How Ice Dams Cause Water Damage in Chicago, IL

Ice Dam Removal?

Those icicles hanging from your new-covered roof sure look lovely, but they can also be cause for worry as numerous icicles may indicate that an ice dam has formed. This can lead to water leaking through your roof and causing serious water damage in your home or business.

Ice Dam Remedies, Insurance, & Roof Repair

We will need to begin our water mitigation process immediately! We will need to close off the leaking areas if present along with drying out any areas impacted by the roof leak. We have good relations with insurance companies regarding mitigation and drying. If someone is suffering from ice damming, insurances know the weather plays a factor and delays the roof repair. Let us help by providing highly recommended roofing contractors, and preventive ice dam solutions to avoid this again.

We Understand These Are Difficult Times

But We are Here To Help You Every Step Of The Way. Contact Us For Hassle-Free Questions When You’re Ready To Talk

Call Us at 773-376-1110 or Book Appointment Online

Common Water Damage Questions

How much does it cost for Water & Flood Damage Restoration services?

To help you better understand what you can expect to pay in the event of water damage, we’ve used our years of experience to break the process down. The actual cost of emergency water damage restoration services varies largely for two main reasons. First, the pricing of a job is completed on a case-by-case basis. Second, different companies will always offer different quotes on the same job. Determining how much a particular job will cost is easy — simply ask for a quote. However, we caution our customers to look beyond a simple verbal quote or over-the-phone estimate. Instead, make sure your contractor offers you a written quote breaking down all of the individual costs of the operation so you have the documents in your records and for your convenient reference. Not all contractors do this automatically, so be sure to ask for it specifically. Understanding how a contractor prices a job: Generally, the more water a contractor is dealing with, the higher you will be charged. Other factors of consideration include:

The height of the water
The amount of water that still needs to be extracted
Water type
- There are three categories of water:
  - Clean water which does not pose any health risks
  - Greywater comes from sources with physical, biological or chemical pollutants like kitchen wastewater or laundry water. Greywater can cause illness or discomfort to those exposed to it or consuming it.
  - Blackwater which is highly toxic and absolutely unsanitary. This includes sewage and floodwater.
- Obviously, you can expect to pay more if the water type is dangerous and therefore requires more effort to clean.
Size of the affected area
- This is usually measured by square feet.
The extent of the damage
The materials involved

Residential Water Damage Cleanup services can sometimes average between $3000 – $10,000 and Commercial Water Damage Cleanup services can sometimes range between $3000 and $30,000.

How much will my insurance cover?

Insurance policies cover 100 percent of emergency water damage restoration services, excluding your policy’s deductible. We make sure the damage is covered by your insurance policy. We prevent further losses and advocate on your behalf. Let us help guide you through the process to ensure this will not be a financial burden upon your home or business.

How long will it take my property to dry?

Drying time is determined by a combination of factors, including the location, duration, and source of water, the types of building materials, the weather conditions, and how quickly emergency services begin. Through consistent monitoring and evaluation of the drying process, we can determine when the drying is complete. We will be in constant communication with you about where we are along in the process and exactly when you’re able to return to your home or business.

Will turning up the heat or opening windows help dry things out?

Not necessarily. We will adjust the temperature to its optimum setting for the proper drying conditions. Please do not change the setting or shut off the HVAC system. If you do, you may prolong the drying process. Additionally, opening your windows to assist the drying process is not always recommended. Outside weather conditions may vary, so the technician will determine when and if the outside air is appropriate.

Can my carpet be restored or will it have to be replaced?

There are a few reasons your carpet may not be salvageable, including: Delamination (occurs when the backing separates from the carpet fiber) Loss of adhesion (may be caused by prolonged exposure to water or age of the carpet) Permanent stains Carpet covers wood flooring (to salvage the wood flooring)

My ceilings are wet. What needs to be done?

Our technicians will evaluate moisture content, determine the severity of the damage and may have to remove some of your ceiling for ventilation. Wet insulation can also be a hazard and may need to be removed.

My wood floors are wet and buckling. Will they have to be replaced?

Wood flooring must be evaluated during the drying process. We employ specialized drying systems and dehumidifiers that enable us to create an environment where wood floors can dry more efficiently and resume their original shape. Due to the density of hardwood flooring and urethane finishes, drying may take up to three weeks or longer. If you filed a claim, your insurance adjuster will work with you to make the final decision as to whether floors will need to be refinished or replaced.

Do I need to stay someplace else while my property is being dried and restored?

If you file an insurance claim, you may receive guidance from your insurance representative. However, this is a decision you must reach on your own. Here are several things to consider. Safety is paramount. Our equipment is as childproof as possible, but we require your supervision to make sure no children play with it. Air movers and dehumidifiers will create noise and make your property drafty for a few days. It is important that the equipment remains on, so if the noise is disruptive to you, you might want to consider an alternate place to stay.

The drying process has started, but there are new smells in my home. Do I have mold problems?

It is not unusual to smell odors during the drying process. Increased heat and humidity can also lead to increased odors that may be coming from the drying building materials, or dormant spill and accident areas. Do not confuse these normal odors with the odor of mold. As the drying process continues and humidity levels drop, you’ll notice these odors disappearing on their own. Deodorizers are often used to minimize these effects as well.

What about sewage contamination?

Hard surfaces can be cleaned and sanitized. Affected items that cannot be sanitized require disposal. Porous materials such as drywall, ceiling tiles, insulation, particleboard, paneling, etc., that have been directly affected should be removed during the emergency service visit.

Insurance Guidance? Absolutely

If you are not familiar with understanding your insurance policy, then you are not alone. Thousands of homeowners buy policies without being aware of what is covered, the terminology, and how your rate is affected. Insurance has a reputation for being “boring” and we are here to help you become familiar with the information you need to know.

Do I Call my insurance company first or a restoration company? You should understand and be familiar with your insurance policy limits and coverage before calling a restoration company. We can help navigate your restoration needs by bringing up your policy for us to review together. Most property insurance covers 100 percent of your water damage cost, but you’re responsible for paying a set deductible. Your agent or adjuster is your best resource for coverage information, and our staff at ServiceMaster by Simons can help as well. Please call with any more questions you may have.

We Serve The Chicago Metropolitan Area

Sam Simon