Restoration guides for Chicagoland property owners
Practical, no-fluff guides for the most common restoration emergencies and questions. If you're in an active emergency, call (773) 389-7455 first — these guides are background reading.
Water & flooding
First-24-hours playbooks for burst pipes, basement floods, and post-storm water damage.
What to Do After Water Damage
Stop the water at the source if you can do it safely, shut off electricity to wet areas, photograph everything before moving items, and call…
Basement Flooding: What to Do
Do not enter the basement if water is near outlets, the furnace, or the breaker panel. Cut power to the basement from the main panel if you …
Sewer Backup Cleanup Guide
Treat any sewer backup as a Category 3 biohazard. Do not attempt to clean it yourself. Keep people and pets out of the affected area, open w…
How Long Does Water Damage Restoration Take?
Extraction takes a few hours. Structural drying typically takes 3–5 days. Full restoration including reconstruction ranges from one week for…
Water Damage Restoration Cost
Most water damage restoration jobs in Chicagoland range from $1,500 for a small contained leak to $20,000+ for a flooded finished basement w…
Fire, smoke & mold
What to do after a fire, smoke cleanup, and how to tell if water damage has turned into mold.
After a House Fire Guide
Once the fire department clears you to re-enter, do not enter unless the structure is declared safe. Call your insurance carrier and a fire …
Smoke Damage Cleanup Guide
Smoke damage requires more than wiping surfaces. Soot is acidic and etches finishes within hours, smoke odor sets into porous materials, and…
Signs of Mold After Water Damage
The most common signs are visible spots on drywall or ceilings, a persistent musty odor, and allergy or respiratory symptoms that improve wh…
More guides
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Water Damage?
Sudden, accidental water damage from inside the home — burst pipes, appliance failures, water-heater leaks — is generally covered. Surface f…
Frozen Pipe Water Damage
Shut off the main water supply immediately, cut power to wet areas at the breaker, photograph all damage, and call a professional water rest…
Call now for emergency restoration
Speak with our emergency response team — 24/7 restoration help across Chicagoland.
Call (773) 389-7455