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  A little planning could reduce unnecessary costs and inconvenience at home. According to a recent survey commissioned by Liberty Mutual Insurance, 34 percent of American homeowners have faced an unexpected home repair of $5,000 or more. In all likelihood, for each of those all-too-avoidable catastrophes, there was a symptom that went ignored. Neglecting routine home maintenance and ignoring signs of deterioration can often cause permanent damage.  (-excerpt from architecturaldigest.com) […]

Mold is one of the top considerations in keeping a home’s indoor air clean and healthy. Exposure to some types of mold can cause health issues such as eye irritation, wheezing and nasal congestion. Though homeowners should always be on the lookout for potential sources of mold growth, rainy fall weather makes it an important time to ensure a home can stand up to moisture intrusion that can lead to […]

Few places in the country are considered free from flooding, so protect your home and family.  If you believe water will begin to accumulate in your home, shut off power at the main electrical panel in your home.  However, never stand in water to do so — if the area around the box is already flooded, leave it alone.  In addition, know what to do in the first 24 hours after […]

Identifying whether your roof, siding or windows have sustained damage from a hail storm may be difficult. The experts at Smart Restoration Services and Smart Roofing, Inc. can help! Also, many insurance companies will consider paying for storm or hail damage. Smart Restoration Services and Smart Roofing, Inc. has helped thousands of customers in the Chicago suburbs navigate the insurance roof claim process. Call us at 847.797.0404 or email contactus@smartroofers.com […]

Flooding is the most common natural disaster in the US,  and, as we know in Chicago, it  can happen anywhere and at any time of the year.  Be prepared by reviewing the important information in the link below, which includes  a Flood guide, which provides the basics of floods, explains how to protect yourself and your property, and details the steps to take now so that you can act quickly […]

At this time of year, we receive many reminders to take precautions against the cold weather.  Did you know that frozen pipes are one of the biggest risks of property damage when the temperature drops? When water freezes, it expands. That’s why a can of soda explodes if it’s put into a freezer to chill quickly and forgotten. When water freezes in a pipe, it expands the same way. If it […]

To-Dos: Your February Home Checklist Change furnace and humidifier filters. Replacing the filters regularly helps your furnace run more efficiently and keeps the air in your home cleaner. According to the U.S. EPA, the air inside your home can be 2 to 5 times worse than the air outside. Do a home safety check. It doesn’t take long to check home safety devices and the peace of mind is well […]

Smart Restoration Services is pleased to announce that Rich Wojcik is now Haag Certified! “Haag Certified” is the mark of a true professional. In the roofing and insurance industries, that phrase carries a lot of weight. It means you’re a true authority in your business. It means you can quickly and accurately inspect for damage and correctly evaluate that damage. And it means that when you report your findings, your […]

You already know that house mold is a serious threat to both you and your family, but you may also end up with irreparable damages to your house.  The problem with mold is that it is everywhere. The air carries it inside, and if your house is not properly ventilated, it is a prime candidate for house mold colonies. Sometimes, you will never know that you have mold in your […]

According to the National Flood Insurance Program, floods are the No. 1 disaster in America, averaging over $3 billion in claims per year.  Basement flooding may be caused by several factors: One common culprit behind basement flooding is rain. Excessive amounts of rain in a short period of time can saturate the earth around your basement and then push in through foundation cracks. The slope of your lawn can also […]

09-08-15 Smart Group, I wanted to thank you for the insurance work you did on my house this summer. Pete, thank you for seeing the big picture on what I really needed done and introducing me to Rich. Rich, you were great to work with and definitely know your profession. The definition of getting what you pay for and getting it done ON TIME was defined by the job Smart […]

Residents of the Chicago suburbs are all too familiar with the type of damage that hail storms can cause, but when it comes to the roof hail damage, you may need to call a professional.Hail-Damage Many homeowners make the mistake of only looking for damage in the form of missing shingles. However, there could be damage underneath the shingles which can cause leaks to occur well after the storm has […]

Southwest Chicago  and Minooka Large Hail and Very Heavy Rainfall – Fast Facts: During the late afternoon and early evening, multiple storms produced large hail and very heavy rainfall along the I-80 corridor, including across the far southern and southwestern Chicago metro area. The largest hail reported was over 4″ in diameter, measured at 4.75″, two miles north-northwest of Minooka around 7:20 pm. There were many reports of 2.5″ diameter […]

Each year, homes and businesses across the United States are damaged or destroyed by floodwaters. One-third of flood damage occurs outside of designated floodplains, according to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Knowing your flood risk is the first step toward becoming better prepared. Here are some steps you can and should take to reduce the risk of severe damage. If you do experience flood or water damage at your home […]

Under the right conditions, bacteria naturally found in water can form biofilms (protective slime layers) in metal pipes. When this bacteria is present in pipes, it is causing corrosion, and you may notice unusual red or black coloration of the water or foul, rotten-egg-type odors. Contact Smart Restoration Services at 847.577.2900 if you’ve had water damage in your home or commercial building. Read more information from The Journal of Cleaning, […]

THIS IS FLOOD SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK… IT’S VITAL TO YOUR SAFETY TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A WATCH AND A WARNING. What is the difference between a Flood Watch and a Flood Warning issued by the National Weather Service? Flash Flood Warning: Take Action! A Flash Flood Warning is issued when a flash flood is imminent or occurring. If you are in a flood prone area move immediately to high […]

Excerpt from the American Red Cross: Pipes that freeze most frequently are those that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor water faucets, swimming pool supply lines, water sprinkler lines, and water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets. Also, pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation are also subject to freezing. A 1/8-inch crack in […]

As snow accumulates on the rooftop, it melts over the warmer portion of the attic and the melt water runs down the roof. When it encounters the cold edge of the roof it refreezes. The refrozen water along the roof edge creates an “ice dam” and consequently, the melted snow running down the roof begins to back up underneath the roof covering. This water will soak the roof sheathing and […]

With the recent extreme weather conditions in the northeast, we are reminded that heavy snow, rain, and hail can cause weather-related damages to homes and businesses. SMART Restoration Services can help you weather the storm! Does this sound familiar? ”Since it doesn’t look like I’ve lost any roof shingles, I must not have any storm damage.” Missing shingles are usually related to wind damage claims (hurricanes, tropical storms, etc.), and […]