How to Deal With a Space Heater Fire: 7 Critical Steps
When the temperature drops outside, thermostats go up inside. Furnace fires are always a concern this time of year, but space heaters are responsible for more than 40% of home heating fires. It's a disturbing statistic. ServiceMaster of Lake Shore helps Chicago homeowners deal with the aftermath...
33 Important Holiday Fire Safety Tips for 2023
The holidays are just around the corner, and that means that fun and festivity are on the horizon. Unfortunately, it also means that many households will face an increased fire risk in the coming months. According to FEMA, there are nearly 156,000 residential structural fires each year...
11 Warning Signs of a Busted Water Pipe
Burst pipes create plumbing disasters that quickly turn into huge cleanup jobs. However, a burst pipe often goes unnoticed until it causes serious water damage. Recognizing the warning signs can help prevent a wall collapse, ceiling cave-in, or worse. In this blog, we share how to recognize...
9 Reasons Pipes Burst (And How to Prevent This!)
A burst pipe can happen anywhere in a plumbing system. Supply pipes, distribution lines, hot water pipes and drain pipes are all vulnerable. How do pipes burst at the house or your business? In this blog, we delve into the causes of pipe bursts and provide practical...
Flood Damage in Downtown Chicago? Here’s What to Do
If you’ve experienced storm flooding, a flooded basement, or flooding anywhere in your home, you’re probably wondering what to do. You don’t want the damage to get worse, but you’re not sure how to begin addressing it. Don’t worry. You’re not alone. At ServiceMaster of Lake Shore, we...
Washer Leaking from the Bottom? 3 Steps to Fix the Problem
A washer leaking from the bottom can be a serious issue unless you fix it quickly. Like a leaky dishwasher or other appliance, a leaky washer can damage your floors, cause mold growth, and lead to other safety hazards, like electrical shock risk. If you suspect your...
Hot Water Heater Flooding? Here’s What To Do Right Now
Your water heater is one of the hardest-working appliances in your home, but did you know it’s also one of the most likely to cause water damage? If you’ve noticed pooling water, dripping valves, or other signs of flooding from your water heater, it’s essential to...
How to Fix a Ceiling with Water Damage: 3 Effective Steps
Have you noticed spots, stains, discoloration, or sagging areas in your ceiling? If so, ceiling water damage could be the cause. For many homeowners, ceiling water damage is a nightmare scenario. Fortunately, there are ways to protect your home, minimize the extent of the damage, and reclaim...
Emergency Restoration in Chicago: A Comprehensive Guide
When a residential fire here in Chicago ends in tragedy, our hearts go out to those who have lost a loved one. We're grateful to the brave first responders who always do their best. When severe storms flood Chicagoland, friends and neighbors are left with water-damaged...
How to Handle Warehouse Water Damage Cleanup: A Complete Guide [2023]
Water damage in a commercial setting disrupts schedules and slows down business. When it happens in a 50,000 square-foot warehouse, the logistics are especially challenging. Complications range from water-damaged interiors, inventory and equipment to delays in receiving and shipping. As the warehouse manager or owner, you...
How to Choose a Water Damage Restoration Contractor in Chicago
You can't predict a water damage emergency. Whether it's a flooded basement at home or a plumbing breakdown at your business, you're caught off guard. You can be prepared with a simple proactive strategy: knowing who to call before the worst happens. Advanced planning makes it easier...
What to Do When Your Basement Floods: 7 Critical Steps
Whether it was a plumbing failure, broken appliance or torrential rainfall, the basement flooded. What to do next depends on so many factors. You need to take action now. Water damage in a flooded basement creates immediate problems. The risk of a compromised electrical system is...
