Paul Davis National (PDN), the large loss specialists for Paul Davis, recently completed emergency restoration and stabilization services work for Huntington Towers, a mixed-use building at 201 W. Springfield Ave. in Champaign, IL. More than 30,000-square-feet of the commercial and residential high-rise had flooded due to frozen pipes that burst on the 13th floor. Damage was found on all floors, with the majority of the damage on floors nine through 12, as well as the first floor. 
Paul Davis National (PDN), the large loss specialists for Paul Davis, recently completed emergency restoration and stabilization services work for Huntington Towers, a mixed-use building at 201 W. Springfield Ave. in Champaign, IL.

More than 30,000-square-feet of the commercial and residential high-rise had flooded due to frozen pipes that burst on the 13th floor. Damage was found on all floors, with the majority of the damage on floors nine through 12, as well as the first floor. Most damaged areas in the building included refuse areas, common area hallways and commercial office space. 

The problems started when an access door blew open during a winter storm in early January. This exposed the building and pipes to cold temperatures. The pipes eventually froze and burst, causing approximately 25,000 gallons of clean water to flow down into the core of the 84,000 square-foot building in the early morning hours. The devastating water damage in the walls and floors of offices and apartments required around-the-clock work. It was a happy ending however, as the Huntington Tower office tenants and apartment residents were able to return to the 40-year-old building in just three days.

According to Howdy Russell, Paul Davis National spokesperson, the company served as the general contractor and restoration crew on the job while working with Cathy A. Rector, Coldwell Banker Commercial Devonshire Realty’s Director of Property Management and Building Services Divisions.

Neal Lengacher, Paul Davis’ Project Manager, was responsible for overseeing the project for the large loss firm and its subcontractors who provided emergency mitigation services, repairs and some reconstruction.

Russell noted the local Paul Davis franchise in Bloomington, Ill. received an emergency call from Rector, who was initially alerted by the local fire department about a fire sprinkler activation in the building on Friday, Jan. 13. The Paul Davis advance team responded immediately to assess the damage and surveyed the site that morning to schedule equipment and manpower needs.

All equipment and manpower arrived by 6 p.m. the same day and equipment was set and operational by 3 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 14. From Friday through Sunday, Jan. 15, crew members accrued more than 35 hours each to get the building ready for occupancy. Paul Davis’ quick response allowed work teams to dry the building in less than 72 hours with minimal demolition. While several hundred lineal feet of base trim was removed, other items removed included ceiling tiles, vinyl flooring and drywall. All of the carpet was saved. The building work wrapped up and was fully cleaned, including all affected floors, walls, ceilings and contents by Friday, Jan. 20.

 According to Russell, the situation was brought under control quickly and effectively through emergency response support. “This type of loss is unpredictable, as are most water damage situations,” he said. “Our company responds with a management strategy that starts with immediate action.”