National Tune-Up Day

9/23/2022 (Permalink)

September 25th is National Tune-up Day. National Tune-up Day was created to remind homeowners to prepare their house for winter. In preparation for the changing seasons heating and cooling specialists recommend tuning up heating systems before the temperature drops. 

During the spring and summer months the ability to open your windows and allow your home to breathe. Spring and summer are prime for the growth of flowers, summer nights at the beach taking in the fresh air and playing with your pets in the backyard or grilling up a steak. Spring and summer are also primal months for the spread of mold growth, pollen and other air traveling particles such as pet fur and dust via your home's air flow system. This can congest your home's ventilation system.  

If your homes ventilation system seems a bit slower this may be the cause. Are you pondering what mechanics actually tune-up? Well according to “National Today” almost all your home's systems require regular maintenance. For instance, combustion gases should be examined and contrasted with the furnace's requirements. To ensure that the furnace's blower access door has a tight seal, it must be examined. Checking the fresh air intake grills for obstruction and the burners for good ignition and flame are two further inspections that are required. The repairman examines the furnace and checks for leaks and blockages in the drainage system. Traps, taps, and drains must all be tested as well. Additionally, some mechanics might advise checking the blower wheel, motor, wiring, and all filters. Additionally, the elements should be examined for deterioration and damage. A tune-up for your heating system helps you save energy and cut heating costs. Additionally, these tune-ups guarantee that the system will function optimally for the specified number of years. 

SERVPRO Arlington Height/Prospect Heights has been specializing in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after fire, smoke, and water damage disasters for a very long time. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration, and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: from initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification. Rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property. Our continuing education programs also give us the ability to connect with insurance agents, adjusters, and more. This lessens the gap in the work processes for SERVPRO and insurance. 

Hurricane Fiona Lands in P.R

9/19/2022 (Permalink)

A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone, which forms over tropical or subtropical waters. Earlier this year in May the Forecasters at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service, predicted above-average hurricane activity this year, making it the seventh consecutive above-average hurricane season. September 10th marks the official peak of hurricane season and just as peak season begins hurricane “Fiona” recks throughout Puerto Rico on September 18th. Destructive winds and life-threatening flash floods and mudslides. The catastrophic storm left the entire island of Puerto Rican without power. Hurricane Fiona continues to reck Havok on the Atlantic islands at it travels to the Dominican Republic. Updates are still continuing, however, Additional strengthening is expected on today, September 19th, and Tuesday, as Fiona moves over the southwestern Atlantic, according to the NHC. 

Here are some suggestions on how to be ready for a hurricane in your location now that we are officially just at peak of hurricane season. 

- Create a plan: If evacuation is required, shut off all utilities and abide by local preparedness policies for disasters. Make sure to choose a location where the entire family can congregate. Make sure your pets have a plan for evacuation as well. 

- To make the exterior secure, trim any sizable trees and bushes. Bring inside all of the outdoor patio furniture, plants in pots, bikes, and toys. 

- Install storm shutters: These will provide adequate shutters or impact-resistant glass to protect your windows, doors, and skylights. 

- Examine your art and wall hangings: Ensure that all of your wall hangings are stable and make notes on your artwork. 

- Reposition your vehicles: Park them in your garage against the garage doors or keep them on higher ground. 

- Electricity up: Fill up the gas tank in your car, check that all of your cell phones are charged, test your generator, and keep plenty of fuel on hand in case the power goes out. 

- Keep critical documents in a safe deposit box in your home's closet. Examples of such documents are legal paperwork, birth certificates, marriage licenses, insurance policy information, and any valuables.  

Prepare an emergency kit by gathering all flashlights, portable radios, batteries, non-perishable food, bottled water, money, blankets, toiletries, and clothing. 

- Locate a shelter room. This space should be on the first floor, in the interior of the house's center, away from any windows. 

At SERVPRO, we recognize that when a disaster happens, you never know what the aftermath will leave behind. Anytime you require services for rebuilding or damage control, we are always here to help! 

Safety Advice For Homeowners To Safeguard Their Buildings

9/14/2022 (Permalink)

Safety Advice For Homeowners To Safeguard Their Buildings

Protecting your property from natural disasters is crucial as a homeowner, and flood protection should be top of mind. The most frequent and one of the most expensive weather-related disasters in the United States is flooding. Between 1980 and 2013, it is estimated that flooding damage cost about $260 billion. These safety advice for house protection will be very helpful to homeowners in Elmhurst, Illinois.

1. Rethink remodeling. Consider installing porous paving, for instance, if your driveway needs to be repaved to assist slow down water runoff. When installing a new grass, be sure to grade it away from the house so that water drains into the street gutter.

2. Keep up maintenance. By doing basic maintenance tasks like checking pipe valves and making sure the gutters are free to avoid ice dams, you can flood-proof your property. In the event of a flood or even heavy rain, making sure downspouts and drains are not clogged will help with water drainage.

3. Make cleanliness a priority. Following up after a flood is almost as vital as protecting your house from flooding. Consult water damage repair professionals right away to prevent water damage and mold. After such a natural calamity, you won't be the only one looking for assistance, so take action right once.

4. Sort out the mess. If at all feasible, move any gadgets, pricey rugs, and furniture to higher levels. Simply lift them off the ground if it's not. Elevating large appliances onto solid objects like concrete blocks can also be useful. Ensure that electrical components like switches, plugs, and circuit breakers are at least a foot above the area's predicted flood level.

Prioritize flood safety when you buy or renovate a house. It is frequently more useful to be better prepared for such natural disasters in advance than than attempting to handle the consequences after the fact.

Preparation for tornadoes

9/14/2022 (Permalink)

 Knowing what kinds of catastrophes might occur in your area is crucial when creating a strategy for when they do. Know how you will get in touch with one another and re-connect if you become separated. Establish a comfortable and convenient location for family gatherings. Ensure that you have the following.

September is National Preparedness Month

9/1/2022 (Permalink)

September is National Preparedness Month (NPM). NPM is FEMA's national annual preparedness outreach. It is managed and sponsored by FEMA's Ready Campaign. The Ready Campaign, in conjunction with the Ad Council, aims to educate and empower Americans during NPM and through the year to prepare for and respond to all types of emergencies, including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks. National Preparedness Month culminates on September 30th with National Preparedness Day, the National Day of Action. The theme for 2022 is: A Lasting Legacy. The life you've built is worth protecting. Prepare for disasters to create a lasting legacy for you and your family. SERVPRO® is proud to spotlight National Preparedness Month this year. By doing so, we want to make sure you are prepared in case of a disaster? whether natural or man-made. If you haven't taken the time to think about how different disasters could affect you, then we challenge you to take the necessary steps to become informed and develop an emergency plan for before, during, and after an event for yourself and your family. IN THIS ISSUE of the Restoration Newsline: • Why is NPM observed in September? • What 2 states experience the most tornadoes? • Preparedness steps that could save your life • What to include in an emergency supply kit We must work together to ensure that our families, businesses, places of worship, and neighborhoods are ready for the unthinkable. Begin preparing vital information now so you can address the unique needs of your business during an emergency situation. Contact your local SERVPRO® team of professionals to find out more preparedness planning tips and how you can minimize business interruption with SERVPRO's Emergency READY Profile®.

How SERVPRO works directly with your insurance

8/31/2022 (Permalink)

When a disaster strikes your property, it is important to know who to call! SERVPRO of La Grange Park / North Riverside, Arlington Heights/Prospect Height, and Elmhurst is highly trained and experienced in disaster restoration and cleanup. Our team is the trusted leader in the restoration and cleaning industry, and we offer a wide variety of services for your residential and commercial properties. Water damage, fire damage, and mold damage don't stand a chance against our team! Locally owned and operated, we are dedicated to being "Faster to any size disaster!" Available 24 hours a day, days a week for your emergency.

When you experience an unexpected disaster in your home, you may not know how to handle it. After the shock is over, your first thoughts are “what am I going to do?” and  “How am I going to pay for this?”. These are two very common questions homeowners ask themselves given the high cost of repairing water, fire, mold or trauma damage. Good news for you, our team of professionals is here to help eliminate that concern.

Here at SERVPRO of La Grange Park / North Riverside, Arlington Heights/Prospect Height, and Elmhurst set ourselves apart from other restoration companies with our seamless design to work directly with most insurance companies while keeping property owners in the loop. Our dedicated team of professionals understands the insurance industry. From knowing how the claims process works, to getting your claim submitted and your repairs documented correctly. One major advantage we use is our advanced technology that allows us to perform very accurate estimates with detailed reports on replacements. Many of our team members have worked directly with insurance agents and adjusters.

As one of the largest restoration and damage remediation companies in the country, we work with hundreds of insurance companies to help our customers get their claims processed quickly and fairly. Many insurance companies know that SERVPRO handles losses professionally and often recommend us to their policyholders.

If you have any questions or are in need of emergency services, don't hesitate and give our SERVPRO of La Grange Park / North Riverside, Arlington Heights/Prospect Height, and Elmhurst team a call!  

Rain, storms and flooding are seemingly becoming more frequent across the world.

8/9/2022 (Permalink)

Rain, storms and flooding are seemingly becoming more frequent across the world. Many areas in the United States are experience record breaking rainfall and flooding. Many Americans are becoming open minded to the idea of climate change as a result of global warming. Nasa has produced articles on the evidence, causes, effects and solutions of climate change. 

According to Nasa, “It is undeniable that human activities have produced the atmospheric gases that have trapped more of the Sun’s energy in the Earth system” This allows us to make the educated thought that these gases are warming our planet at a rapid rate. Scientists have predicted that many of the changes that are happening would eventually happen. However, these changes are happening much sooner than they had expected.  In NASA’s article Earth Will Continue to Warm and the Effects Will Be Profound the author states “Changes to Earth’s climate driven by increased human emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases are already having widespread effects on the environment: glaciers and ice sheets are shrinking, river and lake ice is breaking up earlier, plant and animal geographic ranges are shifting, and plants and trees are blooming sooner” These are some of the effects of climate in happening rapidly in the recent years many of which may seem to be attached to the recent growth in natural disasters.  

In the article Flooding and Climate Change: Everything You Need to Know the author states “Floods are the most common (and among the most deadly) natural disasters in the United States. They have brought destruction to every state and nearly every county, and in many areas they are getting worse.” We can see examples of this in parts of central Illinois and St. Louis, Missouri where severe storms have been recking havoc on residents and leaving hundreds homeless or displaced with flood damage.  

Many Americans are preparing for a new Federal climate bill that could have a direct impact on a variety of climate measures. The bill offers a variety of tax credits focusing heavily on the push towards the use of low-carbon technologies. According to the article How The Federal Climate Bill Could Impact Proviso Suburbs, The new initiative — which was spearheaded by Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson, Oak Park Village President Vicki Scaman and River Forest President Cathy Adduci — puts participating suburbs on the hook for achieving a 100% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This should be viewed as a great accomplishment as the village of Broadview is recently recovering from major storms that left the village in a state of emergency a few weeks ago. Read more about that here. https://www.SERVPROlagrangeparknorthriverside.com/blog  

References: 

Jackson, R. (2022). The Effects of Climate Change. Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet. Retrieved August 9, 2022, from https://climate.nasa.gov/effects/ 

Denchak, M. (2019, April 10). Flooding and Climate Change: Everything You Need to Know. NRDC. Retrieved August 9, 2022, from https://www.nrdc.org/stories/flooding-and-climate-change-everything-you-need-know 

thevillagefreepress@gmail.com. (2022, August 8). How The Federal Climate Bill Could Impact Proviso Suburbs. Village Free Press -. Retrieved August 9, 2022, from https://www.vfpress.news/articles/energy/how-the-federal-climate-bill-could-impact-proviso-suburbs/?fbclid=IwAR1bmCcfdVK9VzDYxX9n_DlHWuoDIMYgqzsIBOuim2HGeDKVRGWDcCLOQfQ 

Storms in The Area August 8th

8/8/2022 (Permalink)

This morning August 8^th 2022, the Chicagoland area including Arlington heights were met with early morning storms. Heavy rainfall is moving across Illinois pouring at the rain tides at more than 2 inches per hour states weatherman and meteorologist, Mike Caplan of FOX 32 Chicago. However, we are looking forward to a wind shift to blow the storms away and bring in some much less humid air for tomorrow.  In any case our highly trained Disaster Recovery Team specializes in property damage restoration, water damage restoration and fire damage restoration. Our team utilizes advanced technologies alongside The Institute of Inspection’s cleaning and restoration industry standards to provide exceptional service. We believe in continuous training from initial and on-going training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC industry certifications. Rest assured our staff is equipped for any of your clean-up, restoration, and construction needs.

References:

Caplan, M. (2022, August 8). Storms dominate Chicago area Monday with small flooding risk. FOX 32 Chicago. Retrieved August 8, 2022, from https://www.fox32chicago.com/weather/storms-chicago-monday-flooding

Workaholics Day

8/5/2022 (Permalink)

It's National Workaholics Day today, July 5. A "workaholic" is someone who obsessively works hard and for a lengthy period of time. If you're a workaholic, your love for what you do generally runs deep. Everyone knows they can depend on you to get the job done since you are the boss's go-to person. On the other hand, it's possible to overwork yourself and have detrimental health impacts. You could work so hard that you forget some of the most important aspects of life, such as interacting with friends and missing crucial family occasions. Workaholism has advantages and disadvantages, but today is dedicated to you and all that makes you unique.

Although working too hard has numerous drawbacks, workaholics may experience negative effects from working too hard. Stress, anxiety, and impaired brain and cognitive performance can all be caused by overworking and lack of sleep. You may be a workaholic if you exhibit any of these symptoms. The following list of warning indicators that you might be a workaholic is followed by advice on how to control these characteristics.

• You prioritize work over hobbies, leisure activities, and exercise.
• You become stressed if you are prohibited from working.
• You have been told by others to cut down on work without listening to them.
• You work in order to reduce feelings of guilt, anxiety, helplessness, and depression.

Managing your Workaholic-ism

• Foster a culture of appropriate boundaries, work/life balance and engagement as this will help everyone be productive, energized, and creative.
• Find your intrinsic motivation for working that’s healthy. Ask yourself, What makes the work meaningful? What enjoyment do you derive from work?  What’s your purpose?  Leaders need to know why you get out of bed, and it usually isn’t to hit a target or make money.

According to nationaldaycalendar.com the way to observe NATIONAL WORKAHOLICS DAY is

“A healthy work-life means more to our well-being than just a paycheck! Today, take some time off to relax, slow down a little bit and maybe schedule a vacation for you and your family. Be sure to use #NationalWorkaholicsDay on social media to shout out to those you know who are workaholics.” Meaning take a break, get some fresh air, and concentrate on your favorite activities outside of work, such as spending time with friends and family. Make sure you have fun; you deserve it!

References:

Barron, K. (2013, July 9). Being a workaholic has advantages and disadvantages. The American Genius. Retrieved August 5, 2022, from https://theamericangenius.com/entrepreneur/being-a-workaholic-has-advantages-and-disadvantages/

National Day Calendar. (2022, July 1). NATIONAL WORKAHOLICS DAY - July 5. Retrieved August 5, 2022, from https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-workaholics-day-july-5/

Kramer, J. (2016, May 31). There’s a Serious Downside to Being a Workaholic. Glamour. Retrieved August 5, 2022, from https://www.glamour.com/story/theres-a-hiddenand-seriousdownside-to-being-a-workaholic

Team, W. A. (2020, August 5). Six signs you’re a workaholic – and how to deal with it. WeAreTheCity. Retrieved August 5, 2022, from https://wearethecity.com/six-signs-youre-a-workaholic-and-how-to-deal-with-it/

Malik, H. (2022, July 10). NATIONAL WORKAHOLICS DAY. National Today. Retrieved August 5, 2022, from https://nationaltoday.com/national-workaholics-day/

The Basement Flood Experts

7/26/2022 (Permalink)

Although flooding most often occurs during heavy rainfall, a basement can flood at any time. Basements are inherently prone to flooding simply because they are the lowest level of a building and are normally built partly or entirely below ground level. There are a number of reasons why your basement could flood, including: 

• A blocked or failed sewer lateral pipe
• Heavy rain causes surface water to pool around your home
• Storm sewer backup
• Sanitary sewer backup
• A failing Sump pump
• Foundation drainage failure
• Water supply-line break or hot-water tank failure
• And many more

Do You Have Questions about Basement Flooding?

Call SERVPRO of Arlington Heights Today

If flood water is not handled quickly and properly, it can jeopardize your health and safety, or even  cause severe damage to your home’s structure. Remember, the longer you wait, more likely the more damaging effects are happening.

The bottom line: a flooded basement can jeopardize your safety, and your home’s integrity. It’s worth making a call to SERVPRO of Elmhurst and letting our trained, professional crews handle the situation safely and correctly. We have earned the trust of hundreds of homeowners, business owners, and property professionals.

We are Flooded Basement Specialists:

• We are Available 24 hours/7 days per week
• We’re a Preferred Vendor to many National Insurance Companies
• We Bill The Insurance Directly – One Less Thing For You To Worry About
• Our Technicians are Highly-Trained in Water Restoration Techniques
• We use s500 IICRC Restoration Standards
• Advanced Inspection and Extraction Equipment

Basement Flooded? Call Us Today 847-637-3445 – SERVPRO of Arlington Heights is Ready To Help!