Chicago’s Rains Wreak Havoc on Homes

With the abundance of rain Chicagoland has seen this year it’s no surprise that many homeowners have fallen victim to water damage. How these homeowners address their water loss will determine their success.

Rainbow International of South & West Suburbs has currently assisted more homeowners with cleaning up their water damage this year opposed to this time last year. “It is recommended that you have a restoration professional in place prior to damage occurring. When your home takes on water, time is of the essence,” says Rainbow International’s President, John Gurtler.

Rainbow International has been assisting home and business owners with cleaning up their water damage for the last ten years. During this time span, they have seen an array of water damage losses. “Your basic homeowner’s policy does not cover flooding, if your sewer backs up or if your sump pump fails. Additional endorsements must be added to your homeowner’s policy to ensure coverage for these types of situations. It is sad that half of the customers that call us for service are not insured for these types of situations because they do not have these endorsements. The cost for water damage cleanup is then an out of pocket cost to the customer,” says Gurtler.

How the water entered the home, if the damage exceeds the deductible and if there is an endorsement for the type of loss that occurred will determine if the loss is covered or not. No one ever thinks they will have water loss but if one did occur, do you know what your insurance policy covers? Rainbow International recommends that you do a policy review with your insurance agent to verify your coverages in the event that a water loss does occur.

The cost for water damage cleanup can put a dent in your pocket if you are not insured. Homeadvisor.com states that the lowest price Homeadvisor members in Chicago reported they paid to clean up water damage this year is $950. The highest cost their members reported they paid for cleanup was $6,000 (rebuild excluded).

Some homeowners attempt water damage cleanup themselves thinking that this will help save them money. Unfortunately, they end up causing more damage and end up spending more money opposed seeking a certified water restoration professional to address their water loss the right way the first time.

Removing moisture from a structure takes a lot more effort and planning than one might think. Most homeowners do not realize that there is a science behind drying out a structure. This science is known as Psychrometrics.

If restoration was as simple as renting some air movers from the hardware store and spraying some over the counter products to prevent mold, then restoration companies would not be in business and drying standards would not be in place. Unfortunately, it is a little more complicated than that.

The type of water loss that occurred and the length of time it has sat unaddressed will determine what can be saved verses what needs to be removed and replaced. Vapor pressure, relative humidity and the law of psychometrics are just a few things that need to be considered before addressing a water loss. If you have not sat through a water damage class then you most likely do not understand what grains per pound means and it’s something you need to take into account when addressing water damage. These considerations are not exactly the first things that come to mind when homeowners are staring at their personal belongings under a foot of water after their sump pump failed on them.

The four principles that all restoration companies must take into account when addressing water losses are Extraction, Air Flow, Dehumidification and Temperature. There are also guidelines set but the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC) as to what the standard of care is when addressing a water loss.

If you are not a certified water restoration professional and you attempt to clean up a water loss you could in turn cause secondary damage. Certified water restoration professionals know how to inspect for hidden damage with the variety of restoration equipment available to them. Equipment such as moisture meters and thermal imaging cameras help restoration professionals determine if a structure is dried out or if still contains moisture. If building components are not properly dried out and moisture remains within the structure, then microbial growth (mold) could form. Not only is mold a concern for your home, it is also a concern for one’s health. Who wants to pay to clean up mold damage on top paying to clean up a water loss?

Rainbow International recommends checking on your basement when it rains and for the next few days after to ensure that your basement did not take on water. “A few days after it rains we still receive calls for water damage cleanup. Many people do not check on their basement after it has stopped raining. At this time, their sump pumps can still fail and their sewer lines can still back up. Many people have water sitting in their basement for days without even realizing it,” says Gurtler. “If you make a habit of checking on your basement for a few days after it rains you can catch the water loss sooner than later and this can help keep cleanup costs down.”

About Rainbow International®:
Rainbow International® of South & West Suburbs is a winner of the Better Business Bureau's prestigious Torch Award, and is a locally recognized leader in the restoration and cleaning industry that services Chicagoland. Founded in 1981, Rainbow International Restoration provides emergency services to residential and commercial properties that have suffered fire, water and mold damage. For more information on Rainbow International, please visit their website at www.rainbowrestore.net or contact their service line at 708-460-0911.