• The grand entrance to Rosehill Cemetery, where Boyington himself has a gravesite

The Grand Pacific Hotel was in the middle of construction when the Great Fire occurred, and Boyington had the hotel rebuilt from the ground up following the original blueprints 1873.

The Chicago Water Tower Design

Boyington had the water tower created from the eye catching Lemont limestone, which has a slight yellow tint. The building itself stands nearly 183-feet tall, and inside is a standpipe that is 138 feet in length that held water. The water tower provided clean water to the city, the local fire department and assisted with controlling water surges in the area that could flood properties. After the Great Fire, the tower was not the only building in Chicago to survive, but it was the only structure in the burn zone that came out intact. 

Does Deep Water Have to Wait Until it Recedes for Water Removal in Chicago Homes?

When a large amount of water infiltrates a Chicago home, water removal does not have to wait; in fact: it should not wait at all. The reason is simple, the longer it remains inside the property, the more damage it has the potential to do. Common reasons for large amounts of water include: 

• Overflowing sewers backing up into the home
• Hot water tank failures
• Washing machine or dishwasher malfunction
• Flood water entering the home

SERVPRO technicians have access to a large selection of extraction equipment. It is never a one-size-fits-all process for the removal of water from a property. Submersible pumps are ideal for removing water when the depth is greater than two inches. Waiting for the water to recede can lead to a more significant migration of the moisture within the structure and wicking into building materials, increasing the cost of replacing these ruined articles. 

SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City at (773) 337-3993 serves the local Chicago community for all types of water removal needs. The techs arrive quickly and make it, "Like it never even happened."

Up for Combining Your Sense of Adventure and Interest in Local History with a Delicious Dinner Near Chicago?

1/18/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is looking forward to the good time at Outdoor Forgefire Globe Dining!

Take a Calculated Risk on Outdoor Forgefire Globe Dining at the Lemont Quarries Southwest of Chicago

Enjoy a candlelit view of the historic Forge Quarry and Eight Towers Adventure with up to three dining companions in a climate-controlled globe January 29 through 31, 2021. Think nothing of the chill outside as you savor our specially curated menu -- appetizer, entree, side, salad, and dessert.

For your safety, we limit capacity and require reservations at least a week before your adventure.

• Dates:

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

January 29, 30, or 31, 2021

• Dining Times:

2:00 - 3:30pm

4:00 - 5:30pm

6:00 - 7:30pm

• Tickets are $50 per person,  including:

• 90-minute globe rental
• Featured Forgefire Globe Dining menu of the week (peruse at Forgeparks website)
• Beverage 

• Location:

The Forge: Lemont Quarries

1001 Main Street

Lemont, IL 60439

630-326-3301

You need dedicated workers like the skilled excavators who toiled at the Lemont quarries for reliable Chicago mold removal.  Call (773) 337-3993 and discover why SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City fits your specifications.

Visit Chicago’s Willis Tower

12/8/2020 (Permalink)

Floodwaters do not reach to the Ledge in the Willis Tower, but SERVPRO can remove stormwater from your property--and very fast!

Check out the “Ledge,” Highest Observation Deck in Chicago

Chicago ranks 3^rd in population in the United States. The population is over 2.7 million and covers 234 square miles of real estate. There are many areas to visit in Chicago. Over 58 million tourists visited in 2018.

West Lawn, Marquette Park, and Ford city are located on the southwest side of the city. There are many activities to see in Chicago. However, the Willis Tower is one of the iconic buildings that many people visit every year. Standing 110 stories high, visitors can go to the 103rd floor to the Skydeck or, as some refer to it, the Ledge. Visitors can see for more than 50 miles on a clear day.

Some quick facts about the Willis tower:

• Construction began in 1969, with 350,000 Sears employees moving in1973
• The Willis Tower was the tallest building until 1998
• There are 110 floors
• 1730 feet high, including twin antennae,
• 1450 feet high to the 110th floor,
• Average sway is six inches

Virtual online tours can be scheduled anytime. Teacher guides are available, along with fact sheets and quizzes for all interested parties.

SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City provides flood cleanup services to Chicago residential and commercial business customers and the surrounding area. Call (773) 337-3993. We are available 24/7 to help with all your flood cleanup needs.

Do I Need Professional Help After A Bathtub Flood?

7/15/2020 (Permalink)

An overflowing bathtub can quickly cause damage in your home. Call SERVPRO today to avoid additional water loss of your property.

DIY Projects Can Be Fun But Cleaning Up After the Bathtub Floods May Need Experts Who Can Find Hidden Water Intrusion in Your Chicago Home.

Whether your bathtub overflowed or something went wrong with the plumbing causing flooding; it’s not the time for a DIY project. Instead, call in the Chicago professionals to make sure there is no hidden damage.

Can an overflowing bathtub do that much damage?

Everything was going fine until you forgot you started running a bath, and the next thing you know, water is pouring out of the tub. There is a least an inch of water on the floor. You think – mopping up should take care of everything. But you may not be able to see the problems that can arise from the situation. Calling in water damage restoration experts in Chicago can help you avoid long term damage and costly repairs.

What Damage Should I Worry About?

Water seeps into the nooks and crannies of the room where there is flooding. You can mop up all the water you can see, but it takes special equipment, like moisture detectors, to see hidden water. If left untreated, it can cause:

• Mold and mildew
• Damage to subflooring
• Ceiling and wall damage if the bathroom is on an upper level
• Warping of wooden cupboards or fixtures in the bathroom

 Why Call a Professional?

Our technicians are certified to provide remediation and water damage restoration in a situation where you may think you have cleaned up all the water. They will use moisture detectors and sensors to search out even the smallest amounts of water. You can trust these professionals to use state-of-the-art equipment to provide restoration and leave your home, “Like it never even happened.”

Our Green Team is available 24/7 to provide the help you need. Don’t attempt a DIY flood cleanup that can cause you a bigger headache in the long run. Contact SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City at (773) 337 - 3993 for expert water damage restoration service.

See more about Chicago.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned – a defensive cleaning program

5/18/2020 (Permalink)

Our defensive cleaning program gives your business a way forward by providing your employees and customers ongoing safety and assuredness.

Let us help you get back to business

As our communities re-open in Chicago, we’re all moving back toward a new kind of normal. The expectations of visitors, customers, and employees who come into our establishments have evolved, and staying safe and well is a top concern. The global COVID-19 pandemic has changed what it means to be clean, and we’ve developed a program to help your business meet the new higher standard of clean that is now expected.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned is a defensive cleaning program we’re offering to businesses and commercial locations to address the current COVID-19 pandemic. This proactive viral pathogen cleaning program goes well beyond janitorial or carpet cleaning. By choosing Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you, your employees, your customers, and your community can rest assured that you’ve selected a higher cleaning standard – you are Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.

Extensive training and specialized products

As the #1 choice in cleanup and restoration*, we stand on more than 50 years of experience and expertise to help your business become Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.  Beyond fire & water, SERVPRO professionals are trained and experienced in biohazard decontamination and chemical spills – always adhering to the cleaning and decontamination standards set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local authorities. 

From formulating and creating our proprietary cleaning products, like SERVPROXIDE, at our headquarters in Gallatin, TN, to taking the utmost care while disinfecting, we will ensure you and your business are set up to inspire consumer confidence as the economy continues to reopen.

3 C’s – Consult, Clean, and Certify

When the stakes are this high, you want a partner who has developed an industry leading, proprietary training program, cleaning solutions, and remediation processes over decades. We’ve cleaned up some of the most challenging biohazards imaginable. Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned reflects our unique experiences and capabilities. The program is grounded with our unique 3 C’s: Consult, Clean, and Certify.

• Consult – Every business is different, which is why you’ll be assigned a Cleaning Protocol Consultant who understands your business and will create a cleaning program to meet your specific needs. This program will be developed based on your business type, size of space, amount of high frequency touchpoints, foot traffic and congestion points.
• Clean – Based on your specific business needs, your location will undergo a thorough, deep clean, using exclusive cleaning products, according to protocols set forth by the CDC. Our employees have years of experience, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform. Cleanup procedures generally include cleaning of porous and non-porous surfaces, disinfecting of non-porous surfaces, cleaning and disinfecting of equipment, tools, and/or supplies used for cleanup process, and disposal of hazardous materials.  In the event of a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 event, we will be there cleaning within 24 hours to ensure you get back to business as quickly as possible. 
• Certify - Once your business location has been Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you will gain access to proprietary signage, digital emblems, and other collateral that communicates that you’ve selected a higher standard of clean available to help protect your employees and customers. And because we add the day, month, and year to that proprietary stamp of clean, your guests will know that not only did you choose Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned,but that your location is being cleaned regularly at this standard.

Call today for a Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation

We’re Here to Help – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – until life is back to normal in the communities we all call home.

Call SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City today at (773) 337-3993 for your Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation.

* #1 Choice in cleanup & restoration based Commercial Attitude & Usage Tracking study. Polling 816 commercial business decision makers on first choice for future needs related to cleanup & restoration work. Study conducted by C&R Research: October 2019

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned means professionally trained SERVPRO franchises perform the requested cleaning, sanitizing and disinfection services according to proprietary SERVPRO protocols and recognized industry and CDC standards with EPA approved cleaning products to deliver a SERVPRO certified cleaning experience.  Each SERVPRO franchise is independently owned and operated.

What are some tips for my closed, but soon to open business in Marquette?

5/15/2020 (Permalink)

When you feel like germs are everywhere and you can't keep up, SERVPRO is here to help.

Cleaning Tips for Locations that are Open in Marquette Park 

The CDC website, as well as numerous DIY articles and how-to blogs, offer good advice about how you can clean and disinfect your own environment. These are correct and helpful suggestions. However, if you have an essential business that has remained open, perhaps it’s time to step up your level of protective cleaning. Companies everywhere are looking to do this to build their employee and customer confidence in the level of cleanliness (and safety) of their facilities.

Cleaning Ideas for Locations that are Closed in Marquette Park 

For businesses that have been closed, there will come a time when they reopen. Before facilities re-open, they will need to be cleaned and made ready for employees and customers to return. In addition to cleaning and disinfecting, being closed or open for limited hours is an opportunity to do carpet cleaning, HVAC cleaning, and other projects that will help contribute to the overall sense of well-being of your employees and customers. As professionals, we perform these services, and we do it faster and better than your in-house.

SERVPRO trained technicians have years of experience and certifications in general cleaning and for handling all types of biological remediation, including disinfection against MRSA and SARS, trauma scene cleaning, sewer backups, and mold. We are also better equipped with powerful, industrial-strength machinery, designed to handle jobs of any size. We know how to handle this virus cleaning and we have the resources to do it right, including:

• Knowledge of CDC guidelines and OSHA requirements
• Profession equipment to the job right
• Advanced Hospital-Grade cleaning products
• Flexible work hours 
• Human-power to get it done
• Cost-effective strategies
• Consultation and advice

Cleaning offices with a spray bottle doesn’t cut it. We are available for consultation to develop a plan that is best for you and your facility. Trust our SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City team, call us at (773) 337-3993.

To find out more about Marquette, click here. 

Disclaimer: Advice from the medical and scientific community regarding how to deal with the coronavirus is based on present knowledge, which is subject to change as the situation continues to develop. There can be no assurance that disinfectants alone will be adequate to fully eliminate the virus. We are not physicians or infectious disease professionals. Consult your medical professionals for individual medical advice.

How do Professionals Remediate Flood Damage in Chicago?

5/11/2020 (Permalink)

Partner with SERVPRO for skilled remediation and restoration efforts after a big storm.

SERVPRO Details how Professionals Remove Water and DryStructures After Water Loss Events

Although Chicago as a city has put in place several measures to curb flood damage, it is hard to know what to expect when the heavy rains come around. Being the Windy City--The Hawk, a tree in your compound can be blown away, and in the process expose your property to rainstorms. If that property is your house, then flooding is more than expected.
 
Residents of Chicago have choices to make at the end of a flood damage incident. The most recommended choice is letting a service provider like SERVPRO to restore the affected property. Remember at this point we are talking about your property that is soaked with flood water and needs the right air moving equipment to enhance evaporation and quicken the drying time. Below, we highlight some of the air moving tools that our certified professionals use to restore your property.
 
Restorers use clamps that come with some air movers to hold your carpets into position so that air can be blown under them. They also have a special feature which makes it possible for the experts to attach snouts at their end. By doing that, dry air reaches the wall cavities which are normally located under the cabinets. The air forced by these devices is high velocity so that the rate of evaporation is increased.
 
SERVPRO technicians can also use ventilating or drying systems to direct air into wall cavities. The working of these systems is similar to that of air movers, and it is typical to see tiny holes drilled in the walls or beneath your cabinets to blow air into them. Larger volumes of air are also moved by the use of venting fans or axial fans.
 
When your property is dry and its moisture levels have been checked for the last time, SERVPRO experts choose the most appropriate cleaning method based on the restored material. If we are talking about a soiled carpet, then the soil level determines the cleaning process. All in all, homeowners are encouraged to seek professional water restoration services as opposed to working on their own.

Flooding can Lead to Mold Damage in Chicago

Leaving excess moisture inside of your home can lead to further complications, such as mold damage. The piping behind your bathroom sink has been subtly leaking for a long time and that time has given the moisture plenty of room to feed mold spores. While you may not begin to see the mold colony forming for a while, one of the earlier signs that you can detect is a musty odor. If you catch a musty scent repeatedly in your small bathroom, it is enough of a suspicion to reach out for professional help.
 
When it comes to ridding your Chicago home of the mold damage inside, it is best to call for help as soon as possible. Mold is responsible for organic material breaking down and decaying. Over time, mold can have a significantly negative impact on the structure of your home.
 
When you want to hire a restoration company that offers swift 24-hour service, as well as highly-trained and friendly technicians, SERVPRO is the answer. Our technicians are IICRC-certified and use advanced trade technology made to combat the mold damages inside of your home. Our top priorities are to arrive at your home quickly and to get the job done well.
 
After a brief investigation, SERVPRO can set up plastic sheeting to block off the entrance to your bathroom, as well as any vents, to ensure that the mold spores do not spread when disturbed. Once properly quarantined, our technicians can set up air scrubbers equipped with HEPA filters, to capture mold spores in the air as we remediate the damage.
 
SERVPRO can make cuts in the wall to get to the mold damage in the structure around the piping behind the sink. If the mold has become particularly invasive to the wooden structure, we can remove it. If it hasn't, we can merely wipe away the mold and then use an antifungal agent to ensure that regrowth doesn't occur. Once we're finished, SERVPRO can put you in contact with a reputable contractor who can rebuild the section of your bathroom that we had to remove.
 
SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City is here to provide you with flood damage restoration services when you need them most. Contact us at (773) 337-3993 to learn more about your options.

More about Chicago.

Is a Pack-Out of My Belongings a Smart Game Plan During Water Loss Recovery in Chicago?

5/9/2020 (Permalink)

Call (773) 337-3993 day or night for compassionate professional advice.

Our Contents Tracking System Is Why SERVPRO Can Keep Your Personal Property Secure if Move-Out and Move-Back Is Part of the Restoration Plan in Chicago

When a water emergency occurs at home, damage to both its structure and your contents is probable. The worry you experience about wet furnishings, household goods, and personal possessions are both practical and emotional, each of which we consider carefully while assessing the comprehensive needs for mitigation and remediation at your residence. We have many contents restoration resources to offer both on-site and at our production facility, why our team is considered an industry leader.

How Does the Water Soak into the Contents of My Home?
Water damage in your Chicago home often results from plumbing leaks, appliance breakdowns, and spills. Once the water is unrestrained by pipes, hoses, and basins, it spreads everywhere. Significant quantities of water can flow out of a supply pipe overnight or while you are away, greeting you with wet floors, walls, cabinets, carpeting, and furniture. If a ceiling holds water, it can collapse, soaking spaces beneath and their contents with hundreds of gallons of fluids. Water wicks up cardboard storage boxes, leaks down walls into closets, sprays from cracked hoses, and more, affecting contents throughout your abode.

Why Do We Recommend a Pack-Out After Water Damage?
Two primary concerns arise when the contents of your home receive substantial water saturation. Balancing these concerns can lead us to suggest at least a partial move-out of furnishings and other possessions. Our ability to transport household and personal goods and furnishings to our production facility for processing is one reason why SERVPRO reaches consistently successful outcomes.

Concern Number One: Contents Have Unique Cleaning and Drying Requirements
How do you dry papers, photos, and books?
Freeze-drying allows the water to be removed from fragile papers through a process called sublimation, which transitions absorbed water directly to a vaporous state, and out of the materials, rather than passing again through the damaging liquid state.

How do you dry upholstered furniture?
Creating small contained drying areas within our facility permits us to control temperature and air movement to accelerate the evaporation of absorbed water. Our technicians monitor carefully to ensure overdrying, which can crack wooden frames.

How do you manage wet textiles and soft items?
Evaluation of clothing, linens, window coverings, bedding, and removable rugs includes:

    •    Determining the fiber content and any special care needs.
    •    Pretesting for shrinkage, durability, and colorfastness.
    •    Running soft items and fabrics through appropriate washing/cleaning equipment.
    •    Selecting a successful drying method.

How do you clean and dry loose items?
Our production facility has immersion and ultrasonic cleaning tanks to facilitate the removal of any residues and debris, soiling washable, solid articles. We then employ our knowledge of drying techniques to ensure the items are ready to be cataloged and stored in our climate-controlled warehouse.

Concern Number Two: Extraction and Drying of Your Home Is Streamlined When Contents Are Packed-Out

Our team of Water Damage Restoration Technicians (WRT) and Applied Structural Drying (ASD) certified experts can complete the extraction of water, moisture testing, and structural drying more efficiently when a pack-out “clears the decks.” Benefits of a pack-out include:

    •    Elimination of staining floors and carpets with varnishes, inks, or paint from wet contents.
    •    An overall reduction in interior humidity as water-soaked items are moved out of the space, reducing drying times.
    •    No need for our crew members to continually move heavy furniture and boxes from room to room, saving time and effort.
    •    Technicians have room for equipment and can systematically approach extraction and drying.

Can You Explain How My Belongings Are Tracked During a Pack-Put?
In the chaos after a water emergency, we realize you have concerns about permitting the bulk of your possession to be packed up and moved by our crews. Best practices require that the restoration company maintains a well-articulated inventory and security system. Our commitment to handling your possessions correctly is why SERVPRO utilizes our Contents Claim Inventory Service (CCIS). We list, memorialize, and document the movement of every item from the original packing; through assessment, cleaning, drying, and storing; and on until the pack-back after your home is cleaned, dried, and ready to receive the items. Inventorying steps include:

    •    Creating written lists
    •    Using barcoding
    •    Taking digital photos

The documentation we develop using CCIS allows us to provide accurate information to your insurance carrier for any claims made. Our skills in contents restoration result in many items you might have discarded instead transformed to preloss function and appearance.

Reliable security protocols and world-class cleaning, drying, and restoration options are why SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City is sought after for contents management after a residential water disaster. Call (773) 337-3993 day or night for compassionate professional advice.

For more about Chicago click here.

How Does Mold in Chicago Homes Affect Air Quality?

4/29/2020 (Permalink)

You should take care of microbial growth as soon as you discover it by trusting our applied microbial remediation technicians.

SERVPRO Addresses Mold Damage in Your Chicago Homes

Air quality can become a concern for your Chicago residence following disasters. From fires to floods, the quality of the breathable air throughout the environment can become compromised, requiring specialized equipment to restore. With the potential health effects associated with threats like mold growth in your home, taking care of these airborne contaminants and active mold spores should happen as quickly as possible.

The discovery of mold damage in your Chicago residence often spurs many homeowners into action to attempt to remove the problem themselves. With the inability for conventional cleaning methods to penetrate deeply enough to remove an entire mold colony successfully, homeowners scratch at the surface of the problem that exists. You need to have a team of trusted professionals with the right training and equipment to resolve the situation.

Our SERVPRO professionals undergo rigorous training to receive their initial certifications for mold remediation from the industry standard-setting IICRC. Even beyond their on-site experience and their certification for remediation work, our technicians have the opportunities to continue their training through e-learning settings and in-house seminars and coursework to improve their abilities to mitigate properties and to learn about the modern techniques to remove mold and restore the damage it causes to your property more efficiently.

The equipment that our SERVPRO franchise uses is updated and maintained regularly to continue to be the leading advanced technology capable of fast removal and restoration. When mold damage affects your property, restoring and remediating begin with the removal of moisture from the affected area to prevent the situation from persisting. Our air movers and dehumidifiers work collectively to force moisture into the air and remove it from the premises.

Mold damage can adversely affect both your property and those that live in it. You should take care of microbial growth as soon as you discover it by trusting our SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City applied microbial remediation technicians to remove it and restore the damage it has caused. Give our emergency response team a call 24/7 at (773) 337-3993.

Click here for more about Chicago.

The Undeniable Truth About Water Damage Remediation Services That NO ONE is Telling You About

12/29/2019 (Permalink)

The water intrusion may not be coming from your apartment unit but still can affect your residence.  Contact SERVPRO 24/7.

SERVPRO Handles Water Removal in Chicago Fast

Illinois homeowners are well aware of the risk that water damage can pose to their facilities, but they may be surprised to find that weather-related water damage contributes to 11% of the most costly homeowners' insurance claims filed to date. Without regular maintenance and constant vigilance, it can be easy for water damage to cause damage over days, weeks, or months that require extensive repair.

If your Chicago residence requires water removal, SERVPRO technicians are always available to address disaster and restore your home to a pre-damage condition. This IICRC-certified firm offers a bevy of advanced equipment and techniques rooted in scientific theory to address water damage while preserving homeowners' possessions and structures. 

SERVPRO's Comprehensive Training

SERVPRO prides itself on its commitment to studying the standards and practices set by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). Technicians and franchise owners alike must learn the ins-and-outs of what is expected of them for water and fire restoration, as well as mold remediation and cleaning upholstery and carpet. This program includes everything from various means of drying carpet to learning software that helps catalog what items have been damaged in a water-related disaster.

How SERVPRO Can Help

If water damage has affected your furniture, technicians have a variety of tools available to preserve items and restore them to a preloss condition. While restoring damaged upholstery, they may be wetted to ensure even cleaning and drying. Wax paper and furniture pads can be placed on metal items like zippers and buttons to prevent rust and corrosion.

To dry couch cushions and similar pieces of upholstery, technicians can tent them to facilitate drying on all sides with air movers and dehumidifiers. If wooden furniture frames have been affected by water damage, technicians can enlist the aid of a licensed refinishing expert with the consent of homeowners and insurance adjusters.

SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City can ensure that your home looks, "Like it never even happened." Call (773) 337-3993 for disaster cleanup from experienced professionals. 

Click here for more information about Chicago.

SERVPRO Mitigates Current and Future Water Damage Problems in Chicago

12/17/2019 (Permalink)

Let us assist and make sure that your Chicago home is fully mitigated correctly after a water damage for past, present, and future.

SERVPRO has your back right now and for the future of your Chicago water damage.

A water loss incident can cause a wide range of problems in your home. The obvious ones are soiling and wet materials or contents, which occur immediately. However, other problems can develop later on in the course of the water loss incident that affects your Chicago home, including:

• Growth of Mold Colonies
• Warping, Buckling and Rotting in Wood
• Bad odor
• Sagging Ceiling and Crumbling Wall Panels

Scoping the Water Loss Helps

The type of water damage in your Chicago home can be traced back to what caused the loss. A burst pipe or faulty appliance that releases water immediately necessitates immediate action, and if done correctly, most long-term problems can be avoided. Losses caused by other issues such as plumbing leaks, seepage through walls, or roof leaks may happen gradually or out of sight, creating perfect conditions for long-term damages to occur. Our SERVPRO crews scope the loss site to identify all issues during the loss to ensure we do not leave hidden problems.

Fast Extraction

Fast action helps prevent or minimize most of the damages caused by water loss incidents. Our SERVPRO crews use high capacity pumps and specialized extractors to expedite water extraction. Such action helps minimize water action on materials such as carpets, which delaminate when exposed to water over extended periods. It also reduces the amount of water absorbed by semi-porous materials such as wooden floorboards, which can cause future problems such as mold. Apart from using sophisticated extraction equipment, we also remove barriers such as carpet and pad in the affected area to quicken the process further.

Thorough Drying

High moisture content in a property is responsible for most secondary damages.  Such moisture content can be in wet contents or building materials as well as the air if there are high humidity levels.   Our SERVPRO technicians take steps to dry all areas and contents within the property. We also use thermal hygrometers to check relative humidity and take remedial action where necessary.

Leaving some issues unresolved after a water loss incident can lead to substantial losses in the future. Call SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City at (773) 337-3993 to help resolve the incident, “Like it never even happened.”

To find out more about Chicago, click here.

Some Tips to Help Your Succeed With Water Removal in Chicago

11/22/2019 (Permalink)

Team SERVPRO has the right equipment to dry out water damage at your home or office. Call right away.

Providing Your Chicago Home with the Right Drying Equipment

Air movers are a vital element to drying out water-damaged Chicago residences, whether it is an apartment or a two-story townhouse in the boroughs surrounding the city. Water loss incidents can become a substantial threat that worsens continually until the appropriate measures get taken to dry out saturated elements and construction materials. Centrifugal and axial high-velocity air movers play a crucial role in this process in many drying stages.

Just having the equipment to dry out the water damage in Chicago residences is not enough. The placement and number of these units are equally essential to the process, and that is why this determination is part of the primary scoping process for damage assessment taking place when our project manager first arrives at a new job site. Knowing what a project needs before our technicians first arrive ensures that we show up prepared to address the needs of your property most efficiently and cost-effectively.

With hundreds of air movers ranging in sizes and types at our SERVPRO warehouse, choosing the ideal units for the specific damage to your property is not as complicated as it might seem. These machines are designed to get connected in what we have labeled a daisy chain. By connecting one unit into another, we eliminate the need for excessive cords running throughout the household.

We have to find a balance between the number of air movers and the number of dehumidifiers in a damaged space. We begin by designating an air mover for every affected room, but can increase this number for:

• Every 50 square feet of wet flooring or lower wall surfaces.
• Every 100 square feet of wet ceiling or connected wall surfaces.
• For any wall inset or offset more significant than 18 inches.

A balance between the necessary air movers and the dehumidification units necessary to remove moisture in the air is vital. Disrupting this balance can lead to slower drying or worse damages. Our SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City restorers can calculate the needs of your property and return it to preloss condition quickly. Give us a call anytime at (773) 337-3993.

Click here for more about the city Chicago.

Fear? Not when you use SERVPRO to Remediate Water Damage in Your Chicago Home.

10/31/2019 (Permalink)

Water Damage can happen to any home. Be prepared and call SERVPRO to mitigate the damages done.

Thorough Water Removal from Affected Chicago Homes That Helps Solve Future Problems

A case of water loss may seem straightforward to address. However, when improperly handled, it can trigger many long-term problems, including mold and indoor air quality issues. Modern building practices also create almost airtight homes to improve energy efficiency, but this can affect some aspects of water removal, especially moisture management. It can even lead to wet building syndrome developing in your Chicago home.

Identifying all Sources

Although most water spill incidents have a single source, it is essential to confirm before starting water removal procedures in Chicago. It is probable to have more than one leak point, especially if the pipe runs through a wall. Apart from sources, the spilled water might form reservoirs, especially in hidden spaces where it can continue to cause moisture problems. Our SERVPRO technicians use several approaches to identify sources, including using thermal cameras to establish concealed sources.

Expediting Extraction

Apart from the convenience of restoring normalcy faster, extracting water fast solves many other problems associated with water loss. Water left standing in a property over extended periods leads to carpets delaminating, bad smell, and deep intrusion into wooden, concrete, and other semi-porous materials. Our SERVPRO crews expedite water extraction in different ways including using equipment with abundant lift capacity. We also open up walls, removing baseboards and door trims creating room for faster extraction.

Drying all materials

Most of the materials used in the construction of a house have varying degrees of moisture absorbency. The common ones include gypsum-based wall panels, wooden frames, floorboards, and concrete materials. Some, like gypsum, are hygroscopic, thus absorbing moisture from the air. Others like concrete do not change, although they absorb and hold significant amounts of water. Thorough extraction of moisture from all materials affected by the spill helps prevent severe moisture issues in the future. Our SERVPRO technicians use air movers to increase the evaporation rate from these materials then use dehumidifiers to remove the moisture from the air. We also have moisture detection equipment to ensure materials dry to normal levels.

Water removal should address immediate and future problems. Call SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City at (773) 337-3993 to help. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Click here to learn more about the city of Chicago.

David Mason, Our Vice President of Operations and SERVPRO Restoration Services

7/25/2019 (Permalink)

Why SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City? Meet Our Vice President of Operations--David Mason

Why SERVPRO Shines as a Property Recovery Service Company--Team Members Like David Mason

Restoration Service companies to treat properties in Ford City and the Greater Chicago locale are many. So Why does one, SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City stand out? David Mason is one reason.

High-Quality Personnel
No company can fulfill customer expectations without the right mix of personnel and equipment led by proficient professionals. Marquette area property owners benefit from the expertise provided by David Mason, who is our promoted Vice President of Operations. His extensive background and commitment translate into outstanding outcomes for our residential customers and commercial clients.

David and SERVPRO go back together from 2006; tenacity and experience produce cleanup and restoration results second to none. David's awards and achievements throughout the years indicate successes in the field, which increase profitability and increasing our brand awareness. David has a lot of savvy through the BDP Business Development Program that he headed. He directed 90 SERVPRO franchises in achieving goals because of outstanding business relationships with leaders in the restoration industry throughout the country. This is the attitude that enhances our name in local communities, a sense of family, blended with a deep knowledge to achieve desired results.

Our SERVPRO franchise here in Chicago is a vital section of the National Storm Team that ranges far and wide to help after natural disasters like floods, wildfires, and hurricanes strike. Our Commercial Large Loss Team has been managed by David since 2014 and has gained recognition as being a go-to team to mitigate damages.

Our SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City franchise is operated like a large family that pulls together to meet our customers' expectations. We are thankful that David Mason is part of the family. Trust us to help you recover a property loss by calling (773) 337-3993.

The Marquette Building: to see it, click here.

SERVPRO Answers the Call 24/7 from Chicagoans for Restoration Services

7/6/2019 (Permalink)

Chicago Buildings Both Tall and Small Rely on SERVPRO for Cleanup and Restoration Services

Why Chicago Residents Choose our Restoration Services for Personal Property Damages

The role of a professional restorer is to mitigate losses in the structure, structural contents, and contents of your home. First responders can deal with the immediate danger of a home emergency. Contractors can replace the weakened structure or perform remodeling duties. The restorer operates in between, performing drying, cleaning and deodorizing to ensure permanent damages are kept to a minimum. Our restoration services are professional using our employees local to the area with access to national resources and equipment.

Water
The methodology for the restoration of water damage in Chicago tends to fall under two broad categories. The first is open system drying. Principally, open system drying involves exchanging moist indoor air with drier outdoor air. SERVPRO achieve this by opening windows and doors in the home to create an open circuit. The strategic placement of rapid air-movers encourages both air flow, through centrifugal motion, and evaporation by raising surface temperatures.

Restoration services using open-system drying may be deemed inappropriate by a SERVPRO technician. During colder periods of the year, the opening of windows and ventilation in Chicago may not be feasible. In these circumstances, a technician can use a close-system drying method. The core principles remain the same, except dehumidifiers with desiccant chemicals are used for the exchange of moist air with drier air. Sometimes, a drying tent may be set up to concentrate remediation efforts.

Both methods are proper drying techniques for your Chicago home. Humidity levels need to be monitored continuously throughout the operation using thermal hygrometers. By keeping moisture in the air below 60 grains per pound, SERVPRO can ensure microbial growth remains under control throughout the process. This controlling of microbial growth is essential to avoiding expensive secondary damages to your structure and possessions.

Fire
During a house fire smoke can enter your heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit. Smoke can cause harm to your HVAC requiring restoration services for fire damage in Chicago. Worse still, smoke residues can be spread through your home, distributing deposits from return-side ventilation ducts. SERVPRO can assess and clean your system as well as removing the deposits from various areas of the home. HVAC remediation is usually required for medium to substantial smoke damages. Failure to attend to this issue can result in soots being released into an otherwise restored structure.

The first step a SERVPRO technicians takes is to inspect your system. We are answering questions like at what point smoke has entered your HVAC- either the return side or the supply side- and applying appropriate restoration services to remedy it. Smoke on the return side usually requires removal and replacement of the filter, located just behind the ventilation duct. Supply-side damage requires a more extensive cleaning process since it is likely your system has spread smoke throughout ventilation ducts.

The supply side is usually the largest vent panel in your Chicago home. It draws in clean air and redistributes it via the return vents. SERVPRO may need to deploy negative air pressure machines fitted with hoses. Usually, an entrance point must be cut using a saw to allow hose access. After service, the ventilation tunnels can be thoroughly deodorized with the cut-out replaced using sheet metal screws for fastening.

Storm
Our primary task after adverse weather conditions is to protect structure and contents from water damage in Chicago and the surrounding the area. SERVPRO runs out of hours restoration services using local technicians on call throughout the night. We do this to ensure the community can reach out to us during a time of emergency and because a fast response to flood waters entering the home can significantly reduce the likelihood of permanent damages being sustained.

Restoration services focused on the structure are best done by technicians with applied structural drying (ASD) qualifications. SERVPRO can create access points to wall cavities, subfloor, or crawlspaces by drilling small holes that can be filled in and do not damage cosmetic appearance. Allowing access to these cavities is essential to deploying injectidry systems into the voids of your Chicago home. By accessing these cavities, we can significantly reduce the likelihood of long term or permanent damages by eliminating all hidden moisture.

In terms of your structural contents and possessions the question of whether the items can go through restoration services onsite or off-site. On-site proceedings tend to be quicker. These processes could mean floating carpets to dry beneath them and draw moisture from the subfloor. In more extreme cases, it may be best to relocate possessions to a secure storage location, allowing more targeted drying techniques and access for cleaning equipment like truck-mounted extraction units.

Mold
Microbes are living organisms that exist in virtually all environments- especially where water or moisture is present. One type of microbe fungi, known colloquially as mold, can proliferate in ideal conditions causing unpleasant odors, soiling and affecting indoor air quality. You may need professional remediation for mold damage in Chicago, using local restoration services. SERVPRO has experienced technicians for the assessment and remediation of uncontrolled microbial growth and can be reached twenty-four hours a day.

In remediating microscopic fungi, the first action after assessment should be to quarantine sections of the home. Air-borne particles can enter, and infest other areas of the home without adequate containment. SERVPRO achieves this by setting up physical barriers, in the form of plastic sheeting, or by using negative air pressure when clearing away soiling.

Using air scrubbers in a contained area can help to pull microbes from the air before they become a threat to other areas of your Chicago home. SERVPRO can deploy air scrubbers fitted with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters which can remove particles as small as 0.3 microns from the atmosphere. Larger quantities of mold can be wrapped up and taken with us for safe disposal to avoid cross-contamination and reduce the likelihood of mold returning.

Restoration services are geared toward mitigating loss and guarding against future damage. Contact SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City at (773) 337-3993 to arrange expert assistance.

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en.html

Chicago's Water Damage Experts Water Damage Approved

3/7/2019 (Permalink)

When the temperature drops outside sometimes water pipes inside your Chicago home freeze and break.

Water Damage Experts

When the temperature drops outside sometimes water pipes inside your Chicago home freeze and break. If a pipe breaks in your kitchen, for example, it is a possibility that water pours into your kitchen and other areas of your house. Water getting inside a structure, in many cases causes much damage.

It is possible when something goes wrong with your pipes that water damages contents and building materials. Anytime you think you may have a water damage problem it is smart to call in SERVPRO's team of water damage specialists in Chicago. Our crews are IICRC certified and experienced in mitigating water damage problems in many different scenarios.

In the case of a pipe breaking the first thing our team does is fix the source of the problem so that water stops leaking into the dwelling. Then our SERVPRO restoration crew comes in and extracts any standing water found. After standing water gets extracted, we use specialized equipment to extract water out of the carpet and hard surface flooring.

Once our team extracts as much water as they can, the drying process begins. To start our experts use their equipment to test temperature, relative humidity, and moisture content of building materials inside the room. The technicians then set up air movers and dehumidifiers to bring moisture levels down to normal.

The air and building materials within the damaged room get tested periodically throughout the drying process. If things are still wet in an area, then nothing changes until the moisture levels meet the goal. If the area where the air movers are drying is dry and other parts of the home are not, then our specialists reposition the air movers and dehumidifiers so that they are drying the wet area.

We return to your house every day and check the temperature, relative humidity and moisture content in the walls and floor. The equipment stays set up and operating inside the dwelling until moisture levels are back down to what they are under normal conditions. Once the moisture levels are in the desired range, we come in and remove all of the drying equipment and then complete a final cleaning process.

Often our crews mitigate a water damage situation without having to remove and discard any building materials. For best results when your home gets water damage, call SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City at (773) 337-3993 for help 24/7.

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

Can My Wood Table Be Saved After Mold Damage in Chicago? Mold Remediation Approved

3/7/2019 (Permalink)

Contact SERVPRO if you see mold on your favorite wood table. We arrive quickly and will do our best to save your table from having to be replaced.

Our IICRC Certified Technicians Have Experience Dealing with Mold Infestations in Homes

Mold damage is a problem many homeowners have to face at some point. Mold can grow in any situation where there is moisture plus an organic food source. As organic food sources include natural housing materials such as insulation or drywall, it is all too easy for the fungus to set up camp in a house.
 
In the event of mold damage in your Chicago home, it is natural to be concerned about favorite pieces of furniture or belongings that you do not want to lose. We have experience in removing mold from a broad range of surfaces, which is why it is important to call us straight away. Our SERVPRO technicians assess the situation and let you know what is salvageable.
 
Wood tables can, unfortunately, become victims of mold damage. Wood soaks up water which provides moisture, so if you have suffered a leak, a flood, or simply have a damp environment in your home, fungus might grow on your favorite wood table.
 
We equip our SERVPRO technicians to tackle mold in several ways.
 
HEPA vacuuming is an effective way to remove loose spores from the surface of your table. HEPA vacuums are capable of filtering out particles as small as 0.3 microns, which makes them ideal for tackling mold.
 
Our team also scrubs away mold with stiff bristled brushes, always being careful not to cause further damage to the table.
 
Finally, we apply detergents if necessary. Products are chosen to suit your specific situation, so you can rest easy knowing you are getting the most appropriate treatment for your home.
 
Mold thrives in damp environments, which is why SERVPRO also tests the moisture levels in your home and establishes a drying goal and plan. We use thermal hygrometers and moisture meters to measure humidity levels, and a range of dehumidifiers and air movers to bring the humidity down to an acceptable level.
 
Speed is of the essence when it comes to mold remediation. SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City is waiting to offer assistance throughout Chicago, Ford City, Marquette Park, Gage Park, Brighton Park, Archer Heights, Scottsdale and the surrounding areas. Call us today at (773) 337-3993.

For more information regarding Chicago, click here

Is a Hidden Leak Under Your Kitchen Sink Damaging Your Chicago Home?

1/29/2019 (Permalink)

Check under cabinets for water leaks.

A Leaky Kitchen Sink Can Cause Water Damage in Your Chicago Home

Sometimes a leak and the water damage it can cause might go unnoticed in your home for some time, especially if it is in a spot that isn't out in the open. In your home, when your kitchen sink sprang a leak, you did not notice at first. It dripped water onto the base of the cupboard under it for weeks before you finally noticed the water damage one day when you were looking for certain cleaning supplies. The bottom of the cupboard has bubbled up and swollen from the exposure to the moisture. Furthermore, it has also become discolored.  

At this point, the best thing that you can do to address the water damage in your Chicago home is to call for professional help as soon as possible. Getting remediation experts into your home can ensure that the problem does not get any worse. They can take preventative measures to ensure that microbial growth does not continue under the cupboard, as it is likely it had already begun.  

We train our SERVPRO technicians to use advanced equipment to remediate the damage inside your home quickly. We always try to get to your home as quickly as possible after your call, as we understand how stressful the situation can be for you. At SERVPRO, we pride ourselves on our professionalism and our friendliness. It is always our goal to make remediations as stress-free as possible, and we go the extra mile to make sure you understand what is happening in your home.  

When we arrive at your home, our SERVPRO techs can begin to remediate right away. We can set up equipment that is designed to pull moisture that your cupboard absorbed out of it again. We can set up dehumidifiers, air movers, and ventilation fans. If the water managed to penetrate underneath the cupboard, we can drill a hole and feed small tubes inside, which are designed to blast dry air in a hard-to-reach area. Once SERVPRO is sure that adequate drying has occurred, we can use moisture meters, ensuring that the moisture levels are returned to an acceptable degree.  

If water damage strikes your home, always act quickly. Speak to a representative of SERVPRO of Marquette Park / West Lawn / Ford City by dialing (773) 337-3993. 24/7, we're open and ready to take your call.

Read about the Chicago fire here.