Safety with Fire Pit Use

7/13/2022 (Permalink)

Safety Tips When Using Your Fire Pit

Fire pits are perfect for your outdoor gatherings. The fire pit is a beautiful addition to your landscaping and a great way to complement and add a relaxing ambiance to your property. 
SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles wants to make sure you are keeping you and your property safe by following these safety tips!

Fire Pit Location

• 
   Make sure to place your fire pit AT LEAST 10 feet away from any structures. This may help prevent sparks from hitting your home and excessive smoke from entering your or your neighbor’s home.
  •    Do NOT place your fire pit under tree branches or on a covered deck. Make sure your fire pit is in a location where the flames and sparks will not hit any objects.

Fire Pit Site Preparation

• 
   If your fire pit is not built into the ground, make sure you have stone, brick, gravel, or concrete under the pit. This will help prevent the area below the pit from burning. 
  •    You should NEVER place your pit over dry grass or over a wooden deck. This is to prevent any overheating or causing of a spark a fire to the ground below it.

Weather

• 
   Do not use your fire pit if it is windy. Windy conditions may cause sparks from the fire to fall in an area that is flammable.
  •    When you are using your fire pit, you should observe what direction the breeze is blowing. You should move any object out of the way of where the breeze is blowing to help prevent a fire from occurring.

Lighting the Fire Pit

• 
   When lighting your fire pit, do NOT use lighter fluid or gasoline to light the pit or to relight fires. 
  •    The easiest and safest way to light your fire pit is to place kindling under the wood.  Kindling can be newspaper, dead leaves, pine needles, wood shaving and small pieces of tree bark.  Place a small stack under the wood in your fire pit and try lighting it instead of the wood.  Once the kindling catches fire, the rest of the wood should also ignite.
  •    You should always keep water nearby just in case the fire inside of the pit spreads.
  
  Before you use your fire pit, you should check your town’s laws on fire pits. Some towns require a permit and an inspection. If the unfortunate happens, call the experts at SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles 847-983-4468, and we will make it “Like it never even happened.”

Guard Against Germs

7/13/2022 (Permalink)

6 Ways to Guard Against Germs in Everyday Life

SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles is IICRC certified

5/20/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles is an IICRC-certified restoration company.

Water Damage and IICRC Certification of Your Restoration Firm

Water damage can be deceptive. Water penetrates into structural cavities creating trapped pockets of saturation. The detection of water in these areas can often only be discovered with sophisticated moisture detection meters. Undetected moisture will continue to cause damage. This damage, at a minimum, will cause odors. Greater damage will surface when materials delaminate, shrink, split and further deteriorate to where costly repairs are required.

More than just removing excess water, restorers certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) have the knowledge and equipment to further dry a home or facility (including substructure materials) completely back to preloss conditions. Through timely response and the careful monitoring of water damage, mold and other health issues can be prevented. If water damage has been present too long, mold will occur.

All IICRC-certified professionals have the training and experience to identify moisture sources, evaluate mold growth (visible or suspected), contain damage, remove contamination and dry materials to ensure that mold will not return.

More About the Importance of IICRC Certification

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is a certification and standard-setting nonprofit organization for the inspection, cleaning and restoration industries.

When you see an IICRC logo, you can be confident that an IICRC-certified experienced, qualified professional is caring for your valuable property. IICRC Certified Firms employ technicians who, after study, field experience and passing comprehensive exams, have received IICRC certifications in specific cleaning, restoration and inspection categories such as upholstery, wood flooring, stone and tile flooring, carpet cleaning, odor removal, mold remediation, water damage, fire damage restoration and more. 

SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles is an IICRC-certified restoration company. Call us today at 847-983-4468 if you have water damage. 

Why SERVPRO?

3/23/2022 (Permalink)

Working with a reliable mitigation and remediation company goes a long way toward reducing the stress and anguish of our Morton Grove/East Niles’ homeowners who endure suffering a water, fire, mold, or storm disaster.  

Water Damage 

The need for water removal arrives at the most inconvenient times. Your life can be disrupted from anything from an overflowing sink to a leaking water heater.

When you call SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles for water extraction, you can be assured that you have professionals to take care of the issue. Providing premium water damage management is one of the foundations of our company’s mission, and we strive to exceed your expectations when we take on your project. Expect a speedy response to your call because we know the longer water     soaks into the structural components and contents of your home the more damage that results.

Each water removal job SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles undertakes has a customized plan developed in response to the individual circumstances at the customer’s residence. We arrive with an IICRC certified crew, certified in multiple specialties to deliver restoration best practices across every task we complete. We will ensure that the affected area is mitigated properly with use of equipment such as extractors, air movers, and dehumidifiers that bring moisture levels in building materials back to normal readings.

Fire Damage 

When you suffer fire damage in Morton Grove/East Niles, our SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles family is there to assist you. Our experienced crew chief will assess the situation and develop a plan to make sooty, wet chaos “Like it never even happened.” Each crew member works diligently to complete whatever tasks are needed to get the job done.

The tasks common to fire damage mitigation and remediation as performed by our SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles team include the following:

• Water containment, removal, and disposal following local regulations
• Burned debris assessment and removal
• Deep cleaning of charred surfaces with an emphasis on restoring stable surfaces if possible
• Evaluation of soot characteristics on different surfaces and spaces
• Ashy soot from hot-burning paper and wood
• Thick, dark soot that sticks to surfaces from electrical fires and slow smoldering fabrics and padding
• Protein-based soot from food and grease that adheres like a varnish
• Matching of the varying soot to appropriate cleaning products, tools, and techniques
• Loose, ashy soot -- cleared with dry sponges, brushed and HEPA-filtered vacuums
• Sticky, thickly deposited soot -- cleaning products with wetting agents and surfactants to loosen the bond and agitation to clear the soot away
• Protein-based soot -- abrasive tools or cleaning products to dislodge and solvents in challenging applications
• Deodorization after cleaning completes, including the use of special equipment like thermal foggers, hydroxyl generators, and ozone machines

Mold Remediation

Mold remediation in Morton Grove/East Niles reflects the reputable restoration industry’s best practices. Mold spores can never be eliminated, and any company that promises to achieve zero mold spore levels is suspect. Our goal is to remove current mold infestations, use appropriate products to minimize the return of mold colonies and work with our customers to find the sources of moisture responsible for mold growth and arrange for necessary repairs.

SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles crews use a protocol developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to locate, contain, and remove mold and materials it infiltrated. The workspace is partitioned off with durable barriers to prevent the spread of moldy material. We create a seal using negative pressure air scrubbing technology, venting the contaminated atmosphere in the moldy space through filters and then to the outside. Remediators wear personal protective equipment (PPE) for safety and to avoid tracking moldy residues through your home.

Mold responds well to mechanical removal -- scrapers and brushes. We vacuum after removal to get all particles using HEPA-filtered machines. Porous material can regain functionality after innovative techniques like soda blasting that deactivates and removes hyphae from structural components. After the visible is cleared EPA-registered antimicrobials treat surfaces. Antimicrobial paint-like sealants also might be appropriate to prepare surfaces for restoration.

Storm Damage

Flooding, roofing and siding fails, and broken windows and doors are all on the menu when Morton Grove/East Niles residents experience storm damage. Heavy rains, winds, and storm surge are the enemy, but our crews are ready to assist and take care of the unwanted damages to your home due to water from these unexpected events. In the aftermath of a severe storm, it is comforting to know that our team, from owners to technicians, are dedicated to customer needs and satisfaction. Caring, compassion, and security are guiding principles we follow at this challenging time in your life.

Feel confident that SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles is on your team as we guide you from catastrophic conditions to “Like it never even happened.” Call for backup at 847-983-4468.

Choose SERVPRO

9/1/2021 (Permalink)

Why SERVPRO

Experience and Compassion are Why SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles Earns High Marks from Customers

Suffering a water, fire, mold, or storm disaster can be a low point in the lives of our Morton Grove/East Niles customers. No one can prepare for the upheaval, worry, cost, and feelings of helplessness that follow a significant loss after an accident or emergency puts your property in harm's way. Working with a reliable mitigation and remediation company goes a long way toward reducing the stress-stricken homeowners endure.

Water Damage 

The need for water removal arrives at the most inconvenient times. A phone call takes you away from a filling sink that overflows down the hall to the stairs. The grumbling water heater finally gives up the ghost -- and 50 gallons of sediment-filled liquid fills your utility room while you are at work. Automatic sprinkler systems seem like a time and money saver until they malfunction and run all night and seep mucky water through cracks in your foundation.

When you call SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles for water extraction, do it with the assurance that we have your back. Providing premium water damage management is one of the foundations of our company’s mission, and we strive to exceed your expectations when we take on your project. Expect a speedy response to your call because we know the longer water has to soak into the structural components and contents of your home the more damage that results.

Each water removal job SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles undertakes has a customized workflow developed in response to the individual circumstances at the customer’s residence. We arrive with an Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Reconstruction Certification (IICRC)- crew, certified in multiple specialties to deliver restoration best practices across every task we complete. Powerful, commercial-grade pumps and water extractors are at the ready in our well-stock vehicles. To finish the remediation, the same vehicles hold the air movers, heaters, and dehumidifiers that bring moisture levels in building materials back to normal readings.

Fire Damage 

When an overturned pot or unattended candle causes fire damage in Morton Grove/East Niles that has the potential to race throughout all spaces in your home, your priority is the safety of loved ones and pets. Returning to your house after the firefighters release the property can be a total upending of your expectations of comfort and enjoyment in what was your safe place. Surfaces, furnishings, and personal effects are almost unrecognizable, and you and your family suffer from feelings of despair and enormous loss.

Our SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles family grieves with yours because the first viewing of fire devastation never grows old. Without missing a beat, however, our experienced crew chief begins assessing the situation and mapping out a plan to make sooty, wet chaos “Like it never even happened.” Each crew member jumps to assigned tasks, all the tools, products, and equipment needed with us and ready to battle back.

The tasks common to fire damage mitigation and remediation as performed by our SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles team include the following:

• Water containment, removal, and disposal following local regulations
• Burned debris assessment and removal
• Deep cleaning of charred surfaces with an emphasis on restoring stable surfaces if possible
• Evaluation of soot characteristics on different surfaces and spaces
• Ashy soot from hot-burning paper and wood
• Thick, dark soot that sticks to surfaces from electrical fires and slow smoldering fabrics and padding
• Protein-based soot from food and grease that adheres like a varnish
• Matching of the varying soot to appropriate cleaning products, tools, and techniques
• Loose, ashy soot -- cleared with dry sponges, brushed and HEPA-filtered vacuums
• Sticky, thickly deposited soot -- cleaning products with wetting agents and surfactants to loosen the bond and agitation to clear the soot away
• Protein-based soot -- abrasive tools or cleaning products to dislodge and solvents in challenging applications
• Deodorization after cleaning completes, including the use of special equipment like thermal foggers, hydroxyl generators, and ozone machines

Mold Remediation

Mold remediation in Morton Grove/East Niles reflects the reputable restoration industry’s best practices. Mold spores can never be eliminated, and any company that promises to achieve zero mold spore levels is suspect. Our goal is to remove current mold infestations, use appropriate products to minimize the return of mold colonies and work with our customers to find the sources of moisture responsible for mold growth and arrange for necessary repairs.

SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles crews use a protocol developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to locate, contain, and remove mold and materials it infiltrated. The workspace is partitioned off with durable barriers to prevent the spread of moldy material. We create a seal using negative pressure air scrubbing technology, venting the contaminated atmosphere in the moldy space through filters and then to the outside. Remediators wear personal protective equipment (PPE) for safety and to avoid tracking moldy residues through your home.

Mold responds well to mechanical removal -- scrapers and brushes. We vacuum after removal to get all particles using HEPA-filtered machines. Porous material can regain functionality after innovative techniques like soda blasting that deactivates and removes hyphae from structural components. After the visible is cleared EPA-registered antimicrobials treat surfaces. Antimicrobial paint-like sealants also might be appropriate to prepare surfaces for restoration.

Storm Damage

Flooding, roofing and siding fails, and broken windows and doors are all on the menu when Morton Grove/East Niles residents experience storm damage. Heavy rains, winds, and storm surge are the enemy, but our crews are ready to stand with you against the unwanted invasion.

We also provide pre-storm water-related mitigation services when faced with diminished integrity of your home. SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles offers board up and tarping when your roof, windows, siding, and other exterior elements suffer damage. In the aftermath of a severe storm, it is comforting to know that our team, from owners to technicians, are dedicated to customer needs and satisfaction. Caring, compassion, and security are guiding principles we follow at this challenging time in your life.

Feel confident that SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles is on your team as we guide you from catastrophic conditions to “Like it never even happened.” Call for backup at 847-983-4468.

Backyard Fire Safety

9/1/2021 (Permalink)

Safety Tips When Using Your Fire Pit

Fire pits are perfect for your outdoor gatherings. The fire pit is a beautiful addition to your landscaping and a great way to complement and add a relaxing ambiance to your property. 
SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles wants to make sure you are keeping you and your property safe by following these safety tips!

Fire Pit Location

• 
   Make sure to place your fire pit AT LEAST 10 feet away from any structures. This may help prevent sparks from hitting your home and excessive smoke from entering your or your neighbor’s home.
  •    Do NOT place your fire pit under tree branches or on a covered deck. Make sure your fire pit is in a location where the flames and sparks will not hit any objects.

Fire Pit Site Preparation

• 
   If your fire pit is not built into the ground, make sure you have stone, brick, gravel, or concrete under the pit. This will help prevent the area below the pit from burning. 
  •    You should NEVER place your pit over dry grass or over a wooden deck. This is to prevent any overheating or causing of a spark a fire to the ground below it.

Weather

• 
   Do not use your fire pit if it is windy. Windy conditions may cause sparks from the fire to fall in an area that is flammable.
  •    When you are using your fire pit, you should observe what direction the breeze is blowing. You should move any object out of the way of where the breeze is blowing to help prevent a fire from occurring.

Lighting the Fire Pit

• 
   When lighting your fire pit, do NOT use lighter fluid or gasoline to light the pit or to relight fires. 
  •    The easiest and safest way to light your fire pit is to place kindling under the wood.  Kindling can be newspaper, dead leaves, pine needles, wood shaving and small pieces of tree bark.  Place a small stack under the wood in your fire pit and try lighting it instead of the wood.  Once the kindling catches fire, the rest of the wood should also ignite.
  •    You should always keep water nearby just in case the fire inside of the pit spreads.
  
  Before you use your fire pit, you should check your town’s laws on fire pits. Some towns require a permit and an inspection. If the unfortunate happens, call the experts at SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles 847-983-4468, and we will make it “Like it never even happened.”

IICRC Certified

5/25/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles is an IICRC-certified restoration company.

Water Damage and IICRC Certification of Your Restoration Firm

Water damage can be deceptive. Water penetrates into structural cavities creating trapped pockets of saturation. The detection of water in these areas can often only be discovered with sophisticated moisture detection meters. Undetected moisture will continue to cause damage. This damage, at a minimum, will cause odors. Greater damage will surface when materials delaminate, shrink, split and further deteriorate to where costly repairs are required.

More than just removing excess water, restorers certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) have the knowledge and equipment to further dry a home or facility (including substructure materials) completely back to preloss conditions. Through timely response and the careful monitoring of water damage, mold and other health effects can be prevented. If water damage has been present too long, mold will occur.

All IICRC-certified professionals have the training and experience to identify moisture sources, evaluate mold growth (visible or suspected), contain damage, remove contamination and dry materials to ensure that mold will not return.

More About the Importance of IICRC Certification

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is a certification and standard-setting nonprofit organization for the inspection, cleaning and restoration industries.

When you see an IICRC logo, you can be confident that an IICRC-certified experienced, qualified professional is caring for your valuable property. IICRC Certified Firms employ technicians who, after study, field experience and passing comprehensive exams, have received IICRC certifications in specific cleaning, restoration and inspection categories such as upholstery, wood flooring, stone and tile flooring, carpet cleaning, odor removal, mold remediation, water damage, fire damage restoration and more. 

SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles is an IICRC-certified restoration company. Call us today at 847-983-4468 if you have water damage. 

Why SERVPRO

3/18/2021 (Permalink)

Experience and Compassion are Why SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles Earns High Marks from Customers

Suffering a water, fire, mold, or storm disaster can be a low point in the lives of our Morton Grove/East Niles customers. No one can prepare for the upheaval, worry, cost, and feelings of helplessness that follow a significant loss after an accident or emergency puts your property in harm's way. Working with a reliable mitigation and remediation company goes a long way toward reducing the stress-stricken homeowners endure.

Water Damage 

The need for water removal arrives at the most inconvenient times. A phone call takes you away from a filling sink that overflows down the hall to the stairs. The grumbling water heater finally gives up the ghost -- and 50 gallons of sediment-filled liquid fills your utility room while you are at work. Automatic sprinkler systems seem like a time and money saver until they malfunction and run all night and seep mucky water through cracks in your foundation.

When you call SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles for water extraction, do it with the assurance that we have your back. Providing premium water damage management is one of the foundations of our company’s mission, and we strive to exceed your expectations when we take on your project. Expect a speedy response to your call because we know the longer water has to soak into the structural components and contents of your home the more damage that results.

Each water removal job SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles undertakes has a customized workflow developed in response to the individual circumstances at the customer’s residence. We arrive with an Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Reconstruction Certification (IICRC)- crew, certified in multiple specialties to deliver restoration best practices across every task we complete. Powerful, commercial-grade pumps and water extractors are at the ready in our well-stock vehicles. To finish the remediation, the same vehicles hold the air movers, heaters, and dehumidifiers that bring moisture levels in building materials back to normal readings.

Fire Damage 

When an overturned pot or unattended candle causes fire damage in Morton Grove/East Niles that has the potential to race throughout all spaces in your home, your priority is the safety of loved ones and pets. Returning to your house after the firefighters release the property can be a total upending of your expectations of comfort and enjoyment in what was your safe place. Surfaces, furnishings, and personal effects are almost unrecognizable, and you and your family suffer from feelings of despair and enormous loss.

Our SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles family grieves with yours because the first viewing of fire devastation never grows old. Without missing a beat, however, our experienced crew chief begins assessing the situation and mapping out a plan to make sooty, wet chaos “Like it never even happened.” Each crew member jumps to assigned tasks, all the tools, products, and equipment needed with us and ready to battle back.

The tasks common to fire damage mitigation and remediation as performed by our SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles team include the following:

• Water containment, removal, and disposal following local regulations
• Burned debris assessment and removal
• Deep cleaning of charred surfaces with an emphasis on restoring stable surfaces if possible
• Evaluation of soot characteristics on different surfaces and spaces
• Ashy soot from hot-burning paper and wood
• Thick, dark soot that sticks to surfaces from electrical fires and slow smoldering fabrics and padding
• Protein-based soot from food and grease that adheres like a varnish
• Matching of the varying soot to appropriate cleaning products, tools, and techniques
• Loose, ashy soot -- cleared with dry sponges, brushed and HEPA-filtered vacuums
• Sticky, thickly deposited soot -- cleaning products with wetting agents and surfactants to loosen the bond and agitation to clear the soot away
• Protein-based soot -- abrasive tools or cleaning products to dislodge and solvents in challenging applications
• Deodorization after cleaning completes, including the use of special equipment like thermal foggers, hydroxyl generators, and ozone machines

Mold Remediation

Mold remediation in Morton Grove/East Niles reflects the reputable restoration industry’s best practices. Mold spores can never be eliminated, and any company that promises to achieve zero mold spore levels is suspect. Our goal is to remove current mold infestations, use appropriate products to minimize the return of mold colonies and work with our customers to find the sources of moisture responsible for mold growth and arrange for necessary repairs.

SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles crews use a protocol developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to locate, contain, and remove mold and materials it infiltrated. The workspace is partitioned off with durable barriers to prevent the spread of moldy material. We create a seal using negative pressure air scrubbing technology, venting the contaminated atmosphere in the moldy space through filters and then to the outside. Remediators wear personal protective equipment (PPE) for safety and to avoid tracking moldy residues through your home.

Mold responds well to mechanical removal -- scrapers and brushes. We vacuum after removal to get all particles using HEPA-filtered machines. Porous material can regain functionality after innovative techniques like soda blasting that deactivates and removes hyphae from structural components. After the visible is cleared EPA-registered antimicrobials treat surfaces. Antimicrobial paint-like sealants also might be appropriate to prepare surfaces for restoration.

Storm Damage

Flooding, roofing and siding fails, and broken windows and doors are all on the menu when Morton Grove/East Niles residents experience storm damage. Heavy rains, winds, and storm surge are the enemy, but our crews are ready to stand with you against the unwanted invasion.

We also provide pre-storm water-related mitigation services when faced with diminished integrity of your home. SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles offers board up and tarping when your roof, windows, siding, and other exterior elements suffer damage. In the aftermath of a severe storm, it is comforting to know that our team, from owners to technicians, are dedicated to customer needs and satisfaction. Caring, compassion, and security are guiding principles we follow at this challenging time in your life.

Feel confident that SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles is on your team as we guide you from catastrophic conditions to “Like it never even happened.” Call for backup at 847-983-4468.

6 Ways to Guard Against Germs in Everyday Life

9/2/2020 (Permalink)

6 Ways to Guard Against Germs in Everyday Life

SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles is Here to Help during this time of need

9/1/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles is Here to Help during this time of need

During this unprecedented time caused by the global pandemic of coronavirus, this is a reminder to our customers that we are specialists in cleaning services, and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.

Specialized Training

We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.

The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces include:

• Kitchen/Food Areas
• Bathrooms
• Schools/Classrooms
• Offices
• Retail Spaces
• Water Fountains
• Shelving/Racks
• Sales Counters
• Carpets and Rugs
• Stair Handrails
• Elevator Cars
• Playground Equipment
• Fitness Equipment

Specialized Products

The CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus. Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no product tested against this particular strain of the coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local authorities.

Call Today for a Proactive Cleaning

If your home or business needs deep cleaning services, call the experts today

 – SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles, 847-983-4468

We are Cleaning Experts

3/18/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is Here to Help during this time of need

During this unprecedented time caused by the global pandemic of coronavirus, this is a reminder to our customers that we are specialists in cleaning services, and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.

Specialized Training

We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.

The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces include:

• Kitchen/Food Areas
• Bathrooms
• Schools/Classrooms
• Offices
• Retail Spaces
• Water Fountains
• Shelving/Racks
• Sales Counters
• Carpets and Rugs
• Stair Handrails
• Elevator Cars
• Playground Equipment
• Fitness Equipment

Specialized Products

The CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus. Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no product tested against this particular strain of the coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local authorities.

Call Today for a Proactive Cleaning

If your home or business needs deep cleaning services, call the experts today – [SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles, 847-983-4468]

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-prevent-spread.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fguidance-prevent-spread.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/guidance-business-response.html

Toilet Overflows

8/21/2019 (Permalink)

What Do You Do When Your Toilet Overflows?

Oh no, the toilet is overflowing is a message you hope you never hear!  But rest assured, unfortunately, it happens all the time and our SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles technicians are just a phone call away.

If your toilet begins to overflow following a flush, you want to make sure you stop the flow of water immediately to minimize any water damage.  To do this, remove the tank lid and press down on the bottom flapper valve.  This will prevent any additional water from getting into the toilet bowl.  Once you have pressed the flapper valve, lift the float that operates the tank fill valve to stop the tank from filling.  This should allow the water level to drop; otherwise, turn off the water valve behind your toilet by turning it clockwise. 

The Source of the toilet bowl overflow might be a Clog

You may have a blockage in the toilet bowl or a clogged drain or sewer line.  If you are on a septic system, your septic tank may be full. 

Our SERVPRO technicians are trained water damage restoration professionals and certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC).  Let SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles be the calm in your chaos the next time your toilet overflows.  Our vehicles are fully equipped with state-of-the-art water extraction, drying, and moisture testing equipment to handle your loss.

Call us at 847-983-4468

IICRC Certified Firm

8/21/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles is an IICRC-certified restoration company.

Water Damage and IICRC Certification of Your Restoration Firm

Water damage can be deceptive. Water penetrates into structural cavities creating trapped pockets of saturation. The detection of water in these areas can often only be discovered with sophisticated moisture detection meters. Undetected moisture will continue to cause damage. This damage, at a minimum, will cause odors. Greater damage will surface when materials delaminate, shrink, split and further deteriorate to where costly repairs are required.

More than just removing excess water, restorers certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) have the knowledge and equipment to further dry a home or facility (including substructure materials) completely back to preloss conditions. Through timely response and the careful monitoring of water damage, mold and other health issues can be prevented. If water damage has been present too long, mold will occur.

All IICRC-certified professionals have the training and experience to identify moisture sources, evaluate mold growth (visible or suspected), contain damage, remove contamination and dry materials to ensure that mold will not return.

More About the Importance of IICRC Certification

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is a certification and standard-setting nonprofit organization for the inspection, cleaning and restoration industries.

When you see an IICRC logo, you can be confident that an IICRC-certified experienced, qualified professional is caring for your valuable property. IICRC Certified Firms employ technicians who, after study, field experience and passing comprehensive exams, have received IICRC certifications in specific cleaning, restoration and inspection categories such as upholstery, wood flooring, stone and tile flooring, carpet cleaning, odor removal, mold remediation, water damage, fire damage restoration and more. 

SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles is an IICRC-certified restoration company. Call us today at 847-983-4468 if you have water damage. 

Fire Pit Safety

8/20/2019 (Permalink)

Safety Tips When Using Your Fire Pit

Fire pits are perfect for your outdoor gatherings. The fire pit is a beautiful addition to your landscaping and a great way to complement and add a relaxing ambiance to your property. 
SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles wants to make sure you are keeping you and your property safe by following these safety tips!

Fire Pit Location

• 
   Make sure to place your fire pit AT LEAST 10 feet away from any structures. This may help prevent sparks from hitting your home and excessive smoke from entering your or your neighbor’s home.
  •    Do NOT place your fire pit under tree branches or on a covered deck. Make sure your fire pit is in a location where the flames and sparks will not hit any objects.

Fire Pit Site Preparation

• 
   If your fire pit is not built into the ground, make sure you have stone, brick, gravel, or concrete under the pit. This will help prevent the area below the pit from burning. 
  •    You should NEVER place your pit over dry grass or over a wooden deck. This is to prevent any overheating or causing of a spark a fire to the ground below it.

Weather

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   Do not use your fire pit if it is windy. Windy conditions may cause sparks from the fire to fall in an area that is flammable.
  •    When you are using your fire pit, you should observe what direction the breeze is blowing. You should move any object out of the way of where the breeze is blowing to help prevent a fire from occurring.

Lighting the Fire Pit

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   When lighting your fire pit, do NOT use lighter fluid or gasoline to light the pit or to relight fires. 
  •    The easiest and safest way to light your fire pit is to place kindling under the wood.  Kindling can be newspaper, dead leaves, pine needles, wood shaving and small pieces of tree bark.  Place a small stack under the wood in your fire pit and try lighting it instead of the wood.  Once the kindling catches fire, the rest of the wood should also ignite.
  •    You should always keep water nearby just in case the fire inside of the pit spreads.
  
  Before you use your fire pit, you should check your town’s laws on fire pits. Some towns require a permit and an inspection. If the unfortunate happens, call the experts at SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles 847-983-4468, and we will make it “Like it never even happened.”

Why SERVPRO

8/1/2019 (Permalink)

Experience and Compassion are Why SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles Earns High Marks from Customers

Suffering a water, fire, mold, or storm disaster can be a low point in the lives of our Morton Grove/East Niles customers. No one can prepare for the upheaval, worry, cost, and feelings of helplessness that follow a significant loss after an accident or emergency puts your property in harm's way. Working with a reliable mitigation and remediation company goes a long way toward reducing the stress stricken homeowners endure.

Water Damage 

The need for water removal arrives at the most inconvenient times. A phone call takes you away from a filling sink that overflows down the hall to the stairs. The grumbling water heater finally gives up the ghost -- and 50 gallons of sediment-filled liquid fills your utility room while you are at work. Automatic sprinkler systems seem like a time and money saver until they malfunction and run all night and seep mucky water through cracks in your foundation.

When you call SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles for water extraction, do it with the assurance that we have your back. Providing premium water damage management is one of the foundations of our company’s mission, and we strive to exceed your expectations when we take on your project. Expect a speedy response to your call because we know the longer water has to soak into the structural components and contents of your home the more damage that results.

Each water removal job SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles undertakes has a customized workflow developed in response to the individual circumstances at the customer’s residence. We arrive with an Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Reconstruction Certification (IICRC)- crew, certified in multiple specialties to deliver restoration best practices across every task we complete. Powerful, commercial-grade pumps and water extractors are at the ready in our well-stock vehicles. To finish the remediation, the same vehicles hold the air movers, heaters, and dehumidifiers that bring moisture levels in building materials back to normal readings.

Fire Damage 

When an overturned pot or unattended candle causes fire damage in Morton Grove/East Niles that has the potential to race throughout all spaces in your home, your priority is the safety of loved ones and pets. Returning to your house after the firefighters release the property can be a total upending of your expectations of comfort and enjoyment in what was your safe place. Surfaces, furnishings, and personal effects are almost unrecognizable, and you and your family suffer from feelings of despair and enormous loss.

Our SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles family grieves with yours because the first viewing of fire devastation never grows old. Without missing a beat, however, our experienced crew chief begins assessing the situation and mapping out a plan to make sooty, wet chaos “Like it never even happened.” Each crew member jumps to assigned tasks, all the tools, products, and equipment needed with us and ready to battle back.

The tasks common to fire damage mitigation and remediation as performed by our SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles team include the following:

• Water containment, removal, and disposal following local regulations
• Burned debris assessment and removal
• Deep cleaning of charred surfaces with an emphasis on restoring stable surfaces if possible
• Evaluation of soot characteristics on different surfaces and spaces
• Ashy soot from hot-burning paper and wood
• Thick, dark soot that sticks to surfaces from electrical fires and slow smoldering fabrics and padding
• Protein-based soot from food and grease that adheres like a varnish
• Matching of the varying soots to appropriate cleaning products, tools, and techniques
• Loose, ashy soot -- cleared with dry sponges, brushed and HEPA-filtered vacuums
• Sticky, thickly deposited soot -- cleaning products with wetting agents and surfactants to loosen the bond and agitation to clear the soot away
• Protein-based soot -- abrasive tools or cleaning products to dislodge and solvents in challenging applications
• Deodorization after cleaning completes, including the use of special equipment like thermal foggers, hydroxyl generators, and ozone machines

Mold Remediation

Mold remediation in Morton Grove/East Niles reflects the reputable restoration industry’s best practices. Mold spores can never be eliminated, and any company that promises to achieve zero mold spore levels is suspect. Our goal is to remove current mold infestations, use appropriate products to minimize the return of mold colonies and work with our customers to find the sources of moisture responsible for mold growth and arrange for necessary repairs.

SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles crews use a protocol developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to locate, contain, and remove mold and materials it infiltrated. The workspace is partitioned off with durable barriers to prevent the spread of moldy material. We create a seal using negative pressure air scrubbing technology, venting the contaminated atmosphere in the moldy space through filters and then to the outside. Remediators wear personal protective equipment (PPE) for safety and to avoid tracking moldy residues through your home.

Mold responds well to mechanical removal -- scrapers and brushes. We vacuum after removal to get all particles using HEPA-filtered machines. Porous material can regain functionality after innovative techniques like soda blasting that deactivates and removes hyphae from structural components. After the visible is cleared EPA-registered antimicrobials treat surfaces. Antimicrobial paint-like sealants also might be appropriate to prepare surfaces for restoration.

Storm Damage

Flooding, roofing and siding fails, and broken windows and doors are all on the menu when Morton Grove/East Niles residents experience storm damage. Heavy rains, winds, and storm surge are the enemy, but our crews are ready to stand with you against the unwanted invasion.

We also provide pre-storm water-related mitigation services when faced with diminished integrity of your home. SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles offers board up and tarping when your roof, windows, siding, and other exterior elements suffer damage. In the aftermath of a severe storm, it is comforting to know that our team, from owners to technicians, are dedicated to customer needs and satisfaction. Caring, compassion, and security are guiding principles we follow at this challenging time in your life.

Feel confident that SERVPRO of Morton Grove/East Niles is on your team as we guide you from catastrophic conditions to “Like it never even happened.” Call for backup at 847-983-4468.