Flood Control Archives - Scottish Plumber

April Showers Bring…Backed Up Sewers?!

Spring is almost here again and the one thing we can count on is that water will fall from the sky! Chicago has averaged close to 37 inches of rain per year over the last 30 years with approximately 2/3 of it coming in the spring and summer months, and these figures are trending upwards.

More rain means more problems for the already inundated system of Chicago sewers. With every major storm, it seems, some municipal storm and sanitary sewers become filled to capacity and pressurized, and too often the path of least resistance leads the sewer water directly into someone’s basement.

What can homeowners do? For starters, you should have your main sewer line cleaned and video-inspected to ensure that it is structurally sound and unobstructed. April showers may bring May flowers, but they also cause tree roots to grow faster which can wreak havoc inside of a sewer pipe. Having the sewer rodded can prevent backups caused by tree roots before they even happen.

A clean sewer, however, will not stop a backup from a pressurized city sewer. The only measure against flooding from city sewers is the installation of a flood control system, or the conversion of the sewer to an overhead system.

The Scottish Plumber offers several different options for flood control. Call us today for a sewer rodding and video inspection service (starting at $99 with an outside access), and ask for a free estimate for a flood control system. We can find an option that fits both your needs and your budget, and lets you keep your mind on the flowers when the spring showers come.

The Scottish Plumber’s Tramco Flood Control Systems Will Give You the Peace of Mind You’ve Been Looking For

When it comes to Chicago flood control, the Tramco Pump Company is a local icon. Tramco has been building pumps for the Chicago market since the 1950’s and their systems are designed to handle the kind of conditions that only Chicago weather can bring.

Besides sump pumps, ejector pumps, and batter backup systems, the Tramco Pump Company also manufactures the 900 series of flood control systems. These systems can be installed inside or outside of the home, depending on homeowner preference and the configuration of the existing pipes. The Tramco 950 is typically installed in the front yard, while the 960 is installed in the basement floor. Each unit comes with a heavy-duty pump enclosed in an aluminum encasement, and the flow is controlled with a system of check valves. The Tramco flood control system keeps city sewers from backing up into your basement, while allowing waste to continue exiting your home.

Tramco systems are extremely reliable and Tramco, along with the Scottish Plumber, guarantee each system for 10 years with both parts and installation covered. And while most flood control systems require regular maintenance, such as cleaning the lines, and lubricating the check valves, the Tramco system is virtually maintenance-free.

For a free estimate on installing a Tramco flood control system or any other type of flood control such as our double-check valve system, sump pumps, ejector pumps, or battery backups, give us a call at 888-451-6137 or contact us here.

10 Ways to Stop Basement Flooding

1. Make sure you have a working sump pump.

2. Make sure your sump pump pit is properly sized.

3. Clean out the bottom of the sump pump pit to prevent debris from entering the pump.

4. Install a battery back-up system to ensure that your sump pump continues working
during power loss.

5. Have your foundation inspected for cracks.

6. Have your drain tile inspected.

7. Convert to overhead sewer to prevent city sewers from backing up into your basement.

8. Install a double-check valve flood control system.

9. Install a Tramco flood control system.

10. Move somewhere where it doesn’t rain. Note: try the previous nine options first!

Chicago Flood Control Help – The Spring Is Here!!!

Here in Chicago we dread our winters. That’s why when the old man came and went with barely a whimper, we all let out a collective sigh of relief. No snowmaggedon this year!!!

But, that doesn’t mean we’re out of the woods, weather-wise. The strange winter could be a harbinger of more weird weather to come. That means the potential for many torrential downpours, thunderstorms, and flash floods. And that’s not very good news for the aging municipal storm sewer systems all over Chicagoland.

In just the last two years, we’ve seen some of the worst flooding to ever hit Chicago. Last year’s July storms hit homeowners harder and flooded more basements than most of us had ever experienced. City sewers became filled to capacity and overflowed into people’s homes. To prevent the same from happening this year, be proactive.

If you’ve experienced basement flooding in the past, and you’ve done nothing to address the underlying cause, then you can expect more of the same. There are different reasons for basement flooding, but each one of them has a solution. You can find more information here on our flood control page or on our sump pump page.

This year, make the right decision, and have your home inspected by a flood control specialist. If you call The Scottish Plumber, the assessment is free, and we will present you with several options to help fit your needs and your budget. You won’t regret it, and you’ll finally be able to stop building that ark.

Chicagoland Flood Control Rebates

Village Flood Control Rebates
A major contributor to flooded basements in the Chicagoland area is a network of inadequate and aging municipal sewer systems that simply can’t handle the volume during times of heavy rainfall.

The good news is that there are steps you can take to prevent such a flood. One option is to install a flood control system which blocks sewer water from entering your basement. Another is to replace your standard gravity sewer line, with an elevated overhead sewer system, which would prevent the sewage from ever reaching a level high enough to enter your home.
The better news is that if you’re thinking about one of these options, now is a great time to have it done. Some Chicagoland villages have decided to offer programs designed to encourage residents to invest in such improvements, and are now offering rebates to help pay for them.
Here is a list of village rebates currently available. If your town is not on the list, contact your village’s Building Department to ask if they offer a similar program.
• Addison (630-543-4100)
o Currently offering rebate of up to $2000 for conversion to an overhead sewer.

• Arlington Heights (847-368-5000)
o Currently offering rebate of up to $5000 for conversion to an overhead sewer.

• Des Plaines (847-391-5300)
o Currently offering rebates of up to $2000 for the installation of a battery back-up sump pump, an indoor flood control system, or conversion to an overhead sewer.

• Elmhurst (630-530-3000)
o Currently offering rebate of up to $5000 for conversion to an overhead sewer.

• Glencoe (847-835-4111)
o Currently offering rebate of up to $2000 for conversion to an overhead sewer or the installation of a flood control system.

• Morton Grove (847-965-4100)
o Currently offering interest-free loans for a conversion to an overhead sewer or the installation of a flood control system.

• Palatine (847-358-7500)
o Currently offering rebate of up to $6000 for conversion to an overhead sewer.

• Schaumburg (847-895-4500)
o Currently offering rebate of up to $5000 for conversion to an overhead sewer.

Villa Park Plumber Tip #22: Repairing Leaking Pipe Joints

The Scottish Plumber is well known in the Chicagoland area for delivering excellent Chicago plumbing services, Villa Park plumbing services, Chicago plumbing repairs, and Villa Park plumbing repairs to our valued Chicagoland plumbing customers. The Villa Park plumbers and Chicago plumbers at The Scottish Plumber employ the newest plumbing technologies to fix leaking pipes, clean clogged drains, and protect your Villa Park basement from basement flooding.

Since 1970, PVC piping has been the dominant piping material, as an upgrade to clay or concrete pipes. PVC piping is a very common household plumbing material that is typically more durable and less susceptible to erosion than clay, concrete, or orangeburg piping. Although PVC certainly has greater structural integrity than most other piping materials, it can also leak. These leaks usually result from leaking PVC pipe joints, which are the junctures between distinct pieces of PVC piping. Over time, these PVC pipe joints can loosen, and eventually begin to leak. Leaking pipe repair is a job best left for a Villa Park plumber from The Scottish Plumber. Please contact us to learn more about how we repair leaking pipe joints.

Have you noticed a growing water stain on the ceiling of your basement? If so, please contact The Scottish Plumber today. A leak in the ceiling is not a minor plumbing issue. If left to worsen, the leaky basement ceiling could collapse, leading to worse problems and much more expensive repairs.

Chicago Plumber Tip #18: Prevent Summer Basement Floods

Late summer rainstorms can be a welcome respite from Chicagoland’s typically hot and humid weather. Many Chicagolanders will be fortunate to find themselves indoors, perched by a window, watching the rainstorm pass. Others might take the opportunity to cool off and play in the rain.

No matter how summer rains make you feel, they are an inevitable aspect of Chicago summers. They may reduce the humidity and cool us down for a while, but summer rains can also have adverse effects on your Chicagoland sewers and drains.

Basement flooding can occur when water enters your basement through cracks in the foundation. While it may seem like your basement is an open space waiting to be filled to the ceiling with incoming rainwater or runoff water, there is actually a handy device that works to alleviate basement floods in your Chicago or Villa Park home.

A Chicago sump pump or Villa Park sump pump is the device that pulls water away from the foundation of your home and channels it into the appropriate storm drain or storm sewer. Sump pumps can reduce considerably the risk of Chicago basement floods and Villa Park basement floods at this time of year.

If your basement is not equipped with a sump pump, please call a Chicago plumber or Chicago plumbing contractor at The Scottish Plumber so we can discuss sump pump installation. For our Villa Park plumbing customers and Chicago plumbing customers who already own basement sump pumps, please feel free to contact us for a sump pump inspection, sump pump maintenance, or battery back up sump pump installation.

Chicago & Villa Park Plumbers: Sump Pumps To the Rescue

You may already know from unfortunate experience how destructive water in your basement can be. Aside from wrecking any possessions you store in your basement, water that gets in from outside can also encourage the growth of mold, mildew and bacteria that can make your family sick.

You may already have a sump pump to protect your Chicago area home from a devastating flood. If you don’t, The Scottish Plumber can help you select the right sump pump for your home, and install it properly so that it works every time – but there’s a catch. sump pump are electric. What if the power goes out?

The Scottish Plumber has the solution. Consider purchasing a battery back-up sump pump. This second pump, because it’s battery operated, runs automatically if the power goes out. You needn’t be home to activate it. Some battery back-up sump pumps turn on immediately when the power goes out; others turn on only when the main pump fails. We recommend the first type – it’s possible that there could be a short delay between the failure of the main pump and the activation of the battery back-up pump, which could allow a significant amount of water to collect in your basement. Choose a battery back-up sump pump that will activate automatically when the power goes out.

Invite The Scottish Plumber to your Chicago area home today to plan for the moment when the waters rise.

Chicago & Villa Park Battery Back Up Sump Pump Installation Can Protect Your Basement From Flooding

What happens if your sump pump fails? Since the sump pump functions to draw water away from the foundation of your home, a failed sump pump could lead to basement flooding and severe water damage. To avoid the high cost of repairing water damage to your home, you may want to consider a battery back up pump for your sump pump. Scottish Plumber is ready to install battery back up sump pumps in Chicago and Villa Park.

The battery backup sump pump switches on when the main sump pump fails due to power failure or disrepair. Imagine a severe thunderstorm impacting your home and compromising the power supply. This could shut off your sump pump, leaving your home with no mechanism to protect against flooding and water damage. When you purchase a battery backup sump pump and have Scottish Plumbers install it, you are ensuring that your home will have proper plumbing even if the power goes out.

Chicago and Villa Park battery back up sump pump customers may want to consult one of our sump pump specialists at Scottish Plumber to select a model that fits your home, your existing sump pump configuration, and your drain and sewer system.

At Scottish Plumbers, we recognize the risk of basement flooding to our Chicago and Villa Park drain and sewer cleaning customers, so we make sure to provide the best quality battery backup sump pump installation and repair.

Villa Park & Chicago Plumbers Give Your Sump Pump The All-Clear

Proper maintenance can extend the life of your sump pump and protect your home against flooding. However, if the sump pump becomes clogged, it will not function properly and can result in water damage to your home. To maintain your sump pump, simply perform an annual check-up. Here are 3 things you can do once a year to make sure the sump pump is in working order:

1. Check the motor on the sump pump.
Activate the switch to make sure that the motor is functioning. If not, the sump pump cannot effectively move water away form your home. You may need to replace the pump or the motor to avoid flooding.

2. Disconnect the sump pump from the power source.
Always disconnect the sump pump before reaching inside. You can avoid injury by disconnecting the pump before cleaning it.

3. Clear debris from the sump pump.
Blockage can cause a sump pump not to function, and can lead to costly basement flooding. By keeping the sump pump free of dirt and debris, you will not need to replace it as frequently. You can unclog the sump pump manually and restore its functioning in many cases.

Maintain your sump pump in 3 easy steps to protect your home from water damage. Scottish Plumber will gladly install your automatic sump pump or manual sump pump, you can easily inspect it to keep it running smoothly. Scottish Plumber will gladly install sump pumps anywhere in Chicago and Villa Park, IL. Call us today for more information.