4 services · Illinois
Drains & sewer in Illinois
Basement flooding during heavy spring and summer storms is a frequent Illinois problem, especially in Chicago, where combined sewers can back up even with the Deep Tunnel storing stormwater.
- Licensed local plumbers
- The problem explained before work starts
- Price agreed before the job begins
Statewide conditions
Drains & sewer in Illinois: what to know
Older bungalows and two-flats have cast-iron drains and clay sewer lines that crack and collect roots. Overhead sewers, backwater valves and sump pumps are common upgrades. River flooding along the Illinois River affects Peoria and other towns.
A camera inspection shows whether a backup came from a damaged lateral or the public system, which decides between a repair and a backwater valve.
- Climate
- Hard freezes are a regular part of winter in Illinois, so pipes in exterior walls, garages, crawl spaces and attics need protection every year, and outdoor faucets and sprinkler lines must be drained before the first freeze.
- Typical foundations
- Chicago's older bungalows and two-flats commonly have basements, older cast-iron drains and clay sewer lines, and basement flooding during storms is a frequent problem. Most common: basements.
Drains & sewer services
Drain cleaning
If one fixture is slow, the clog is usually in that fixture's branch line. If several drains back up at once, or the basement floor drain fills when you run the washer, the main sewer line is blocked and needs a larger cable or a jetter.
Hydro jetting
Hydro jetting cleans the full width of a drain pipe with high-pressure water, washing out grease, scale and fine roots that a cable only punches a hole through. It works best on sound pipe and is usually done after a camera inspection confirms the pipe can take it.
Sewer camera inspection
A sewer camera inspection runs a waterproof camera through the line from your house to the city main and records what it finds: roots, cracks, sags, offset joints or collapsed pipe. It's the best way to decide between cleaning, spot repair and replacement.
Sewer line repair
A damaged sewer line can be fixed with a spot repair, a trenchless liner, pipe bursting or an open-trench replacement. Which one fits depends on what the camera shows, how deep the pipe is, and what's on top of it, such as a driveway, trees or landscaping.
Drains & sewer by city in Illinois
Local pages cover each city's water provider, permit office and housing. Not listed? Check your ZIP code below.
Drains & sewer questions in Illinois
What is an overhead sewer?
Are chemical drain cleaners safe to use?
How these problems start and how to choose between repair options is covered in the drains & sewer guide.
More plumbing in Illinois
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