Rainbow International made the cover of R & R Magazine!

R & R Magazine is a well recognized restoration publication and is the leading resource in serving specialists within the restoration and remediation industries. Check out the story... Rainbow International of South & West Suburbs teamed up with Rainbow International of Ottawa to assist business owners  after a large loss fire.  When a Utica, Ill., neighborhood was recently hit by a large fire, a local restoration company responded quickly to restore multiple businesses. Dana Jennings, owner of Rainbow International of The Illinois Valley, said his team was called in as soon as firemen left the scene and began immediate fire mitigation, set up odor control equipment, and started the drying process. "When the owner of Skoog's Pub & Grill called Rainbow International at 5:30 a.m. the morning after the fire in May, we arrived on scene after the fire department cleared the scene," said Jennings. Local businesses, including Skoog's Pub & Grill, Flutterby Junction popcorn shop, and Joy & Eds suffered extensive smoke and water damage, said Jennings. In addition, he said several apartments above the businesses had smoke and water damage. Second Look Antiques antique store also suffered extensive fire, smoke and water damage. Fellow franchise owner, John Gurtler, from Rainbow International of South & West Suburbs and his team responded to the call for emergency assistance. Together, the two Rainbow International restoration companies took up the entire block with vehicles, manpower and equipment. The fire cleanup and mitigation on the multiple commercial buildings affected was split between the sister companies. "We all responded quickly and showed unity between offices," said Gurtler. "I was impressed by how all of our technicians and project managers came together as a professional large loss division." Both Jennings and Gurtler said the prompt response and joint effort was an over-the-top success to restore these local businesses and homes. Jennings added that knowing they were able to offer hope and the much-needed "everything is going to be okay" support to these business owners was rewarding. Do you....... Have fire or smoke damage?  Need your contents packed out, cleaned and stored during the restoration process?  Need a company to restore the structure to pre-loss conditions? Turn to Rainbow International for all of your fire & smoke needs: 708-460-0911.

FIND OUT IF YOU HAVE A CLAIM BEFORE YOU FILE ONE

The time to find out if property damage will be covered by insurance is BEFORE a claim is filed, not after. Consumers are contacting the 1 800 # too soon and hurting themselves and their C.L.U.E. Report. 

Here is an example of what your C.L.U.E. Report looks like when you file a claim. 

If you make an inquiry to the 1 8000 # aside from actually filing a claim you are still labeling yourself as a risk. You just called your insurance and told them "I may cost you money". Though we pay premiums and expect our insurance company to be there in our time of need we need to think before we act. Is it worth it to file a claim? 

This is where your insurance agent comes into play. Your insurance agent is there to do some of the strategic thinking for you. Because they know your coverage, deductible and claim history is it best to turn to the person who made sure you were protected before you turn to a stranger on the other end of the 1 800 #. Your agent has your best interest at heart because they want to keep you as a customer. They do not want to see your rates raised or even worse see that your policy is not up for renewal. If you have property damage contact your insurance agent before contacting the insurance company directly. Your agent is there to guide you and show you what is in your best interest. 

Keep in mind that when an insurance adjuster is sent out to inspect your home they are often looking for more than when they were called out for. Your adjuster may find the following when inspecting:

• Maintenance - damage is the result of wear and tear.
• Damage that is less than the your deductible.
• Insurance scam - damage is self inflicted to scam the insurance company.
• Additional damage(s) - inspection may be to look into the siding but the adjuster finds that the roof is in need of repair and is now an issue before renewal.
• Additional things that the underwriter should be notified about: Examples trampoline, dog(s)

Rainbow International can help you avoid unpaid claims by inspecting your property damage...for FREE!

• Call Rainbow's 24/7 emergency service line at (708) 460-0911.
• Provide your information (name, number, address & damage) and how you came upon our company.
• A Rainbow representative will set up an appointment to inspect your property damage that resulted in fire & smoke, water or mold damage. If we do not provide a service that is needed (water proofing) we would be happy to provide referrals for professionals that can address this damage for you.
• During our inspection we will help determine what caused the damage, the cost to repair it and if we feel it would be covered by insurance. Your coverage ultimately determines if property damage claims are covered so knowing what your policy consists of is important.
• Verbal quotes are provided to restore your property damage to pre-loss condition.

Please note that Rainbow International DOES NOT operate as a public adjusting company. You can view more information about our company at  http://rainbowintl.com/orland-park or at https://www.facebook.com/Rainbow-International-of-South-West-Suburbs-211496272371049/timeline/.

Why should you be taking advantage of this valuable service?

• Let's find out if you have a claim before one is filed. This will help you avoid a black mark on your C.L.U.E. Report. 
• Rainbow's inspection service can help you avoid an unnecessary rate increase. The more claims you file the more likely you are to see an increase in your insurance premiums. 
• Rainbow's inspection service can help you avoid being dropped by your insurance. Ever company has a max amount of claims that you are allowed to file. You can't expect to file a claim for every little thing that happens to your property and expect a company to want to retain you as a customer, you are a risk. If you allow Rainbow to inspect your property before you file a claim we determine if it is worth filing claim. If we find that it is not then you do not need to be on the hunt for a new insurance carrier. 
• It is not always in your best interest to file a claim. Example:​ Our inspection finds that you indeed have water damage but it only amounts to $1,100. Your deductible is $1,000. You can can indeed file a claim but since you have a prior unpaid claim on your C.L.U.E. Report you may just want to pay the extra $100 to avoid an additional claim and avoid a rate increase or being dropped.
• We find that 3 out of the 5 inspections we perform result in finding damage(s) that are not covered by insurance. This means we help a majority of customers avoid filing unnecessary claims. 

​Also check out "How do you know if you should file a claim": ​

http://blogsbynikiramirez.blogspot.com/2015/07/how-do-you-know-if-you-should-file.html

​.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU SHOULD FILE A HOMEOWNER’S INSURANCE CLAIM?

“That’s what insurance is for” is what you hear many people say, but do you really understand when you should file a claim and when it’s really not in your best interests? Many consumers feel that they pay a monthly premium so they are entitled to something. This is true in some aspects, but there are deciding factors as to whether or not the insurance company will cover the loss you are claiming.

Up to Date

“I’ve been a customer for 20 years”! It does not matter how long you have been a customer with your insurance carrier if your payments are not up to date. Your insurance company does not have to cover your loss if you have fallen behind on your payments.

Underinsured

If you are underinsured your insurance company does not have to pay the difference in cost to cover your repairs. Your insurance company will only pay for the coverages that are stipulated in your policy. If you do not have a backup of sewer and drain endorsement or flood coverage your insurance company does not have to pay for water damage resulting from a sewer back up or a flood. Your insurance will not exceed your policy limits. If it costs fifty thousand dollars to replace all of your contents but you only have coverage for twenty thousand dollars then you are responsible for the difference.

Cost and Your Deductible

If your damages do not exceed your deductible your insurance company will not cover your loss. It is the policy owner’s responsibility to cover his/her insurance deductible before the insurance company pays out any money for the loss that occurred. This is sometimes paid directly to the contractor handling the repairs or it can be withheld from the insurance proceeds that are paid out by the insurance company. All costs must be factored in when deciding to file a claim: mitigation, damaged contents, cleaning and structural repair.  If your repairs cost less than your deductible it is not in your best interests to file an insurance claim since it will not be covered.

High Claim History/C.L.U.E. Report

If your loss will cost slightly more than your deductible you should still take your claim history into consideration before filing a claim. Even if your claim should be covered by insurance, you run the risk of seeing another rate increase or even being dropped by your insurance company. Insurance companies use claims and inquiries into the 1-800 number hotlines to determine what customers are at risk. If you are a high risk, meaning you have numerous claims or unpaid claims, then it is not in their best interests to insure you. Customers that are labeled a risk will cost the insurance company money. Insurance companies record and share your claims history using the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (C.L.U.E.). Even though you called the 1-800 number to ask a question they are still pursuing your inquiry as a claim that is being filed. It is recommended that you seek advice from your insurance agent or Rainbow International before contacting the 1-800 number.

Maintenance

Many homeowners’ claims are often denied because they are considered maintenance as opposed to damage stemming from a direct peril. If you haven’t addressed your roof in 30+ years and it is now missing many shingles and water is leaking in you may want to think twice about filing a claim. You will most likely be told that your damage is due to wear and tear and it will not be covered. This scenario is different than finding you are missing shingles and water is now leaking in because a tornado came through and ripped them off. It is your responsibility to maintain your property to prevent damage.

Scams

It is not stated in your insurance policy that they cover stupidity, but accidents do happen. Many insurance scams are often caught so it is not worth trying to get one over on your insurance company. Claims that have slipped by only cause you and others to see a rate increase over time. Your insurance company may cover your fire loss if you accidently knock over a candle and it catches the house on fire but if they find that you intentionally started the fire then you have a lot more to worry about then your claim being denied. Insurance is not free money. Even if you receive money from your loss you will still find that depreciation is withheld from the insurance proceeds. You will have a house and contents that are destroyed and in need of repair, you will be inconvenienced until the repairs are complete, your insurance premium will dramatically increase or even worse, you will be dropped by your insurance company. Insurance adjusters are specially trained to detect real damage from intentional damage so it is not in your best interests to try and scam your insurance company.

There are many factors that you have to take into consideration before making the decision to file an insurance claim. Many consumers hurt themselves by filing a claim for every little thing that happens to their property. This scenario is similar to the boy who cries wolf. If you try to file claims for every little thing then your insurance company is not going to want to hear it when it comes time to address the real property damage at hand. Keep in mind that property damage is unpredictable. Be happy that you have never had to file a claim and see a rate increase or risk being dropped. Analyze the aforementioned aspects and proceed in filing a claim if every category has been thoroughly considered.

Rainbow International can assist you by providing you a free property damage inspection for any type of fire, smoke, water and mold damage. Contact 708-460-0911 to set up your free inspection.

WHY BLEACH IS NOT THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR MOLD
We often come across people who find mold in their home and think that bleach is the cure. This is a misconception. Bleach is not the best choice to kill mold and keep it from coming back.

There are some cases where bleach may be part of a restoration company’s protocol, but it is not the solution to cure mold problems. Bleach comes in handing for cleaning, sanitizing or disinfecting surfaces but will not kill mold and keep it from returning. Most bleach products are not registered with the EPA as an antimicrobial product. At one time the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) had recommended using chlorine bleach for mold abatement. OSHA was also the first federal agency to stop recommending the use of liquid bleach in mold remediation. Subsequently, The Environmental Protection Agency edited their release of A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home to exclude their once recommended use of bleach as a mold clean-up agent.

Many people turn to bleach simply because it is a low cost stain remover. It’s something that can already be found in most people’s homes. People see how bright it makes everything that it comes in contact with and has often been the bases for mold removal rumors. The truth is it is a corrosive product that can irritate and do harm to you and some of the surfaces in your home that you are attempting to clean. Chlorine releases gases (dioxins) that can be harmful to your lungs, skin and eyes. It can deteriorate surfaces that are porous and corrode metal and electrical components. If you examine the label on bleach it only makes mention of use for sanitizing hard non-porous surfaces.

If bleach is going to be used as a sanitizer, it must be used on clean materials and non-porous surfaces. Think of how bleach is added to laundry after the clothes have already been cleaned. It is not a cleaning agent like laundry detergent. There are many options that restoration professionals will choose before relying solely on bleach to sanitize. The IICRC teaches restores that they need to incorporate a certain level of sanitation into their cleaning. These products that are available to restorers are specifically developed for restoration projects such as sewage clean-up and mold remediation. One typical staple in the mold remediation industry is a solution known as Biocide. Unlike bleach, many sanitizing products developed for the restoration industry actually have a residual effect which prevents bacterial from regrowing. If you were to apply bleach to dry wall it would only lighten the discolored area and would not actually kill the mold. Mold remediation is meant to not only remove mold but make sure it does not return. Mold consists of deeply embedded mycelia, better known as its root system. The roots that have grown into the dry wall continue to grow causing the mold to reappear over time. Restoration companies will remove moldy drywall since it is a porous material.

Mold remediation involves the need to disinfect wood and wood-based building materials. All of these materials are considered porous materials. Because of this, chlorine bleach should not be used in mold remediation as confirmed by OSHA’s and EPA's recommendations and suggested guidelines. The use of bleach as a mildew disinfectant is best left for non-porous surfaces such as kitchens, bathroom countertops, tubs and shower glass. The EPA’s guidelines actually state that you should only attempt to remove ten feet of surface mold yourself. Anything past ten feet should really be addressed by a IICRC certified restoration professional. Restoration professional use many forms of mold removal; sodablasting, dry ice and blasting with crushed up wall nut shells. Rainbow’s preferred method typically leans toward sodablasting. Sodablasting refers to the use of high pressured air and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). This method is similar to sand blasting but the sand is replaced with baking soda. This cleaning method is not only used for mold remediation but is also used to remove soot after a fire, graffiti from brick, paint from cars and has even been used to revamp the statue of liberty. Wood surfaces can be restored by sodablasting the mold off of the wood opposed to gutting and replacing. The mold spores are then eliminated with the use of a HEPA filter that is placed inside of a containment chamber. Biocide is then applied to kill any residual mold and prevent any new mold from forming. As you can see there is a lot more that goes into successful mold remediation opposed to simply applying bleach to the contaminated area.

If you suspect mold in your home don’t reach for a bottle of bleach. Contact the IICRC certified mold remediation professionals at Rainbow International, (708) 460-0911. We will inspect the problem, offer a solution & estimate and remediate the mold.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR AFTER A STORM

The best time to find out if you have issues with your home or a home you are looking to purchase is when it rains or after a storm has hit. Weather can reveal telltale signs that your property has issues that need to be addressed. Water intrusion can wreak havoc on homes. If the source of the problem is not fixed the issue will continue. Even worse, water intrusion can lead to mold growth. If you see signs of water damage address the issue before it gets worse.

Things to look for:

• Check or test your sump pump to make sure it is in working order.
• Make sure there is no debris around the outside line that runs to your sump pump.
• Check your basement for water intrusion. This is a sign of a foundational crack or a bigger issue. Contact a water proofing company to have your foundation inspected. 
• Check your ceilings for water stains. This is a sign of a leaky roof. 
• Check your walls for stains, peeling paint or bubbles. This is a sign there is water intrusion. The most likely cause is a leaky roof or window depending where the damage is located. 
• Check the wood beams in your attic for staining or mold growth.
• Peeling paint or stained wood around the window is a sign that there is a water issue. The most likely cause is a broken seal.
• Check outside of your structure to make sure there are no gaping holes that water can enter through. Brick can separate and siding can form holes over time which cause water to enter the home.
• You should never see rotting wood. This is a sign that water has been leaking in for quite some time.

Take a look at these pictures that relate to water intrusion. You should NOT see this around your home.

  

If you think you have a property damage claim on your hands contact Rainbow International for assistance. We will inspect your property free of charge and offer a solution to resolve your property issues. Set up your free property inspection by contacting Rainbows service line at (708)460-0911.

To view pictures of Rainbows work visit: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.211518835702126.1073741830.211496272371049&type=3 or our website at http://rainbowintl.com/orland-park.

If you are looking to purchase a home contact a property inspector to have the property inspected for any hidden damages.

IS YOUR SUMP PUMP READY FOR THE RAINY SEASON?

Around this time of year we start experiencing unexpected bouts of rain. Is your sump pump going to sink or swim?

Sump pumps can quickly get overwhelmed from the massive amounts of water they are trying to keep up with. There are numerous reasons why sump pumps fail causing homes to take on water. 

• Size of the sump pump is too small to keep up with the amount of water it is taking on. 
• The sump pump is cheap and and gets overworked with the amount of energy it has to put out. 
• The home losses power from a power outage. 
• Cut off from electricity supply - power cord becomes loose or unplugged or the control switch is turned off. 
• The motor burns out.
• There is one one in the home and it becomes overworked because the home should have more than one. 

It is recommended that you inspect your sump pump before the rain comes our way. To ensure that your sump pump is working properly you can do the following things.

• Locate the outside pipe that catches water as it drains from the pump. This can often get clogged. Remove any debris to get the pipe from clogging. 
• Check the pumps cords. This pump cord plugs into the back of the float cord plug. Pull the plugs from the outlet and separate them. Fist thing to do is only plug the pump cord back into the outlet. You should hear the pump running after this is done. Unplug the pump and plug the cords back in the wall with the float first then the pump cord plugged into the back of the float pump. 
• Remove the sump pump lid cover. Slowly pour water into the crock while watching the switch. It should start to turn on as the sump takes on water. The sump will start to pump water from the crock. If it does not contact a plumber to inspect your sump and offer guidance. 
• You can also locate the float arm on the side of the pump. List the float arm and it should start pumping water. This is an indicator that your pump is running. 
• If at some point you hear a consistent humming noise when the pump is plugged into the outlet it can be an indicator that your pump is dead. Perform these test methods to verify and then contact a plumber for replacement. 

By purchasing a backup system you can keep the water from taking over your home in the event you loose power. There are a few types of backup systems you can choose from so do your research or contact a plumber to see which system is best suited for you. 

• Battery backup
• Generator powered backup
• Water powered backup

Though backup systems are helpful you can still take additional preventative measures by obtaining an alert system if the sump pump or backup system fails. 

• Alarm systems have a audible alarm that will sound off when water reaches rises to high. These can be found at your local hardware store or online. 

It is not a bad idea to keep a spare pump laying around in case of emergencies. Make sure your spare is the same fit for the current crock you have. 

To prevent an out of pocket expense be sure to have water backup coverage added to 

your insurance policy. Check out http://blogsbynikiramirez.blogspot.com/2014/03/understand-sump-pump-overflow-sump-pump.html

If your home takes on water contact the water damage professionals at Rainbow International to assist with your cleanup - 708-460-0911. Water can only be extracted after power has been restored. Because the overflowing water has contaminants it is best to have a restoration company perform the cleanup.Take a look at Rainbow's tips on what to do if your home takes on water:  http://blogsbynikiramirez.blogspot.com/2014/07/your-home-has-taken-on-water-after.html

FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE HOMEOWNER’S INSURANCE

There are several factors that influence the cost of your homeowner’s insurance policy. Speaking with you agent and having them point out the coverage's you can modify and add can keep you protected while still keeping your rates low.

Common factors that influence your homeowner’s insurance premium include:

Your credit score - Your credit score impacts the price of your policy.

Your claim history - If you have filed several claims you are more likely to pay a higher premium. Even though you filed a claim and the company did not pay out keep in mind that still reflects negatively on your C.L.U.E. Report. See more at: https://personalreports.lexisnexis.com/fact_act_claims_bundle/landing.jsp

Your deductible – Your choice of deductible plays a role in the price of your policy. When choosing a high deductible you will pay more out of pocket if a claim is filed. The benefit of a high deductible is that you are paying a lower premium. Many insurers are selling homeowners insurance policies with percentage deductibles for storm damage instead of the traditional dollar value deductibles that are used for other types of claims such as fire damage and theft.

Your coverage limit - The amount of coverage you need will play a role in the price of your insurance.

Age and type of construction of your home - If your home is older, there is a higher chance that there will be problems down the road and the home will need to be repaired.  Important structural components like roofing, plumbing, electrical wiring, and HVAC systems may need to be addressed at some point. Newer homes are built according to today’s building codes and typically have more energy efficient components.  

Location of your home - You can expect to pay more for your policy if you live in an area that is prone to natural disasters, has a relatively high crime rate or is located far from emergency services.

Risk factors on the property - If you have the following things on your property you are likely to pay a higher premium: a swimming pool, an aggressive dog, a trampoline or any other characteristic deemed as risky.

Minimize risks that are in your control to assist in keeping your premium low. Even though you want to keep your premium low don’t skip out on the coverage's that are recommended by your agent. Things like flood insurance, back-up of sewer and sump pump overflow are recommended for a reason.

It is a misconception that any type of damage caused by water is covered in you insurance policy. This is incorrect. Flood waters, water and sewage that backups through the drain and an overflowing sump pump are all things that are excluded from a basic homeowner’s policy. When it comes time to perform mitigation and make repairs people are often shocked they are not covered by their insurance for these types of damages. Choosing to keep your premium low by excluding these additional coverage's is not in your best interest. These coverage's are so important that many insurance agents make you sign a waiver stating that they were offered to you and you choose not to accept them. The out of pocket cost to resolve water damage can greatly exceed the minimal fees that you would pay monthly for these additional coverage's. If you cannot afford to address water damage in a timely manner then you may have a costly mold loss on your hands. Not accepting the coverages that are recommended to you is like flipping a coin. There’s a chance you may not have a loss but the risk you take by not getting accurate coverage is a lot more costly in the long run.

You can’t predict property damage. No one ever thinks they are going to have water in their basement or sewage overflowing from their toilet. Rainbow International services these types of losses every day and homeowners are never prepared for them. Those that have accurate insurance coverage have less headaches because they are not having to come out of pocket to pay for restoration services.

Choose the right coverage for your individual needs but do not cut corners to lower costs.