Recent Posts

Commercial Services Spotlight: Property Management

2/27/2024 (Permalink)

When disaster strikes your commercial property, we know that your goal is to return your commercial facility to its preloss condition as soon as possible while minimizing disruptions to your business activities and your tenants’ daily lives. At SERVPRO we have the experience, equipment and manpower to handle commercial losses of any size. We have over 30 years of experience in Illinois and have restored many commercial buildings, including:

  • Multi-Level Commercial Buildings
  • Multi-Tenant Facilities 
  • Small Office Buildings
  • Shopping Malls 
  • Apartment Complexes
  • Hotels
  • Industrial Facilities
  • Mixed-Use Properties

Call us anytime day or night at 630-369-9710 and the cleaning and restoration specialists at SERVPRO of Plainfield/Shorewood and SERVPRO of South Naperville will be ready to help! 

24 Hour Response Teams

2/22/2024 (Permalink)

Here at SERVPRO, we are available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. So, when you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage.

We understand when you call, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through. SERVPRO has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration as the cornerstone of our business.

When you call, you can expect several questions from us regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources SERVPRO of Joliet technicians may need.

Here are some of the questions you may be asked:

              Your name and contact information

              Your insurance information (if applicable)

              The street address of the water-damaged home or business

              When did the flooding or water damage occur?

              What caused the water damage (if known)?

              Is there electricity available (on-site)?

We specialize in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. 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.

Wet Materials from Water Damage

2/13/2024 (Permalink)

When our crew approaches a water job, we evaluate many different variables. All of which are very important, but there are two variables that we look at the most: type of material and the degree of wetness. This means that we will evaluate each material's permeability, the ability for water to pass through the material, dampness, the moisture movement. The liquids will be presented in one of these forms.

Surface Water

Like the name, you can find this type of moisture on the material's surface. It is a visible liquid and can evaporate. When mitigating this type of moisture, you must remove the moisture using mechanical extraction. The next component needed to be addressed: airflow, which helps control temperature and humidity, which helps evaporate any remaining moisture.

Free Water

Unlike surface water, the name of this absorption doesn't give you many clues on how to find it in a material. Before the moisture can form a chemical bond to the material, free water happens. You can find this type of moisture in cavities, open pores, and other air spaces within the material. When mitigating this form of moisture, you will want to use lower humidities and warmer temperatures. By maintaining these factors, you ensure that the moisture is going to evaporate.  

Bound Water

More work is needed to fully mitigate this type of moisture material as this form is when the moisture has made chemical bonds. You will have to release it to get the moisture out of the material when this happens. Unlike the other categories, controlling the airflow won't help remove the chemical bonds. The moisture will dry fastest when it is warmed. The essential factor to keep in mind is maintaining the surrounding humidity. Keep in mind that this type will take the longest to dry out of all categories.

This is why you should hire our team of professionals here at SERVPRO of Plainfield/Shorewood and SERVPRO of Naperville South because we know what to look for. We evaluate each material to create a precious course of action to provide results and restore to the preloss condition. 

Commercial Cleaning

12/27/2023 (Permalink)

Commercial Building Cleaning Services

When the dirt, odor, and moisture challenges go beyond the scope of your regular janitorial staff, you need SERVPRO of Lockport, Lemont, and Homer Glen. You can depend on us to get the job done right and get it done quickly. Our highly trained technicians use top-of-the-line equipment to make your business shine again.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned: Our new defensive pathogen cleaning program, goes way beyond standard janitorial cleaning practices. This is proactive viral pathogen cleaning. With over 50 years of experience in biochemical spill remediation and decontamination, you can trust SERVPRO of Joliet Professionals to bring a higher standard of clean to the places we gather.

All of our cleanup practices are in accordance with the guidelines provided by the CDC and local authorities.  SERVPRO offers proactive disinfecting to help minimize the spread of viruses such as COVID-19. 

Document Restoration: In the aftermath of a disaster, some of your most valued contents could be lost forever. As a leader in the restoration industry, we know that timely mitigation is the key to recovering damaged possessions. With years of experience and state-of-the-art technology, our restoration professionals will help you recover your paper goods before it’s too late.

Vandalism:  Vandalism and graffiti can be very upsetting. It can range from relatively minor pranks to malicious destruction of property. Often simple acts of vandalism, like breaking a window, can cause significant water and mold damage if not addressed in a timely manner.

What about Lightning?

12/20/2023 (Permalink)

During a storm, a lot of things have the potential to cause some pretty serious damage.

Besides wind driven rain, a few other things can play a role.

Today, let’s talk lightning!

Some people think lightning never strikes the same place twice. However, lightning often strikes the same place twice, especially if it’s a tall, pointed object. Reportedly, the Empire State Building is struck nearly 25 times a year!

It is also believed that lightning only poses a threat when it is cloudy or raining. The truth is lightning often strikes more than three miles outside of a storm and has been known to travel as far as ten to fifteen miles before it even strikes the ground.

Many people are confused by the term “heat lightning” and think it only occurs as a result of a very hot summer day. The term “heat lightning” is used to describe lightning from a thunderstorm too far away to be heard.

Lightning can be scary and has the ability to do more than just make a loud noise. Keep SERVPRO of Lockport, Lemont, and Homer Glen in mind the next time a storm comes your way!

Actions to Avoid Following a House Fire

12/13/2023 (Permalink)

Once a home fire has been extinguished, it’s a natural impulse to try and clean up as quickly as possible but doing so may cause more damage than good. Below is a list of actions to avoid following a house fire to help you recover quickly and safely.

Avoid using electronics

After a fire, it’s best to wait until a professional arrives on the scene to ensure electronics are safe to use. This includes TVs, computers, and DVD players. Even the A/C needs to stay off until you get the all-clear. Turning on electronics can create greater damage.

Don’t try to clean possessions on your own

While it’s tempting to grab a bucket of water and get to work, it's best if you do not clean walls, ceilings, and other similar surfaces, and wait to clean your clothing and similar garments. A professional should examine them first and provide advice. In some cases, different types of approaches to cleaning are necessary for different items to avoid causing further damage, so it’s best to wait for a fire remediation professional to give you advice before trying to clean on your own.

Toss all food in your home

Never eat anything that was in the home during the fire. Smoke, soot, and chemicals can get into everything and it’s better to be safe than sorry. It is most likely not safe to consume due to contamination from smoke, soot, or contaminants introduced to the environment when the fire was being extinguished. That includes canned goods. Heat damage may not be seen on the outside of canned goods, but the heat can re-cook the ingredients in the can causing harm.

Refrain from cleaning up after firefighters

Unfortunately, extinguishing a fire can cause a mess on its own as fire retardants and other foams or powders may have been used to stop the flames. Forgo trying to clean up any staining from the powder discharged by a fire extinguisher. It is best to let professionals guide the cleanup of these areas as they have the equipment to handle different types of chemical cleanup on a variety of surfaces.

It’s always tempting to start the cleanup process immediately and do as much as possible. The best course of action is to hire a certified professional to provide expert knowledge and service. The situation requires specialized tools and knowledge that only a professional can provide. A trusted professional will offer an after-fire checklist that will help speed along the fire and smoke damage cleanup process. Consulting a professional will help you restore your property back to like-new condition as quickly as possible.

Is It Safe To Stay in My Home After a Water Damage?

12/6/2023 (Permalink)

When customers call us after their home has been damaged by unwanted water, one question we often hear is how safe is it to remain in the home? There are several factors to keep in mind in the immediate aftermath of a water damage situation. What is the source of the water? Water that has come from a broken sewer line or an unknown source should be considered contaminated and is not safe to touch or handle without taking proper safety precautions. Standing water in and around your home, no matter the source, can be dangerous and pose the risk of electrocution as electrical outlets and appliances may still be live.  If your home has experienced unwanted water, call the restoration professionals at SERVPRO. Our technicians will be on site quickly to help create a plan of action to get you and your family back in your home and make your property "Like it never even happened." 

Signs That You May Have Hidden Water Damage in Your Home

12/6/2023 (Permalink)

Identifying signs of water damage to your home sooner rather than later can make a difference in lessening the damage and the costs to repair and restore your home back to normal. SERVPRO technicians are ready 24/7 to respond quickly to floods, burst pipes, and other mishaps, saving time and money by getting to the job site faster. By identifying and treating problems earlier, we can help to prevent situations such as mold growth and severe oxidation from causing damage to the structural components of your home. Here are a few signs that may indicate water damage in your home.

Discolored materials

Many materials common in homes show water damage through discoloration. Pigments used in fabrics, paints, flooring, ceilings, and other surfaces can change color when they come in contact with water. The shape, spread, and specific color of these spots can vary depending on how much water has been released, and what materials it has already come in contact with. One of the most destructive processes in a water-damaged home is color bleed from one fabric to another, but a call to SERVPRO can help to avoid color bleeding by addressing issues as quickly as possible.

Unusual or musty odors

Several complications of water damage can create unusual and off-putting odors, sometimes very soon after the damaging water incident happens. Oxidizing metals, freshly soaked wood, and other materials, and long-term mold growth can all create unique and pungent odors in your home. While smells can be useful to identify a problem, you don’t want them around forever! That’s why SERVPRO technicians use multiple deodorization methods to rid your home of any unwanted smells. If you notice an unusual smell in your home, call the pros to get the problem handled quickly!

Dripping or other water sounds

Unusual sounds behind walls and below floors could be indicative of a water leak or other plumbing issue in your home. Drips may be obvious when you hear them but be alert for other unusual sounds as well. Water at high pressure inside pipes in your home can create unique sounds when something is amiss. It might be a whooshing sound or even a hum. If you hear anything unusual behind those walls, give us a call!

SERVPRO helps homeowners who experience water leaks, floods, and other disasters in their residences, helping get their homes back to normal. 

From Carpets to Catastrophes, SERVPRO is Here for All Your Commercial Cleaning Needs

8/31/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is here to restore your property from fire, storm and water damage, but did you know that SERVPRO also offers many other clean up and restoration services?

  • Mold Mitigation and Remediation - SERVPRO professionals are here to control and remediate mold contaminating your property and threatening your safety. 
  • HVAC Cleaning - We can inspect your HVAC system and restore it to peak energy efficiency to improve indoor air quality.
  • Crime Scene, Biohazard and Vandalism Cleanup - SERVPRO technicians are trained to safely and efficiently clean biohazardous substances and waste for proper disposal. 
  • Contents Claim Inventory Service - We provide itemized, area-by-area inventory for storage during job completion or in cases of hoarding.

If you need a job done right and done quickly, call SERVPRO for all your commercial cleaning needs.

Commercial Restoration

8/21/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO offers a variety of cleaning and restoration services for businesses both large and small in nearby communities.  Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to respond to your emergency business damages, including sewage backups, water damages, and flooding occurrences.

When disaster strikes, our team responds as quickly as possible, working to mitigate the severity of damages, lessen the amount of time your business flow is interrupted, and begin getting your building back to its preloss condition.  Our top priority is to deliver the highest caliber of service, not only providing a full line of water, fire and mold damage remediation options, but also working with your insurance company to help alleviate the stress of the damage situation.

SERVPRO Large Loss Response Team, along with the backing of over 1,700 franchises nationwide, has the training, equipment, and expertise to handle any size commercial loss.  We have worked with a variety of local business owners, from small restaurants to multi-unit condominiums, and are Here to Help you and your business in your time of need.