Chicago is a great city to live and work in. However, its location on the Chicago River and the shores of Lake Michigan makes it extra vulnerable to winter storms, heavy rain, and flooding.
If your home or business in downtown Chicago, IL has been affected by a flood, it’s imperative to get it dealt with quickly.
Here at ServiceMaster of Lake Shore, our skilled water and flood damage restoration experts are dispatched from Wells Street in downtown Chicago, IL each day to restore area homes and businesses that have been damaged by flooding.
Based on our extensive experience, we put together this guide to help you deal with flood damage.
Let’s dive in.
What Causes Flood Damage to Downtown Chicago Homes & Businesses?
Chicago started as a port city, directly on the Chicago River. In the days of steamboats and river cargo, the water was the primary method of transportation and shipping goods, both to Michigan across the lake and to St. Louis down the river.
However, that river and lake impact the yearly weather in the city and around it. In addition to lake effect snow, the winds coming off the lake (begetting the nickname of the Windy City), and longer winters, Chicago’s location makes the city more susceptible to flooding.
Here are the main reasons that Chicago homes and businesses flood:
- Storms and heavy rain
- Ice dams that thaw into buildings
- Burst pipes
- Old sewer systems
- Appliance leaks
- Climate change
- Aging city infrastructure
One of the main causes of flooding is old pipes or sewer systems that erode or burst with age. The older a building’s system is, the more likely it is to be at risk for flooding.
Winter also causes flooding.
Pipes can freeze and break, causing melted ice to flood basements. Any city with winter has a higher risk of flooding.
However, these usual causes don’t explain the uptick in flooding within the Chicago city limits in the past decade.
We must look to causes outside of normal floods–something other than location, winter, or older buildings with outdated pipes.
Of course, the biggest issue that causes an increase in floods anywhere is climate change.
Because the Great Lakes are such huge bodies of water, the rising water levels affect the amount of rain and heavy storms in the area, which increase flood rates. Cities on bodies of water are more at risk for climate damage.
Lakeshore Drive is a center of business and community, with office buildings and residential condominiums. These are at greater risk of flooding because they’re so close to the lake.
In recent years, the rains have been heavier, and the water levels have been higher, causing more flooding than usual.
According to the official Chicago website, one of the leading causes of the increase in recent floods is the older infrastructure of the city.
As it rains more heavily due to climate change, the gutters and drains of the city need an update to continue to function correctly. Until then, more floods are likely to occur in houses and office buildings.
What To Do After Flood Damage in Downtown Chicago, IL
With the increased risk of flooding in downtown Chicago, you probably wonder what you should do if your home or business floods.
Here is a guide to minimizing damage and getting the best results from a dire situation.
1. Stop the water
The first step when you discover a flood is to find a way to stop the water source.
Sometimes this isn’t possible–after all, you can’t stop rain.
However, if it’s a burst pipe or leak, try to pinpoint its location and then turn off the water supply to your house.
2. Turn off the electricity
You must turn off the electricity in your home or building.
Electricity and water don’t mix. If anything electric touches the water, it could mean fire, injury, or death to anyone in the home or workspace.
3. Evacuate your home or building
It’s important to evacuate the building if the damage is severe, or at least the area with the flood damage. It’s impossible to tell how much structural damage has been caused.
Until a professional water damage restoration company like ServiceMaster of Lake Shore arrives to your property, it’s best to avoid injury by keeping everyone safe.
4. Contact help
Calling for help is the next step. Get a professional to the site as quickly as possible to evaluate and restore your property back to pre-flood condition.
If you think that you or your family is in immediate danger, always call emergency services first.
After that, a professional flood damage company like ServiceMaster of Lake Shore is the next important call.
Give us a call right now to assess your damages and restore your property: (312) 707-8597
5. Start cleanup
If you’re dealing with a very small flood, you can probably stay in your home or building and clean it up yourself.
However, for large floods or complete basement flooding, it’s always better to be safe than sorry and just give our team a call!
6. Check for mold damage
The more severe the flooding in your home or business, the likelier it is that mold will develop.
Mold can cause long-term structural damage to a building and health damage to its inhabitants.
The best way to ensure that your home or workplace is mold-free is to hire ServiceMaster of Lake Shore so that we can inspect your property for mold and remove it.
7. Document everything for insurance
To ensure your claim gets processed properly and you are covered for the damages, it’s vital to document everything.
How to Prepare for a Flood in Downtown Chicago, IL
You can take some steps to prepare for the worst before it happens and lessen the damage to your property.
Of course, there’s no preventing natural flooding, winter, or climate change individually, but it is possible to avoid in-home flooding.
Here are some steps to prevent and prepare for possible flooding:
- Ensure all your plumbing is up to date
- Install water leak sensors to alert you to water leaks
- Put your valuables and essential papers in a waterproof safe
- Use a home security system that includes flood detection
- Make sure your basement is equipped with a sump pump
While these steps won’t prevent all flood damage to your home or business, they can prevent the need for a total property makeover, a new basement, or an increased risk of mold damage.
Dealing with Flood Damage in Downtown Chicago? We’re Here to Help!
Smaller jobs might be cleanable with a shop vac and some towels.
But if you need help dealing with the flood in your home or business, we’ve got your back!
From a burst pipe to total basement flooding, we are experienced with everything.
Call ServiceMaster of Lakeshore at 312-707-8597 for the best flood cleanup services in downtown Chicago, IL.
