Show us the damage
A free 15-minute virtual walkthrough confirms what happened, where it stops, and whether DIY is the right call.
DIY support & gear
Small loss. Still document it.
Free virtual inspection, commercial drying equipment, and daily IICRC check-ins — for the jobs that do not need a full crew yet.
Small bungalow basement
It is wet. It is not a catastrophe. You still should not guess.
Your house
It is wet. It is not a catastrophe. You still should not guess.
A few hundred square feet. The plumber already shut the valve. You do not want a full crew living in the house — and you also do not want to find out in two weeks that the pad never dried because the fan was pointed at the wrong wall. A rental shop that hands you equipment and disappears is not a plan.
Why this shop
How Big Shoulders handles this file.
01
Fifteen minutes on video
We say DIY or a truck. Honest triage — not a national brand that only sells the full crew.
02
Commercial gear at the door
Sized to the room. Not a box-store special and a hope.
03
A technician on the readings
Daily check-ins until the dry-out log says it is actually dry. If it is not a DIY file, we send the crew.
Stop the source. Pull standing water. Do not run HVAC through a wet cavity. Photograph before you throw anything out. If moisture is in pad, drywall, or subfloor, call — drying in place is cheaper than guessing wrong.
- Free 15-minute virtual inspection
- Same-day equipment drop-off
- Daily technician check-ins
- Certified dry-out log
Request a callback
Get a crew moving.
A real technician from this shop answers. Not a bot. Not an outsourced call center.
How DIY support works
Assess. Deliver. Guide. Verify.
Get the right gear
Commercial-grade drying equipment and EPA-registered chemistry sized to the space, delivered across Chicagoland.
Work with backup
An IICRC-certified technician checks in daily, reviews readings, and adjusts the plan before a small issue grows.
Know when it is dry
Final moisture readings go into a dry-out log so you finish with proof instead of a guess.
Good DIY candidates
When we will let you run it.
Minor basement water
A contained wet area from a clean supply line, appliance, rain intrusion, or sump overflow — no sewage.
Small mold spots
Visible growth under about 10 square feet on an accessible surface, with no HVAC involvement.
Damp walls after a leak
Source already stopped, materials you can reach and monitor without opening structural cavities blindly.
Crew only
When we take over.
- Sewage, blackwater, or any biohazard
- Standing water near active electrical
- A sagging, bulging, or wet ceiling
- Widespread mold or unknown hidden growth
- Any fire, smoke, or structural damage
Equipment
What shows up at the door.
LGR dehumidifiers
High-capacity moisture removal sized to the affected square footage — not a box-store rental.
Air movers & scrubbers
Directed airflow and HEPA filtration placed for Chicago basements, two-flats, and bungalows.
Meters & chemistry
EPA-registered products, SDS, mixing guidance, and real moisture readings through the dry-out.
Questions
DIY support, answered.
How do I know if my situation is DIY-safe?
Start with the free virtual inspection. A technician reviews the area over video and tells you plainly whether DIY support fits or a crew should roll.
What is included with equipment rental?
The package is sized after inspection and may include commercial dehumidifiers, air movers, a HEPA scrubber, moisture meter, matched chemistry, setup guidance, and daily check-ins.
How fast does the gear arrive?
Most Chicago-area deliveries can go out the same day the virtual inspection confirms the plan, subject to equipment and location.
What if I need a crew partway through?
You are already connected to a full-service restoration company. The technician can adjust the plan or dispatch a crew without making you start over.
Do you document for insurance?
Photos and moisture readings are organized in an IICRC S500-aligned format. Coverage decisions belong to the carrier — we never promise a payout.
Request assessment
Start with a virtual inspection.
If it is too big for DIY, the same form dispatches a crew.
(773) 900-8407Request a callback
Get a crew moving.
A real technician from this shop answers. Not a bot. Not an outsourced call center.