Fire Damage Restoration in Des Plaines

Your Local Fire Damage Restoration Company since 1986.

Why ServiceMaster DCS?

Why call the experts at ServiceMaster Restore DCS - Cook County for fire damage restoration services?

24/7, 365 Response - Seven days a week, 365 days a year, daytime or nighttime, we quickly answer your call to get your life back to normal.
Industry Leadership - For more than 30 years, ServiceMaster Restore DCS has set the standards for restoration damage services.
Best Of Class Methods - Our methods and processes meet or even exceed the current industry standards.
Advanced Technology - We use state-of-the-art products and equipment to ensure the best results for your home.
Insurance Capabilities - We offer comprehensive water mitigation services and have a long history of working with insurance companies to help get your claims processed as quickly as possible.
IICRC Standards - ServiceMaster Restore works with the IICRC to help set the standards by which the industry operate

Contact our trusted Des Plaines fire restoration specialists for help right away by calling (847) 957-9746 orreach out online.

What are the common types of fires?

Protein Fire - Food from the oven or stove has burned, leaving strong burnt food odors and smoke residue on contents and surfaces.
Complex Fire - Multiple natural and synthetic items inside your home have burned causing black smoke residue on contents and surfaces and synthetic smoke odors
Natural Fire - Trees, shrubs, and bushes have burned and smoke has penetrated the structure from outside, so smoke residue and odor are present.
Furnace Malfunction - Heating appliances, toaster ovens, convection ovens, or other appliances powered by electricity have malfunctioned and caused smoke to be distributed throughout the property.

NOT ALL FIRE DAMAGE IS THE SAME. OUR THOROUGH FIRE RESTORATION PROCESS INCLUDES:

Identifying the source to determine the type of fire that occurred
Evaluating the areas that are wet as a result of firefighting that may need treatment
Remediating water damage (if necessary)
Evaluating sensitive materials that may be damaged as a result of smoke & soot particles
Removing contents—including the collection of immediate items you may need for the next seven days, such as clothing, prescriptions, toys, school books, business needs, etc.
Packing out remaining contents for cleaning & storage
Performing structural restoration, including removal of charred contents that may seal in smoke, such as insulation & burned wood
Evaluating carpets & floor coverings that may need to be removed
Inspecting the framing of the house & subfloors for safety
Treating affected surfaces for smoke odors
Sealing to prevent odors from leaking back into the house
Cleaning, eliminating odors & deodorizing surfaces to pre-loss condition
Returning items to the original location & helping to restore your normal life

We have a team of experts in fire damage repair for Des Plaines homes - get in touch today by calling(847) 957-9746 orreach out online.

Hidden Dangers of Soot: The Damage You Can Smell

As if dealing with house fire and smoke damage wasn’t enough, once the initial danger has passed, you also have to contend with the resulting soot that may have spread throughout your home. You’ll quickly discover that soot is an eyesore that’s very tough to clean, but you may not have considered the hidden dangers of soot.

What is Soot?

The black residue that sticks around after a fire, a.k.a. soot, is the result of incomplete fossil fuel combustion. When coal, oil, wood or other fuels are burned, the residual material, comprised mostly of carbon, can travel through the air and settle into the surrounding environment.

While soot-producing fuels are o.en burned for industrial uses, manufacturing and operating vehicles, you may also come across residential sources of soot, too. House fires and insufficient ventilation in the fireplace are some of the most common causes of soot within the home.

What Does Soot Look and Smell Like?

Do you know how to identify soot in your own home? You can spot accumulated soot by looking for dark black residue accumulated fire damaged areas, but individual soot particles are nearly microscopic – even smaller than dust! Soot particles can turn up in areas far away from the original source of the fire and can even travel from room to room through your ventilation system.

Is Soot Harmful?

Simply put, yes. During a common house fire, both natural and synthetic materials burn. The resulting soot particles can contain acids, chemicals, metals, dust and other hazardous materials. These toxic particles then stick to surrounding surfaces, like walls and ceilings, leaving you and your home exposed to the harmful effects.

Soot Clean-up

Because of its microscopic particle size, ability to travel through the air and tendency to stick to hard surfaces, soot contamination is very challenging to clean up. In fact, improper attempts at cleaning can cause the soot to spread and absorb, further damaging your home and belongings. While you can attempt to remove soot from your walls and ceilings on your own, you should always follow strict safety precautions and make sure you thoroughly clean the areas with proper procedures and great attention to detail.

Attempting to clean soot on your own can result in irreparable damage - contact us today for effective soot removal in Des Plaines by calling (847) 957-9746.

Frequently Aksed Questions about fire damage restoration

HOW LONG WILL THE RESTORATION PROCESS TAKE?

Because there are many variables and many services involved in fire and smoke restoration, it is difficult to predict exactly how long the complete restoration will take. Consult with your ServiceMaster Restore Restoration Technician on the estimated dates and phases of your restoration project.

CAN I CLEAN IT MYSELF?

We suggest that you do not attempt any “do-it-yourself” cleaning methods without consulting your ServiceMaster Restore Restoration Technician. Pretesting, using the right cleaning agent for the particular item, mixing deodorizing agents with cleaning solutions and using correct dilution rates are just some of the ways a fire restoration technician expertly controls the results. Professional cleaning systems and products used by experienced, trained ServiceMaster Restore Restoration Technicians give you the best chance for complete restoration of your belongings.

WHAT ARE SOME SAFETY CONCERNS?

At ServiceMaster Restore DCS, occupant and worker safety is top priority. During the initial inspection, safety hazards are identified and addressed, including debris removal, air quality, electrical hazards, slip and trip hazards, etc. Burnt electrical cords and appliances are separated out for disposal, and questionable electrical appliances are unplugged and tagged for evaluation of safe operation. Electrical power may be turned off and kept off until evaluation by a licensed electrician.

CAN I TURN ON MY HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING UNIT?

We recommend that you not turn on your furnace or air conditioning unit without clearance from the HVAC contractor.

WHAT ITEMS DO I KEEP IN MY POSSESSION?

Cash
Medications
Valuable jewelry
Checkbooks
Personal documents
Valuable paintings
Flammables
Pets
Weapons and ammunition
Gasoline cans
Stamp and/or coin collections

The smell of smoke can linger almost indefinitely after a fire - our team provides quick and effective smoke removal services. Call(847) 957-9746 for orcontact us online for help!

HOW DO I KEEP TRACK OF NON RESTORABLE ITEMS?

We recommend you make a list of items (including food items) deemed non restorable. Use a format like the sample below, or obtain a similar form from your insurance company. Make a copy for your insurance company and keep one for yourself.

DO I NEED TO MOVE OUT OF MY PROPERTIES DURING THE PROCESS?

This is ultimately your decision. Some things you may want to consider are safety concerns, odors, electricity, noise from equipment, etc. If vacating your premises for any length of time consider the following: forward your mail to your temporary residence; stop newspaper and other deliveries; notify utility company, cable company, etc., of temporary suspension of services.

DO I NEED GENERAL CONTRACTORS?

There are some items that may require general contractors such as drywall/painting; electrical; plumbing; roofing; framing/finish carpentry; flooring/carpet; installation of doors, windows, cabinets, postconstruction cleanup, etc.

DO MY BELONGINGS NEED TO BE MOVED AWAY FROM THE PREMISES?

Depending on the source, nature and extent of the fire, it may be best to remove all belongings to a secure facility for cleaning, storage and to make room for restoration or construction. ServiceMaster Restore DCS will work with you and your insurance claims representative to manage this process.

WILL I HAVE ACCESS TO MY BELONGINGS WHILE THEY ARE IN STORAGE?

Yes, with advance notice we can schedule time for a ServiceMaster Restore DCS Restoration Technician to meet with you and provide access to your requested items. A service charge may apply.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING THE SERVICE?

Ultimately you, the property owner, are responsible for payment and will need to sign a form authorizing payment for the restoration services. If this is an insurance claim, ServiceMaster Restore DCS generally collects only the deductible (co-payment) amount from you and bills the balance to your insurance provider as a service to you. If you have a large loss, your mortgage company may be included as a payee on the payment from your insurance company, and you may need to obtain a signature from them as well. If your claim is not covered by insurance or you decide not to file a claim, you will be expected to pay in full.

Call our team for fire damage restoration in Des Plaines at (847) 957-9746 today!