Full-service, 24 hour emergency flood cleanup. We bill your insurance directly.
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Do you have flood damage at your Chicago, IL home or business? We can help.
When your Chicago home floods, receding water leaves behind serious damage that impacts the house and your belongings. When your business floods, you have to recover as quickly as possible and get the doors open again with professional Chicago flood damage cleanup services.
Our teams respond to these emergency flood disasters and much more:
We serve all of Chicagoland, including the Gold Coast, Magnificent Mile and Lincoln Park, as well as suburbs Skokie, Evanston, Northbrook, Glenview and more.
Call ServiceMaster Restoration by Zaba for 24 hour emergency help: 773-647-1985
Flood recovery can seem overwhelming. We do everything possible to minimize further disruption to your home or business. In addition to our flood damage cleanup process, we provide these specialized services.
Inspection and Consultation
We immediately inspect your property and give you an overview of damages. Our team outlines the restoration process so that you know what to expect.
We also discuss any flood insurance issues you might have.
Flooded Basement Cleanup
Chicago homes with basements are always hard hit during a flooding event. We’re ready to respond with truck-mounted water extraction equipment and expert flooded basement restoration.
Property-Wide Water Extraction
Regardless of the type of flood emergency, our specialized equipment removes standing water in homes and businesses quickly and efficiently. We follow up with industry-proven techniques that set the stage for complete restoration.
Demolition and Debris Removal
Our emergency flooding services include tearing out and disposing of all damaged materials. We also haul off general debris left behind by floodwaters. Our disposal work is done according to city and state regulations.
Structural Drying
Flood-damaged properties require extensive structural drying to mitigate dangers such as soaked wall collapse and ceiling cave-ins. Our technicians speed up the process with advanced equipment, including high-volume air movers, axial fans and heavy-duty, desiccant dehumidifiers.
Mold Remediation
Unhealthy mold grows quickly in a flooded home or business. Our expert mold mold removal and remediation services are backed by industry certification. We make sure your Chicago property is mold-free after a flood.
Category 3 Water Remediation
Category 3 water, resulting from sewage backups or storm flooding, contains high concentrations of biological and chemical contamination. Our emergency remediation services include cleaning, disinfecting and deodorizing areas affected by dangerous black water.
Our flood recovery process completely restores your home or business. We repair and replace ceilings, drywall and flooring. From personal belongings to business equipment, we return everything to its pre-loss condition.
The ServiceMaster Restoration by Zaba Difference:
85 years of combined flood damage restoration experience
Guaranteed response time of under 90 minutes
We manage your insurance claims
Licensed, bonded, insured, IICRC certified
We answer your call the first time
Friendly customer service
Our 10 Step Emergency Flood Cleanup Process
Once a flooding event passes, the severity of the situation can seem devastating. You need expert emergency cleanup services. We’re ready to respond 24/7 with Chicago’s most trusted flood damage restoration process.
1. Inspection
Our teams inspect all flooded areas and assess the full extent of water damage throughout your property. We share our assessment with you and answer any questions you might have.
2. Detailed Action Plan
Next, our teams develop a strategy that addresses everything from immediate water extraction to mold remediation. We draw up a detailed restoration action plan and an accurate estimate. You know exactly what to expect.
3. Property-Wide Water Removal
We remove floodwater from basements and all affected floors with industry-proven extraction techniques.
Our water removal arsenal includes specialized vacuuming equipment and truck-mounted extraction systems that expedite the process.
4. Cleanup, Decontamination and Odor Removal
Because floodwater can be highly contaminated, our cleanup procedures include sanitizing and deodorizing all affected areas.
As we restore your property’s interior health, we strictly follow OSHA and EPA protocols for Category 3 black water cleanup
5. Thorough Structural Drying
We ensure complete structural drying with heavy-duty air moving equipment, including axial air blowers, centrifugal air movers, subfloor drying systems and desiccant dehumidifiers.
This step can take from several days to a week, depending on the extent of flood damage.
6. Careful Moisture Monitoring
During the dehumidification phase, we closely monitor moisture levels with specialized infrared cameras, detection probes and sensors.
Progress is continually monitored throughout the restoration process using moisture detectors and electromagnetic sensors
7. Damaged Material and Item Removal
While we work hard to salvage as much as possible, we also remove and haul off large water-damaged items, including ruined carpeting, drywall, structural materials, furnishings and appliances.
Again, we follow City of Chicago regulations regarding proper disposal.
9. Certified Mold Removal
Industry-certified mold removal and remediation are critical components of our flood damage restoration process. We locate, eliminate and remediate mold growing behind walls, up in ceilings and down in subfloors.
Our services include toxic black mold removal.
8. Expert Water Damage Restoration
Our teams repair and reconstruct water-damaged walls, ceilings and floors. We take care of every detail, from baseboards to ceiling trim.
When we’re finished, your home or business is completely restored to its pre-flood condition.
10. Your Final Approval
Finally, we accompany you on a walk-through inspection of all the affected areas.
When our work meets your approval, we know we’ve done our job, and we thank you for your confidence in our capabilities. It’s always our goal to restore your property and your peace of mind.
Storm flooding leaves behind serious hazards that can impact your property and your health. Frequently monitor local news reports, and check alerts from NotifyChicago for the latest updates.
Be especially aware of these dangers in and around a flooded home.
Downed power lines outside and damaged electrical components inside the house
Gas leaks due to breaks in the gas main or your home’s gas lines
Electrical shorts and extinguished pilot lights in the HVAC system
Water supply contaminated by flood-borne biological waste and hazardous bacteria
Obvious structural damage to walls, floors and ceilings
Encounters with destructive pests, including rodents, snakes and stinging insects
Flood Damage Restoration Tips for Chicago Residents
You can begin initial water removal with mops and buckets, but don’t take any chances. Recovering from the impact of flooding takes time. It’s a big job that’s best handled by water damage professionals.
There are several things you can do right away. These tips make it a little easier to deal with the aftermath of a Chicago flood at your home or business.
Turn off the main water, gas and electricity supply to the property. If you can’t access your breaker box without standing in water, call an electrician or contact ComEd.
Increase air circulation by opening up cabinet and closet doors. If you’re sure about safely running appliances, set up fans to jump-start the drying process.
Always be extremely cautious working in or around floodwater. Wear protective gear, including heavy rubber boots, extended cuff gloves, disposable work clothes, goggles and a respirator mask.
Don’t try to do all the work yourself. Contact a certified restoration company like ServiceMaster by Zaba. Their teams handle floodwater extraction, water damage mitigation, structural tear-outs, reconstruction and mold abatement.
Pull up area rugs and any other removable floor coverings. Your restoration technicians can advise you about options for carpet cleaning after the flood, but in most cases, wall-to-wall carpeting can’t be salvaged.
If possible, box and move photos, important documents and valuables to a dry location. Ask the restoration company about the availability of their pack-out and storage services.
Never try to save packaged food contaminated by floodwater. Even canned goods can harbor bacteria on lids and hard surfaces. Securely bag and dispose of all food items affected by floodwater.
What to Do During a Flood
All of us here in Chicago keep an eye on the weather, especially when heavy rains move in. Flash floods can quickly overwhelm the city’s aging infrastructure, threatening our homes and businesses.
If your property is threatened by severe storms, follow these steps to stay safe during the flood event.
Be prepared to move to higher ground immediately.
Organize a first aid kit that includes current medications.
Continually check local news sources for emergency updates.
If you do have to evacuate, only take personal essentials and pets.
Follow CDC guidelines for safely re-entering your home after a flood.
What NOT to Do During a Flood
Dealing with rising floodwaters can be a very frightening experience. Stay calm. Don’t inadvertently create additional hazards. For example:
Don’t use open flames, such as candles or gas lanterns.
Don’t turn on overhead lights or fans if ceilings are wet.
Don’t operate electrical equipment if floors are wet.
Don’t go down into a flooded basement for any reason.
Don’t try to wade or swim through floodwaters.
What can I do in the meantime before help arrives?
If you’re dealing with a flooded home or business, always put your personal safety first. You may want to turn off your property’s main water, electricity and gas supplies. If you’re not familiar with shutting down these utilities, contact your local providers for guidance.
What facilities can benefit from flood damage cleanup services?
Flood-damaged homes, condos, apartments, high-rises, hospitality properties, health care facilities, churches, schools and more can all benefit from such restoration service.
Does homeowners insurance cover flood damage?
Typically, no. You need to purchase separate flood insurance. Speak to your insurance agent for more information.
