Water Damage Restoration & Cleanup Chicago 773-885-8528

Water and flood damage can be one of the most costly disasters a home or business owner can face. Bursting pipes, sewage backups, and toiled overflows are just a few of the ways water can damage property.

In most cases, home and business owners can find comfort in knowing that property insurance covers water and flood damages. However, finding the right contractor to restore the property to its former glory safely and at a fair value is not as easy.

The CleanUP Guys  water damage experts with over twenty one years of experience servicing the community with the most devastating water and flood damage disasters, has help so many Chicago customers and the surrounding suburbs to get their property back in normal condition.

Extraction

The key to minimizing the damage caused by water or flooding is to remove the water as quickly as possible. The faster water is removed, the less likely mold growth will occur. Mold growth can take place just 24 hours after the area is affected.

Drying

The affected area should be ventilated and dried immediately. Use high velocity fans, air movers, and dehumidifiers to get the space as dry as possible.

Be sure to check for dryness regularly. Many porous substances like carpet, drywall, and insulation retain water beneath their surface.

Restoration

Firstly, remove all damaged items (i.e. furniture, boxes, electronics, etc) to a separate area to dry and restore.

Carpets, padding, drywall, and insulation exposed to water for more than 24 hours must be removed and replaced to avoid mold growth.

When choosing a contractor to complete water damage restoration services, be sure the technicians are IICRC certified. The IICRC is an industry regulator that ensures safe and healthy restoration practices across the country. The IICRC S500 Guidelines for Water Restoration must be followed by a certified technician to ensure the families and/or employees of the property are safe after the job has been completed.

You and your family can feel safe and trust that your job will be done right the first time!

Water Damage Restoration Chicago 773-885-8528

WATER DAMAGE IS A HUGE PROBLEM WHEN LEFT UNATTENDED 

When a pipe breaks, or a leak occurs, damage can be extensive.  Not only is it a hassle trying to get the area mitigated and repaired, but it can be very costly.  Choosing the right water damage restoration company is in proper order.  In most circumstances, the homeowner feels the need to get help as soon as possible.   They’d like a professional water damage company to come out and dry the affected area and to begin repairs.  Nobody wants to wait and let mold grow and a musty smell fill the air.

There are so many water damage companies popping up that the task of finding a good one in short order might be overwhelming.  Some rely on the fact that the homeowner is panicked and take advantage of their need for urgent repairs.  Once the bill arrives, there are all kinds of surprises, and there’s no going back.  Find out what is being provided and what is not before signing.  Sometimes, this might be difficult if you are out of town.  As water damage problems don’t wait for us to return home before they strike.  Ask for references.  How long has the company been in business?  Are they a BBB affiliate or registered with the BBB, or other local chambers of commerce?  Do your homework.

The insurance carrier will only pay what they deem reasonable.  If the fire and water damage restoration company bills an unreasonable, excessive amount, guess who gets stuck with the balance, and the water damage company could potentially file a lean on the home.

As an example, certain materials might not be billable or redeemable by any particular insurance company.  Thus, knowing how your policy reads, and the intricate by-laws that pertain to water damage loss may be of benefit, as each insurance carrier has different policies in print.  As the old saying goes, read the fine print before signing.

In order to avoid being caught in a similar situation, the homeowner should contact their insurance company’s claims department right away.  They will provide the necessary information to help you file the claim properly and know what to expect when hiring a professional restoration company.

Once a water restoration company is decided upon to help in your emergency, the insurance carrier will resolve all payment directly, and the homeowner as well as the restoration contractor, will avoid possible conflicts in payment resolution if these matters are considered up front and out in the open.

Most water damage contractors secure a down payment of some sort to ensure that the homeowner is serious about getting the work done and there are upfront operating costs to get any water damage loss started.

If you experience water loss in your home, don’t panic.  Contact your insurance carrier’s claims department, get the necessary paperwork, claim number, contact information and find a good, reputable water damage restoration company that will get your home back to normal by industry standards and you will rest assured that your work will be done correctly.

Mold Remediation Chicago 773-885-8528

Basement Mold Removal

Since moisture is a leading cause of mold it is very important to keep it at a level, if possible, where it does not start to breed unwanted bacteria.  We commonly call it mold. One of the areas in the home that gets more moisture normally, than any other area of the home, is the basement.  Basements also typically have the worst ventilation of the entire house, so moisture usually has no way to escape, leading to mold contamination. Thus, basement mold can be caused by a few of the following issues:

§  Condensation in the basement can cause mold. Moisture condensates on the outside of pipes because of the cool temperatures. If this moisture collects, mold will form.

§  Flooding water that is not taken care of and removed immediately will lead to mold buildup. Dangerous molds can grow in your basement if it is not dried, quickly following a flood or any other type of water damage.

§  High levels of humidity in your basement is yet another way for mold to grow in your home.

§  Leaking pipes, cracks in the home’s foundation, and leaking gutters can all bring more moisture into the basement. If these leaks are not addressed immediately, mold will build up rapidly.  And while this list is not exhaustive, there are so many more ways that moisture tries to find a hiding place in the home.

Mold produces dangerous spores that can harm many people. People with allergic reactions to mold and those with vulnerable immune systems are especially susceptible to mold exposure. Other more dangerous types of mold, such as toxic molds, can cause damage to anyone, even if they are perfectly healthy. The CleanUP Guys are experts in Illinois and particularly the Chicago area and suburbs well mold removal, mold remediation, and mold damage services are needed.  During the rainy seasons, homes, businesses, hospitals, industrial facilities, and commercial properties all can get mold from excess moisture.  The CleanUP Guys are certified, trained professionals that kill mold spores, mold bacterium, mold infestation, the right and proper way.  Eliminating it for good!  So whether you have basement mold, attic mold, or crawlspace mold, we take care of it for you!

Water Damage Restoration Chicago 773-885-8528

Preventing Water Damage In The Basement

More than a few of us grew up in houses with basements that flooded regularly, usually the result of a drain just outside the basement door that was always clogging up. If there were a large number of trees around the home, it would be very difficult to keep the drain open, and the basement water headache would never fully go away.

The CleanUP Guys understand the basic problems that are inherent to basement water damage, most notably mold, and are prepared and equipped to handle even the most severe water and mold damage issues that may occur as a result.

If you have a basement, be of good cheer; 98% of basements will suffer some form of water damage at some point in their existence. Basements are low lying areas by their very nature, and as such are prime targets for water to accumulate.  Water loves to run downhill….so you do the math, which in this case means 2 + 2 = a flooded basement.

So how do you defend your home against this problem? We believe that you start early on, making your best defense a good offense, and taking action before things start getting damp.

A waterproof basement is probably not realistic, but you can make regular inspections, looking for cracks in your foundation wall, broken window seals, leaky pipes...anything that might let water in. On the outside, check and make sure all drainage vents, gutters, and downspouts are unclogged and working properly, and check to see if your surrounding landscape is sloped away from your home (as it should be). Improper landscape slope can send water flowing the wrong way very quickly.

You can also protect what is in your basement. Basements tend to be storage spaces, and as such, a lot of valuable family possessions can be kept there. Find some way of elevating them, keeping them off the floor, either by using shelving or blocks. Remember it only takes an inch or so of water to cause hundreds or thousands of dollars in damages.

The addition of a sump pump or sump pit can go a long way towards preventing water damage, draining water out away from your home before it has the chance to accumulate and become a problem.

If all else fails, contact your local, IICRC certified waterdamage restoration company, the professional service providers at The CleanUP Guys. We are available 24/7 and able to serve all of your repair needs.

Cause Of Water Damage 773-885-8528

Cause Of Water Damage:

Water damage is caused by water covering, permeating so causing the decomposition of the materials it comes into contact with. Mold growth will begin, wood rots, steel rusts and plywood falls apart. Once these things happen, you should take the situation seriously and give us a call.

Our  #waterdamagerestoration   services,  #moldremoval   and #sewagebackup   cleanup as well as our flooded basement restoration services are some of the most effective in the whole Chicago.  And that we do our best to determine the source of the damage from water, the size of the area affected, so we begin water damage drying through #waterextraction   and water removal.

Making sure that everything is deodorized and cleaned thoroughly in all affected areas is very important as well. We make sure it all gets done as part of our commitment to excellence in serving you. 

There are so many ways water can infiltrate a structure.  One of the ways shown above is through a burst pipe from serious plumbing issues.  Fortunately, this is a visible scenario of what can take place.  Oftentimes, the water damage can take place behind the walls and go unnoticed for weeks, maybe even months before detected.  If this happens then mold remediation might become a sure necessity, and not just simple mold removal.  This is where it could get costly.  As not only is there a need for plumbing repairs, but a need for water damage restoration, possibly professional mold remediation, and damage restoration of the walls, flooring and other areas because of the inundation of excess water.

Our senses go into action fast when it comes to water infiltration issues.  Hearing dripping water, or running water, smelling the moisture or bacterium activity from the excess water, touching the areas with our fingers might denote wetness, dampness and excess moisture.

If any of these symptoms occur in your basement, attic, crawlspace, or any other room in the house, call The CleanUP Guys right now and let us give you an assessment of the problem and what needs to be done to restore your structure to normal.

Water Damage Chicago 773-885-8528

Types of Water Damage

The water damage in your home or business needs to be addressed according to the type of water involved. There are various levels and severity when it comes to water damage, each one requiring its own unique approach when it comes to drying, cleanup, and restoration.

Water damage is basically broken down as follows:

Category 1 Water – Also known as Clean Water, this is water that is fairly uncontaminated from the source (faucets, toilet tanks, drinking fountains, etc.) and poses little to no threat if ingested by or exposed to humans or animals.

Category 2 Water – Also known as Grey Water, this is water that may contain some contaminants which may cause some illness or discomfort if ingested by or exposed to humans and animals. Sources of Grey Water include dishwasher and washing machine runoff, flush from sink drains, and toilet overflow with some urine but no feces.

Category 3 Water – Also known as Black Water, this is water that is highly contaminated at the source and may cause serious illness or discomfort if ingested by or exposed to humans and animals.  Black Water is almost always the result of sewage backup or overflow, flooding from rivers and streams, toilet overflow with feces, and stagnant liquid that has begun to support microbial growth.

It is important to keep in mind that while none of these categories of water will improve on their own, it is possible for them to become more severe. Category 1 Water may become a Category 2 if allowed to remain standing and untreated for a given period of time (usually around 48-72 hours).

Whatever level of water damage restoration you may be dealing with, it is imperative that you contact a qualified, competent, and certified water damage restoration provider, someone with the training, tools, and techniques to eliminate the water damage threat in your home or business.

Water Damage Chicago 773-885-8528

Does Insurance Cover Water Damage?

 

The topic of insurance and water damage is a touchy one. Some are convinced that homeowners’ policies cover this type of problem, while others say “Don’t count on it”.  The answer lies somewhere between the two. We will try to break it down.

Basically, if there is any way that it can be proven that the water damage was the result of negligence on your part as the property owner, then your claim will most likely be denied.  This means that if you have water damage due to burst pipes, the question will become, “did you perform proper maintenance and regular inspection to make sure the pipes were in good working order?” 

The good news is that the damage to the home as a result of the burst pipes may in fact be covered. Does this make sense?  No?  Well, it doesn’t to us either, but this seems to be the way the rules are written in most areas.

Washing machines are the cause of 50% of all water damage restoration issues, usually due to a leaky supply hose.  Insurance will examine the age of the machine, the last time the hose was replaced, amount of wear and tear…in many cases you will end up making payment for repairs out of your pocket.

You may also be surprised to learn that storm and flood damage is not covered in most homeowners’ policies. So if your roof gets ripped off during a typhoon, you’re on the hook. The good news is that in many areas, coverage for this sort of disaster is available; either through private insurance or the United States Government…the bad news is that they tend to have fairly steep deductibles.  In coastal areas that are susceptible to this sort of damage, flood insurance may be mandatory, if you are to have any flood cleanup work to be done.

Your best move would be to act now, while everything is dry and the skies are clear. Sit down with your insurance provider and talk water, specifically water damage repairs. Find out for certain what is covered and what isn’t, and add coverage that is available and that you deem necessary. Doing so now will spare you numerous headaches when disaster does finally strike.

It is this careful planning that can save a lot of headache, time and expense when the basement floods, so that unnecessary energy isn’t channeled in a direction that would be counterproductive to completing the important task of water restoration.