Are you a homeowner in Glenview, IL that has experienced water damage on your property? Perhaps a pipe has burst and flooded your home, or your basement flooded after heavy rain.
As the area’s leading water damage restoration company, we’ve seen it all!
That’s why we’ve put together this helpful guide on what to do if you’ve experienced water damage.
Let’s dive in.
9 Common Causes of Water Damage in Glenview, IL homes
Below are the nine likely causes of water damage in Glenview:
1. Pipe problems
Water pipes bursting, cracking, or leaking is one of the most common causes of water damage in Glenview homes.
If this is the culprit of your leak, you should turn off the water in your home and call a plumber to fix the pipe. Next, call ServiceMaster Restoration by Zaba to help restore your home: (847) 730-7301
2. Roof leaks
Roof leaks are common in Glenview as the weather can fluctuate dramatically, and wind can disrupt the integrity of your roof causing water intrusion during heavy rain.
This is a dangerous situation that requires immediate attention to prevent further damage and even ceiling collapse. Call ServiceMaster Restoration by Zaba right away: (847) 730-7301
3. Flooding
Flooding is the worst cause of water damage as it usually results in excessive standing water and severe damage.
If you get flood warnings, take preventive measures like ensuring your sump pump is working properly to prevent basement flooding.
4. Storm damage
Glenview gets its fair share of thunderstorms and loads of rain. The water can creep into your home and cause damage.
5. Appliance malfunctions
If your water heater or washer malfunctions, it can flood your entire home.
In these situations, the culprit is usually obvious, and you can immediately call a maintenance person to make the necessary repairs.
Dealing with the resulting water damage, however, requires ServiceMaster by Zaba’s help, so contact us to clean up and restore your home to pre-loss condition: (847) 730-7301
6. High humidity
Glenview is a very humid climate, which can lead to water damage in your home if the moisture levels in the air become excessive.
High humidity water damage will likely have mild effects such as damp carpet and expanded wood, but could impact your family’s health and safety.
7. Cracked foundation
A cracked foundation will result in gradual water damage.
If you notice foul smells or water rings in your home, you may need to reseal your foundation to prevent the elements from sneaking into your Glenview, IL home.
8. Drainage Issues
If there are sewage problems near your home, it can result in a drainage backup, forcing water back into your home through the plumbing.
This situation is a bit of a nightmare and can take some time to remedy.
9. Accidents
Accidents happen. Many accidents could lead to water damage, such as bathtub or toilet overflow.
What to do After Water Damage in Glenview, IL
Dealing with water damage can be daunting. It’s hard to know what to do first, so we’ve laid out the five steps you should take immediately after your Glenview home suffers water damage.
1. Take safety measures
First and foremost, you need to take steps to protect yourself, your family, and your possessions.
You probably know that electricity and water are a dangerous combination. So, if you can safely access your fuse box without stepping in water, you should turn it off as soon as possible.
If you have flashlights, now is the time to break them out and avoid using any wired devices that could run an electric current through the standing water.
If you have to enter your home and walk through standing water, wear protective gear such as rubber boots and gloves to prevent electrocution.
Once you and your family are safe, take steps to protect your valuables. You can lift wood furniture and place barriers between the wood and floor to prevent permanent damage.
You can also remove any loose rugs that have taken on water damage, so they don’t damage the floor underneath.
2. Call your insurance company
We know this call isn’t fun, and it may seem like an odd time to pause and pick up the phone. But you must get in touch with them as soon as possible.
To optimize this process, you should take as many pictures as you can, and note the estimated value of any damaged or affected property.
Photo evidence before, during, and after cleanup and restoration can make a huge difference.
3. Determine the source of the water damage
After you’ve alerted your insurance provider to the situation, you should attempt to locate the water source so you can prevent more damage from occurring.
If the culprit is a leaky or burst pipe, you should turn off your water at the shut-off valves.
If you have a leaky ceiling or foundational leak, try to control it so it doesn’t seep through your home. In most situations, you won’t be able to remedy the cause yourself.
But determining the source can help you get the problem fixed sooner.
4. Eliminate moisture and prevent bacteria
When dealing with water damage, you must act quickly. Try to dry as many objects and spaces as possible using towels, mops, or a wet-dry vacuum. If there is a lot of standing water, you can scoop it out using plastic buckets.
When attempting to dry your home, wear protective gear, even if you turn off the power. You can’t be too safe when dealing with electricity and water. Once the standing water is gone, you can use dehumidifiers to remove moisture and dry out carpets and other damp belongings.
The sooner you work on drying your home and removing the excess moisture, the easier it will be to prevent mold and mildew from growing in your space.
Humid areas such as Glenview will make it more difficult to dry your possessions. The sooner you begin this process, the more items you’ll be able to spare from complete ruin.
5. Call ServiceMaster by Zaba
Once you’ve done all you can, you’ll need to call in professionals to properly restore and dry your home. At ServiceMaster by Zaba, we know how stressful it can be to deal with a water-damaged home.
Living with the long-lasting effects of water damage can cause odors, discomfort, and even health issues down the road. If you have experienced water damage in Glenview, IL, give us a call right away: (847) 730-7301
We serve Glenview homes and businesses in zip codes 60016, 60025, 60026, 60029, 60062 and 60082.
What Not to Do After Water Damage
Now that you know what steps to take when dealing with water damage, let’s discuss what you should not do.
1. Do not vacuum
You should only use a wet-dry vacuum designed for moisture. Do not use a regular cleaning vacuum as this can ruin the vacuum and pose a safety hazard.
2. Do not run electrical appliances
If there is still standing water in your home, do not use any electrical appliances.
If you want to use a dehumidifier to pull moisture from carpets and other soft surfaces, you must wait until all standing water is dealt with.
3. Do not stand in water with electricity on
Even with rubber boots and gloves, you should still avoid walking through or touching any standing water while the electricity is on.
Turning off the fuse box is one of the most important steps in dealing with water damage.
4. Do not remove flooring on your own
Do not try to pry up carpet or permanent flooring without professional help.
Water damage experts can often salvage flooring and prevent more damage, so it's best to wait for them before dealing with your floors.
How Does ServiceMaster by Zaba Repair Water Damage in Glenview, IL?
You can trust our team to fully restore your home after water damage. Below is our five-step process to revive your home.
1. Determine the source
If you haven’t determined the source of the water damage, our professional team will figure it out for you.
2. Plan of action
Once we assess the damage and determine the cause, we will create an action plan to handle the water and restore your home.
3. Water extraction, drying, and dehumidification
With our full arsenal of industry-proven water extraction equipment, we will remove all moisture.
Our professionals know how to salvage your home and belongings using our methodic drying process.
4. Specialized cleanup and sanitizing
We take extra care to ensure your home is safe and clean again. Once all surfaces and belongings are dry, we sanitize all porous surfaces that could develop mold and bacteria.
5. Final property restoration
At ServiceMaster by Zaba, we go the extra mile to restore all aspects. We will help you replace floors, repair drywall, and more to make it like the water damage never happened.
Does your Glenview, IL Property Have Water damage? We’re Here to Help!
We remedy water damage in homes and businesses across Glenview, IL with diligence and care.
We understand the stress and frustration water damage puts on homeowners, so let us take some weight off your shoulders.
Call ServiceMaster by Zaba at 847-730-7301 for trusted water damage restoration from drying and sanitization to complete property restoration.
