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After Chicagoland’s Sept. 17–20 Heavy Rain: An Exterior Drainage Checklist
By Supreme Building Group
Several rounds of heavy rain affected northern Illinois from September 17 through September 20. National Weather Service Chicago reports show that some observation sites received several inches of rain during that period, including totals above 5 inches in parts of Naperville. Totals varied substantially by location and observer, so a community report does not prove that any specific property was damaged.
The rain has ended and the current local outlook is quieter, which makes this a useful time for a careful ground-level review. The goal is not to diagnose a roof from the driveway. It is to spot drainage problems, document changes, and decide whether a closer construction inspection is warranted.
Start where the water was supposed to go
Walk the property only when surfaces are dry enough to do so safely. Stay off the roof and avoid leaning ladders against wet or unstable ground. Begin with the gutter and downspout system because it should move roof runoff away from the building.
Look for soil splash marks, mulch displacement, or dirty streaks below a gutter edge. These can show where water overflowed during the heaviest rain.
Check for visibly separated gutter seams, loose sections, sagging runs, or downspouts that have pulled away from the wall.
Confirm that every downspout extension remains attached and discharges away from the foundation rather than into a low spot.
Photograph standing water, erosion channels, or washed-out landscaping before moving soil or resetting extensions.
Check siding, trim, windows, and doors
Wind-driven rain can reach wall assemblies even when the roof appears normal from the ground. Walk each side of the house and compare it with what you remember before the storm.
Look for new staining below windows, roof-to-wall intersections, light fixtures, vents, and utility penetrations.
Watch for siding panels that look loose, bowed, cracked, or out of alignment. Do not label the cause from appearance alone.
Note swollen trim, peeling paint, soft-looking wood, or fresh gaps around exterior openings.
Check garage-door corners and low wall areas where runoff or ponding may have reached the structure.
Review the attic and interior without disturbing wet materials
Inside, look for new ceiling discoloration, peeling paint, damp odors, or moisture near exterior walls. If you can safely view the attic from a stable access point, use a flashlight to look for darkened decking, damp insulation, or water trails. Do not step between ceiling joists, touch wet electrical components, or move insulation simply to hunt for a leak.
Basements and crawlspaces also deserve attention after prolonged rain. Photograph new seepage lines, damp foundation areas, or water around penetrations. Active water near an electrical panel, wiring, or equipment requires prompt help from an appropriate emergency professional.
Document before cleanup
Good documentation is simple and consistent. Take one wide photo that shows where the concern sits on the property, a medium photo that shows the surrounding building component, and a close photo of the condition itself. Keep the original files with timestamps, and write down when you first noticed the issue.
Save receipts for emergency drying, temporary protection, and other mitigation work. Emergency steps are meant to limit additional damage; they are not a substitute for identifying the source and planning a permanent repair.
What the local rain reports mean
NWS Chicago’s public information statement lists observer-specific storm totals from September 17–20. Reported totals included approximately 5.60 to 6.08 inches at Naperville-area observation sites, about 3.2 inches near Crystal Lake, 2.65 inches near Huntley, and roughly 1.86 to 2.80 inches around Kankakee and Bourbonnais. Measurements can differ across short distances, and the presence of heavy rain in a community does not establish damage at a particular home.
Read the official NWS Chicago multi-day rainfall statement for the observation details.
You can also review the current NWS Chicago weather story and
hazardous weather outlook for updated local conditions.
When a contractor inspection helps
A contractor can document observable construction conditions, identify components that need closer evaluation, and prepare a repair scope. A contractor does not determine insurance coverage or provide legal advice. Questions about coverage belong with your insurer; claim-adjusting questions may require a licensed public adjuster, and legal questions should go to a qualified Illinois attorney.
If you are in the south or west suburbs, review our Tinley Park storm inspection page for the inspection process.
For a focused roof-leak documentation guide, see what to document after a Chicagoland flood watch.
Request a construction inspection
If you found new water entry, gutter overflow evidence, displaced exterior materials, or moisture you cannot trace, Supreme Building Group can review the construction conditions and explain practical repair options. Call (224) 735-4245 to request an inspection.
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