When water fills your home, every hour counts. Our crew pumps out the water, dries your property, clears the debris, and gets you back on your feet, backed by 35+ years of hands-on work in Chicago.
A flooded home is a lot to take in. One minute everything's fine, the next you're standing in water wondering where to even start. We get it, and we've walked into thousands of Chicago homes in exactly that spot. The first thing we tell every owner is the same: don't panic, and don't wait.
Water doesn't sit still. It soaks into drywall, seeps under flooring, and works its way into places you can't see. The longer it stays, the more it costs. That's why our flood cleanup starts with fast water removal, then careful drying, so the damage stops spreading while there's still time to limit it.
Whether it's a flooded basement after a storm, water pushing in from the street, or a sump pump that gave out during heavy rain, we handle the whole job, extraction, drying, debris, and the paperwork your insurance needs.
If any of these sound like your home, call right away, waiting only makes the damage worse.
Water pooling on floors, in the basement, or around your foundation needs pumping out fast before it spreads and soaks into the structure.
Damp drywall, warped floors, or a waterline stain means moisture is trapped inside and drying needs to start now.
That heavy, earthy odor after a flood is an early warning that mold is starting. It calls for professional drying and treatment.
A pump that quit during heavy rain often means the basement filled up. Fast extraction limits how far the water travels.
Furniture, carpet, boxes, and drywall soaking in water. We clear what can't be saved and help document losses for your claim.
Cloudy, smelly, or brown flood water can carry bacteria. This needs safe handling and disinfection, not a mop and bucket.
A clear, proven order of work that removes water, dries your home, and gets it ready for repairs.
We arrive fast, shut off power to flooded areas if needed, and secure the site so the work happens safely for you and our crew.
Truck-mounted pumps and portable extractors pull out standing water quickly, the single most important step to limit damage.
We clear out soaked drywall, carpet, insulation, and belongings that can't be saved, revealing hidden damage underneath.
Air movers and dehumidifiers dry the walls, floors, and framing. We map moisture daily until readings are back to normal.
Every affected surface is cleaned and treated to kill bacteria and stop mold, so your home is safe to be in again.
We prepare the space for repairs and hand you full photos and reports for insurance, making your claim far easier.
Not all flood water is the same. The type decides how it's handled, and how careful the cleanup has to be.
| Category | What It Is | Common Source | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean Water | Fresh, uncontaminated water | Rainwater, supply line, overflowing sink | Low, but still needs fast drying |
| Gray Water | Slightly dirty water with some contaminants | Washing machine, dishwasher, some storm runoff | Moderate, needs cleaning & disinfection |
| Black Water | Heavily contaminated, unsafe water | Sewage backup, river flooding, storm surge | High, professional handling required |
Storm and overland flooding in Chicago often falls into the black water category, which is why proper protective gear, disinfection, and safe disposal matter so much. It's not a job to take on with a shop vac.
Chicago's older housing stock, heavy summer storms, and aging drainage make some homes far more flood-prone than others. Here's what we see most:
What Chicago homeowners most want to know when water takes over.
Flood cleanup is the process of removing standing water, drying out the structure, clearing damaged materials, and disinfecting the property so it's safe to live in again. Done right, it stops mold, protects the foundation, and saves what can be saved, whether the water came from a storm, a sump pump failure, or rising water outside.
Often not. Standard homeowners policies usually cover sudden water damage like a burst pipe, but water that rises from outside, from a river, storm surge, or overland flooding, typically needs separate flood insurance through the NFIP. We document the source and damage carefully so your claim, whichever applies, has what it needs.
We answer 24/7 and are usually on-site within the hour anywhere in Chicago. Fast response matters, the sooner the water is pumped out, the less it soaks into floors and walls and the lower your chance of mold. After heavy storms we run extra crews to reach flooded homes quickly.
We cover Chicago and the suburbs, including Rogers Park, West Ridge, Edgewater, Uptown, Lincoln Park, Andersonville, Lincoln Square, Albany Park, Skokie, Evanston, and Oak Park. Low-lying areas and homes with older sump systems flood most during Chicago's heavy summer storms, and our crews know how to handle them fast.
Most companies won't put numbers on paper. Here's a real range so you know what to expect before you call.
| Scope of Flooding | Typical Cost Range | What's Involved |
|---|---|---|
| Small (one room) | $1,200 – $2,500 | Extraction, drying, basic cleanup |
| Medium (basement or floor) | $2,500 – $5,000 | Water removal, debris, structural drying |
| Large (multi-room) | $5,000 – $8,000+ | Heavy extraction, disposal, full drying |
| Contaminated water | Add $500 – $2,000 | Disinfection, safe disposal, extra PPE |
Every home is different. We give a free on-site inspection and a written estimate, no surprises, and we work directly with your insurance where it applies.
The answer depends on where the water came from. Here's a simple breakdown, and we help either way.
Not sure what your policy covers? That's normal. We document the damage properly, photos, moisture readings, and a full report, so your adjuster has everything they need. Many of our customers get more approved because the paperwork is done right.
📞 Talk to Us About Your ClaimYou have options for flood cleanup. Here's what sets us apart from the big national names.
Family-owned and rooted in Chicago. We're not a call center, you talk to real people who know the city.
Floods don't wait for business hours. Call any time, day or night, and a crew heads your way.
We handle the documentation and work directly with your adjuster, so the claim is far less stress for you.
142 real reviews from Chicago homeowners who've been through it and got their homes back.
Rated 4.7 stars across 142 Google reviews.
"They took care of the water removal in my basement in an emergency. Showed up fast, knew exactly what to do, and kept me updated the whole time. Can't thank them enough."
"After a bad storm flooded our lower level, the CleanUP Guys were out the same day. Professional crew, fair pricing, and they helped us deal with the insurance paperwork too."
"Honest, reliable, and clearly experienced. Sherm and his team treated our home like it was their own. Highly recommend them to anyone dealing with water damage."
Fast response throughout Chicago and the surrounding neighborhoods and suburbs.
The things Chicago homeowners ask us most about flood cleanup.
Flood cleanup in Chicago usually runs $1,200 to $8,000, depending on how much water came in, how many rooms are affected, and whether the water is clean or contaminated. Small single-room jobs sit at the low end. Whole-basement floods with debris removal cost more. We give a written estimate after inspection, no surprises.
Stay safe first. Shut off the electricity to flooded areas if you can reach the panel safely, and keep everyone away from standing water. Don't wade through deep or dirty water. Then call a flood cleanup team so extraction and drying start fast, the sooner water is removed, the less damage and mold you deal with.
It depends on the source. Standard homeowners policies usually cover sudden water damage from things like a burst pipe. Water that rises from outside, a river, storm surge, or overland flooding, typically needs separate flood insurance through the NFIP. We document everything to help with whichever claim applies.
Water extraction is often done the same day. Structural drying then takes about three to five days depending on how wet the materials are and the size of the space. Debris removal and any needed repairs add time. We map moisture daily so we only stop drying once the readings are back to normal.
Yes. Mold can start growing on wet drywall, wood, and carpet within 24 to 48 hours. That's why fast extraction and proper drying matter so much. We dry the structure completely and treat surfaces to stop mold before it takes hold, then check moisture levels to confirm the area is dry.
Yes. Basement floods are one of the most common calls we get in Chicago, especially after heavy rain or sump pump failure. We pump out standing water, remove soaked materials, dry the space, and treat it to prevent mold, then help you plan any repairs the basement needs.
We answer 24/7 and offer same-day flood cleanup across Chicago. Free on-site inspection and a written estimate.
Every hour of standing water means more damage and more cost. Call now and our crew will be on the way, backed by 35+ years of Chicago flood cleanup.
📞 Call (773) 885-8528 Now