Is insurance usually required for these types of services?

Depending on the unique circumstances surrounding both type and severity levels associated thereof service needs, insurance might not always be essential.

How can I tell if a weather related claim is covered under my insurance policy?

It depends on the specifics of your policy and what type of coverage you have. Generally, most policies cover damage that results from very specific types of events like hail or windstorms. If in doubt it’s best to contact your insurer directly for more information about potential coverage.

How often should I check my policy details?

You should review your insurance documentation each time a change is made or at least annually in order to ensure that it meets all applicable state laws and regulations. Additionally, if there are changes within your company’s operations or area of operation (such as acquiring new property) then those matters need immediate attention so that any necessary adjustments can be made quickly an efficiently without delay.

Storm & Weather Damage Restoration - Chicago, North Shore, Lake & DuPage County & Northwest Suburbs

Storm Damage Has a Way of Spreading Fast

After a major storm, the problem usually doesn’t stay where it started.

A loose roof section turns into a ceiling leak. Wind-driven rain gets behind siding and window frames. Ice dams force water back into the house. A flooded window well can lead to basement damage. What looks minor at first can spread quickly through insulation, drywall, flooring, and framing.

We see this all over the region—from Oak Park and River Forest to Glenview, Wilmette, Schaumburg, Deerfield, and Naperville. Different neighborhoods get hit in different ways, but the pattern is the same: once water gets in, the damage keeps moving.

At ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, we respond quickly to stabilize the loss, control the spread, and restore the property the right way.

Call (312) 210-8614 for 24/7 emergency storm damage response.

What Storm Damage Looks Like in Chicagoland Homes

In this market, storm damage is rarely just one issue.

A strong storm can lead to:

roof leaks and water intrusion
flooded basements and crawlspaces
damaged siding, fascia, and soffits
broken seals around windows and doors
sump pump failures during heavy rain
pipe bursts after freezing temperatures
mold growth after hidden moisture is left behind

In DuPage County communities like Elmhurst, Lombard, Downers Grove, and Villa Park, we often see storm damage tied to heavy rain, backed-up drainage, and basement moisture. In North Shore towns like Winnetka, Highland Park, and Lake Forest, older homes can be especially vulnerable to roof leaks, ice damming, and hidden water migration. In parts of Chicago, Skokie, and Park Ridge, wind-driven rain and aging building materials often make the damage spread farther than expected.

That’s why storm restoration has to be handled as more than a quick cleanup job.

Our Storm Damage Restoration Process

Every storm loss is different, but the response has to be fast, controlled, and thorough.

Emergency Response and Inspection

We inspect the property, identify how water or storm impact entered the home, and assess how far the damage has spread.

Stabilization and Protection

If needed, we secure exposed areas and take immediate steps to prevent additional water intrusion or structural deterioration.

Water Extraction and Drying

When storm damage includes water intrusion, we remove standing water and dry the structure using professional equipment.

Moisture Detection

We track hidden moisture within walls, ceilings, flooring, and other affected materials to ensure the structure is actually drying.

Cleanup and Damage Removal

Damaged materials are cleaned, removed, or treated depending on the severity and category of loss.

Repairs and Reconstruction

If the storm caused significant structural or interior damage, we will restore the property to pre-loss condition.

The Storm Problems We See Most Often

The corporate version talks about hurricanes and tsunamis. That’s not this market.

Here’s what actually hits homes in your service area:

Heavy Rain and Flash Flooding

A fast downpour can overwhelm gutters, window wells, grading, and sump systems. Basements in places like Northbrook, Glen Ellyn, Arlington Heights, and Oak Park are especially vulnerable.

Wind Damage

High winds tear shingles, lift flashing, damage siding, and create entry points for water. In neighborhoods with mature trees, storm damage often includes impact damage and broken limbs.

Ice Dams and Freeze-Related Damage

Winter storms in DuPage, Lake County, and the North Shore can create roofline backups, attic moisture, and interior leaks. Freeze-thaw cycles also lead to burst pipes and hidden water damage.

Hail and Roof Damage

Even when hail damage is not immediately visible from the ground, it can shorten roof life and create leak points that show up later.

Snowmelt and Drainage Failures

When melting snow combines with blocked drains or poor grading, water often ends up in lower-level living spaces and storage areas.

Why Quick Action Matters After a Storm

Storm damage gets worse when it sits.

Wet materials continue to absorb moisture
hidden water spreads behind finished surfaces
Insulation loses effectiveness
staining and deterioration become harder to reverse
mold risk begins to increase within 24 to 48 hours

The first response matters. A fast, professional drying and mitigation plan can be the difference between saving materials and tearing them out later.

Why Homeowners Call Simons After Storm Damage

Storm losses are messy because they usually affect multiple parts of the home at once.

You may be dealing with:

water in the basement
leaks from the roof
damaged drywall or flooring
insulation problems
hidden moisture behind walls
questions about what to do first

At ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, storm restoration is handled with the same approach we bring to all residential losses: controlling the environment, preventing further damage, and restoring the home properly from the start.

Our work is guided by advanced restoration expertise and decades of experience across Chicago, DuPage County, the North Shore, Lake County, and surrounding suburbs. We know how homes in this area are built, how storms affect them, and where the hidden problems usually show up next.

What To Do After Storm Damage

If your home was affected by a storm, the first steps matter.

document visible damage with photos and video
avoid entering unsafe or wet areas
move contents away from active leaks if possible
Do not assume the damage is limited to what you can see
Call a professional restoration company immediately

Waiting to “see if it dries out” usually makes the project bigger.

Call for Storm Damage Restoration

Storm damage doesn’t fix itself, and it rarely stays contained.

ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons provides 24/7 storm and weather-damage restoration across Chicago, the North Shore, Lake County, DuPage County, and the northwest suburbs.

We respond quickly, communicate clearly, and restore your home the right way.

Call (312) 210-8614 now.

Storm damage can get worse by the hour.

Call ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons at (312) 210-8614 for 24/7 emergency response across Chicago, DuPage County, the North Shore, Lake County, and surrounding suburbs.

Get Help

What kinds of storm damage do you handle?

We handle the kinds of storm damage Chicagoland homeowners actually deal with, including roof leaks, basement flooding, ice dam damage, sump pump failures, wind-driven rain, burst pipes after freezes, and water intrusion around windows, doors, and foundations.

In many cases, storm damage is not limited to one area. A single weather event can affect roofing, insulation, drywall, flooring, and even air quality if moisture is left behind long enough. That is why the restoration process has to address the full impact of the storm, not just the most visible damage.

How quickly should storm damage be addressed?

Immediately. The longer storm damage sits, the more opportunity water has to spread into structural materials and hidden cavities. What looks like a small leak on day one can become wet insulation, damaged drywall, and mold risk a day or two later.

Fast response is especially important after roof leaks, basement flooding, or frozen pipe events. Quick mitigation often reduces the amount of demolition needed and improves the chances of saving materials that would otherwise need to be replaced.

Can you help if the storm caused both roof leak damage and basement water damage?

Yes. That is actually common after severe weather. A single storm can create multiple points of failure in the home, especially when wind, rain, and drainage issues all happen at once.

We assess the full loss, identify where moisture entered, track how far it traveled, and create a restoration plan that addresses the complete scope of damage. That includes water extraction, drying, cleanup, and reconstruction when necessary.

Do storm-damaged materials always have to be removed?

Not always. Some materials can be dried and restored if the response happens quickly and the damage is limited. Other materials, especially those that are heavily saturated or have lost structural integrity, may need to be removed and replaced.

The decision depends on the type of material, the amount of moisture involved, how long it has been wet, and whether contamination is present. The goal is always to preserve what can be saved while making sure the home is safe and properly restored.

Can storm damage lead to mold problems?

Yes. If moisture from a storm is not fully removed, mold can begin developing within 24 to 48 hours. This is especially common in basements, behind walls, under flooring, and inside insulation where moisture stays trapped.

That is why proper drying and moisture monitoring are such an important part of storm restoration. Surface drying is not enough. The structure has to be dried thoroughly to reduce the risk of mold later.

Do you work with insurance companies on storm losses?

Yes. We regularly work with insurance providers and understand how storm-related claims are documented and processed. We help document the damage, provide detailed scopes of work, and communicate with adjusters throughout the restoration process.

Our goal is to keep the project moving and make a stressful situation easier to manage while the property is being restored.

storm & weather damage restoration - chicago & north shore | serviceMaster restoration by simons