Water Damage in Schools & Daycares — How to Keep Kids Safe and Classes Running (Chicago, North Shore, Lake County & DuPage)

Who this guide is for

• K-12 schools, daycares, preschools, and after-school programs
• Small medical/dental clinics with pediatric patients
• Churches and community education spaces
• Grocery and small retail with high foot traffic
• Small–medium offices and co-working near school zones

We specialize in small to medium commercial properties where speed, safety, and minimal disruption are essential. For complex, regional large-loss events, we scale with the broader ServiceMaster network as needed—so your facility always has the right level of resources on site.

First 60 minutes: a safety-first checklist for administrators

1. Protect people first. Clear affected rooms. Keep students and staff out of wet areas and any space with ceiling sagging, live electricity risk, or suspected contamination.
2. Shut off active water sources. Use your main shutoff if a fixture/line is leaking. Post your valve map in custodial and admin offices ahead of time.
3. Call certified restoration. Engage an IICRC-certified firm immediately to begin extraction, moisture mapping, and stabilization. Drying within 24–48 hours is crucial to prevent mold growth. CDC
4. Inform leadership & parents (schools/daycares). Provide a plain-language status, areas affected, and the plan for safe re-occupancy.
5. Preserve evidence for insurance. Photograph standing water, damaged finishes, and any source (e.g., failed roof drain, broken line). Save maintenance logs.
6. Isolate hazards. Close HVAC to affected zones if there’s sewage or heavy particulate. Do not run fans across contaminated water.
7. Do not “paint and pray.” Painting over wet drywall, ceiling tile, or visible mold traps contamination and increases future risk. Follow recognized remediation guidance for schools. US EPA+1

Compliance, health, and occupant safety (schools & daycares)

• Mold & moisture: In educational settings, moisture control is the key. Visible mold does not require routine “air testing” to justify cleanup—if you can see mold, it needs to be cleaned or removed under accepted guidance. Illinois Department of Public Health+1
• Time window: Start drying and removal within 48 hours of wetting to reduce mold amplification. CDC
• Worker protection & waste handling: Flood/sewage cleanup involves physical, chemical, and biological hazards; follow OSHA requirements for sanitation, safe waste handling, and decontamination. OSHA+1
• Reference standards: Use EPA’s Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings for planning, containment, and material-by-material decision trees. US EPA+1

What proper school/daycare restoration looks like

1) Assessment & moisture mapping

• Thermal imaging, non-invasive and pin meters, and written scopes that tie each action to observed conditions and moisture goals.
• For suspected contamination (roof drain overflow, exterior intrusion, or sprinkler discharge), we assume a conservative approach until proven otherwise via source history and conditions.

2) Source correction & containment

• Stop the water, then set containment where needed: poly walls, zipper doors, and negative pressure to protect adjacent classrooms and corridors.
• HVAC isolation and HEPA filtration to maintain clean air in occupied wings.

3) Extraction & controlled demolition

• Aggressive water extraction → strategic removal of unsalvageable ceiling tile, paper-faced drywall, carpet pad, and swollen casework.
• Save costs by detaching and resetting millwork where possible rather than full replacement.

4) Drying & environmental control

• Balanced dehumidification and air movement, with daily psychrometric logs and moisture readings.
• For gyms, libraries, and music rooms: protect specialty wood flooring, stacked books, and instruments with focused dehumidification and staged airflows.

5) Cleaning, disinfection & IAQ protection

• Detergent cleaning to remove soils; targeted disinfectants for non-porous surfaces where appropriate after sewage or gray water events.
• Filter changes and duct checks in affected zones to prevent re-distribution of particulates.

6) Post-remediation evaluation

• Walk-throughs with admin and facilities. When needed, bring an independent environmental hygienist for clearance in sensitive areas (nurse’s offices, infant/toddler rooms, special-ed spaces). For ongoing prevention, NIOSH’s Dampness & Mold Assessment Tool for School Buildings is an excellent framework. CDC

7) Documentation for insurance & audits

• Daily photos, readings, chain-of-custody for any disposal, and a final narrative with before/after moisture maps—a must for school boards and carriers.

Special considerations by facility type

Daycares & early childhood centers

• Soft goods & toys: Many plush toys and nap items are non-salvageable after exposure to certain water categories; consider switching to washable alternatives during rebuilds.
• Nap rooms & infant spaces: Extra caution with porous finishes; consider temporary relocation until clearance.
• Parent communications: Proactive updates minimize anxiety and build trust.

K-12 schools & higher ed

• Gymnasiums: Strip floors can often be saved if cupping is caught early and humidity is controlled quickly.
• Libraries & media centers: Stage triage for books and electronics; prioritize dehumidification and gentle airflow.
• Science labs: Evaluate chemical storage and eyewash/shower stations for cross-contamination.

Dental & small medical clinics

• Infection control: Zone isolation, HEPA air filtration, and open/closed-bay planning to maintain patient safety; coordinate with practice management to schedule after-hours drying and odor control.

Churches & community spaces

• Historic finishes: Lime plaster, stained wood, and organ lofts require gentle, reversible methods.
• Continuity of services: Phase work around services and school programs.

Grocery & small retail

• Food safety: Protect stock from aerosolized contaminants; prioritize prep areas and coolers.
• Slip/fall control & hours: Off-hours extraction and drying to reduce downtime.

How fast can students return?

Re-occupancy depends on drying progress, air quality, and whether any demolition created dust. Classrooms that were never wet but sat adjacent to work zones often remain usable with proper containment and HEPA filtration. EPA and CDC emphasize removing moisture and contaminated materials rather than depending on broad environmental testing—so approvals focus on visual cleanliness, dryness, and function. US EPA+1

Local expertise, real coverage

We dispatch 24/7 across:

• Chicago: Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Logan Square, Bucktown, Wicker Park, West Loop, River North, Gold Coast, Edgewater, Uptown, Rogers Park, Albany Park, Irving Park, Jefferson Park, Portage Park, Norwood Park.
• North Shore: Evanston (Downtown, Northwestern University Area, Ridge Historic District, Dempster Street Corridor), Wilmette (The CAGE, Kenilworth Gardens, Indian Hill Estates, Fairway Estates, Oak Circle, “No Man’s Land” at Plaza del Lago, Sheridan Road Corridor, West Wilmette, McKenzie, East Wilmette), Winnetka (Indian Hill, Hubbard Woods, East Winnetka), Glencoe (Skokie Ridge, Glencoe Park District Area), Highland Park (Braeside, Sherwood Forest, Ravinia), Lake Forest (Conway Farms, East Lake Forest, Everett), Lake Bluff (East Lake Bluff, Ardmore Estates), Northbrook (Techny, Mission Hills, Northbrook Estates), Glenview (The Glen, Swainwood, Glen Oak Acres), Northfield, Deerfield, Bannockburn, Riverwoods, Kenilworth, Skokie.
• Lake County: Deerfield, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, Vernon Hills, Libertyville, Mundelein, Gurnee, North Chicago, Waukegan, Buffalo Grove, Lincolnshire.
• DuPage County: Naperville, Downers Grove, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Elmhurst, Oak Brook, Hinsdale, Lombard, Addison, Woodridge, Lisle.

What affects cost and timeline?

• Source & category of water (roof drain vs. potable vs. sewer)
• Square footage and materials (ceiling tile and carpet pad come out fast; gym floors need careful drying)
• Access & scheduling (after-hours and weekend work keeps learning on track but can extend the calendar)
• Testing/clearance needs in sensitive spaces
• Documentation level required by a school board or insurer

Why choose ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons

• IICRC-Certified Firm with 40+ years of local service; verify our credentials: https://iicrc.org/certifiedfirmverification/
• RIA member committed to industry best practices: https://restorationindustry.org
• Educational environments expertise with containment, HEPA air cleaning, and parent-friendly communication plans
• Insurance-ready documentation for faster approvals and clean close-outs
• Backed by the nation’s oldest restoration brand, founded in Chicago in 1929, with local teams in Chicago, Skokie/North Shore, Deerfield/Lake County, and Oak Park.

What to do right now

• Call 24/7: Chicago & Northern Cook County (773) 376-1110 | North Shore / Lake County (847) 316-9145 | Oak Park & River Forest and DuPage County(708) 524-0304
• Commercial services:
  Water Damage for Businesses → https://servicemaster-restorationbysimons.com/restoration-services/commercial/water
  Mold Removal for Businesses → https://servicemaster-restorationbysimons.com/restoration-services/commercial/mold
  Fire Damage for Businesses → https://servicemaster-restorationbysimons.com/restoration-services/commercial/fire
  Commercial Overview → https://servicemaster-restorationbysimons.com/restoration-services/commercial

Common questions (schools, daycares, clinics)

How quickly do you arrive?
We’re on call 24/7. In most cases we mobilize the same day with extraction and stabilization equipment.

Do we have to test for mold before work starts?
Not usually. If mold is visible or materials are wet, the priority is dry/clean/remove per recognized guidance. Testing may be useful in specific clearance scenarios, but there are no regulatory “safe” mold levels for classrooms. Illinois Department of Public Health+1

Can we run fans and open windows to speed drying?
Only if the air is clean and outdoor conditions help (low humidity). Avoid distributing contaminated aerosols—containment plus HEPA is safer during demolition.

Can we keep unaffected wings open?
Yes, with proper containment and pressure control, we routinely keep unaffected wings operating.

Do you work nights and weekends?
Yes. We schedule work to limit disruption to instruction, worship, or business hours.

What records will we receive for the school board and insurance?
Scope, daily photos, moisture logs, psychrometric readings, disposal manifests (if any), and final moisture maps with a completion letter.

Do you handle sewage backups?
Yes—under OSHA-compliant procedures, targeted disinfection of non-porous surfaces, and removal of impacted porous materials per guidance. OSHA

When do we need an environmental hygienist?
For sensitive areas (nurse’s offices, infant rooms) or when policies require clearance sampling. We collaborate with third-party hygienists.

Do you coordinate with our insurer?
Yes. We document conditions, communicate scope and costs, and help keep claims moving.

How do we prevent this next time?
Map shutoffs, service roof drains, set a rainy-day inspection checklist, and perform seasonal envelope/grounds checks. Use NIOSH’s school dampness tool for routine inspections. CDC