Plumbing Questions From Chicago Owners and Landlords
Short, straight answers about Chicago basements, sewers, pipes and water heaters, each linked to the page with the full detail.
For step-by-step help in the first few minutes, start with the plumbing guides. To see the building types and jobs in your part of the city, check the Chicago areas page.
Before you pick up the phone
What does a plumber need to know before the visit?
The building’s address, what kind of building it is, which unit or floor has the problem, and what the water is doing and since when. If there’s a label on a water heater or a pump, read us the model number. That’s enough to set the visit.
How do I know if it can’t wait until morning?
Water you can’t stop, sewage coming up a drain, a building with no water, or water near outlets or the electrical panel are reasons to call as soon as you see them. A slow drip or one slow drain can usually wait for a booked visit.
Basements, drains and sewers
Why does my basement smell like sewer when nothing is backing up?
Usually a floor drain or a laundry tub that’s rarely used has a dry trap. The water sitting in the trap is what blocks sewer gas, and it evaporates over time. If refilling the drain doesn’t stop the smell, the plumber checks for a loose cleanout cap or a cracked vent.
Can I keep using water while the main sewer is backed up?
No. Every sink, toilet, tub and washer in the building empties into the same line, so whatever goes down comes back up at the lowest opening, usually the basement floor drain. Hold off on laundry, showers and flushing until the line is open again.
Who fixes a sewer break under the sidewalk or the parkway?
For homes of up to four units, the City’s Private Drain Program may repair the part that’s proven broken under the public way, from the city sidewalk to the center of the street. The proof comes from rodding and a camera run, so that comes first either way.
Is the pit in my basement a sump or an ejector?
Look at the lid. A sump pit collects groundwater and usually has a loose or open cover. An ejector pit takes waste from a basement bathroom or laundry, so it has a sealed, bolted lid with a vent pipe coming out of it.
Water lines and water heaters
Which pipe in the basement is the water line from the street?
It comes through the front foundation wall, usually low, and runs into the water meter. The main shutoff valve sits on that pipe near the meter. In a house built before 1986 it’s also the pipe to check for lead.
How can I tell if my water heater is gas or electric?
A gas tank has a metal flue pipe rising from the top and a gas line with a shutoff valve running to a control at the bottom. An electric tank has no flue, just a heavy power cable going into a box on top or the side.