Our In-Depth Water Damage Restoration Process | SERVPRO® of Cudahy/St. Francis

1/22/2022 (Permalink)

When water damage strikes, make the call to SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis for A-to-Z cleanup and restoration.

Each day, an unbelievable 14,000 Americans are hit with a water damage incident. If you happen to be one of today’s soggy lot, or you become one in the future, know that SERVPRO has your back when it comes to water removal, cleanup and restoration.

Here’s the in-depth process that happens when you call SERVPRO with a water disaster.

Emergency Contact. First contact will include some questions from our team, to give us a clear picture of your emergency. Then we’ll quickly set up and appointment to get someone on site to survey the damage in person.

Inspection and Water Damage Assessment. If water is still flowing, the first order of business will be to get that stopped. Then we can properly assess the damage, and warn you of any potential hazards it may have created. Once that’s done, we’ll come up with a plan for restoration, and determine what needs replacement.

Water Removal. No matter how much water is on site, we’ve got the tools to get rid of it. ?You’ll be amazed at the hundreds, maybe thousands, of gallons of water that will be removed by our industrial vacuums and pumps. We’ll do whatever it takes to get your home dry.

Damaged Material Removal. Some items may not be salvageable, and this will be the time for us to quickly remove those, to rid your home of hazards and aid in the drying process of the remaining items that are to be restored.

Cleaning, Sanitizing and Deodorization. Water damage can leave a real mess, and we’ll quickly get to work on cleanup duty. We’ve spent more than 50 years adopting and developing techniques to restore your home to its preloss state, and we’ll use as many as necessary.

Drying. Water removal is only the start. There’s a thorough drying coming to your carpets and other surfaces to remove all the excess moisture and prevent the growth of mold.

Monitoring. We’ll be watching over every step, to ensure maximum effectiveness and efficiency, and make any needed changes to equipment or methodology for your specific situation.

Repairs and Construction. Once everything is completely dry, we can go about the work of repairing damaged surfaces, walls, floors and more, and we can rebuild any areas that have been damaged to the point of replacement. From drywall to complete rebuilds, we’ve got you covered in every soggy situation.

Whatever the cause, and however deep the damage, SERVPRO is here to get you back in the dry after a water incident.

When water damage strikes, make the call to SERVPRO for A-to-Z cleanup and restoration. We’ll make your damaged property look “Like it never even happened."

Common Culprits of Home Water Damage | SERVPRO® of Cudahy/St. Francis

9/7/2021 (Permalink)

A water leak can turn into a big problem. Contact the SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis team if you are dealing with any water damage.

We’re willing to bet you didn’t wake up this morning, fingers crossed, hoping to deal with a big water leak somewhere at home. Of course you didn’t. No one does.

But perhaps you woke up with wet carpet or a damp ceiling anyway, and we’re sorry about that.

Water is always in exploration mode, looking for new places to conquer, so it’s helpful to know some of the usual places you may want to look to find the source of a leak.

Toilets. Toilets are used constantly, especially in family homes, and everything from a worn flapper to condensation on the bowl can cause water to end up where it’s not supposed to be.

Appliances. Any appliance that uses water is a suspect for leaks, given the time and opportunity. Refrigerators leak from supply lines, washing machines leak from drain pipes, and oh yeah, sometimes water heaters literally explode.

Clogged gutters. Cleaning the gutters is a wearisome but essential task for homeowners to do a couple times a year. Otherwise, fallen leaves, debris and dirt get compacted over time, building a dam that sends water up in your roof and into your walls instead of down the spout.

Roof damage. After any major storm, you should inspect your roof for damage. You may be able to tell certain kinds of damage from the ground. You should always keep the age and condition of your roof in mind, as shingles are prone to breaking and bowing over time.

Pipes. Rusted or disjointed pipes are heavily suspect, and outdoors you may even have to contend with tree roots growing into a crack in outdoor lines, any of which can cause a big, wet mess at home.

Blocked garbage disposals or other pipes. Coffee grounds, paint or even onion skins can gunk up your garbage disposal and cause blockages or backups. And the plunging you may have to do to unstop the blockage could very well cause your p-trap to burst, spilling water and bits of food everywhere (it’s best not to even think about it).

All our modern conveniences have lifespans, even the best-made ones. But a little care and periodic inspection can make all the difference when it comes to stopping leaks before they get a chance to start.

If a water leak erupts into a big problem at home, you’ve got the best team in the business on your side. Contact SERVPRO today so we can get started.

The Top Signs of Water Damage in a Basement | SERVPRO® of Cudahy/St. Francis

5/28/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis is a restoration company. Our restoration experts are on call and ready to help you determine the best course of action.

A home’s basement is a great asset to the overall square footage and value of the space. An unfinished basement is a fantastic spot for storage, and a finished basement can even provide you with extra living spaces as well. Additionally, basements are a great storm shelter in the event of inclement weather.

All of these things are great, but unfortunately, there can be a downside to basements, too—namely, their predisposition for water damage. While many basements never have water damage over their lifetime, many basements will.

If you have a basement, it is vital to know the signs of water damage so you know what to look out for. If you ever suspect water damage in your basement, you can always get in touch with us right away.

Indicators That a Basement Has Water Damage

Unpleasant, musky odors. The water that gets into the basement could very well be clean water, but after it marinates and then evaporates, the scent can turn pungent and unpleasant. Many people have the misconception that all basements smell musty, but this really should not be the case. This smell will only arise when mold and mildew are present in the environment, and while these are often hard to see, they are easy to smell.

Flaking paint on masonry or walls. There is a common misconception that painting a water-damaged area will help “seal the water in,” but unfortunately, this is not the case. While paint can mask water damage for a time, it does little more than cover up the issue. Eventually, paint will begin to flake, bubble, crack or peel as evidence of the water damage that is actively occurring underneath.

Foundational cracks. It is normal for homes to shift and settle over the years, but serious cracks in the foundation can be a sign that there is water damage. Floors, ceiling and walls are all susceptible to cracking due to water damage. Hairline cracks are often nothing to be concerned with, but if cracks become any larger, you should look into the cause right away.

If you notice any of these signs in your basement, let us take a look. Our expert water restoration technicians can help you determine what is causing these issues and how to treat it properly. Contact us today to learn more.

We Focus on Restoration, Not Replacement | SERVPRO® of Cudahy / St. Francis

11/5/2020 (Permalink)

Have you sustained property damage and feeling overwhelmed? We are here to help, contact SERVPRO of Cudahy / St. Francis

We Focus on Restoration, Not Replacement | SERVPRO® of North Kenosha County

When an emergency or disaster strikes, the safety of your family is the top concern—but the safety of your home is a close second. Enduring a disaster such as a fire can be difficult to recover from, and working toward recovery can be a long-term process for you and your family members.

When you are ready to begin the recovery process, calling us for restoration can make it much easier. We are committed to a restoration-first mindset, meaning we will save all of your items we are able to instead of recommending costly and impractical replacements. Our main goal is to save you time and money while restoring your home to its pre-damaged condition so you can begin to heal.

We Are Committed to a Restoration-First Mindset

We can help you save money on your insurance. Depending on your insurance policy, many types of household losses can be claimed after a disaster—but they can often be quite expensive, which can result in higher premiums. By focusing on restoration of your home and belongings, we can reduce the overall cost of restoration, thus reducing the amount you have to file with insurance.

We can protect your sentimental items. When you have to quickly leave the home to preserve your family’s safety, there are many irreplaceable items that must be left behind in the process. Photographs, heirlooms and other sentimental objects could never be bought in a store, and while you may assume these items may be totally lost, our high-tech restoration equipment allows us to save many objects that have become damaged.

We make sure your home feels like home again. Returning home after restoration can be an emotional and nerve-wracking time, but when you trust us with your restoration, you can be certain you will be walking back into your home. We focus on restoring everything we can, from the paint color to the floorboards, to make sure you feel at home as soon as you walk in the door.

If you have damages and are feeling overwhelmed, we are here to help. You can call us as soon as you need to in order to begin the restoration process.

Broken pipes – Causes and ways to prevent them

11/12/2019 (Permalink)

If you have a burst pipe in your home or business, call SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis. We are Here to help.

While we’re pretty sure it’s only November, the temperatures outside say otherwise. As our wind chills dip below zero, what comes to mind is how to protect our homes and businesses from those frigid temperatures.

When you have pipes in your home or business that are exposed to the cold temperatures, the water in them can freeze. When water freezes it expands, which causes wear and tear to your pipes over time. When the water thaws and full pressure is applied, that is what causes the pipe to burst. Water damage from a burst pipe can cause significant damage to your home or business. There are some things we can do as homeowners and business owners to protect our pipes that are most vulnerable to cold temperatures.

1. Keep your heat on
   1. While this may seem pretty obvious, make sure your heat is set to at least 50 degrees. A lot of homes suffer this type of water damage when they are away for a long period of time. Also, it’s a good idea to have a friend or family member check on your home periodically while you are away.
2. Allow your faucet to drip
   1. If temperatures have plummeted and you are concerned about a pipe freezing, let the faucet drip slightly as that will relieve pressure from the pipe.
3. Keep interior doors open
   1. -If you have concerns that the pipes under your sink could be exposed to the cold temperatures, open your cabinet doors to allow the heat in your home to get to them easier and keep them warm.
4. Seal up cracks and holes
   1. If you have any gaps or holes around pipes where they run through walls or floors, seal those gaps with caulk or spray foam insulation.
5. Add insulation if needed, especially in basements or attics.

If you have a pipe burst in your home, know where your water shutoff is and turn it off as soon as possible to prevent additional damage. Give SERVPRO of Cudahy/St. Francis right away so we can get out to your home or business sooner than later so we can get the water cleaned up. Also, give your insurance agent a call and notify them of the damage and find out whether your policy covers the damage. We work with several insurance companies, agents and adjusters so we can help communicate between all parties involved. We will get your home or business back up and running “Like it never even happened.”