Water & Flood Damage Restoration Service Chicago, IL

Direct Insurance Billing | Payment Plans Available

Our Professional Services

Water damage spreads fast – don’t wait another minute.

Whether it’s a burst pipe during a Chicago freeze, storm flooding, or a sewer backup, you need to mitigate the damage right away.

Our certified local crews respond 24/7 to dry out your property and prevent further damage with the following emergency restoration services:

Damage Inspection & Action Plan

Fast on-site assessment of visible and hidden water damage
Thermal imaging to detect moisture behind walls or under floors
Full documentation to support your insurance claim
Step-by-step restoration plan tailored to your property
Flexible payment plans are available if you're paying out of pocket

Water Extraction & Cleanup

Immediate water removal using industrial-grade extraction equipment
Safe removal of soaked debris, damaged materials, and personal items
Specialized cleanup for sewage backups and other Category 3 water damage
Deep cleaning and sanitizing of affected areas
Application of antimicrobial treatments to stop bacteria and mold
Complete flood cleanup

Drying & Structural Restoration

Advanced drying equipment to dry out walls, floors, and framing
Ongoing moisture monitoring to ensure everything is completely dry
Mold removal and remediation as needed
Repairs or replacement of drywall, flooring, and insulation
Content cleaning, packout, and storage
Final inspection with you to confirm the job is 100% complete

Free Estimate

Trusted & Certified

Why Choose ServiceMaster by Zaba?

As a locally owned, IICRC-certified company, we’ve been helping Chicago homes and businesses recover from water damage since 2008.

From burst pipes in Lincoln Park condos to soaked office floors downtown, we’ve seen it all and restored it all.

Here’s why customers across Chicago trust us:

24/7 live answering and dispatch

Emergency crews on-site within
60 to 90 minutes

Direct billing to your insurance provider

Licensed, bonded, and fully
insured

One-year warranty on construction and repairs

Flexible payment plans for paying out of pocket

Customer Testimonial: Water Damage Restoration at Illinois Process Equipment, Inc.

When a water heater leak flooded Illinois Process Equipment’s office building, ServiceMaster by Zaba responded the same day to mitigate the water damage and start the restoration.

Customer service rep Maureen Edgar shares how fast communication, clear estimates, and direct insurance coordination got her team back to normal.

Signs of Water Damage

The sound of dripping water
Floors that cup or creak
Damp smells
Pooling water
Visible mold or mildew
Discolored surfaces
Higher than normal water bills
Peeling, cracked, or bubbling paint
Water stains on walls
Standing water in basements or crawl spaces
Sewer smells or backed-up drains
Damp or soaked insulation

Free Estimate

How We Restore Your Property

Find the Source of Water Loss

We use infrared cameras and moisture meters to uncover what caused the water damage to begin with – whether it’s a hidden leak or a burst water heater.

Create a Plan

We explain exactly what needs to be done, from pulling baseboards to removing drywall or tearing out wet insulation. We also provide accurate cost estimates up front.

Remove Water and Start Drying

High-powered extractors and truck-mounted vacuums remove every drop of water from your home. Industrial fans and dehumidifiers then dry the space completely.

Clean and Sanitize

Once everything is dry, we deep-clean all affected surfaces. We steam clean carpets, filter the air, and apply antimicrobial treatments to prevent mold and remove odors.

Repair and Restore

From small drywall patches to full rebuilds, we restore your home to its pre-damage condition. All work is completed to your satisfaction and backed by a one-year warranty.

What to Do & Not Do Before Our Restoration Team Arrives

If you’re dealing with water damage from a burst pipe, flooded basement, sewage backup, or leaking appliance, take these steps while you wait for our crew:

Stop the water flow if you can reach the shutoff valve for the affected fixture or appliance.
Shut off the water main if the leak won't stop.
Turn off the circuit breakers for any affected areas, but only if it's safe to reach them.
Move furniture, electronics, and valuables away from the damaged area.
Take photos of the water damage for your insurance claim.
Don’t try to remove the water with a regular vacuum, since these aren't built for it and can cause an electric shock.
Don't dry major flooding yourself. Improper drying can trap moisture under flooring or inside walls and lead to mold.

Need Help Paying Out of Pocket?

We have partnered with GreenSky to offer you flexible payment options, with 0% Interest for the first 6 months.

Learn more

What Causes Water Damage in Chicago Homes?

A mix of aging infrastructure, extreme seasonal shifts, and the city’s proximity to Lake Michigan are all factors that make buildings in the Windy City more vulnerable to water damage year-round.

The most common culprits include:

Burst or broken pipes and hoses
Storm damage
A leaking roof or damaged attic vents
Sewage backup
Foundation cracks
Moisture behind walls
Leaking and broken appliances
Flooding due to firefighting efforts
Ceiling leaks due to the upstairs unit
Ice dam water leaking into the house
Overflowing toilets, bathtubs, and sinks
Damaged, broken, or defective water heaters
Basement flooding
Window & skylight leaks
Drain backups
Spigot bursts
Sprinkler leaks
AC unit leaks
Radiator & furnace leaks
Flash flooding due to poor drainage

Case Study: Multi-Floor Water Damage Restoration in Lincoln Park

Lincoln Park, Chicago

Multi-story apartment building

Water damage mitigation and structural drying

$7,185.66

The Problem

We responded to a third-floor toilet failure that sent water straight down through the apartment building.

Water traveled from the third-floor bathroom to the second-floor bedroom below it, then continued down into the first-floor garage.

Based on our extensive restoration experience, we knew the damage wouldn’t necessarily stop at the source unit, and it didn’t: water also seeped into a neighboring unit’s garage, staining the ceiling around a light fixture and dripping from a smoke detector.

When we arrived, we found water damage spanning four separate spaces:

The third-floor source bathroom (tile flooring and an exterior wall)
The second-floor bedroom directly below (ceiling, walls, and flooring)
The first-floor garage beneath the bedroom
The neighboring unit’s garage, affected by lateral spread

The Solution

Cut back drywall and removed walls full-height wherever water traveled behind them, exposing framing and insulation for drying and sanitizing
Dried the second-floor subfloor from both sides by opening up the garage ceiling below, so airflow could reach both the top and bottom of the same structural cavity
Removed flooring in the bathroom, bedroom, and hallway to reach saturated underlayment and subfloor that surface drying alone wouldn’t reach
Inspected across unit lines, identifying and addressing water damage in the neighboring unit’s garage rather than stopping at the property line of the source unit

By the second day, we had opened up and set up drying equipment in the source bathroom, the bedroom above the garage, and the neighbor’s garage, drying out every space the water had reached rather than just the room where the leak started.

The Timeline

Day 1: Assessment and containment

Set up containment in the bathroom and hallway to protect the rest of the unit from dust and debris during demolition
Flood-cut the exterior bathroom wall to two feet
Removed the tile floor and cement board underneath, confirming water had pooled along one edge of the floor due to its pitch
Pulled up the second-floor bedroom’s hardwood flooring, ceiling drywall, and wall insulation to expose the subfloor, ceiling joists, and framing from the top and both sides
Removed baseboards and crown molding as part of the same pass
Protected the stairs leading to the garage with carpet coverings ahead of debris removal

Day 2: Garage demolition and drying setup

Removed two layers of drywall and insulation from the neighbor’s garage ceiling, below the affected bedroom
Cut back the garage walls two feet from each corner, finding two layers of drywall that had to come out before drying the wood framing behind it
Brought in equipment to dry and sanitize the bathroom, bedroom, and garage from both sides of each exposed cavity

What Customers Say

    
 
 
         
   Lisa Stoery 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The crew that did our furniture and carpeting were AMAZING! They were extremely thorough and went above and beyond the call of duty. I would highly recommend them to anyone!
  
 
        
   Sid 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I dealt with Brittney, who was both very competent and very pleasant to deal with. She also has a very strong work ethic: I emailed her with a follow-up inquiry, not knowing that she had at that point gone on maternity leave. I received a very prompt and courteous reply from Brittney, who was obviously still checking work email while on mat leave, updating me as to her status and providing me with alternate contact information. I was impressed.
  
 
        
   Ashley kerlin 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our summer home in Wilmette experienced several burst pipes due to the cold temperatures, regardless of the high heat kept in the home, the cold breeze came in under the doors and froze pipes overnight.  I called Servicemaster at the direction of my insurance and they were able to handle the disaster that was left behind after all the pipes leaked. I highly recommended them.
  
 
        
   Mark Gold 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. These are the folks to call. Fast, efficient, and professional. They came over quickly, showed me what was needed and gave me an estimate. Fernando was great, a real pro and a nice guy. They left everything spotless and made sure everything was ready for the new dry wall and plastering. They made the whole process seamless. It was a water leak that's now just history.
  
 
        
   Patricia Alvarado 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I was out of town over the weekend and returned to several burst pipes, there was ice on the walls, ceilings and floors. Although I left the heat on 70 and exposed as many pipes to heat as I could, my heater decided to malfunction at some point.  I received an alert on my app that the heat was off but I was already flying home and did not expect anything to freeze. This is not what you want to come home to at 8pm at night.  The only one that answered the phone and was able to come out that night was servicemaster. We went over the process of water damage remediation, insurance and how to manage the chaos. Servicemaster was also able to get me a heating guy to repair the system and discuss it with my insurance company as they were skeptical that I had any heat, fortunately servicemaster assisted me with the documentation I needed. Thank You Servicemaster by Zaba!!
  
 
        
   Phil Chapleau 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had a sofa bed cleaned and protected by this ServiceMaster. They were prompt, professional, polite and worked fast.
  
 
        
   Natalia Herrera 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. ServiceMaster Chicago took care of my water damage services, we also needed to pack all of our belongings in order to do the repairs and they packed our stuff for us. The repairs took a while to get on schedule but mainly because our insurance adjuster dragged his feet, I was really happy that servicemaster advocated on our behalf to get everything covered on the repairs, the insurance adjuster didn't want to pay for anything. Our home looks beautiful and the repair process was painless. Also, a big "thank you" to the office staff who accommodated my request for some boxes that I needed to grab from their storage facility in Chicago, it was really easy to work with them.
  
 
        
   Xck Brm 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The worst part about renting are the things your landlords don’t tell you. Little did we know upon move in, but there was a way for water to get into our unit thru the roof, and sure enough after a particularly heavy snow we started noticing water damage in the ceilings, which was a clear indicator of larger problems. Lucky for us (and our property manager), ServiceMaster was able to guide us thru effective mitigation and helped save our new space. Not only were they fast and effective, they were extremely caring and understanding. I could not recommend a company more, especially when you’re in need of work done effectively and expediently. Thank you again, ServiceMaster. All of our belongings would like to thank you as well.
  
 
        
   Elyse Roldan 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. had a burst pipe, called service master at the direction of state farm. was very pleased with their services.
  
 
        
   Baruch Tuman 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Service Master was hired by our insurance company. Fernando and his team were punctual, professional, personable and very helpful for the mitigation work we needed done. Thank you!

Act Fast - Call Now for Immediate Help!

Whether it’s a pipe burst in the middle of the night or water pooling in your basement after a storm, we’re ready 24/7.

The longer you wait, the worse the damage gets. Avoid mold, structural issues, and costly repairs by acting quickly.

Call ServiceMaster Restoration by Zaba at (773) 647-1985 or fill out our contact form for a free on-site estimate and immediate help.

FAQs

What does water damage restoration usually cost?

In Chicago, most water damage restoration jobs fall between $3,000 and $8,000.

Costs depend on the size of the area and the extent of the damage. Contaminated water or mold can make the job more complex.

Waiting too long often makes the damage worse and more expensive to fix.

Will my homeowners insurance cover water damage restoration?

In most cases, yes. Standard homeowners insurance usually covers 100% of sudden water damage, minus your deductible.

Still, every policy is different, so it’s important to check with your insurance agent. The more details you can share with us, the better we can assist with your claim.

Do you offer payment plans for water and flood damage restoration if I’m paying out of pocket?

Yes, we partner with GreenSky to offer flexible financing options.

If you’re paying out of pocket or waiting on insurance, our payment plans can help you start the cleanup right away without added stress.

What should I do right after a flood?

Turn off the main water, gas, and electricity supply if it’s safe. Contact an electrician if necessary.
Increase air circulation by opening cabinet and closet doors. Use fans if it’s safe to do so.
Wear protective gear, including rubber boots, gloves, goggles, and a respirator mask.
Contact ServiceMaster by Zaba for professional help with water extraction, mitigation, and mold removal.
Remove area rugs, carpets, and other floor coverings. Ask us about our carpet cleaning services.
Move important documents and valuables to a dry location if possible. Ask us about pack-out and storage services.
Dispose of any packaged food contaminated by floodwater, including canned goods.

Does homeowners insurance cover flood damage?

Usually not. Flood coverage must be purchased separately.

However, some water damage from burst pipes or appliance leaks may be covered. Check with your insurer.

How long does flood cleanup take?

Most jobs take 3–7 days, depending on the size of the property, amount of water, and any needed repairs.

How do I get water out of my carpet?

Start by soaking up as much standing water as you can and running a wet vac if you have one. But for anything beyond a small spill, call us instead of tackling it yourself. Water often soaks into the subflooring and padding where you can't see it, and that trapped moisture leads to mold within 24 to 48 hours. Our technicians check for that hidden saturation and handle it before it becomes a bigger problem.

Do you guarantee your work?

Yes. We don't consider a job finished until you're fully satisfied with the results. Every water damage job also comes backed by a one-year warranty on construction and repairs.

How Can We Help You?

CHICAGO (773) 647-1985

Skokie (847) 730-7301

Buffalo grove (847) 459-3900

Give us a call or fill out the form to reach our experts.

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