What should I do first if my Warrenville home has water damage?
Stay 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 turn power on or off while standing in water.
- Gas. If you smell gas, leave and call from outside.
- Source. Main shutoff for a pipe or appliance. For a sewer backup, stop using water inside.
- Photos. Before anything is moved or thrown out.
- Calls. Your insurer, and a restoration company to start drying.
Who do I call about a sewer backup in Warrenville?
The City of Warrenville. Public Works is at 630-393-9050, and the city says its Utility Division handles sanitary sewer emergencies at any hour, so start with Public Works. If only one drain is backing up and the rest work, it is most likely a clog in your own line, which is a plumber's job.
Warrenville maintains its own sanitary sewer system but has no treatment plant of its own. The city contracts with Naperville, and Warrenville's wastewater is carried to the City of Naperville's treatment facility. If several fixtures back up at once, or neighbors have the same problem, the public main may be involved. Either way, stop using water inside until the cause is found. Sewage is IICRC Category 3 water, and the EPA recommends a professional experienced with contaminated water for the cleanup. See sewer backup cleanup.
Does the West Branch DuPage River flood Warrenville?
Homes near the West Branch DuPage River and its floodplain can see surface flooding in big storms, as the region did in July 1996 and April 2013. Flood from outside the house is not covered by a standard homeowners policy.
In 1996 the Illinois one-day rainfall record, 16.94 inches, fell near Aurora, and nearby Naperville got about 14 inches. In April 2013 record flooding hit parts of the DuPage River system. The Illinois Department of Insurance says standard homeowners policies exclude flood, and FEMA says NFIP flood policies typically have a 30-day wait. See our Illinois insurance guide and the flooded basement page.
What else causes water damage in Warrenville homes?
The same things as everywhere in the area: frozen pipes in winter, failed sump pumps in spring storms, and water heaters, washer hoses and supply lines that wear out.
The Chicago-area January normal low is about 19 degrees, so pipes in outside walls and garages are at risk every winter. See burst or frozen pipes, sump pump failure and appliance leaks.
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 extracts the water, removes wet materials that cannot be saved and runs drying equipment while tracking moisture readings. Ask for the readings. The Naperville water damage guide explains the process, costs and how to pick a company.
Do I need a permit to rebuild in Warrenville?
Check with the City of Warrenville. Permit rules are set locally.
Drying and cleanup generally do not need one. Rebuilding framing, drywall, electrical or plumbing often does. Ask your contractor who pulls it.
Do you cover all of Warrenville?
Yes. We connect you with a local water damage restoration company, which confirms it serves your address.
Warrenville borders Naperville and Wheaton. Other nearby towns: Aurora, Plainfield, Bolingbrook, Lisle, Wheaton.