Broken Sewers in Chicago are an expressway with an off ramp into your home for Rats
The Scottish Plumber specializes in Sewers and Drains in the Chicagoland area. We have found that many homes in the city which have a broken sewer, also have a rat problem. Most homeowners think the rats are entering through the walls, which is partly true but they first get under the building through the sewer system. Many of the newer buildings in Chicago are hooked up to the original 100 year old sewer pipes and only have new plumbing within the building. The sewer pipe which is also known as the lateral line is the underground pipe that connects your drain pipes to the city’s main drain pipes in the street. In Chicago, the storm and sewer is a combined system and many sewers were built before 1900. This is where the rats live and they can travel from building to building through the storm and sewer system. Think of it like an expressway with an off ramp into your home-if you have a broken sewer pipe.
Here are the most common symptoms of a broken sewer:
- Sewer Gas Smell
- Rat Infestation
- Clogged Floor Drains
- Whole building stoppage or clog
- Sewer Flies
- Sand in the Pipes
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms PLEASE CALL ASAP so it can be taken care of quickly before the damage gets worse. This is a problem that gets worse with time and your system will continue to degrade until it collapses causing a loss of sewer service. Once a sewer collapses, the repairs are much more costly and destructive. If sewer repairs are made early on when the first signs of a problem are discovered, a no dig sewer patch or liner can be put in place with no destruction to your property. This no dig repair trenchless technology (also known as Cured in Place Pipe) is a much less costly and invasive type of repair method which has just recently become available to the residential marketplace. The beauty of this no dig trenchless technology is that there is no digging or destruction, saving historic buildings, sidewalks, driveways, roadways and landscaping from damage. The Scottish Plumber is the Chicagoland leader in trenchless and non-invasive pipe repair technology, saving our clients time, energy and money. We also have the licensing, equipment, and depth of knowledge required for all types of sewer maintenance and repair.
FYI -A drain clog or stoppage which is confined to one sink or toilet is usually not a broken sewer. It’s probably just a stubborn, localized clog – and we can help with that too!