Category Blog: Trauma Cleanup

Water Damage Invites Termites Into Your Chicagoland Property

You’re probably already aware that water damage is more than a nuisance. It may also elicit severe damage to your Chicagoland home or business. But there’s another side effect of water damage you might not know about. It also attracts insects – both the kind that can cause disease and those that can destroy your home.

The types of bugs that are drawn to water damage include carpenter ants, termites, silverfish, beetles, roaches, etc. They enter a building when its walls and foundation are weakened by water damage, using electrical wires as superhighways throughout a structure. The insects that can cause the most destruction are termites. But what attracts them to a water damaged structure?           

Termites, like other insects, need to be surrounded by moisture to survive. Normally they live underground in cool, damp environments, so water soaked wood makes a perfect replacement home for them while supplying them with an almost endless buffet. That’s why water damage that’s ignored can promote termite infestation in any structure.                     

Termite infestations are extremely destructive to a property and expensive to fix. Usually they call for a whole-house treatment. The problem can start unnoticeably and often an owner won’t even be aware of the damage until he hires a professional restoration service like Chicago’s own ServiceMaster Disaster Restoration By Simons to do a water damage inspection.

 

 

The Experts Chime In

The University of Kentucky’s College of Food and Agriculture wrote a highly informative Q&A article on termite infestations. In it they talk about what and how much damage termites can do to a home, what a homeowner can do if there’s an infestation, and how difficult it can be for homeowners to ascertain if termites have infested their home or business at the early stage of infestation: 

“Oftentimes, there will be no clear indication of infestation. Termites are cryptic creatures and infestations can go undetected for years, hidden behind walls, floor coverings, insulation, and other obstructions. Termite feeding and damage can even progress undetected in exposed wood because the outer surface usually remains intact. Confirmation of termites often requires the keen eye of a professional — however, even the most experienced inspector can overlook signs that are hidden.”

As previously mentioned, termites love moisture and humidity. If a home or business isn’t adequately ventilated or has unrepaired leaks, a termite infestation can take place. That’s why the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns against not repairing leaks and water damage sources immediately. On the EPA official website, they discuss how to prevent these pests from invading your home.

The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) also emphasizes the termite’s love for wet weather, moisture, and humidity. It indicates that pests, including termites, could swarm during wet and warm weather. Pestworld.org published this NPMA warning:

“Residual winter moisture will create ideal conditions for mosquito larval habitats to form in standing water and will allow termite populations to flourish. With [rainy weather], expect increased cockroach and ant pressure as they move indoors for shelter.”

The bottom line to all this information is simple; never, ever, allow water damage that’s occurred to your Chicago area home or business go unrepaired. It must be addressed immediately to avoid an infestation of termites and other damage from wreaking havoc to property. Call the water damage cleanup professionals at ServiceMaster Disaster Restoration By Simons immediately whenever water damage occurs. Whether the destruction is large or small, we can take care of it.

 

 

About Us: ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, is a 2020 recipient of the Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics, and recipient of the 2020 Skokie Business of the Year Award, Honorable Mention Category. ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons (MBE/WBE) is a family operated, IICRC & OSHA Certified company serving Chicago, Oak Park, River Forest, and the North Shore. We provide commercial disaster restoration services including Water & Flood Damage Restoration, Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration, Mold Remediation and a wide range of interior specialty cleaning including COVID-19 Cleaning Services, Hoarder & Clutter Cleaning, Post-Construction Cleaning, Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning to residential and commercial customers. For more information, call 773-839-5542 or visit www.servicemasterbysimons.com or info@servicemaster-rbs.com

Top Items for Tornado Disaster Kits

Tornado season is here! Are you ready? Increase your tornado preparedness this spring with these items for your tornado disaster kits.

Spring is upon us — and with it, comes tornado season. Are you prepared? Is your family? How about your home? Without tornado preparedness, they can cost homeowners huge sums of money in losses. And even worse, they cause dozens of human casualties each year. If there’s anything we can take away from the this week’s tornado tragedy in the southern US, it’s that the best time to prepare for a tornado was yesterday. You are always better to be better safe than sorry — which is why you need to be sure you have some very important items in your tornado disaster kit. 

Here at ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons, our number one priority has always been to help homeowners be ready for the unthinkable and practice tornado preparedness. Our experts have lived through many tornado seasons and helped clean up their brutal destruction. We’ve seen just how unpredictable tornadoes can be, and we understand the biggest challenges homeowners, residents and victims face in their immediate aftermath. W

Based on our experience, we’ve put together a list of 7 life safety items that are essential for homeowners in their tornado disaster kit this tornado season. Proven to increase tornado preparedness, these are crucial for survival during and after a tornado, especially if one hits unexpectedly without time for evacuation. Store these items somewhere easily accessible in your home for immediate use:

Water

Of course, keeping hydrated is the most important thing you can do for your body in the event of a disaster. That’s a no-brainer. But what people forget to plan out is where that water will come from. If water lines are down or contaminated, or pipes are broken, or the power goes out, you won’t have access to your tap water. Make sure you keep some bottled water or a few gallons of water in an allocated shelter space in case you are stranded after a tornado. You never know how long you may have to wait.

Non-Perishable Food

In addition to water, stock up on non-perishable food items that will keep stomachs full – especially those of young children. Keep an eye on the expiration dates and replenish your supply as needed. We recommend having at least 5 days worth of food on hand for all members of the household.

A Radio

Keep a portable radio with extra spare batteries near your designated shelter space. In a weather event like a tornado, you can use it to listen for any updates or changes to the expected trajectory of the storm.

First-Aid Kit

We cannot stress how much of a difference a well-stocked first-aid kit can make after an emergency, especially one that is from a survival company. You never know what injuries, minor or major, will occur during a storm.

Medications

Not many people think of this one before the storm hits which can cause a huge problem for those taking life-sustaining medication. Have extra amounts of any necessary prescription medications stored away for use during an emergency. Keep a few bottles of cold medication, over-the-counter pain medication and allergy meds on hand too.

Cell Phones and Chargers

You probably don’t have to take our word for it that in the event of an emergency, you are going to want a fully-charged cell phone in your tornado disaster kit so you can stay in contact with family, friends and emergency personnel. If possible, keep a backup phone and a portable, solar-powered charger ready to go in case the power goes out.

Copies of Personal Documents

Of all the tornado preparedness items we’ve listed, this is probably one of the most important. Because there is never any certainty when it comes to tornadoes and other storms, you should keep copies of birth certificates, social security cards, house deeds, insurance cards, passports, and other important documents packed in a safe place that you can easily transport with you to your secure shelter.

Tornadoes are costly and sometimes lethal, but with these essential items for your tornado disaster kit, you’ll weather the storm more easily. 

Here at ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons, we know weather emergencies like the backs of our hands. We pride ourselves on our emergency restoration services and storm damage restoration expertise. We will help you begin rebuilding so you can move forward after a life-uprooting natural disaster.  Our experts are standing by to serve you in the ways you need: From more tornado preparedness tips, to dealing with the aftermath of a disaster, to restoration services and cleanup, give us a call today!

ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons is an MBE/WBE certified firm and family-run company serving Chicago, Oak Park, River Forest, and the North Shore.  ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons provides disaster restoration services including Water & Flood Damage Restoration,  Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration,  Mold Remediation and a wide range of interior specialty cleaning including Hoarder & Clutter Cleaning,  Post-Construction Cleaning, Carpet Cleaning and Upholstery Cleaning to residential and commercial customers in Chicago, Oak Park-River Forest, and the North Shore.  For more information, give us a call at 773-376-1110 or visit servicemasterbysimons.com.

Odor Removal – Clearing the Air of Pesky Odors

Odor Removal Services from the Professionals at ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons. Benjamin Franklin said, “Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days.” Although you probably will likely not experience odor problems from guests, there may be odors from fire, smoke, water damage or biological concerns that are hard to remove from your home or

Lemon Carpet CleaningOdor Removal Services from the Professionals at ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons.

Benjamin Franklin said, “Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days.” Although you probably will likely not experience odor problems from guests, there may be odors from fire, smoke, water damage or biological concerns that are hard to remove from your home or business. At ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons 855-9-SIMONS, we are experts at removing unpleasant odors that can affect your home.

Our trained and certified technicians understand how to remove and eliminate persistent odors by using a combination of professional products, systems and odor removal technologies. Many commonly used deodorizing products only mask the smells temporarily, but properly removing the odor will ensure the disagreeable scent does not resurface later.

At ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, we use a four-step odor removal process:

1. Identify and eliminate the source of the odor.
2. Clean the affected area to properly remove odor residue.
3. Select the necessary deodorization process.
4. Seal the surface if necessary.

While it may be necessary to perform multiple treatments to eliminate severe odors, the use of neutralizing agents included in our extensive line of OdorGo® deodorizing products, coupled with advanced technologies such as nano-particle air cartridges in our air filters, gives us the ability to quickly knock down odors. This effective combination can help to reduce additional living expenses by allowing you to remain in your home.

With our advanced technologies, extensive training and years of experience, there is no odor too strong for our team to handle.

ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons is a Woman-Owned and Family Operated Cleaning & Restoration Company. With three locations to serve our customers, ServiceMaster By Simons serves Chicago, Oak Park-River Forest, Elmwood Park, Cleaning Services in Chicago’s North Shore and the North Shore of Lake County to Wisconsin’s State Line.

For immediate service or a free consultation and quote, call us at 773-376-1110 or toll free at 855-9-SIMONS.

Disaster Restoration Professionals-Restoring Community

Disaster Restoration Professionals, ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, Chicagoland’s leader in professional disaster restoration, engages communities in environment of giving & restoring Brief History Disaster Restoration Professionals Sam Simon and Nasutsa Mabwa, partners in the ServiceMaster By Simons’ franchise group in the Chicagoland area, share a special story.  Meeting in the mid-nineties as child welfare workers in Chicago’s […]

ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons - disaster restoration professionals

Disaster Restoration Professionals, ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, Chicagoland’s leader in professional disaster restoration, engages communities in environment of giving & restoring

Brief History

Disaster Restoration Professionals Sam Simon and Nasutsa Mabwa, partners in the ServiceMaster By Simons’ franchise group in the Chicagoland area, share a special story.  Meeting in the mid-nineties as child welfare workers in Chicago’s inner-city, Sam and Nasutsa committed to serving ward’s of the state and their families. They each worked tirelessly to reunite children with their families.  In some cases, children were placed in loving adoptive homes.

A Company is born

After completing graduate school and following separate career paths, they joined up in 2012 to form a company of disaster restoration professionals that served people in a variety of ways. This included restoring and rebuilding homes and businesses as well as contributing to local organizations that restore and rebuild communities.

It’s in this same spirit of charity and service that Nasutsa and Sam operate their companies. They include ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, ServiceMaster Cleaning By Simons, ServiceMaster of Oak Park and ServiceMaster of River Forest.  “We help people in their times of need” said Sam Simon, “by restoring homes and businesses, we restore lives.”

What We Do

ServiceMaster By Simons offers an array of household and business services. When a home or business has been affected by water or fire damage, ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons is immediately called to the rescue.  Most times, restoration services are requested by the insurance companies. We field a lot of service requests from the home and business-owners themselves.  We offer a full line of cleaning services including post-construction cleaning, hoarder cleanup and carpet & upholstery cleaning.

Peoples lives are disrupted when disasters like water damage or fire damage occur in their homes or businesses.  ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons minimizes  these interruptions and restore’s peace of mind.  We know that these events can be stressful. So we work tirelessly to get your property and your life back to normal – FAST!

Giving Back

The ServiceMaster By Simons group prides itself on its spirit of giving and restoring.  We’re honored to give back when we can.  On a greater scale, restoring communities is a life long passion for our company and team members. Some of the organizations that our company is involved with include:

“Sam and I met as social workers, where we worked hard to help our community,” said Nasutsa Mabwa. “That same passion exists in our company and its staff today as we strive to help people in extreme circumstances of need.

Recently, ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons and a crew of over 20 technicians and managers mobilized to Hilton Head, SC.  We aided and assisted in Hurricane Matthew recovery efforts.  It’s in these times of need that we experience the strength and determination of people who band together for a common cause.  Helping the residents of Hilton Head, SC get back on their feet was a challenge that ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons stepped up to.

If you need a disaster restoration professional in the Chicagoland area, immediately call 855-9-SIMONS and let ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons get your property back to normal-FAST. We specialize in Immediate Response to our customers.  We are available 24/7/365 to provide Water & Fire Damage Restoration, Mold Remediation as well as a long list of specialty cleaning services.  Call now.

ServiceMaster By Simons Comes to the North Shore!

ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, Chicago’s leader in professional Water & Fire Damage Restoration, opens North Shore Cleaning location in Skokie, Illinois The ServiceMaster By Simons companies including ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, ServiceMaster Oak Park-River Forest and ServiceMaster Cleaning By Simons is happy to announce its new North Shore warehouse facility at 8124 Ridgeway, Skokie, Illinois.  This […]

ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons - North Shore, Illinois - Professional Disaster Restoration Services - Professional Cleaning ServicesServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, Chicago’s leader in professional Water & Fire Damage Restoration, opens North Shore Cleaning location in Skokie, Illinois

The ServiceMaster By Simons companies including ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, ServiceMaster Oak Park-River Forest and ServiceMaster Cleaning By Simons is happy to announce its new North Shore warehouse facility at 8124 Ridgeway, Skokie, Illinois.  This new state-of-the-art facility will serve commercial & residential customers in Chicago’s North Shore. It offers the same great services that the ServiceMaster By Simons’ companies offer in the city and west suburbs.

The company offers professional services in Evanston, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Glenview, Deerfield, Northbrook, Buffalo Grove, Lake Forest, to name a few. “This new facility will help us meet the demand for services that we are receiving from the North Shore area,” said Sam Simon, ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons’ owner.  Our brand name has grown so much over the past two years with radio ads and television commercials. It made sense to open the second location to meet the growing demands for our services.

Water & Fire Damage Restoration Services

Since opening its first location in Chicago at 400 North Paulina Street in 2013, we  remain the leader in Water & Fire Damage Restoration and professional Cleaning Services to homes and businesses in the Chicago-land area.  This includes the newly acquired ServiceMaster of Oak Park-River Forest. The franchise that has offered quality Disaster Restoration and Cleaning Services for the residents of Oak Park and River Forest for over 30 years. “We were receiving so many calls from the North Shore, it made sense to open the second location to serve our customers faster, rather than spend time in traffic,” said Neda Howell, ServiceMaster By Simons’ manager.  “Our reputation not only depends on our quality cleaning services, but on the timeliness of our professional technicians.”

As a result, North Shore businesses and residents can now experience our quality, professional services.  By calling 855-9-SIMONS, you can conveniently schedule your specialty cleaning services.  Our services include Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning, Hard Surface and Wood Floor Cleaning. It also boast the best in Post-Construction Cleanup, Move in/Move out Cleaning, Air Duct Cleaning, Steamed Carpet Extraction and Hoarder Cleaning services.  If you prefer, you can click here to schedule your services on our website.

 

High-Quality, Compassionate Trauma Cleanup Is Available for Many Situations in Lincoln Park, Chicago, IL

It’s a sad fact of life that car accidents, suicides, homicides, and other tragic events can happen to our loved ones. It’s also an unfortunate fact that, after the police leave the scene of a heart-breaking event, families or other loved ones are charged with handling the trauma cleanup. Because of the tragedy and severity […]

It’s a sad fact of life that car accidents, suicides, homicides, and other tragic events can happen to our loved ones. It’s also an unfortunate fact that, after the police leave the scene of a heart-breaking event, families or other loved ones are charged with handling the trauma cleanup.

Because of the tragedy and severity of the aftermath surrounding traumatic events, it’s best to leave the cleanup to a professional company. ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons specializes in biohazard remediation and trauma cleanup in Lincoln Park, Chicago,IL. We’re available 24/7 with the specialized training, safety gear, certifications, and compassion needed to clean up after your loved one has been lost or injured. We also work with fire and police departments and insurance companies to offer the very best trauma cleanup services.

Here are some situations where you will find it beneficial to give us a call for our compassionate, discreet, prompt, and professional services:

  • Suicides and Unattended Death Cleanup: Not only is it incredibly emotionally and mentally difficult to tackle the cleanup after this happens, it may be too physically challenging. That’s because decomposition – a natural occurrence during which organic materials break down into liquid – quickly begins after death.
  • Homicides and crime scenes: Understandably, police officers don’t clean up a crime scene after the body has been removed and evidence has been collected. That job is left to loved ones or property owners. Crime scene cleanup involves removing blood, other types of fluids and biological materials, plus fingerprint dust or other chemicals used by crime scene investigators.
  • Car Accidents: A contaminated car or other type of vehicle is not safe to drive until it has been fully cleaned and sanitized. The small structure of a vehicle, coupled with an inconsistent climate, creates a need for immediate and thorough cleanup.
  • Blood: There is the potential for exposure to blood-borne pathogens and infectious microorganisms in each of the above tragedies. Examples of blood-borne pathogens include hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. Depending on the temperature and surrounding environment, blood-borne pathogens can survive for up to 16 days after a trauma, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Immediate cleanup is imperative.

Call ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons immediately at 773-376-1110 if you find yourself in need of expert trauma cleanup service in the neighborhood of Lincoln Park, Chicago, IL. We’ll be on the scene quickly to safely remove all biohazardous materials and help you get back on your feet.

Call ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons for Compassionate Trauma Cleanup in Chicago, IL

No matter how it happens, a death always causes a great deal of shock and in such an emotional situation, the practical details of cleaning the area are the furthest thing from your mind. If you or a loved one is dealing with the aftermath of a tragic event, you can turn to the compassionate […]

No matter how it happens, a death always causes a great deal of shock and in such an emotional situation, the practical details of cleaning the area are the furthest thing from your mind. If you or a loved one is dealing with the aftermath of a tragic event, you can turn to the compassionate and skilled trauma cleanup professionals at ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons in Chicago, IL. If you’re a business owner, facilities manager, or insurance company representative, we can assist you with trauma cleanup as well.

After a trauma situation, biohazardous remediation is necessary because there is the potential for exposure blood-borne pathogens and infectious microorganisms. Blood-borne pathogens include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Depending on the temperature and surrounding environment, blood borne pathogens can survive for up to 16 days after a trauma Immediate professional attention is imperative to avoid the spread of these pathogens.

At ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, we have the proper protective gear, expertise, sensitivity, training, and certifications to control blood-borne pathogens, and we utilize the required equipment to dispose of biological materials. Let us handle the physical cleanup so you can concentrate on healing.

ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons serves 18 Chicago neighborhoods, including Bucktown, Old Town, South Loop, and Ukrainian Village. Contact us immediately at 773-376-1110 for all of your trauma cleanup needs, including car wrecks, fights, a tragic homicide or suicide, crime scenes, animal infestation, hoarding, or gross filth removal. We specialize in the safe removal of biohazardous materials and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help you get through an extremely difficult situation.

Why You Need a Caring Trauma Cleanup Team in Chicago, IL

Getting the right people to help you clean or organize your home after disaster hits can be a challenge. While you want to call on family and friends you can depend on, sometimes they can be dealing with the same trauma and mourning process. On the other hand, people you don’t know very well, like […]

Getting the right people to help you clean or organize your home after disaster hits can be a challenge. While you want to call on family and friends you can depend on, sometimes they can be dealing with the same trauma and mourning process. On the other hand, people you don’t know very well, like neighbors or acquaintances, can be less trustworthy and harder to open up to about your needs in trauma cleanup. Chicago, IL trauma cleanup is much simpler and more comprehensive with ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons’ expert team.

When disaster strikes your home and family, we believe there are two important factors in how cleanup is handled. Response time is key when dealing with trauma cleanup, and when ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons gets to the disaster in a timely matter, we focus on getting your life back to normal as soon as possible. The second factor, experience, is something you will never have to worry about when hiring our trauma cleanup team at ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons. With years of experience in accident and trauma cleanup, we are certain to bring together the skillset and compassionate attitude needed to fulfill this duty to our loyal customers. Furthermore, we are certified by the City of Chicago to deal with bio-cleaning situations.

While trauma cleanup never presents itself in an ideal situation, our team is proud to offer more disaster restoration services to fit your needs in times of chaos. From water damage restoration to fire damage restoration, we have expert technicians and technology to make your home much more safe and comfortable.

Contact ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons for trauma cleanup when you’ve found yourself in an unfortunate situation and are looking for the most caring trauma cleanup team in Chicago, IL. We’re proud to represent the Chicago area and provide the most careful, compassionate care to our customers on their worst (and best) days.

Trauma Cleanup Removes Blood Borne Pathogens from Chicago Homes

The traumatic death of a family member or close friend can cause emotional pain and suffering that can take years to heal. When that death leaves behind a trauma scene, it can add to the pain and suffering if you or other family members try to clean up the area alone. It is recommended that […]

The traumatic death of a family member or close friend can cause emotional pain and suffering that can take years to heal. When that death leaves behind a trauma scene, it can add to the pain and suffering if you or other family members try to clean up the area alone. It is recommended that you use a professional cleaning service to ensure all blood borne pathogens are properly removed and disposed of. ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons is a trusted professional trauma cleanup company in Chicago, IL, and we are available 24/7 to clean up the scene.

Blood borne pathogens are a major concern when cleaning up a trauma scene. Without the help of professionals, you run the risk of leaving behind disease-causing pathogens. Some diseases, such as Hepatitis, can actually live outside the body for weeks, which poses a danger to anyone around the trauma scene.

Blood stained furniture must also be completely cleaned or disposed of by a licensed biohazard facility, which can be arranged by a professional cleaning company. Concrete that is stained with blood can take hours of scrubbing with no results. By utilizing the proper training and techniques, professional equipment, and cleaning solutions, the area can be restored to its prior condition.

Proper trauma cleanup must follow all OSHA regulations. When you hire a professional company, make sure to verify they follow all OSHA regulations and they use a biohazard facility for the disposal of any waste or property. Most reputable companies will disclose this information on their website, but if you have any doubts, call and ask questions.

If you have any questions at all regarding trauma scene cleanup in Chicago, please give ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons a call. Our staff is trained to deal with your concerns, and we will compassionately help you throughout the sensitive process of trauma cleanup.