Sump Pumps
Sump pump repair, replacement and battery backups to keep your basement dry through heavy rain and snowmelt.
Serving Chicagoland Since 1993
Overhead Sewer Systems in Arlington Heights, IL
If your basement floor drain backs up every time a big storm comes through, an overhead sewer system lifts basement wastewater above the level where backups happen. We install them in Arlington Heights homes from our office on East Central Road.
Does Your Arlington Heights Home Need an Overhead Sewer?
It's worth a look if:
Your Home Was Built Before About 1980
Newer homes in Arlington Heights have been built with overhead sewers since the late 1970s or early 1980s. Older ones usually weren't.
The Floor Drain Rises in Heavy Rain
Water comes up during a storm and goes back down after. That's the sewer pushing back.
Your Line Is Clear and It Still Happens
No roots, no crack, and it still backs up. The problem is the sewer, not your pipe.
You Want to Finish the Basement
Protecting it before the new floors go in costs less than replacing them later.
How an Overhead Sewer System Works
Your upstairs fixtures drain out above the point where the sewer could back up into them. An overhead system gives the basement the same protection. Basement fixtures and the floor drain are rerouted to a sealed pit. An ejector pump lifts that water to a pipe near the basement ceiling, and a check valve stops it from falling back. From there, gravity takes it to the sewer. The old floor drain connection is plugged, so the sewer has no low opening to push through.
Why Overhead Sewers Make Sense in Arlington Heights
The village has required overhead sewers in new construction since the late 1970s or early 1980s. That leaves many older homes with gravity drains in the basement.
July 2011 Showed the Risk
Almost 7 inches of rain fell in just over three hours. Afterward, village officials pointed to overhead sewers as the main way to stop sewage backups.
Combined Sewers in Older Areas
Parts of older Arlington Heights, mainly near the center of town, have combined sewers. In heavy rain they fill with storm water, and a gravity floor drain is the first place it shows up.
Fix the Line First If That's the Problem
We camera your line before recommending a conversion. If roots or a break are the real cause, a sewer repair may be all you need.
Overhead Sewer vs. Backflow Valve vs. Sump Pump
Each one solves a different problem:
| Sump Pump | Backflow Valve | Overhead Sewer System | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Problem it solves | Groundwater at the walls and floor | Sewage flowing back into the house | Storm backups through basement drains |
| How it works | Pumps water out of a pit | A flap closes when flow reverses | Lifts basement wastewater above flood level |
| Best for | Damp walls and floors after rain | Homes where a passive valve is enough | Repeat backups and finished basements |
Many Arlington Heights basements need more than one. We'll tell you which after we look.
The J. Blanton Difference773-724-9272
What Happens When You Call J. Blanton
Every overhead sewer project starts with your line and your basement.
1. Camera First
So you don't pay for a conversion when a repair would solve it.
2. A Layout Around Your Basement
Pit, pump and piping placed to protect finished space and keep the job tidy.
3. Flat Price, Tested System
One price up front, and we test the system with water before we leave.
Customer Stories
Overhead Sewer System Reviews
4.7 stars from 5,669+ Google reviews across all J. Blanton locations.
★★★★★
"Thank you to Scott and Payton for coming by and helping us out. They identified a sewer pipe problem that was worse than what we were expecting, they provided a solution to the problem that will help in the long run and we have confidence that the solution will solve the problem and that we will not have to worry about it in the future"
★★★★★
"Scott was so helpful and easy to work with! He was so patient and thorough in explaining our options! And Walter loved him!"
★★★★★
"Mike P was super helpful and great at explaining the options we have for our sewer line."
Got Questions?
Overhead Sewer Questions From Arlington Heights Homeowners
Look for a sealed pit with a pump and a pipe running up near the ceiling.
Look for a sealed basin in the basement floor with a pump and a pipe running up the wall toward the ceiling. If your floor drain connects straight down into the floor, you likely have gravity drains. We can confirm in one visit.
It stops sewer backups. Groundwater needs a sump pump.
It stops sewer water from coming up through basement drains. Groundwater seeping through walls or the floor is a sump pump job. Many homes need both.
Yes. It drains to the ejector pit like the rest of the basement.
Yes. A basement bathroom, laundry and bar sink all drain to the new pit, and the pump sends everything up and out. We'll size the pump for what you have.
Usually a few days, depending on the basement.
Usually a few days, depending on how many fixtures there are and how finished the basement is. You'll get a schedule before we start.
It depends on your basement and the line. You get a flat price first.
It depends on the depth of the sewer, the basement layout, how many fixtures are being rerouted and access. We give you a flat-rate price before any work begins.
Annual Protection Plan
Join the No Drip Club for Year-Round Sewer Protection
Prevent catastrophes before they disrupt your life. The No Drip Club ensures your waste and sewer lines are monitored and serviced regularly by J. Blanton’s absolute best.
- Two Free Professional Maintenance Visits per Year
- 10% Discount on All General Plumbing & Sewer Services
- 5-Year Parts and Labor Warranty on Approved Projects
- VIP Priority Scheduling Status (Skip the Queue)
What We Fix
Plumbing Services in Arlington Heights
Learn More
Sewer Repair
Tree roots, cracked clay pipe and repeat backups in the line from your house to the street.
Water Heaters
Repair and replacement for tank and tankless water heaters that leak, make noise or run out of hot water too fast.
Drain Cleaning
Slow, gurgling or backed-up drains in kitchens, bathrooms and basements.
Burst & Frozen Pipes
Repair for pipes that froze or burst, from basement water lines to outdoor spigots.
Catch Basins
Cleaning and repair for yard and driveway catch basins that back up and flood when it rains.
Emergency Plumbing
Burst pipes, sewer backups and no hot water, any time of day or night.
Local Office, 24/7 Phone
Ready to Stop Watching the Floor Drain Every Storm?
Our Arlington Heights office is at 1204 E. Central Road, Suite 3, and our phone line is open 24/7.
We also serve Mount Prospect, Rolling Meadows, Palatine, Buffalo Grove, Des Plaines, Schaumburg and more.
Need a Plumber?Call our Arlington Heights Office
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