Service area · Cook County, IL
Basement waterproofing in Chicago, IL
Chicago's famous bungalow belt and its two-flats sit on flat former lakebed clay with a combined sewer system that carries both storm water and wastewater. When intense storms hit, basements across the city flood from below, through floor drains, as well as through walls.
By calling, you agree to be connected with an independent waterproofing contractor, who may call or text you back about your request at the number you call from. Calls may be recorded for quality and routing. Consent is not a condition of any purchase; you can opt out at any time, and message and data rates may apply. Privacy policy.
- Neighborhoods
- Portage Park, Bridgeport, Beverly, Logan Square
Chicago: call now
(833) 460-4463By calling, you agree to be connected with an independent waterproofing contractor, who may call or text you back about your request at the number you call from. Calls may be recorded for quality and routing. Consent is not a condition of any purchase; you can opt out at any time, and message and data rates may apply. Privacy policy.
What kind of homes and basements does Chicago have?
Portage Park, Jefferson Park and Chatham are full of 1910s to 1940s brick bungalows with full basements; Bridgeport and Logan Square have frame and brick two-flats. Many homes have overhead sewers or backflow devices added after past floods; many do not.
What causes basement and foundation problems in Chicago?
Basement flooding from the sewer
In heavy rain the combined sewer can surcharge and push water up through floor drains. Overhead sewer conversions and backflow valves are the common long-term fixes.
Lakebed clay pressure
Dense clay holds water against foundation walls and freezes in winter, cracking and bowing walls.
Leaking wall cracks
Poured and brick walls leak at cracks and mortar joints during long wet spells.
Sump overload in storms
Homes with sumps need capacity and backup power for the city's intense summer storms.
Which basement services do Chicago homeowners need most?
- Sump Pump Installation & Repair in Chicago
- Bowing Basement Wall Repair in Chicago
- Interior Drainage Systems in Chicago
- Leaking Wall Crack Repair
- Emergency Sump Pump & Flooded Basement Service
Also available in Chicago: sump pump service, leaking crack repair, and every service on our full list of 19 basement services.
Who serves Chicago, and how does a call work?
- Neighborhoods
- Portage Park, Bridgeport, Beverly, Logan Square, Jefferson Park, Chatham
- County / state
- Cook County, Illinois
What do Chicago homeowners ask most?
What is an overhead sewer in a Chicago basement?
It raises the home's sewer connection above the basement floor, with an ejector pit collecting basement drains. That prevents sewer water from backing up through floor drains during storms.
Does Chicago require permits for basement waterproofing?
Plumbing changes such as backflow valves and overhead sewers require permits and licensed plumbers; structural work also needs a permit.
Is the water in my basement from groundwater or the sewer?
Water rising from floor drains during storms usually points to the sewer; water along walls or the floor-wall joint usually points to groundwater. The fixes differ, so diagnosis matters.
Where can I verify this information about Chicago, IL?
- 1FEMA: Flood Map Service CenterCheck whether a property in Chicago, IL is in a mapped flood zone before finishing a basement.
- 2USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: Web Soil SurveyLook up soil drainage class and shrink-swell potential for any lot in Chicago, IL.
- 3NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information: U.S. Climate NormalsAverage precipitation, snowfall and temperatures for weather stations near Chicago, IL.
- 4U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: RadonWhy basements in Chicago, IL should be tested for radon, and how sealed sumps fit with mitigation.
- 5Federal Trade Commission: Hiring a ContractorWhat to check before hiring: licensing, insurance, written estimates and payment terms.
What should Chicago homeowners read before calling?
Which areas near Chicago are covered?
Need a waterproofing contractor in Chicago?
By calling, you agree to be connected with an independent waterproofing contractor, who may call or text you back about your request at the number you call from. Calls may be recorded for quality and routing. Consent is not a condition of any purchase; you can opt out at any time, and message and data rates may apply. Privacy policy.