Basement Flooding: A Serious Threat to Your Home

12/5/2024 (Permalink)

A flooded basement can cause significant damage to your home and belongings. Whether it's due to heavy rainfall, a faulty sump pump, or a broken pipe, swift action is crucial to minimize the impact.

Common Causes of Basement Flooding:

• Heavy Rainfall: Excessive rainfall can overwhelm your home's drainage system, leading to basement flooding.
• Faulty Sump Pump: A malfunctioning sump pump can fail to remove water from your basement, resulting in flooding.
• Sewer Backup: Issues with the municipal sewer system or your home's plumbing can cause sewage to back up into your basement.
• Foundation Issues: Cracks in your foundation can allow water to seep into your basement.

The Dangers of Basement Flooding

• Structural Damage: Prolonged exposure to water can weaken your home's foundation and walls.
• Mold Growth: Water damage creates ideal conditions for mold growth, which can lead to health problems.
• Electrical Hazards: Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. Always turn off power to affected areas before attempting any cleanup.

Protect Your Home with SERVPRO of Elgin/Northwest Kane County

Don't let basement flooding damage your home. Our team of experts is available 24/7 to respond to your emergency. We offer a comprehensive range of water damage restoration services, including:

• Water Extraction: Rapid removal of water to prevent further damage.
• Structural Drying: Advanced drying techniques to minimize moisture and prevent mold growth.
• Cleaning and Sanitization: Thorough cleaning and disinfection of affected areas.
• Repairs and Reconstruction: Restoration of damaged structures and belongings.

Call us today to schedule a free inspection and learn more about our services.

Keep your heat up to prevent pipe freeze!

12/11/2023 (Permalink)

Turning down the thermostat while away from home in winter can cause pipes to freeze and burst. The damage can be extensive, especially if you are away from home for a while. Remember that internal wall temps may be quite a bit lower than the temp at the thermostat. This homeowner found out the hard way.

This house had quite a bit of damage when the homeowner returned. Small uncaulked openings in the exterior wall allowed super cold winter air to get inside the ceiling, and freezing a large water line.

Luckily SERVPRO of Elgin was there to help them get back in their home quickly!

SERVPRO of Elgin, 847.697.8500 is there when you need experienced professionals to solve your problems!!

Are you properly covered?

8/16/2023 (Permalink)

Flooding still remains the most costly natural hazard disaster in the United States. But did you know that flood losses are not typically covered under renter and homeowner insurance policies? Additionally, backup coverage in homes is typically limited.

Do you have the coverage necessary to get yourself back "Like it Never Even Happened?"

Contact your agent and discuss your coverage BEFORE the event occurs. Believe me, you WILL be very happy you did!

Ice damage and water damage to your Elgin home

6/24/2022 (Permalink)

Ice on your roof, is bad for your roof.

In the movies, snow covered roofs and icicles paint the perfect picture for a winter scenery. It may look pretty, but unfortunately, the idealistic icicle look can be a sign of ice damming. An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow from draining off the roof. The water that backs up behind the dam can leak into a home and cause damage to walls, ceilings, and insulation.

Ice damming is caused by the snow being exposed to inconsistent surface temperatures on your Elgin home’s roof. The primary source of heat is from the inside of your home. Did you know heat from the house travels to the roof surface in three different ways?

• Conduction is heat energy traveling through a solid
• Convection is the heat transfer that rises from the heated area.
• Radiation is also a heat transfer by electromagnetic waves

If you spot an ice dam on your Elgin home, one common way to remove it is by using calcium chloride ice melt. Follow these simple steps to remove the dams and prevent further damage:

1. Using a roof rake, remove snow 3-4 feet from the edge of your roof and being careful not to damage the roof covering
2. Use a nylon stocking to fill with the calcium chloride ice melt
3. Safely place and position the calcium chloride-filled nylon stocking vertically across the ice dam so that it can melt a channel through the ice

 Sometimes accidents still happen, and you have experienced a water loss from your Elgin home’s ice dam. While many believe a water damage from an ice dam can easily get resolved in your Elgin home, often conventional drying methods are not enough.

From the moment your accident occurs, your property, materials, and contents are exposed to water and begin to absorb the moisture. The best solution for your home’s water loss is to hire professional restoration specialists like our team. It is easy for your situation to get out of hand and endure further damage. This is why one of the advantages to SERVPRO of Elgin is that we are a 24-hour emergency service. Our team is ready to service your water damage needs at any time. To learn more about our franchise or schedule a service, call our office (847) 697 8500.

Learn more about Elgin.

Summer Storms Coming in Hot!

6/24/2022 (Permalink)

Storm clouds over Elgin.

With the summer heat rolling in, along come severe storms as well. Even though you take as many precautions as possible, water damage can still happen. 

Imagine you are asleep and a storm ferociously hits your area. Rain is pouring down hard and your sump pump gives out. Water begins to rapidly pour in your basement, but you have no idea because you are asleep.  You wake up the next morning to find your basement filled with water. What do you do? 

You contact SERVPRO at 815-758-3900.

Here at SERVPRO, we have over 30 years of water mitigation experience, highly-trained employees, and state-of-the-art equipment to get your home back to the way it was before the storm; "Like it never even happened." 

Ice damages and water damage to your Elgin home

3/11/2022 (Permalink)

Ice on your roof, is bad for your roof

In the movies, snow covered roofs and icicles paint the perfect picture for a winter scenery. It may look pretty, but unfortunately, the idealistic icicle look can be a sign of ice damming. An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow from draining off the roof. The water that backs up behind the dam can leak into a home and cause damage to walls, ceilings, and insulation.

Ice damming is caused by the snow being exposed to inconsistent surface temperatures on your Elgin home’s roof. The primary source of heat is from the inside of your home. Did you know heat from the house travels to the roof surface in three different ways?

• Conduction is heat energy traveling through a solid
• Convection is the heat transfer that rises from the heated area.
• Radiation is also a heat transfer by electromagnetic waves

If you spot an ice dam on your Elgin home, one common way to remove it is by using calcium chloride ice melt. Follow these simple steps to remove the dams and prevent further damage:

1. Using a roof rake, remove snow 3-4 feet from the edge of your roof and being careful not to damage the roof covering
2. Use a nylon stocking to fill with the calcium chloride ice melt
3. Safely place and position the calcium chloride-filled nylon stocking vertically across the ice dam so that it can melt a channel through the ice

 Sometimes accidents still happen, and you have experienced a water loss from your Elgin home’s ice dam. While many believe a water damage from an ice dam can easily get resolved in your Elgin home, often conventional drying methods are not enough.

From the moment your accident occurs, your property, materials, and contents are exposed to water and begin to absorb the moisture. The best solution for your home’s water loss is to hire professional restoration specialists like our team. It is easy for your situation to get out of hand and endure further damage. This is why one of the advantages to SERVPRO of Elgin is that we are a 24-hour emergency service. Our team is ready to service your water damage needs at any time. To learn more about our franchise or schedule a service, call our office (847) 697 8500.

Learn more about Elgin.

Ice dams are problems just waiting to happen

3/11/2022 (Permalink)

Ice dams

In the movies, snow covered roofs and icicles paint the perfect picture for a winter scenery. It may look pretty, but unfortunately, the idealistic icicle look can be a sign of ice damming. An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow from draining off the roof. The water that backs up behind the dam can leak into a home and cause damage to walls, ceilings, and insulation.

Ice damming is caused by the snow being exposed to inconsistent surface temperatures on your Elgin home’s roof. The primary source of heat is from the inside of your home. Did you know heat from the house travels to the roof surface in three different ways?

• Conduction is heat energy traveling through a solid
• Convection is the heat transfer that rises from the heated area.
• Radiation is also a heat transfer by electromagnetic waves

If you spot an ice dam on your Elgin home, one common way to remove it is by using calcium chloride ice melt. Follow these simple steps to remove the dams and prevent further damage:

1. Using a roof rake, remove snow 3-4 feet from the edge of your roof and being careful not to damage the roof covering
2. Use a nylon stocking to fill with the calcium chloride ice melt
3. Safely place and position the calcium chloride-filled nylon stocking vertically across the ice dam so that it can melt a channel through the ice

 Sometimes accidents still happen, and you have experienced a water loss from your Elgin home’s ice dam. While many believe a water damage from an ice dam can easily get resolved in your Elgin home, often conventional drying methods are not enough.

From the moment your accident occurs, your property, materials, and contents are exposed to water and begin to absorb the moisture. The best solution for your home’s water loss is to hire professional restoration specialists like our team. It is easy for your situation to get out of hand and endure further damage. This is why one of the advantages to SERVPRO of Elgin is that we are a 24-hour emergency service. Our team is ready to service your water damage needs at any time. To learn more about our franchise or schedule a service, call our office (847) 697 8500

What are pipe breaks in a commercial building like??

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

How many potential issues can you identify?

They are a mess, that is what they are; they are a mess!! 

Overhead pipes tend to soak suspended ceiling tiles and walls and those tend to fall to the ground pulling ceiling grids, florescent lights, sound systems, fire alarms, and security sensors to the ground as well.

It may just look like puddles but where is all of that wetness going as it evaporates into the air? Into anything that is dry. Floor stock, packing materials, dry structural material and also increasing the overall humidity in the environment. This can cause secondary damages that may far exceed the original damages caused by the primary water loss. 

A facilities manager may make the decision to just extract the water and just keep everyone working. She may think that is the best decision for the company but not thinking through all of the ramifications that can arise due to secondary damage can cause much worse damage. If they supply OEM with assembly parts, what if rust develops on those parts? What if the packaging starts to deform due to excessive moisture? What if manufacturing tolerances are very tight, and the equipment starts having "problems?"

At SERVPRO of Elgin/Northwest Kane County we will discuss the entire issue with the company representatives so that educated decisions can be made. 

Being late on a shipment can be really bad. Loosing a customer may close the doors forever. Use the professionals who can help you identify all of the problems and help you organize the issues and respond appropriately. 

Commercial water damages and the unique problems they pose

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

Water on the floor here is not the biggest issue.

They can bring a robust business to stand still, instantly! 

Overhead pipes tend to soak suspended ceiling tiles and walls and those tend to fall to the ground pulling ceiling grids, florescent lights, sound systems, fire alarms, and security sensors to the ground as well.

It may just look like puddles but where is all of that wetness going as it evaporates into the air? Into anything that is dry. Floor stock, packing materials, dry structural material and also increasing the overall humidity in the environment. This can cause secondary damages that may far exceed the original damages caused by the primary water loss. 

A facilities manager may make the decision to just extract the water and just keep everyone working. She may think that is the best decision for the company but not thinking through all of the ramifications that can arise due to secondary damage can cause much worse damage. If they supply OEM with assembly parts, what if rust develops on those parts? What if the packaging starts to deform due to excessive moisture? What if manufacturing tolerances are very tight, and the equipment starts having "problems?"

At SERVPRO of DeKalb County we will discuss the entire issue with the company representatives so that educated decisions can be made. 

Being late on a shipment can be really bad. Loosing a customer may close the doors forever. Use the professionals who can help you identify all of the problems and help you organize the issues and respond appropriately. 

We have the tools and experience to handle it all!

11/12/2021 (Permalink)

Drying out wood floors

Many disasters can take place inside your Elgin home or business when you least expect it. If a disaster were to happen, luckily SERVPRO of Elgin is always ready for whatever happens. When it comes to water damage, our trained technicians have an array of specialized equipment to bring your Elgin home back to preloss conditions. At SERVPRO of Elgin, we use the specialized equipment to help speed up the extraction and drying process. SERVPRO of Elgin is fully equipped with the following tools to restore any home and make it feel “Like it never even happened.”

1. Moisture Sensors are used to detect moisture in your Elgin home’s carpets and paddings. This tool has sharp probes that penetrate through carpets and padding to determine if water has migrated on the subflooring. If there is moisture, the sensor will provide both blinking and beeping as a signal. The greater the amount of moisture, the faster the lights and beeping will become.
2. Moisture Meters are utilized to measure the actual content or levels of various materials. This tool can be penetrative and non-penetrative depending on what needs to be measured. For example, penetrative meters will be used on carpet while non-penetrative meters will be used on drywall.
3. Extractors are used to provide sufficient water removal in your Elgin home. There are several different types of extractors to use such as Truck-Mounted, Light Wands, or Stationary tools. Factors in each situation such as depth of water and available power will give the technicians a better idea of what to use.
4. Air Movers are used in water damage restoration to enhance evaporation at the surface level and reduce drying time.
5. Dehumidifiers are used to remove water vapor from the air. This reduces the amount of water vapor in the air which lowers the humidity ratio. This is important because lower humidity increases the rate of evaporation of moisture.

SERVPRO of Elgin is a recognized Institution of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) firm for the past 16 years. Every technician for SERVPRO of Elgin is certified and knows how to utilize our unique tools to bring your home back to preloss conditions. We are a 24-hour service and are here to help you with any water damage needs you face in your Elgin home. If you need to schedule service, please contact our office: (847) 697-8500.

Lean more about Elgin

DON'T turn down the thermostat when you leave home!

11/10/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage from a broken pipe

Cold weather is right around the corner. Can you feel it in the air?

Some people turn down the thermostat in their homes to save money while they are away on vacation, business trips or maybe a long weekend get-away.

However, turning down the thermostat while away from home in winter can cause pipes to freeze and burst. The temperature inside wall cavities and within cabinets where you have water pipes may be colder, in fact much colder than where the thermostat is. This might not be a problem when you have the thermostat set at 68 degrees. However, if you turn down your thermostat to say 50 degrees, those cold areas of your home might drop in temperature far enough to cause pipes to freeze.

When pipes break, the damage can be extensive, especially if you are away from home for a while. Imagine how wet things will get in your home if you were to open a faucet and let it run with the drain closed for a couple of days. Having a pipe break will have the same effect. This homeowner found out the hard way.

This house had quite a bit of damage when the homeowner returned. Small uncaulked openings in the exterior wall allowed super cold winter air to get inside the ceiling and freezing a large water line.

Luckily SERVPRO of Elgin was there to help them get back in their home quickly!

SERVPRO of Elgin, 847.697.8500 is there when you need experienced professionals to solve your problems!!

Beat the freeze this winter

11/5/2021 (Permalink)

Ice covered pipe valve

When temperatures plummet, the risk of your pipes freezing and bursting skyrockets. This happens because water has a unique property where it expands as it freezes. The expansion puts tremendous amount of pressure on whatever is containing it. During the frigid winter months, pipe bursts are the most common cause of property damage. The pipes most at risk are those in unheated interior spaces such as basements, attics, and garages. But even the pipes in your cabinets or exterior walls are still at risk. According to Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, homeowners can see costs surpassing $5,000 in water damage.

Once the weather starts to get colder, you should take measures to keep your pipes warm. Precautionary steps should be taken when the temperature hit around 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Those steps include: closing garage doors, opening cabinets under your sink, setting consistent thermostat temperatures, frequently running faucets, and adding insulation to high risk areas.

Unfortunately, if you turn on your faucet and only a trickle comes out, you may well have a frozen pipe. You can try thawing your pipe by turning on the water. As you heat the frozen pipe and the ice plug begins to melt, you want the water to be able to flow through. You can also try to apply heat to the section of the pipe. This includes using an electric heating pad, hair dryer, or space heater. When attempting to thaw your pipes, be careful because if the pipe already burst, the water will come flowing out and flood your home.

If flood water is not handled in a timely manner, it can jeopardize your safety and cause severe damage to your home’s structure. Call SERVPRO of Elgin/Northwest Kane County and let our trained professionals handle the situation to make it feel “Like it never even happened.” Whether your home has a flood, or you have a general question, we are here to help: (847) 697.8500.

Discover Elgin!!

Ice Dams and Water Damage Restoration in your Elgin Home

3/20/2021 (Permalink)

Ice damming is not pretty!

In the movies, snow covered roofs and icicles paint the perfect picture for a winter scenery. It may look pretty, but unfortunately, the idealistic icicle look can be a sign of ice damming. An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow from draining off the roof. The water that backs up behind the dam can leak into a home and cause damage to walls, ceilings, and insulation.

Ice damming is caused by the snow being exposed to inconsistent surface temperatures on your Elgin home’s roof. The primary source of heat is from the inside of your home. Did you know heat from the house travels to the roof surface in three different ways?

• Conduction is heat energy traveling through a solid
• Convection is the heat transfer that rises from the heated area.
• Radiation is also a heat transfer by electromagnetic waves

If you spot an ice dam on your Elgin home, one common way to remove it is by using calcium chloride ice melt. Follow these simple steps to remove the dams and prevent further damage:

1. Using a roof rake, remove snow 3-4 feet from the edge of your roof and being careful not to damage the roof covering
2. Use a nylon stocking to fill with the calcium chloride ice melt
3. Safely place and position the calcium chloride-filled nylon stocking vertically across the ice dam so that it can melt a channel through the ice

 Sometimes accidents still happen, and you have experienced a water loss from your Elgin home’s ice dam. While many believe a water damage from an ice dam can easily get resolved in your Elgin home, often conventional drying methods are not enough.

From the moment your accident occurs, your property, materials, and contents are exposed to water and begin to absorb the moisture. The best solution for your home’s water loss is to hire professional restoration specialists like our team. It is easy for your situation to get out of hand and endure further damage. This is why one of the advantages to SERVPRO of Elgin is that we are a 24-hour emergency service. Our team is ready to service your water damage needs at any time. To learn more about our franchise or schedule a service, call our office (847) 697 8500.

Learn more about Elgin.

Ice Dams and Water Damage Restoration of Your Elgin Home.

3/16/2021 (Permalink)

In the movies, snow covered roofs and icicles paint the perfect picture for a winter scenery. It may look pretty, but unfortunately, the idealistic icicle look can be a sign of ice damming. An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow from draining off the roof. The water that backs up behind the dam can leak into a home and cause damage to walls, ceilings, and insulation.

Ice damming is caused by the snow being exposed to inconsistent surface temperatures on your Elgin home’s roof. The primary source of heat is from the inside of your home. Did you know heat from the house travels to the roof surface in three different ways?

• Conduction is heat energy traveling through a solid
• Convection is the heat transfer that rises from the heated area.
• Radiation is also a heat transfer by electromagnetic waves

If you spot an ice dam on your Elgin home, one common way to remove it is by using calcium chloride ice melt. Follow these simple steps to remove the dams and prevent further damage:

1. Using a roof rake, remove snow 3-4 feet from the edge of your roof and being careful not to damage the roof covering
2. Use a nylon stocking to fill with the calcium chloride ice melt
3. Safely place and position the calcium chloride-filled nylon stocking vertically across the ice dam so that it can melt a channel through the ice

 Sometimes accidents still happen, and you have experienced a water loss from your Elgin home’s ice dam. While many believe a water damage from an ice dam can easily get resolved in your Elgin home, often conventional drying methods are not enough.

From the moment your accident occurs, your property, materials, and contents are exposed to water and begin to absorb the moisture. The best solution for your home’s water loss is to hire professional restoration specialists like our team. It is easy for your situation to get out of hand and endure further damage. This is why one of the advantages to SERVPRO of Elgin is that we are a 24-hour emergency service. Our team is ready to service your water damage needs at any time. To learn more about our franchise or schedule a service, call our office (847) 697 8500

Learn more about Elgin.

Our Tools Can Help Solve Your Elgin Home's Water Damage

1/11/2021 (Permalink)

1/11/2021

Many disasters can take place inside your Elgin home or business when you least expect it. If a disaster were to happen, luckily SERVPRO of Elgin is always ready for whatever happens. When it comes to water damage, our trained technicians have an array of specialized equipment to bring your Elgin home back to preloss conditions. At SERVPRO of Elgin, we use the specialized equipment to help speed up the extraction and drying process. SERVPRO of Elgin is fully equipped with the following tools to restore any home and make it feel “Like it never even happened.”

1. Moisture Sensors are used to detect moisture in your Elgin home’s carpets and paddings. This tool has sharp probes that penetrate through carpets and padding to determine if water has migrated on the subflooring. If there is moisture, the sensor will provide both blinking and beeping as a signal. The greater the amount of moisture, the faster the lights and beeping will become.
2. Moisture Meters are utilized to measure the actual content or levels of various materials. This tool can be penetrative and non-penetrative depending on what needs to be measured. For example, penetrative meters will be used on carpet while non-penetrative meters will be used on drywall.
3. Extractors are used to provide sufficient water removal in your Elgin home. There are several different types of extractors to use such as Truck-Mounted, Light Wands, or Stationary tools. Factors in each situation such as depth of water and available power will give the technicians a better idea of what to use.
4. Air Movers are used in water damage restoration to enhance evaporation at the surface level and reduce drying time.
5. Dehumidifiers are used to remove water vapor from the air. This reduces the amount of water vapor in the air which lowers the humidity ratio. This is important because lower humidity increases the rate of evaporation of moisture.

SERVPRO of Elgin is a recognized Institution of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) firm for the past 16 years. Every technician for SERVPRO of Elgin is certified and knows how to utilize our unique tools to bring your home back to preloss conditions. We are a 24-hour service and are here to help you with any water damage needs you face in your Elgin home. If you need to schedule service, please contact our office: (847) 697-8500.

Lean more about Elgin

Keep Moisture Out of your Elgin Home with Dehumidifiers

1/6/2021 (Permalink)

Keeping things dry

When the temperatures drop in Elgin, we are all relieved we don’t have to deal with the hot, humid days because keeping our homes cool can be a challenge. Therefore, so many assume the cooler temperatures mean mold issues disappear in the winter. But did you know, it’s actually a year-round problem because moisture is still in your home’s air? This is possibly due to cold air outside prompting condensation to those sensitive areas such as walls, windows, attics, and basements. Other factors such as breathing, showering, and cooking all add to the humidity in your Elgin home too. Having condensation in those areas can lead to problems such as mold. 

Moisture in your home is important to monitor because if it is left untreated and mold starts to grow, it will decompose wood and rot household items such as carpeting, furniture, and insulation. Mold can cause health effects. It is extremely important to be aware of that. 

Fortunately, there are several effective ways to keep your home dry and prevent mold from infiltrating it. You can start by purchasing a dehumidifier for your home. Dehumidifiers can greatly benefit families during the winter. They can help keep humidity levels below the 50% RH threshold throughout the day. Ideally, these RH levels can be anywhere from 30%-50%. Not only will dehumidifiers remove excessive moisture in the air, it also creates an overall more comfortable atmosphere in your home. Lastly, Dehumidifiers can improve your air quality which could result in improving your home’s scent and provide relief to some allergies.

Dehumidifiers come in a wide variety of models, so which one is right for you? When choosing the best dehumidifier for your Elgin home, consider the following factors:

• The square footage of the desired space to dehumidify
• The temperature of the environment
• Levels of dampness in space

If your home has experienced water-damage from excessive moisture, we are the Elgin area experts. Our team is available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, to provide quality emergency response services throughout the Elgin area. Our certified Technicians will help address your water problems with quality solutions. To make water damage look “Like it never even happened,” call SERVPRO® of Elgin today: 847-697-8500.

More about Elgin

The Importance of Fixing Leaks in Your Elgin Home

1/4/2021 (Permalink)

All leaks in your building need to be addressed quickly.

By simply fixing any leaks in your roof, window, or pipes, it will prevent further damage such as mold growth. In general, try to clean and dry areas subjected to water within 48 hours to help prevent further damage. If you believe materials are wet and cannot be completely dried, remove them to be replaced. It’s very important to get them replaced because wet materials can lead to those additional issues previously mentioned.

We recommend replacing wet insultation with mold resistant insulation and consider replacing drywall with boards containing mold and moisture inhibitors. This is a great way to keep your insulation and drywall dry while protecting it from further damage.  Insulation is a very powerful tool because it manages the building’s temperature and moisture. Insulation will support dry, temperature-controlled conditions that inhibit mold growth. Spray polyurethane foam is a great type of insulation for your Elgin home. It seals cracks, holes, and other defects in the building’s structure. This creates a tight seal and will reduce the air and moisture flow.

Beat the Freeze this Winter in Elgin, IL

11/12/2020 (Permalink)

When temperatures plummet, the risk of your pipes freezing and bursting skyrockets. This happens because water has a unique property where it expands as it freezes. The expansion puts tremendous amount of pressure on whatever is containing it. During the frigid winter months, pipe bursts are the most common cause of property damage. The pipes most at risk are those in unheated interior spaces such as basements, attics, and garages. But even the pipes in your cabinets or exterior walls are still at risk. According to Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, homeowners can see costs surpassing $5,000 in water damage.

Once the weather starts to get colder, you should take measures to keep your pipes warm. Precautionary steps should be taken when the temperature hit around 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Those steps include: closing garage doors, opening cabinets under your sink, setting consistent thermostat temperatures, frequently running faucets, and adding insulation to high risk areas.

Unfortunately, if you turn on your faucet and only a trickle comes out, you may well have a frozen pipe. You can try thawing your pipe by turning on the water. As you heat the frozen pipe and the ice plug begins to melt, you want the water to be able to flow through. You can also try to apply heat to the section of the pipe. This includes using an electric heating pad, hair dryer, or space heater. When attempting to thaw your pipes, be careful because if the pipe already burst, the water will come flowing out and flood your home.

If flood water is not handled in a timely manner, it can jeopardize your safety and cause severe damage to your home’s structure. Call SERVPRO of Elgin/Northwest Kane County and let our trained professionals handle the situation to make it feel “Like it never even happened.” Whether your home has a flood, or you have a general question, we are here to help: (847) 697.8500.

How to Handle the Aftermath of a Sump Pump Failure in Elgin

5/11/2020 (Permalink)

It's that time of year where rain is usually in the forcast, so many Elgin homeowners are ensuring their sump pump is ready for the season. A sump pump is installed underneath the floor of basements which is called a “sump pit”. Once heavy rains hit your home, water starts to flow into the pit through drains or natural soil migration. Once watered is received, the pump will activate and start redirecting the water away from your home. It can be an especially important piece to your home if you invested money into refinishing the basement or have valuable items stored away. But like any piece of equipment, there is a possibility of it failing which can result in flooding, water backups, or water damage to your Elgin basement.

Your beautiful basement has flooded due to a sump pump failure, so now what?

• A flooded basement poses an electrocution hazard. Never enter a wet or flooded basement until the electricity has been shut off from the main panel.
• Locate and turn off the water source. If the source is coming from a ruptured pipe, turn off the main shutoff valve.
• Determine the type of water that has flooded your Elgin home. If it from a pipe, it’s generally safe up to 48 hours, but it is still recommended to wear gloves, boots, and other protective gear. If the water is from a sewage backup, it is classified as biohazard and requires intervention by qualified experts.
• Don’t attempt to pump it out yourself. If deep water is pumped from a flooded basement too quickly, you might cause structural failure. This is possible because there is external pressure exerted by over-saturated soil pressing against the basement walls.
• Call the experts. SERVPRO of Elgin is your water mitigation experts. Our franchise has been servicing basements with water damage since 2003. We can confidently provide you with quality solutions to bring your Elgin home back to preloss conditions.

Luckily, there are a couple of ways you can avoid sump pump failures. The first way to avoid failure is through annual maintenance. For example, clear the sump pump basin of debris which can clog the pump inlet. Be sure to also test the function of float switches. You can do this by pouring five gallons of water into the basin and observing proper activation. Lastly, you can help prevent failure is to upgrade to a battery backup feature. This ensures the sump pump continues to work after your Elgin home experiences a power outage.

Learn more about Elgin.

Ice Dams and Water Damage Restoration for Your Elgin Home

3/16/2020 (Permalink)

In the movies, snow covered roofs and icicles paint the perfect picture for a winter scenery. It may look pretty, but unfortunately, the idealistic icicle look can be a sign of ice damming. An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow from draining off the roof. The water that backs up behind the dam can leak into a home and cause damage to walls, ceilings, and insulation.

Ice damming is caused by the snow being exposed to inconsistent surface temperatures on your Elgin home’s roof. The primary source of heat is from the inside of your home. Did you know heat from the house travels to the roof surface in three different ways?

• Conduction is heat energy traveling through a solid
• Convection is the heat transfer that rises from the heated area.
• Radiation is also a heat transfer by electromagnetic waves

If you spot an ice dam on your Elgin home, one common way to remove it is by using calcium chloride ice melt. Follow these simple steps to remove the dams and prevent further damage:

1. Using a roof rake, remove snow 3-4 feet from the edge of your roof and being careful not to damage the roof covering
2. Use a nylon stocking to fill with the calcium chloride ice melt
3. Safely place and position the calcium chloride-filled nylon stocking vertically across the ice dam so that it can melt a channel through the ice

 Sometimes accidents still happen, and you have experienced a water loss from your Elgin home’s ice dam. While many believe a water damage from an ice dam can easily get resolved in your Elgin home, often conventional drying methods are not enough.

From the moment your accident occurs, your property, materials, and contents are exposed to water and begin to absorb the moisture. The best solution for your home’s water loss is to hire professional restoration specialists like our team. It is easy for your situation to get out of hand and endure further damage. This is why one of the advantages to SERVPRO of Elgin is that we are a 24-hour emergency service. Our team is ready to service your water damage needs at any time. To learn more about our franchise or schedule a service, call our office (847) 697 8500

Learn more about Elgin.

Our Tools Can Help Solve Your Elgin Home’s Water Damage

1/20/2020 (Permalink)

Another water damage specialty tool.

Many disasters can take place inside your Elgin home or business when you least expect it. If a disaster were to happen, luckily SERVPRO of Elgin is always ready for whatever happens. When it comes to water damage, our trained technicians have an array of specialized equipment to bring your Elgin home back to preloss conditions. At SERVPRO of Elgin, we use the specialized equipment to help speed up the extraction and drying process. SERVPRO of Elgin is fully equipped with the following tools to restore any home and make it feel “Like it never even happened.”

1. Moisture Sensors are used to detect moisture in your Elgin home’s carpets and paddings. This tool has sharp probes that penetrate through carpets and padding to determine if water has migrated on the subflooring. If there is moisture, the sensor will provide both blinking and beeping as a signal. The greater the amount of moisture, the faster the lights and beeping will become.
2. Moisture Meters are utilized to measure the actual content or levels of various materials. This tool can be penetrative and non-penetrative depending on what needs to be measured. For example, penetrative meters will be used on carpet while non-penetrative meters will be used on drywall.
3. Extractors are used to provide sufficient water removal in your Elgin home. There are several different types of extractors to use such as Truck-Mounted, Light Wands, or Stationary tools. Factors in each situation such as depth of water and available power will give the technicians a better idea of what to use.
4. Air Movers are used in water damage restoration to enhance evaporation at the surface level and reduce drying time.
5. Dehumidifiers are used to remove water vapor from the air. This reduces the amount of water vapor in the air which lowers the humidity ratio. This is important because lower humidity increases the rate of evaporation of moisture.

SERVPRO of Elgin is a recognized Institution of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) firm for the past 16 years. Every technician for SERVPRO of Elgin is certified and knows how to utilize our unique tools to bring your home back to preloss conditions. We are a 24-hour service and are here to help you with any water damage needs you face in your Elgin home. If you need to schedule service, please contact our office: (847) 697-8500.

Lean more about Elgin

Keep Moisture Out of Your Elgin Home with Dehumidifiers

1/8/2020 (Permalink)

When the temperatures drop in Elgin, we are all relieved we don’t have to deal with the hot, humid days because keeping our homes cool can be a challenge.  Therefore, so many assume the cooler temperatures mean mold issues disappear in the winter. But did you know, it’s actually a year-round problem because moisture is still in your home’s air? This is possible due to cold air outside prompting condensation to those sensitive areas such as walls, windows, attics, and basements. Other factors such as breathing, showering, and cooking all add to the humidity in your Elgin home too. Having condensation in those areas can lead to problems such as mold.

Moisture in your home is important to monitor because if it is left untreated and mold starts to grow, it will decompose wood and rot household items such as carpeting, furniture, and insulation. Mold can also pose a health risk to your family because some people have allergies to mold and mold spores. It is extremely important to be aware of the possible health effects from mold and your family’s allergies to it. Learn more about the different types of mold and its possible health risks here.

Fortunately, there are several effective ways to keep your home dry and prevent mold from infiltrating it. You can start by purchasing a dehumidifier for your home. Dehumidifiers can greatly benefit families during the winter. They can help keep humidity levels below the 50% RH threshold throughout the day. Ideally, these RH levels can be anywhere from 30%-50%. Not only will dehumidifiers remove excessive moisture in the air, it also creates an overall more comfortable atmosphere in your home. Lastly, Dehumidifiers can improve your air quality which could result in improving your home’s scent and provide relief to some allergies.

Dehumidifiers come in a wide variety of models, so which one is right for you? When choosing the best dehumidifier for your Elgin home, consider the following factors:

• The square footage of the desired space to dehumidify
• The temperature of the environment
• Levels of dampness in space

If your home has experienced water damage from excessive moisture, we are the Elgin area experts. Our team is available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, to provide quality emergency response services throughout the Elgin area. Our certified Technicians will help address your water problems with quality solutions. To make water damage look “Like it never even happened,” call SERVPRO® of Elgin today: 847-697-8500.

More about Elgin

The Importance of Fixing Leaks in Your Elgin Home

1/7/2020 (Permalink)

By simply fixing any leaks in your roof, window, or pipes, it will prevent further damage such as mold growth. In general, try to clean and dry areas subjected to water within 48 hours to help prevent further damage. If you believe materials are wet and cannot be completely dried, remove them to be replaced. It’s very important to get them replaced because wet materials can lead to those additional issues previously mentioned.

We recommend replacing wet insultation with mold resistant insulation and consider replacing drywall with boards containing mold and moisture inhibitors. This is a great way to keep your insulation and drywall dry while protecting it from further damage.  Insulation is a very powerful tool because it manages the building’s temperature and moisture. Insulation will support dry, temperature-controlled conditions that inhibit mold growth. Spray polyurethane foam is a great type of insulation for your Elgin home. It seals cracks, holes, and other defects in the building’s structure. This creates a tight seal and will reduce the air and moisture flow.

Beat the Freeze This Winter in Elgin

11/20/2019 (Permalink)

When temperatures plummet, the risk of your pipes freezing and bursting skyrockets. This happens because water has a unique property where it expands as it freezes. The expansion puts tremendous amount of pressure on whatever is containing it. During the frigid winter months, pipe bursts are the most common cause of property damage. The pipes most at risk are those in unheated interior spaces such as basements, attics, and garages. But even the pipes in your cabinets or exterior walls are still at risk. According to Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, homeowners can see costs surpassing $5,000 in water damage.

Once the weather starts to get colder, you should take measures to keep your pipes warm. Precautionary steps should be taken when the temperature hit around 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Those steps include: closing garage doors, opening cabinets under your sink, setting consistent thermostat temperatures, frequently running faucets, and adding insulation to high risk areas.

Unfortunately, if you turn on your faucet and only a trickle comes out, you may well have a frozen pipe. You can try thawing your pipe by turning on the water. As you heat the frozen pipe and the ice plug begins to melt, you want the water to be able to flow through. You can also try to apply heat to the section of the pipe. This includes using an electric heating pad, hair dryer, or space heater. When attempting to thaw your pipes, be careful because if the pipe already burst, the water will come flowing out and flood your home.

If flood water is not handled in a timely manner, it can jeopardize your safety and cause severe damage to your home’s structure. Call SERVPRO of Elgin/Northwest Kane County and let our trained professionals handle the situation to make it feel “Like it never even happened.” Whether your home has a flood, or you have a general question, we are here to help: (847) 697.8500.

Do you have the insurance coverage you need?

5/20/2019 (Permalink)

Water, carpet, laminate floor and content!

Flooding remains the costliest natural hazard disaster in the United States. But did you know that flood losses are not typically covered under renter and homeowner insurance policies? Additionally, backup coverage in homes is typically limited. Also, how the water entered the house plays a big role in whether you have coverage and whether you have limited coverage or full coverage.

Do you have the coverage necessary to get yourself back "Like it never even happened"? If it is a sump pump backup the limited coverage you have may only be enough to get the house dry, but you may not have enough to put carpet and drywall back.

Contact your agent and discuss your coverage BEFORE the event occurs. Believe me, you WILL be very happy you did!

SERVPRO of Elgin/Northwest Kane County, helping you through the entire process!!

Can we save hardwood flooring?

5/20/2019 (Permalink)

Vacuum panel drying systems

In today's modern home, it is not uncommon to have beautiful hardwood floors in many areas of the home; especially kitchens. When these floors get wet and are not dried properly, it is a major expense to remove and replace them. This work is also a major disruption to the family. 

SERVPRO of Elgin/Northwest Kane County employs the latest technology that allows them to save many floors that would otherwise might be torn out. The "Trick" is to get our specially trained crews out to the job site quickly. 

By using special vacuum drying panels, desiccant drying tools and with professional daily monitoring, we can ensure that the flooring has been dried properly. If addressed quickly, some floors will not even require refinishing!

Call 847.697.8500 to reach the hardwood floor drying specialists! Only we can make it "Like it never even happened."!

Hardwood floors can be saved

5/7/2019 (Permalink)

Proper equipment can restore hardwood floors

In today's modern home, it is not uncommon to have beautiful hardwood floors in many areas of the home; especially kitchens. When these floors get wet and are not dried properly, it is a major expense to remove and replace them. This work is also a major disruption to the family. 

SERVPRO of Elgin employs the latest technology that allows them to save many floors that would otherwise might be torn out. The "Trick" is to get our specially trained crews out to the job site quickly. 

By using special vacuum drying panels, desiccant drying tools and with professional daily monitoring, we can ensure that the flooring has been dried properly. If addressed quickly, some floors will not even require refinishing!

Call 847.697.8500 to reach the hardwood floor drying specialists at SERVPRO of Elgin/Northwest Kane County. Only SERVPRO can make it "Like it never even happened."

You can't just "wing it".

5/7/2019 (Permalink)

Water everywhere!!

A basement can flood at any time, although flooding most often occurs during heavy rainfall. Basements are inherently prone to flooding because they are the lowest level of a building and are normally built partly or entirely below ground level. There are several reasons why your Elgin basement could flood, including: 

• Non-working sump pump
• Heavy rain causes surface water to pool around your home
• Storm sewer backup
• Sanitary sewer backup
• Foundation drainage failure
• Water supply-line break or hot-water tank failure
• And many more

Have Questions about Basement Flooding?

Call Today - 847.697.8500

If flood water is not handled quickly and properly, it can jeopardize your health and safety, and cause severe damage to your home’s structure. Remember, the longer you wait, the worse the problem will get.

The bottom line: a flooded basement can jeopardize your health, safety, and your home’s integrity. It’s worth making a call to SERVPRO of Elgin/Northwest Kane County and let our trained, professional crews handle the situation safely and correctly. We have earned the trust of thousands of homeowners, business owners, and property professionals.

We are Flooded Basement Specialists:

• We are Available 24 hours/7 days per week
• We’re a Preferred Vendor to many National Insurance Companies
• We Bill the Insurance Directly – One Less Thing for You to Worry About
• Our Technicians are Highly-Trained in Water Restoration Techniques
• We use s500 IICRC Restoration Standards
• Advanced Inspection and Extraction Equipment

Basement Flooded? Call Us Today – We’re Ready to Help 847.697.8500

Flooded basements and how we can help!!

4/22/2019 (Permalink)

Heavy water extraction in flooded basement

A basement can flood at any time, although flooding most often occurs during heavy rainfall. Basements are inherently prone to flooding because they are the lowest level of a building and are normally built partly or entirely below ground level. There are a number of reasons why your Elgin basement could flood, including: 

• Non-working sump pump
• Heavy rain causes surface water to pool around your home
• Storm sewer backup
• Sanitary sewer backup
• Foundation drainage failure
• Water supply-line break or hot-water tank failure
• And many more

Have Questions about Basement Flooding?

Call Today - 847.697.8500

If flood water is not handled quickly and properly, it can jeopardize your health and safety, and cause severe damage to your home’s structure. Remember, the longer you wait, the worse the problem will get.

The bottom line: a flooded basement can jeopardize your health, safety, and your home’s integrity. It’s worth making a call to SERVPRO of Elgin/Northwest Kane County and let our trained, professional crews handle the situation safely and correctly. We have earned the trust of thousands of homeowners, business owners, and property professionals.

We are Flooded Basement Specialists:

• We are Available 24 hours/7 days per week
• We’re a Preferred Vendor to many National Insurance Companies
• Our Technicians are Highly-Trained in Water Restoration Techniques
• We use s500 IICRC Restoration Standards
• Advanced Inspection and Extraction Equipment

Basement Flooded? Call Us Today – We’re Ready to Help 847.697.8500

How to avoid a spring time disaster

4/22/2019 (Permalink)

The pipe break occurred in winter but can ruin your spring!

Soon the weather will start warming, and believe it or not, it will be so warm you will want to wash the car or do some other outside cleaning. If you are like us, you can't wait!!

However, if you realize that you left a hose connected to an outside faucet, you might have inadvertently caused your pipe inside the house to freeze and break. The actual term for the faucet is silcock. What makes the silcock different is that the actual shut off valve is inside the house, 16-20" where it is hopefully warm. However, even though the valve is inside the house at a safe distance to keep it warm, leaving a hose attached can cause ice to form and cause the pipe to break between the outside faucet and the silcock valve. (Keep in mind that that entire pipe is still inside the house!!)

This is good in that although the silcock pipe is ruptured, no water has been lost because the valve is shut off. HOWEVER, once you open the valve by turning on the outside faucet, water will start pouring into your home!!

Play it safe, and if you left a hose attached all winter, before you turn on the water, go inside and look for the silcock and inspect it for damage. You can do this with a flashlight, and you can also run your hands along the pipe and feel for bumps and breaks. If you find any, call your plumber and ask them to replace it right away! 

SERVPRO of Elgin/Northwest Kane County, 847.697.8500. Here to help!!

Saving hardwood floors

5/1/2018 (Permalink)

Hardwood floor drying system.

In today's modern home, it is not uncommon to have beautiful hardwood floors in many areas of the home; especially kitchens. When these floors get wet and are not dried properly, it is a major expense to remove and replace them. This work is also a major disruption to the family. 

SERVPRO of Elgin employs the latest technology that allows them to save many floors that would otherwise might be torn out. The "Trick" is to get our specially trained crews out to the job site quickly. 

By using special vacuum drying panels, desiccant drying tools and with professional daily monitoring, we can ensure that the flooring has been dried properly. If addressed quickly, some floors will not even require refinishing!

Call 847.697.8500 to reach the hardwood floor drying specialists at SERVPRO of Elgin/Northwest Kane County. Only SERVPRO can make it "Like it never even happened."

Basement water damage in Elgin

5/1/2018 (Permalink)

Flooded basement, carpet and pad affected.

A basement can flood at any time, although flooding most often occurs during heavy rainfall. Basements are inherently prone to flooding because they are the lowest level of a building and are normally built partly or entirely below ground level. There are a number of reasons why your Elgin basement could flood, including: 

• Non-working sump pump
• Heavy rain causes surface water to pool around your home
• Storm sewer backup
• Sanitary sewer backup
• Foundation drainage failure
• Water supply-line break or hot-water tank failure
• And many more

Have Questions about Basement Flooding?

Call Today - 847.697.8500

If flood water is not handled quickly and properly, it can jeopardize your health and safety, and cause severe damage to your home’s structure. Remember, the longer you wait, the worse the problem will get.

The bottom line: a flooded basement can jeopardize your health, safety, and your home’s integrity. It’s worth making a call to SERVPRO of Elgin/Northwest Kane County and let our trained, professional crews handle the situation safely and correctly. We have earned the trust of thousands of homeowners, business owners, and property professionals.

We are Flooded Basement Specialists:

• We are Available 24 hours/7 days per week
• We’re a Preferred Vendor to many National Insurance Companies
• We Bill The Insurance Directly – One Less Thing For You To Worry About
• Our Technicians are Highly-Trained  in Water Restoration Techniques
• We use s500 IICRC Restoration Standards
• Advanced Inspection and Extraction Equipment

Basement Flooded? Call Us Today – We’re Ready To Help 847.697.8500

Elgin homeowners! We specialize in cleaning up and restoring flooded basements

3/3/2018 (Permalink)

Sump pumps can cause basement water damage if they are not working properly.

A basement can flood at any time, although flooding most often occurs during heavy rainfall. Basements are inherently prone to flooding because they are the lowest level of a building and are normally built partly or entirely below ground level. There are a number of reasons why your Elgin basement could flood, including: 

• Non-working sump pump
• Heavy rain causes surface water to pool around your home
• Storm sewer backup
• Sanitary sewer backup
• Foundation drainage failure
• Water supply-line break or hot-water tank failure
• And many more

Have Questions about Basement Flooding?

Call Today - 847.697.8500

If flood water is not handled quickly and properly, it can jeopardize your health and safety, and cause severe damage to your home’s structure. Remember, the longer you wait, the worse the problem will get.

The bottom line: a flooded basement can jeopardize your health, safety, and your home’s integrity. It’s worth making a call to SERVPRO of Elgin/Northwest Kane County and let our trained, professional crews handle the situation safely and correctly. We have earned the trust of thousands of homeowners, business owners, and property professionals.

We are Flooded Basement Specialists:

• We are Available 24 hours/7 days per week
• We’re a Preferred Vendor to many National Insurance Companies
• We Bill The Insurance Directly – One Less Thing For You To Worry About
• Our Technicians are Highly-Trained  in Water Restoration Techniques
• We use s500 IICRC Restoration Standards
• Advanced Inspection and Extraction Equipment

Basement Flooded? Call Us Today – We’re Ready To Help 847.697.8500

Do you have the insurance coverage to recover from a flood?

3/3/2018 (Permalink)

Don't leave your home unfinished because you don't have enough insurance coverage.

Flooding still remains the most costly natural hazard disaster in the United States. But did you know that flood losses are not typically covered under renter and homeowner insurance policies? Additionally, backup coverage in homes is typically limited. If you were trying to reduce your overall expenses, did you eliminate water backup coverage or reduce the overall coverage to save you a few dollars each month?

Do you have the coverage necessary to get yourself back "Like it Never Even Happened?" The cost of recovering from a sewage backup in your home can easily wipe out all of your savings and still leave you with a basement that you cannot use.

Contact your agent and discuss your coverage BEFORE the event occurs. Believe me, you WILL be very happy you did!

It's YOUR man cave! Don't let water damage limit your use of it!!

3/3/2018 (Permalink)

When you have lots of hard to replace items, trust them to the experts at SERVPRO!!

You have spent a lot of time getting it just right. The framed baseball cards, the stadium seats, the memorabilia that you have been collecting for years. The you got the furniture you always wanted; the leather chairs, the big screen TV even the card table and chairs that are the envy of all of your buddies.

But then the storm hit. The rains came and seemed like they work never stop. But you weren't scared, not even worried. You never had water in the basement before. But these rains-they were brutal!

You went downstairs the next morning and stepped right onto wet carpet. Now what? Who do you call! Who will take care or YOUR pride and joy!

SERVPRO of Elgin/Northwest Kane County has the experience and training to take care of everything, especially those autographed pictures of all your baseball hero's. Call us at 847.697.8500 to get your cave back up and running!!

Did you forget and leave a hose attached to an outside faucet?

2/5/2018 (Permalink)

Soon the weather will start warming, and believe it or not, it will be so warm you will want to wash the car, or do some other outside cleaning. If you are like us, you can't wait!!

However, if you realize that you left a hose connected to an outside faucet, you might have inadvertently caused your pipe inside the house to freeze and break. The actual term for the faucet is silcock. What makes the silcock different is that the actual shut off valve is inside the house, 16-20" where it is hopefully warm. However, even though the valve is inside the house at a safe distance to keep it warm, leaving a hose attached can cause ice to form and cause the pipe to break between the outside faucet and the silcock valve. (Keep in mind that that entire pipe is still inside the house!!)

This is good in that although the silcock pipe is ruptured, no water has been lost because the valve is shut off. HOWEVER, once you open the valve by turning on the outside faucet, water will start pouring into your home!!

Play it safe, and if you left a hose attached all winter, before you turn on the water, go inside and look for the silcock and inspect it for damage. You can do this with a flashlight and you can also run your hands along the pipe and feel for bumps and breaks. If you find any, call your plumber and ask them to replace it right away! 

SERVPRO of Elgin/Northwest Kane County, 847.697.8500. Here to help!!

Saving hard wood floors when wet

5/18/2017 (Permalink)

Drying floors due to water damage with specialty vacuum drying panels and desiccant technology!

In today's modern home, it is not uncommon to have beautiful hardwood floors in many areas of the home; especially kitchens. When these floors get wet and are not dried properly, it is a major expense to remove and replace them. This work is also a major disruption to the family. 

SERVPRO of Elgin employs the latest technology that allows them to save many floors that would otherwise might be torn out. The "Trick" is to get our specially trained crews out to the job site quickly. 

By using special vacuum drying panels, desiccant drying tools and with professional daily monitoring, we can ensure that the flooring has been dried properly. If addressed quickly, some floors will not even require refinishing!

Call 847.697.8500 to reach the hardwood floor drying specialists at SERVPRO of Elgin! Only SERVPRO can make it "Like it never even happened."

Elgin Residents: We specialize in Flooded Basement Cleanup and Restoration!

5/17/2017 (Permalink)

Flooded basement due to heavy storms and a broken sump pump!

A basement can flood at any time, although flooding most often occurs during heavy rainfall. Basements are inherently prone to flooding because they are the lowest level of a building and are normally built partly or entirely below ground level. There are a number of reasons why your Elgin basement could flood, including: 

• Non-working sump pump
• Heavy rain causes surface water to pool around your home
• Storm sewer backup
• Sanitary sewer backup
• Foundation drainage failure
• Water supply-line break or hot-water tank failure
• And many more

Have Questions about Basement Flooding?

Call Today - 847.697.8500

If flood water is not handled quickly and properly, it can jeopardize your health and safety, and cause severe damage to your home’s structure. Remember, the longer you wait, the worse the problem will get.

The bottom line: a flooded basement can jeopardize your health, safety, and your home’s integrity. It’s worth making a call to SERVPRO of Elgin/Northwest Kane County and let our trained, professional crews handle the situation safely and correctly. We have earned the trust of thousands of homeowners, business owners, and property professionals.

We are Flooded Basement Specialists:

• We are Available 24 hours/7 days per week
• We’re a Preferred Vendor to many National Insurance Companies
• We Bill The Insurance Directly – One Less Thing For You To Worry About
• Our Technicians are Highly-Trained  in Water Restoration Techniques
• We use s500 IICRC Restoration Standards
• Advanced Inspection and Extraction Equipment

Basement Flooded? Call Us Today – We’re Ready To Help 847.697.8500

Pipe freezes and bursts

12/18/2013 (Permalink)

Pipe freeze in ceiling and resulting damage

Some people turn down their thermostats when they leave for vacation. Doing this in the winter can cause internal wall and ceiling tempuratures to fall to levels that could cause pipes to freeze.

SERVPRO was able to help this homeowner get back into their home quickly!