Sewer problems can cause severe damage to your home that is costly to repair. By understanding the most common causes of sewer problems in Elmhurst, IL , you can take necessary steps to avoid it. Protect your sewer line by avoiding these common causes of damage.

One of the most common culprits when there is a sewer problem is a clog. These clogs usually start with things you’re doing in your home that are inadvertently damaging your drains. For instance, flushing anything except waste and toilet paper is destined to create a clog, including wet wipes that may claim to be flushable. Pouring grease down any drain is a recipe for disaster, as is putting too much down the garbage disposal at once. Roots growing into sewer lines is another common cause of line damage. Although you can’t change the position of trees that are already on your property, avoid planting anything new near your sewer line that has roots that could do damage. Sometimes, sewer lines are simply old and collapse. If you notice the symptoms of sewer line damage, like backed up drains, call a plumber for repairs before the damage gets worse.

At McCoy Sewer & Plumbing, in addition to our extensive sewer repair services, we also provide general plumbing services to fit your needs. From kitchen sink repair to fixes for clogged pipes in Elmhurst, IL , choose us when you’re looking for residential plumbers or commercial plumbing contractors.

We have been providing general plumbing services for residential and commercial properties, including maintenance, repair, and installation of new products, for over 20 years. No job is too large or small for our licensed, insured, and bonded team of plumbing experts. We repair clogged drains, fix bathroom and kitchen sinks, and solve garbage disposal problems. You can also call us for help thawing frozen pipes, for professional drain cleaning, or to repair or replace your water heater.

Because we’re committed to your satisfaction and providing complete transparency, we offer free estimates up front instead of charging you simply to know what is wrong before any work begins. Choose us for competitive pricing, reliable service, and quality work. Our parts and services are backed by warranties to ensure the job gets done right, every time.

Even though the weather is heating up, you can never be too prepared for winter to arrive. As the cooler months start coming back, you need to keep your home from suffering frozen pipes near Elmhurst . There are a few ways you can keep your pipes from freezing this winter with preparation in the summertime.

Drain Nonessential Water Supplies

Before winter starts, you should be winterizing your home to protect from cold temperatures. Summer is the ideal time, because you will not have to worry about the occasional evening with freezing temperatures as you would in the fall. You should also be winterizing your summer appliances—such as the swimming pool, sprinklers, and garden hoses—as summer winds down to keep your pipes from potentially bursting. Open up these water lines and let them drain. Hoses may still have water present in them, so open the outside valve so any remaining water will not risk the pipes.

Insulate Exposed Water Pipes

One of the most important ways to prevent frozen pipes is to insulate them against the cold. If you have any exposed pipes outside the house, or in a cold basement, then look into different insulation materials. There are pipe sleeves and tape specifically meant to fully cover pipes against cold weather. These sleeves can be found at your local hardware store or with your plumbing services. Some homeowners, typically in milder climates, can protect their pipes with newspapers and plastic bags. These methods should only be used if you are in a pinch. Buy proper piping insulation as soon as you are able.

Keep the Heat Running

You want your heater running at certain temperatures and times of the day to keep your pipes from bursting. If you leave for vacation, keep your heater going while you are away. Though there will be no one there to enjoy the heat, you cut down on the risk of a frozen and broken pipe. Also, try to keep your heater consistent in temperature throughout the day and night. Your pipes can retain the benefit of the heater when the temperature drops at night.

Occasionally, the handy do-it-yourselfer homeowner can handle a minor clogged drain or toilet repair. What homeowners should not handle are sewer repairs in Elmhurst . These repairs can become very costly and lead to even bigger issues if they are not handled by professional plumbing services from the beginning. Here is a look at some of the services offered by McCoy Sewer & Plumbing:

In addition to residential and commercial plumbing services, McCoy Sewer & Plumbing offers comprehensive sewer repair services. Basic services include sewer cleaning and video camera inspections. These practices are essential to keeping your drains and pipes running smoothly. If your sewer needs a clean-out—a capped location allowing access to a structure’s drain pipes—can be installed. Your home or building may also need a sump pump, lift station, or emergency backup system for sufficient flood control in your basement.

Most of the typical home’s plumbing system is out of sight; however, it should not be out of mind. When choosing piping for a new home or a renovation, it’s important that you know the different kinds and their advantages. This video from This Old House offers some insight.

Galvanized steel was the standard pipe for a long time, but today is only used for limited retrofitting. Most plumbers today use copper piping for more expansive projects. That said, the high cost of copper has led many to use PVC and CPVC plastic piping. Still others turn to multicolored PEX piping, which is inexpensive and very easy to install. This video also touches on various pipe fittings and methods used to create a water-tight seal.

Choosing the right type of pipe is vital for your home plumbing. Though you should always heed the advice of your Elmhurst plumber , it helps to know more about what you’re agreeing to. For example, you might take a minute to learn about the differences between two common types of piping: PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) and copper.

PEX piping usually comes in different colors, including blue for cold water and red for hot. It’s also very flexible and requires fewer fittings, making it very easy for plumbers to install. PEX piping can save you in terms of material cost and in the cost of labor. Copper, though more expensive, is a tried and true piping material because it resists corrosion and is unaffected by UV light. That said, copper can corrode if the pH of your local water is too acidic or too basic. PEX also has its share of disadvantages: for example, it can’t be used outside and it can’t be recycled. The type of piping you choose depends on your budget, the nature of the project, and several other factors.

Whether it’s finished or unfinished, a basement can be a very useful space. Unfortunately, it’s the one place that’s most vulnerable to flooding. If you notice excess water in your basement, it’s important that you call an Elmhurst plumber or another professional as soon as possible. Your flooding is most likely caused by one of the following.

Improper Drainage

Every property in the city should be configured in such a way that allows water to run away from the house and into the municipal sewer system. If your property has a slope or ditch that doesn’t allow for this type of drainage, then there’s a good chance that water will flood into your basement. If this happens, you’re best off having a professional reconfigure your home’s drainage.

Clogged Gutter

Gutters are designed to collect the water that falls on your roof and channel it away from the home. If debris gets stuck in the gutter, water can’t get where it needs to go, causing it to instead spill onto the base of your home. Over time, the water from the clogged gutter could find its way into your basement.

Poor Sealing

After a period of heavy rain, the ground water around your property is likely to swell. The lower floor of your home should be protected by a sturdy seal; if it isn’t, there’s a good chance water could get in during or soon after a rain storm. As you can imagine, poor sealing is also implicated in flooding caused by poor drainage and clogged gutters.

Backed Up Sewer

The municipal sewer system can get overburdened during periods of high water volume, causing sewer water to back up into certain homes. After the next prolonged rain storm, be sure to keep an eye on any drains in your basement—including drains found in a downstairs bathroom or a laundry room drain.

Burst Pipe

It’s relatively common for pipes to freeze and burst during the cold months. If left unattended, a burst pipe can result in thousands of dollars of water damage . The best way to avoid this is to keep the indoor temperature above 55 degrees at all times.

There are some plumbing leaks that are very obvious. For example, if you have water pouring out of a pipe in your basement, you should call an emergency plumber right away. However, there are other leaks that are tougher to spot. Watch this video to see how to tell if you need plumbing services serving Elmhurst.

You may not be able to see a leaky plumbing pipe behind a wall, but if the paint on that wall is chipping or you see a discolored spot on it, it could be a sign of a plumbing leak. Likewise, large wet spots will often form on ceilings when leaky pipes are located above them. In both of these situations, you should have an emergency plumber come out to assess the damage right away. You can prevent a more dangerous plumbing emergency by fixing leaks quickly before they cause bigger issues.

If you have a basement in your home or business, there is a chance that it could flood at any time. By working with a residential or commercial plumbing company, you can set up a flood control system that will allow you to keep water out of your basement space. McCoy Sewer & Plumbing can help you pick out a flood control system in Elmhurst and install it for you.

There are many benefits to having a residential or commercial plumbing company install a flood control system. A flood control system will limit the amount of water damage your basement will sustain in the event of a flood. It will also prevent a sewer backup from affecting your basement. Additionally, the system will allow you to store items in your basement without worrying about them getting wet. When you call on McCoy Sewer & Plumbing, a highly trained plumbing technician will show you the flood control systems available for your needs and guide you to the right choice for your home.

If left untreated, a clog in your sewer line could lead to a very costly cleanup and, in some cases, a need for a whole new sewer line. So if you suspect that you might have a clog in your sewer line, you should contact a company that specializes in residential plumbing right away and have it inspected. It’s much less expensive to have a sewer line clog removed than it would be to have to do major repairs to your plumbing system due to a sewer line backup. Here is how you can identify a clog so that you can seek sewer repair in Elmhurst .

Pay Attention to How Often Your Drains and Toilets Clog

Your drains and toilets are going to get clogged up from time to time. No matter how careful you are about what you put down your drains, ongoing use and buildup from soap scum and debris can lead to clogs. If, however, your drains and toilets clog up on a regular basis and do not respond to conventional drain cleaning solutions, it could be a sign that you have a clog in your sewer.

Listen for Strange Noises Coming From Your Toilet

When you turn on your washing machine or run the sink in your kitchen, does your toilet make a gurgling sound? If your toilet makes any kind of noise when you’re using another water source in your home, it could be because wastewater is having trouble moving through your sewer line .

Watch Out for Water Pooling Near Your Home’s Drains

When water can’t pass through your sewer line, it will start to back up into your home. At first, it may just be a small amount of water pooling around your drains, but that could change quickly. Before long, you could have raw sewage spilling back up into your home, so have a plumber inspect your sewer system immediately.