About Chicago
Chicago's dense urban fabric includes century-old greystone and brick buildings, high-rise condominiums, and multi-family walk-ups. Aging plumbing, shared risers, and combined sewer systems make water losses common and fast-spreading, especially in basement-level and garden units.
Common water-damage risks in Chicago
- Burst pipes in older buildings with uninsulated plumbing
- Sewer backups during heavy rain overwhelming combined sewers
- High-rise plumbing riser failures affecting multiple units
- Basement and garden-unit flooding during storms
- Appliance leaks in stacked-unit laundry rooms
- Roof leaks on flat-roof commercial and residential buildings
Seasonal risks in Chicago
January and February deep freezes drive burst-pipe calls. April thunderstorms and spring snowmelt trigger sewer backups. Summer downpours flood basements citywide, particularly in low-lying neighborhoods.