Furnaces Can Cause Fire Damage in Buffalo Grove Properties

11/3/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® knows how to deal with fire damage quickly and efficiently. Contact us 24/7 for certified technicians and equipment.

Noisy, Booming Furnaces Mean Puff Back & Soot Residue

Appliances have a life expectancy that varies depending on type and manufacturer. Your Buffalo Grove home's furnace might last for decades, with occasional repairs. When it finally reaches the end of its life span, there is no way to repair it adequately. Homeowners who continue to use furnaces in this state subject their home's interior to puff back, a type of fire damage from the incomplete combustion of fuel.

As a homeowner in Buffalo Grove, fire damage is not something you might think comes from a suddenly noisy furnace. However, a long-running fan with banging noises, particularly ones that end in a "boom," means the furnace is entering a dangerous warning phase. Furnaces like this can cause a house fire.

We explain what we do after you replace the furnace regarding: 

• Soot deposits inside the ducts, 
• Surfaces around the heating vents, and 
• Cleaning the air of airborne particles. 

Although the soot from a dying furnace is lighter, we need to remove anything settled on your ducts' interiors. Each room heated by the furnace has a length of duct that terminates at the vent. We use special equipment and cleaning agents to strip soot and other particles from the interior surface. We also clean the vent's grill.

These same deposits from the furnace also coat the vents' exterior and the area around their surfaces. We use special cleaning agents to remove these from painted or paneled surfaces.

Not all of these partially combusted particles adhere to surfaces inside a duct or near a vent's exterior. Some particles remain in the air your family breathes, and others end up within the intake ducts, so we also clean the intake. We use air scrubbing machines with HEPA filters to remove minute particles and ensure cleaner air. 

SERVPRO of Buffalo Grove / Lake Zurich cleans up deposits from puff back. We are always available at (847) 279-1940.

Procedural Water Removal from Downtown Chicago Properties

8/19/2024 (Permalink)

Rely upon SERVPRO's outstanding water removal team to mitigate damages at your Chicago property. We are Faster to any size disaster™

Limiting the Impact of Water Damage in Downtown Chicago

If there is a water leak at your property, you may experience more than physical damage. There are unexpected disruptions to your daily routines until water removal procedures are executed. Afterward, you may also need to hop around facilities like Sephora, Neiman Marcus, Nike Chicago, Wish Kids and the entire Magnificent Mile, looking for items to replace the valuables that moisture exposure ruins in your house. SERVPRO® executes procedural water extraction, saving your time and valuables and limiting inconveniences. For severe cases, we aim to help you avoid seeking extended accommodation in facilities like The Drake, Four Seasons Hotel Chicago or Kasa South Loop Chicago as you wait for normalcy at your property.

Successful water removal from Downtown Chicago properties requires careful planning and timely execution. Having the correct information is the only way to guarantee the desired outcome. SERVPRO can readily find information using advanced probing equipment, including thermo-hygrometers and penetrative moisture meters. Thermal cameras trace moisture migration even in the most complex layouts in condos like The Reed, Cirrus, Riverview or Marina Towers.

Some of the information we focus on includes

• The water volume involved
• Percentage of porous and semi-porous materials involved
• Equipment efficiency

Combining the information gathered about the leak with general details about the property ensures the choice of suitable extraction and drying equipment. In a high-rise building such as 500 Lake Shore Drive Luxury Apartments, we can use portable extractors to remove water pooling inside the premises and trailered-desiccant dehumidifiers set up outside the structure for drying.

Opening up structural areas helps ensure faster and more thorough drying. Our SERVPRO technicians target areas like cabinets, staircases, attics and crawl spaces. Such procedures release debris and may create hazards such as exposing electric cables or sharp objects, so maybe you can take the opportunity to visit different Chicago attractions like The Chicago Theatre, Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium or the Chicago Children's Museum as our crews perform controlled demolitions and put everything back in your premises.

SERVPRO of Buffalo Grove / Lake Zurich plans and executes water removal in a way that limits further damages and inconveniences. Call us at (847) 279-1940.

SERVPRO Offers Fast and Reliable Mold Remediation in Buffalo Grove

6/14/2024 (Permalink)

Depend on great mold remediation when you hire SERVPRO for your Buffalo Grove property. "Like it never even happened."

Buffalo Grove Residents Rely on SERVPRO® for Mold Remediation

When mold invades your home, you need expert help to contain the infestation and repair the damage. SERVPRO's mold remediation services in Buffalo Grove provide essential solutions to tackle mold issues promptly and effectively.

SERVPRO techs use the IICRC S 520 guidelines during mold remediation in your Buffalo Grove home. Our highly experienced techs understand the importance of quick action in such a situation and get to work right away. 

Mold Damage Assessment

At SERVPRO, we recognize the critical importance of a thorough assessment to remediate mold in your home effectively. Our comprehensive mold damage assessment starts with a detailed inspection of the entire property, focusing on all affected areas. Our IICRC-certified technicians utilize advanced tools and technology to detect visible and hidden mold growth.

We evaluate your home's structural integrity to ensure no immediate safety hazards, such as weakened beams or compromised walls. We also assess the extent of mold infiltration, as mold spores can impact air quality and spread rapidly. Our team examines personal belongings, furniture, and other contents to determine their restorability.

By conducting a meticulous and detailed assessment, our technicians ensure that no mold damage goes unnoticed. It allows us to create a customized remediation plan that addresses all aspects of mold damage, guaranteeing a more effective and efficient restoration process. 

Steps in Mold Damage Remediation

SERVPRO follows a systematic process to ensure effective mold remediation. Our steps include:

• Containment: Our techs isolate affected areas to prevent mold spores from spreading in unaffected areas.
• Air filtration: High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuums and air scrubbers capture mold spores from the air, improving air quality and preventing further spread.
• Mold and contaminated materials removal: We use antimicrobial treatments to eradicate mold colonies and remove mold-infested materials like drywall and insulation.
• Cleaning and sanitizing: Non-porous items and surfaces are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized, including using specialized cleaning methods to eradicate mold spores.

Call SERVPRO of Buffalo Grove / Lake Zurich at (847) 279-1940. We are Faster to any size disaster™. 

Water Mitigation Steps for Downtown Chicago Offices

4/14/2024 (Permalink)

When your business suffers from water damage, you want the damage repaired quickly. Contact SERVPRO for professional remediation services.

Taking Steps to Help Your Business After Leaks

When water damage occurs, immediate action is crucial to minimize the damage and prevent the need for tear-out. SERVPRO® professionals provide mitigation solutions to reduce destruction and restore your business to normal operations as soon as possible.

Water mitigation for downtown Chicago offices and commercial properties can mean a lot of fast action to protect documents and electronics and keep your doors open. We take a variety of activities and actions to mitigate water damage in your office building. These efforts could include:

• Extraction 
• Content Relocation 
• Surface Cleaning 
• Repairs 
• Structure Drying 

Standing water can be hazardous for sensitive building materials. Once moisture gets absorbed, these flooring and wall systems can deteriorate. Our team of experts will evaluate the property's condition and take necessary steps to ensure that water extraction is done immediately to prevent permanent damage.

Water Absorption

Water can be absorbed into building materials, damaging flooring and wall systems. Our SERVPRO  IICRC-certified professionals can drill weep holes and encourage air circulation in these structural cavities to ensure proper drying. In addition, our professionals also use advanced moisture detection equipment to locate hidden pockets of water and monitor the drying process to ensure that your property is restored to preloss conditions.

Content Management

Documents, furniture, and other loose contents can be ruined by water exposure. As soon as our professionals arrive, we will relocate at-risk items to safer building areas to prevent further damage.

Our team of experts at SERVPRO of Buffalo Grove / Lake Zurich can help with the fast response of our Large Loss recovery team to overcome burst pipes, flooding, and other emergencies. We have the expertise and industry knowledge to protect your offices and commercial properties after disasters. Because water mitigation is one of the most necessary aspects of restoration, we arrive fast to preserve areas of your office building from irreparable harm. Call us now at (847) 279-1940.

Restoring Furniture after Flood Damage in Buffalo Grove

3/12/2024 (Permalink)

Discovering flooding in your home can be scary! Call the experts at SERVPRO of Buffalo Grove. We'll make it “Like it never even happened.”

Approaches SERVPRO® Uses in Buffalo Grove Flood Restoration

Buffalo Grove, a thriving village in the northern suburbs of Chicago, exudes a unique blend of residential charm and commercial vitality. Reputable schools, including Buffalo Grove High School, Prairie Elementary School, Henry W. Longfellow Elementary School, Tripp Elementary School, and Ivy Hall Elementary School, serve this community in Cook and Lake Counties. The village hosts a variety of businesses, shopping centers, and restaurants, including Buffalo Grove Town Center and The Continental Restaurant & Banquets, contributing to a robust local economy.

Facing flood damage in Buffalo Grove is undoubtedly a challenging experience for homeowners. Beyond the visible damage to walls, floors, and personal items, there's the potential for mold growth, structural instability, and compromised electrical systems. Furniture, one of the most significant investments in a home, is particularly vulnerable. The different materials used in furniture making can all suffer irreversible damage if not promptly and adequately addressed. The restoration process can be effective and efficient with the help of skilled professionals like SERVPRO. From evaluating the scope of damage to restoring furniture to its pre-damaged state, we play a vital role in bringing homes and cherished belongings back to life after the devastating impact of a flood.

Materials commonly found in furniture

• Wood
• Upholstery
• Leather
• Metal

Ways SERVPRO Restores Furniture 

Wood readily absorbs water, leading to swelling and warping. This can distort the shape of wooden furniture, making doors, drawers, and surfaces uneven. Prolonged exposure to water can cause discoloration in wood. Water stains may appear, altering the original color of the furniture. Moist conditions provide an ideal environment for mold and mildew growth on wooden surfaces, damaging the appearance. SERVPRO crews understand the material-specific impacts and determine the appropriate water damage restoration methods.

Upholstered furniture, with its fabric and padding, readily absorbs water. Stains can set in, and the fabric may become discolored. Additionally, water-soaked padding can contribute to unpleasant odors. Prolonged contact with water may result in the depletion of the natural oils in leather, causing it to crack and fade. This dampness compromises the texture and durability of the material.

Treating water damage on wooden and upholstered furniture

• Wetting the entire piece of furniture helps prevent water lines
• Using Air movers and dehumidifiers lessens the drying time of upholstered furniture
• Using furniture refinisher to repair problems with wooden furniture frames

SERVPRO of Buffalo Grove / Lake Zurich restores properties after flood damage "Like it never even happened." Call us at (847) 279-1940.

Reliable Restoration for Fire Damage in Downtown Chicago

12/24/2023 (Permalink)

After fire damage in your home, there is a lot of damage that needs to be repaired. Contact SERVPRO 24/7 for certified technicians.

Downtown Chicago High-Rise Smoke and Soot Cleanup

Homeowners understandably struggle with the aftermath of a household blaze. The stress is particularly intense, and restoration is complicated when facing destruction in an urban condominium or apartment many stories above street level. Whether you are dealing with the harm from an event contained entirely within your unit or your home suffered collateral damage from a neighbor or common area’s fire, you need professional help.

Downtown Chicago fire damage presents significant logistical issues, but SERVPRO® is up to the challenge with research-based and practical solutions. Our technicians are certified in industry standards by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). But perhaps even more importantly, in a high-rise situation, our crews have the support of an extensive inventory of state-of-the-art equipment capable of reaching the heights. The unique combinations of skills and tools means our team can complete fire mitigation and remediation services such as:

• Firefighting water extraction, collection, and disposal off-site using the most efficient combination of truck-mounted and portable equipment 
• Structural drying to complete water damage management, preventing progressive building material deterioration and inhibiting mold growth 
• Air quality monitoring and improvement (smoke and particulate removal) through the use of air scrubbers, including containment of smoke-affected spaces and using negative pressure to force contaminated air through HEPA filters before exhausting outside 
• Soot residue removal using IICRC-sanctioned techniques and EPA-registered products, with cleaning tactics matched to the various types of soot encountered 

As we move through your downtown Chicago home high above the busy grid, we bring our fire cleanup experience, ingenuity, and flexibility. Our commitment to every fire damage devastated homeowner, no matter the circumstances, makes it  “Like it never even happened.”

Have confidence that the fire damage experts from SERVPRO of Buffalo Grove / Lake Zurich will restore your apartment or condominium. One call to (847) 279-1940 delivers the fast response needed.

Managing Moisture After Buffalo Grove Water Damage

11/16/2023 (Permalink)

If your home is suffering from water damage, contact SERVPRO 24/7 for professional equipment and certified technicians to help mitigate the situation.

Water Damage Restoration Relies on Dry Conditions

When it comes to drying structures after a loss event, there are a few key factors to consider. We must identify the best spot with the right temperature, airflow, and moisture levels. Getting the moisture under control is especially crucial during the water restoration and cleanup of your Buffalo Grove home after a disaster. It's a delicate balance, but we can quickly get things back to normal with the right approach.

How Moisture Impacts the Recovery Process

Keeping relative humidity levels in check can make a huge difference in drying. When humidity is high and moisture is left unchecked, it can slow drying and ruin building materials. Hidden water damage can also be a significant issue; humid conditions create the perfect breeding ground for mold growth.

How SERVPRO® Overcomes Moisture

Ensuring that your home's restoration process goes smoothly is crucial, and one of the critical factors that can impact it is the moisture level in your living spaces. It's about more than just the areas you occupy but also the ones you don't, like the attic and crawl space. Luckily, there are various ways to control the moisture levels, such as:

• Dehumidification

We collect water from the environment to exhaust outside or dispose of from trays in the machines. Dryer air makes surface evaporation faster.

• Following Moisture Through Your House

Our moisture management solutions track damp areas and ensure adequate drying. Sensors and thermography give a clear picture of damage and identify areas that need more attention.

• Sealing and Encapsulation Services 

Encapsulation is a solution to manage wetness in crawl spaces. It protects materials with a vapor barrier and prevents excessive moisture from affecting the main floor of the house.

There is no time to lose when contending with water and moisture damage. Our SERVPRO of Buffalo Grove / Lake Zurich team is ready 24/7 with water removal, drying, and moisture management solutions for efficient post-disaster recovery. Call today at (847) 279-1940.

Convenient Mold Remediation Services within Buffalo Grove

8/20/2023 (Permalink)

Mold damage remediation is something best left to the professionals. Contact SERVPRO 24/7 for professional services and technicians.

SERVPRO® Appropriately Manages Mold Damage Incidents in Buffalo Grove

Mold development at your Buffalo Grove premises can lead to different outcomes. Ideally, you should keep it under control, clean the affected areas, and continue your operations as usual. However, it can also develop fast, overwhelming your standard restoration efforts. SERVPRO manages such problems conveniently, allowing you to continue operating uninterrupted.

Most contaminations fester before the signs become apparent, thus requiring significant mold remediation work before Buffalo Grove premises regain their preloss conditions. Having sufficient resources to clean, remove decayed materials, and control the microbial growth processes is essential to conclude such incidents conveniently.

Resources that make a difference when fighting mold

• Blast cleaning equipment for soda or dry ice blasting
• A variety of dehumidifiers, such as LGR and desiccants
• Vacuums with HEPA filters
• Various chemical agents 

The challenges mold presents are wide-ranging, including growing in hard-to-reach areas, affecting sensitive materials, and degrading or embedding on surfaces. Therefore, comprehensive removal may require several approaches to ensure you reach all areas and remove all traces of the fungus before refinishing the surfaces. SERVPRO evaluates your premises, determining where we need to wire-brush or blast clean with unique mediums.

Guaranteeing safety during mold remediation

Mold may be hazardous, so exposing your workers or clients to residues and moldy debris is not ideal. Anyone managing mold removal must plan how to guarantee safety for everyone. SERVPRO crews use safeguards to guarantee this throughout the process. Wearing personal protective equipment such as bodysuits, respirators, and protective gloves ensures we can work fast since there is no fear of exposure. We also protect the other people in the buildings by setting up containment barriers to limit the spread of moldy debris.

Necessary supplies for establishing mold containment

• Heavy-duty plastic sheeting large enough to cover the area
• Strong tapes, such as masking or duct tape, to secure the sheeting to surfaces
• Support structures such as PVC pipes or metal rods
• Air scrubber or negative air pressure machine to control the environment within the barrier

SERVPRO of Buffalo Grove / Lake Zurich has advanced resources and maintains the appropriate standards during mold remediation. Call us at (847) 279-1940.

Choosing the Right Extractor During Commercial Water Damage Repair in Buffalo Grove

5/15/2023 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO team is trained and equipped to handle any scope of water damage at your commercial property.

SERVPRO Extracts All Types of Water During Commercial Water Remediation in Buffalo Grove

Businesses that experience a water damage incident can return to their regular operations with the help of commercial water damage repair solutions. If the resulting disruptions persist for a long time, the business may make losses and, at the same time, damage its reputation. Fortunately, working with a reliable water damage company can speed up returning everything to normalcy.

Water extraction is essential during commercial water damage restoration in Buffalo Grove. Before we can choose the most appropriate water extraction equipment, our SERVPRO technicians do a site inspection. We have to extract as much water as possible to quickly dry the building.

Some of the factors we consider when choosing the drying equipment include:

• Power availability
• The water depth
• The available space
• The amount of sediment in the water

Our SERVPRO technicians usually use two types of extraction units - portable or truck-mounted water extractors. A portable extractor offers a lot of flexibility since it is easy to move around in the affected offices during water removal. If the building has electrical power, we use it to power the units; otherwise, we have to use a standby generator to make them operational.

When we use the truck-mounted units, there is no need for a generator or onsite power since the vehicle's fuel is sufficient for them to operate. The trucks have waste tanks where the extracted water is directed before disposal. Compared to portable units, these extractors have a very powerful vacuum, making them better suited for large sites.

Our SERVPRO technicians observe local and IICRC regulations during water damage remediation. For instance, we dispose of all the waste we extract for your property per the set regulations.

Call SERVPRO of Buffalo Grove / Lake Zurich at (847) 279-1940 for commercial water damage cleanup services. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster and offer 24-hour emergency solutions.

Let SERVPRO Handle Your Fire Restoration Needs in Buffalo Grove

4/17/2023 (Permalink)

Need help with your fire restoration in Buffalo? Call SERVPRO. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Fire Risks Lurk in Every Room of Your Buffalo Grove Home

Most homeowners in Buffalo Grove do not experience fire damage first-hand, but that doesn’t mean they are not at risk. The COVID pandemic and the shift to work from home invited many homeowners to repurpose some rooms to create home offices and additional living spaces. In the process, they may have increased their vulnerability to a home fire without knowing. Should a computer or printer start a fire, you must be ready to act quickly.

For fire restoration services in Buffalo Grove, call SERVPRO. Once you call our 24/7 hotline, we arrive quickly and thoroughly inspect the damage. With the information, we create an action plan that may include move-out services and specialty drying solutions. We also move industrial-grade equipment into your home to help clean up and deodorize. As needed, we set up physical barriers to isolate affected areas and avoid cross-contamination throughout the home. All these steps happen quickly to mitigate the fire’s impact on your home life.

To help protect your home, keep in mind a few checkpoints you should consider to reduce your risk of fire. Some of the most common culprits, particularly in newly created home offices, are the following:

• Space heater, especially those positioned too close to paperwork or other easily flammable items
• Excessive electronics plugged into outlets. Chargers, computers, printers, etc., could create an electrical hazard and spark a fire.
• Burning incense or scented candles too close to curtains, paper, or other items can quickly catch fire.

When many of us relocated to working from home, we focused on space availability. If your makeshift home office is now a permanent space, assess its safety. But when there’s trouble, call SERVPRO of Buffalo Grove/ Lake Zurich at (847) 279-1940 and let us leave your home “Like it never even happened.”