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Serving Chicagoland Since 1993
Overhead Sewer Systems in McHenry, IL
If your basement floor drain backs up during wet seasons or heavy storms, an overhead sewer system lifts basement wastewater above the level where backups happen. We install them in McHenry homes from our office on West Elm Street.
Does Your McHenry Basement Need an Overhead Sewer?
Consider it when:
Backups Follow Wet Weather
The floor drain rises in heavy rain or high water and goes back down after.
Your Line Is Clear
No sag, roots or break, and it still happens.
You Have a Finished Basement
Or you're about to finish one.
You Live Near the River or Lakes
Saturated ground puts more water into the system.
How an Overhead Sewer System Works
With an overhead sewer, the basement no longer drains to the sewer by gravity. Floor drains and basement fixtures empty into a sealed pit. An ejector pump lifts the water up to a line near the ceiling, a check valve keeps it from flowing back and it leaves the house above the level the sewer can reach. If the sewer backs up, there's no low opening for the water to come through.
Overhead Sewers in McHenry
Overhead sewers protect basements from what happens in the public sewer.
High Water Near the Fox River
When the river and the ground are high, as in July 2017, sewer systems carry more water than usual. Gravity floor drains are the first place it shows up.
Basements Worth Protecting
About 4 in 10 McHenry homes went up between 1990 and 2009, and a finished basement raises the stakes. An overhead system protects every drain down there.
Check the Line First
We camera your line before recommending a conversion. If a sag or break is the cause, a sewer repair may be enough.
Overhead Sewer vs. Backflow Valve vs. Sump Pump
Each 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 basements in wet seasons | Homes where a passive valve is enough | Repeat backups and finished basements |
Homes near the river often need more than one. We'll tell you which.
The J. Blanton Difference773-724-9272
What Happens When You Call J. Blanton
Every overhead system starts with your line.
1. Camera First
So you don't pay for a system you don't need.
2. Planned Around Your Basement
Pit, pump and piping placed carefully.
3. Flat Price, Water-Tested
One price, and we test it before we leave.
Customer Stories
Overhead Sewer System Reviews
4.7 stars from 611 Google reviews for our McHenry office.
★★★★★
"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 McHenry Homeowners
It stops sewer backups. Groundwater and surface water need other fixes.
It stops sewer water from backing up through basement drains. Groundwater coming through walls needs a sump pump, and surface floodwater needs grading and sealing.
Sometimes. We'll check its size.
Sometimes. If the existing pit and pump are big enough for the whole basement, they may become part of the system.
Usually a few days.
Usually a few days, depending on the basement layout and fixtures.
Yes, if groundwater gets in. They do different jobs.
Yes. An overhead sewer handles sewage. A sump pump handles groundwater. Many McHenry basements need both.
It depends on your basement. You get a flat price first.
It depends on sewer depth, basement layout, fixtures 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 McHenry
Learn More
Drain Cleaning
Slow, gurgling or backed-up drains in kitchens, bathrooms and basements.
Sewer Repair
Tree roots, cracked pipe and repeat backups in the line from your house to the street.
Toilets & Showers
Running toilets, leaky shower valves and new fixture installs.
Leak Repair
Hidden leaks behind walls, under floors and around fixtures, found and fixed.
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 McHenry office is at 3406 W Elm St, and our phone line is open 24/7.
We also serve Johnsburg, Wonder Lake, Ringwood, Spring Grove, Lakemoor, Fox Lake, Island Lake, Woodstock and more.
Need a Plumber?Call our McHenry Office
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