When a basement floods after a heavy Chicago rain, everything seems to need attention at once. It helps to take it in order: safety, the source, a report to the city, photos, a call to your insurer, then drying. This is the same order we walk people through on the phone.
Most of Chicago’s sewer system was built before 1930 and carries rainwater and household wastewater in the same pipes, and WBEZ reported that, based on MWRD modeling, the system can be overwhelmed after two-thirds of an inch of rain in an hour. When the sewer mains fill, the City of Chicago says water pushes back into basements through private sewer drains. Chicago also has more than 80,000 bungalows, a home style built with a full basement (WBEZ).
Is it safe to go into the basement?
Start here, before you move a single box.
- Stay out of standing water if the power may be on. If water could be touching outlets, extension cords, the furnace, the water heater or the electrical panel, keep everyone upstairs. Ready.gov says not to touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water.
- Shut off power only from a dry spot. The CDC says that if you can turn off the main power from a dry location, go ahead. If you would have to step into water to reach the switch, call a licensed electrician to turn it off. You can also call your electric utility for help.
- Leave if you smell gas. The CDC says to turn off the main gas valve, open the windows, leave right away, and notify the gas company, police or fire department. Do not turn on lights or do anything that could cause a spark.
- Call 911 for emergencies. If someone may have been shocked, is hurt, or you see fire or smoke, call 911 first (CDC).
- Keep gas engines outside. The CDC says never to run a gasoline engine, such as a pump or generator, inside a home, basement or garage, or within 20 feet of a door, window or vent, because of carbon monoxide.
Where is the water coming from?
Once you know it is safe, look for the source. The MWRD says seepage is usually clear water coming through cracks in basement walls and floors, while sewer backups usually come from floor drains and plumbing fixtures. Its flood resource guide adds overland flooding, when heavy rain pushes water in through doors or windows, and lists plumbing leaks, roof leaks and failed sump pumps as other causes.
| What you see | Likely source | What to do first |
|---|---|---|
| Water rising from a floor drain, toilet or shower | Sewer backup | Treat it as contaminated and keep people and pets away |
| Clear water coming through wall or floor cracks | Seepage | Note where it enters for your photos |
| Water coming through a window, window well or door | Overland flooding | Note the entry point and the water line |
| Water spraying or dripping from a pipe or water heater | Plumbing leak or burst pipe | Shut off the main water valve |
| Water around the sump pit | Sump pump problem | Check the pump only from a dry spot |
For a burst pipe, Nationwide says shutting off the main water valve stops the flow, and to call a plumber once you find the leak. The source also matters for insurance, because policies treat a sewer backup, a flood and a burst pipe very differently.
How do I report basement flooding in Chicago?
Chicago residents can call 311, visit 311.chicago.gov, or use the CHI311 app (MWRD guide). The City’s Water in Basement request asks for:
- Your address
- Whether the water is clean or dirty
- Where it came from, such as a floor drain, toilet or shower
- How deep it is, in inches
- Whether it is in a basement, crawl space or at ground level
The City says not to use that request for water that came in through windows. In suburban Cook County, the MWRD says to contact your local public works department. Your municipality needs to know when and where flooding happens so it can coordinate a response.
In an August 2023 analysis, WBEZ counted roughly 38,000 flooded-basement reports to 311 since 2019.
What should I photograph before I clean up?
Photos you take now make the claim easier later. The Illinois Department of Insurance says to take photographs of damaged property only if it is safe to access the area, and to take them before you begin cleanup.
A good first set:
- Wide shots of each wet area, then close-ups.
- The water line on walls, furniture and boxes.
- The source: the floor drain, the crack, the pipe or the window well.
- Make, model and serial numbers of the furnace, water heater, washer, dryer and freezer.
- Damaged belongings before you move them.
FEMA’s flood claims checklist recommends capturing water lines and serial numbers, keeping samples of carpet, flooring and similar materials if you have to throw them out, and keeping a log of every call: date, time and who you spoke with.
When should I call my insurance company?
As soon as everyone is safe. The Illinois Department of Insurance says to contact your agent right away with a detailed description of the damage, and that it is your responsibility to mitigate against further damage. In plain words, you are expected to take reasonable steps so things do not get worse. NerdWallet notes that temporary fixes are fine, but you should not schedule major work until your insurer has reviewed the damage.
Coverage depends on what caused the water and what your policy includes. The Illinois Department of Insurance says standard homeowners policies do not cover flood and usually do not cover sewer backup unless you added an endorsement. This is general information, not legal or insurance advice, so check your own policy and talk to your agent or adjuster about your situation. Our insurance claims page explains how we work alongside your adjuster.
Is the water safe to touch?
Treat sewer backup and floodwater as contaminated. The CDC says a flooded home may be contaminated with sewage and advises staying out of floodwater. If you have to be in the area, the CDC recommends boots, gloves and an N95 mask. Ready.gov says children should not help with cleanup, and people with asthma, other lung conditions or weakened immune systems should not enter buildings with indoor water leaks or mold they can see or smell.
The EPA says that if water damage was caused by sewage or other contaminated water, you should call in a professional. That is the work our sewer backup cleanup crews do.
How fast does the basement need to dry?
Quickly. The EPA says to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth. If it is safe to be in the space:
- Open windows and doors if the weather allows, and point fans so they blow air out a window or door rather than in (CDC).
- Run dehumidifiers to pull moisture out of the air.
- Move dry belongings up and away from the wet area.
If the basement holds deep water and the ground outside is soaked, pump it out slowly. The American Red Cross says to remove about one-third of the water per day to avoid structural damage, and NDSU Extension explains that the water inside helps brace the walls against waterlogged soil outside. Our flooded basement cleanup crews handle this drying work.
When to call a restoration company
Call us if the water came up through a drain, if it soaked carpet, drywall or stored boxes, or if you are not sure the space is safe. Here is what happens when you do:
- A person answers, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- We ask what happened: where the water came from, how deep it is, whether the power is off and whether anyone is at risk.
- We send a crew to remove the water and start drying out your home.
- We document everything for your insurance company.
If anyone is hurt, or you smell gas, call 911 first. When you are ready, you can reach us here.