What should I do first if my Aurora home has water damage?
Stay out of water near outlets or the electrical panel, stop the source if you can, photograph everything and call a water damage restoration company. Press 1 on our line and we connect you with a local one.
- Cut power to wet areas only from a dry spot. The CDC says never to switch power while standing in water.
- For a burst pipe or appliance leak, close the main water shutoff.
- For sewage from a floor drain, stop using water in the house and call the city (below).
- Photograph before you move or throw anything away.
Who do I call about a sewer backup in Aurora?
The City of Aurora handles its sewer system and connects residents through 311, or (630) 256-4636. Aurora's wastewater is treated by the Fox Metro Water Reclamation District, which tells residents of incorporated Aurora to contact their city public works first.
Fox Metro gives a useful rule of thumb: if every drain flows except one, it is probably a simple clog, so call a plumber. If several fixtures back up at once, the sewer main itself may be blocked, and that is a call to the city. Either way, sewage is IICRC Category 3 water. Do not clean it up without protection, and plan on professional cleanup for anything more than a small spill. See sewer backup cleanup.
Why does flooding matter so much in Aurora?
Aurora holds the Illinois record for rain in a single day: 16.94 inches fell near Aurora on July 17 to 18, 1996. FEMA reported more than 35,000 residences flooded across the region.
The Fox River runs through the middle of the city, historically splitting it into east and west sides. Heavy rain on the region's clay-rich glacial soils saturates the ground around foundations, overwhelms sump pumps and can surcharge sanitary sewers at the same time. That is why a single storm can bring groundwater into one Aurora basement and sewage into the next. Our flooded basement page covers the first hour step by step.
Is river or surface flooding covered by homeowners insurance?
No. The Illinois Department of Insurance says standard homeowners policies do not cover flood damage. That takes a separate flood policy, such as one through the NFIP, which FEMA says typically has a 30-day waiting period.
A burst pipe or appliance leak is a different matter and is generally covered as sudden and accidental damage. Sewer and sump backups usually need a backup endorsement. Our Illinois insurance guide explains each case.
How soon does drying need to start?
The EPA says to dry water-damaged areas within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth.
A restoration company will extract water, remove materials that cannot be saved, set up air movers and dehumidifiers and track moisture readings until things are dry. Ask for those readings. They protect you and your claim. More in the Naperville guide.
Do I need a permit to rebuild in Aurora?
Check with the City of Aurora before rebuilding. Permit rules are set by each city, and Aurora's are not the same as Naperville's.
As a general rule in the area, drying and cleanup do not need a permit, while rebuilding walls, electrical or plumbing often does. Ask your contractor who will pull any permit and get it in writing.
Which parts of Aurora do you help with?
All of Aurora, including the parts in Kane, DuPage, Kendall and Will counties. We connect you with a local water damage restoration company; that company confirms whether your address is in its service area.
Aurora shares a border with Naperville. The Route 59 Metra station sits right on it, with each city keeping a parking lot on its own side of the tracks. If you are on the Naperville side, see our Naperville water damage guide for city-specific sewer numbers and programs.
Other nearby towns: Plainfield, Bolingbrook, Lisle, Wheaton, Warrenville.