Need a plumber in Chicago? If water is coming up through a basement floor drain during a storm, the cause may be the city's combined sewer or your own line, and a plumber can tell you which. Call Same Day Plumber to reach a licensed Chicago plumber for backups and frozen pipes.
Need a Plumber in Chicago Today?
Say whether water is coming up the basement floor drain, and whether it started during rain. Your call is passed to an independent plumber working in Chicago. They quote the job and bill you directly, and they'll tell you when they can arrive before you commit.
Emergency Plumbing Services in Chicago
3 situations account for many urgent calls in Chicago. Each has a first step to take while you wait.
- Sewer water rising from the basement floor drain during a storm: stop using water and move belongings off the floor. It may be the city's combined sewer backing up. See sewer backup.
- Frozen or burst pipe: close the main valve, usually on the street-facing basement wall, and open a faucet. See frozen pipes.
- No water in sub-zero weather: check whether neighbors have water; a frozen line is the usual cause. See no water in the house.
For any of these, an emergency plumber can often come out to Chicago the same day, including nights and weekends. If you smell gas, leave the building first and call the gas utility or 911 from outside.
24/7 Plumbing Services in Chicago
- 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.
Common Plumbing Problems in Chicago Homes
Chicago's housing is old: the median home was built in 1953, and the city's bungalows, two-flats and greystones often still have original galvanized supply pipes and cast iron drains. Chicago also has more lead service lines than any other U.S. city, and the city runs a program to replace them.
The city has a combined sewer system, where stormwater and sewage share the same pipes. In heavy storms it can back up into basements, which is why many Chicago homeowners install backwater valves or overhead sewers. Long, cold winters add frozen pipes to the list.
Backwater Valve or Overhead Sewer?
Both stop sewer water from coming up basement drains when Chicago's combined sewer overloads in a storm, but they work differently. A backwater valve is a flap installed in the sewer line that closes when water flows the wrong way. It's the simpler job, with less digging. An overhead sewer reroutes basement drains up to a pipe near the ceiling and uses an ejector pump, so nothing in the basement drains directly to the city line. A plumber can look at your basement's layout and sewer line to recommend one.
Winterizing a Chicago Home's Plumbing
- Shut off and drain outdoor faucets from the inside valve before the first hard freeze.
- Insulate pipes on exterior walls, in crawl spaces and on enclosed back porches.
- During sub-zero spells, let faucets on exterior walls drip and open sink cabinet doors.
- Know where your main shutoff is; in many Chicago homes it's in the basement on the street-facing wall. See how to find it.
Old Galvanized and Lead Service Lines
Older homes may still have galvanized supply piping or a lead service line, which can reduce pressure and should be evaluated for replacement.
What Affects Plumbing Costs in Chicago
No plumber can quote a firm price before seeing the problem. These are the things that move the cost of plumbing work in Chicago.
- Basement and yard work. Installing a backwater valve or overhead sewer involves breaking concrete or digging to the sewer line.
- Old pipe materials. Galvanized and lead lines often mean replacing more than the section that failed.
- Finding the problem. Leak locating and camera inspections are separate steps, but they keep the repair itself small.
- Time of day. Many companies charge an after-hours, weekend or holiday fee.
- Permits. When a job needs one, it comes from Chicago Department of Buildings, and the plumber usually pulls it.
- Ask for the arrival fee before the plumber heads out, and for the repair price in writing before work starts.
How to Find a Licensed Plumber in Chicago
These checks take a few minutes and prevent most bad experiences, whichever Chicago plumber you end up hiring.
Check the Illinois License
Plumbers in Illinois are licensed by the state. Before any work starts at your Chicago home, ask for the license number and look it up with the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Confirm Who Pulls the Permit
For work that needs a permit, the plumber should pull it from Chicago Department of Buildings. Plumbing work in Chicago follows the Chicago Plumbing Code.
What to Ask on the Phone
- What is the arrival window?
- Is there a service, trip or after-hours fee?
- For an emergency, will you stop the damage first and quote the permanent repair before starting it?
- What is your license number?
Plumbers in Cities Near Chicago
FAQs About Plumbers in Chicago
Is Chicago water hard?
Yes. Chicago water from Lake Michigan typically measures 130 to 150 mg/L as calcium carbonate, or 7.6 to 8.8 grains per gallon.
How do I stop my basement from flooding during storms?
A plumber can install a backwater valve or convert the basement to an overhead sewer, so sewage can't flow back into floor drains when the combined sewer system is overloaded.
How quickly can I get a plumber in Chicago?
Often the same day, including nights and weekends, but it depends on demand and where in Chicago you are. The plumber gives you an arrival window when you call. During a citywide event such as a hard freeze or major storm, waits are longer, so shut off the water and limit the damage while you wait.
Find a Same-Day Plumber in Chicago, IL
If you have basement sewer backups, frozen pipes or another plumbing problem in Chicago, call now. You'll be connected to a licensed plumber who works in your area, and you'll know the arrival window and any fee before they head out.