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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Archived Commercial Blog Posts

SERVPRO Provides Emergency Water Damage Repair in Chicago

4/30/2023 (Permalink)

water damaged floor boards that are bowed Your commercial space functions best without excess water. Team SERVPRO can help if a situation has caused water damage. We are available.

Need Commercial Water Damage Repair and Cleanup in Chicago – Call SERVPRO

Water leaks in commercial properties in Chicago can bring business activity to an abrupt halt. Clients are inconvenienced, supplier shipments are placed on hold, your revenue drops, and you may have to lay off employees until repairs are completed. The impact can be catastrophic for the business. Business owners must repair plumbing leaks, remove the water, and repair the damage.

SERVPRO understands how important it is to complete water damage repairs in commercial properties in Chicago quickly to enable a return to normal operating conditions. That’s why our team responds within four hours of your call, and we are available 24/7 to help our commercial customers.

Our experienced professionals have extensive equipment available to address the damage caused by water leaks. We deploy high-capacity pumps, water extractors for carpets, hardwood flooring and cavities, air movers, and dehumidifiers as needed to remove water and dry your building quickly. We also utilize moisture sensors to detect high moisture areas inside walls and under cabinets to avoid further damage and mold infestations from occurring.

We aim to minimize the total damage caused by water in your commercial building. We apply controlled demolition techniques if needed to avoid further secondary damage. Our building services teams can also assist with repair and reconstruction activities. SERVPRO coordinates the trades required to return your commercial building to its original condition “Like it never even happened.”

We have you covered whether plumbing, electrical, drywall, or flooring repairs or reconstruction activities are needed. SERVPRO can reduce the total downtime and expenses by coordinating cleanup and repair activities with no lag time.

SERVPRO provides the following services:

  • Emergency services water damage repair and reconstruction
  • Water Cleanup
  • Water damage restoration

Call SERVPRO of Downtown Chicago / West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown for water damage repair services. We provide service to Chicago and nearby areas. We can help 24/7. Call (773) 434-9100.

Overcoming Water Removal in Chicago Warehouses

11/21/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO fleet ready for action SERVPRO provides the highest quality commercial damage restoration services in your area. Call now for the fast and immediate help your company needs.

The Tools for Water Removal Services

Water removal services are an essential part of restoring warehouses and commercial properties. Around the West Loop, these production facilities and distribution centers are a part of the economy that we work quickly to protect after a disaster from burst pipes or flooding.

Where Did the Damage Start?

When starting water removal for Chicago warehouses and production facilities, it is crucial to provide a thorough inspection. Certain emergency services might be needed, like roof repairs, plumbing repairs, and other temporary fixes, to allow restoration to begin.

Mounted Extractors 

A truck-mounted extraction system is one of the most efficient solutions for removing standing water in a warehouse setting, even around the equipment and production tools of the main work floor. These parts of our SERVPRO Green Fleet produce the highest draw value of any pump, creating the most efficient solutions for standing water over several inches. In addition, these tools are practical with accessories like:

  • Carpet Wands
  • Weighted Extraction
  • Squeegee Wands

Wet Vacuums for Removal

While undoubtedly, the mounted extractors have a greater gallon-per-minute (GPM) rating, they cannot address the full spectrum of water removal necessary for your building. When water depth reaches a certain point, usually around two inches, mounted extractors and submersible units are less effective. At this point, wet vacuums become a versatile and preferred choice to finish the extraction needed.

Clearing Moisture from the Environment

The environment is also essential in the restoration process for Large Loss recovery needs. Water removal might seemingly be isolated to physical pooling on the surface, but several more steps and stages exist to complete this process. Using trailed desiccant units, we can simultaneously address moisture in multiple areas of the warehouse from a singular, central machine and several lengths of hose stretched to the farthest reaches of the facility.

When considering the magnitude of water removal for Chicago warehouses and production facilities, you can appreciate the tools and experience necessary to accomplish these sizable goals. Our SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown Large Loss team understands the urgency of restoration and recovery, so we are ready to help 24/7 when you call (773) 434-9100.

Necessary Water Cleanup Steps for Chicago Shop

5/24/2022 (Permalink)

water bubble on ceiling Call SERVPRO to remove the water bubble on the ceiling, any water, repair the leak, and restore your Chicago shop. "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO Has Advanced Water Restoration Methods for Chicago

After you recover from the initial shock and disappointment of realizing there is water in unwanted areas of your Chicago retail shop, you might also discover that you are not certain how to perform the necessary water cleanup processes. Since speed is crucial when responding to property losses involving moisture, you may not have time to learn and act. Hiring a professional restorer to assist is advisable.

Whether the intrusion is confined to one area or widely spread, you may need to do significant water cleanup at your Chicago business to protect inventory and keep the doors open. Once the leak starts, water spreads and changes form through evaporation and wicking through materials. It also triggers different forms of soiling, including staining from dyes and accumulation of residues from deteriorating materials such as flaking paint. SERVPRO can help you determine which steps to take and what to prioritize.

Necessary cleanup steps

  • Removing the water
  • Cleaning surfaces
  • Disinfecting surfaces

If there is stagnant water or significant moisture accumulation in your house, any steps to clean it are not likely to bear fruit. For example, if customers keep walking on wet floor areas, they quickly re-soil any washed sections, especially if carpeted or tiled. Our SERVPRO crews expedite water extraction and ensure it is thorough enough to leave surfaces moisture-free. We have water extractors with sufficient vacuum lift to facilitate such extraction.

Various ways to clean wet surfaces

Cleaning is a variable process, so results can differ even for the same type of soiling. The affected materials also influence the outcomes. Instead of finding one perfect solution for the soiling problems from the water intrusion at your home, it is best to work with several approaches. With help from our SERVPRO crews, there is no shortage of solutions.

Handy cleaning actions 

  • Applying shampoos
  • Extracting cleaning solutions
  • Rinsing items by hand
  • Wiping hard surfaces like floors and counters

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown can help you perform water cleanup tidily. Call us at (773) 434-9100. 

How SERVPRO ERP Response Times Can Make A Difference In Bucktown

3/27/2022 (Permalink)

a fire damaged commercial area with debris everywhere and soot covering the walls Dealing with fire damage at your business location can be quite overwhelming. Team up with SERVPRO to help. We are standing by 24/7 for your call.

SERVPRO ERP Program

The SERVPRO ERP program allows business owners to submit detailed and relevant information about each of their properties without hassle or fee so that we can respond quickly and with heightened awareness of the situation. Then, when disaster strikes, it only takes a few clicks on the web or in our app to have SERVPRO professionals responding to the property in need. When it comes to fire damage, every minute can count, and the time saved by using our ERP system helps to make sure the damage is kept to a minimum and your doors are back open as quickly as possible. Here are a few elements of commercial fire damage in which time is critical during our initial response.

Soot And Ash

When there is significant burn in a case of commercial fire damage in Bucktown, ash can quickly begin to accumulate and collect on all sorts of surfaces. If this ash buildup is allowed to continue unabated, problems can arise such as clogged pipes and drains, increased damage to HVAC systems, and permanent damage to flooring. The faster we can respond to fire damage, the more we are able to mitigate the effects of ash buildup.

Water Damage

Most commercial fires are accompanied by some amount of water damage, usually from sprinklers. These can mix with materials such as smoke and ash, creating sludge that can stain and chip away at displays, walls, and floors. Additionally, if there is enough water to cause flooding, water must be extracted immediately to make sure that it doesn't seep down and cause massive damage to the structure.

Structural Damage

In some cases, damage to the structure may be significant enough to create a risk of partial or total collapse of walls, ceilings, and supports. Sometimes just a few minutes can make a difference.

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown is a locally owned business with national resources that helps business owners to get their properties back in working order as quickly as possible. Give us a call at (773) 434-9100 to request our help or advice.

How SERVPRO Helps Stores Get Back to Business in West Loop

3/1/2022 (Permalink)

two servpro vans parked at jobsite SERPVRO vans on the scene of a water damaging event at a large West Loop area building

Getting Your Business Back To New After A Water Damage Emergency

If your business is in the service industry and has been hit by water damage, the chances are that the first thing on your mind is getting doors open as soon as possible. Even if the damage is light, customers will be driven away until it is properly repaired, even as the damage gets worse while you ignore it. The best way to get your business back in gear quickly is to contact us soon after water damage strikes and to heed our advice in the field.

Fast Responses
In many West Loop commercial water damage cases, a fast response can mean thousands of dollars and weeks of closed doors saved for your store. If we can't respond in time, stains get a chance to set, water may drip into tight spaces and cracks, and any fabrics will be thoroughly doused and ruined. Furthermore, a speedy response helps to curb mold growth, a damaging, silent problem for businesses in Chicagoland. Our crews will respond within four hours of your initial call, often sooner, and can get right to work containing the damage and installing preventative measures. With less damage to repair, there is less work to be done, directly saving both time and money for you.

Speedy Negotiations With Insurers
Some businesses get caught up in messy legal situations and paperwork when negotiating with an insurance provider over damages. While it is important to protect your interests when dealing with them, you should also be aware that we may not begin many of the most important tasks until insurance documents are signed or payment has been made. Our representatives will help you to negotiate and work with an insurer to make sure everything turns out smooth and affordable for you. Our goal is to keep your business in business.

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown specializes in getting businesses back in shape after disaster strikes, with professional service, quality equipment, and affordable prices. If your commercial location has sustained water damage, give us a call at (773) 434-9100.

Will DIY Downtown Chicago Commercial Water Removal Succeed?

1/24/2022 (Permalink)

chicago skyline plus park SERVPRO is the right call for water damage cleanup and mitigation in Downtown Chicago commercial properties

SERVPRO Offers Comprehensive Chicago Business Water Damage Mitigation and Remediation

Although your in-house or contracted housekeeping and cleanup team is the best in the Loop, the demands of significant water removal in Downtown Chicago rises above their capacity to respond effectively. Burst pipes or a leaking roof from storms or drainage issues can cause hundreds of thousands of gallons of water to cascade through your commercial space. An elevated level of response is required to get your business back on an even keel.

Is SERVPRO Up to the Challenge of Commercial Water Damage Emergency Services?

SERVPRO takes responsibility as an Official Downtown Licensed Operator seriously, ready 24/7 to assist with Downtown Chicago water cleanup of any quantity and from any source. Our conveniently located state-of-the-art production facility stocks an extensive inventory of water removal equipment, tools, and products. We can mobilize an appropriately scaled water damage remediation response immediately, dispatching:

  • Multiple crews of the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)-trained technician
  • Pumps, including trash pumps capable of managing debris-contaminated water 
  • Truck-mounted and portable water extractors
  • Generators to prevent power suspension delays 
  • Capacious tanks to contain contaminated water for lawful disposal
  • Specialized equipment to trace moisture migration, contain, and remove trapped water throughout all your Chicago business’s property

Does Commercial Water Removal Require Applied Structural Drying?

Extracting visible and hidden liquid water is the essential first step of water damage repairs and flood restoration. Diligent extraction is 1200 times more effective than drying techniques alone, accelerating water clean up. Partnering through extraction with the following drying techniques is critical to avoid or minimize secondary water damage such as progressive building material disintegration and mold damage:

  • Air movement using axial fans and low profile air movers
  • Increasing air temperature and reducing humidity with heaters as warm, dry air facilitates faster evaporation from saturated structural components and fixtures
  • Dehumidification with evaporative and desiccant units to remove and capture the lingering moisture for proper disposal

Waste no time after a water disaster downtown. Call SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100 for prompt commercial property water removal services.

Does Fire Damage Cleanup in Downtown Chicago Facilities Have a Significant Impact?

1/3/2022 (Permalink)

$50 bill burning on both endes Fire damage is costly to your business. SERVPRO is your one-stop-shop for your commercial fire damage restoration needs.

SERVPRO Relies on Fire Damage Cleanup to Handle the Heavy Soiling, Odors, and Property Deterioration

Fire damage can mean different things for your property since the smoke, heat, and flames interact with materials differently. The damage you notice in the areas initially unaffected by the fire is mainly associated with moisture and smoke, which leave materials soggy or heavily soiled.

The task of fixing these additional issues can be managed through proper fire damage cleanup of your Downtown Chicago premises. If done appropriately, it is possible to salvage many materials and restore contents. SERVPRO uses convenient cleanup approaches that simplify the process and keep costs manageable.

Exposure to moisture and fire residues exhibits similar characteristics in materials like:

  • Easy removal when cleaning is timely
  • Significant material deterioration when cleanup is delayed
  • Emission of strong odors that spread all over the property

Being thorough is as vital as taking timely action when cleaning up the fire-damaged property. Evaluating all items, especially those you want to save or reuse, helps identify all traces of residue and moisture that might cause problems later. Our SERVPRO technicians inspect materials manually or using handy tools. For instance, penetrative and non-penetrative moisture meters help reveal the level of moisture absorption. Wiping surfaces with a fresh cleaning sponge reveals soot residues' depth and spread patterns.

Various cleaning approaches help remove moisture and fire residues, including:

  • Vacuuming and extracting loose residues and moisture
  • Dissolving soils
  • Physical agitation dislodging residues

Since smoke residues are mainly light solid carbon particles, vacuuming helps lift them off most surfaces. Our SERVPRO teams are equipped with regular and wet vacuums, thus handling dry and wet materials using this cleaning method. Dissolving helps remove soils bonded with surfaces. The process might require water or solvents. Our technicians rely on the evaluation done at your business premises to determine the best option. We are a Downtown Chicago Licensed Operator.

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown provides the necessary resources for fire damage cleanup. Call us at (773) 434-9100. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

How Do Chicago Business Owners Quickly Address Plumbing Leaks?

12/13/2021 (Permalink)

a broken metal pipe spraying water When water damage affects your business, you need water extraction and remediation services. Team SERVPRO is standing by 24/7 - 365 days a year.

SERVPRO Provides Water Extraction Services as an Official Licensed Downtown Chicago Operator

Chicago is among the world’s top 20 busiest economies as of 2020 and is home to thousands of businesses. Facility maintenance is key to keeping businesses up and running as long as possible. Still, even with regular maintenance, disaster can come in the form of pinhole leaks in plumbing or frozen pipes that burst from temperature and pressure changes.

SERVPRO water extraction technicians provide Downtown Chicago businesses with fast-acting relief from water damage in their facilities. Local commercial property owners can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that SERVPRO is an Official Licensed Downtown Chicago Operator that can perform mitigation to code.

Handling Commercial Plumbing Leaks Quickly

Before technicians arrive to perform restoration, property owners are advised to do the following:

  • If there is still water pouring out of damaged pipes, shut it off as soon as possible. Depending on the layout of the affected property, this can be achieved with a localized shutoff valve or at the water main for the facility
  • Inspect the building in question for other potential signs of plumbing-related water damage. This step is especially crucial in commercial multi-family properties, hotels, and other facilities where multiple rooms on multiple floors could be affected
  • Take pictures and video of the affected area and contact your insurer as soon as possible to start the claims failing process
  • Contact SERVPRO to begin cleanup, which includes water extraction, structure and contents drying, sanitation with OSHA-approved biocides, and mold remediation as needed


Call SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100 for “Like it never even happened,” cleanup services from highly-trained technicians.

Water Damage Prevention for Your Downtown Chicago Commercial Building

8/3/2021 (Permalink)

tablet showing ERP mobile app Be Prepared for water damage in Downtown Chicago with SERVPRO's ERP Emergency READY Profile Plan

Water Damage Restoration for Your Commercial Building

Every building carries some risk of water damage at any time. Several water, fire, and storm damages are reported daily, and water is the most common type of disaster that can wreak havoc on a building.

The causes of water damage can range from minor to major, from small leaks in the roof to widespread damage from major storms. It is crucial to protect the roofs of the building and the walls and windows of the structure to minimize the chance of water damage in Downtown Chicago. If you use the following checklist, you can stand the best chance of protecting your business from water damage that can cost a great deal of money and energy.

Leaking Roofs

  • Regularly, make sure to examine all rooftop penetrations on the interior and exterior.
  • Examine the seals surrounding HVAC systems so that you can be sure that they are intact and not be responsible for water damage in the building.
  • Keep updated regarding the flashings that surround skylights, vents, and other parts of the rooftop that could play a role in water damage.
  • Look for water stains regularly.
  • If you have a flat roof, make sure to examine the roof drains monthly.

Water Damage to Walls

  • Look at any wall penetrations in the building and verify proper flashing and integrity of the sealant.
  • Examine the wall joints located at plumbing penetrations, electrical penetrations, doors, and windows.

Leaking Windows

  • Examine flashings on the exterior of the building and window joints for continuous seal integrity.
  • If you have windows involved in a drainable wall system, examine any flashing openings to ensure that they are not clogged. Look at weep holes as well.
  • Examine windows from the interior of the building, and verify air seal and glass integrity.
  • Test out mechanical elements regularly, including cranks and locks.
  • Examine the areas of the walls around the windows on the interior of the building for water damage.

The Importance of a Rapid Response to Water Damage

Even a commercial building that is carefully operated has some risk of water damage in Downtown Chicago. For this reason, your business must have a prepared emergency response plan for such situations. These plans can play a crucial role in ensuring that the building rapidly recovers from water damage from a flooded basement, a severe leak in the roof, or soaked carpet in the office. The speed of response to one of these events is often the most important key to recovering business quickly after a disaster.

What should be included in a water emergency response plan is:

  • A rapid shutdown of water supply lines.
  • The safe shutdown of gas and electric supply lines.
  • Easy access to equipment.
  • Contact information for water extraction companies, HVAC and plumbing specialists, police, fire, and emergency personnel.
  • Participate in SERVPRO's ERP Emergency READY Profile Plan

If you encounter any water damage emergency at your Downtown Chicago facility, call SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for your emergency at (773) 434-9100.

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown Shares Newly Acquired Restoration Production Hub with Other Jointly-Owned Franchises

7/1/2021 (Permalink)

Collage of 3 photos of a warehouse New Hub of Operations in Downtown Chicago

Continuing to Provide a High Level of Service to Their Growing Customer Base

Owners of seven SERVPRO Franchise locations in Chicagoland, Pat and Frank Zubricki found the solution for their franchise family’s growing pains through the purchase of 2.77 acres with a well-appointed commercial building. The site is conveniently located near Midway Airport and I-55 heading into the city center. See REjournals.com for additional details.

Pat finds much to appreciate and anticipate about the purchase. “The facility will enable us to accommodate future growth and continue to provide the high level of service our customers have come to expect from us.” As an Officially Licensed Downtown Operator, SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown has two locations to serve the downtown commercial and high rise-residential markets with services customized for their needs. “Working in high-rise and other large, complex structures requires specialized equipment, training, and experience. Our customer base is growing, and at times we may be engaged with several large projects in the downtown area. We are adding new properties and management companies to our customer base daily, so we are planning ahead to make sure we can continue to exceed their expectations.”

Their plans for the new facility include consolidating and expanding their contents cleaning operation and gaining space for additional equipment inventory and administrative needs. Soaring ceilings, five loading docks, upgraded power, and 61,000 square feet make the facility perfect for their needs. SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown offers residential and business customers superior restoration services.

New production facility capacity improves the SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown customer experience. Call (773) 434-9100 with your disaster restoration questions.

Businesses in Downtown Chicago Trust SERVPRO for Mold Remediation

6/24/2021 (Permalink)

Mold If mold is left unchecked, it can spread very quickly. Contact our IICRC certified mold damage remediation team for an assessment today.

SERVPRO Offers Fast and Efficient Mold Remediation to Downtown Businesses

Mold is the last thing you want to discover at your place of business. Not only can mold cause health effects to the employees and customers, but it can also cause structural and aesthetic damage to your property. SERVPRO can help you by promptly carrying out mold remediation of your Downtown Chicago commercial space to prevent these effects.  

SERVPRO’s IICRC certified experts establish a full containment zone with negative air pressure during mold remediation of your Downtown Chicago property. The goal is to localize the damage to a specific area and not let the mold spread to the unaffected parts of the structure. SERVPRO technicians also apply antimicrobials and antifungal agents to prevent the recurrence of the mold damage once the restoration is complete. 

Different Types of Mold That SERVPRO’s Mold Specialists Encounter in Downtown Chicago Commercial Buildings

SERVPRO's experts deal with several types of mold in Downtown Chicago buildings. Some of the most common ones include-

  • Aspergillus- Grows in an oxygen-rich and damp environment. It can tolerate lower temperatures better than other molds, and hence most attic mold is of this type. There are over 40 different species of Aspergillus that can grow indoors. 
  • Aureobasidium Pullaria- Also called the pink mold, is most commonly found in high humidity areas. Establishments such as restaurants and eateries stand at a higher risk of developing this mold in washing areas and walk-in cold storage.  
  • Stachybotrys Chartarum- Also called the black mold. Contrary to what other restorers might lead you to believe, it is no more dangerous than other types of mold, and SERVPRO never uses this scare tactic on our customers. 

Call SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100 for any mold-related inquiry. 

How Quickly Can Mold Get Removed from Downtown Chicago Schools?

5/12/2021 (Permalink)

mold ceiling of restroom Commercial entities in Downtown Chicago call upon SERVPRO for mold removal and remediation. "Like it never even happened."

Mold can be a substantial threat to commercial properties that should get removed immediately.

Discovering mold in one of the many public and private schools around the city can be overwhelming and cause potential health effects for those exposed. Because we are leading mold removal experts in the area, we are called upon by government officials to often remediate a mold problem. We have several practices to eliminate active colonization and begin restoring widespread damages the organisms can cause.

What Remediation Strategies Are Best for Widespread Mold Concerns?

When mold removal in Downtown Chicago schools is necessary, there are specific practices that our professionals can implement right away. Remediators on our team have extensive experience with mold removal strategies that target surface growth and organisms that have deeply penetrated hosting materials. We follow IICRC guidelines for mold remediation. Containment can prevent these mold colonies from further spreading while these remediation tactics get underway, such as:

  • Abrasive cleaning
  • Soda blasting
  • Dry ice blasting
  • Surface sanding
  • Controlled demolition

When mold removal is needed in a school, the threat could impact hundreds of students and staff. Our SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown team recognizes this urgency and moves quickly to help. Call us anytime at (773) 434-9100.

How Can SERVPRO Get You Back in Business After Fire Restoration in Chicago?

4/27/2021 (Permalink)

metal sign use the stairs during a fire SERVPRO says to secure your personal safety first. Then call us for fire and smoke cleanup for your Chicago area business

SERVPRO cleaning and fire restoration services are efficient at getting Chicago commercial properties opened

Structure fires can spread fast through large commercial properties in the West Loop neighborhood of Chicago. As leading fire restoration experts, SERVPRO can arrive quickly with cleaning and recovery tools to overcome widespread fire concerns to make it "Like it never even happened."

Can SERVPRO Improve Indoor Air Quality?

Indoor air quality concerns are often where fire restoration in Chicago businesses must begin because these conditions can be a health hazard for those exposed. Our professionals have personal protective equipment to safely navigate heavily impacted areas of the property to start vital air filtration efforts designed to capture carcinogenic particles, debris, ash, and other particulates. HEPA products in our inventory can trap soot and smoke particles to make the environment safer for fire restoration and reduce secondary effects like odors and soot soiling on surfaces. Some of the tools for this include:

  • HEPA Air Scrubbers
  • HEPA Vacuums
  • Hydroxyl Generators

Surface Cleaning and Soot Removal

Circulating soot particles can come to rest on desks, shelves, pallets, and other fixtures of your business space or warehouse. Advanced cleaning techniques can often prevent these soils from causing irreparable harm within the structure, but these fire restoration acts must happen immediately. We utilize solvents, detergents, and abrasive cleaning tactics to loosen and remove thick soot residues on building materials and contents, including merchandise and inventory.

Does Fire Suppression Require Special Cleaning Practices?

Many of the city's buildings feature or require fire suppression systems that provide nearly full coverage of the occupiable space that could become impacted by spreading structure fire effects. Often, this suppression system is a series of sprinkler heads strategically placed across the rooms. To douse flames and stop the spread of fires, a heavy volume of water is often necessary. Our technicians must overcome these effects in the property as well to preserve impacted contents of the office and to transition to other fire restoration needs quickly. In eateries, suppressant powders are often utilized in cooking area, further complicating the clean up.

Can We Remove Harsh Smoke Damage Odors in the Building?

Harsh and noxious odors can be among the most challenging obstacles for many returning staff. Burning and combustion can destroy materials in its path, many of which can leave overwhelming odors to contend with in the property. Our professionals can implement multiple deodorization strategies at the appropriate time, namely after much of the fire restoration process has been completed in the building. Improving IAQ can be challenging.

We have counteractant products like granules and beads that can get placed in structural openings and at designated HVAC intakes and outputs to regulate and minimize the severity of spreading odors and harsh smells. When time to remove these odors entirely, we can lean on several tools in our inventory, including:

  • Thermal Foggers
  • ULV Foggers
  • Hydroxyl Generators
  • Ozone Machines

Chicago businesses can become heavily damaged by fires. Our SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown team has advanced fire restoration practices to help. Call us today at (773) 434-9100.

SERVPRO Minimizes Replacement Cost Through Commercial Water Mitigation Actions in Chicago

4/2/2021 (Permalink)

a puddle on wooden floor Your business depends on the doors staying open. Call SERVPRO if water damage has them temporarily closed. We are available 24/7.

Chicago Businesses Rely on SERVPRO for Professional Water Damage Remediation

After a water damage event occurs, the preservation of a commercial structure is even more crucial as the property can be the financial livelihood for several individuals as their place of employment or a residential unit housing several families.

When SERVPRO handles Chicago commercial water mitigation, the job goes far beyond water removal services.

The technicians have extensive training based on the foundation taught by the IICRC. This results in a commitment to saving property owners from having to replace stock and structural elements as much as possible including:

  • Water clean up
  • Emergency services water damage mitigation when problems happen after hours or during holidays
  • Cleaning up after a sewer backup

The techs use industrial equipment with greater extraction capacity and drying units with the ability to eliminate embedded moisture to bring the structure to a dry status quickly. If computer equipment, data centers, stock, or valuable documents require moving, the technicians can move those articles offsite to a safe and secure location until the mitigation gets completed.

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100 supports the Chicago area with professional commercial water mitigation. 

Do Chicago Businesses Risk Significant Water Removal Issues?

3/12/2021 (Permalink)

a water damaged ceiling Is excess water causing you to panic? Call us at (773) 434-9100 for water extraction and thorough remediation services.

SERVPRO Delivers High-quality and Quantity Commercial Extraction

The Chicago waste and storm sewer systems are as venerable as the city itself, sometimes 100 or more years old. Their construction cannot handle the vast increase in liquids that ultimately run through them, sometimes causing substantial backups after torrential rains or flooding damage and malfunctions from waste, supply, appliance, or equipment piping and hoses. More likely than not, the water invading a commercial space will be contaminated, requiring professional intervention for safe elimination and sanitizing of the affected areas.

How Can the SERVPRO Experts Help with Commercial Water Extraction?

The massive quantities of waste, rain, or supply line water that floods into businesses mandate scalable resources to manage Chicago commercial water removal. SERVPRO uniquely positions itself to provide removal services from minor to large water emergencies with:

  • Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)-trained management and crews in the numbers needed to complete all phases of the job
  • Fully stocked, expandable service vehicle fleet
  • A range of submersible pumps, including “trash” pumps that can manage debris-laden
  • High-capacity truck-mounted extractors discharging into containment tanks that operate without on-site power
  • Containment tank capacities of 60 to over 100 gallons
  • Portable extractors that can move into confined and distant areas to access all water
  • Knowledge of local hazardous waste disposal rules and a commitment to follow those regulation to protect your business
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE) and space containment capability (air scrubbers and 1.6 mil polypropylene barriers) for safety

The team at SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown is ready for any water removal scenario. Give us a call at (773) 434-9100 for help at your commercial property.

Why Is The Choice Of Equipment A Crucial Consideration During Water Removal in Chicago?

10/7/2020 (Permalink)

water damage property Faster completion of water removal can allow a quicker resumption of your business activities.

SERVPRO Capitalizes On Equipment Choice to Fast-Track Water Damage Removal Restoring Services in Chicago Businesses Faster

You might panic if you find out that there is a water intrusion incident at your business premises. However, with a timely removal, you can overcome the implications such incidents usually have on daily operations. Dealing with water intrusion is easier when you have the right equipment. That is why SERVPRO steps in to provide Chicago businesses with the necessary resources.

Which equipment is vital for water removal?
For successful water damage removal at your Chicago business premises, there is a need to extract any pooling water and dry wet materials. Choosing extraction equipment is easier since most portable and truck-mounted units can move thousands of gallons within a short period and gravity flow also helps in water removal. Choosing drying equipment is a bit harder because the process requires a combination of three factors to work:
    •    Temperature
    •    Evaporation
    •    Dehumidification

What factors determine the right drying equipment?
Drying requires dehumidifiers, air movers, and in some cases, heating equipment. Since the equipment works in tandem, the choice must factor in more than just the individual capacity of each type of equipment. Our SERVPRO technicians consider the ratings provided by the manufacturers to determine the right combination. For instance, when choosing air movers and dehumidifiers, we can consider three ratings:
    •    Cubic feet per minute
    •    Standard cubic feet per minute
    •    Feet per minute or feet per second

CFM is the general measure of airflow from the equipment. SCFM, on the other hand, indicates the airflow at a standard temperature of 70°F and relative humidity of 50%. When our SERVPRO technicians take readings at the loss site with moisture meters and thermo-hygrometers, we may require a more specific rating such as SCFM to ensure the equipment we use for drying matches up correctly with the prevailing conditions, thus boosting moisture removal.

Faster completion of water removal can allow a quicker resumption of your business activities. SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown can help complete the process, “Like it never even happened.” Call us at (773) 434-9100.

How Do I Get Mold Out of My Business?

9/9/2020 (Permalink)

heavy mold growth on ceiling Mold can multiply quickly and be off-putting to customers. SERVPRO knows how to remediate mold. Call us today!

For Professional Mold Removal in Chicago, Call SERVPRO  

How Do I Get Rid of Mold and Keep It Out of My Boutique? 

Remediating Chicago commercial mold damage takes more than a spray bottle of bleach, a hairdryer on an extension cord, and a paint scraper. SERVPRO specialists determine the extent of the mold growth, where it originated, and decide the best equipment needed to remove active spores and reduce the risk of future infestations.   

Where Do Your Specialists Begin? 

They start by inspecting the structure for visible mold and water. Mold spores are ordinarily inert and are as common in most buildings as airborne dust. They only become active when there is enough water to expand and extend eventually into hyphae seeking out a food source and more water.  

Our specialists’ next step is to eliminate the source of water. They dry up any puddles and drips with sponges and cloths. For larger amounts, they use extraction wands. If the water soaked into wall framing and other structure, they set up dehumidifiers to carefully draw out the water without cracking or splitting the wood.  

Finally, specialists remove the now inert spores using hand-scrapers and vacuums with HEPA filters designed to catch even individual spores too small to see unaided. If the hyphae dug into the support structure, they use power sanders to remove the wood's surface layers to get to the spores. The last step is to vacuum every affected surface once again.  

What Kind of Health Problems Are There? 

Mold may cause health effects in some people, but the vast majority of business problems are the damages mold growths cause to the structure. SERVPRO response teams work carefully and promptly to remove every threat to your business to reopen to support your customers. 

To schedule an inspection or to begin immediate removal efforts, call SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100 today. 

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What Factors Can Influence Water Cleanup Exercises At My Chicago Business Premises?

7/27/2020 (Permalink)

water damaged property A water spill can trigger a chain of events that lead to severe damage.

Assistance from SERVPRO Can Help Ensure You Do Not Miss Crucial Steps in the Early Stages of the Restoration Thus Minimizing the Resultant Damages in your Chicago property

The water that damages your business premises can originate anywhere within your property. For instance, a faulty toilet floater can release several gallons of water before you discover it and turn off the mains. Leaks can also develop in pipes hidden away in the walls or ceiling space. SERVPRO crews are available 24/7 to help Chicago businesses affected by water spills to clean up and restore their premises to the preloss state.

Do water cleanup exercises Chicago business premises differ?

When you realize there is a water leak in your Chicago property and you need to perform cleanup and other restoration procedures, you should also be aware of several things, including the divergent nature of such exercises. If you have witnessed a cleanup in a different facility, you cannot expect the procedure at your place to run the same way. Even two separate cleanup exercises at the same facility might present different challenges.  Assistance from a restoration service such as SERVPRO helps ease the process because we have the training and experience to address any challenging aspects.

Several factors determine the level of cleaning and the procedures necessary to restore your business premises to its preloss state. The main ones include:
    •    The materials you have at the premises
    •    The source of the water spilled
    •    The period it takes to discover the leak
    •    The spread patterns of the spilled water

When water spills in an area where loose soils such as dust accumulate over time, you can expect it to spread the soils all over the property. An enclosed ceiling is a typical example of an area where dust, dirt, and other debris can accumulate over time. The sudden water release from the leak dislodges the soils depositing them elsewhere, especially on wall surfaces where unsightly water streaks can appear.

What considerations are necessary when cleaning different materials?

When cleaning up after water leaks, removing any pools of water or drying excess moisture from various materials is the main step since it addresses most of the problems you are likely to face. Another crucial step is the removal of soils from various surfaces without causing damages to the underlying materials. For instance, if there are water streaks on drywall, glass, or other materials, the cleaning process should not leave deep scratches or other severe damages.

When removing the water or moisture, some inconveniences can arise when transferring it from the affected section of the property to the disposal point, especially when the entire facility is not affected. Our SERVPRO technicians rely on various resources that help ensure proper evacuation of water and moisture, including:
    •    Using water extractors with wastewater tanks
    •    wheeled trash bins to collect water extracted by dehumidifiers
    •    Lay-flat ducting to move moist air from inside the structure
    •    Using long hoses

Which cleaning aspect should be emphasized when restoring my business?

Time plays a crucial role in the outcome of a water loss incident. Although you might not have control over the time it takes to discover the damage, you should do what you can to expedite the restoration process. Delays lead to irreversible deterioration of materials and microbial growth, meaning that a problem that could be resolved through cleaning requires advanced repair processes. Some typical forms of irreversible deterioration include:
    •    Deep staining of carpets or fabrics
    •    Disintegration of materials such as wood or drywall
    •    Mold development

Our SERVPRO technicians use approaches that maximize the cleanup and restoration speed. For instance, we use water extractors with various capabilities, including vacuum lift and heating, allowing us to extract water and clean soiled areas simultaneously. Our expertise also allows us to mix various chemical agents, including cleaning detergents and deodorizers, minimizing the steps we have to perform while renovating your house.

Another aspect that helps guarantee a speedier conclusion of the restoration process is the possibility of clearing out items from the affected sections of your business premises to ease the performance of most restoration processes. Our crews have access to dollies and other accessories for moving heavy items from the affected areas as well as temporary storage pods that we bring to the loss site when necessary. Removing items also minimizes other problems such as soiling or accidental damage of items initially unaffected by the initial water spill.

A water spill can trigger a chain of events that lead to severe damage. The right cleanup done in time is the best way to forestall the problems. Call SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100 to assist. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster!

What Materials in My Chicago Business Are More Prone to Water Damage?

7/21/2020 (Permalink)

A man with a suit floating in water. Let SERVPRO keep your business Chicago business above the water.

Hygroscopic Materials Are Especially Prone to Water Absorption and SERVPRO Has Experts in Place to Restore Those Items

Understanding which type of material absorbs water at a higher rate is key to understanding how we cleanup water intrusion in your Chicago business.

What are hygroscopic materials?

Hygroscopic materials are items that readily absorb water. They also hold onto water vapor in the air. How water vapor flows through a material is known as permeance. Hygroscopic items have a high permeance factor. But the good news is – the easier it absorbs water, the faster it dries. This is good news for your Chicago business requiring water extraction after a water loss. Examples of these items include:

  • Carpet
  • Carpet Padding
  • Upholstery
  • Unfaced Insulation
  • Gypsum Wall Board
  • Particle Board

Immediate Water Mitigation

Because these types of materials absorb water so readily, they are prone to primary and secondary damages. SERVPRO is committed to limiting primary damage and avoiding secondary damage, but immediate mitigation is a must. Hygroscopic material such as carpeting can undergo delamination if the water is not extracted promptly. This is an example of primary damage. Ceiling tiles and wallpaper can moisten, crumble, soften, and fall once they absorb water and are left untreated. This represents secondary damage, which is what we strive to prevent.

Avoiding Secondary Damages

Water extraction from both the business as a whole and the air is crucial. Hygroscopic materials are more prone to secondary damages, so crews need to move fast. You need the proper ratio of air movers to dehumidifiers to get the job done correctly. Our team has the expertise to know just what equipment to use for your situation.

SERVPRO has expert crews that understand water extraction and how to preserve hygroscopic materials. Contact SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown /Greektown at (773) 434-9100 for service that will leave your business, “Like it never even happened.”

What Can I Do About the Water Damage in My Chicago Pizza Cafe?

6/19/2020 (Permalink)

A restaurant with a sign that says pizza. SERVPRO knows how important staying up and running when it comes to your Chicago business water damage, call us today.

SERVPRO of Chicago Can Offer You Water Damage Mitigation Services! 

Owning a restaurant in Chicago can be rewarding, but it can suddenly become extremely stressful when water damage comes knocking. The best thing you can do to get your doors open again is seeking help immediately. A loss of foot traffic is a loss of revenue and, here at SERVPRO, we want to help you avoid that as much as possible. 

If water damage suddenly left your Chicago pizza cafe unable to operate, we can help. Call us swiftly, and our highly trained technicians can come, no matter the time or the day of the week. We work around your schedule here at SERVPRO. 

I Need Discretion, Can Your Technicians Work That Way? 

No matter what your needs are, we can work something out. We're dedicated to giving you the service you need. If you require discreet remediation, our technicians can: 

  • Use back entrances to access the building 
  • Work during the night instead of the day 
  • Get our drying equipment inside your cafe swiftly 

Seeing that you are closed until further notice can chase your customers off and send them to your competitors. For this reason, we're proud to say that We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

What Equipment Can You Use to Mitigate the Water Damage?

Imagine that a burst pipe caused the damage to your pizza cafe. We can work swiftly to employ the use of advanced technological equipment to remove the mess. We can:

  • Use extractors and wet/dry vacuums to remove excess water
  • Use infrared cameras to locate all sources of water damage inside
  • Employ the use of drying equipment, like dehumidifiers and air blasting tubes 

Here at SERVPRO, we have the equipment to remediate the water damage on your property. No matter how large or small it is. 

Call SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown immediately if you find yourself in need of water damage mitigation services. Dial (773) 434-9100 to speak to a technician. We're always ready to help.

Why Is Commercial Water Removal and Disinfection Responsibility Best Given to Restoration Professionals in Chicago?

5/29/2020 (Permalink)

interior of a warehouse full of goods damaged by a flood of water SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown is ready to take on the most complex commercial water removal challenge.

Trained and Experienced SERVPRO Technicians Are Knowledgeable, Capable, and Well-Equipped for Safe Chicago Commercial Water Removal and Sanitizing

The broad range of issues arising when managing a significant water loss in a large commercial space is not amenable to DIY interventions. Even if your Chicago business has a competent day to day cleaning staff or a reliable contracted janitorial service, water emergencies swiftly exceed the ability of cleaning crews to deliver optimum outcomes. Safety concerns and the need for highly specialized equipment and professional products to resolve the damage and health concerns arising from the addition of raw sewage to the contaminant list substantially changes the cleaning requirements.

What Makes a Contaminated Water Crisis Different from other Cleaning Challenges?

When heavy rains cause a sewage drainage pipe to back up and flood your industrial warehouse, safe and efficient water removal from your Chicago distribution center rises to a whole new level of complexity. Overflow from a nearby river exerts pressure on the normal waste flow, creating a severe risk of exposure to biohazards by your employees and potential destruction of inventory as the waste returns to your facility. Cleanup now requires:

    •    The wearing of full personal protective equipment (PPE) by technicians assigned to clear away the water and to perform testing for migration of contaminants into building cavities
    •    Containment of the contaminated fluid for disposal as hazardous waste following local regulations at an approved site
    •    Cleaning and disinfection of all surfaces in contact with the toxic mix of water, industrial waste, and fecal material
    •    Management of the saturation of the porous materials present in the affected area

What Does Water Mitigation and Remediation Look Like Under These Circumstances?

A comprehensive safety survey conducted by SERVPRO project managers identifies any live utility risks and demonstrable structural instability stemming from the exterior flooding:

    •    Power is shut down until safe to restart. Our equipment uses generators until that happens.
    •    Our crews prevent or divert the continual incursion of the contaminated water with barriers or ditching outside of your building.
    •    Solid debris is removed, and then we remove standing water with a series of submersible pumps followed by truck-mounted extraction under the skilled operation of our trained technicians.
    •    During water removal, ventilation enhances the movement of moist air by the opening of all passageways and doors and windows.
    •    EPA-registered cleaners and disinfectants would be applied via broadcast methods for a first pass to mitigate the effects of the contaminants before work crews commenced tasks.

How Do You Dry Out Vast Commercial Spaces?

Even though wide-open ventilation is used throughout the first phases of water removal and initial sanitizing, these conditions are not optimal for an open drying system to complete the job. High humidity outside during the spring and summer months, including the rainy weather that caused the initial flooding that led to the sewer backup, unreasonably slows drying.

Never fear. Our Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)-trained crews master many innovative and research-based options to improve drying outcomes. The IICRC is an international organization charged with setting standards in the restoration industry. The best practices established by the IICRC are reliable and practical, designed to carry out a wide range of restoration tasks safely.

Does Drying Work Better When You Contain Smaller WorkSpaces?

Using 1.6 mil polyethylene and temporary structures that partition the larger space into manageable drying areas, we can set up air movers and heaters to evaporate absorbed water more efficiently from structural components into the air as vapor. Dehumidifiers can clear the vapor when the spaces are reduced in area, collecting the water for appropriate disposal.

Why Is Disinfection Completed Before Structural Drying?

The foundation of structural drying is moving warm, dry air over wet surfaces. The disruption of the air movers can cause pathogens to become airborne, not a desirable result. Planning for a second disinfection or sanitization phase to occur before the placement of air movers reduces the chance of respreading hazardous residues throughout your commercial building.

What Is the Role of Air Scrubbers in Disinfection and Sanitization During Commercial Water Removal and Drying?

Since pathogens, including molds always present in typical commercial buildings and human infectious agents from the sewage, can become airborne during mitigation and remediation efforts, the use of air scrubbing technology is also part of the larger plan. The negative air pressure machinery forces the atmosphere within a containment partition through HEPA filters. Contaminants are captured in the filters, and the air passing through is exhausted to the outdoors. A HEPA filter must be 99.97% efficient against 0.3-micron oily aerosol particles at the application flow rate per the Institute for Environmental Sciences and Technology (IEST).

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown is ready to take on the most complex commercial water removal challenge. Our crews are familiar with hazardous waste management and remediation, including effective EPA-registered disinfection and sanitization strategies. Call for a professional consultation at (773) 434-9100.

We Get You Back In Business In Chicago After A Fire

2/28/2020 (Permalink)

A room covered in soot and smoke damage after a fire Our industry certified technicians are equipped with the latest equipment to mitigate your fire damage. Call us right away to prevent further damage.

Restoring Commercial Fire Damage Incident in Chicago Condo that Gutted a Roof

A gaping hole was left in the roof of a Chicago Condo after a fire burnt the support structures but left the rest of the structure intact. It was more than a lucky break since the response from the occupants and firefighters helped prevent a catastrophic outcome. When SERVPRO arrived at the site, we continued with what they had already started by cleaning up and restoring the Condo to its preloss state.

Commercial fire damage incidents affecting Chicago Condos present unique challenges, especially if the property remains occupied during the restoration process. The movements of people around the common areas of the property can spread soot and other soils. Air movements can also spread aerosols and other fine residues to the occupied areas where they can affect the residents, especially causing respiratory issues. Our SERVPRO technicians took different steps to address these problems. We boarded up the affected areas and installed a roof tarp to seal the hole in the roof. We also set up engineering controls like 6-mil plastic sheets on openings such as doorways to halt the spread of residues.

After establishing control, we started the fire damage cleanup process by first removing unsalvageable contents and building materials in the affected areas. Our SERVPRO technicians had to mix different approaches, including controlled demolition to access building materials such as drywall, insulation, and power cables. Some of the materials sustained salvageable damages such as charring or heavy residue deposits. In these areas, our technicians used abrasion techniques to remove the charring and residue deposits, restoring the materials instead of removing them.

The fire fighting and cleaning processes had left considerable amounts of moisture in the building, so our crews had to carry out thorough drying to restore normal levels. The expansive space in a Condo can complicate drying processes. Our team was up for the challenge since we had a trailered desiccant dehumidifier to manage the drying process. Accessories such as lay-flats helped move the air around the property.

Fire damage in a condominium inconveniences many people, thus the need to complete restoration quickly. Call SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100 to help manage an incident, "Like it never even happened."

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Some Ways to Effectively Remediate Commercial Water Damage in Chicago

1/26/2020 (Permalink)

Chicago resort and historical area Water damage at your Chicago resort is a No Go! Contact SERVPRO for effective remediation efforts.

Expedited Commercial Water Removal Helps Save Chicago Resort's Reputation

When people make reservations to visit a resort in Chicago, they expect to find everything in top condition when they arrive. If any change is expected, most people would want an upgrade, such as a nicer room or extra services at no additional cost. A water loss incident can ruin the stay for customers, and damage the reputation of a resort.

After receiving a call to handle water removal at a Chicago Resort, our SERVPRO team had to ensure a fast turnaround to minimize or eliminate any inconvenience that visitors would experience. We scoped the loss to determine the time it would take to complete restoration, allowing the management to disseminate clear information to guests already at the resort. Apart from choosing steps that would expedite the restoration, we also had to use the fastest approaches when implementing them. We chose:

  •     Partial Instead of complete move-out
  •     Closed drying system
  •     High-speed extraction equipment
  •     Specialized floor drying

Having sufficient space to maneuver when removing water from property helps speed up the process. Moving furniture such as beds and other contents from the wet areas helped create the room we needed. However, performing a full move-out to an external storage facility would take time, so we choose a partial move out, such as stripping bedding and moving it to dry rooms.

Most of the water had settled on the floor surfaces necessitating wet vacuuming and other forms of water extraction. Our SERVPRO technicians used a truck-mounted water extractor because of its faster rate of water extraction, thus completing the job faster.

On finalizing the extraction, we also had to dry the rooms, including the wooden floors that hard absorbed some of the standing water. We set up drying mats on the floors to extract moisture while running air movers and dehumidifiers in the rooms to dry other surfaces and remove excess humidity from the air.

Water loss incidents should not lead to extended business closure. Call SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100 to help manage any incident, "Like it never even happened."

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Got Stuck? Try These Tips to Streamline Your Commercial Flood Damage Situation in Chicago

10/13/2019 (Permalink)

dog getting shampooed at the groomers Finding that your grooming facility has suffered flood damage can cancel some much needed appointments. Keep your business opened with SERVPRO.

Special Needs of a Chicago Dog Groomer Facility with Commercial Flood Damage

Some businesses have their brand rooted in the look and feel of their establishment. Spas, hairstylists, and dog groomers are just three types of companies that come to mind. 

When a specific niche business such as a dog groomer facility in Chicago has commercial flood damage, the property needs restoration to sanitary levels for regular operations as fast as possible. Downtime means customers seek out other groomers, and loss of clientele is a possibility.

Preservation of Stock

In a service business that relies both on foot traffic and sales of a limited amount of stock such as dog shampoos, matted hair treatments, brushes, and other items for clients to purchase for home dog coat care, it is vital to remove those items to a safe area away from the flood loss area. 

Floor Extraction Methods

SERVPRO technicians test the water for the type if any contaminants they are dealing with in the cleanup and apply appropriate bactericide or antimicrobial solutions as a proactive treatment. They use portable pumps to remove the water with squeegees for use on tile flooring. Doing multiple passes ensures they lift the maximum amount of moisture, and this, in turn, lessens the drying time so the business owner can get back to providing services to human and canine clients.

Rechecking Before Drying

Technicians scope the water loss areas with their moisture detection equipment to confirm they did not miss any areas where water migrated during extraction. They use a combination of tools to ensure complete water removal and drying of the property.

Ensuring Cleanliness for Return to Daily Operations

After drying, the technicians disinfect the premises using antibacterial and antimicrobial cleaners. Their exclusive SERVPRO Orange cleaner is suitable for most surfaces and leaves a pleasant citrus scent that is not overpowering to human or canine noses. 

Restocking

Once the flood damage cleanup efforts complete, technicians move previously removed items back into the store so it can reopen ready to receive customers and sell products. 

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100 is available to clean up and restore commercial flood damage with their vast array of equipment and experience to make it "Like it never even happened."

Click here for more information about the city of Chicago.

Our Water Damage Experts Can Save Your Chicago Day Care Facility

10/1/2019 (Permalink)

day care play room Call SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100 to help keep your doors open.

Specialized Assistance Eases Commercial Water Damage Restoration In Chicago Day Care Facilities

With the flurry of activities in a daycare facility, a water loss incident is an unwelcome distraction. The incident can also cause damages and pose risks to the kids in your facility. Since your staff members have to perform their regular duties and keep an eye on the kids, there might be no one free to do the cleanup. Severe damages might also occur so help from professional water damage restorers is essential.

Improved Safety
Taking steps to improve safety for everyone is essential before taking other steps to deal with commercial water damage incidents in Chicago. Slip and fall accidents are common when surfaces are wet. The kids might also venture into the affected areas if the incident happens when they are in the facility. Our SERVPRO technicians take various actions to ensure everyone is safe, including posting warning signs to inform parents and other adults to keep away from affected areas. We also help move items that may pose risks to residents and create barriers to isolate affected areas from the rest of the facility.

Better Cleaning of Contents
Water spills affect different contents, including play toys, furniture, and appliances. Part of the restoration process should involve cleaning all affected items to sanitary levels so that they can be safe for the kids at your facility. Our SERVPRO technicians use environmental-friendly professional cleaning agents to clean contents. These agents bio-degrade rapidly ensuring that apart from removing soils and contaminants, they also leave no chemical traces that might be harmful, especially to young children using the items.

Ease of Dealing with Carpeted Areas
Carpeted areas in your daycare facility can be hard hit if there is a water spill. If the incident is significant, removing the affected carpet and pad is mandatory. Our SERVPRO technicians know various tricks that help when dealing with carpeted areas. For example, we use carpet awls and knee kickers for simpler detachment of the carpet from the pad. We also use extractors with shorter hoses to expedite the water removal since shorter hoses reduce resistance.

Closing your daycare due to water damage can have a significant spiral effect. Call SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100 to help keep your doors open. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

Crisis Averted! SERVPRO's Quick Commercial Water Removal Keeps Chicago Coffee Shop Opening on Schedule!

8/20/2019 (Permalink)

fifteen coffee cups sitting on a concrete table SERVPRO can remediate water damage quickly to keep the caffeine flowing in your coffee shop.

Fast Commercial Water Removal Saves Chicago Coffee Shop's Grand Opening 

When you are planning a grand opening for your new business, the last thing you want to deal with is water damage. Fast cleanup and disinfection of the premises are vital, primarily when the company serves food and drink to the public. 

When SERVPRO handles commercial water removal in Chicago businesses, our goal is to cause as little disruption as possible. In the case of a company that is getting ready to open, appearances are even more crucial to make an excellent first impression. 

When our technicians arrived at the job-site, the property owner explained she came into the building to do some preparatory set up before the grand opening the following week and discovered a supply line break in the kitchen area. Water sprayed out and ran under the cabinet area, covering the floor. 

We quickly removed the baseboards and extracted all the water from the floor and under the cabinet area with our portable pumps. We moved the boxes of cups and other necessities for serving coffee out of the way during cleanup. Very little loss occurred due to the owner catching the water spill early and fast action getting cleanup efforts started. 

Our goal was to get the property ready for the grand opening. After removal of the water and thorough drying of the property, our technicians scoped the room to ensure no excessive moisture remained. Common issues with inadequate water cleanup can be:

  • Foul, musty odors
  • Formation of mold colonies
  • The weakening of building materials
  • Delamination of floor tiles and damage to subflooring

The final stage of water cleanup is odor control to make sure when the coffee shop had its grand opening; it smelled fresh and clean.

When you need commercial water removal, call SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100. Our certified technicians can turn back the clock on water damage and make it "Like it never even happened." 

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Our Water Damage Professionals Will Save Your Chicago Pizzeria

7/1/2019 (Permalink)

blue contact us button with a white boarder Give us a call anytime disasters strike at (773) 434-9100.

Restoration For Water Damaged Chicago Pizzerias

Water loss incidents can occur from multiple sources, and when you have a busy Chicago pizzeria to manage, you might not stay fixated on all of these potential problems. From plumbing breaches to fixture breaks like the supply line for the toilet in the customer bathroom, loss incidents can quickly get out of control if you do not seek out the professional assistance and expertise of qualified technicians. We have a full roster of restoration specialists accredited through the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) in both Water Restoration (WRT) and Applied Structural Drying (ASD.)

With our extensive experience with water loss recovery, we can quickly identify the severity of water damage to Chicago pizzerias like yours and establish a plan of action to address each of these concerns specifically. As challenging as it might be to keep your business open with widespread water loss effects, we can work with business owners like you to establish containment strategies that can keep you serving hungry customers despite the recovery efforts taking place within the establishment.

As this is a location affiliated with the food and beverage industry, it is even more critical to avoid costly and reputation-damaging scenarios like mold and microbial growth. Persistent moisture and dampness can facilitate the colonization of mold organisms from naturally occurring spores in the environment. As part of our containment and mitigation solutions, our SERVPRO team can set up air scrubbers and hydroxyl generators to begin filtering out mold spores and other potential contaminants, debris, and dust from the environment.

We have multiple rapid drying solutions, and with hundreds of drying units in our inventory, we can handle even large loss situations with ease. Our SERVPRO professionals can identify the full spread of moisture and dampness and set up these drying units to maximize their effectiveness.

Our SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown team knows that closing your doors can be even more damaging to your business than any disaster, so we can work with property management to keep your business running through restoration when possible. Give us a call anytime disasters strike at (773) 434-9100.

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Our Fire Damage Experts Can Restore Your Real Estate Office In Chicago To Pre-Damage Condition

4/22/2019 (Permalink)

Call us Today written in white on a red sign With our green service vans, We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster and available 24/7 by calling (773) 434-9100.

SERVPRO Gets Rid Of Commercial Fire Damage And Returns Curb Appeal To Real Estate Office In Chicago

It was just a little fire damage in the bathroom of a real estate office when an employee threw a still-lit cigarette into the trash. There was a strict no-smoking policy, and the employee thought the cigarette was completely out when it was thrown away. Laying on paper towels and other items in the trash, it quickly ignited. This, in turn, caused the fire suppression system to activate and the office was misted with a fine layer of water.

When SERVPRO mitigates commercial fire damage in a Chicago business such as a real estate firm, we know that the term "curb appeal" needs to apply to the office we are restoring. First impressions count in the matter of whether or not potential buyers or sellers have confidence and trust in their company and lingering odors or visible damage from smoke can make the difference.

Our emergency response teams arrive quickly, and we bring everything we need so once the work starts, it does not stop. Immediately the place where the fire occurred would be contained, and damp items affected by the mist would be removed for drying off-premises. Walls and floors are inspected to determine if they are retaining moisture for special attention during the drying phase.

Our experts try to cause as little disruption to the office as possible during restoration. Instead of moving out large conference tables, desks, and chairs, we put them up on blocks to dry while the air movers and dehumidifiers pull the residual moisture from the property. After drying, we wipe down all surfaces with our EPA-registered professional cleaning formulas that remove soot, smoke residue and odors while leaving a fresh scent. This ensures when clients come to the office, they will not even be aware a fire has happened.

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown knows that the faster mitigation starts on your property the more secondary commercial fire damage issues you can avoid. With our green service vans, We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster and available 24/7 by calling (773) 434-9100.

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Why Professional Remediation is Necessary for Your West Loop Botique

3/18/2019 (Permalink)

shelving with various types of makeup displayed lSERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown is available 24/7 to get your business back up and running.

Never Hesitate When Your West Loop Beauty Boutique Suffers Water Damage

A broken pipe can cause a lot of problems for a retail establishment, problems that stem from the initial water damage. Leaving excess moisture for too long can create mold. Water can damage the merchandise that your beauty boutique offers. Not to mention, water damage can also cause the foot traffic in your store to halt until it remediation occurs. Overall, having a water damage-problem inside of your store is not optimal, and it is vital to tackle it as soon as possible.  

A pipe in the ceiling burst over the back wall and the storage room behind it inside of your West Loop beauty boutique, causing water damage in the ceiling, surrounding walls, and the floor. In the storage room, boxes of new eyeshadow palettes, highlighters, and blushes were soaked through and ruined. It is essential to get both the plumbing fixed and the water damage remediated as soon as possible, to avoid further problems inside of your shop.  

When you call SERVPRO for help, we always make it a top priority to get to your shop when you need us to be there. We understand how hectic your schedule can be and how valuable your time is. Thus, we work around your clock. Day or night, we can come to your aid and get your shop up and running again.  

When we arrive at your store, SERVPRO can do a brief investigation and create a drying plan for the water damage. To start, we can clean out the boxes of ruined merchandise and help you make an insurance claim by taking inventory of everything lost. From there, we can remove the standing water from your shop using tools like wet/dry vacuums, portable pumps, and extractors.  

To dry out the space between the wall that the water used to rush to the floor, SERVPRO can drill a tiny hole and feed air blasting tubes through, exposing all sides of the wall to dry air. In your storage room and at the back of the store, we can set up dehumidifiers, axial fans, and air movers to keep a flow of dry air going throughout the space while also encouraging excess moisture to evaporate.

Call SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100.Once we finish, we can return your store to you, "Like it never even happened." 

Read about West Loop here.

Leave Commercial Water Damage In Chicago To The Professionals At SERVPRO!

1/5/2019 (Permalink)

red telephone with spiral cord If your commercial property requires immediate attention, contact SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100.

Maintaining A Safe Environment For Your Tenants With Commercial Water Extraction In Chicago

Property managers are expected to maintain a safe environment for their tenants at all times and are liable for any damages or injury caused by burst pipes, heavy rainfall, and flooding. In instances where water spills are concerned removing said water and rapidly drying the property are a priority. In these circumstances, professional help is a must.

As a leading provider of Commercial Water Extraction in Chicago, we offer a viable solution for your property. SERVPRO is a local company with national resources and has Large Loss teams that have traveled all over the country helping to restore damages. Not only do we have unrivaled experience in dealing with commercial properties, and their insurance adjusters, we also offer a unique service proposition.

We operate a 24-hour emergency call-line. On receiving your call, we can send a team of highly trained specialists to your property immediately on receiving notification of loss. Each team is lead by an IICRC qualified project manager who can liaise with you directly throughout service. Communication is essential to ensuring an efficient service, particularly in older commercial residences where builds may have pre-existing structural issues.

SERVPRO can mobilize a significant amount of equipment in a short amount of time. Our truck-mounted extraction units are capable of removing 750 gallons of water in one go. We can also provide portable extractors for use inside smaller areas where accessibility may be an issue- useful when damages occur in attics or on upper levels. Where there is standing water above two inches, fully submersible gas-powered pumps can be deployed to remove it rapidly.

SERVPRO has a national reputation which carries weight with insurance adjusters. Our experts also have experience in dealing with claims. If necessary, your project manager can act on your behalf when contacting your adjuster as well as providing a full itinerary of the service operation to make your claim as simple as possible.

If your commercial property requires immediate attention, contact SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100.

Click here for more about Chicago.

Getting Speedy Commercial Fire Damage Restoration Can Make All the Difference For Your Business

11/9/2018 (Permalink)

brown brick building with cars parked out front No matter how severe the fire damage may be, our technicians will take care of it and restore your commercial property.

Our Commercial Fire Damage Services Can Save Your Chicago Eatery

One of the most unsettling events for a business owner to experience is a fire. You can lose merchandise and revenue and may have to close down indefinitely. The effects of combustion can also be extensive, which is why contacting professionals like us makes perfect sense. Our techs can restore your business to its preloss condition.

SERVPRO commercial fire damage crews have the expertise and skills to do the job right and work fast to minimize costs and damages. Undoubtedly, smoke, soot, and dirt cover many of the items inside your eatery. Plus, there probably is a great deal of water left behind by the firefighters, which can lead to secondary damages like rot, bacteria and structural damage. Our technicians can handle the daunting task of removing, categorizing and tracking everything we remove from your restaurant. Plus, our teams can eliminate all moisture with portable or truck-mounted extractors so that you can get back in operation quickly.

One of the most crucial steps our SERVPRO technicians take after a fire in your business is sealing and containing the affected areas. Also, we can clean soot, and smoke residuals from materials and surfaces with dry sponges or we may need to use scraping or scrubbing tools. When fire burns, residue and vapors flow or drift through the atmosphere within your restaurant and cover various surfaces like walls, floors, windows, tables, chairs and soft materials like curtains, tablecloths, and carpeting. Soot can be difficult to remove because often layers of ash cover surfaces and contents. When we arrive at your property, you can trust us to get rid of the dirt, soot and smoke residues when possible.

Our team can reduce offensive smoke odors by removing burned and charred furniture and contents as well as any debris emitting strong odors. We also can remove and clean items that have not been ruined by the fire. Deodorization is also part of the restoration phase. We can use air scrubbers, ozone machines, high-velocity fans and thermal fogging equipment to push out smoke odors and drag in purifying air from outside the structure.

Locally Owned Company with National Resources


SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown commercial fire damage services can restore your business. We work fast and efficiently. Contact us 24/7 at (773) 434-9100. Our crews are here to help and can make it look “Like it never even happened.”

For more on Chicago, click here

SERVPRO Rescues, with Great Aplomb, Chicago Historical Buildings from Water Damage

10/1/2018 (Permalink)

looking up at a tall building and SERVPRO 18 wheeler SERVPRO Saves Chicago Buildings--Old or New, Tall or Small, from Water Damage

Preserving A Historical Chicago Office with Professional Water Removal

One of the most noteworthy observations about Chicago is all of the old buildings that have managed to survive for decades or even more than a century, defying modern construction techniques and the demand for progress. Many of these historical buildings are in use throughout the city, which makes it a more severe situation when something like a substantial water loss incident occurs.

To preserve your historic Chicago office building from water damage, you need to make sure that you react to the situation as quickly as possible. There is something to be said for the mitigation work being as important as the restoration process for professionals like our SERVPRO team. When we arrive at your office building following your initial phone call, our focus begins with limiting the spread of this water to allow for the restoration process to be smoother and easier to manage.

One of the first tasks that our professionals must do in this situation is to focus on extracting the water. The longer that pooling water sits in the affected area, the more it can saturate into the construction materials and become more challenging to remove. Our approach is always to restore before rebuilding, and this is especially the case when it comes to preserving the look and feel of historic properties throughout the area. Many of these buildings, if demolition is needed, must be restored to their preloss condition, a great challenge.

Water penetration into materials like wood flooring and the walls can quickly cause disastrous effects without the right approach. Our SERVPRO professionals utilize specialized equipment like large floor drying mats to penetrate not only the flooring material but to pull moisture and dampness from the subflooring material as well to prevent lingering effects from developing. Dehumidification equipment also gets set to gradually pull the moisture out to protect materials like plaster and wood framing in the walls from splintering or erosion as well. We can insert tubes into the wall cavities to force in heated air to increase the evaporation rate and the movement of moisture through baseboard level small exit holes.

Historical buildings require professionals to restore, especially when water removal is already a concern. The best decision that you can do for the property is to reach out to our SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown restoration specialists as soon as the problem arises to allow us time to get to work and preserve the materials for continued use for years to come. Give us a call anytime at (773) 434-9100.

Visit Some of Chicago's Historic Sites here.

Why SERVPRO's Water Cleanup Team in Chicago is Always Ready to Take Your Emergency Call

9/22/2018 (Permalink)

cartoon of man in a dress shirt floating water with electronics Should your office setting be facing flooding, call SERVPRO for water removal and remediation services.

An Effective Action Plan for Commercial Water Removal in Chicago

Being prepared to face a flooded workplace is very important. Most incidents of flooding in Chicago happen when you least expect them, or when you are away from the property thus making it harder to respond appropriately. Having a response plan can help you deal with the situation if it ever arises allowing your business to bounce back stronger. We offer professional restoration services that can help you deal with the situation "Like it never even happened."
 
Any effective plan for commercial water removal in Chicago needs to address the speed of response. The obvious solution is to extract water from the premises as fast as possible. However, if the water source from outside the building, then extraction is not a practical approach. Such cases would require a transfer of free contents to areas not affected by the water. You can set some space in an elevated section of your property. This way, it is possible to move items from the flooded sections to this area thus minimizing damage caused by prolonged exposure to water. If you do not have such a space, our SERVPRO team can move out items to an offsite facility.
 
Most workplaces have physical documents, which either contain customer data or important business records. If such documents are saturated, the loss of information can be devastating. To avoid such loss, you should store documents in high places or invest in waterproof cabinets. If such measures are not in place when the loss happens, SERVPRO technicians can help limit the extent of damages. We utilize methods such as freeze drying, dehumidification, vacuum thermal-drying or vacuum freeze-drying to remove the water without causing further damage.
 
The water that floods property also tends to deposit waste collected inside or outside the property including mud and other materials. Thorough cleaning is important to restore the property back to its preloss conditions, and also prevent problems such as bad odor, or microbial growth. It is expensive to invest in the necessary tools and workforce needed for proper cleanup. Our SERVPRO team has the necessary tools including power washers, and our staff is adequately trained to do a thorough cleaning.
 
Even if ill-prepared, working with a professional restorer can help. Call SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100 to help restore your workplace.

Click here for more about in Chicago.

Chicago's Commercial Mold Damage Technicians Describe Removal Methods

5/31/2018 (Permalink)

looking up at a tall building and SERVPRO 18 wheeler From small to tall offices, SERVPRO can help remove mold damage.

Mold Removal Methods

If you ever notice a fungus developing inside your office complex in Chicago, it most likely was caused by a water leak of some kind. If moisture slowly leaks over time microbe issues get worse the longer materials stay wet. Mold can cause health effects with some people making prompt remediation essential.

Once fungi forms inside a structure, they can quickly spread to other sections of the office building. During every commercial mold damage project in Chicago, specific procedures get implemented to keep microbes from affecting multiple areas. Spores created by the contamination become airborne until they settle somewhere else.

Once a fungus exists inside your offices, our SERVPRO technicians use different techniques to remove the contamination from the materials. Before any work takes place, the affected sector of the office complex gets sealed off. Thick plastic gets put up around the entire affected area creating a containment chamber.

Containing the work area with plastic helps keep any dust or spores from contaminating more sections of the office. In most cases, a hole gets cut into the chamber, and an air scrubber gets zip-tied to the plastic around the hole. Doing this creates negative air pressure within the containment chamber that sucks particles into the air scrubber forcing it through a HEPA filter that attracts even the tiniest particles.

Next, measures get taken to remove the contamination. In certain situations, the fungi have grown deep into the materials requiring the affected items to get removed. Other times, the mold can get scrubbed, scraped or sanded off.

Various methods get implemented depending on the type of mold damage and how long it has been present. Some contaminated materials can be wiped with a dry sponge or scrubbed off. Other fungi require soda blasting or sanding to get removed entirely.

After the fungi get removed from the affected items, a HEPA vacuum is used to suck up the remaining dust and debris created by the work completed. The HEPA filter in the vacuum ensures that clean air is exhausted out of the vacuum. If you ever need assistance with remediating microbial growth, call SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown at (773) 434-9100 any day of the week.

Learn about the history of Chicago here.

Efficient Mold Remediation for Your Chicago Pizzeria

4/24/2018 (Permalink)

pizza sitting on white plate with plates in the background SERVPRO can quickly and thoroughly remediate mold damage found in your pizzeria.

Rely on SERVPRO When You Discover Mold in Your Commercial Space

If this Chicago area is famous for one thing, it is the way that we make pizza. While you might be one of the original pizzerias to the region, or just getting started in the business, the last thing that your eatery needs is mold growth in the building to slow down your successes. As a place that offers food to the hungry local community, the presence of mold in the kitchen areas or dining areas of your establishment could pose potential health effects to your patrons as well as your staff.

As you likely already know, the preparation and kitchen areas of your pizzeria offer the highest temperatures all day long that you find anywhere in the restaurant. When you couple this higher temperature with moisture present in the environment from humidity or another possible source, you have met the conditions necessary for mold spores to seat on organic surfaces and thrive. Battling mold damage to your Chicago restaurant is not as simple as you might believe.

It is a common misconception that mold is easy to remove on your own with various DIY methods that you can find on the internet as opposed to professional remediation from SERVPRO. While some mold colonies can get affected by these approaches, you are never reaching the entire organism. These methods might appear to work, but have only removed the surface mold that you can see, and did not affect the entire hyphae. Ultimately, the problem occurs again after a short period.

When you choose our SERVPRO mold remediation specialists, you are getting highly trained technicians educated in every facet of mold removal and property restoration. We work quickly to isolate the affected area and identify the source of the moisture that allows the mold colonies to grow. We understand that your business loses money with the doors closed, so our team works efficiently to remove the present colonies, deodorize, and dry up the area as promptly as possible.

Finding mold in your pizzeria does not have to be something that ultimately derails your business. Trust in the experienced IICRC certified remediation specialists at SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown to help you reclaim your restaurant. Give us a call 24/7 at (773) 434-9100.

Click here for more information on the city of Chicago.

Professional Mold Remediation for Your Chicago Restaurant

2/18/2018 (Permalink)

A commercial kitchen Make sure that your restaurant kitchen gets thorough services after a mold infestation by contacting the technicians at SERVPRO.

SERVPRO Technicians Expertly Remediate Your Commercial Mold Damage

With so many restaurants in Chicago, you have to stand out from the pack to make a substantially profitable mark on this landscape. While you might have all of the business models in place and the right dishes to prepare to wow the crowds that come in through your door, one thing that you cannot account for is the possibility of something unforeseen derailing your progress and setting you back.  
 
When it comes to hot kitchens that are not well ventilated, there is a lot of steam and moisture that cannot find a means of escaping the area. Mixed with the higher temperatures present in such a bustling area of your building, you have the right makings for mold to grow in areas that might not get as consistently cleaned as other regions of the kitchen. When you encounter mold damage in your Chicago restaurant kitchen area, the best thing that you can do for your business is contact certified mold remediation specialists.  
 
Our SERVPRO team gets expertly trained to the high standards set by the IICRC for mold remediation and removal strategies. We have a comprehensive and broad knowledge of various types of fungus and how best to remove each one. The presence of mold is a cause to immediately cease food preparation until the mold has gotten removed and remediation gets completed. This fact not only implies a loss of profit for you, but a potential loss in reputation as those that might have spoken highly of your establishment are forced to go elsewhere. That is why you need professional remediation specialists that have your business at heart and look to mitigate your losses in every capacity.  
 
From the moment that our SERVPRO team arrives at your restaurant, our specialists get to work assessing the extent of the damages and sectioning off the area using negative air chambers. This equipment prevents the spread of active mold spores to new surfaces while the affected areas are getting cleaned with our scrubbers. Air circulation is cut off throughout the building while the remediation process is ongoing to further prevent the new colonies from forming elsewhere.  
 
You cannot expect to handle mold damage in your restaurant alone. Trust our experienced team at SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown to get your doors open for business again quickly. You can call us anytime at (773) 434-9100.  

Click here for more information regarding Chicago. 

Commercial Water Damage and the Musty Atmosphere in Your Chicago-area Used Bookstore

1/10/2018 (Permalink)

Books in a bookstore with white tile flooring Chicago Bookstore and Retail Shops Benefit from Water Damage Restoration by SERVPRO

SERVPRO Can Mitigate Water and Secondary Damages to Your Commercial Property in the Chicago Area

With easy access to the internet, few people in Chicago seem to read books the way they did only a generation ago. Nevertheless, many people still enjoy finding a classic that they once read as a child, and without such bookstores, this treasure would remain inaccessible.

Especially when it involves commercial water damage, Chicago, our Windy City on Lake Michigan, poses unique challenges to some business owners. Bookstores that sell only new volumes escape some of these problems merely because their merchandise never faced exposure to mold and mildew over the years from the buildup of moisture.

Bound in leather or heavy paper and cloth, books contain the perfect environment for microbes. Pages hold moisture, while at the same time provide the cellulose fibers these organisms need. The grooves between the pages at the top of the book provide the surface area that mold spores can easily land on while hiding them from feather dusters. Not washed with soap and water like many other items found in a typical home or workplace microbes can collect in staggering numbers, waiting for an elevation in humidity to trigger their growth.

Placing your inventory on the shelves of your store brings the mold spores from the past into one location. Keeping humidity low in such a situation is crucial to protecting not only your merchandise but also for protecting your entire building. In this kind of ongoing need, SERVPRO recommends the use of a dehumidifier, which we can install for your company. Water damage can severely impact your inventory by allowing microbes to grow wildly, making mitigation vital to your business' continued success.

Lyophilization, basically freeze drying documents and papers to mitigate damage as part of the restoration service, can help remove the mold present in your inventory, and it can also prevent any further deterioration of older volumes, as it also kills anything that may live inside books. While this process takes place, our crew can perform the necessary work in removing any water damage, removing any present mold from shelving, cleaning out storage areas, and repainting walls and ceilings, so both mold and its musty odor disappear.

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown views each business in our area as an essential part of our community's fabric. Helping you continue providing your goods and services to the public gives us great satisfaction. Call us at (773) 434-9100 to reach our 24-hour service whenever you notice water damage and its effects on your bookstore or another place of commerce.

Visit This Area of Chicago and Greektown

Saving Your Beauty Salon from Commercial Water Damage in Chicago

12/7/2017 (Permalink)

A hair washing area of a salon If your salon experiences water damage, rely on SERVPRO to restore your space "Like it never even happened."

Professional Water Damage Restoration Services for Your Commercial Space

Pampering your wonderful clientele and making them feel and look even more beautiful than they did when they walked through the door of your Chicago beauty salon can keep you and your employees busy. Using water to shampoo hair and fill spray bottles is a significant part of the work involved. When water overflows a sink or sprays everywhere after a pipe breaks, your salon faces a complex set of problems.

Small businesses like salons in Chicago with commercial water damage find that recovering from such disasters take time. SERVPRO professionals can help small businesses recover more quickly. Being able to recover quickly can help minimize loss of profits and help retain clients. While the bookings immediately after a disaster might need rescheduling, those appointments in the future might not need changing with fast and efficient service.

We can help you through the complex nature of damage caused by water, clean your salon, and help ensure that things are once again “Like it never even happened.” Water easily seeps into cracks on floors, and we must remove all of this water before it can cause the floor's support system to rot and weaken. This water only turns to moisture, feeding tiny insects and mold, while disintegrating the materials it comes in contact with, so extracting it is crucial.

Water can also increase the amount of moisture in the air, adversely affecting your client's hair. Rusty fixtures in your salon can create a dingy look and feel, also. SERVPRO can prevent all of this, and other situations, too, so you can continue providing your services. The products you use on clients' hair can continue to work the way they always have in the past, with no shocking surprises for your staff or unsuspecting customers.

Training for and earning certificates from the IICRC in Water Damage Restoration (WRT), Applied Structural Drying (ASD), and also Commercial Drying (CDS) provides us with the information and skills needed to remediate situations such as overflowing basins and broken water lines. We have experience in remediation of all sizes of businesses, and all types. We know to always handle your valuable equipment with care and to keep the lines of communication open with our customers.

Small businesses provide a sizable portion of our economy, and without your participation, our entire community suffers. SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown wants to work with you in any water damage event or any other disaster that affects your business. Contacting our 24-hour service by calling (773) 434-9100, any day of the year, can help keep your business running smoothly.

Click here for more information regarding Chicago.

Helping Chicago Pizzerias To Remove Water Damage

11/6/2017 (Permalink)

Pizza being placed in a clay oven SERVPRO helps to remove water from pizzerias through hi-tech industrial machines and solutions, overcoming even the most severe damage there is.

Water Damage Removal

Large-scale flooding can seem like an imposing problem to many restaurant owners. Water of measurable depth in wide, open areas such as dining areas and some kitchens can seem like too big a task for anyone to handle quickly, making the whole situation seem much direr than it is. SERVPRO helps to remove water from Chicago pizzerias through hi-tech industrial machines and solutions, overcoming even the most severe damage there is. Here are a few of the ways our tech helps to give us an edge over the competition.

Water Extraction
For water removal jobs in Chicago pizzerias and other dining establishments, we typically use larger truck-mounted water extractors to remove standing water from the building at an unprecedented pace. These gasoline-powered machines pump water out of the store and into the street, where it can safely flow into gutters and sewer systems. In the event of catastrophic flooding, we also have access to more extractors so that we can remove the water before further damage has a chance to set in. Also, for deeper areas of the building or less demanding jobs, we also use small, portable water extractors to get a different reach.

Further Drying
Once the standing water has been safely pumped out, we can then start to dry the structure further. The next step is drying out soaked materials, which we accomplish via heavy duty air movers. These can remove moisture from carpets, wood, masonry, and any other materials in the building. Then, we bring in thermal and chemical dehumidifiers to take airborne water droplets out of the air and store them in containment tanks. SERVPRO treatments and techniques ensure that water is removed as quickly as possible and all damage that can be avoided has been avoided and that your business opens doors sooner.

SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown is a local provider of water removal and restoration services in the Chicago area. Call us 24/7 at (773) 434-9100.

For more about Chicago, Illinois click here.

Specialized Fire Damage Restoration Services Your Chicago Area Business Deserves

6/30/2017 (Permalink)

A green wood antiques store sign It is crucial for you to receive fast, efficient restoration services when dealing with any disaster to your shop.

Fire Damage Restoration Services

Running an antique shop gives you access to a wide range of customers, characters of all shapes and sizes. Some looking for a special gift, others adding to their collection, all seeking a product that adds quality or meaning to their lives. You take that to heart, providing everything you possibly can to your customers.  
 
When your Chicago area building becomes compromised by fire damage, you deserve access to someone who takes their job and their company as seriously as you do. With access to cutting-edge techniques, a variety of specialized equipment, and expertly trained technicians, we provide you with more than just a way to repair your building.
 
It is crucial for you to receive fast, efficient restoration services when dealing with any disaster. Time can be especially harmful to materials and contents affected by flames. Water, soot, and smoke residues continually damage everything they come into contact with even after the fire is out. Until someone takes the proper steps to eliminate the problem, damage continues that you simply cannot afford.
 
SERVPRO has several years experience helping customers just like you overcome problems caused by a fire on their property. Everything from minor content fires to full structure fires can cause a significant amount of damage. However, if given the right support, a company can easily recover with little to no losses, it just depends on the quality of the support you enlist.  
 
SERVPRO technicians utilize industrial-grade restoration equipment and cleaning techniques to save as much of your property as possible. Woodwork, walls, ceilings, carpeting, furniture items, artwork, electronics, and precious antiques receive careful attention, cleaning and deodorization methods that help return them to a quality condition that others can enjoy.  
 
SERVPRO puts every resource at your disposal to assist with your restoration, cut costs, and reduce any disruptions your business may experience. Your restoration becomes our only goal, providing you with the attention you deserve during an especially trying time.
 
Make the most of what is available to you, contact SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown to obtain the services you deserve (773) 434-9100.

For more information about Chicago, Illinois visit https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en.html.

Protect Your Chicago Area Pizzeria With Fire Damage Restoration Services You Can Count On

5/22/2017 (Permalink)

A clay oven with pizzas cooking next to a fire Fire Damage in a Chicago Pizzeria Gets Help from SERVPRO

SERVPRO Restores Pizzerias to Working Condition After Fires

Taking the proper precautions to keep your pizzeria safe from fire takes some real effort on your part. You have to consider every circumstance and take the proper steps to ensure that your employees and guests remain safe from hazards that may exist.
 
Looking at the amount of equipment and services that your Chicago pizzeria likely has, fire damage can happen anywhere. Your entire serving station, kitchen, and even your preparation area makes fire inspectors cringe.  
 
These hazards make it necessary for you to have a pre-existing relationship with a fire damage restoration company, like SERVPRO that you can count on to combat problems that have the potential to close you down for good.
 
You want to maintain your deep fryers properly, whether they are electric or gas. Sure they offer efficient heating and fast recovery between frying cycles, but they also expose workers to a variety of hazards that can quickly get out of control.  
 
While your dough preparation equipment poses few problems, your counters are full of dangers. The majority of machinery that you use implies risk including your pizza scales, cheese graters, and mixers.  
 
Filling them too much, cleaning them improperly, or failing to check for problems that may be present with feed lines or frayed cords can lead to catastrophic damage in your kitchen.  
 
All of these appliances can result in electrical hazards if not maintained or used properly by your staff. The fire hazards present due to pasta cookers, dough presses, and holding cabinets alone should cause red flags to fly.  
 
You may have deck ovens powered by natural gas or liquid propane, electric countertop ovens for breadsticks or other side dishes while using conveyor ovens to produce your pies and other main courses.  
 
SERVPRO technicians can help you limit risks and come up with a plan to help protect your business both before and after an incident occurs on your property. Take advantage of the expertly trained fire damage technicians available by having an initial inspection performed today.
 
At SERVPRO, we enjoy a good pizza, just like anyone else. However, we put our stock into helping business owners, just like you, remain in business, or successfully recover from disastrous events that may occur.
 
Contact SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown for more information or to take the first steps in protecting your business today. (773) 434-9100

Info on Our People: https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/ofinterest.html

Basics You Should Know When Dealing With Mold Damage In Your Chicago Business

2/23/2017 (Permalink)

Different types of mold in petri dishes Fungi in Petri Dishes, Call SERVPRO for Mold at Your Place of Business in Chicago

For Your Work Place, Rely on SERVPRO to Remediate Mold Infestations

You discover a small patch of mold growing in the storeroom of your bar and make the decision to contact a remediation company before things get out of control. If any mold makes its way into your serving area, it could begin affecting your customers.

When facing a mold damage situation in your Chicago business, it benefits you to seek help. By the time you can see even the smallest amount of mold in your building, the problem that exists could be far larger than you think.
 
An employee brings a box of cocktail straws from the storeroom into your serving area, brushing their shoe against the wall on the way out. Spores hitch a ride, contaminating the rest of your building and you do not even know it yet. This simple everyday activity could start a chain reaction that affects your entire building.
 
The mold itself begins life as a tiny spore, which functions as a seed. This seed is quite smaller and simpler than any seeds you may currently be familiar with, such as an apple seed. Smaller than a pinhead, thousands of these seeds can float through even the gentlest breezes when the mass containing them is disturbed. These spores do occur naturally and are ubiquitous in every environment.
 
SERVPRO technicians have experienced instances where airflow alone carries spores from area to area until they eventually settle on a surface. These spores may lie dormant for long periods, waiting for the right conditions to exist for growth to occur. Moisture on any surface, such as areas under your bar, floor mats, bar stools, or even behind the jukebox can cause these spores to absorb water, beginning their growth process.
 
SERVPRO technicians have found that the best environment for mold growth includes temperatures between 68 and 86 degrees. However, even poor conditions fail to stop some types of mold. Some adapt to colder temperatures as low as 32 degrees, while others can thrive in temperatures up to 122 degrees.
 
According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control), there is no such thing as an acceptable amount or type of mold. When you discover that mold exists on your property, possible health risks exist that could affect your employees, patrons, and products.
 
You should seek professional assistance from a company like SERVPRO to remediate the situation and get things under control immediately. The type of mold infecting your structure does not matter; the fact that it is present is all you need to consider.
 
For additional information that can help save your business and protect your customers, contact SERVPRO of West Loop - Bucktown - Greektown today, we can help. (773) 434-9100

How You Can Help SERVPRO Water Mitigation Efforts in Your Greektown Office

1/15/2017 (Permalink)

Standing water around a white commercial building Set up a profile using the ERP and then call SERVPRO quickly when flooding occurs for best results.

Preparation is Helpful When Facing Damage at Your Business Location

One of the reasons why SERVPRO is so well-trusted around the country is our strategy of mitigation. Rather than waiting around for damage to continue, our technicians are ready to respond around the clock to stop sources of damage and make efforts to contain disasters to where they are. This ends up saving us time in restorations, especially for larger buildings like offices, and money in your pocket. There are things you can do to help us with the mitigation efforts, both improving conditions for our technicians and reducing costs to you.
 
The ERP System
 
One of the biggest initial steps you can take towards mitigating commercial water damage in a Greektown office is to set up a profile in the SERVPRO ERP system. The Emergency Ready Profile system is a new tool we offer that allows you to submit relevant information about your building or buildings to our servers, giving us access to critical information beforehand and allowing us to perform critical procedures the moment we arrive on-site. Anything of use can be submitted, from contact lists to floor plans to blueprints. Setting up a profile is quick and easy, and you can alert us to disasters instantly from any computer or our mobile app.
 
Shutting Off Systems
 
One of the first things we have to do when responding to water damage in an office is to locate power and water systems and make sure they are offline. Offices tend to contain many types of electronics and water outlets, so getting these under control is critical for both safety and restoration efforts. If it is safe to do so, shutting these off yourself can be of great use to us.
 
Get Valuables Out of the Way
 
Valuable items such as art and glass displays can be severely damaged both during and after a flood by a number of factors. Where possible, try to get these fragile and valuable items out of the way before mitigation efforts begin. Note that this generally excludes electronics, which can still be very dangerous even if it appears that the water is gone.
 
SERVPRO of West Loop / Bucktown / Greektown is an experienced local restoration company that helps offices large and small to recover from damage dealt to them. Call us 24/7 at (773) 434-9100.

Chicago Commercial Fire Damage

10/28/2015 (Permalink)

A yellow fire sprinkler hanging down from a ceiling One Fire Suppressant Sprinkler Head Just Might Save Chicago

Why SERVPRO Is the Answer to a Commercial Fire Damage Restoration in Chicago

One of the most economically devastating and destructive forces a business owner in Chicago can face is a fire leaving behind large scale fire damage in Chicago. Fires can produce a number of varying problems to your property. The obvious burn damage to the building structure, such as roof or truss weakness, HVAC damage, electrical and plumbing breakdowns have to be addressed and repaired in a set sequence to maximize results will optimizing time and associated costs. Then include the secondary water damage resulting from the extinguishing of the flames. Furniture, computers, printers, telephonic systems, carpeting and business documents and files are often the recipients of large-scale water damage. Any sensitive inventory such as food or clothing will be inspected, and then either discarded or moved to a safe location. Mold growth and rapid proliferation can start from 48-72 hours after the fire damaging event. For these reasons and more, it is critically important for you to contact a Chicago commercial fire damage restoration company like SERVPRO to begin water extraction to mitigate the water damage.

The Assessment

The first service that a professional fire damage restoration company does is thorough assessment and inspection. During this assessment, our remediation specialists will check your structure and contents to determine the extent of the fire damage in Chicago. The inspection is an in-depth walk around looking for broken windows, structural integrity, and any remaining fire hazards that could lead to future break-ins. After the SERVPRO experts have completed the assessment, they will develop a detailed, customized course of action that will address and resolve all of your fire and water damage issues. If any damaged roofs, doors, walls, or windows allow for the external weather to affect them, we will secure and cover these areas using tarps, buttressing walls, and boarding up the windows.

Once the remediation specialists ensure the structural integrity of your commercial property and the water removal using powerful pumps, wet-vacs, and sump pumps has been accomplished, then the final drying process begins. Equipment like dehumidifiers, both refrigerant, and chemical, and air-movers complete these processes. Moisture removal will aid in the prevention of mold growth. The IICRC trained cleanup crews will wipe down and remove soot from the furniture, walls, and ceilings. Skillful execution will allow for repainting rather than replacing drywall and ceiling tiles. This will save you time and money. Additionally, they will clean your upholstery and carpet, when salvageable. Smoke and soot's pervasive odors will be removed using specialized foggers. Air scrubbers will aid in the removal of mold spores. Finally, the specialists will offer content restoration services for vital documents, photographs, and paintings.

If your commercial business in Chicago suffers fire damage, it is critically important that you secure a reliable, professional fire damage restoration company. Our professionals at SERVPRO have the training, equipment, and experience to restore your business to running order as quickly as possible.

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

SERVPRO of West Loop/Bucktown/Greektown can respond immediately to your Chicago commercial fire damage emergency regardless of the size or scope of the damage. Call SERVPRO of West Loop/Bucktown/Greektown for an immediate response. (773) 434-9100

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