Water Damage Doesn't Stand a Chance When SERVPRO Is On The Job!

9/7/2022 (Permalink)

Chances are you take great pride in your property, whether you own a business, apartment complex, small business, or home.  Suppose you arrive home one evening after work and come across a burst pipe, sewer backup, or leaky water heater in your home. Whichever the case may be, a continuous trickle or a large amount of water damage can lead to a disaster and requires immediate cleanup. SERVPRO of Oak Lawn specializes in extraction and water damage restoration. 

In these situations, always try to remember safety first.  When water damage happens it can be very stressful and sometimes even dangerous.  

If not acted upon quickly, any amount of water accumulation can lead to larger problems such as mold and mildew, further damage to walls, ceilings and floors, or even the outer structure of your home or property.  

SERVPRO of Oak Lawn strives to provide the best possible service all of the time.  No matter how big or small your water damage may be, we have the proper training, equipment, and products to restore your home or business to preloss state.  

Call us today (708) 239-1444

Fire Extinguisher Importance in your Home or Business

9/5/2022 (Permalink)

Office buildings need specific fire safety equipment to keep both employees and clients safe. This includes smoke detectors, sprinklers, fire alarms, and extinguishers.  

The first step in fire damage restoration is to put out the fire using the proper tools.  A first responder may use an approved portable fire extinguisher to prevent a small fire from growing and causing further damage.  

The National Fire Protection Agency publishes a series of standards and requirements for portable fire extinguishers called NFPA 10, available here.

No matter what the size of the fire, your first priority should be to get everyone out safely and call 911.  Once the fire has been put out, you can call SERVPRO of Oak Lawn (708) 239-1444 to assist with the fire damage restoration.  

Here is a link for another great resource on why you should buy a fire extinguisher for your home. 

Flooding in your Oak Lawn Business

9/5/2022 (Permalink)

The weather has been very unpredictable the past few weeks in our area.  We have experience heavy rains in a short period of time causing the sewer systems to back up and streets to flood. 

If you see there is a flash flood watch, this means that a flash flood is possible.  A flash flood warning means that a flood is about to happen or already taking place.  If a flash flood occurs, you should make sure everyone gets to higher ground as quickly as possible. 

Your business can prepare for any potential disaster, including flash floods. Keep all essential equipment and documents elevated from the floor.  Ideally, they should be stored on the second floor of the building or higher.  Back-up electronic data daily to cloud storage or to an external drive so the files can still be accessed in the event of a disaster.  

It is a good idea to have a battery-powered radio available on-site.  In case of a power outage, you and your staff can keep updated on the current conditions.  (FEMA) The Federal Emergency Management Agency provides a list of recommended supplies in the event of a disaster, such as a flashlight and first aid kit. 

You can also check with the National Weather Service to get more tips on safety during flooding. 

SERVPRO of Oak Lawn can help your business get back on track after flooding or other disasters.  Call us today for more information or a free inspection (708) 239-1444

Commercial Water Damage can Happen Even on Weekends

9/5/2022 (Permalink)

Usually, many office buildings are unoccupied over the weekend.  A water leak that happens on a Friday, that no one notices, can turn into a huge flooding problem my Monday morning. 

Recognizing a Water Leak

Faulty toilets or leaking pipes can escalate into something more serious if they are not noticed or repaired in time.  Here are a few tips to identify signs you may have leaking water:

• Listen carefully for sounds of dripping or water coming from faucets or toilets.  If the water has been shut off and you are still hearing dripping, this may be a sign of a faulty and time to call a plumber. 
• Have your employees do a quick check of the ceilings and floors in their work areas.  Wet carpet maybe a sign of a plumbing leak. 
• If you notice a drop in water pressure, this may also be a sign that there is water leaking somewhere in the building.  
• Check toilets regularly for any faulty supply lines. 

A water leak in your place of business if left untreated can cause substantial damage.  By catching leaks early, you can protect your business better.  If you do encounter water damage, call SERVPRO of Oak Lawn today. (708)239-1444

Why SERVPRO? We are here to help when your commercial property is damaged

9/2/2022 (Permalink)

Flooding and water damage events at Oak Lawn commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.

Restoring Commercial Properties Presents Unique Challenges

Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.

About SERVPRO of Oak Lawn

SERVPRO of Oak Lawn specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Fire Damage Is a Threat Year-Round, and SERVPRO of Oak Lawn is Here 24/7/365

9/2/2022 (Permalink)

While hotter summer temperatures increase fire damage risk in Oak Lawn homes relative to the other seasons, plenty can still go wrong around the home that might lead to a fire, even in the deepest winter months. With enough fuel and oxygen, fires can burn even in the coldest conditions, and even when the air is relatively humid. Here are a few typical ways fires may start in local homes this winter and early spring season.

Electrical Fires
 
In the 21st century, one of the most prominent sources of home damage is fire damage in Oak Lawn from electrical mishaps. As our homes fill with ever-increasing numbers of gadgets, devices, and appliances, more and more electrical fires occur each year. Although newer electronics are usually safer and less fire-prone than older devices, the sheer number of them present in most modern households means that disaster of some sort can often be an inevitability. Water cannot often extinguish an electrical fire, and many electrical fires are in fact caused by contact with a water source. Always use a chemical or foam-based fire extinguisher in these emergencies.

Cooking Disasters
 
American kitchens remain the most consistent points of origin of large house fires across the country. In the typical kitchen, setting can be found multiple heating appliances, electronic devices, and sources of an open flame. Any of these can be prone to malfunction or user error and start a fire. Be sure to equip your kitchen with at least one well-placed smoke detector and check its batteries on a semi-regular basis.
 
Fireplaces
 
It is cold outside, and those with a hearth may be inclined to use it in the earliest and latest months of the year. While fireplaces can be a great addition to the room and source of extra warmth, they also carry a great deal of risk with them. Always treat a fireplace with caution, and consider adding a barrier of some sort in front of its flame for added safety.

SERVPRO of Oak Lawn is ready 24/7 to respond to calls of fire damage in the area.  Contact us (708) 239-1444. 

Fire Safety in the Fall Season

9/2/2022 (Permalink)

As we enter this fall season families will be spending more time indoors. It is also the time to think about Fire Safety.  The most common causes of house fires are:

• Failure to maintain appliances
• Careless smoking
• Children playing with fire
• Unattended or careless cooking
• Candles
• Holiday decorations
• Electrical circuit overload
• Outdoor burning that spreads to the home

Any of the above can cause significant property loss, injuries, or death.  Our lives are busy with work, school, family activities and the holidays are just around the corner.  There are a few things we can do to help prevent fires from starting such as:

• Cleaning the stove after each use to prevent grease build up.
• Making sure we have working smoke detectors in the home. 
• Being sure that all electronics are not left charging overnight or while we area way from the home. 
• Checking all holiday decorations to ensure the cords are in decent shape.

Other things that can do throughout the year are:

• Make sure to clean dryer vents.  Lint buildup can cause a fire. 
• Replace furnace filters and remove dust from the unit
• Replace the batteries in all smoke detectors. 

Fire Fighters suggest that you do all of these things at Daylight Savings time because it's easy to remember.  One of the most important things that a family should do is have an "Escape Plan" in place and practice it monthly so that everyone knows what to do and where to meet in case of a fire.

Sump Pump Failure

9/2/2022 (Permalink)

With power outages comes sump pump failures which can cause flooding throughout the home. SERVPRO was dispatched to several dozen homes in the area with inches to feet of standing water in their basement due to power outages. Our certified crews went out to the homes and extracted the standing water, pulled out any saturated flooring and baseboards, then set up dehumidifiers and air movers in the areas needed to get rid of the moisture. One way to prevent this sump pump failure issue due to power loss is to invest in a generator at your home.  Don't hesitate to give us a call if you suffer any water damage in your home or business.  We pride ourselves in excellent customer service and hope to make your disaster "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO Can Handle Any Emergency

9/2/2022 (Permalink)

The customer had the cities water company clearing out the pipes and the water company accidentally sent all of the sewage into the customers home.

SERVPRO arrived on scene quickly and started extracting and cleaning the areas affected.  There was some demo was necessary in the basement which was taken care of right away as well. Luckily for the customer it was an unfinished basement so they didn't have any contents that needed to get thrown out due to the category of the water damage. 

SERVPRO can handle any emergency that you run into in your life. Not only do we do water, fire, and mold remediation, but we also do biohazard cleanup, reconstruction, and many more services to take care of any need or emergency. Ready to make anything "Like it never even happened."

Storm Damage in your Oak Lawn Business

8/22/2022 (Permalink)

Some commercial business owners treat property issues as part of doing business.  Flood damage can destroy inventory, stock, supplies, office furniture, documents and electronic equipment as well as cause structural damage.  Also, there could be other issues arising from contaminated water and possible mold contamination. SERVPRO suggests the following to help mitigate water damage to your business facility. 

In many cases, flood damage results from the effects of a storm.  There are several types of water damage that can result from storm surges. Some of them include:

• Building displacement or damage
• Mold growth in commercial properties within walls or HVAC systems
• Damage to coastal rail lines, highways, or roads resulting in less accessibility for transportation
• Loss of business, closed doors means lost commercial cash flow, less rent, and loss of customer traffic 

How to Save on Flood Damage Restoration

Have a flood insurance program. By purchasing business interruption insurance, you can gain reimbursement for a claim and lessen the impact of no revenue stream and thus lower your total costs. SERVPRO is recognized as a preferred vendor by many insurance and management companies. We can help speed the process of water damage restoration. The best way to reduce or prevent damages generated by storm surges is to implement strategies before the onset of hurricane season. Here are some strategies you should implement:

• Build higher. If you own your commercial building, consider the value of finding the property's base flood elevation and building above it. Hire a structural engineer to offer a plan to reinforce your commercial property.
• Place valuables higher. If your building contains more than one floor, be sure to move valuable assets, technical equipment, and computers to the second floor.
• Invest in preventative installations. Be sure to install some back-flow valves in the property's sewer lines. These valves will prevent city sewage from flowing into your property in the event of a storm surge. Have available access to water surge barricading materials such as sandbags. Also, be sure to elevate electrical systems such as extension cords above the region's flood level. You can also utilize cinder blocks to raise your appliances and most valuable assets above anticipated flood levels.
• Select fast-drying material. Carpeting and wet drywall are susceptible to damage from mold. These porous-surfaced building materials normally require discarding after flooding due to contaminants and mold growth. Build or replace with stone products, tile and noncardboard backed gypsum materials. 

To ensure your Oak Lawn commercial property can withstand water damage resulting from floods be sure to implement the strategies outlined above.  Post flooding, the most urgent action is to extract the standing water from the premises. Our company has the equipment, training, and expertise to dry out your building, repair material damage, clean, and sanitize your business. Our IICRC-certified professionals are skilled in thoroughly restoring your property to its previous safe, sanitary condition. "Like it never even happened." Let's get you open for business.