What should I do first if my Bolingbrook home has water damage?
Keep away from water near outlets or the panel, stop the source, photograph everything and call a water damage restoration company. Press 1 on our line and we connect you with a local one.
- Electricity: the CDC says never to switch power while standing in water.
- Pipe or appliance leak: close the main water shutoff.
- Sewage from a drain: follow the village steps below.
- Documentation: photos and video before cleanup, for your insurer.
What does Bolingbrook say to do in a sewer backup?
The Village of Bolingbrook asks residents to stop using water in the home, avoid contact with the wastewater, check whether neighbors have the same problem, and contact Public Works right away at (630) 226-8800.
Public Works maintains the village's sanitary sewer system and will help figure out whether the problem is in the public sewer or your private line. Once the backup stops, the cleanup is IICRC Category 3 work: porous materials that sewage touched usually come out, and everything else is cleaned, treated and dried. The EPA recommends a professional experienced with contaminated water for sewage damage. See sewer backup cleanup.
Does Bolingbrook flood?
It can. In the April 2013 storm, the East Branch DuPage River at Bolingbrook crested at 25.85 feet, a record, beating the 24.04 feet set in September 2008.
River flooding, groundwater through basement walls and sewer backups can all hit in the same storm. River and surface flooding is not covered by standard homeowners insurance, according to the Illinois Department of Insurance. Sewer backups usually need a backup endorsement. See our Illinois insurance guide and the flooded basement page.
What breaks first in a 1970s house?
Water heaters, washing machine hoses, supply lines, sump pumps and old sewer laterals are the usual suspects. Many have been replaced over the years, but anything original deserves a look.
Know where your main water shutoff is, check the base of the water heater for rust or drips, and replace rubber washer hoses that look cracked or bulged. If you get repeated backups, ask a plumber to camera the sewer line. Our appliance leaks page and frozen pipes page cover prevention.
How soon does drying need to start?
The EPA says 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 drying equipment and take moisture readings until the job is done. Ask for those readings in writing. The Naperville water damage guide explains the full process and what it tends to cost.
Do I need a permit to rebuild in Bolingbrook?
Check with the Village of Bolingbrook. Permit rules are local, and the village's are separate from Naperville's.
Drying and cleanup generally do not need a permit; rebuilding walls, electrical and plumbing often do. Ask your contractor who will pull the permit.
Do you cover all of Bolingbrook?
Yes, on both the Will County and DuPage County sides. We connect you with a local water damage restoration company that confirms your address is in its area.
Bolingbrook borders Naperville, Woodridge, Romeoville, Plainfield and Darien. Other nearby towns: Aurora, Plainfield, Lisle, Wheaton, Warrenville.