Drain Cleaning
Clogged kitchen sinks, slow bathroom drains and backed-up basement floor drains.
Serving Chicagoland Since 1993
Overhead Sewer Systems in Lincoln Park, Chicago
If your basement or garden unit floods every time a big storm hits, an overhead sewer keeps sewer water out for good. We install them in Lincoln Park houses and small buildings. Our office is on Diversey Parkway.
Does Your Lincoln Park Home Need an Overhead Sewer?
Consider one when:
Backups Come With Storms
Not on dry days.
Your Line Is Clear on Camera
And it still backs up.
Someone Lives or Works Below Grade
A garden unit or finished basement.
You're Renovating the Lower Level
Protect it before the finishes go in.
How an Overhead Sewer System Works
Every drain below the street sewer's flow line, like your floor drain, a basement bathroom, or a laundry line, normally relies on gravity to reach the sewer. An overhead sewer system reroutes those drains into a sump pit instead. An ejector pump lifts that wastewater up to a line above flood level, where a check valve keeps it from flowing back down. From there, gravity carries it the rest of the way to the street sewer, the same as every drain upstairs.
Overhead Sewers in Lincoln Park
According to MWRD, two-thirds of an inch of rain in an hour can overwhelm Chicago's combined sewers. In July 2023, the McCook Reservoir filled to capacity.
Garden Units
Below-grade apartments in two-flats and three-flats are the most exposed spaces in the neighborhood.
Tight Basements
Low ceilings and old foundations take careful planning.
Camera the Line First
A blocked lateral can cause backups too. A sewer repair may be the fix.
Condo Approvals
We provide the plan and footage boards need to decide.
Overhead Sewer vs. Backflow Valve vs. Standpipe
Three common options in Chicago:
| Standpipe | Backflow Valve | Overhead Sewer System | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it does | Raises the floor drain opening | Closes when flow reverses | Lifts all basement wastewater above flood level |
| Best for | Light, occasional backups | Moderate risk | Repeat backups and living space below grade |
| Basement fixtures | Not protected | Partly protected | Fully protected |
We'll tell you which ones your basement needs.
The J. Blanton Difference773-724-9272
What Happens When You Call J. Blanton
Every conversion starts with your line.
1. Camera First
Rule out a simpler fix.
2. Plan for Your Basement
Pit, pump and piping placed carefully.
3. Flat Price, Water-Tested
Before we leave.
Customer Stories
Real Overhead Sewer System Reviews
4.7 stars from 438 Google reviews for our Lincoln Park office.
★★★★★
"Wally and Ted replaced our overhead sewer system's broken ejector pump and did a camera inspection of our sewer line. A few days later, Shane came to replace our venting pipe on the system with a correct setup and angle coming out of the pit per Wally's recommendation. Great work was done by everyone."
★★★★★
"Our entire sewer system was collapsed, but Kyle and his crew offered peace of mind options at reasonable prices. They dug out our entire basement 10 - 11 inches for more livable space, and installed an overhead sewer system. Their quality work and additional measures to help ensure we would never have to worry about a wet or flooded basement went beyond our expectations."
★★★★★
"Boomer and Steve were excellent. Fair pricing, completely professional, and tidy on a complex problem with a basement overhead system in a tight space. Grateful for trustworthiness and prompt work!"
Got Questions?
Overhead Sewer Questions From Lincoln Park Homeowners
Yes.
Yes. The bathroom, kitchen and floor drains all empty into the new pit, and the pump lifts the wastewater out.
A sealed pipe that raises the floor drain opening.
A standpipe is a sealed pipe in the floor drain that raises the opening above backup level. It's a simple fix for light backups, but it doesn't protect basement fixtures.
No. That's a different problem.
No. It stops sewer backups. Water seeping through walls or the floor is a groundwater or foundation issue.
Usually a few days.
Usually a few days, depending on the layout and fixtures.
Yes, with association approval.
Yes. Because it changes shared plumbing, the association usually approves it.
It depends on your basement. You'll approve a flat price first.
It depends on the sewer depth, layout, fixtures and access. You'll approve a flat-rate price before we start.
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 Lincoln Park
Learn More
Sump & Ejector Pumps
Repair and replacement for the sump and ejector pumps that keep garden units and finished basements dry.
Sewer Repair
Cracked clay and cast iron sewer lines, roots and repeat backups under older buildings.
Burst & Frozen Pipes
Repair for pipes that froze or burst in exterior walls, crawl spaces and unheated rooms.
Gas Lines & Fireplaces
Gas fireplace repair, gas line work and leak checks.
Water Heaters
Repair and replacement for tank and tankless water heaters that leak, make noise or run out of hot water too fast.
Emergency Plumbing
Burst pipes, sewer backups and no hot water, any time of day or night.
Local Office, 24/7 Phone
Ready to Protect Your Basement?
Our Lincoln Park office is at 800 W Diversey Pkwy, and our phone line is open 24/7.
We also serve Old Town, Gold Coast, Lake View, Lake View East, Wrigleyville, Bucktown, North Halsted and more.
Need a Plumber?Call our Lincoln Park Office
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