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Home Flooding and Your Health

Home Flooding and Your Health

Sam Simon

May 25, 2018

Chicago’s chilly April brought heavy rains to the city this spring -- and according to the Chicago Tribune, this May has been the fourth wettest on record.  With the frequent heavy rainfall, flooding has been an everyday occurrence for Chicago homeowners.

We at ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons know there are few things worse than discovering unwanted water in your home after heavy rains or other natural disasters.  Puddles of storm water that have leaked through a home’s foundation into the basements of unsuspecting homeowners cause anxiety and frustration, even though the situation often isn’t hard to fix.  But when homeowners procrastinate damage control due to confusion or frustration after a flood, a minor problem can turn into a major one -- and not just in terms of structural water damage. What homeowners often don’t know is that flood waters can also be a silent threat to the health of all residents.  

It’s important to remember that all flood waters are not created equal.  Depending on the water’s source, there could be a variety of biohazards and contaminates to worry about. Our guide will help you differentiate between the types of floodwaters and determine if your health could be compromised.  

Clear, Clean or Whitewater (Category 1)

Whitewater usually results from overflowing sinks, broken water supply lines or a damaged faucet.  It has few contaminants and is a minimal health threat, so it’s usually safe to come into contact with.  But standing white water can become grey water in as little as 48 hours if a professional is not called in to begin the cleanup process. If you are experiencing home flooding after a storm, it is a safe bet that you are

not

dealing with this type of floodwater.

Greywater (Category 2)

Greywater is wastewater from bathtubs and showers, washing machines, dishwashers, sinks and other malfunctioning appliances.  It can also come from a severe weather event, like heavy rains and flooding, or an overflowing plumbing fixture or broken pipe.  It can ruin carpeting, furniture and drywall, but doesn’t contain fecal matter and may or may not have severely threatening contaminants.  It does pose a greater risk than whitewater and water damage cleanup should begin immediately.

Blackwater (Category 3)

The most hazardous of all flood water types, blackwater contains fecal matter or other human waste and comes from toilets, sewage backups or severe flooding.  It may contain dangerous chemicals, disease-causing organisms and other pathogens. Germs found in blackwater can cause health hazards like infectious diseases, vomiting, diarrhea, long-term respiratory problems, nausea, memory loss and liver failure.  Blackwater should be taken extremely seriously.

In general, it’s best to stay away from flood waters, especially if they’ve been standing a while and might be harboring mold.  You should always call a trusted, certified restoration company for help cleaning up flood waters and restoring structural damage.  Here at ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons, we are committed to our clients’ homes and health, so don’t hesitate to give us a call.  We’re standing by for all your restoration concerns and questions!

ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons is a MBE/WBE certified minority and women-owned and family run company serving Chicago, Oak Park, River Forest, and the North Shore. The business provides disaster restoration services for damages caused by water, fire, flooding, mold remediation, and a wide range of interior specialty cleaning (hoarder/clutter, post construction, carpet and upholstery) to residential and commercial customers residing in Chicago, Oak Park, River Forest and the North Shore. For more information, give us a call at 773-376-1110 or visit servicemasterbysimons.com.

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Sam Simon

Sam Simon is the Co-Owner and Managing Director of ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, a certified MBE/WBE disaster restoration and specialty cleaning firm proudly serving Cook, Lake, and DuPage Counties in Illinois. With over 30 years of experience in restoration project management, field operations, and emergency response, Sam plays a vital leadership role in overseeing service execution, technician development, reconstruction, and subcontractor coordination.

He holds the IICRC’s highest technical designation as a Master Fire & Water Restorer, a distinction achieved by fewer than 1% of professionals in the restoration industry. His technical scope includes water and flood damage restoration, fire and smoke recovery, mold remediation, and post-disaster reconstruction across both residential and commercial sectors.

Sam has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to helping communities in crisis. He has participated in large-scale disaster recovery efforts across the U.S., providing boots-on-the-ground leadership during Hurricanes Katrina, Sandy, and Harvey, as well as catastrophic floods, wildfires, and deep freeze events throughout Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, Texas, and beyond. His dedication to serving distressed families and businesses in the wake of national catastrophes reflects both his personal values and ServiceMaster’s mission of restoring peace of mind.

In 2019, Sam was selected for the HACIA Contractor Training Program, a competitive six-month construction management cohort offered by the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association. The program delivers intensive instruction in blueprint reading, estimating, project management, and construction law—skills that support the company’s continued growth in emergency build-back and general contracting services.

Before co-founding ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, Sam built a successful creative career under the name Sam Zabadneh, contributing to notable film and television productions including Chicago Fire (2012), Juvies (2007), and Image Union (1978). His media and videography background continues to shape ServiceMaster’s marketing strategy, digital training resources, and brand storytelling.
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Sam is also the co-author of RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset—a practical guidebook for homeowners navigating the challenges of water, fire, and mold damage.

Under the direction of majority owner and President & CEO Nasutsa Mabwa, and with Sam’s operational leadership, ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons has earned numerous regional and national accolades, including:

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