Call 24/7(773) 885-8528
Flooded, damp, or piled with debris? We clear it out, pump the water, kill the mold, and dry your basement so it's clean, safe, and usable again, backed by 35+ years in Chicago.
A basement problem has a way of sneaking up on you. Maybe it flooded after a storm. Maybe it's been damp and musty for years and you finally want it back. Either way, standing water, mud, and clutter don't just look bad, they trap moisture, feed mold, and can damage the bones of your home.
We've cleaned out thousands of Chicago basements, from a few inches of storm water to spaces buried under years of debris. Our job is to take it off your plate: clear it, clean it, dry it, and hand you back a basement you'd actually want to walk into.
And we don't just tidy the surface. We remove what can't be saved, pump out water, treat mold at the source, and dry the structure with air movers and dehumidifiers until moisture meters read normal. Before we leave, we point out what let the water in, whether that's a failed sump pump, a missing backwater valve, or a foundation crack, so you can stop the next flood instead of just cleaning up the last one.
If any of these sound familiar, it's time to call. The longer moisture sits, the more it costs to fix.
Water pooling on the floor after rain or a leak needs pumping out and drying before it ruins flooring and feeds mold.
That heavy basement odor is trapped moisture and mildew. Cleaning and drying removes the source, not just the smell.
Black, green, or white spots on walls and floors mean mold has taken hold. We remove and treat it safely.
Water-damaged boxes, ruined furniture, and junk piled up. We sort, clear, and haul it away so you get the space back.
Waterlines, peeling paint, or warped drywall show moisture has been sitting. It needs proper cleaning and drying.
Damp basements attract pests and can carry bacteria. We clean and disinfect so the space is healthy to be in.
A clear, proven order of work that takes your basement from flooded and cluttered to clean and dry.
We inspect the basement, check moisture levels, and lay out exactly what needs to happen, so you know the plan and cost up front.
We remove debris and sort belongings, salvaging what we can and safely hauling away what can't be saved.
If there's standing water, pumps and extractors pull it out fast, the first step to stopping mold and water damage restoration.
Floors, walls, and surfaces are scrubbed and disinfected to kill bacteria and remove contaminants left behind by water.
Industrial air movers and dehumidifiers dry the space completely, and we treat any mold and knock out the musty smell for good.
We confirm the basement is dry with moisture readings and hand you before-and-after photos plus tips to prevent it happening again.
Whatever shape your basement is in, here's what our cleaning covers, and how we fix each issue.
| The Problem | What We Do | The Result |
|---|---|---|
| Flooded basement | Pump out water, extract, and dry | Dry floor, no more standing water |
| Mold & mildew | Remove and treat affected surfaces | Clean, healthy air quality |
| Debris & junk | Sort, salvage, and haul away | Clear, open, usable space |
| Musty odor | Deep clean, dry, and deodorize | Fresh-smelling basement |
| Damp / high humidity | Structural drying + moisture check | Verified dry, lower mold risk |
Need pack-out and storage while we work? Just ask. We can carefully box and store your belongings, then bring them back once the basement is clean and dry.
Chicago's older homes, wet weather, and below-grade basements make some of the most flood-prone spaces in the country. Here's what we see most:
Not all basement water is equal. Before we start, we classify it, because the category decides how the basement is cleaned, what has to be thrown out, and whether extra disinfection is needed. This is the same IICRC standard professional restoration crews follow.
| Category | What It Is | How We Handle It |
|---|---|---|
| Category 1 (Clean) | Water from a broken supply line or overflowing tub. Clean at the source. | Extract, dry, and disinfect. Most materials can be saved if we get there fast. |
| Category 2 (Gray) | Water with some contamination, like a washing machine overflow or sump discharge. | Extract, remove affected porous materials, disinfect, and dry with monitoring. |
| Category 3 (Black) | Grossly contaminated water: sewage backups, storm and river flooding, standing water gone stale. | Full PPE, safe removal and disposal, heavy disinfection, and antimicrobial treatment. See our sewage cleanup service. |
Chicago basements often start as Category 1 and slide to Category 3 within a day or two if the water sits, which is exactly why same-day response saves both your belongings and your money.
Most companies won't give you a number. Here's a real range so you know what to expect before you call.
| Type of Job | Typical Cost Range | What's Involved |
|---|---|---|
| Basic cleanout | $500 to $1,500 | Debris removal, cleaning, deodorizing |
| Flooded basement cleanup | $1,500 to $4,000 | Water extraction, drying, cleaning |
| Full cleanup + mold | $3,000 to $6,000 | Water, mold treatment, full drying |
| Contaminated water | Add $500 to $2,000 | Disinfection, safe disposal, extra PPE |
Every basement is different. We give a free on-site assessment and a written estimate, no surprises, and work with your insurance when the damage qualifies.
It comes down to what caused the mess. Here's a simple breakdown, and we help either way.
Not sure what your policy covers? That's normal. We document the damage with photos, moisture readings, and a full report, so your adjuster has what they need. Many customers get more approved because the paperwork is done right.
📞 Ask Us About Your ClaimYou have options for basement cleaning. Here's what sets us apart from the big national names.
Family-owned and rooted in Chicago. Real people who know these basements and this city, not a call center.
A flooded basement can't wait for morning. Call any time and a crew heads your way, same day.
We handle the documentation and work with your adjuster, so the claim is far less stress for you.
142 real reviews from Chicago homeowners who got their basements clean, dry, and usable again.
Rated 4.7 stars across 142 Google reviews.
"They took care of the water removal in my basement in an emergency. Showed up fast, cleared everything out, and left it dry and clean. Couldn't have asked for more."
"Our basement flooded and was a total mess. The CleanUP Guys pumped it out, hauled the ruined stuff away, and dried it all out. Professional crew and fair pricing."
"Honest, reliable, and clearly know their stuff. Sherm and his team treated our home like their own and got the musty smell out completely. Highly recommend."
Fast response throughout Chicago and the surrounding neighborhoods and suburbs.
The things Chicago homeowners ask us most about basement cleaning.
Cleaning a flooded basement in Chicago usually costs $1,000 to $6,000. The price depends on how much water is present, how much debris needs hauling out, and whether mold treatment is needed. A basic cleanup with drying sits at the low end, while a full flooded basement with contaminated water costs more. We give a free estimate after inspection.
Call a professional basement cleaning and water restoration company, not a general cleaning service. The CleanUP Guys handle the whole job in Chicago: pumping out the water, clearing debris, cleaning and disinfecting, drying the space, and treating for mold. We're available 24/7 and respond the same day for flooded basements.
Removing water and debris is often done in a day. Drying then takes about two to four days depending on how wet the walls and floor are and how humid the basement is. We use industrial air movers and dehumidifiers and check moisture readings daily, so we only finish once the space is fully dry.
In most cases, yes. If the water is removed and the space dried quickly, the basement and much of what's in it can be saved. The key is acting fast, mold and structural damage set in when water sits for days. We clear, clean, dry, and treat the basement so it's safe and usable again.
That musty smell comes from trapped moisture, mildew, or mold. Air freshener only masks it. We remove the source by drying the space completely, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, and treating any mold. We also deodorize, so the smell is gone for good, not just covered up for a few days.
First, stay safe. If water is near outlets or the electrical panel, shut off power to the basement at the breaker only if you can reach it without standing in water, otherwise wait. Don't wade into deep water. Then call a 24/7 basement cleanup company like us at (773) 885-8528. The faster the water is extracted, the less mold and structural damage you get. Move any dry, easy-to-reach valuables upstairs while you wait.
Yes. Standing water can turn into mold within 24 to 48 hours and can damage drywall, flooring, and the foundation the longer it sits. It also poses an electrical and contamination risk. Treat a flooded basement as a same-day emergency, which is why we answer and dispatch crews 24/7 across Chicago.
It depends on the cause. Sudden water damage, like a burst pipe or a failed water heater, is usually covered by homeowners insurance. Cleanup from outside flooding or long-term seepage often needs separate flood coverage. We document everything with photos and reports to make your claim easier, whichever applies.
We answer 24/7 and offer same-day service across Chicago. Free on-site assessment and a written estimate.
Flooded, moldy, or just buried under years of clutter, we'll clear it out and dry it up. Call now for same-day service and 35+ years of Chicago experience.
📞 Call (773) 885-8528 Now