Water Damage Restoration in Evanston, IL
Sewage backing up through the floor drain, a flooded basement after a storm, or a burst pipe? We extract the water, dry the structure, and stop mold before it starts. Family owned since 1986, minutes from Evanston, with a free estimate and 24/7 response.
Water damage restoration for Evanston homes
We are The CleanUP Guys, a family-owned restoration company on North Damen Avenue in Chicago, minutes from Evanston. In 40 years across the North Shore we have pumped out basements after floor-drain backups, dried out homes after burst pipes, and cleaned up sewage in older houses near downtown Evanston and the Sheridan Road lakefront. This is the honest version we would give a neighbor: what is happening, what to do first, what it costs, and when to call.
One thing worth saying up front. We handle the cleanup, drying, and restoration inside your home. We are not a plumber replacing the sewer line in the street, and we will tell you plainly when the problem is a job for the city or a plumber instead. We also serve nearby Glenview and Northbrook. Call (773) 885-8528.
What we do when we get to your Evanston home
A documented process that removes the water and the reason it caused damage.
Inspection
We find the source, check how far the water traveled, and use moisture meters to map what is wet behind walls and under floors.
Water Extraction
We pump out standing water and pull the rest from subfloor and low spots with truck-mounted equipment.
Structural Drying
Air movers and dehumidifiers dry the framing, subfloor, and drywall, not just the surface. This is the step DIY jobs miss.
Cleaning & Sanitizing
Clean water is sanitized as needed. Sewage or floodwater means we treat every surface it touched to remove bacteria.
Mold Prevention
We confirm the structure is fully dry with moisture readings so mold has nothing to feed on after we leave.
Repairs & Restoration
We put it back, drywall, paint, flooring, whatever the water ruined, so you would never know it happened.
Water damage services in Evanston
The jobs we get called for most across Evanston and the North Shore.
Sewage Backup
Category 3 black water carries bacteria. Our sewage cleanup team removes it, disinfects, and hauls away what cannot be saved.
Flooded Basement
Floor-drain backups and storm flooding. Our basement cleaning service extracts, dries the space down, and checks for hidden moisture.
Storm & Flood Damage
Wind-driven rain, roof leaks, and combined-sewer overflow. We clean up, dry, and repair fast.
Mold Remediation
Mold starts in 24 to 48 hours. Our mold removal crew contains, removes, treats the surfaces, and fixes the moisture source.
Ceiling Water Damage
Stained or sagging ceilings from roof leaks or pipe bursts. Our ceiling repair team finds the leak, dries it, and rebuilds.
Burst & Frozen Pipes
Winter pipe bursts flood fast. We shut it down, extract the water, and dry before it spreads.
Why do basements flood in Evanston?
Evanston's combined sewer network runs roughly 144 miles, and in most of the city it is 80 to 100 years old or older, with more than 60 percent of the pipe measuring 12 inches in diameter or smaller. The city ran a $210 million Long Range Sewer Improvement Program from 1991 to 2008, adding relief tunnels, new mains, and flow restrictors on drainage structures to keep water in the streets rather than the sewers. In an extreme storm the system can still be pushed past its limit, which is when floor drains back up.
The three local causes we see most
- Combined-sewer overflow. Storm and sewage share one pipe. Heavy rain exceeds capacity and pushes water up through your floor drain.
- Aging clay and cast-iron laterals. Homes built before the 1970s often have older clay or cast-iron pipe that cracks and shifts, and tree roots break into those cracks looking for moisture.
- Clay soil and hydrostatic pressure. Evanston sits on clay and glacial deposits left by ancient Lake Chicago. Heavy rain saturates that clay and presses groundwater through foundation cracks and floor seams, especially in low-lying blocks near the lake.
Where the water enters tells you what is wrong
If water is coming up through the floor drain during a storm, the combined sewer is the likely cause. If it is seeping through a wall crack or a window well, it is groundwater and surface drainage. If it is dripping from a ceiling or a pipe, it is a plumbing failure. Which one it is decides who you call and what your insurance will cover, and it is the first thing we check when we arrive.
Whose responsibility is a sewer backup in Evanston?
If your basement floods after heavy rain and you think the public main is involved, report it to the City of Evanston Utilities Department at 311 (or 847-448-4311 outside city limits) between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., or the after-hours emergency line at 847-475-6880, so the city can send a crew to check the main. That is separate from getting your own water extracted and your home dried, which is our part of the job. Do both at once, because the water in your basement does not wait for the city to arrive.
How fast does mold grow after water damage?
That timeline is why same-day extraction and drying matters more than whether a spill looks bad. Fast water mitigation is what stops that. By the time mold is visible, it has already rooted into materials behind the surface, which is exactly what professional moisture-mapping finds and a visual check misses. If your Evanston basement flooded in the last day or two, an estimate now costs far less than remediation later.
What should I do first if my basement is flooded?
Do not run a wet-vac through sewage or wade into black water without protection. If the water came up through the floor drain during a storm, also call the City of Evanston so they can check the main. What a professional flooded-basement cleanup includes that a shop wet-vac does not: truck-mounted extraction, moisture-mapping behind walls, commercial dehumidification, antimicrobial treatment for contaminated water, and the documentation your insurer needs.
What does water damage restoration cost in Evanston?
Restoration is usually priced by the square foot and the contamination level. A realistic guide before any work begins.
| Water Type | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Clean water (Category 1) — a burst supply line | Around $3 – $3.50 / sq ft |
| Gray water (Category 2) — appliance overflow | Around $5.25 / sq ft |
| Black water (Category 3) — sewage or deep flooding | $7.50+ / sq ft |
| Mold remediation, if it develops | $500 – $3,000 |
Does insurance cover a flooded basement in Evanston?
It depends on the cause, and in Evanston the cause is often a sewer backup. Here is the honest breakdown.
Usually Covered
- A burst or frozen pipe that suddenly fails
- A failed water heater or appliance overflow
- Sudden, accidental leaks from plumbing
- Storm damage that lets water in through the roof
Often Excluded
- Sewer or sump backup without a backup endorsement
- Groundwater seepage through a foundation crack
- Flooding from outside (needs separate flood insurance)
- Slow leaks left unaddressed for months
Because the Evanston-typical scenario is a sewer or floor-drain backup, the water-backup rider is often what decides your claim. We document the cause, photograph everything, and work with your adjuster. Not sure what your policy covers? Call (773) 885-8528.
What our clients say
Verified reviews from homeowners we have helped.
"The CleanUP Guys showed up the next day and did a fantastic job with the basement cleaning and mold remediation. The basement just smells better. Friendly, family, down to earth workers that gave us a great price and excellent service."
"Sherm and his crew came out fast and got our basement clean, dry, and mold free. They exceeded the scope of their job and helped us in our time of need. Could not recommend them more."
"The Clean Up Guys were timely, professional and very easy to work with. They finished the job quickly and as promised at a very reasonable price. We would definitely use this company again."
Water damage restoration across Evanston and nearby
We cover all of Evanston and the surrounding North Shore.
Water damage questions Evanston asks
Direct answers to what homeowners here actually search.
Will homeowners insurance cover a flooded basement in Evanston?
It depends on the cause. A sudden, accidental event like a burst pipe is usually covered under standard coverage. Sewer or sump backup, the most common Evanston scenario, is typically excluded unless you added a water-backup endorsement. Groundwater seepage through a foundation crack is the least likely to be covered.
Is it safe to clean up sewage backup myself?
No. Sewage is Category 3 black water and carries bacteria and waste that can make you sick. It should not be handled without proper protective equipment, and every surface it touched needs professional sanitizing. Standing water can also hide live electrical hazards. This one needs a pro.
Is water damage restoration worth it?
Yes for anything beyond a small spill you dried immediately. Unaddressed moisture becomes a mold problem within 24 to 72 hours, and mold remediation usually costs more than the water extraction would have. Fast, correct drying is what prevents the bigger bill.
Can I do water damage restoration myself?
For a small, clean-water spill caught immediately, yes. For sewage, standing water more than a few hours old, or a space you cannot fully dry within 24 to 48 hours, DIY usually cannot move enough air and moisture to prevent mold. Sewage should never be handled without protection.
Why is my basement floor drain backing up after heavy rain?
In Evanston's combined sewer system, stormwater and sewage share the same pipe. A heavy storm can push more volume into that pipe than it can carry, and the lowest point it can escape from is usually your basement floor drain. That is why the backup appears during the storm.
What happens if my sump pump fails during a storm?
In a home that relies on one, the basement can flood quickly, often during the very storm that made the pump run, since that is when groundwater pressure is highest. Common causes are a tripped GFCI outlet, a jammed float switch, or a failed motor. Check the power and float first.
Is water remediation the same as mold remediation?
No. Water remediation is the extraction-and-drying step done immediately after the water event. Mold remediation is a separate, later process needed only if mold took hold. Doing the first one fast and correctly is what prevents needing the second.
Who do I call when my basement is flooded in Evanston?
Call a 24/7 water damage restoration company for the extraction, drying, and mold-prevention work in your home. Separately, if you think a public sewer main is involved, notify the City of Evanston at 311 so they can check the main. Do both at the same time.
Does homeowners insurance cover water damage from rain?
Not by default if the water came from a sewer backup or groundwater seepage, which are both common standard exclusions. A separate water-backup rider is what actually covers the Evanston-typical scenario. A roof leak from storm damage is more likely to be covered.
How fast can you get to my Evanston home?
We answer 24/7 and Evanston is one of the closest suburbs to our Chicago base, so we get there fast. The sooner we extract the water and start drying, the less material gets torn out and the lower the final cost.
Sherman has led The CleanUP Guys since 1986 and has personally worked water, sewage, and mold jobs across Evanston and the North Shore for 40 years. Our crew is IICRC trained and follows industry drying standards on every job. This page is reviewed and kept current by our team so the guidance here matches what we actually do on site.
Water in your Evanston home? Let us help.
Free estimate across Evanston and the North Shore. We find the source, dry it right, and handle the insurance paperwork.
Water in Your Evanston Home? Call Now.
Every hour counts once water gets in. Free estimate, honest pricing, and a crew Chicago has trusted since 1986. The owner still answers the phone.
Call (773) 885-8528 Now