Water Removal and Extraction Services Chicago IL & Suburbs
24/7 Emergency Services from Certified Technicians
Are you looking for water removal services in Chicago, Illinois? If so, you’ve come to the right place.
If your Chicago property has been affected by flooding, you need a team of experts to remove the water quickly and completely. Luckily, ServiceMaster of Lake Shore is here for you.
Our team provides residential and commercial water removal services in Chicago, Illinois, and suburbs, and will help you get life back to normal as quickly as possible.
Regardless of the severity of your water damage, our efficient teams can handle the process from start to finish.
For your convenience, we service a variety of properties, including the following:
- Offices and commercial spaces.
- Retail and mixed-use buildings.
- Condominiums and HOAs.
- Healthcare and education facilities.
- Government and religious institutions.
- And more.
We address a wide selection of water damage issues, including appliance overflow, frozen and burst pipes, sewer and sewage backups, and weather-caused damage, including floods and leaks.
We service all of Chicagoland, including the Gold Coast, Magnificent Mile, the Loop, Lincoln Park, Lincoln Square, and suburbs Evanston, Glenview, Harwood Heights, and more across the North Shore.
Don’t let standing water sit and damage your property. Contact us now: (312) 707-8597
What is Water Extraction?
Water extraction is the process that restoration companies like ServiceMaster of Lake Shore in Chicago, IL use to remove standing water from your property.
Water extraction is a critical part of the restoration process since it helps minimize damage to a home or business after flooding or water damage.
The water extraction process has a few primary goals:
- To reduce the risk of damage to personal belongings and valuables.
- To prevent mold growth that could be dangerous to health and safety.
- To restore the property to its former condition and make it habitable once more.
Here at ServiceMaster of Lake Shore, each of our water restoration vehicles is equipped with industry-leading water extraction and drying equipment that will resolve your water damage quickly and completely.
Our moisture testing equipment allows us to keep your home safe from mold and mildew and ensure the extraction process is effective.
Call today for comprehensive water extraction services (312) 707-8597
Our 7-Step Water Removal & Extraction Process
1. Inspection / Assessment
Minutes after your call, our team arrives with the most advanced equipment on the market.
We begin the job almost immediately. We start our process with a comprehensive inspection and assessment, during which we pinpoint the source of the leak and identify any potential safety hazards.
This allows us to proceed with the job safely and efficiently.
2. Stop the Flow
The first step of the water extraction and remediation process is to locate and stop the water leak at its source.
Whether the leak is coming from a broken pipe, or a malfunctioning appliance like a flooded dishwasher, stopping it at the source provides a safe work environment and reduces the likelihood of further damage.
3. Drain the water
Once we’ve stopped the water at its source, we’ll remove visible, standing water to prevent further damage to your property.
Depending on the severity of the water damage, we use pumps and wet/dry vacuums to remove what is left of the water. From there, we bring in an industrial-strength carpet water extractor to pull moisture from your flooring and prepare the carpet and pad for repair.
We’ll also ensure that all utility lines, including electricity, have been turned off during this process.
4. Resolve Safety Hazards
Water damage often creates safety hazards. For example, wet electrical sockets or cords can cause life-threatening shocks. Before we begin your water remediation job, we’ll search for and identify safety hazards in the house or building.
Depending on the extent of the damage, we may use thermal imaging and moisture meters to identify problem areas.
5. Extract Non-Visible Water and Dry the Area
Our techs will extract all water from your property, remove damaged furniture and building materials, and clean the area using disinfecting and deodorizing agents to restore freshness. When that’s all finished, we’ll dry the area thoroughly and work with you and your insurance company to help get life back to normal.
In some cases, even after we’ve removed visible, standing water, moisture can remain in your carpeting, flooring, and building materials.
To remove this moisture, we’ll use industrial-grade extraction equipment. Once all the moisture is gone, we’ll place industrial-grade fans to dry the area and prevent mold and mildew formation.
6. Disinfection and Sanitization
Disinfection and sanitization are critical steps in the water damage restoration process for Chicago, IL homes and businesses. Even after all the excess water is gone, mold and mildew spores can grow in flooring, drywall, and other building materials.
Over time, these spores cause bad smells and dangerous health issues. Our disinfection and sanitization process kills mold and mildew spores and helps ensure safety for you and your family.
7. Dehumidification
Our team uses professional-grade dehumidification equipment to remove all leftover moisture in the air, throughout the home or building. The result is a safe, secure environment that feels like new once more.
Don’t let water damage sit. Call us now: (312) 707-8597
Why Choose ServiceMaster of Lake Shore?
When it comes to water extraction services, you have many choices. So how do you know which company to go for? Here are the top reasons our customers in Chicagoland choose us:
We Bill Your Insurance Directly
We’ll respond immediately to your call because we understand that time is of the essence when water invades your property. Since ServiceMaster of Lake Shore is centrally located, our certified water damage cleanup team arrives on time – every time – with all the tools necessary to do the job right.
24/7 Emergency Services
Water damage doesn’t always wait for business hours. Fortunately, our team provides 24/7 emergency services to keep you in the green, no matter what time disaster strikes. Call us on a holiday, weekend, or in the middle of the night – we’ll be there to help when you need it.
45 Minute Response Time
Nobody wants to wait for hours or days for water extraction assistance. That’s why our team sticks to a 45-minute response time. When you call us, we’re there fast. After all, we’re centrally located in the heart of downtown Chicago. Why wait for the skilled service you need? Contact our techs for rapid attention and professional assistance now.
What to Do Before Help Arrives
What to do Before Help Arrives
Once you’ve contacted ServiceMaster of Lake Shore in Chicago, we’ll arrive at your home as quickly as possible. While you wait, take the following steps to streamline the restoration process:
- Stop the flow of water, if possible. If you can see where the water is coming from, shut it off at the source. If you can’t identify the source of the leak, shut off the water main to your entire home.
- Shut off circuit breakers. If you can safely reach your home’s electrical panel, shut off the circuit breakers to the rooms affected by the water leak. This helps prevent electrical shock and makes the area safe to work in.
- Remove sensitive items. If possible, remove sensitive, breakable, or delicate items from the area affected by water. This keeps them safe and helps prevent contamination and damage.
- Take photos of the damage. Using your phone, take several pictures of the damaged area. These photos serve as documentation that will be critical when you file an insurance claim for water damage.
What NOT to Do
Avoid doing these things before water damage restoration professionals arrive:
- Do NOT use a vacuum to clean up water. Using a vacuum, even a wet/dry vac, to remove water may put you at risk of electrical shock.
- Do NOT attempt to clean up the water on your own. Starting DIY cleanup can make the damage worse, and may be dangerous. Instead, wait for the professionals to arrive and survey the situation.
Let Us Reclaim Your Property & Peace of Mind
No other restoration company in Chicago will care for you or your home quite like us. If you need professional water removal services, contact our team today for immediate assistance.
FAQs
Should I contact my insurance provider?
If you’re experiencing water damage, contact your insurance company as quickly as possible. Generally, insurance companies will work with restoration companies like ServiceMaster of Lake Shore to process damage claims and issue payouts. If you’re not sure where to start with your insurance company, our team can help. We work with insurance adjusters every day to streamline the claims process for customers like you.
After water damage, how long will it be before my property is dry again?
You want to get your life back to normal, and you’re counting down the days before your property is dry. Unfortunately, there’s not a single timeline for how long drying takes. In fact, the speed of drying is affected by several factors, including:
- The size of your property.
- What kind of water damage your property sustained.
- How long the standing water was left to sit before being removed.
- How severe and wide-reaching the water damage is.
- What kinds of property (building materials, furniture, personal property, etc.) was affected.
In best-case scenarios, your property could be dry in as little as 2-3 days. In cases of severe water damage, though, it may take weeks or longer for your property to dry thoroughly.
Can’t I just clean up the water damage on my own?
Sometimes, water damage seems like an easy fix – especially if the damage is minimal. And while a slow leak in a pipe or a small spill of water on the floor may be a DIY job, the harmful side effects of water damage are usually hidden and invisible to the naked eye.
Even if it looks like you’ve cleaned up all the water on the surface, the moisture may have damaged your subflooring, drywall, or ceilings, which is where the real havoc begins. Hidden water damage can quickly lead to mold and mildew formation, which is virtually impossible to resolve on your own.
As such, we recommend contacting ServiceMaster of Lake Shore – even for water damage that seems minimal.
How long will water restoration take?
Depending on the extent of the damage, the water restoration process can take between three days to two weeks. The second phase of the process, which involves repairs and rebuilding (if needed) can take several weeks.
How much does water damage cleanup cost?
It depends on the scope of the project and the severity of the damage. When we arrive at your property, our team will evaluate the damage and explain the overall costs associated with extraction and repair. If you have any questions about the cost of your extraction process, our team will help answer your questions.
Can I DIY my water extraction?
We never recommend DIYing water extraction. The reason is simple: even mild water damage (from a leaky sink or a flooded bathtub, for example) can cause serious structural damage that’s impossible to see with the naked eye.
Additionally, even a small water leak can lead to extensive mold and mildew growth, which puts your health and safety at risk. With all of this in mind, we recommend contacting ServiceMaster of Lake Shore as soon as you notice water damage.