Are you facing flooding from Lake Michigan, dealing with fire damage in your Lincoln Park home, or handling storm damage at your Loop business district office?
If so, you need professional disaster cleanup services to recover your property and restore your peace of mind.
Here at ServiceMaster Restoration by Zaba, we specialize in providing residential and commercial water and fire damage restoration services to the Windy City.
With more than 15 years of experience in the industry, we’re uniquely equipped to return your property to its pre-damage condition.
Call us today for 24/7 emergency help: (773) 647-1985
What We Offer
Water Damage Restoration
Due to aging infrastructure and severe weather patterns, Chicago is a high-risk city for various types of water damage.
If you happen to experience water damage, trust our team for the following water damage restoration services:
- Extract water quickly using powerful industrial-grade pumps
- Dry your property completely with specialized equipment
- Check moisture levels in your walls and flooring
- Protect your property from mold with targeted treatments
- Clean and sanitize areas affected by sewage
- Restore your flooded basement
- Save your important documents and belongings
Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration
Chicago’s history with fire safety, dating back to the Great Chicago Fire, has shaped our modern approach to fire damage restoration.
Fire damage restoration services typically include:
Fire damage cleanup requires a systematic approach, addressing both visible damage and hidden issues like smoke particles in ventilation systems.
Storm Damage Recovery
Chicago’s position along Lake Michigan makes us particularly vulnerable to severe storms.
Professional storm and weather damage recovery services offer the following:
- Emergency board-up and tarping: We’ll secure your property with temporary solutions to prevent further damage after a disaster.
- Tree removal and debris cleanup: Our team will safely clear fallen trees and debris to prevent additional hazards.
- Structural damage assessment: We’ll evaluate the extent of damage to your property’s structure and plan necessary repairs.
- Water damage mitigation from rain or snow: Our experts will work to prevent further water intrusion and address moisture issues caused by storms.
- Wind damage repair: We’ll fix the damage caused by high winds, including broken siding, roofing, or windows.
- Hail damage restoration: Our team will repair surfaces damaged by hail, such as roofs, windows, and exterior siding.
- Lightning strike damage repair: We’ll address electrical or structural damage to ensure safety and functionality.
Mold Remediation
Chicago’s humidity levels, particularly during summer, create perfect mold growth conditions.
Professional mold remediation services include:
- Moisture source identification: We locate the root cause of moisture to prevent future mold growth.
- Safe removal procedures following EPA guidelines: Our team safely removes mold using practices that comply with EPA standards to protect your health.
- Prevention strategies: We implement measures to stop mold from returning, ensuring long-term solutions.
- HEPA filtration: We use high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters to capture mold spores and improve air quality.
- Antimicrobial treatments: We apply specialized treatments to eliminate mold and prevent regrowth on affected surfaces.
Turn to ServiceMaster by Zaba When Faced with the Aftermath of a Disaster
ServiceMaster Restoration by Zaba stands out as a leading disaster cleanup service provider in Chicago, offering comprehensive restoration services backed by years of experience and certified expertise.
Our 24/7 emergency response team has helped countless Chicago property owners recover from fires, floods, and more, making us a trusted name in our community.
Need immediate assistance? Contact us now: (773) 647-1985
Local Chicago Resources
Emergency Contacts
Additional Resources
FAQ
Do you provide financing options?
By partnering with GreenSky, ServiceMaster by Zaba provides secure, easy-to-apply payment plans - many with no-interest options, no prepayment penalties, and approvals in minutes - so you can get essential restoration work done without delaying for financial reasons.
How much does disaster restoration cost in Chicago?
Disaster restoration costs in Chicago vary widely depending on the type and severity of damage, but most projects range from a few thousand dollars for minor water damage to $10,000 or more for severe flooding, fire, or smoke restoration.
The best way to know your exact cost is through an on-site inspection and estimate.
How should I choose the right disaster cleanup service in Chicago?
Look for Proper Certifications
Reputable disaster cleanup companies in Chicago should hold:
- IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification)
- a Chicago Business License (use this lookup service to locate a company’s business license)
- Illinois State Environmental Protection Agency certification
- Proper insurance and bonding
- OSHA safety compliance certificates (Find a business here)
- Evaluate Response Time and Availability
- In disaster situations, time is critical.
- Look for companies that offer:
- 24/7 emergency response. Every second counts after a disaster, so you need a company that can be there for you around the clock.
- Guaranteed arrival within 60-90 minutes. Fast arrival times keep you from waiting out in the cold and can help prevent damage from getting worse.
- Clear communication protocols. You should know what to expect from the company you’re working with and how best to get in contact with your techs.
- Year-round availability. Disasters aren’t seasonal, so restoration services shouldn’t be either.
- Multiple response teams. Multiple response teams help guarantee a fast, reliable reaction to your event.
Check Equipment and Technology
Modern disaster cleanup requires sophisticated equipment.
Verify that companies use:
- Thermal Imaging Camera: Locates hidden moisture and water damage by detecting temperature changes in surfaces.
- Industrial Dehumidifiers: Remove excess moisture from the air to prevent mold and speed up drying.
- HEPA Air Filtration Systems: Captures fine particles like allergens and mold spores to improve air quality.
- Moisture Meters: Measure moisture levels in materials to ensure proper drying and prevent future problems. EPA-Approved Cleaning Solutions: Safely sanitizes and deodorizes areas affected by water damage.
Review Insurance Handling Procedures
Choose companies that:
- Work directly with major insurance providers: We ensure clear communication and faster claim resolutions.
- Expertise in Chicago’s insurance requirements: We understand local regulations to help you avoid pitfalls.
- Provide detailed documentation: Thorough records help avoid delays and keep the process as smooth as possible.
- Assist with claims filing: Step-by-step guidance to submit your claim accurately and efficiently.
- Strong relationships with local adjusters: Quick processing and better results thanks to our trusted, local connections.
Cost Considerations for Disaster Cleanup
Factors Affecting Price
Several factors influence the cost of disaster cleanup services:
- Type and extent of damage: Assess the kind of damage and determine how severe it is to understand the scope of work required.
- Square footage affected: Measure the total area impacted to plan for necessary repairs and estimate costs as accurately as possible.
- Required equipment and materials: Identify the tools, machinery, and materials needed to carry out the repair or restoration quickly and efficiently.
- Labor hours needed: Calculate the amount of time and work required to complete the task based on the scale of damage.
- Emergency response timing: Determine how quickly the damage needs to be addressed to prevent further issues.
- Required permits and inspections: Check for necessary approvals or inspections needed to make sure the work complies with local regulations and safety standards.
Insurance Coverage
Most disaster cleanup services are covered by insurance, but not all of them. Sometimes, deciding between self-pay and insurance payouts is important, too.
With that in mind, trust our company for help with the following:
- Deductible requirements: Let us help you assess how much you are responsible for paying out of pocket before your insurance starts covering expenses.
- Documentation needed: We’ll work with you to collect the forms, receipts, or evidence you must provide to support your claim and prove the extent of the loss or damage.
- Time limits for filing claims: Policies often have time limits for submitting claims, so it’s important to act quickly to avoid missing out on coverage.
- Coverage exclusions: These are specific situations or items that your policy does not cover, such as certain natural disasters or intentional damage – we’ll help you determine what you’re responsible for and what is up to your insurance company.
How can I prevent future water or fire damage?
Regular Maintenance
Implement these preventive measures:
- Annual roof inspections – Ensure your roof is in good condition and catch small issues like leaks or damaged shingles before they become major problems.
- Regular gutter cleaning – Prevent clogs that can lead to water damage by clearing out leaves and debris from your gutters.
- Basement waterproofing checks – Identify and address any signs of moisture or leaks to keep your basement dry and prevent mold growth.
- HVAC system maintenance – Keep your heating and cooling systems running efficiently with regular tune-ups and filter replacements.
- Plumbing system inspections – Detect leaks, corrosion, or blockages early to avoid costly repairs and water damage.
- Fire safety system testing – Make sure smoke detectors, fire alarms, and sprinkler systems are functional to keep your property safe.
- Weatherstripping replacement – Replace worn or damaged weather stripping to improve energy efficiency and reduce drafts in your home.
- Emergency Preparedness
Create a disaster preparedness plan that includes:
- Emergency contact numbers. Know who you need to call in the event of a disaster and keep their numbers handy.
- Shut-off valve locations. Know where in your home your gas and water lines are located and how to shut them off.
- Evacuation routes. Have a family evacuation plan that spells out where you’ll go in the event of an emergency and how to get there.
- Important document storage. Keep critical documents like birth certificates, marriage records, and insurance documents in a fire- and water-proof box.
- Insurance policy information. Keep your insurance policy information handy in case of a disaster.
- Basic emergency supplies. Keep a box of basic emergency supplies, such as candles, batteries, and critical medications handy in the event of a disaster.
How common are water damage emergencies in Chicago?
In 2024, Chicago-area property owners made more than 145,000 calls to the city’s Department of Water Management (DWM) for issues ranging from water in their basements to frozen pipes.
You’ll need to protect your property from the following:
All these issues can cause damage that only professionals can properly address. These numbers show why you need to know about professional disaster cleanup services and have reliable contacts ready before an emergency happens.
