Well-crafted homes and commercial spaces will only remain functional and aesthetically pleasing if they are regularly maintained. The work involved in waterproofing and remediation is detailed, careful, and requires total mastery of the craft. Remediation involves keeping hazardous materials from seeping into a living space. This is especially important for Chicago residents, as the city was once a major site of industrialization and thus may still harbor harmful chemicals. Waterproofing, on the other hand, keeps concrete sturdy and resistant to cracks. These two procedures help maintain the livability of residential houses and the value of commercial spaces.
Here, we list the top five remediation and waterproofing contractors in Chicago. Though these contractors may not handle typical construction matters, they are just as valuable as general contractors. These experts will keep your concrete and basements waterproof and prevent toxic substances from reaching your living space.
Grand Slam Construction, LLC
3805 Illinois Avenue, St. Charles IL 60174
Grand Slam Construction (GSC) is an environmental remediation and site development expert serving Chicago and its surrounding areas. The firm has worked on a host of projects in various commercial and industrial sectors, such as transportation, institutional, educational, retail, and healthcare. The head of the firm, Tommy Edmier, and his employees leverage their years of experience in the construction and environmental industries to provide high-quality services in both the private and public sectors. The firm prides itself on ensuring that its project managers and foreman undergo extensive training and field testings before they conduct projects.
The firm offers environmental remediation services, groundwater removal treatment, soil removal, excavation, and fuel tank removal. GSC employs educated and highly-experienced professionals to provide several remediation services, including building decontamination, remediation of low-level radioactive soil, water remediation, and industrial site reclamation. The firm is currently working on a remediation project for the Environmental Protection Agency in Kankakee, Illinois, which involves replacing nearly 3.2 acres of contaminated soil with clean soil. Recently, GSC worked on a remediation project for a gas station, which involved removing about 2,000 tons of contaminated soil from a commercial property. GSC has also completed site developments, geofoam installation, excavation, and grading development for various clients. GSC is an insured, fully bonded, and EPA-approved contractor.
Gralak Tuckpointing, Waterproofing and Concrete Company
2502 N. Clark St. Chicago IL, 60614
Gralak is an award-winning waterproofing and tuckpointing firm based in Chicago. Established in 1991 by Radek Gralak, the firm serves residential and commercial owners in the Chicagoland area. The firm is locally recognized for its superb work and client interaction. In 2017, Gralak won a Chicago Pulse of the City Award for customer excellence. The U.S. Commerce Association recognized the firm as the best stone wall builders in Chicago in 2014 and granted Gralak the Best of Chicago Award.
Gralak prides itself on having highly-experienced, professional, and productive project managers. The firm delivers high-quality, cost-effective projects on time and on budget. The firm is also a Certified Green Professional and fully supports green building practices. They offer intensive inspection prior to the commencement of any waterproofing work and/or foundation and mortar repairs. Gralak is a member of the Consumer Speciality Products Association, the U.S. Green Building Council, and the International Point and Printing Ink Council.
Bernhardt Restoration Inc
531 N. Wolf Road Wheeling, IL 60090
A full-service restoration company, Bernhardt Restoration has worked on numerous water damage and mold remediation projects in Chicago and its surrounding neighborhoods. Founded by Atilio Bernhardt in 1994, the company continues to be family-operated and has completed projects for various markets, including residential buildings, medical facilities, and public school systems. Throughout the remediation process, Atilio and his employees maintain constant communication with their clients. Bernhardt technicians offer flood, water, storm, and mold damage solutions, as well as reconstruction and painting services. Committed to environmentally friendly approaches, the firm ensures its technicians are up to date in proper liquid and solid waste disposal procedures. The firm also specializes in improving indoor air quality.
Bernhardt Restoration is a member of the Restoration Industry Association and the Association Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration. The firm also operates in Marco Island, Florida.
RW Collins Co.
7225 W. 66th St., Chicago, IL 60638
RW Collins Co. is a leading contractor in Illinois for environmental construction concerns. The firm, founded in 1944 by Robert W. Collins, serves both residential and commercial owners in Chicago, the Midwest, and the Great Lakes area. The firm has partnered with multiple engineering firms, developers, oil companies, Fortune 500 companies, and even government agencies to complete thousands of remediation and excavation projects, including industrial-grade soil removal, throughout the Midwest.
RW Collins employees hold 40-hour OSHA HAZWOPER certifications and continuously participate in refresher courses. The firm holds an Underground Storage Tank Decommission and Removal license and a Special Waste Hauler license. The firm is also a certified Women’s Business Enterprise in Illinois.
Armed with heavy equipment and cutting-edge technology, RW Collins offers remediation, excavation, contaminated waste removal, and waste removal services. In 2017, the Association of Subcontractors and Affiliates Chicago awarded the firm with the Excellence in Safety recognition for their outstanding safety practices. The National Safety Council also recognized the firm for its zero records of occupational injury or illness in 108,301 hours of site work.
Atlas Restoration
11441 Melrose Ave. Franklin Park, IL
Atlas Restoration is a foundation repair and waterproofing expert that serves the areas of Chicagoland and the greater Midwest. The firm is composed of highly-experienced technicians with 10 to 30 years of experience in the industry. Founder Marty Sobelman has been working on repair projects for over 30 years and served as the President of the International Concrete Repair Institution in 2007. Co-owner Chris Heinz has worked in various sectors, including residential, commercial, government, and industrial.
Atlas Restoration typically partners with numerous structural, geotechnical, and civil engineers and architects to complete its projects. Moreover, the firm remains committed to preserving the environment. Atlas Restoration recycles concrete and hydraulic oil; uses HEPA-filters to eliminate airborne particles; and uses energy-efficient vehicles. The firm appeared in NBC 5 Chicago’s segment regarding drought and provided commentary about waterproofing in the Cooperator Chicagoland.
