Washing machine flooded our bathroom

8/16/2023 (Permalink)

Our washer/dryer are located in our bathroom. My wife started the machine and then left the house for "just a few minutes" which of course turned into a lot longer. When we returned home the washer malfunctioned and didn't stop filling. We had a lake in our main level. SERVPRO of DeKalb Co came to our rescue. We had always joked about the"like it never even happened" tagline but were so happy it came true for us! Thank you to the great crew at SP of DeKalb. They truly made it "Like it never even happened."

Summer Storms Coming in Hot!

6/24/2022 (Permalink)

Storm clouds over the Dekalb area.

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." 

Surprise After a Vacation

6/24/2022 (Permalink)

Recently SERVPRO of Dekalb County was contacted by an agent regarding a frantic call from one of their clients. The client had been gone over the holidays and came home to quite a mess in their kitchen which had spilled into the basement. They had a housesitter that had only left 12 hours before so they knew the sink leak hadn't been happening very long. The SERVPRO crew had helped many other clients for this agent and she knew they could help with this disaster. The office staff found a plumber to help take care of the leak for them and then the crew arrived. They got right to work and received so many compliments on the efficiency of the crew. The water was cleaned up in what seemed like minutes (actually a couple of hours) and equipment was set to dry the structure. In a matter of a few days all was well and the customer and agent were thrilled with the results. 

The Importance of Fixing Leaks in Your DeKalb Home.

6/24/2022 (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 DeKalb 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.

Can we save hardwood flooring?

6/24/2022 (Permalink)

Vacuum panel 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 DeKalb 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 815.758.3900 to reach the hardwood floor drying specialists! Only we can make it "Like it never even happened."!

Keep the moisture in your home to a safe level with dehumidifiers

3/21/2022 (Permalink)

Keeping your home dry

During this cold winter, it is nice to not 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 mold problems.

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 Dekalb 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 Dekalb area experts. Our team is available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, to provide quality emergency response services throughout the Dekalb 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 Dekalb today: 847-758-3900.

More about Dekalb.

Is it water damage? Mold? What is going on?? HELP!!!

1/19/2022 (Permalink)

IR thermometer checking wall temps.

Winter can be a challenging time to try and determine what is causing problems within a building. We can have rain, snow or ice on the outside of the building and that might be getting moisture into the structure. Another issue can be very challenging to evaluate. Cold. 

When the outside temp gets very cold, any problems with insulation in the structure can start to show up. The inside temp may very well be 68 degrees or higher. However, if the insulation in the walls or ceiling is missing in spots, (which is more common than you might think) then the inside surface temperature of those walls may be colder than the surrounding air temp. Much colder. 

Having a very cold surface temp along with warm, moist air temps can cause condensation on those cold surfaces. (Think about taking a cold beverage out of your refrigerator) Having condensation on drywall can cause the surface to get wet or even possibly grow mold, if left wet for long periods of time.

Many restoration professionals have been left scratching their heads trying to find the source of a wet surface in there situations. 

An important tool in these situations is a laser thermometer. These tools can show surface temperatures which might be very different then the surrounding area. This may be the difference between solving a challenging problem and not.

Having experienced professionals available to help you solve your challenging problems is how SERVPRO of DeKalb sets ourselves apart from the rest!

Commercial water damages can cause unique issues

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

How many issues do you see?

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. 

The amount of content in a space can delay water damage mitigation

10/13/2021 (Permalink)

Basement filled with content

We get the call from a homeowner that they have water in their basement from a pipe break. They innocently inform us that "there is a lot of stuff in the basement." We get there and we cannot even walk into the affected area because it is filled with boxes, plastic containers and other content. 

Unfortunately in these situations, we are limited in what we can do. We will need to have someplace to move the content to for the duration of the mitigation and rebuild (if necessary). It is not unusual that if the basement is that filled, there may not be anyplace to move the content. We may need to call to have an onsite storage container brought to the house. This may require a permit from the city. We will also need to have additional staff to move the large amount of content. It is not unusual that we would need to order a dumpster as well, since delays in removing the content can and will contribute to further damage to the structure (drywall, trim and flooring) as well as to the content. 

Another issue may be that if the insurance coverage is limited, there may not be enough coverage to cover all of the expenses in this situation. 

If you find that your basement is looking a bit packed, you might want to schedule a garage sale to get rid of some of the content. You should also schedule a call to your insurance agent and discuss the extent of coverage you have for the basement to make sure there are no surprises. 

At SERVPRO if DeKalb county, we have seen it all!!

Keeping up with any leaks in your home

10/12/2021 (Permalink)

Leaking pipe.

As rain continues to pour in DeKalb County, maintenance on your beautiful home is crucial to keeping everything in working order. Small things such as fixing any leaks can go a long way for our DeKalb home.

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, completely remove them to be replaced. It might seem like an extra hassle to completely replace materials, but when left wet, it can lead to additional issues, like mold growth.

We recommend replacing wet insulation with mold resistant insulation. Also 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 DeKalb 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.

Unfortunately, sometimes accidents still happen! When you experience water damage from leaks or other sources, this is when you need to call SERVPRO of DeKalb County to service your needs! We are a 24-hour restoration service who can provide you quality solutions and bring you a peace of mind. To schedule your service or any questions, call our office: (815) 758-3900.

Learn more about DeKalb.

Washing machine mishaps

6/3/2021 (Permalink)

washing machine

Washing machines are amazing inventions. Originally they were designed to reduce the amount of physical effort to wash our clothes. Today they are clothing maintenance wonders!

They have settings for every type of clothing and even those can be adjusted. We can use low water, lots of water, steam and every conceivable combination of cleaning products and cycles to expertly clean our clothes. 

However, they still use water and even on a low water setting, a large amount of water when not kept in the washer can cause considerable damage to your floors, walls and content.

You can use water sensors to alert you to a water discharge from your unit, but what are you going to do to clean it up?

Call the water extraction and drying professionals at SERVPRO!

Our technicians have the proper tools to find where the water went and the experience to remove the water and to dry it so that you don't have possible future damage as water stains or even mold.

When you want your house taken care of by professionals, give the drying team at SERVPRO a call!! 

Keep Moisture Out of Your Dekalb Home with Dehumidifiers

3/17/2021 (Permalink)

Moisture and dehumidifiers

During this cold winter, it is nice to not 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 mold problems.

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 cause potential health effects 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. 

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 Dekalb 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 Dekalb area experts. Our team is available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, to provide quality emergency response services throughout the Dekalb 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 Dekalb today: 847-758-3900.

More about Dekalb.

Same Old Sad Story

1/13/2021 (Permalink)

First they extract, then they pull the padding.

1/13/2022

Customer Story:

Recently we had water in our basement from this crazy winter weather. We have had water in the basement in every house we have had. SERVPRO of Dekalb County is our go to company! We consider ourselves experts in how to store things in the basement to minimize damage and make things as smooth as possible. We don't really want to be such experts but we are sure glad we have found such a great group to work with when these situations arise. We contact them and they always come out and get right to work. Our most recent experience was no different. We came home from a weekend away at our son's basketball tournament to find the water. As we are used to, the SERVPRO crew got right to work extracting the water and then setting equipment to dry. The crew is always very efficient and takes the time to do the job right. Within a few days we were back to normal and that is due to their work. 

Suprise After Vacation

1/6/2021 (Permalink)

Water in the ceilings.

1/6/2022

Recently SERVPRO of Dekalb County was contacted by an agent regarding a frantic call from one of their clients. The client had been gone over the holidays and came home to quite a mess in their kitchen which had spilled into the basement. They had a house sitter that had only left 12 hours before so they knew the sink leak hadn't been happening very long. The SERVPRO of DeKalb County crew helped many other clients for this agent and she knew they could help with this disaster. The office staff found a plumber to help take care of the leak for them and then the crew arrived. They got right to work and received so many compliments on the efficiency of the crew. The water was cleaned up in what seemed like minutes (actually a couple of hours) and equipment was set to dry the structure. In a matter of a few days all was well and the customer and agent were thrilled with the results. 

The Importance of Fixing Leaks in Your Dekalb Home

6/1/2020 (Permalink)

As rain continues to pour in Deklab County, maintenance on your beautiful home is crucial to keeping everything in working order. Small things such as fixing any leaks can go a long way for our Dekalb home.

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, completely remove them to be replaced. It might seem like an extra hassle to completely replace materials, but when left wet, it can lead to additional issues, like mold growth.

We recommend replacing wet insulation with mold resistant insulation. Also 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 Dekalb 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.

Unfortunately, sometimes accidents still happen! When you experience water damage from leaks or other sources, this is when you need to call SERVPRO of Dekalb County to service your needs! We are a 24-hour restoration service who can provide you quality solutions and bring you a peace of mind. To schedule your service or any questions, call our office: (815) 758-3900.

Learn more about Dekalb.

How to Handle the Aftermath of a Sump Pump Failure

5/21/2020 (Permalink)

basement with sump pump not working

Many Dekalb basements have at least one sump pump. 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 Dekalb 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 Dekalb 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 Dekalb County is your water mitigation experts. Our franchise has been servicing basements for years and we can confidently provide you with quality solutions to bring your Dekalb 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 Dekalb home experiences a power outage.

Learn more about Dekalb.

Ice Dams and Water Damage Restoration for Your Dekalb Home

3/11/2020 (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 Dekalb 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 Dekalb 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 Dekalb home’s ice dam. While many believe a water damage from an ice dam can easily get resolved in your Dekalb 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 Dekalb 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) 758 3900

Learn more about Dekalb.

Keep Moisture Out of Your Dekalb Home with Dehumidifiers

3/11/2020 (Permalink)

During this cold winter, it is nice to not 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 Dekalb 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 Dekalb area experts. Our team is available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, to provide quality emergency response services throughout the Dekalb 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 Dekalb today: 847-758-3900.

More about Dekalb.

Same old sad story

1/16/2020 (Permalink)

Recently we had water in our basement for this crazy winter weather. We have had water in the basement in every house we have had. SERVPRO of Dekalb County is our go to company! We consider ourselves experts in how to store things in the basement to minimize damage and make things as smooth as possible. We don't really want to be such experts but we are sure glad we have found such a great group to work with when these situations arise. We contact them and they always come out and get right to work. Our most recent experience was no different. We came home from a weekend away at our sons basketball tournament to find the water. As we are used too the SERVPRO crew got right to work extracting the water and then setting equipment to dry. The crew is always very efficient and takes the time to do the job right. Within a few days we were back to normal and that is due to their work. 

Surprise after vacation

1/15/2020 (Permalink)

Recently SERVPRO of Dekalb County was contacted by an agent regarding a frantic call from one of their clients. The client had been gone over the holidays and came home to quite a mess in their kitchen which had spilled into the basement. They had a housesitter that had only left 12 hours before so they knew the sink leak hadn't been happening very long. The SERVPRO crew had helped many other clients for this agent and she knew they could help with this disaster. The office staff found a plumber to help take care of the leak for them and then the crew arrived. They got right to work and received so many compliments on the efficiency of the crew. The water was cleaned up in what seemed like minutes (actually a couple of hours) and equipment was set to dry the structure. In a matter of a few days all was well and the customer and agent were thrilled with the results. 

Text book water damage??

3/11/2019 (Permalink)

We had water we thought was the run of the mill broken pipe water in the basement situation happen to us recently. What we of actually SERVPRO technicians discovered was it wasn't clean water but sewage backup. This was much more involved than we initially thought and were so glad they were there to help. Their knowledge was so great to have and made the clean up much more efficient. Not to mention that we had no idea how to clean and disinfect such a mess. My wife was totally grossed out by just the thought of the mess in her house let alone if she had to clean it up with me.We had originally asked a neighbor to help us and when he found out it was sewage he said no thanks pretty quickly. The SERVPRO team wasn't afraid and did a great job.

Crack in the foundation

3/11/2019 (Permalink)

We had a crack in our foundation forever but have never had a reason to fix it as it never caused us trouble. Well that all changed recently. We had a lot of snow melt mixed with rain and our basement carpet felt the effects. It wasn't a huge mess but damp and stinky in our family room area for sure. We called SERVPRO of DeKalb County and they came right away. We had a busy schedule and they worked around it with no worries. They were so great that when it got damp again they came right out to help. We then got our contractor out to seal the crack and stop the leak from happening again. We now have our family room area back and basement smells great. We were impressed withe the knowledge of the SERVPRO crews.

Sump pump just couldn't keep up

2/7/2019 (Permalink)

The recent cold snap and then rapid thawing was not kind to our old home. We have a finished basement and have had water before in a select area. This storm caused water in the basement that our sump pump couldn't keep it up. We had dealt with SERVPRO of DeKalb County before and didn't hesitate to call them this time. As they had in the past they came right to work and once again put any worries we had right to bed. My wife and I are always impressed at the knowledge the crews have in the process and the speed in which they work.  

Water damage in a very full basement

1/16/2019 (Permalink)

We recently had a customer call us and need our help. The customers mother had her water softener malfunction in the basement but she warned us that her Mother had a lot of "stuff" in the basement that had to be moved just to get to the softener. SERVPRO dispatched our crews and upon assessment of the basement a lot of stuff was to say an understatement. Our crew chief and the daughter devised a plan to start work. The crews worked at removing the contents so that the affected area could even be accessed. Once the source was taken care of and content removed the drying process continued. In a few days the softener was fixed, contents organized, affected contents dried and floor dried. SERVPRO of Dekalb County made it not only "Like it never even happened." but better then it was before in her basement.

Water for the upstairs tenant

11/29/2018 (Permalink)

As the building owner of a multi tenant building I am used to tenants having things happen and not sharing those with us. I recently had a 3rd floor tenant have a slow leak but was telling us about it just drying it up each day. as you can imagine the leak didn't stay small and started to effect other apartments. The other tenants started to report water in their apartment walls and started to soak the carpet. The cause of the leak itself was a quick fix but then the dry out started. I called SERVPRO of DeKalb county as I had used them before and was very happy. They sent a crew right away and got right to work. They assessed each apartment and set equipment. When in a couple of days all was dry and the tenants were back to normal.

Water in the basement

11/12/2018 (Permalink)

I had what I hear is a pretty text book case of sump pump failure that equals water in my basement. We had a storm that took out our power for about 24 hours. I was so worried about our refrigerators and freezers but never thought about our sump pump. Of course the water kept coming and the power stayed out. After it was all said and done I had SERVPRO of Dekalb County come out and help us to get the water cleaned up and basement nice and dry. I know have a sump pump with battery backup and am doing what I can to minimize and damage that could happen if this happened again. SERVPRO was fast and thorougher.

Damage in the church basement

10/30/2018 (Permalink)

I am the mantince director for my church. We also have a K-8 school there. We had a long weekend for the students and when we returned on Monday we found that a pipe had broken in the ladies bathroom. The basement was full of water. A member of our teaching staff had recommenced SERVPRO of DeKalb county as she had previous contact with them at her home. We called them and they came right out. We were of course overwhelmed by at the water and all our contents sopping wet. None of this phased the SERVPRO team! They got right to work and with the exception of a bit of noisy equipment we had our students back to using the lunch room within a couple of days. We even had some mold spots in another part of the church brought to our attention and taken care in a short time frame. 

Not your typical sunday eveing

10/25/2018 (Permalink)

We had taken a much needed long weekend with our kids. We returned home recharged and ready to face Monday but that wasnt to be. I had the kids take the laundry to the basement right away and they both came running up screaming! "There is water everywhere" and "it's like a lake down there" were their comments. I thought oh no! My husband said it can't be that bad, they have to be exaggerating. He went down stairs and said oh no it is like a lake down here. He figured out that the hot water heater had sprung a leak and water was definitely everywhere. We called our agent and he suggested SERVPRO of DeKalb County. We called there office and they had a crew respond within a half hour. We also needed a plumber and they suggested and contacted one for us. The crews were great and started work right away. They took care of all of our belongings and I couldn't believe how fast the water was gone as they pumped it into their bug green trucks. Each day they came back to check the fans and blowers my son would say "the big green truck is here to help" We were all put back together in just days and all though it was not the typical return from vacation SERVPRO made it "Like it never even happened." for sure. 

Spring rains and flash floods

3/7/2018 (Permalink)

Rain, Rain and More Rain

In the spring we have a lot of rain. It may be almost every day of the week at times. That is a lot of water. It is also a lot of potential for our houses to end up with some of that water getting inside. We can take a few precautions to help with keeping the water out.

• Clean gutters out as the may have leaves in them from the fall
• Make sure downspouts run a good distance from the house
• If heavy winds have come through make sure no branches blew off a tree and broke a window in a room you don't go in often
• Check the basement after storms to make sure water has not come in

If water has come in. It is important to remove the water as soon as possible. Our technicians are trained to do just that and are happy to help return your home back to normal so you could say it was "Like it never even happened."

Water Damage? Call SERVPRO of Dekalb County at (815)758-3900

Water damage from snow melting

2/7/2018 (Permalink)

Snow varies

The type of snow will depend on the water amount in it. A light powdery snow may contain as little as .1 inches of water per 10" of snow which is not a lot. A dense snow like the kind that feel like you went to the gym and lifted weights by the time you are done shoveling is much more water dense and can have up to 1-3" of water per 10". Being we end up with several different types of snow throughout the winter we can't really count on what we will have for ground moisture. The thing is to be prepared for problems when all that snow melts. The ground can be frozen making it harder for the water to get down into it. A particularly snow heavy winter can leave a lot of flooding issues. We can however do some things to help keep the snow melting from flooding our basements.

What can I do?

• Make sure you have eaves that run away from the house so the snow melting on the roof can get it away from the house
• Shovel snow away from the house if you have had flooding caused by snow melt or rain before. 5' Away from the house is recommended
• If you have a sump pump verify it is working
• Check for cracks and leaks in your basement and repair them

If you do get water in the basement it is important to get it out as quickly as possible to avoid water damage and possibly mold growth from the extra moisture in the house.

Flooded Basement? Call SERVPRO of Dekalb County at (815)758-3900

Bursting Pipes

1/10/2018 (Permalink)

Frozen Pipes

Frozen pipes can lead to bursting pipes. You may realize you have a frozen pipe because you now have no water or only a trickle coming out. Unfortunately we may not always realize we have a burst pipe because it is still mostly frozen so when the water melts we now have a full blown water leak on our hands. This leak now means water damage at the source as well as to wherever the water can get to. We can take steps to help avoid our pipes freezing and possibly bursting.

• Heating tape. It is specifically made for going around pipes.
• Allow faucets to drip or slow trickle. The water movement helps keep from freezing and the open chamber keeps the pressure from building inside a closed off pipe.
• Leave cabinet doors open so heat can get inside and warm the walls that contain piping. 
• Seal off or caulk leaks near piping
• If leaving for a few days do not turn down the heat too much. No less than 55 degrees is the recommendation. And if gone for an extended time have a neighbor check periodically that things are ok at the house.
• Insulation is always a good choice. A properly insulated house stays warmer in winter and if using AC in your house in summer will help keep it cooler. This insulation will keep the house warmer meaning the pipes are staying warmer

Has a pipe burst? Do you have water damage? Call SERVPRO of Dekalb County (815)758-3900

SERVPRO Water damage services

11/7/2017 (Permalink)

Water has damaged your home

None of us want to suddenly discover we have water in our basement or that a pipe has leaked or whatever may have caused our water damage. Once we do find that we have a water issue we also want to get it taken care of as soon as we can. That is where SERVPRO of Dekalb County comes in. One of our specialties is to take care of these water damage issues and restore your home as it was before so it is "Like it never even happened."

Our SERVPRO technicians look for water or any excessive humidity or condensation. Things such as standing water, damp or humid air, condensation on your windows, or walls that are wet to the touch are all signs of water issues.

Our SERVPRO technicians also check for hidden problems associated with water damage, such as finding cracks in your foundation, sewer problems, broken water lines, broken gutters and downspouts, or mold that may be forming because of the water damage.

Water Damage? Call us at SERVPRO of Dekalb County (815)758-3900

Tips To Help Avoid Basement Flooding

10/26/2017 (Permalink)

An Ounce Of Prevention

Gutters - Cleaning out gutters regularly will help water flow through the channels and away from the house. This is especially important in the fall if you do not have gutter covers on as those leaves love to pile up up in there creating a dam that doesn't let the water through but rather pours over the side.

Downspouts - They also can plug up but usually dumping a pail of water will provide the force to flush it out. Also they have downspout extensions and we recommend about 10' to get the water an adequate distance from the home.

Sump Pump - If your home has a sump pump it can help keep the water out. If your home is usually dry it is good to pour water in every once in a while to get it to kick in and work and also lets you check and know that it is functioning properly.

Should you have questions or your basement flooded please feel free to call SERVPRO of Dekalb County at (815)758-3900

Other Unexpected problems with water damage

10/20/2017 (Permalink)

Oh No! Our basement is flooded.

We hope it never happens but many of us have went into our basement and seen it flooded. You start wondering how much damage it did and how extensive it is. However the water can have many hazards involved with it as well as more damage than you were expecting from things you may not have thought may be in the water.

Problems and Hazards

• Electrical wires and sockets that may be in the water creating an electrocution hazard
• Chemicals and cleaning agents that were in the basement now in the water
• If water has come in from outside it may have brought in dirt and grime
• If the sewer backed up there could be biohazards such as fecal matter
• Possible mold from the high moisture levels
• And many other possibilities depending on what you keep in your basement that is now in the water

Our Water Restoration Services

Each flooded basement or water damage situation will be different because we are all different. Our water restoration specialists have been trained to handle all these different situations and restore the damage and get your life back to what it was before the unfortunate circumstance happened. 

Water Damage Concerns? Call us at SERVPRO of Dekalb County (815)758-3900 

Avoid some common water damage issues

10/20/2017 (Permalink)

We All Need Water

We all need water to survive. In our houses we get so used to everything working we don't think about it until it breaks. We use our toilets, take our showers, wash our dishes and laundry without much thought about our water until we see the water where it shouldn't be. There are a few things that we can do to help prevent water damage.

Take Precautions

• Get your water pressure checked. Too high and hoses can burst
• Caution with cold temps. Cold outside wrap your pipes(especially those in mobile homes).
• Disconnect hoses outside. It can create an ice dam that can bust a pipe. Newer spigots have some safety features to help avoid this.
• Replace older and cracked washing machine hoses before they break.
• Know your plants and trees before you plant them. Some have powerful and extending root systems that can cause basement and foundation issues

Water Damage Questions? Call us at SERVPRO of Dekalb County (815)758-3900

Keep water from causing mold issues

10/18/2017 (Permalink)

A stitch in time saves nine

It's  an old saying but is very often true in many circumstances. If you can do something now it may keep you from more troubles with it down the line. This is very true when you have water damage. The water naturally flows wherever it can go and thus will end up all over our floors or basements or wherever it is we have water issues. When it does this it naturally comes in contact with other items in the area. As we all know from personal experience water absorbs into most things pretty readily. You get a drop on your shirt it soaks in before you can brush it away. If you spill a glass of water on your carpet (unless you got some type of spill protection on it) it will quickly soak in and you are pressing a towel on it to get out as much water as possible. When there is water damage it is usually much more water than a glass. It gets soaked into all those areas and now it is important to get the water out as quickly as possible and get all those things dry before mold can start forming with all that extra moisture. This is where it is important to have water restoration specialists come in and remove the water quickly as well as dry out all the other areas quickly and check for mold that has already started or get it dried to prevent mold from starting.

About Our Water Restoration Services

SERVPRO of Dekalb County specializes in water cleanup and restoration, in fact, it’s a cornerstone of our business.  Our crews are highly trained restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly removethe water quickly and safely.

If You Have Water Damage, Call Us Today – SERVPRO of Dekalb County (815)758-3900

My flooded basement

6/16/2017 (Permalink)

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 DeKalb County basement could flood, including:

· A blocked or failed sewer lateral pipe

· 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 – 815-758-3900

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 DeKalb County and let our trained, professional crews handle the situation safely and correctly. We have earned the trust of hundreds 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