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Beyond the Obvious: Detecting Hidden Water Damage in Your Home

Water damage can be a silent intruder, causing harm beneath the surface before visible signs emerge. While a burst pipe or a flooded basement may be immediately noticeable, there are subtler, hidden signs of water damage that can wreak havoc on your home. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the less apparent indicators of water damage, emphasizing the importance of early detection, professional inspection, and prompt water damage restoration to safeguard your home and its inhabitants.

The Musty Odor: A Nose for Hidden Water Damage

One of the less obvious signs of water damage is a persistent musty odor. If your home carries a moldy or damp smell, it may indicate hidden moisture. Often, this odor is a result of water infiltrating walls, ceilings, or flooring, creating an environment conducive to mold growth. Mold spores can be harmful, triggering respiratory issues and compromising indoor air quality.

Action Step: If you notice a musty odor, especially in areas like basements or crawl spaces, consider professional inspection services. Certified technicians can identify the source of the odor, assess hidden moisture, and recommend appropriate restoration measures.

Discoloration on walls, ceilings, or flooring can be a subtle but telling sign of water damage. Stains may appear as dark patches, water rings, or even subtle changes in paint or wallpaper color. These blemishes often indicate that water has seeped into the building materials, causing structural damage and providing a breeding ground for mold.

Action Step: Regularly inspect walls and ceilings for discoloration, especially in areas prone to water exposure. If you notice changes in color or suspicious stains, consult with water damage restoration professionals to assess the extent of the damage and develop a restoration plan.

 Peeling or Bubbling Paint: Moisture’s Artistic Impact

Moisture trapped behind walls can manifest in the form of peeling or bubbling paint. When water infiltrates the wall’s surface, it compromises the adhesive properties of paint or wallpaper, causing it to lift or bubble. This seemingly cosmetic issue may indicate more significant water damage beneath the surface.

Action Step: Investigate any areas with peeling or bubbling paint, especially in bathrooms, kitchens, or areas prone to humidity. Professional inspection can reveal the extent of water damage and guide restoration efforts to prevent further deterioration.

Warped or Buckled Flooring: A Silent Cry for Attention

Water damage can wreak havoc on flooring materials, causing them to warp or buckle. This is particularly common in areas exposed to water, such as kitchens, bathrooms, or basements. Warped or buckled flooring is not only unsightly but also a potential hazard, signaling hidden moisture that may compromise the structural integrity of the floor.

Action Step: Regularly inspect flooring for signs of warping or buckling, especially in areas with water fixtures. Consult with water damage restoration experts to identify the source of moisture and implement restoration measures to salvage the flooring and prevent further damage.

Drywall is highly susceptible to water damage, and signs may not be immediately apparent. Sagging or discolored drywall may indicate hidden moisture that has compromised its integrity. If left unaddressed, this can lead to structural issues and pose a risk to the overall stability of the affected area.

Action Step: Carefully inspect walls for any signs of sagging or discoloration. If you notice these indicators, it’s crucial to seek professional inspection and restoration services promptly. Timely intervention can prevent further damage and ensure the structural integrity of your home.

row pipes wall

 Increased Utility Bills: The Financial Trail of Hidden Leaks

Water damage doesn’t just affect the visual aesthetics of your home; it can also impact your utility bills. If there are hidden leaks in your plumbing or a compromised insulation system, your home’s heating and cooling systems may have to work harder to maintain the desired temperature. This increased workload can result in higher utility bills.

Action Step: Monitor your utility bills for unexpected spikes. While various factors can contribute to increased energy consumption, a sudden and unexplained rise may signal hidden water damage affecting insulation or plumbing. A professional inspection can identify the root cause and guide necessary repairs.

Water damage can extend its reach to the foundation of your home, compromising its stability. Cracks in the foundation may be a silent but critical indicator of hidden water damage. These cracks may result from the expansion and contraction of soil due to water absorption, ultimately jeopardizing the structural integrity of your home.

Action Step: Regularly inspect the foundation for cracks, especially after heavy rainfall or periods of excessive moisture. Consult with foundation specialists to assess the extent of damage and implement restoration measures to stabilize the foundation.

The Importance of Professional Inspection and Restoration

Detecting hidden water damage requires a keen eye and an understanding of the subtle signs that often go unnoticed. While DIY inspections are valuable for routine maintenance, professional inspection services bring an added layer of expertise. Certified water damage restoration professionals have the knowledge and tools to identify hidden moisture, assess structural damage, and recommend effective restoration measures.

Prompt action is crucial when hidden water damage is suspected. Delaying professional inspection and restoration may lead to escalating issues, such as mold growth, compromised structural integrity, and increased repair costs. By addressing hidden water damage early, homeowners can avoid mold remediation.

In conclusion, beyond the obvious signs of water damage lie subtle indicators that demand attention. Musty odors, discoloration, structural changes, and other less apparent signs are silent cries for help from your home. By staying vigilant, recognizing these signs, and enlisting professional inspection and restoration services, homeowners can ensure the longevity and well-being of their living spaces. Don’t let water damage remain hidden—bring it into the light for a safer and healthier home.
All Flood and Fire Water Damage Restoration offers swift and comprehensive restoration services in Chicago to address the aftermath of floods and fires. With a dedicated team and advanced techniques, they ensure homes and businesses are promptly restored to pre-damage conditions.

3 Mistakes to Avoid if Your Home Has Water Damage

Water damage, whether it is caused by extreme weather or a burst pipe, can be one of the most structurally harmful incidents to affect your home. It can also be an incredibly stressful time as you worry about the future of your home and your possessions. By avoiding these mistakes and taking immediate action, you can minimize the damage caused to your house. 

#1: Ignoring the Warning Signs

While there is no way to predict flash flooding or heavy rainfall, cracked pipes and faulty appliances present certain warning signs you can look out for. If there is a leak in your home, it may present itself as water stains, warped floorboards, blistering wallpaper, or lingering odors. You may also notice a rise in your utility bills if excess water is leaking through a pipe. 

If you detect any of these signs, be sure to check the pipes that are accessible to you and call a licensed technician. 

#2: Unnecessary Panic

Unexpected incidents are always going to be a source of distress. As such, it is easy to become overwhelmed and start panicking about the future of your home and any potential costs attached to fixing the damage. While these concerns are natural, it is important to focus on what you can do straight away. 

If the water damage has originated from a burst pipe or broken appliance, the most important thing to do is shut off your water supply. In addition to this, it is advisable to also turn off your electricity. These simple procedures will serve to minimize the damage and create a safer environment for you to navigate. 

After turning off your water and electricity, you need to ventilate your home and remove as much of the standing water as possible. This will reduce the long-term damage caused to your home and prevent the growth of mold. Remember to take photos of the water damage, as they may be required by your insurance provider. 

#3: Delaying Calling a Water Damage Restoration Service

It can be tempting to try to fix the water damage independently, without seeking the assistance of a water damage restoration service. This, however, can be detrimental to the safety of your home. While it is essential to remain active by removing standing water and ventilating your home, employing an expert is the surest way to guarantee that your home can be restored. 

Companies that provide water damage restoration services, such as All Fire & Flood, will conduct assessments of both the extent of the damage and the nature of the water, ensuring that the correct safety and hygiene measures are taken. After safely removing the water, specialist equipment will be used to dry your home and prevent the growth of mold.  

The company you choose to work with can also assist with your insurance claims by providing documents that detail their procedures as well as their own photos of the damage. Using a restoration service is the best way to restore your home after water damage. 

Final Thoughts

Experiencing water damage can be a stressful occasion full of uncertainty, however, it is important to remember that there are steps you can take to minimize the damage as well as experts, such as those at All Fire & Flood, who can help you restore your home to its former glory. 

Recovering from Water Damage: How to Do it

You may have experienced water damage from floods, burst pipes, or leaks, but whatever the cause, the recovery process should be similar.

Depending on the severity of your water damage, you could be dealing with excess water on the floors of your house, structural damage, mold, internal damage to walls, paint or wallpaper, or ruined floorboards.

If you have severe water damage, all of this may seem overwhelming, but you should know that you can recover from water damage, and it may be a good time to do that renovating you’ve been putting off.

Get In Touch with Your Insurance Company

The first step after experiencing water damage would be to call your insurance company to determine the value of your losses and you can get an idea of how much money you could be receiving to help with repairs.

However, you should bear in mind that the insurance company probably won’t turn up for a matter of days, so there are things you can do in the meantime. Just make sure you take pictures of the extent of the damage for your insurance company.

Turn Your Electrics Off

As you may know, water and electricity don’t mix well. By turning off the electrics around your home, you’re taking safety precautions and preventing further damage.

Examine Your Home for Structural Damage

If you notice sagging floorboards or drooping ceilings, you may have suffered structural damage. Try not to panic about this, but you may want to vacate these areas in case of collapse or any further damage.

Clean Up as Best You Can

If you have water across your floors, you can start getting rid of it straight away – mops and towels are a must! If you’re elderly or simply unsure of how to do this effectively, there are companies that can provide professionals to help at any time.

After any water residue has been cleaned up, you can start assessing your property for water damage on walls, ceilings, or floors. If you’ve hired professionals, they’ll likely come with dehumidifiers and other equipment to help dry out your home.

Following this, you’ll need to sanitize the area. You may think it odd to use more water after you’ve just cleared the area from water damage, but sanitizing your home is vital after water damage.

Depending on where this water came from, it may be contaminated with bacteria and toxins. Removing any remnants of bacteria is a crucial step before you begin redecorating.

Replace Any Damaged Floors, Walls or Ceilings

It’s an idea to get your house inspected by professionals, so they can assess the extent of damage and recommend what needs replacing or repairing.

Based on this information you can then go ahead and replace any walls, floors, or ceilings that are damaged beyond repair – hopefully with the money from the insurance company!

Final Thoughts

Water damage can be a stressful ordeal, but companies like All Flood & Fire Cleanup and Restoration can make the process much easier! By providing expert assistance and professional advice, we can ensure that your repair and restoration processes are stress-free and dealt with in the best ways.

3 Reasons You Should Never Attempt DIY Sewage Cleanup

Sewage cleanups are never a fun experience. Not only is the smell horrendous, but the cleanup process can be extremely difficult and dangerous. 

Many people try to clean up sewage backups on their own in an effort to save a few dollars, but this often leads to further damage and even health problems. In this blog post, we will discuss three reasons why you should never attempt DIY sewage cleanup.

Reason #1: Health Risks

When wastewater backs up into your home, it can contaminate carpeting and flooring. Many sewage backups contain dangerous bacteria that can cause serious illness if they come in contact with the human body. For this reason, professional sewage cleanup services should always be used to keep yourself and your family safe from harm.

You will also avoid the risk of coming into contact with dangerous contaminants like E. coli, salmonella, and listeria when you call a professional cleaner to remove the sewage backup in your home. Besides, most homeowners don’t have the necessary training and equipment to safely clean up a sewage backup.

Reason #2: Damage to Floors and Walls

In addition to the risk of health problems, DIY sewage cleanup often leads to further damage in your home. This can include cracked floors, damaged drywall, and warped wooden furniture. And if you’re dealing with a flooded basement, it can also cause water damage to your foundation or even structural damage to the house.

Rather than risk further damage and costly repairs, it’s best to simply call a professional sewage cleanup service right away. These professionals have the equipment and knowledge needed to safely remove all traces of sewage from your home and restore it to its original condition.

Reason #3: Legal Issues

When homeowners attempt to clean up sewage backups on their own, they often fail to dispose of the contaminated waste properly. This can result in fines from local authorities and even legal ramifications if you’re found to be in possession of improperly disposed waste. Yes, although it may come as a surprise, the laws surrounding sewage cleanup are quite strict.

This is why it’s best to steer clear of any legal issues by calling a professional service to deal with your sewage backup. Not only will they know the ins and outs of local regulations, but they can also provide all the necessary documentation to prove that their cleanup was done according to code.

Final Thoughts

From gross smells to unpleasant health risks and potential legal issues, DIY sewage cleanup is never a good option. Rather than putting your health and home at risk, it’s always best to trust the pros when dealing with this type of mess. If you were considering a DIY sewage cleanup, hopefully, this post has convinced you to reconsider.

In need of professional sewage cleanup services? Leave the dirty work in the hands of our sewage cleanup experts at All Flood & Fire Cleanup And Restoration

How a Water Damage Restoration Service Can Restore Your Home or Business

Wheeling and surrounding areas in Cook and Lake Counties are prone to serious flood hazards. This part of Illinois is susceptible to flooding from four main sources: the Des Plaines River, Buffalo Creek, McDonald Creek, and the William Rogers Memorial Diversion Channel. 

If your home or business has experienced water damage from flooding or leaks, you’ll need a reliable water damage restoration service in the Wheeling area to restore your property. 

Listed here are some of the ways a water remediation company—like All Flood & Fire Cleanup And Restoration—can restore your home or business.  

1. Assess the damage and identify its source 

Water remediation technicians begin the process by assessing the damage in your home or commercial property. They’ll observe all safety precautions and wear the correct hazard gear when performing a water damage assessment.

Aside from determining the full extent of the water damage, the flood restoration technicians will also locate the source of the water damage. This could be broken pipes, faulty appliances, clogged gutters and drains, and improper basement drainage.

2. Extract the water and clean the property

During the water damage assessment, the technicians will assess your entire property and document the full extent of the water damage. They’ll examine the insulation and walls, carpeting and padding, floors and subfloors, basement, and porous surfaces. 

Next, the unwanted moisture in your property will be extracted using professional-grade equipment. Moisture-detection equipment will also be used to detect hidden areas of dampness and mold in your home. All water-damaged areas will be decontaminated, deodorized, and sanitized using EPA-approved cleaning implements and products.  

Once the water has been extracted, your home will be thoroughly dried using high-powered air movers, dehumidifiers, and drying panels. The water remediation technicians will then clean and restore the items in your property that can be salvaged. Meanwhile, items that were permanently destroyed or contaminated will be safely disposed of. 

3. Provide mold remediation 

During the water remediation process, steps will be taken to prevent the build up of mold and mildew. If left unchecked, a mold and mildew infestation could structurally damage your property. It could also trigger respiratory problems and allergic reactions in people and pets. 

If you smell musty and dank odors in particular areas of your property—or see discolored areas on your ceilings, walls, or floors—chances are you’re dealing with a serious mold infestation.

The mold remediation experts at All Flood & Fire Cleanup And Restoration will carry out the complete mold remediation process—from assessment and testing to remediation and property restoration. 

By eliminating harmful mold growth, you’re not only safeguarding your property and belongings, but also protecting the people who work or reside in your property. 

Conclusion 

If your home or business has experienced water or flood damage, it’s best to contact the experts and deal with the issue as soon as possible. 

All Flood & Fire Cleanup And Restoration has been serving clients in the Greater Chicago area since 1996. Aside from mold remediation and flood cleaning services, we also offer sewage cleanup, fire damage restoration, and restoration equipment rental.

We’ll bill your insurance directly and strive to ensure a hassle-free insurance claims process. Get in touch now at (847) 443-9446 so we can assist you with your concern.

Benefits of Hiring a Water Remediation Company in Chicago, IL

You may have suffered a natural disaster or an accident, and now your home needs to be repaired or replaced. In many cases, it isn’t easy to know where to start when you need to get your home back on track. But with the right water remediation company on your side, you’ll be able to restore your home to its original condition in no time. After all, there are many benefits of hiring one. Here are some of the most important advantages of using professionals when it comes to water damage restoration services:

Water damage restoration services are cost-effective

If your home was flooded due to heavy rains or high winds, then it’s likely that your insurance company will cover some of the cost of cleanup and restoration. 

However, you may face thousands of dollars in expenses for repairs and replacement items if you don’t have insurance coverage. If left unaddressed for too long, this could put a major dent in your finances. 

By hiring a water remediation company specializing in flood cleanups and restoration services right away, you can avoid these costs altogether by getting your home back on track quickly after a disaster strikes. Plus, you can rest easy knowing that a professional disaster restoration company will take care of everything for you.

Water damage restoration services will save you precious time

You don’t want to waste any more time than necessary during a natural disaster, so if there is damage to your home or business, you must get it fixed as soon as possible. 

Restoration companies are trained specifically for these types of situations. They know how to handle them as quickly as possible so that they don’t disrupt any business operations or cause additional damage in the meantime. They can also provide recommendations for what needs to be done for your home or business to recover quickly and safely.

A water remediation company is trained to handle severe water damage

Water damage removal is not a simple task. If you don’t hire the right company, you could end up with a lot of cleanup work, or worse, mold in your home or your possessions damaged by mildew and bacteria. You want to ensure that your home or business is cleaned up properly, so call a professional who can help you with the job.

Most water remediation companies have the right training and equipment to deal with moldy walls or floors, which can be quite costly if left untreated. If you have any questions about what kind of services your restoration company offers, don’t hesitate to ask them.

A water remediation company has access to powerful drying equipment

When removing moisture from your property, there’s no substitute for real-world experience in figuring out what works best for your situation. 

For example, some people choose portable dehumidifiers over central air conditioning units because they’re less likely to malfunction or overheat than their counterparts. But if you’ve ever had an emergency, you know that sometimes you have no choice but to use whatever equipment to get the job done as quickly and efficiently as possible.

That’s exactly where experienced professionals come into play. They know what tools will be most effective for each situation and can provide solutions that will save time and money while ensuring that your property gets dried quickly and effectively. 

A water remediation company knows what steps to take after natural disasters, such as floods and fires

In the wake of a disaster, restoration companies are often called upon to clean up their clients’ property and aid in the reconstruction process. As a result, they must understand what steps must be taken to get things back on track as quickly as possible.

They have experience dealing with these types of disasters, having worked on hundreds of projects over the years. This knowledge will allow them to work efficiently and effectively on your project, minimizing any damage done during the cleanup process.

Conclusion

Hiring a water remediation company is the best option when dealing with water damage. They have the necessary knowledge, experience, and training to do their job quickly and efficiently. This is why it’s important to hire the right water remediation company with the proper expertise and equipment to get the job done right.

One company specializing in water damage restoration service for over 20 years is All Flood & Fire Cleanup & Restoration. Since 1996, All Flood & Fire has offered the best services to residential and commercial clients in Wheeling, IL. Call All Flood & Fire today to learn more.

Mold Remediation Arlington Heights Il

Mold Removal Near Me

Hello everyone, we’re All Flood & Fire a Chicago water and fire restoration company in Arlington Heights IL. We’re committed to professional service, we also specialize in Black mold remediation Arlington Heights. Should you have a concerns about the dangers of Stachybotrys chartarum, also known as black mold or toxic black mold keep reading to learn how we helped one of our clients keep her family safe…

Black Mold Removal Definitive Guide

Water damage in your home or business, when not thoroughly dried and treated, can lead to an unwelcome secondary effect: mold and mildew. These fungi, unpleasant to look at and hazardous to human health, can cause significant property damage as well as respiratory problems and allergic reactions.

Constant exposure to the high levels of mycotoxins produced by some molds put both humans and animals at risk and can lead to serious neurological issues. Contact All Flood & Fire for mold removal Chicago services.

Mold Remediation

If you are already seeing dark, discolored areas on ceilings, walls, or floors, or smelling dank, musty odors in a particular area of your home or business property, chances are good you already have a mold infestation. When this happens, call All Flood & Fire immediately at (847) 202-0231. As a professional residential and commercial water damage remediation company, we also provide a full range of mold removal and remediation services and are available to take your emergency call 24/7, 365 days a year.

What causes mold to grow?

Mold spores are everywhere: in the air we breathe, on the surfaces we use. Its’s when mold grows excessively or uncontrolled that problems begin. Mold has fire growth requirements:

  1. something to feed on: paper, wood, drywall, natural fiber, even soil
  2. moisture, even high humidity in the air
  3. moderated temperature, especially between 68-86F or 20-30C
  4. stagnant air: not fresh or moving air
  5. Time: typically, there isn’t much growth for the first 24-48 hours. After that, it’s strictly dependent on the four conditions above.

Black Mold Removal in Arlington Heights IL

Is all mold bad?

Of course not. in fact, the antibiotic, penicillin comes from the mold Penicillin. We always have mold spores in our homes and business, even in the outside air. It’s when that mold gets trapped in a closed, stagnant environment for a while that it begins to grow and spread. That’s when problems begin.

How long does it take mold to grow in a wet building?

That depends on the five growth factors mentioned earlier. typically, you don’t have much of a problem for the first 24 hours, perhaps a little longer in cooler months. after that, mold growth depends on air circulation, temperature and how long materials stay damp.

Can’t you just spray a little disinfectant to get rid of the mold?

Sure wish it were that easy! You see, some molds produce powerful chemicals call mycotoxins, which are found in their cell walls. Even if we kill the mold with an appropriate disinfectant, the cell fragments still can cause allergic responses in sensitive people.

So it’s not enough just to kill mold. it must be physically removed with careful cleaning or in some cases, demolition and reconstruction. Only then is your home or building going safe for sensitive people, especially children, to reoccupy.

If someone in my family or business is asthmatic or highly allergic to mold, how can i be sure that the structure is safe to reoccupy?

If water damage is caused by a “clean” water source, if the loss is reported quickly, and if the contractor arrives and begins restoration right away, typically, mold doesn’t have a chance to grow enough to cause problems. In that case moisture measurements may be used to determine complete restoration.

However, when response is prolonged, or when visible mold growth indicates greater contamination, following careful restoration, professionals may suggest “third party” or “clearance” testing as part of the completion program. This testing ensures that the build is safe for sensitive people to reoccupy. When in doubt, clearance testing may be a good idea.

Mold is pervasive in nature and thrives where there is water, dampness, and moisture. A leaky roof, broken appliance, burst pipe or improper ventilation can all be sources of water damage and humidity that lead to contamination from mold. Mold cleaning products exist on the market for the do-it-yourselfer, but the team at All Flood & Fire knows that mold and mildew is not always visible to the naked eye, and therefore always recommends professional remediation to ensure the entire infestation is located and properly treated. 

Our mold and mildew remediation process:

All Flood & Fire has been serving residents and businesses in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs since 1996. If you discover a time-sensitive mold problem, hire our IICRC-certified water damage restoration and basement water extraction specialists with the experience and credentials to best handle your mold removal Chicago needs.

All Flood & Fire’s technicians are prepared to rapidly and properly restore your home or business back to normal. Take advantage of our emergency service when you need us most. Call (847) 202-0231 to reach us year-round, 24 hours a day for mold remediation Chicago.

Protecting Your Pipes in Chicago, IL

After winter sets in is not the time to think about your pipes. Proper planning can prevent the freezing of your water lines and pipes by following these recommendations: Start from the outside. Drain all Garden Hoses and wrap outside pipes. Most of the time an outside faucet that spurs off you house will have a cut off inside or at the base. It is advisable to shut this off and leave the outside faucet on to be sure it is drained as well.

The reason it is important to drain both is because water left inside your hoses may expand upon freeing causing them to stress or rupture. Exterior pipes and faucets that are not properly drained can crack or break if water freezes inside them. You should also empty swimming pools to avoid damage to drains and sidewalls. Make sure all sprinkler lines are cleared and prepped according to manufacturer’s specs, and stroe sprayer heads and sprinkler nozzles accordingly.

NOTE: do not use antifreeze in these lines unless it is specifically stated by the manufacturer. Antifreeze is a potentially dangerous substance that can harm the earth and the creature that inhabit it if used improperly. Exam the rest of your outer home and yard to look for any water sources you may have forgotten like fountains or man-made ponds that have the potential to freeze and damage your lines. Often water pipes that are hidden in crawlspaces or under porches get forgotten.

If you have outside pipes that you can’t really drain and shut off, you can wrap. There are many fine products on the market that provide a “sleeve” of insulating material to wrap these pipes in. If you cannot find or afford pipe insulation, tape about ¼ ” around the pipe. It is a viable alternative. It is important to protect both hot and cold water pipes during freezing weather. If you can keep a shed or garage closed or wrap the underpinning of your home or porch to keep warm air around the pipes do so.

Inside your home you should check pipes that sit against outside walls. Again wrapping them or draining them if possible is a good plan. If the pipes are under cabinetry, leave those doors open to allow warm air in. If you are unable to cut off your water, Let your faucets drip especially through the night or when you are gone and they are not likely to be turned on.

Unfortunately a burst pipe is not usually obvious until it thaws, or a faucet is turned back on. If you turn on your water after a thaw, and notice really low water pressure, you may have a burst pipe. Immediately shut off the water and check for water damage or standing water.

Rebuilding After Dangerous Floods

Floods in St. Louis, Missouri

Floods in St. Louis, Missouri 

All Flood & Fire was in Saint Louis, Missouri helping out local citizens with water damage clean-up helping them to rebuild their lives.

Do’s and Don’ts When You Experience Water Damage

Flooding and excess water in your home or business can be devastating. The damage to property—that is, to both the structure of the building and to your possessions and furnishings inside—can be significant and requires immediate attention. Even a minor amount of water can wreak havoc and cause damage the longer it goes without proper care and treatment. The professionals at All Flood & Fire understand all types of flood and water situations, and have been providing expert water remediation services in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs since 1996.

Time is the most crucial element in preventing permanent water damage to the structure and materials on the property. A prompt and thorough response in terms of cleaning and drying the area will also help avoid a potential infestation from mold and mildew. In order to minimize damage and ensure the job is done right, we always recommend immediate professional flood cleanup and restoration where excess water has occurred, but we also know there are several steps home and business owners can take in an effort to mitigate the situation.

When you experience water damage, you should:

  • Ensure the source of the water entry or leak has been repaired or, if a blockage is stopping water from draining, make sure it is clear
  • If safe to do so, turn off the circuit breakers supplying electricity to wet or water-damaged areas, and unplug and remove small electrical devices from wet rooms
  • Take photos of the water-damaged area and items for filing an insurance claim
  • If the water is from an inside source, such as a broken appliance, remove standing water by sponging and blotting with mops and towels
  • Take up saturated rugs, carpets, and carpet pads when hardwood floors are at risk
  • Ventilate wet areas by opening windows, turning on fans, and using a dehumidifier
  • Transport computers and other electronics to a dry environment; blow parts dry with low pressure air
  • Remove lamps and decorative items from wet furniture tops
  • Open drawers and cabinets for drying out the interiors
  • Place squares of aluminum foil, china saucers, or wood blocks under furniture legs to avoid carpet staining
  • Pin up floor-length draperies, curtains, bed and furniture skirts to avoid contact with wet floors and further water absorption
  • Remove books, shoes, paper goods, boxes, fabrics, potted plants, and other loose items that could stain floor coverings or absorb additional moisture
  • Remove and secure breakables, moisture-sensitive, and high-value items for safe keeping
  • Thoroughly inspect floors, walls, drywall, and other structural items for water damage

When you experience water damage, you should not:

  • If the water is unclean/unsafe/unsanitary or from an outside source, attempt to clean it yourself
  • If a ceiling is sagging from retained water, enter the room
  • Use any type of home vacuum in the area, including shop vacs, as electrical shock may occur as well as potential damage to the equipment
  • Place newspaper in any area to absorb moisture, as the ink transfers easily
  • Walk on wet carpet any more than is absolutely necessary, so as to minimize damage
  • Turn on heating or air conditioning if the property was flooded
  • Increase or decrease ambient temperature unless instructed by a professional
  • Attempt to keep every water-logged item, as not everything is salvageable
  • Assume that, just because you have removed every last drop of water, the area is dry—water seeps into walls and other hidden areas

In all cases, you should wear protective gear—waterproof boots and gloves, and even a mask and goggles, depending on the type of water damage. Once the All Flood & Fire technicians arrive onsite, they test the water for contaminants and take steps to thoroughly decontaminate and deodorize the water-damaged area and items.

We are licensed, bonded, and insured, and have the training and certification to quickly and properly treat water damage in your home or business. Our technicians are IICRC certified, which means they possess the expertise to properly handle the basement water damage you’ve sustained. Our well-equipped fleet of trucks contains state-of-the-art industry-grade water extraction and drying equipment, all ready to take care of any water damage situation at your home or business. 

If you’ve experienced unwanted water for any reason, call the professionals at All Flood & Fire immediately at (847) 202-0231. We are a residential and commercial water damage remediation company serving the entire Chicago area, and are available to take your emergency call 24/7, 365 days a year. All Flood & Fire’s proven process ensures the entire flood area ends up dry, clean, safe, and restored to its pre-damage condition.

Call Now 847-202-0231