Disaster Recovery & Restoration,
Services in Aurora, IL

Water, fire and mold restoration in Aurora, IL

ServiceMaster Restoration Services provides 24/7 water damage restoration, fire and smoke cleanup, mold remediation, biohazard cleanup and cleaning for Aurora homes and businesses, including the DuPage and Will County parts of the city. A fact every Aurora owner should know: in July 1996 the city received 16.94 inches of rain in 24 hours, a new Illinois record at the time.

One city, four counties

With 179,898 residents, Aurora is the largest suburb we serve, and it spreads across four counties. According to ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates (table B01003), about 110,113 residents live in the Kane County part, 51,882 in the DuPage County part, 11,693 in the Will County part and 6,210 in the Kendall County part.

The county you're in affects which offices handle emergency management and which floodplain maps apply, but not who you can call for cleanup. Our service area covers DuPage & Will County and nearby communities, and we serve Aurora on all sides of those lines.

Aurora's flood history: the July 1996 record

Aurora's place in Illinois weather history is not a happy one. The National Weather Service's summary of major Illinois floods recounts July 17–18, 1996, when Aurora received 16.94 inches of rain and set a new state 24-hour record. Major flooding hit the Fox, Illinois and DuPage rivers, and record flows were measured at 19 USGS stream gauges.

The NWS summary quotes an Illinois State Water Survey study estimating that approximately half of the homes in Aurora sustained flood damage in that event. Nearby, about 100 homes in Montgomery were badly damaged.

The water still has the same routes. The Fox River runs through the city, and the U.S. Geological Survey operates a Fox River at Aurora monitoring location, plus stations on Indian Creek at Aurora and on the Fox below Hurds Island. NWS flood categories for its downstream gauge at Montgomery were revised in 2020 in coordination with the City of Aurora and other partners.

The NWS impact list for the Montgomery gauge shows where Aurora feels a rising Fox first. Low-lying parts of Hurds Island and Gregory Island Park are inundated at 14 feet, the Veterans Memorial at Illinois Avenue is threatened at 15 feet, and structures along River Street near South River Street Park are threatened at 17.5 feet. At 19 feet, structures on Stolp Island in downtown Aurora are threatened.

When rain outpaces the drains

Extreme rainfall floods homes far from any river. Storm sewers, detention ponds and sump pumps are all sized for typical storms, so a record downpour can push water into basements across whole neighborhoods at once.

Aurora's housing: an old river city and newer subdivisions

Aurora's 63,763 housing units fall into two broad eras. Close to a quarter, 24.9%, were built before 1960, including 8,628 units from 1939 or earlier. A second wave in the 1990s and 2000s added 41.3% of the housing stock.

The two eras bring different restoration concerns. Overall, 42.5% of Aurora homes predate 1980, per the ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates, and repairs in them may disturb lead-based paint, and the EPA RRP rule requires paid contractors working in pre-1978 homes to be certified and follow lead-safe practices. EPA asbestos guidance says suspect materials should be sampled by an accredited professional before damaged pieces are removed, and that you can't tell asbestos apart by looking.

In the newer group, many losses start in a finished basement: sump failures, sewer backups during heavy storms, and supply-line or water heater leaks. Renters occupy 20,604 of Aurora's occupied units, so tenants and landlords often share the cleanup decisions.

Renters and landlords

The Insurance Information Institute explains that a landlord's policy covers the building but not a tenant's belongings, which need a renters policy. Both parties benefit from the same moisture readings and photos, taken before anything is thrown out.

First-hour steps after water or fire damage

1. Protect people first. Get everyone out if there is fire, smoke or a gas smell, and call 911 from a safe place.
2. Wait for clearance after a fire. The American Red Cross says to stay out of fire-damaged homes until local fire authorities say it is safe to re-enter.
3. Keep away from wet electrical gear. Per Ready.gov, wet appliances and outlets can shock you, so leave them alone and cut power only if you can reach the panel without standing in water.
4. Avoid floodwater. The Red Cross warns it may contain sewage, sharp objects and chemicals.
5. Document, then notify. Photograph damage and call your insurer; renters should also notify the landlord in writing.
6. Begin drying promptly. The Red Cross advises drying within 24 to 48 hours where possible to limit mold.

Aurora restoration services

From a Fox River-area basement to a flooded lower level in a newer subdivision, our water damage restoration in Aurora handles extraction, drying and documentation. Storm-driven losses also fall under our flood and storm damage cleanup.

For smoke, soot and odor, see fire damage restoration in Aurora, and our guide on how to get smoke smell out of a house explains what works. Growth after a slow leak or flood is handled by mold remediation in Aurora.

We also provide biohazard cleanup in Aurora and cleaning services in Aurora. If you're unsure what your policy covers, read does homeowners insurance cover water damage in Illinois, then let our insurance claim assistance help you document the loss. Policies vary; the Illinois Department of Insurance can answer coverage questions.

Mid-century homes, original materials

A 1950s house may still have original floor tile, pipe insulation or plaster under later updates. Testing first lets water-damaged sections come out safely instead of sending dust through the ductwork.

Neighboring communities

Aurora borders or sits close to several towns we serve, including Naperville, Batavia, Warrenville and Plainfield. Contact us or call (630) 241-1111, day or night.