Commercial Water Damage: What Do I Do If a Pipe Bursts at My Business?

Sam Simon

July 9, 2025

Burst pipes can cripple your business. This guide outlines emergency steps, cleanup procedures, water damage categories, and how ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons helps commercial properties recover quickly and correctly.

A Burst Pipe Can Shut Down Your Business. Here's What to Do.

A sudden pipe burst can flood your commercial space in minutes—disrupting operations, damaging equipment, and putting your team and customers at risk. Whether you're managing a storefront, office, restaurant, school, or multi-family building, fast action is critical.

This guide walks you through the steps to protect your property and recover quickly—with expert help from ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons.

Why Pipes Burst in Chicago Winters

Sub-zero temperatures and aging plumbing make Chicagoland businesses especially vulnerable to pipe bursts. As water freezes, it expands inside pipes—causing them to crack or rupture under pressure.

Pipes in uninsulated walls, crawlspaces, or near exterior doors are most at risk.

Pro Tip: Keep a small trickle of water running during deep freezes to relieve pressure buildup.

What To Do Immediately After a Pipe Bursts

Shut off your water main to prevent further flooding.
Turn off electricity in the affected area—only if it’s safe.
Call a plumber to repair the break.
Avoid the flooded area, especially if electrical systems may be compromised.
Document the damage with photos and video.
Call an IICRC-certified firm like ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons to begin professional water cleanup and structural drying.

Why Trust ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons?

We’re a local disaster restoration leader with:

40+ years of experience in Chicago, Oak Park, River Forest, and the North Shore
Certification as an IICRC Certified Firm
Status as a Quality Restoration Vendor (QRV) for major insurers
24/7 emergency response and commercial-grade drying equipment

We follow IICRC S500 water restoration standards and get your business back to normal—fast.

Our Commercial Burst Pipe Cleanup Services

Our Burst Pipe Restoration Process

When we arrive onsite, our certified project manager will:

Use thermal imaging to locate water behind walls and ceilings
Measure moisture in structural materials with calibrated meters
Identify all affected areas—walls, floors, insulation, baseboards
Deploy industrial-grade air movers, dehumidifiers, and extractors
Apply EPA-registered antimicrobial treatments to prevent mold

We’ll keep your business informed every step of the way with transparent updates and detailed job tracking.

Can I Just Handle It Myself?

DIY drying rarely works for commercial properties. Water seeps deep into:

Drywall
Subflooring
Insulation
Framing
Carpeting
Electrical systems

Left untreated, this moisture causes mold, odors, and structural damage. Only professional-grade equipment and training can fully mitigate the risks.

Know the 3 Categories of Water Damage

Category 1 – Clean Water

From broken supply lines or appliance leaks. Still needs immediate attention.

Category 2 – Grey Water

Moderately contaminated. Includes dishwasher leaks, sump pump failures, and some toilet overflows (no feces).

Category 3 – Black Water

Heavily contaminated. Includes sewage, floodwater, and toilet backups with feces. Requires hazmat-level handling.

Equipment We Use

We restore large commercial spaces with:

High-volume truck-mounted extractors
Commercial dehumidifiers and air movers
HEPA air scrubbers and negative air machines
Desiccant drying systems for industrial spaces
Thermal imaging cameras and moisture meters
Antimicrobial foggers and odor neutralizers

What Will It Cost?

For clean water, average cleanup costs start at $3,000+.
If reconstruction is required (e.g., replacing drywall, flooring, or carpet), expect $5,000–$15,000+, depending on the size of the affected area.

We offer transparent estimates and will walk you through every step.

Do You Help with Insurance Claims?

Yes. As a QRV, we work directly with:

State Farm
Allstate
Travelers
USAA
Farmers
American Family
Erie
Liberty Mutual
And more

We use insurance-approved estimating software and handle documentation for a smoother, faster claim.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How quickly should I call a restoration company after a burst pipe?
A: Immediately. Every hour matters when it comes to preventing mold and secondary damage.

Q: Can I turn the power back on once the water stops?
A: Only if a licensed electrician or restoration pro confirms it’s safe. Flooded outlets or breaker panels are serious hazards.

Q: How long does commercial water restoration take?
A: Most clean water jobs take 3–5 days. Large or complex jobs may take longer depending on materials and extent of damage.

About ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons

Founded in Chicago in 1929, ServiceMaster is the nation’s oldest professional restoration company. Our franchise has served Chicagoland for over 40 years.

We are led by:

Sam Simon, IICRC Master Fire & Water Restorer and co-author of RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset
Nasutsa Mabwa, CEO and industry leader in commercial recovery and large loss response

We’re proud recipients of:

BBB Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics
Chicago Star Award
Stevie® Award for Business Excellence
MBE/WBE Certification

Service Areas

We proudly serve:

Chicago (West Loop, Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, Loop)
North Shore (Evanston, Wilmette, Glencoe, Skokie, Highland Park)
Oak Park, River Forest, and DuPage County

Services We Offer

📞 Call 24/7:773-376-1110
🌐 Visit:servicemaster-restorationbysimons.com

Sam Simon

Sam Simon is the Co-Owner and Managing Director of ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, a certified MBE/WBE disaster restoration and specialty cleaning firm proudly serving Cook, Lake, and DuPage Counties in Illinois. With over 30 years of experience in restoration project management, field operations, and emergency response, Sam plays a vital leadership role in overseeing service execution, technician development, reconstruction, and subcontractor coordination.

He holds the IICRC’s highest technical designation as a Master Fire & Water Restorer, a distinction achieved by fewer than 1% of professionals in the restoration industry. His technical scope includes water and flood damage restoration, fire and smoke recovery, mold remediation, and post-disaster reconstruction across both residential and commercial sectors.

Sam has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to helping communities in crisis. He has participated in large-scale disaster recovery efforts across the U.S., providing boots-on-the-ground leadership during Hurricanes Katrina, Sandy, and Harvey, as well as catastrophic floods, wildfires, and deep freeze events throughout Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, Texas, and beyond. His dedication to serving distressed families and businesses in the wake of national catastrophes reflects both his personal values and ServiceMaster’s mission of restoring peace of mind.

In 2019, Sam was selected for the HACIA Contractor Training Program, a competitive six-month construction management cohort offered by the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association. The program delivers intensive instruction in blueprint reading, estimating, project management, and construction law—skills that support the company’s continued growth in emergency build-back and general contracting services.

Before co-founding ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, Sam built a successful creative career, contributing to notable film and television productions including Chicago Fire (2012), Juvies (2007), and Image Union (1978). His media and videography background continues to shape ServiceMaster’s marketing strategy, digital training resources, and brand storytelling.
→ IMDb Profile

Sam is also the co-author of RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset—a practical guidebook for homeowners navigating the challenges of water, fire, and mold damage.

Under the direction of majority owner and President & CEO Nasutsa Mabwa, and with Sam’s operational leadership, ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons has earned numerous regional and national accolades, including:

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