Sewer Repair
Cracked clay laterals, roots and repeat backups in sewer lines from the 1940s, 50s and 60s.
Serving Chicagoland Since 1993
Overhead Sewer Systems in Elmhurst, IL
If your floor drain backs up whenever a big storm hits, an overhead sewer lifts basement wastewater above the level where backups happen. We install them in Elmhurst homes of every age. Our office is on York Street, downtown.
Should Your Elmhurst Home Have an Overhead Sewer?
Consider it when:
You Flooded in 2010 or 2013
And worry about the next one.
The Line Is Clear on Camera
Yet the floor drain still backs up.
The Basement Is Finished or About to Be
Protect it first.
There's a Basement Bathroom
It's the most exposed fixture.
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 Elmhurst
On April 17 and 18, 2013, Elmhurst got 7.26 inches of rain. Homes old and new were damaged, some in the same neighborhoods that flooded in 2010.
Postwar Basements
Gravity floor drains in 1950s and 60s basements sit below the street sewer.
Newer Homes Too
New construction isn't automatically safe from a backup.
Camera First
A blocked lateral can cause backups too. A sewer repair may be enough.
Overhead Sewer vs. Backflow Valve vs. Sump Pump
Each one has a job:
| Sump Pump | Backflow Valve | Overhead Sewer System | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stops | Groundwater at the foundation | Sewer water flowing back in | Storm backups through basement drains |
| How | Pumps water out of a pit | A flap closes on reverse flow | Lifts basement wastewater above flood level |
| Best for | Wet soil | Lighter backup risk | Repeat backups and finished basements |
We'll tell you which ones your basement needs.
The J. Blanton Difference773-724-9272
What Happens When You Call J. Blanton
Start with the line.
1. Camera First
Rule out a simpler fix.
2. Design the Layout
Pit, pump and piping placed to fit.
3. Flat Price, Water-Tested
Before we leave.
Customer Stories
Overhead Sewer System Reviews
4.7 stars from 5,669+ Google reviews across all J. Blanton locations.
★★★★★
"J. Blanton was great. I was not the nicest this morning when I called because I was super stressed about my plumbing being totally backed up for the second time in 6 weeks, and they were so sweet. They got someone out same day and communicated constantly until he arrived. Stephen was absolutely amazing. [...]"
★★★★★
"Welhem and Josh have been so kind with my flooded crawl space and sump pump replacement process. It’s my first time owning a home and while these things can be stressful, they have been wonderful about getting things resolved as quickly as possible. Services Sump pump repair, Sump pump installation"
★★★★★
"Ray was awesome! My kitchen sink was backed up and he took care of things courteously, neatly and thoroughly. Ray explained the mechanics of why my issue may have happened and how to prevent it from happening again. I recommend Ray and JVS to anyone looking for a plumber!"
Got Questions?
Overhead Sewer Questions From Elmhurst Homeowners
If it was a sewer backup, yes.
If water came up through the floor drain, yes. If it seeped through the walls, that's groundwater, which needs a sump pump or waterproofing.
Not without backup power.
The ejector pump needs power. A battery backup or generator keeps it running, and the basement fixtures shouldn't be used during an outage.
Yes.
Yes. It drains to the new pit with the rest of the basement.
Usually a few days.
Usually a few days, depending on layout and finishes.
If it has backed up, it can be.
If it has backed up before, yes. In 2013, homes old and new were damaged.
It depends on your basement. You'll approve a flat price first.
It depends on 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 Elmhurst
Learn More
Water Heaters
Repair and replacement for tank and tankless water heaters that leak, make noise or run out of hot water too fast.
Hydro Jetting
High-pressure sewer cleaning that scours roots, grease and scale off the pipe walls.
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.
Sump Pumps
Sump pump repair, replacement and battery backups to keep your basement dry through heavy rain.
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 Elmhurst office is at 116 S York St, Suite 212, and our phone line is open 24/7.
We also serve Villa Park, Lombard, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, Westchester, Glen Ellyn and more.
Need a Plumber?Call our Elmhurst Office
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