What Kind of Damage Can Floods Do to a House?

11/2/2020 (Permalink)

Flood damage from spring storms, heavy rains, and overloaded drainage networks can wreak havoc on your home and property.

Flooding can wreak utter havoc on your Glenview home and the best thing you can do about it is to call a good flood damage remediator, like SERVPRO of Glenview.

Glenview and Northbrook, like many other North Shore Chicago communities, often seem like the setting of a John Hughes film, because they ARE!. The idyllic suburban atmosphere and manicured greenery can trick local homeowners into thinking disasters could never happen in their neighborhood, but this is not the case and flooding can be a fairly common occurrence here. Unfortunately, living in a North Shore community is not like life in the movies!

What usually causes flooding in our area?

Flood damage in Glenview generally results from the effects of heavy rains that often impact the Midwest region each spring and early summer. These swell the nearby Des Plaines River and overflow local ponds and creeks. Since this area is mostly flat, this excess water quickly rises to levels that affect local homes and businesses. Gutters and town drainage networks get clogged by common debris and yard waste, and these networks then spill out onto nearby lands and inundate residences and commercial properties. Whenever this happens, it is necessary to call an experienced flood damage cleanup and restoration service such as SERVPRO of Glenview.

How do the standing waters of a flood affect your home?

At SERVPRO, our professionals have seen the many effects of standing floodwaters on homes and their contents. Some of these develop almost immediately after flooding occurs, while others develop over time. A few common issues resulting from standing floodwaters include:

• buckled or collapsed floors
• warped walls
• disintegrating drywall and plaster
• discoloration or corrosion of surfaces
• dirty water that is trapped behind walls and in other difficult-to-access areas
• backed up sewage systems

These severe problems require the assistance of trained professionals who know what they are doing. Otherwise, costly mistakes could be made, wasting both time and money.

Is it possible to save household contents impacted by floodwaters?

Most often, contents coming into contact with floodwaters are not salvageable due to the fact that these waters are considered to be the most contaminated type of water. They are usually filled with the most hazardous pollutants like animal carcasses, human and animal wastes, toxic chemicals, trash of all kinds, and dangerous microbes. However, SERVPRO is sometimes able to save irreplaceable valuables, such as expensive Persian rugs, damaged by floodwaters by employing innovative methods, industrial-grade washing and drying equipment, and enzyme and chemical-free soaps.

What effect do flood-borne microbes have on your home?

As previously noted, floods bring with them harmful microbes. These microorganisms could affect your property in many ways, as you can imagine. The effects vary in severity and can impact everything from the superficial aesthetics to the structural integrity of your home. Some of the most notable of these effects are:

• mold/mildew stains and other discoloration on floors, baseboards, walls, and ceilings
• strong musty or otherwise foul odors that are difficult to neutralize
• dry rot that develops over time and undermines the structural integrity of your residence
• harmful bacteria growths that could cause health effects

It is important to realize that each of these potential issues becomes much more likely the longer you wait to have your home remediated. Moreover, if these effects already do exist, they worsen over time if not properly addressed.

How does SERVPRO resolve the various effects of flooding?

SERVPRO of Glenview has the necessary expertise and all the latest state-of-the-art tools to successfully resolve your flood-related issues. For years, we have tackled numerous problems associated with standing floodwaters and the dangerous microbes they carry. Our technicians have done this with:

• powerful extractors and pumps that rapidly remove gallons of standing water from structures
• professional hazardous waste disposal methods that are safe for both residents and the environment
• advanced high-velocity fans, air movers, and dehumidifiers that quickly reduce interior humidity to normal levels
• cutting edge Injectidry systems and floor pads that can remove water from difficult-to-access areas behind ceilings and walls, as well as under floorings
• high-tech foggers that can fill impacted air and materials with EPA-approved antimicrobials and deodorants

Using all of these impressive resources, SERVPRO experts are usually able to return your home to its pre-flood condition in record time.

If and when flooding damages your residence, remember that not all is lost. There is high-quality help available nearby! Call SERVPRO of Glenview at 847-832-9300 whenever you need our assistance dealing with flood damage.