5 Tips for Responding to Water Damage in your Home (Clean Water Situations)

10/3/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Technicians are ready to respond quickly-available 24/7

Life has a tendency of throwing unexpected headaches our way at inopportune times. For this reason, it is important that we occasionally take a moment to educate and prepare ourselves for the unexpected events that might otherwise knock us to our knees. Today, our blog is going to help you become educated on some of the key actions you can take after water damage occurs within your home.  It is important to note that these tips are based on the assumption that the water damage you are dealing with is clean water.

Tip #1

Shut off the water source

While this first tip may seem quite obvious, it still deserves explanation. Shutting off the water source should be done as quickly as possible, however, not without evaluation. Make sure that it is safe to enter the area where your water shut off is. Wet, sagging ceilings are a clear indicator that the area you are entering is dangerous. Sagging ceilings are also an indicator that water has passed through multiple materials like insulation and drywall, and therefore professionals should be contacted as this is likely now contaminated water.

Tip #2

Shut of Power in the Damaged Area and Keep Ceiling Fixtures Off

Going off of the last tip, identifying wet ceilings is crucial to ensure your safety after water damage. If the area is safe, identify and turn off the power source. If a ceiling is wet, any fixtures on that ceiling should remain OFF, as it will only make matters worse and put you and other household members at further risk of harm. If any of your ceilings appear to be sagging, you should KEEP OUT of these areas as it could end up collapsing.

Tip #3

Contact Professionals

Our ultimate goal with water damage is to avoid any serious structural/indoor air quality issues, as well as any costly future restoration. For this reason, it is important that we treat every water damage scenario as a serious threat. The two main components to water damage restoration are fast action and thorough drying. Contacting trained, certified professionals will help ensure that all of the proper steps are being taken, and all of the proper tests and reports are being done to make sure that everyone within that home is returning to a clean, safe environment. For consultations or to schedule service, call our local franchise at (815) 728-7621

Tip #4

Remove Excess Water

It is best to have trained professionals handle water damage restoration, but in a clean water scenario, you can certainly play a role in minimizing the total water damage. If there is excess water in an area that you have deemed safe to enter, you may remove some of that excess water by mopping or blotting. Do NOT use a regular vacuum to remove water.

Tip #5

Protect Belongings/Prevent Further Damage

At this point, you have ensured safety, shut off the water source, and removed excess water that you could. Now, you will likely want to prevent any further damage to your property/belongings. If you have carpeted areas that have been affected, be sure to remove any Oriental or colored rugs, as well as any books, magazines, or other colored items that may leave stains/discoloration on your carpet. Hang any furs and leather goods separately at room temperature. Lastly, place aluminum foil or wood blocks underneath the legs of your furniture. These precautions will help you salvage/protect your belongings from the wide range of threats water damage can pose.

Harvard Smoke and Soot Cleanup

9/25/2023 (Permalink)

Smoke and Soot Damage Can Cause a Pervasive Odor in Your Harvard Home.

Smoke and soot is very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.  

Smoke and soot facts:

• Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
• Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
• The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.

Different Types of Smoke

There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of Caledonia, Harvard, North Woodstock will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

• Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

• Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.

Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire

• Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor. 

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions. We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage. We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – (815) 728-7621

SERVPRO of Caledonia, Harvard, North Woodstock 24 Hour Emergency Water Damage Service

9/5/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Caledonia, Harvard, North Woodstock provides 24 hour fire and water damage restoration service in much of Boone and McHenry County

SERVPRO of Caledonia, Harvard, North Woodstock is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage.

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help

Call Today – (815) 728-7621

We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of Caledonia, Harvard, North Woodstock has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.

What to Expect

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO professionals may be needed.

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

• Your name and contact information
• Your insurance information (if applicable)
• The street address of the water-damaged home or business
• When did the flooding or water damage occur?
• What caused the water damage (if known)?
• Is there electricity available (on-site)?

About SERVPRO of Caledonia, Harvard, North Woodstock

SERVPRO of Caledonia, Harvard, North Woodstock specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or 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.