Author Archives: Rich Wojcik

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.

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 hail and larger across Minooka from Emergency Management, law enforcement, and the public. There were multiple reports of vehicle damage from this area.

The 4.75″ diameter hail observed two miles north-northwest of Minooka was the largest documented hail stone in Illinois since at least 1961, and according to the Illinois State Climatologist, may be the largest documented hail stone on record in the state.

Do you have storm or hail damage?

A roof may be substantially damaged by hail, even though the actual shingles appear to still be in place after the storm.  Although the storms occurred last week, the damage may not cause leaking until well after the storm.  This is the time that it’s crucial to have a qualified roofing expert examine your roof and fully evaluate the storm and hail damage to your property and assist you in filing an insurance claim. Even if damage to your roof may not seem severe at the moment, it may eventually lead to additional leaks and problems down the road. Contact your local roof hail damage experts at SMART Roofing, Inc. for a free inspection 847.797.0404.

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 or business, contact Smart Restoration Services at 847.577.2900.

Excerpt from Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety

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, Restoration and Inspection here.

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 ground. A flash flood is a sudden violent flood that can take from minutes to hours to develop. It is even possible to experience a flash flood in areas not immediately receiving rain.

Flood Warning: Take Action! A Flood Warning is issued when the hazardous weather event is imminent or already happening. A Flood Warning is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring.

Flood Watch: Be Prepared: A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for a specific hazardous weather event to occur. A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible.

Flood Advisory: Be Aware: An Flood Advisory is issued when a specific weather event that is forecast to occur may become a nuisance. A Flood Advisory is issued when flooding is not expected to be bad enough to issue a warning. However, it may cause significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, it could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property.

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 a pipe can leak up to 250 gallons of water a day, causing flooding, serious structural damage, and the immediate potential for mold.

frozen pipesIn the U.S., frozen pipes cause significant damage every year, but they often can be prevented. There are three common causes of frozen pipes:

1. Quick drops in temperature.
2. Poor insulation.
3. Thermostats set too low.

Luckily, there are a number of preventative steps you can take to keep your pipes from freezing:

• Check the insulation of pipes in your home’s crawl spaces and attic. Exposed pipes are most susceptible to freezing. Heat tape or thermostatically controlled heat cables can be used to wrap pipes.
• Seal leaks that allow cold air inside near where pipes are located. Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents, and pipes, and use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out. With severe cold, even a tiny opening can let in enough cold air to cause a pipe to freeze.
• Use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance of freezing in the short span of pipe just inside the house.
• A trickle of hot and cold water might be all it takes to keep your pipes from freezing. Let warm water drip overnight, preferably from a faucet on an outside wall.
• Keep your thermostat set at the same temperature during both day and night. You might be in the habit of turning down the heat when you’re asleep, but further drops in the temperature – more common overnight – could catch you off guard and freeze your pipes.
• Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to un-insulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.

If Your Pipes Do Freeze…

• If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out, leave the faucets turned on and call a plumber.
• If your house or basement is flooding, turn off the water valve and immediately call 911.
  Do not touch or use electrical appliances in areas of standing water due to electrocution concerns.
• Never try to thaw a pipe with a torch or other open flame because it could cause a fire hazard. Every year, many building fires are caused by people trying to thaw frozen pipes. All open flames in homes present a serious fire danger, as well as a severe risk of exposure to lethal carbon monoxide.
• You may be able to thaw a frozen pipe with the warm air from a hair dryer. Start by warming the pipe as close to the faucet as possible, working toward the coldest section of pipe

Again, if your water pipes have already burst, turn off the water at the main shutoff valve in the house; leave the water faucets turned on and call 911.

Make sure everyone in your family knows where the water shutoff valve is and how to open and close it. Likely places for the water turn-off valve include internal pipes running against exterior walls or where water service enters a home through the foundation.  If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat set to a temperature no lower than 55ºF.
Stay warm!