Water Damage Restoration in Northern Illinois
Fast water extraction, structural drying, and complete restoration. We answer the phone day and night, weekends and holidays. Serving McHenry, Lake, Kane, DuPage, and northern Cook County from our Algonquin headquarters since 1987.
Complete Water Damage Restoration
From the moment water invades your home to the final moisture reading that confirms everything is dry, we handle every step. Each situation is different — here is what we cover.
Emergency Water Removal
Immediate water extraction with truck-mounted equipment. We answer the phone 24/7 and arrive fast to stop damage from spreading.
Learn more →Basement Flooding Cleanup
Standing water removal, sump pump failure recovery, and complete basement drying. The most common water damage call in northern Illinois.
Learn more →Burst & Frozen Pipe Cleanup
Ceiling, wall, and subfloor water damage from burst or frozen pipes. Fast extraction prevents structural damage and mold.
Learn more →Sewage Backup Cleanup
Category 3 biohazard water removal, disinfection, and decontamination. Professional PPE and containment protocols.
Learn more →Structural Drying
Commercial-grade dehumidifiers and air movers. Monitored drying with moisture readings and documentation for insurance claims.
Learn more →Mold Prevention & Remediation
Mold prevention through rapid drying and early-stage remediation when water damage wasn't addressed quickly enough.
Learn more →Our 6-Step Restoration Process
Speed matters with water damage. Mold can begin growing within 24–48 hours. Our process is designed to extract water fast, dry structures completely, and document everything for your insurance claim.
Emergency Response
You call. We answer — day or night, weekends and holidays. We'll walk you through immediate steps to limit damage while our crew mobilizes. In most of our service area, we're on-site within 2 hours.
Assessment & Documentation
We inspect the damage, identify the water source and category (clean, gray, or black water), and document everything with photos and moisture readings. This documentation is critical for your insurance claim.
Water Extraction
Our truck-mounted extraction system removes standing water fast — hundreds of gallons per hour. The same commercial-grade equipment we use for carpet cleaning, applied at full power for water emergencies.
Structural Drying
We place commercial dehumidifiers and high-velocity air movers throughout the affected area. We monitor moisture levels daily and adjust equipment placement until readings hit target levels.
Cleaning & Sanitizing
Once dry, we clean and sanitize all affected surfaces. Carpets, padding, drywall, and subflooring are treated with antimicrobial solutions to prevent mold and bacterial growth.
Final Inspection & Documentation
We take final moisture readings, document the completed work for your insurance company, and walk through the results with you. If anything needs further attention, we handle it before we leave.
Signs You Need Water Damage Restoration
If you see any of these, call us immediately. The longer water sits, the more damage it causes — and the more expensive the repair becomes.
Insurance-Ready Documentation & 40 Years of Experience
We’ve been cleaning carpets and restoring water-damaged homes in northern Illinois since 1987. Our truck-mounted extraction equipment and commercial drying systems handle jobs from a single leaky pipe to a fully flooded basement.
We Work With Your Insurance
Water damage claims can be overwhelming. We document every step of the restoration process in the format your insurance adjuster needs.
- Photo documentation of all damage
- Daily moisture readings and drying logs
- Itemized scope of work
- Before-and-after documentation
- Direct communication with your adjuster
Why Homeowners Choose AOK
- Locally owned since 1987 — not a franchise
- Truck-mounted extraction (not portable machines)
- On-site within 2 hours in our service area
- Commercial-grade dehumidifiers and air movers
- Honest assessments — we tell you when to replace, not repair
- One company: extraction, drying, carpet cleaning, and restoration
Water Damage Restoration Near You
We provide emergency water damage restoration across five counties in northern Illinois. Click your city for local information, response times, and flood risk details.
McHenry County
Lake County
Water Damage Restoration Questions
How much does water damage restoration cost?
Costs depend on the extent of damage, water category, and affected materials. A small contained leak might cost $500–$1,500 to address. A full basement flood with structural drying typically runs $2,000–$5,000. We provide a written estimate after our on-site assessment. Most homeowner's insurance covers water damage from sudden events like burst pipes — we document everything your adjuster needs.
Does homeowner's insurance cover water damage?
Most policies cover sudden and accidental water damage — burst pipes, appliance failures, and storm-related flooding (if you have flood coverage). Gradual damage from neglected maintenance is usually not covered. We document the damage, drying process, and completed work in the format insurance adjusters expect. We've worked with every major carrier in the area.
How long does water damage restoration take?
Water extraction typically takes a few hours. Structural drying usually takes 3–5 days depending on the extent of damage, materials affected, and humidity levels. We monitor moisture readings daily and don't remove equipment until everything is at target levels. Total timeline from emergency call to final sign-off is usually 4–7 days for a standard residential job.
How quickly can you respond to an emergency?
We answer the phone 24/7. For most locations in our service area — McHenry, Lake, Kane, DuPage, and northern Cook County — we can be on-site within 2 hours of your call. We'll walk you through immediate damage-limiting steps while our crew is en route.
Can water-damaged carpet be saved?
It depends on the water category and how long the carpet was wet. Clean water (Category 1) from a burst pipe — yes, if we get to it within 24–48 hours. Gray water from an appliance overflow — usually yes with proper sanitizing. Sewage backup (Category 3) — the carpet and pad typically need replacement. We'll give you an honest assessment and won't charge you to clean something that should be replaced.
What should I do while waiting for you to arrive?
Stop the water source if you can safely do so (shut off the main water valve for pipe breaks, unplug leaking appliances). Move furniture off wet carpet if possible. Do not use your regular vacuum on standing water — it's not designed for it and can be a shock hazard. Don't enter rooms with contaminated water. We'll walk you through specifics on the phone.
Other AOK Quick Dry Services
Water damage often affects carpets, furniture, and rugs. We handle the full cleanup — extraction, drying, and professional cleaning — in one visit.