Apartments bring freedom from mortgages and allow you to move whenever you want. However, tenants can also encounter questions about who is responsible for what. For example, if your apartment building is flooded or if you sustain water damage because of flooding in another tenant’s unit, what are your options? Ideally, your landlord will quickly …
Read moreDo I Have to Pay Rent if My Apartment Flooded in Chicago?
Staying in an apartment with water damage or flooding is not just unpleasant. It can also seriously impact your health. Water damage can lead to mildew and mold, which can affect your respiratory health and allergies. Chicago law, defined under the Chicago Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance (RLTO), and Illinois law, give tenants rights under these …
Read moreHow Long Does Your Chicago Landlord Have to Repair Water Damage?
A crawl space can be an extremely useful area in a residence. In fact, many homeowners use their crawl spaces for extra storage. At the very least, a crawl space can add an insulation buffer under or on the side of the house. It can also provide a handy area for tradespeople to access pipes …
Read moreHow to Tell If You Have Water Damage in Your Crawl Space
Any city that sits on a lake and features rivers running through its neighborhoods will experience flooding on occasion — and Chicago is no different. Even in 2019, Chicago experienced somewhat severe flooding that swamped neighborhoods after heavy rain. The Chicago River is certainly a blessing to the area, but it can pose a threat …
A water damage emergency is not just an inconvenience. It is a serious and stressful situation that can result from any number of water disasters — many of which you can’t fully prepare for. Every minute counts when it comes to assessing, extracting and cleaning water damage in a room or building. However, with the right water restoration …
Read moreCommon Causes of Water Damage in Chicago & What to Look For in Your Home
Mold growth is a natural outcome of water damage. After a leak or flood, water can soak into your flooring, baseboards, furniture and drywall. In fact, drywall is one of the primary places where water can soak in and lead to mold damage. In the hours and days after a leak or flood, what are …
Read moreHow Do I Know if I Have Mold in My Drywall After Water Damage?
Winters in Chicago can be beautiful, with freshly fallen snow making for picturesque views. But snow and ice can also cause roof leaks if you do not take the proper precautions. Every year, you should pursue these preventative measures: Water damage caused by ice and snow can become costly and also eat up a lot …
Read moreHow to Prevent Roof Leaks From Ice & Snow Storms in Chicago
Restoring a home after water damage generally involves two phases. The first is drying out the structure and cleaning up from the water. This can take anywhere from three to five days, depending on how long the home received the water exposure. The second part of the process, restoring the home to its former state, …
Read moreHow Long Will Water Restoration Take From Start to Finish in My Home?
Your home just sustained serious water damage, and after recovering from the initial shock, you are ready to make your insurance claim. Most people have never gone through the insurance claim process for water damage. You will need to take five basic steps: Call your insurance agent as soon as possible Fill out any claim …
Read moreClaim Process for Water Damage Restoration in Chicago
Yes. Your air conditioner can cause extensive water damage to your home. Maybe it’s just a small puddle around the unit or an inch of water in your basement. At ServiceMaster, we have seen homeowners actually have their ceiling collapse due to flooding from an AC unit. Here are some of the most common causes of …