Need a plumber in Illinois? Basement backups around Chicago and very hard well water downstate lead the calls. Call Same Day Plumber any time to reach an Illinois-licensed plumber.
Call a Plumber in Illinois (833) 763-0420Plumbing in Illinois: What Differs by City
Chicago has a combined sewer system that can back up into basements in heavy rain. That is why backwater valves and overhead sewers are common there.
Chicago's housing is old, and the city has more lead service lines than any other U.S. city. Its water is moderately hard, about 7.6 to 8.8 grains per gallon.
Many suburbs buy Lake Michigan water through regional agencies. Naperville, Downers Grove and Elmhurst are examples. Most homes there have basements that depend on sump pumps.
Well water is much harder. Rockford runs 9 to 21 grains per gallon, Joliet up to about 22 and Peoria 19 to 37.
Some cities soften their water with lime. Aurora, Elgin and Springfield bring it down to about 7 or 8 grains.
Permit rules vary. Aurora exempts a like-for-like water heater swap. Elgin wants a notarized letter from the plumber on every permit.
Pick your Illinois city below for local water, permit and repair details.
Illinois Cities With Local Plumbing Guides
- Chicago, ILBasement sewer backups · Frozen pipes · Old galvanized and lead service lines
- Aurora, ILFrozen pipes · Basement water · Water heater replacement
- Rockford, ILVery hard water · Frozen pipes · Old galvanized and cast iron pipe
- Naperville, ILBasement water · Water heater replacement · Frozen pipes
- Joliet, ILVery hard water · Frozen pipes · Water heater replacement
- Peoria, ILExtremely hard water · Old cast iron and galvanized pipe · Frozen pipes
- Elgin, ILFrozen pipes · Sump pump failures · Old pipe in historic districts
- Springfield, ILOld pipe · Frozen pipes · Water heater replacement
- Champaign, ILFrozen pipes · Water heater replacement · Sump pump failures
- Downers Grove, ILLead service lines · Frozen pipes · Sump pump failures
- Elmhurst, ILBasement sewer backups · Frozen pipes · Old pipe
- Glen Ellyn, ILOld pipe · Sump pump failure · Frozen pipes
- Elk Grove Village, ILAging sewer lines · Water heater replacement · Frozen pipes
- Berwyn, ILLead and galvanized pipe · Basement sewer backups · Old cast iron drains
- Lake Zurich, ILWater heater replacement · Sump pump failure · Frozen pipes
- Waukegan, ILFrozen pipes · Lead and galvanized service lines · Sewer backups
- Cicero, ILLead service lines · Frozen pipes · Sewer backups
- Bloomington, ILFrozen pipes · Lead service lines · Sump pump failure
- Schaumburg, ILFrozen pipes · Sump pump failure · Leaks between units
- Evanston, ILLead service lines · Frozen pipes · Sewer backups
- Arlington Heights, ILFrozen pipes · Lead service lines · Sump pump failure
- Bolingbrook, ILFrozen pipes · Sump pump failure · Sewer line clogs
- Decatur, ILGalvanized service lines · Frozen pipes · Sewer backups
- Palatine, ILFrozen pipes · Sump pump failure · Lead and galvanized service lines
- Skokie, ILLead service lines · Sewer backups · Frozen pipes
Plumbing Codes, Permit Offices and Water Hardness by Illinois City
| City | Plumbing code | Permits issued by | Water hardness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | Chicago Plumbing Code | Chicago Department of Buildings | Hard |
| Aurora | Not listed | City of Aurora Development Services | Softened at the plant to about 7 to 8 grains per gallon |
| Rockford | Not listed | City of Rockford Community & Economic Development | Very hard |
| Naperville | Not listed | City of Naperville Transportation, Engineering and Development | Not published |
| Joliet | Illinois State Plumbing Code | City of Joliet Building and Inspectional Services | Very hard |
| Peoria | Not listed | City of Peoria Building Safety | Extremely hard |
| Elgin | Not listed | City of Elgin Community Development | Soft to moderately hard |
| Springfield | Illinois State Plumbing Code and Springfield Plumbing Ordinance (Chapter 171) | City of Springfield Building and Zoning | Not published |
| Champaign | Not listed | Not listed | Not published |
| Downers Grove | Not listed | Not listed | Not published |
| Elmhurst | Not listed | Not listed | Not published |
| Glen Ellyn | Not listed | Not listed | Not published |
| Elk Grove Village | Not listed | Not listed | Not published |
| Berwyn | Not listed | Not listed | Not published |
| Lake Zurich | Not listed | Not listed | 6 to 8 grains per gallon after village treatment |
| Waukegan | Not listed | Not listed | Not published |
| Cicero | Not listed | Not listed | Not published |
| Bloomington | Not listed | Not listed | Not published |
| Schaumburg | Not listed | Not listed | Not published |
| Evanston | Not listed | Not listed | Not published |
| Arlington Heights | Not listed | Not listed | Not published |
| Bolingbrook | Not listed | Not listed | Not published |
| Decatur | Not listed | Not listed | Not published |
| Palatine | Not listed | Not listed | Not published |
| Skokie | Not listed | Not listed | Not published |
How to Check a Plumber's License in Illinois
Plumbers in Illinois are licensed by the state. Before work begins, ask for the license number and look it up with the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Plumbing Services Available Across Illinois
- Emergency PlumbingBurst pipes, flooding, sewage backups and loss of water, any hour.
- Drain CleaningClogged sinks, tubs, toilets and main sewer lines.
- Water Heater Repair & ReplacementNo hot water, leaking tanks, tank and tankless repair or replacement.
- Leak Detection & RepairHidden, slab and pipe leaks found and fixed before they cause damage.
- Sewer Line RepairCamera inspection, sewer repair and trenchless replacement.
- Pipe Repair & RepipingBurst, frozen and corroded pipes repaired or replaced.
- Toilet RepairRunning, clogged, leaking and broken toilets repaired or replaced.
- Faucet & Fixture RepairFaucets, garbage disposals and shower valves.
- Sump Pump RepairSump pump repair, replacement and battery backups.
- Gas Line RepairGas leak repair and appliance hookups by licensed plumbers.
- Water Softeners & FiltrationWater softeners, whole-house filtration and well pumps.
- Commercial Plumbing & BackflowCommercial plumbing service and backflow testing.