Emergency Preparedness Is For Everyone! Don't Wait!

5/5/2022 (Permalink)

Emergency preparedness is for everyone. The more basic preparedness needs that each family or individual can prepare for themselves, the less stress there will be placed on emergency management services. Summer storms, tornadoes and hurricanes often come with damaging winds and rain, and have similar preps even though they occur in different areas of the country. (Side note – the United States has more tornadoes each year than any other country, averaging over 1000 per year, but the United Kingdom has the highest number of tornadoes per unit of land area, per foreignpolicy.com). Everyone should take the time to make these basic emergency preparedness preps, no matter what region you live in. They may just save your life and the lives of those you care about.

Step One:  Have An Emergency Preparedness Plan

Step Two: Prep Your Emergency Preparedness Essentials

Step Three:  Prepare Your Home for Summer Storms and High Winds

What Happens When Your Power Goes Out? Do You Have A Plan?

5/4/2022 (Permalink)

Do You Have A Plan In Place If Your Power Goes Out?

What Happens When Your Power Goes Out? Do You Have A Plan?

4/27/2022 (Permalink)

Do You Have A Plan In Place If Your Power Goes Out?

Residential And Commercial Storm Damage Restoration Is Our Business!

3/28/2022 (Permalink)

Helping you protect your home from severe weather damage might seem a little odd –after all, residential and commercial storm damage restoration is our business. But at the end of the day, as a local franchise, we are here to help those in our community, whether by doing the work when disaster strikes or by sharing information to help before it does! 

SERVPRO has compiled the best tips to help you protect your home from the season’s storms. 

• Trim and prune trees regularly. 
• Look for escaping heat. 
• Keep up with regular chimney cleaning. 
• Take steps to prevent frozen pipes. 

Taking these steps can help to prevent icy weather damage, but if the icy weather does damage your home or business, give SERVPRO a call and we will get you back to "Like it never even happened."

Storm response in Lansing and Calumet City Illinois

3/20/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Disaster Recovery Team - Team Nichols has multiple offices. This is the Calumet City - Lansing team

SERVPRO of Calumet City-Lansing is locally owned and operated with a staff of over 50 employees. We serve multiple areas outside of Calumet City and Lansing Illinois, but the vast majority of our work takes place in towns.

Following heavy rains, winds, and other severe weather, both areas are prone to flooding. That's when our Storm Response Team is called upon. From over flowing toilets and sewer drains in basements to failing sump pumps and foundation leaks, SERVPRO is the only call you need to make. We can handle just about any Storm related damages whether covered by insurance or not.

Once our team is called, you'll quickly have professional staff members at your building or residence removing and extracting water. We perform demolition and/or drying of water damaged materials. We treat areas with antimicrobials and EPA registered disinfectants to avoid mold growth. Our staff is also capable of repairing any water damage as well.

SERVPRO Calumet City Lansing is also a licensed roofing company. We provide emergency tree removal and tarping. We replace damaged roofing, gutters, siding, and other exterior building materials. There's very few companies that have as well rounded a staff. Especially in the Village of Lansing and Calumet City where we are recognized as the local leader in disaster recovery and restoration.

This Spring will bring severe thunderstorms and other bad weather.

Thunderstorms are a type of storm that we tend to downplay in terms of its severity, as they often come and go, some largely harmless and others leaving a long path of destruction. At their worst, thunderstorms can produce high winds, intense bursts of rain, and hail, leading to downed trees and powerlines, as well as flash flooding. According to the American Red Cross, lightning produced from thunderstorms causes more deaths than hurricanes and tornadoes. Therefore, it is important to prepare your home for the worst when it comes to thunderstorms. In this blog, we’ll explore a few ways in which you can protect your home from thunderstorm damage.

3 Thunderstorm Safety Tips

The American Red Cross has published lists of tips for thunderstorm safety before, during, and after a thunderstorm. For the purposes of this blog, we would like to spotlight thunderstorm safety tips that are specifically designed to prevent storm damage to your home. The first tip is to have a list of things to bring inside before a thunderstorm. For example, if you have anything large or heavy outside that can potentially be transported inside, it may be beneficial to do so, as large objects can be picked up by the wind and inflict damage upon your home. Next, it may be helpful to double-check that your homes’ doors and windows are completely and securely shut. When it comes to windows, installing shutters may provide additional support, as they can prevent windows from breaking. Lastly, we mentioned earlier that thunderstorms can lead to downed trees, which makes it imperative that trees and other types of shrubbery are trimmed as best as possible in order to decrease the chances of branches flying from trees.

Call SERVPRO for Expert Storm Damage Restoration

SERVPRO Disaster Recovery Team – Team Nichols is always standing by and ready to help. No matter the size of your emergency and regardless of where it takes place, our team of storm damage experts provide emergency service so that we can serve our customers as soon as possible. Trust our Storm Damage Restoration services to restore your home to its preloss condition, making it “Like it never even happened.” 

Sump Pump Failure Can Cause More Damage Than You Think!

11/7/2021 (Permalink)

If your sump pump does fail call (815) 935-0077 and a crew from SERVPRO of Kankakee County! We are here to help!

If your home has a wet basement, you’re not alone. The American Society of Home Inspectors estimates that more than 60 percent of homes have issues with water in the basement.A sump pump can be an effective option for preventing water damage. Installed in a pit in the basement, these units sense when the water from rain or snow melt is rising in the pit and approaching the floor level. The incoming water is then pumped outside before it can damage the home or its furnishings.Sump pumps are relatively low-maintenance devices, but you can help keep your unit operational by inspecting it regularly.

Steps in a regular maintenance program can include:

• Checking the discharge line to make sure it is not stopped up or frozen. If necessary, unclog the air vent hole in the line.

• Checking the inlet screen to ensure that it’s not clogged with residue and debris. Do this three or four times per year.

• Making sure the float component is unobstructed and can move smoothly.

• Scanning the pit and removing any visible debris, mud, or stones.

• Testing the pump by slowly pouring a bucket of water into the pit. The float should rise with the water level, triggering the unit to start pumping. If pumping doesn’t begin, check to see that the unit is plugged in. Your float switch or check valve might also be at fault.

• Going outside to see that water is discharging and flowing where it’s supposed to go – well away from your home.

Once a year, disconnect the pump from the power source and remove the unit. Flush it thoroughly with water to remove impurities and debris. While you have the pump out, also clean debris from the sump pit.  Reinstall the pump and reconnect the power source.  Test the unit by pouring a bucket of water into the pit and making sure the pump starts.If your unit has backup battery power, replace the battery every two to three years, or as directed by the manufacturer.Always refer to your pump’s instruction manual for specific information about maintenance and operation. More information about sump pumps is available from the Sump and Sewage Pump Manufacturers Association.

If your sump pump does fail call (815) 935-0077 and a crew from SERVPRO of Kankakee County will come out and dry your basement and all other ares that are wet.  We can also do Sump Pump Replacement if yours goes down.

Ask The Experts: Why Do Pipes Freeze?

2/17/2021 (Permalink)

Winter sure can be pretty to look at, but the unseen things can be just horrific; things like frozen pipes! 

There are many ways to avoid this nightmare, and most homeowners are unaware that there are things they can do to eliminate this very costly disaster in their home or business! 

Why Do Pipes Freeze?

When water freezes, it expands, and this, in a nutshell, is why pipes freeze. What causes the water to freeze?

• Quick temperature drops
• Poor insulation
• Thermostats set too low
  
  

While you can’t change the temperature outside, you can definitely prepare your pipes and keep them from being negatively impacted. What can you do? 

Insulate Your Pipes

Heated tape is available as is pipe sleeving that can help keep your pipes toasty when it gets awful outdoors. 

Seal House Leaks

Cold air can get into your home in a number of ways, and some of that is through leaks! Windows that are not fit properly, cracks under your door, and even improper insulation. 

Drip Your Faucets

Letting your faucets drip warm water overnight is a way that you can ensure your pipes will not freeze up. Just a little bit of water is all kit takes to keep things moving and to save you from a potentially costly disaster!

Should disaster strike your home or office, give us a call! We are faster to any disaster and are here to get you back to "Like it never even happened."

Wing Damage Is Nothing For Our SERVPRO Team

11/10/2020 (Permalink)

Strong winds can cause major damage but SERVPRO of Calumet City/Lansing can help.

Fall is the time of year when heavy winds can cause property damage to homes and businesses.  As warm air meets cold air there is always a chance of tornadoes or micro bursts.  Wind speeds of 50 miles per hour can easily lift and tear of shingles off of a roof.  Trees with weaker limbs are also susceptible to breakage due to high winds. 

SERVPRO of Calumet City/ Lansing is always ready to help should your home or business need repairs or emergency board up or tarp off services.  With an always ready dedicated team for board ups we can quickly respond to secure your property. 

Our on site construction team will be able to get you an estimate for repairs and work with your insurance company to restore your building to its previous condition. 

For more information on our emergency services or our construction team please call our office today at 708-627-0077.