Storms storms GO AWAY! (If they don't though, give SERVPRO a call!)

4/22/2021 (Permalink)

Life in Bourbonnais near the Kankakee River comes with concerns about flooding. In the early spring, the river itself threatens as ice floes jam, causing localized flooding. Later spring and summer feature fierce winds and heavy rains that train across the former prairie south of Chicago. One weather event after another create vast volumes of water with nowhere to go but inside your home. If you find yourself overwhelmed with storm damage or seepage, we are here to help.

A series of severe storms can create a train-like effect, causing flood damage to your Bourbonnais home and its contents. Your roof, windows, and siding can remain in good condition, impervious to the weather, yet water still enters the lower levels of your home.

Seepage happens because the ground surrounding your house becomes supersaturated even if the river doesn’t rise. The physics involved impels moisture to move from the wet ground through your dry foundation into the basement. When the SERVPRO team arrives to help expect us to inspect your gutters and downspouts first. We check to see if they are operating appropriately, draining many feet away from the perimeter of your house.

We assess the interior flooding, and devise a plan using both submersible pumps and wanded extractors to remove the water. Thermal imaging technology helps us locate any water trapped behind building materials in a finished basement or inside the cells of cinder block construction. To aid the SERVPRO team in accessing the floodwater, our crew might make flood cuts in drywall or paneling. Holes drilled in mortar joints help release water in masonry or the blocks.

Our trained manager categorizes the water for containment and disposal purposes. If a sewer backup complicates the scenario, the water is Category 3 or black water. It can carry human waste with the risk of exposure to blood or fecal-borne pathogens. The water removed must be handled per local hazardous waste rules.

Surfaces need cleaning and disinfection with EPA-registered products and antimicrobials. SERVPRO technicians then determine drying goals and use air movers, heaters, and dehumidifiers to meet those marks.

Rely on the professionals from SERVPRO of Kankakee County to help when flooding damages your basement or walk out. Call (815) 935-0077 to set up a consultation without delay.

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