Water damage restoration in Chicago, IL
Chicago basements flood. Most of the city is served by a combined sewer system that carries stormwater and sewage in the same pipes, and heavy rain can overload it and push water up through basement floor drains. The Tunnel and Reservoir Plan, known as the Deep Tunnel, holds a large share of that overflow, but intense storms like July 2023's still flooded thousands of basements on the West Side and in nearby suburbs. Winters bring frozen pipes and ice dams.
- Fast callback on emergency requests
- Cook County · 65 ZIP codes
Local conditions
What causes water damage in Chicago
Brick bungalows and two-flats from the early 1900s through the 1950s dominate many neighborhoods, most with basements, many finished as living space or garden units. Plumbing is often original cast-iron drains and galvanized supply lines. The January 2019 polar vortex, with lows near -23°F, froze pipes across the city.
Sewer backups
Heavy rain overloads combined sewers and pushes water, sometimes sewage, up floor drains and basement toilets.
Frozen pipes
Deep cold freezes pipes in exterior walls, enclosed porches and unheated basements.
Ice dams
Snow on older roofs with little attic insulation builds ice dams that push water into top-floor ceilings.
Common calls
Most requested in Chicago
Sewage Backup Cleanup
Sewage backup cleanup is category 3 water work: crews in protective gear remove the waste water and every porous material it touched, clean and disinfect hard surfaces, and dry the area.
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Flooded Basement Cleanup
Flooded basement cleanup means pumping out the water, removing wet carpet, drywall and insulation that can't be saved, cleaning and disinfecting, and drying the space with dehumidifiers.
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Burst Pipe Cleanup
When a pipe bursts, shut off the main water valve first, then get water extraction and drying started.
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Mold Remediation
Mold remediation contains the affected area, removes moldy porous materials, cleans hard surfaces and fixes the moisture problem that caused it.
Learn moreAlso available: emergency water removal and every water damage service.
Chicago at a glance
- County
- Cook County, Illinois
- ZIP codes covered
- 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
- Main local risks
- Sewer backups, Frozen pipes, Ice dams
- Licensing
- See the Illinois page for the licensing board to check
FAQ
Chicago questions
How do I prevent basement sewer backups in Chicago?
A licensed plumber can install a backwater valve or an overhead sewer. Clearing floor drains and downspout disconnections can help too. Check your insurance for a sewer backup endorsement.
Does Chicago license contractors?
Yes. Chicago requires general contractors to be licensed, and repairs generally need permits from the Department of Buildings.
Guides
Also covered in Cook County
Cicero · Schaumburg · Evanston · Arlington Heights · Palatine · Skokie · Des Plaines · Orland Park · Oak Lawn · Berwyn · Mount Prospect · Tinley Park · Oak Park · Hoffman Estates · Glenview · Streamwood · Park Ridge · Wheeling
Water damage in Chicago?
Stop the source if you can, then call. We'll connect you with a local restoration company that serves your ZIP.
Fast callback on emergency requests