Sewage or dirty water coming up through tubs, showers, or floor drains. Here's what to do about sewer backups in Chicago — including the local factors that change the advice.
Do this right now
Stop all water use
No flushing, no showers, no laundry, no dishwasher. Every gallon you send down has nowhere to go.
Keep people and pets away
Sewage carries bacteria and viruses. Keep kids and pets out of affected areas.
Don't use chemical cleaners
They won't fix a sewer backup and they make the mess hazardous for cleanup crews.
Check your cleanout if you know where it is
An overflowing exterior cleanout confirms the blockage is in your line (your responsibility) vs. the city main. Don't open anything you're unsure about.
Call for emergency service
Call (844) 699-1165 now. Sewer emergencies get priority dispatch — describe what you see and smell.
Sewer Backup in Chicago? Talk to a local pro now.
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What makes sewer backups different in Chicago
- brick bungalows and vintage two-flats, nearly all with basements — older sewer laterals here are prime candidates for root intrusion and collapse.
- Tree roots are the repeat offender — once roots find a crack or joint in a sewer lateral, they grow back even after clearing, which is why a camera inspection matters more than a one-time clear.
- In Chicago, polar-vortex winters with brutal freeze-thaw cycles — heavy rain events can overwhelm systems and push backups into homes.
- Combined sewers mean heavy rains back up into basements — sump pumps and overhead sewers are Chicago essentials
Neighborhoods
If you're in Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, Logan Square, Hyde Park, Naperville, Aurora, Evanston, Pilsen, Oak Park, Joliet, or anywhere across the Chicago metro — Chicago, Aurora, Naperville, Joliet, Elgin — the steps above apply. Call (844) 699-1165 and mention your neighborhood so we match you with a pro who knows the area.
What to tell the pro when you call
- Which fixtures are backing up and what you're seeing/smelling
- Whether the exterior cleanout is overflowing (if you checked)
- Whether neighbors have the same problem (points to city main)
- The age of your home and any known sewer line history
- Whether anyone has put the line on a maintenance schedule before
Not quite your problem?
| One slow drain, no sewage | Clogged drain in Chicago → |
| Water backing up but it's clean | Main drain clog in Chicago → |
| Yard flooding after rain, no odor | Drainage / sump issues in Chicago → |
Sewer Backup in Chicago — FAQs
Are sewer backups common in Chicago?
Who fixes the sewer line in Chicago — me or the city?
Is a sewer backup an emergency?
Whose responsibility is the sewer line?
More Chicago plumbing guides
Main Water Shutoff Valve
You don't know where your main shutoff is (most common 'symptom').