Ceiling Water Damage Restoration Chicago, IL
Direct Insurance Billing | Payment Plans Available
Our Professional services
Water damage spreads fast – don’t wait to call for help.
A ceiling leak won’t fix itself – and the longer you wait, the worse it gets. You’re looking at sagging drywall, mold growing where you can’t see it, and potentially dangerous electrical problems.
That’s why our certified crews are available 24/7 throughout Chicago. We’ll stop the leak, dry everything out, and get your ceiling back to normal.
Here’s how we do it:
Damage Inspection & Action Plan
- Rapid on-site assessment of the ceiling and surrounding areas
- Thermal imaging to detect hidden moisture above and behind ceilings
- Moisture mapping and leak source detection
- Full documentation to support your insurance claim
- Step-by-step repair plan tailored to your property
- Flexible payment options are available if insurance doesn’t cover it
Water Extraction & Cleanup
- Immediate removal of standing water trapped above ceiling areas
- Safe disposal of saturated insulation, drywall, and ceiling materials
- Pressure steam cleaning and debris removal
- Cleaning and disinfecting of exposed structural materials
- Antimicrobial treatments to prevent mold and bacterial growth
- Content cleaning and pack-out services for damaged belongings
Drying & Structural Restoration
- Industrial-grade drying equipment for ceilings and framing
- Continuous moisture monitoring to confirm complete dryness
- Ceiling and drywall repair, repainting, and refinishing
- Restoration of lighting fixtures, vents, and affected electrical components
- Final walk-through to ensure the ceiling is clean, dry, and safe
How to Know Your Ceiling Has Water Damage
- Water stains or rings - often brown, yellow, or rust-colored
- Peeling, bubbling, or flaking ceiling paint
- Sagging or bowed ceiling drywall
- Cracks forming in ceiling surfaces
- Persistent musty or damp odors
- Mold or mildew around the ceiling edges or corners
- The sound of dripping water with no visible source
- Moisture or soft spots when touching the ceiling
- Flickering lights or other electrical issues near the damage
Our Restoration Process
Our expert team uses a proven 5-step process to repair ceiling water damage efficiently and effectively. Here’s how we help Chicago residents restore their homes:
Find the Source
We use thermal imaging and moisture meters to pinpoint where the water is coming from, whether it’s a roof leak, plumbing issue, or HVAC condensation.
Create a Plan
We walk you through exactly what needs to be done, like exposing the ceiling, removing wet insulation, or detaching damaged fixtures, and provide a clear cost estimate.
Remove Water & Start Drying
We extract any standing water and use commercial-grade air movers and dehumidifiers to dry out the ceiling cavity, framing, and surrounding structure.
Clean and Sanitize
Once dry, we sanitize the area using antimicrobial treatments to prevent mold and bacteria. We also remove odors and safely dispose of contaminated materials.
Repair and Restore
We patch or replace damaged ceiling sections, repaint, reinstall fixtures, and finish all work to pre-loss condition. Your home is restored, and the job isn’t done until you’re satisfied.
What's Causing Water to Leak Through Your Ceiling?
Chicago’s combination of aging buildings, harsh winters, and sudden storms makes ceiling water damage a common problem.
When water gets trapped above your ceiling, it doesn’t take long for stains, sagging drywall, or dangerous mold to develop.
Some of the most common causes include:
- Roof leaks caused by storm damage or aging shingles
- Burst or leaking pipes between floors or in attics
- Clogged gutters and downspouts that force water back under the roof edges
- Ice dams during winter that trap melting snow on the roof
- Overflowing tubs, sinks, or toilets from upper floors
- Malfunctioning HVAC systems or AC condensation lines
- Poorly sealed skylights, vents, or flashing
- Leaking fire sprinkler systems or appliance lines
- Water leaks from an upstairs neighbor in multi-unit buildings
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.
Real Results: How We Fixed a Water-Damaged Ceiling in a Downtown Chicago Apartment
When a burst pipe in the unit above caused Category 2, Class 2 water damage in a downtown Chicago apartment, the tenant called us in to handle the cleanup.
Our team arrived quickly and got to work containing the damage and drying out the space.
- Removed partial baseboards and two small bump-in walls
- Detached the cam light trim
- Tore out the entire ceiling over the shower and half the remaining ceiling
- Cleaned and sanitized the floor, wall studs, and joist system
- Set up 3 air movers to begin the drying process
- Removed partial baseboards and completed a 2-foot flood cut
- Tore out all laminate and engineered flooring (continuous through both spaces)
- Cleaned and sanitized subfloor and wall studs
- Placed 3 air movers and 1 dehumidifier for proper drying
- Removed all baseboards and performed a 2-foot flood cut
- Cleaned and sanitized floors and walls
- Installed 2 air movers
- Completed a 2-foot flood cut on the wall shared with the bathroom
- Cleaned and sanitized all affected areas
- The apartment was fully dry in just 4 days
- All areas were left clean, sanitized, and ready for repairs with no lingering moisture or odor
Thanks to our fast response and detailed restoration process, the apartment was quickly restored with no further damage or disruption to the tenant.
Why Choose ServiceMaster by Zaba?
Emergency crews at your door in 60 to 90 minutes
Licensed, bonded, insured, and IICRC certified
We bill your insurance directly to simplify claims
24/7 live answering with immediate dispatch
85+ years of combined local restoration experience
One-year warranty on all repairs
Payment plans available if you’re paying out of pocket
What Customers Say
Alvaro Gonza I highly recommend servicemaster by zaba, they took care of a recent flood damage in my home, the service and communication was exceptional. Lisa Fremont Professional from start to finish. Jorge Daniel castro This is the second time I've used ServiceMaster. I needed the walls and ceiling in my kitchen to be removed due to a water leak from the unit above me. They were super cautious of my furniture and covered everything with plastic. I hired them to do my reconstruction as well and am extremely happy with my new cabinets! Barney Cruz I had 4 inches of standing water in my basement. ServiceMaster was able to pump all the water out of the basement and cleaned and sanitized my floors and walls. I’m extremely impressed by how quick they worked and how clean they left my basement! madeline kim I used ServiceMaster for a recent water damage issue. They helped me with my insurance claim and handled all aspects from packing out my home, mitigating and repairs. Thank you ServiceMaster by Zaba, I highly recommend them !!! Edwin Munoz Service Master Restoration work was excellent on time professional very clean respectful Employees and very detail in the service that they provide for you. They answer any questions you have And are very helpful And willing to assist you. And their services Was wonderful. sondra graton After a fire, that caused a lot of smoke damage, Fernando the GM, went above and beyond helping us navigate not only the clean up process,but all questions we had. The crew is professional and thorough cleaners. I highly Service Master. Andres Ortiz While we were out of town our vanity mirror fell and turned on our sink faucet. Water was running for days, we're not sure when it happened, the fire department was alerted when the house sensors got wet and set off the alarms. our neighbor came over when she saw the fire department. We were called immediately. Our agent highly recommended neil at service master. He came out with a huge team and a general manager. I felt very comfortable with him and all office staff to get the job done while we were still out of town. My neighbor checked in on them until we returned. 80% of my entire house was gutted. I have a lot of custom wall paneling, crown molding and trim. They were able to save it all. They also did my packout and duct work cleaning. Everyone at service master was extremely knowledgeable and professionaland very helpful. Maurice Williams I had a burst pipe in the middle of the night and one of my guest rooms was damaged. Service Master was able to get a crew to me first thing in the morning. Everyone was super helpful and treated my home as if it was their own while doing the necessary work. Aden Zrod A week after I purchased this property it flooded with 12 inches of water. The previous owner left the basement full of stuff that was ruined by the flood. It was all getting thrown away but now the process was even harder. My State Farm insurance agent had a Servicemaster rep give me a call because I wanted to opt out of flood insurance. It was only a courtesy call to explain the process of mitigating and repairing a flooded basement. I reluctantly signed up for flood insurance just in case....Oh man I am glad I did; this flood situation was a nightmare, and the additional expenses would have been devastating if I didn't have insurance. I immediately called them after all my failed attempts of trying to get the water out. That 15 minute-call saved me thousands of dollars. Servicemaster by zaba rocks! the team was great and they saved me a huge headache. I highly recommend them and I am so grateful for my State Farm agent.
FAQs
How much does ceiling water damage restoration cost in Chicago?
Most ceiling water damage jobs cost between $3,000 and $8,000.
The cost depends on the size of the affected area, how much drywall or insulation needs replacement, and whether mold or contaminated water is involved.
The longer you wait, the more expensive it gets.
Will my homeowners insurance cover the costs?
Usually, yes. Most homeowners insurance policies cover sudden water damage like ceiling leaks, as long as it's not due to neglect or flooding from outside.
Every policy is different, so check with your agent. We’re happy to help with documentation and direct insurance billing.
Can I get financing for repairs?
Yes. If you’re paying out of pocket or waiting on an insurance payout, we offer flexible financing through GreenSky.
You don’t have to delay important repairs - we’ll help you get started right away.
Give us a call or fill out the form to reach our experts.
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