A Lincoln Park homeowner reached out to ServiceMaster Restoration by Zaba late in the evening after water started leaking into their second-floor bedroom.
The problem started on the rooftop patio, where a blocked scupper box along the west exterior wall overflowed and pushed water through the ceiling below.
We dispatched a crew right away to assess the damage and start emergency mitigation.
What Caused the Damage
The scupper box, a drainage feature on the rooftop patio, had become clogged and couldn’t handle water runoff.
Water pooled on the patio, then seeped through the structure and into the second-floor bedroom and closet directly below.
How We Restored the Home
We acted quickly to prevent secondary damage. Our team demolished affected structures, ran high-velocity air movers and dehumidifiers, and cleaned everything thoroughly.
Bedroom
- Covered the floor with protective plastic sheeting to keep it clean during the work.
- Vacuumed and cleaned the floor.
Closet
- Laid down plastic protection across the closet floor.
- Moved clothing and stored items out of the workspace.
- Disconnected two light fixtures before starting demolition.
- Removed nine shelving units (9 feet 10 inches total) to access the walls behind them.
- Pulled out baseboards along two sections: one measuring 9 feet 10 inches, the other 2 feet 11 inches.
- Removed the entire ceiling to expose water damage in the cavity above.
- Cut out drywall on the west wall, 4 feet wide, running full height from floor to ceiling.
- Cut out a 2-foot section of another wall, also running full height.
- Extracted wet insulation where present.
- Vacuumed all debris, then cleaned and sanitized every exposed surface.
- Installed one dehumidifier and three air movers to pull moisture from the structure.
The Outcome
We finished drying the townhouse in four days and verified that moisture levels had dropped back to normal ranges.
Our after-hours response kept the damage from spreading further and gave the homeowner peace of mind during a stressful situation.
The space was left clean, dry, and ready for repairs.
If You Have a Rooftop Patio
If your Lincoln Park townhome has a rooftop patio, it could be a source of hidden water damage.
- Inspect rooftop drains and scuppers regularly. Leaves, debris, and ice can block drainage and push water into the structure.
- Check ceilings and closets below the roofline after heavy rain. Staining or damp drywall is often your first warning sign.
- Don’t ignore slow leaks. Even small amounts of water over time can rot framing and cause mold inside wall cavities.
- Skip the DIY ceiling removal. Improper demolition can spread moisture or damage electrical systems. Call ServiceMaster by Zaba to restore your ceiling safely.
- Schedule inspections after major storms. Especially after Chicago downpours, catching drainage issues early can prevent major repairs.
