Water damage · Emergency service
Water Damage in Chicago, IL
Water damage covers everything from a leaking supply line to a flooded basement. The job is the same at every size: stop the source, remove standing water, dry the structure to measured targets, then repair what can't be saved.
Water Damage in Chicago: local conditions
Partner coverage for water damage in Chicago currently includes 65 ZIP codes: 60499, 60601, 60602, 60603, 60604, 60605, 60606, 60607, 60610, 60611, 60613, 60614, 60615, 60616, 60618, 60622, 60625, 60626, 60629, 60630, 60631, 60632, 60634, 60638, 60640, 60641, 60642, 60643, 60644, 60645, 60646, 60647, 60651, 60652, 60653, 60654, 60655, 60656, 60657, 60659, 60660, 60661, 60664, 60666, 60668, 60669, 60670, 60673, 60674, 60675, 60677, 60678, 60680, 60681, 60684, 60685, 60686, 60687, 60688, 60689, 60690, 60694, 60695, 60696, 60699. If your ZIP is on this list, a call connects you with a company that serves it.
Intense rain overwhelms the combined sewer system, sending water and sewage into basements. Backwater valves and overhead sewers are common fixes. Polar-vortex events, like January 2019, freeze pipes in exterior walls and garages. High lake levels and storms have eroded the shoreline and flooded lakefront buildings. Chicago two-flats and three-flats stack kitchens and bathrooms, so a leak in the upper unit runs into the unit below and often into the basement. The Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (Deep Tunnel) stores stormwater to reduce flooding, but the most intense storms still overwhelm it and back water into basements.
The Chicago bungalow belt and two-flats have basements with floor drains connected to combined sewers. Older homes have clay or cast-iron laterals.
Licensing in Illinois: Illinois doesn't license general contractors statewide, but roofers are licensed by the state and many cities, including Chicago, license contractors locally. Ask for local licenses and insurance.
What you can expect
- One call connects you with an independent restoration company that serves your ZIP code.
- Fast call-back during business hours
- Serving Chicago, IL
- Photo and moisture documentation for insurance
Water Damage at a glance
- Category
- Water damage
- Emergency service
- Yes, call for fastest response
- Typical first step
- Stop the source and make it safe
- Area
- Chicago, IL
Other risks in Chicago
Bungalow belt basements
Brick bungalows across the Southwest and Northwest sides often have finished basements, where a single backup can damage carpet, drywall and belongings.
Signs you need water damage
- Standing water, wet carpet or soft, swollen flooring
- Stains or bubbling paint on ceilings and walls
- A musty smell that doesn't go away
How the work is done
Stop the source and make it safe, then Extract standing water, then Remove what can't be saved, then Dry to measured targets, then Document and repair. See the full water damage process.
What affects the cost
Prices depend on the job, so restoration companies in Chicago quote after an assessment. The main drivers are how much area is affected, how long it stayed wet, and what has to be removed or rebuilt. See the full list of water damage cost factors.
Water Damage questions
Is sewer backup covered by insurance in Chicago?
Usually only with a sewer or drain backup endorsement, which many Chicago homeowners add.
Do I need a permit for repairs in Chicago?
Structural, plumbing and electrical repairs need permits from the Chicago Department of Buildings, and contractors need Chicago licenses.
How fast does water damage need to be dried?
As soon as possible. Mold can start growing on wet drywall and wood in 24 to 48 hours, and materials keep absorbing water the longer it sits.
Does homeowners insurance cover water damage?
Usually for sudden, accidental water such as a burst pipe or appliance failure. Gradual leaks, flooding from outside and sewer backups often need separate coverage or endorsements.
Related pages
Other services in Chicago
Water Damage in nearby cities
More about water and storm damage in Chicago, or see water damage nationwide.
Related services
Water damage restoration
Water damage restoration removes standing water, dries the structure to a measured dry standard, and repairs or replaces what can't be saved.
Learn more
Emergency water extraction
Water extraction is the first step of any water loss: removing standing and absorbed water with powerful pumps and extractors before drying starts.
Learn more
Structural drying
Structural drying removes moisture that has soaked into walls, framing, subfloors and cabinets after the visible water is gone.
Learn moreFlood damage cleanup
Flood cleanup treats outside floodwater as contaminated: it removes water and mud, cuts out wet drywall and insulation above the waterline, sanitizes, and dries the structure.
Learn more
Burst pipe water damage
A burst pipe can release hundreds of gallons an hour, so shutting the main valve comes first, then extraction and drying.
Learn moreCeiling water damage repair
Ceiling water damage is usually caused by a roof leak, an attic AC drain overflowing, or a plumbing line above.
Learn moreWater, mold or fire damage? Get the right crew on it.
One call connects you with an independent restoration company that serves your ZIP code. Fast call-back during business hours.