Safety Tips for Smoke Alarms

10/31/2024 (Permalink)

We respond to fire damage emergencies 24-hours a day.

Smoke alarms are a key part of a home fire escape plan. When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast. Working smoke alarms give you early warning so you can get outside quickly.  Here are some helpful tips from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) about smoke alarms:

SAFETY TIPS

• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom. They should also be outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. Install alarms in the basement.
• Large homes may need extra smoke alarms.
• It is best to use interconnected smoke alarms. When one smoke alarm sounds, they all sound.
• Test all smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
• Current alarms on the market employ different types of technology including multi-sensing, which could include smoke and carbon monoxide combined.
• A smoke alarm should be on the ceiling or high on a wall. Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms. They should be at least 10 feet (3 meters) from the stove.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.

Call Us Today!

When your home or commercial business needs fire restoration services, SERVPRO of Barrington / North Schaumburg has a team of highly trained technicians on-call and ready to respond 24-hours a day. Call us today at 847-386-6817.

Choose SERVPRO for Commercial Property Damage Restoration Services in Barrington

4/25/2024 (Permalink)

We provide commercial property damage services 24-hours a day.

Our SERVPRO of Barrington / North Schaumburg teams are trusted leaders in commercial property damage restoration services. We know that every minute counts when your business is compromised by property damage.  Our technicians are on call and ready to respond to your emergency 24 hours a day.

Our technicians are trained and certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) to provide a full range of services to get your commercial business operational again quickly after a property damage loss.

SERVPRO® Offers

• 24 Hour Emergency Service
• Faster to Any-Sized Disaster™
• Highly Trained Technicians
• A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry
• individually Owned and Operated
• Advanced Restoration and Cleaning Equipment

Commercial Restoration Services

• Water Damage Restoration
• Fire Damage Restoration
• Mold Remediation
• Storm Damage Cleanup
• Commercial Construction Services

Commercial Cleaning Services

• Air Ducts & HVAC
• Biohazard
• Carpet and Upholstery
• Ceiling, Walls, and Hard Floors
• Drapes and Blinds
• Odor Removal and Deodorization
• Sewage and Toilet Overflow
• Trauma and Crime Scene
• Vandalism and Graffiti

Call Us Today!

When your commercial business needs property damage restoration services, SERVPRO of Barrington / North Schaumburg is ready. Call us today at 847-386-6817.

Fire Damage - Call SERVPRO

2/22/2024 (Permalink)

We respond to fire damage emergencies 24-hours a day.

Even small fires will cause smoke and soot damage to other areas of the house. The professionals at SERVPRO of Barrington / North Schaumburg are trained and certified to clean and restore fire damage quickly and efficiently. Here are some tips from our website on things you can do while waiting for help to arrive:

What To Do After A Fire

• Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets.
• Keep hands clean so as not to further soil upholstery, walls, and woodwork
• Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery, and carpet traffic areas
• If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open
• Clean and protect chrome with a light coating of petroleum jelly or oil
• Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves
• Change HVAC filter
• Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers

What NOT To Do After A Fire

• Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces or shampoo carpet or upholstery without contacting us
• Don't attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat, or water without consulting an authorized repair service
• Don't use any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored near the fire, heat, or water
• Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet. The wiring may be damaged.
• Don't send garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set smoke odor.

Call Us Today!

When your home or commercial business has fire, smoke, and soot damage, SERVPRO of Barrington / North Schaumburg is available to help.Call us today at 847-386-6817.

Winter Weather has Arrived - Be Prepared Now

1/18/2024 (Permalink)

We respond to storm damage emergencies 24-hours a day.

Winter has arrived in the Midwest, and SERVPRO of Barrington / North Schaumburg wants everyone to be prepared for the next big winter storm and offers these tips from the Red Cross: 

Winter Storm WARNING: Life-threatening, severe weather conditions have begun or will begin within 24 hours.

Blizzard WARNING: Sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 miles per hour or greater are expected, plus considerable falling or blowing snow reducing visibility to less than a quarter mile, expected to prevail for three hours or longer.

Other winter storm words to listen for:  

• WIND CHILL Temperature: How cold people and animals feel when outside. As wind increases, heat is carried away from your body faster, driving down your body temperature and making you feel much colder. The wind chill temperature is not the actual temperature but how wind and cold feel on exposed skin.
• Winter Storm OUTLOOK: Winter storm conditions are possible in the next two to five days. Stay tuned to local media for updates.
• Winter Storm WATCH: Winter storm conditions are possible within the next 36 to 48 hours. Review your winter storm plans and stay informed about weather conditions.
• Winter Weather ADVISORY: Winter weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous but not life-threatening if you are cautious.

Call Us Today!

When your home or commercial business has a storm damage emergency, SERVPRO of Barrington / North Schaumburg is Here to Help. ® Call us today at 847-386-6817.

Be Prepared for Colder Weather

11/29/2023 (Permalink)

We respond to storm damage emergencies 24-hours a day.

Winter has arrived in the Midwest and now is the time to prepare for colder weather.  SERVPRO of Barrington / North Schaumburg offers these tips from the American Red Cross to protect your pipes from freezing:

• Add insulation to attics, basements, and crawl spaces. Insulation will maintain higher temperatures in these areas.
• Drain water from swimming pools and water sprinkler supply lines following the manufacturer's or installer's directions
• Remove, drain, and store hoses used outdoors. Close inside valves supplying outdoor hose bibs. Open the outside hose bibs to allow water to drain. Keep the outside valve open so that any water remaining in the pipe can expand without causing the pipe to break.
• Check around the home for other areas where water supply lines are located in unheated areas. Look in the garage and under the kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Both hot and cold-water pipes in these areas should be insulated.
• Consider installing specific products made to insulate water pipes, like a "pipe sleeve" or installing UL-listed "heat tape," "heat cable," or similar materials on exposed water pipes. Newspaper can provide some degree of insulation and protection to exposed pipes – even ¼ inch of newspaper can provide significant protection in areas that usually do not have frequent or prolonged temperatures below freezing.
• Consider relocating exposed pipes to provide increased protection from freezing

Call Us Today!

When your home or commercial business has a water damage emergency, SERVPRO of Barrington / North Schaumburg is available 24-hours a day. Call us today at 847-386-6817.

Heavy Rains can cause Flash Flooding

8/24/2023 (Permalink)

We respond to storm damage emergencies 24-hours a day.

The Midwest has experienced some severe weather events that have caused significant damage to homes and commercial properties in our area. SERVPRO of Barrington / North Schaumburg is trained and certified to restore storm damage by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). Heavy rains can cause flash flooding, so it is a good idea to know what to do when faced with a flash flood situation. Here are some flash flood safety tips from the National Weather Service: 

• During periods of heavy rains, stay away from flood-prone areas such as stream beds, drainage ditches, and culverts
• Move to higher ground if flooding threatens your area
• If you live or work in flood-prone areas, remain alert during periods of heavy rain
• Be especially cautious at night as it is harder to recognize flood dangers
• Never drive your car into water of unknown depth. Most flash flood deaths occur when people drive their vehicles into flood waters. Remember: Turn Around Don’t Drown!
• If your vehicle stalls, abandon it immediately and seek higher ground. Flood water may rise quickly, cover the vehicle, and sweep it away.
• Stay out of flooded areas. The water may still be rising and very swift. A rapidly flowing stream can sweep you off your feet and sweep your vehicle downstream.

Call Us Today!

If your home or commercial business has experienced flooding damage, SERVPRO of Barrington / North Schaumburg will restore the damage “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at 847-386-6817.

SERVPRO can Help with a Chemical Spill

8/1/2023 (Permalink)

We respond to chemical and biohazard emergencies 24-hours a day.

SERVPRO of Barrington / North Schaumburg is trained and certified to clean and restore chemical spills and biohazards.  Barrington residents and businesses can rely on us to arrive quickly and immediately begin the cleanup process.

Along with the cleanup and safe removal of chemical spills, we offer a full range of biohazard cleaning services, including: 

• Chemical spills
• Sewage backups
• Crime scene residues
• Suicide/death accidents
• Homicide cleanups
• Blood cleanup
• Accident cleanup
• Hoarding scenes
• Animal waste/remains
• Tear gas cleanup

The safe decontamination of a home or business after any form of chemical or biohazard exposure is critical.  Our technicians are trained and certified to mitigate these kinds of dangerous situations. Here are some tips from our website on what to do after a contamination:

What to Do After a Contamination

• Stay out of affected areas
• Call emergency service personnel if the situation is life-threatening
• Treat all bodily fluids as if they are contaminated
• Turn off the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system if there is sewage damage

Call Us Today!

When you need help cleaning up a chemical spill, SERVPRO of Barrington / North Schaumburg is available to help.  Our technicians are on-call 24-hours a day to respond to chemical and biohazard damage emergencies.  Call us today at 847-386-6817.

Safety Tips for Patio Heaters

7/26/2023 (Permalink)

We respond to fire damage emergencies 24-hours a day.

SERVPRO of Barrington / North Schaumburg responds to commercial fire damage emergencies throughout the year. More businesses are using propane heaters to keep customers and employees warm on chilly days and nights. Here is some information from the National Fire Protection Association for using outdoor propane heaters safely:

Propane Patio Heaters

For patio heaters that use integral LP-Gas containers with a capacity greater than 1.08 lb. (0.49 kg), NFPA 1 requires that the heaters be listed by an organization acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).

Propane heaters need to be used in accordance with their listing and manufacturer instructions. Prior to using a propane heater, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for information such as the following:

• Necessary clearances from the heating element
• Proper ventilation required
• Proper inspection, cleaning, and maintenance procedures
• Lighting and shutdown procedures
• Where the heater can and cannot be used (for example, heaters cannot be used in enclosed locations)
• Procedures for properly storing heaters

The restrictions for using propane heaters are also based on the occupancy in which they are used. For example, in assembly occupancies, such as restaurants with 50 or more occupants, heaters cannot be located within 5 ft (1.5 m) of the exits. Regardless of where they are used, if a heater uses propane hoses, they must be as short as possible, visible, and protected from damage.

Call Us Today!

When your Barrington home or commercial business needs fire damage restoration services, SERVPRO of Barrington / North Schaumburg is Here to Help. ® Call us today at 847-386-6817.

Mold Remediation Process - SERVPRO

2/23/2023 (Permalink)

When you discover mold, SERVPRO of Barrington / North Schaumburg can help!

When you discover mold growing in your Barrington home or commercial business, fast action is required to mitigate the damage before the mold can spread to other areas in the home or workplace. SERVPRO of Barrington / North Schaumburg can mitigate the mold damage and the mold remediation process usually follows the steps below:

Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment

Identifying and addressing the source of the moisture that is causing the mold growth. This step usually involves the use of various technologies to detect mold growth and water sources that may be hidden. We follow local and state laws regarding inspection and documentation based on your unique situation.

Mold Containment

We may use advanced containment procedures like negative air chambers to isolate the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure to prevent mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process.

Air Filtration

We utilize powerful “air scrubbers” and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while mold remediation is in process.

Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials

We use antifungal and antimicrobial treatments to eliminate mold colonies and to help prevent new colonies from forming. We remove and dispose of mold-infested porous materials when remediating heavy mold growth.

Cleaning Contents

We clean your furniture, decorative items, curtains, and other restorable items affected by mold. We also remove odors and deodorization using fogging equipment.

Restoration

Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet, or it may require the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business. 

Call Us Today!

If your home or business has a mold problem, we can inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation. Call us today at 847-386-6817.

Highly Trained Fire Restoration Technicians

9/8/2022 (Permalink)

We respond to fire damage emergencies 24-hours a day.

After the fire has been extinguished, we are often the next team to arrive on the scene. SERVPRO of Barrington / North Schaumburg has a team of highly trained fire restoration technicians ready to help.

• Fire & Smoke Restoration Technician
• Odor Control Technician
• Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician
• Water Damage Restoration Technician

Using the right tools and cleaning methods are key to quickly and efficiently restoring fire damage. Our professionals are trained to know the different types of smoke and their behavior patterns.

• Wet Smoke – Plastics and Synthetics; Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary.
• Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood; Fast burning, high temperatures, dry, powdery, non-smeary residues.
• Protein – Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor.
• Fuel Oil Soot – Furnace Puff Backs.
• Other Types – Tear gas, fingerprint powder, and fire extinguisher residue

We examine all items prior to cleaning to determine the appropriate cleaning method, and we work quickly and methodically from the source of the fire out to the other parts of the structure.

Call Us!

When your home or business needs fire cleanup and restoration services, SERVPRO of Barrington / North Schaumburg can help. Our fire restoration technicians are on-call 24-hours a day to mitigate and remediate fire damage. Call us today at 847-386-6817. We’ll restore your fire damage, “Like it never even happened.”