Water Damage Restoration in Illinois

What to expect from water damage restoration in Illinois

When you call (888) 596-0163, we'll ask what happened and where you are, then connect you with a specialist from our network who works in your part of Illinois. Once they're there, they'll find the source and work out what kind of water you're dealing with. Category 1 is clean water from a supply line. Category 2 is dirty water, like an overflow from an appliance. Category 3 is sewage or floodwater. With Category 2 or 3, the area may be sealed off first, using plastic sheeting, negative air machines and HEPA filters, so the rest of your home stays clean. Wet surfaces that stay get treated with an antimicrobial.

The next question is how far the water went. Infrared thermal imaging and moisture meters show that, because water can travel a long way behind a wall without leaving a mark. Then the drying starts. Air movers lift moisture off wet surfaces, and LGR dehumidifiers take it out of the air. In cold rooms and dense materials, desiccant dehumidifiers often do better. Psychrometric readings of temperature and humidity show if the machines are keeping up, and they're taken every day.

The job isn't finished because a wall feels dry. Moisture readings from unaffected wood and drywall in your own home set the target, known as the dry standard, and the equipment stays until the wet areas match it. Hardwood can often be saved with floor drying mats, so it's worth asking about before anyone pulls it up. If water came up in the basement, ask for the sump pump to be checked too, in case that's how it got in. Once everything's dry, the repairs can begin: drywall, flooring, trim and paint.