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Smart Restoration Services – Common House-Maintenance Mistakes You Could Be Making

what-to-do-about-a-flooded-basement

 

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)

 

  • Winterize properly. Homeowners often overlook their sprinkler systems when the cold months hit and leave water in the lines. When temperatures drop, sprinkler pipes can freeze and break.
  • Address water damage. This can have major consequences down the road.  If you don’t keep your spaces (like bathrooms) dry and in good repair, water damage and mold can occur. Within days (and sometimes even hours), water can penetrate into building materials and through electrical fixtures to a point that can require complete replacement. If water damage stays for longer periods of time, mold can start to grow, which can lead to more costly removal or remediation.
  • Appliance maintenance.  Did you know that the icemaker can start to scale up, especially if you have hard water, and that can cause the mechanisms to stop working correctly. Large refrigerators often have water and air filters that need to be replaced.
  • Temperature & humidity control.  Closing a vent to help control room temperature might seem like a good idea, but this can cause the furnace to work harder and even lead to damage.  Furnace replacements can be expensive.  Your HVAC units should be serviced in the spring and the fall.

Everyone is busy, and it never seems to be the right time to tackle home-maintenance projects. There is always something more urgent or fun to do.  If you find yourself in a situation where you have a catastrophic home repair, we can help.  Our staff can handle all phases of restoration, remediation and reconstruction. We also have the experience and relationships with insurance carriers and can help you navigate the claims process.

Contact us at 847.577.2900 or contactus@smartrestorationservices.com for more information.

 


					

Smart Restoration Services – September is Mold Awareness Month!

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 mold problems. To raise awareness and keep these issues top of mind, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designates the month of September as National Indoor Mold Awareness Month.

Here are a few tips to help prevent mold from growing in your home:

  •  Fix leaks in faucets, pipes, roofs and foundations;
  • Keep humidity under control.  Relative humidity can be measured with a humidity meter. Between 30-50 percent humidity is ideal.
  • Stop mold in its tracks.  Look for products that inhibit mold growth and are moisture and mold resistant in kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms.
  • Remove wet materials as soon as possible. If a home has experienced flooding or other water damage, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends removing all porous items, such as carpet, upholstery, drywall and ceiling tiles within 48 hours. If an area larger than 10 square feet has been affected, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends hiring a qualified mold remediation specialist to help with removal.

-excerpt from news.certainteed.com

If you have mold damage in your home or business, contact Smart Restoration Services.  The experts at Smart Restoration Services can address all phases of restoration, remediation and reconstruction. Contact us at 847.577.2900 or contactus@smartrestorationservices.com.

Smart Restoration Services – How to Protect Your Home Against Flooding

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 a flood to avoid additional risks to your health and home.  -excerpt from www.houselogic.com

burbank-flooding

If you’ve had damage due to flooding in your home or business, contact Smart Restoration Services.  The experts at Smart Restoration Services can address all phases of restoration, remediation and reconstruction. Contact us at 847.577.2900 or contactus@smartrestorationservices.com.

Smart Restoration Services & Smart Roofing, Inc. – April 2016 Chicago Hail Damage Experts

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 today!

http://www.smartroofers.com/smart-roofing-inc-april-2016-chicago-roofing-hail-damage-experts/

 

Smart Restoration Services – Be Smart/Know Flood Basics

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 when you, your home, or your business is in danger.

https://community.fema.gov/hazard/flood/be-smart

If you’ve had damage to your home or business, contact Smart Restorations Services.  The experts at Smart Restoration Services can address all phases of restoration, remediation and reconstruction. Contact us at 847.577.2900 or contactus@smartrestorationservices.com.

 

Smart Restoration Services – Frozen Pipes Facts

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 expands enough, the pipe bursts, water escapes and serious damage results.

Ideally, it is best not to expose water pipes to subfreezing temperatures, by placing them only in heated spaces and keeping them out of attics, crawl spaces and vulnerable outside walls. In new construction, proper placement can be designed into the building.

Be sure that everyone in the home knows where the main water shut-off valve is located.  If you have a leaking or burst pipe—turn off the water right away.

If you’ve had damage due to frozen pipes in your home or business, contact Smart Restoration Services.  The experts at Smart Restoration Services can address all phases of restoration, remediation and reconstruction. Contact us at 847.577.2900 or contactus@smartrestorationservices.com.

Smart Restoration Services – To-Dos: Your February Home Checklist

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 worth the effort. Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, changing batteries as needed. Check the expiration date on fire extinguishers and replace as needed.
  • Check insulation and venting in attic. The soffit and roof vents in your home are how your house dissipates moisture in the attic. They can’t do this is they are blocked or clogged. While you’re checking the vents, make sure there are no signs of leaks or ways for water to get in. If your house looks like this, there is likely an insulation or venting problem.  ice dam

If you’ve had damage to your home or business, contact Smart Restorations Services.  The experts at Smart Restoration Services can address all phases of restoration, remediation and reconstruction. Contact us at 847.577.2900 or contactus@smartrestorationservices.com.

Smart Restoration Services – Haag Certified

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 conclusions have true credibility.

The experts at Smart Restoration Services can address any disaster-recovery issues.  We handle all phases of restoration, remediation and reconstruction. Contact us at 847.577.2900 or contactus@smartrestorationservices.com.

Smart Restoration Services – Removing Mold In Your Home

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 house until it is too late.

How do you know that you have mold in your house? Here are common signs:

1. There is a stale and musty odor inside your house.
2. The stale and musty odor clings to fabrics you use at home – your curtains, linens and clothes – even when they have just been washed.
3. There are black and white speckles on various surfaces in your house, especially in areas near the water filter or the water softener tank.
4. There are crystalline substances present on your ceiling or in your basement.
5. The speckles and the crystalline substances keep reappearing no matter how often you clean them.
6. The cardboard items in your basement, attic or garage feel damp.
7. The wooden parts of the structure of your house are soggy.

When you see any signs of mold in your house, it is important that you act upon it immediately. If you ignore your mold problem, you may be endangering the health of the people around you as well as running the risk of damaging your house.

The experts at Smart Restoration Services can address your mold or other moisture-related home issues.  We handle all phases of restoration, remediation and reconstruction. Contact us at 847.577.2900 or contactus@smartrestorationservices.com.

Smart Restoration Services – Basement Flooding

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 contribute to your basement flooding. Your lawn should always slope away from your house, directing rainwater toward the sewer system. Take a walk around your home when it’s raining. If you see water pooling next to your house, you may have a problem.
  • Sewer backups also cause basement flooding. Many homes have a sewer tie-in line that is lower than the floor of the basement, allowing dirty water from tubs, toilets and sinks to be carried away. If this sewer line becomes clogged or damaged and its waterline rises above that of your basement floor, expect water to come rushing back into your home.
  • A sump pump failure can also cause flooding. Sump pumps are set in basins drilled into the floor of the basement and act as a fail-safe by mechanically pumping out excess water. Experts recommend installing a back up sump pump in case the primary pump fails.

The costs to fix basement floods and their damage can vary significantly. The length of time the water sat can also affect the price to repair the flooded basement because of mold issues.

The experts at Smart Restoration Services can handle all phases of restoration, remediation and reconstruction. Contact us at 847.577.2900 or contactus@smartrestorationservices.com.

 

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