Don't wait — water intrusion causes mold within 24-48 hours
Every hour you wait after storm damage allows the destruction to spread and compound. Understanding the timeline of damage progression can save you thousands of dollars and protect your family's health and safety.
Within the First Hour: Water from roof leaks begins penetrating subflooring, insulation, and wall cavities. What starts as a small leak becomes a major structural concern as water travels along beams and settles in hidden spaces where you can't see the growing damage.
Within 24 Hours: Mold spores, which are present everywhere in the environment, begin colonizing wet building materials. Wood starts to swell and warp, drywall begins to deteriorate, and metal components start showing signs of corrosion. Electrical systems can become compromised, creating safety hazards.
Within 48 Hours: Structural wood members begin serious warping and splitting. Drywall deteriorates to the point where it may need complete replacement rather than repair. Mold growth accelerates exponentially, and the musty odor becomes noticeable.
Within 72 Hours: Mold colonies become visible to the naked eye, appearing as dark spots or patches on walls, ceilings, and other surfaces. Restoration costs increase 2-3 times due to the need for mold remediation, extensive drying, and replacement of contaminated materials.
Within One Week: Widespread mold contamination requires specialized remediation protocols. Structural damage may be irreversible, requiring major reconstruction rather than simple repairs. Indoor air quality becomes hazardous, potentially triggering respiratory problems and other health issues.
Don't let your Arlington Heights home become a statistic. Our emergency response teams are standing by 24/7 to prevent secondary damage and begin immediate stabilization. Call (800) 792-0212 right now — every minute counts when your home and family's safety are at stake.
Arlington Heights holds a special place in the Northwest Chicago suburbs, and we understand every nuance of protecting homes in your community. Our restoration specialists have worked extensively throughout Arlington Heights' diverse neighborhoods, from the historic downtown area along Campbell Street and Arlington Heights Road to the newer residential developments surrounding Arlington Lakes Golf Club.
We're intimately familiar with the unique challenges Arlington Heights properties face during severe weather events. The community's position in Cook County places it directly in the path of severe thunderstorms that sweep across northern Illinois during spring and summer months. Neighborhoods near Recreation Park and Lake Arlington face additional flooding risks during heavy rainfall events, while homes near the Arlington Park area may experience wind channeling effects from the open terrain.
Our teams know the architectural styles common throughout Arlington Heights, from the charming older homes in the central areas near Thomas Middle School to the contemporary constructions in subdivisions around Hersey High School and John Hersey High School. This local knowledge allows us to respond more effectively and efficiently, understanding exactly what types of damage to look for and how to protect the specific building styles and materials common in your neighborhood.
Weather patterns affecting Arlington Heights often include severe hail events during late spring and early summer, damaging roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Winter brings ice storms that can damage gutters and roofing systems, while occasional severe wind events and rare tornado activity can cause extensive structural damage. Our experience with these recurring weather challenges means we're prepared with the right equipment, materials, and expertise to handle whatever nature throws at your Arlington Heights property.
Immediate response to roof damage from hail, wind, and storm debris. Our emergency roof repair services protect your Arlington Heights home from further water damage while we develop a comprehensive restoration plan with your insurance company.
Emergency roof repair in Arlington Heights: (800) 792-0212
Comprehensive hail damage repair for Arlington Heights properties affected by severe thunderstorms. Hail can cause significant damage to roofing materials, siding, windows, and other exterior components that may not be immediately visible to untrained observers.
Professional hail damage assessment: (800) 792-0212
Expert restoration services for wind damage throughout Arlington Heights, including damage from severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and high-wind events. Wind damage can affect multiple building systems and requires comprehensive assessment and repair.
Wind damage emergency services: (800) 792-0212
Complete water damage restoration for Arlington Heights homes affected by storm-related flooding, roof leaks, and water intrusion. Fast response and professional drying techniques prevent mold growth and minimize restoration costs.
24/7 water damage emergency: (800) 792-0212
Understanding the storm history and weather patterns affecting Arlington Heights helps homeowners prepare for and respond to severe weather events. The Northwest Chicago suburbs experience diverse severe weather throughout the year, with specific seasons bringing particular risks to residential properties.
Arlington Heights sits in the heart of "Tornado Alley's" northern extension, experiencing the most intense severe weather during late spring and early summer months. Large hail events are common during this period, with storms capable of producing golf ball to baseball-sized hail that can devastate roofing systems, siding, and vehicles. Severe thunderstorms with straight-line winds exceeding 70 mph regularly impact the area, causing widespread tree damage and power outages. The combination of warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico meeting cool, dry air masses from Canada creates ideal conditions for supercell thunderstorms.
While severe weather frequency decreases during peak summer months, Arlington Heights still experiences significant thunderstorm activity. Flash flooding becomes a primary concern during summer months, particularly in low-lying areas near Salt Creek and other waterways. Urban flooding can affect basements and ground-level areas, especially in older neighborhoods with combined sewer systems. Microbursts and downbursts can cause isolated but severe wind damage, toppling mature trees onto homes and vehicles.
Fall brings a secondary severe weather season to Arlington Heights, though typically less intense than spring storms. High winds associated with passing cold fronts can cause significant tree damage, particularly as leaves increase wind resistance on tree canopies. The first winter storms can bring ice accumulation that damages gutters, tree limbs, and roofing systems. Power outages become more common as tree branches weakened by summer storms fail under ice loads.
Arlington Heights winters present unique challenges for building systems, with ice dams forming on roofs during freeze-thaw cycles. Heavy snow loads can stress older roofing systems, while ice storms can cause significant damage to gutters and exterior building components. Frozen pipe situations become common during extended cold periods, particularly in older homes with inadequate insulation. Wind-driven snow can find entry points into building envelopes, causing water damage when it melts.
Recent weather pattern changes have brought more intense precipitation events to Arlington Heights, with storms dropping larger amounts of rain in shorter time periods. This intensification has increased flood risks and overwhelmed older stormwater management systems. Hail events appear to be occurring with greater frequency and intensity, while the traditional "severe weather season" has expanded, with significant storms now possible from March through October rather than the historical April-June peak season.
The immediate actions you take after storm damage can make the difference between a manageable restoration and a catastrophic loss. Understanding how to respond safely and effectively protects your Arlington Heights home, reduces restoration costs, and prevents dangerous secondary problems like mold growth and structural collapse.
Your safety is the absolute first priority after any storm event. Before attempting to assess property damage, ensure that your Arlington Heights home is structurally sound and safe to enter. Look for obvious signs of structural damage including sagging roof lines, cracked foundation walls, broken windows, or damaged electrical systems.
If you smell gas, see sparking electrical equipment, or notice water near electrical outlets, evacuate immediately and call emergency services. Downed power lines around your property should be considered energized and extremely dangerous — stay at least 35 feet away and call ComEd to report the hazard.
Standing water in basements or ground-level areas can hide serious hazards including contamination, electrical dangers, and weakened flooring. Never enter areas with standing water without professional assessment, especially if the water may have contacted sewage systems, chemicals, or other hazardous materials.
Once you've confirmed that your Arlington Heights home is safe to enter, begin documenting all visible damage with photographs and video. Take wide-angle shots that show the overall damage context, then close-up photos of specific damage areas. This documentation will be crucial for insurance claims and restoration planning.
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the claim and begin the adjustment process. Most insurance companies have 24-hour claim reporting hotlines and mobile apps that allow you to submit initial damage photos immediately. The sooner you report the claim, the faster the adjustment and restoration process can begin.
Keep detailed records of all communications with your insurance company, including claim numbers, adjuster names, and promised timelines. This information will be valuable if any disputes arise during the restoration process.
While waiting for professional restoration services, there are several steps Arlington Heights homeowners can take to minimize ongoing damage. However, these should only be attempted if you can do so safely and without risk of injury.
Water Intrusion Control: If roof damage is allowing water entry, safely place buckets or tarps to collect water and prevent it from spreading throughout your home. Move furniture, electronics, and other valuables away from active leaks. Use towels or other absorbent materials to soak up standing water on floors.
Temporary Weatherization: Small roof holes can be temporarily covered with heavy plastic sheeting and plywood, but only attempt this if you can do so safely from inside the house. Never attempt to climb onto a damaged roof, especially during ongoing severe weather. Professional emergency tarping services are always safer and more effective.
Ventilation and Drying: Open windows and doors (if safe to do so) to promote air circulation and begin the drying process. Use fans to move air across wet surfaces, but be cautious of electrical equipment near water damage areas. Dehumidifiers can help reduce moisture levels if you have access to safe electrical power.
When to Call Professional Help Immediately: Don't wait for business hours if you're experiencing active water intrusion, structural damage, or electrical hazards. Allied Emergency Services provides 24/7 emergency response to Arlington Heights specifically because we understand that secondary damage prevention requires immediate action. Call (800) 792-0212 right now if your home needs emergency stabilization.
Our systematic approach to storm damage restoration ensures that your Arlington Heights home is properly restored while working efficiently with your insurance company to minimize your out-of-pocket costs and restoration timeline.
Within one hour of your call, our certified technicians arrive at your Arlington Heights property with fully equipped emergency response vehicles. We immediately stabilize your home to prevent further damage through professional tarping, board-up services, and emergency water extraction. Our teams carry industrial-grade equipment including truck-mounted water extraction units, commercial dehumidifiers, and emergency power generators to begin mitigation immediately, even if local power is disrupted.
Our restoration specialists conduct comprehensive damage assessments using advanced technology including thermal imaging cameras, moisture meters, and drone photography for roof inspections. We document every aspect of storm damage with detailed photographs, measurements, and written descriptions that insurance adjusters require for claim processing. This thorough documentation ensures that no damage goes unnoticed or unclaimed, protecting your investment and ensuring complete restoration.
We work directly with your insurance company and adjuster, providing professional damage estimates, photographic evidence, and technical expertise that facilitates smooth claim processing. Our detailed documentation and professional reputation with major insurance carriers often expedites claim approval and reduces the likelihood of claim disputes. We schedule adjuster meetings, accompany adjusters during property inspections, and provide technical clarification when needed.
Once insurance approval is received, our skilled craftsmen begin comprehensive restoration using premium materials and proven techniques. All work is performed according to industry standards and local building codes, with regular quality inspections throughout the process. We maintain open communication with homeowners, providing regular progress updates and addressing any concerns that arise during restoration.
Before considering any project complete, we conduct detailed final inspections with homeowners to ensure that all restoration work meets our high-quality standards and your expectations. We provide comprehensive warranties on all restoration work and remain available for any post-restoration questions or concerns. Our commitment to customer satisfaction extends well beyond project completion.
"After the hail storm last spring, Allied Emergency Services had crews at our Arlington Heights home within 45 minutes. They tarped our damaged roof immediately and worked with our insurance company to get everything approved quickly. The entire restoration was completed in less than two weeks and looks absolutely perfect."
"When a tree fell on our roof during that severe thunderstorm in August, I was panicked about water damage spreading throughout our house. Allied's emergency response team arrived at 2 AM and immediately stabilized everything. Their professionalism and expertise during such a stressful time was incredible."
"The basement flooding from that massive storm caught us completely off guard. Allied Emergency Services had water extraction equipment running within an hour and prevented what could have been a total loss. Their team explained everything clearly and kept us updated throughout the entire restoration process."
Reviews represent typical customer experiences and results may vary based on individual circumstances and storm damage severity.
Our team responds within 1 hour — don't let damage get worse.
Allied Emergency Services provides comprehensive storm damage restoration throughout Arlington Heights and all surrounding Northwest Chicago suburban communities. Our local knowledge and rapid response capabilities ensure that we can serve every neighborhood efficiently and effectively.