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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 hands-on work in Chicago since 1986.
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 follow IICRC S500 water damage restoration standards at every step.
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, and insulation that can't be saved, using flood cuts to open the wall cavities and dry them properly.
Air movers and dehumidifiers dry the walls, floors, and framing. We use moisture meters and thermal imaging to 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.
The CleanUP Guys provide 24/7 flood cleanup across Chicago and the nearby suburbs. Family owned and serving Chicago since 1986, we hold a 4.7 star rating across 142 Google reviews. We handle water extraction, structural drying, debris removal, disinfection, and insurance documentation, and we follow IICRC S500 water damage standards. Call (773) 885-8528 any time.
Flood water is often contaminated and soaks deep into walls, subfloors, and framing where you cannot see it. Professionals use truck mounted extraction, industrial dehumidifiers, moisture meters, and thermal imaging to dry the structure fully and stop mold before it spreads. Done wrong, hidden moisture leads to mold and structural damage weeks later.
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 to $2,500 | Extraction, drying, basic cleanup |
| Medium (basement or floor) | $2,500 to $5,000 | Water removal, debris, structural drying |
| Large (multi-room) | $5,000 to $8,000+ | Heavy extraction, disposal, full drying |
| Contaminated water | Add $500 to $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. If your basement was hit by major regional flooding, you may also qualify for the City of Chicago Flood Assistance Repair Program, and we can help you document the damage for it.
A realistic timeline so you know what to expect, from the first call to a dry, safe home.
| Severity | What It Involves | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Minor | One room, clean water, no structural damage | 3 to 7 days |
| Moderate | Basement or several rooms, drying and some repairs | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Severe | Whole home, contaminated water, structural rebuild | 1 month or longer |
Water extraction is often same day. The biggest delays come from full structural drying, contaminated water that needs extra sanitizing, and waiting on repairs. We map moisture daily so drying stops only when the readings are truly back to normal.
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.
The CleanUP Guys provide 24/7 flood cleanup across Chicago and nearby suburbs. Family owned and serving Chicago since 1986, with a 4.7 star rating across 142 Google reviews. We handle water extraction, structural drying, debris removal, disinfection, and insurance documentation, and we follow IICRC S500 water damage standards. Call (773) 885-8528 any time.
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.
Flood water smells because it carries bacteria, sewage, and organic matter, and because trapped moisture starts feeding mold and mildew within a day or two. That musty odor is an early sign materials are still wet inside. We extract the water, dry the structure, and treat surfaces to clear the smell at its source.
Standing flood water is often contaminated with sewage, chemicals, and bacteria, and it can hide electrical hazards and sharp debris. It also keeps soaking into walls and floors, raising the risk of mold and structural damage. Keep everyone out of it and call a professional to extract it safely.
Professionals extract standing water with truck mounted pumps, remove soaked materials, then run industrial air movers and dehumidifiers to pull moisture out of walls, floors, and framing. We use moisture meters and thermal imaging to find hidden dampness and keep drying until readings are back to normal.
Mold can start within 24 to 48 hours, so the key is fast, complete drying. Remove standing water quickly, take out soaked porous materials, and dry the space with strong airflow and dehumidifiers. We also treat surfaces with antimicrobial solutions and confirm the area is dry before closing walls back up.
Signs include a musty smell, bubbling paint, warped or soft drywall, and stains that keep spreading. The only sure way to know is a moisture reading. We use moisture meters and thermal cameras to find water trapped behind walls and under floors that you cannot see.
It depends on the water and how long it sat. Drywall soaked by clean water for a short time can sometimes be dried and saved. Drywall hit by contaminated water, or wet for more than a day or two, usually has to be cut out and replaced to stop mold. We test it before deciding.
Sometimes. If we start drying fast, many hardwood floors can be saved with specialized drying mats and dehumidifiers. Floors left wet too long tend to cup, warp, or buckle and may need replacing. Quick action gives your floors the best chance.
It depends on how much of the home is affected and whether the water was contaminated. Small clean water jobs often let you stay in unaffected rooms. Larger floods, sewage water, or heavy mold risk usually mean it is safer to stay elsewhere until the space is dried and cleared. We tell you what is safe.
Every hour the water sits, it soaks deeper and does more damage. Mold can start within 24 to 48 hours, wood warps, drywall crumbles, and contamination spreads. A delay usually means a bigger, costlier job. That is why we respond 24/7 and start extraction right away.
Flood cleanup handles large scale, often contaminated water from storms, sewage, or rising water, and usually needs heavy sanitizing and removal of soaked materials. Water damage restoration is the broader work of drying and repairing localized, cleaner damage like a burst pipe. We handle both.
Call as soon as it is safe, ideally within the first few hours. Fast water removal limits damage and cuts the risk of mold. Even if the water looks minor, hidden moisture in walls and floors can cause problems later, so it is worth a professional check right away.
For small clean water spills, careful DIY can work. But flood water is often contaminated, hides electrical and structural hazards, and soaks into places a shop vac cannot reach. Without proper drying and testing, hidden moisture leads to mold. For anything more than minor, it is safer to call a professional.
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 Chicago flood cleanup experience since 1986.
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