Sewer and Drain Services
Keep Your Drains and Sewer Line in Top Shape
When drains slow down or backups strike, you need a plumbing team that gets to the root of the problem—fast. Ravinia Plumbing, Sewer, Heating & Electric delivers expert sewer and drain services across the North Shore area and the Northwest Chicago suburbs to keep your plumbing system flowing freely.
Whether it’s a clogged sink, a sluggish shower drain, or a major sewer line issue, trust Ravinia Plumbing to keep things moving in the right direction.
24/7 Emergency Sewer and Drain Services Available
When sewer or drain issues strike unexpectedly, Ravinia Plumbing is ready to respond with 24/7 emergency service. From overflowing toilets to sudden sewer line backups, our team arrives quickly with the tools and experience to fix the problem before it causes extensive damage. We don’t just offer fast sewer and drain services—we deliver long-lasting solutions that restore your home’s safety and comfort.
Sewer and Drain Problems to Watch For
Your home’s plumbing doesn’t always shout when there’s a problem—but it does send warning signs. Recognizing these early can help you avoid bigger, messier issues down the road by scheduling sewer and drain services as soon as possible.
Warning Signs of Sewer Problems and Drain Problems
Here are some common red flags that signal it’s time to call Ravinia Plumbing for sewer and drain services—and what each one might mean:
1. Slow Drains
Water Draining Slowly in One or More Fixtures
A slow-draining sink, tub, or shower often points to a localized clog caused by soap scum, hair, grease, or other debris.
Slow Drains Throughout the House
If multiple fixtures are draining slowly—like sinks, tubs, and toilets—it could point to a blockage in your main sewer line that’s restricting flow deep in the system.
2. Frequent Backups or Clogs
A clog here or there can be normal. But if you’re constantly reaching for the plunger, it may indicate a larger issue in your sewer line. Persistent backups often mean there’s a deeper obstruction that requires professional equipment to remove.
3. Foul Odors
Odors From Drains in the Home
Foul smells from your kitchen or bathroom drains usually indicate trapped food particles, grease, or even bacteria buildup. In some cases, it could also signal a deeper issue, like a dried-out trap or broken drain vent.
Sewage Smells
Odors in the Basement
Sewage odors in your basement could be linked to a failing sewer ejector pump or a backed-up main line. Either way, immediate service is crucial to prevent water damage and contamination.
Odors Outside
Unpleasant smells coming from your yard may signal a crack or break in the sewer line, allowing gases and waste to escape. These issues not only smell bad—they pose health risks and should be addressed quickly.
4. Gurgling Sounds in Pipes
Hearing bubbling or gurgling noises when you flush the toilet or run the sink? That’s often air trapped in your plumbing due to a blockage. It’s a sign of a clogged drain line or that your sewer line isn’t venting properly and needs attention.
5. Standing Water
Standing Water Around Drains
When water pools and doesn’t drain from your fixtures at all, you’re likely dealing with a complete drain blockage. These types of clogs may require rodding or hydro jetting to fully clear the pipe and restore flow.
Water Backing Up
When your main sewer line is clogged or damaged, wastewater may have nowhere to go and can back up into lower-level fixtures, floor drains, or your basement.
Wet Spots Outdoors
If your lawn has soggy spots or unusually green areas, it could be a leaking sewer line beneath the surface. Wastewater escaping underground fertilizes the grass, but also threatens your foundation and environment.
Our Residential Sewer and Drain Services Can Solve Any Household Issues
The plumbing professionals at Ravinia Plumbing have the technical expertise to keep your sewer and drain lines open and flowing. Our specialized rodding and high-pressure jetting equipment can clear any:
- Slow-draining lavatory, tub, or shower drain
- Stopped-up toilet
- Backed-up kitchen sink
- Blocked sanitary or storm sewer
We also carry a wide range of drain treatment products for efficient drain cleaning, which, unlike store-bought chemicals, will not harm your piping or the environment. Used properly, these products can help you reduce costly drain-line stoppages.
Sewer Video Camera Inspections
In the past, finding the location of a sewer line clog was a bit of a guessing game. Pinpointing the exact location of the clog and making a sewer line repair or replacement could result in digging up the wrong area of your yard. Sewer video camera inspection takes the guesswork out of this process.
Sewer Inspection Made Easy
With a sewer video camera inspection, a plumber attaches a small camera to the end of a snake-like cable that is fed through the sewer line. Bright lights on the camera illuminate the sewer line, allowing the plumber to see the pipe and clog in real-time. A transmitter embedded in the camera sends out a signal once the clog is located. It can be detected with an electronic locating device to help the plumber find the clog.
The benefits of a sewer video camera inspection include ensuring the issues are addressed properly with the right sewer and drain services, eliminating guesswork, and accurately diagnosing the issue.
Hydro Jetting
When it comes to clearing out stubborn buildup and restoring your sewer line’s full capacity, hydro jetting is one of the most effective tools in our arsenal. Ravinia Plumbing’s hydro jetting service uses high-pressure streams of water to blast away years of grease, sludge, scale, and debris—leaving your pipes clean and flowing like new.
How Hydro Jetting Works
Hydro jetting involves inserting a specialized hose into your sewer line that delivers water at pressures up to 4,000 psi. The force of the water scrubs the interior walls of the pipes, removing even the most stubborn grime and flushing it safely out of the system. Unlike traditional methods, hydro jetting cleans the entire diameter of the pipe—not just the area around the clog.
Sewer Rodding
Sewer rodding is a sewer repair technique that is ideal for slow-draining sinks, unpleasant odors coming from drains, and sewer backups in sinks, tubs, toilets, and floor drains.
What Is Sewer Rodding?
Sewer rodding is a mechanical method that uses a series of flexible rods fitted with specialized cutting or cleaning heads. These tools are inserted into your sewer line and pushed through to dislodge debris, break apart tree roots, and remove built-up waste that can accumulate over time. It’s a proven technique for tackling both minor and major blockages deep within your pipes.
Ideal for Tough, Stubborn Clogs
Some clogs are too tough for plungers or chemical drain cleaners to handle. Sewer rodding is especially effective against grease buildup, mineral deposits, and invasive roots that can damage your sewer line. It’s a reliable option for addressing persistent drainage issues without the need for invasive digging or pipe replacement.
Sewer Excavation
When repairs go beyond the reach of standard tools, sewer excavation becomes the necessary solution. Ravinia Plumbing offers expert sewer excavation services to address severe damage, collapsed lines, or deep-rooted issues that can’t be resolved with rodding or jetting alone. Our team uses precise, careful techniques to expose the damaged section of pipe, minimizing disruption to your property while ensuring safe and effective repairs.
When Is Sewer Excavation Needed?
Excavation is typically reserved for situations where sewer lines are broken, severely corroded, or have shifted due to soil movement or tree root intrusion. These issues can cause repeated backups, slow drains, or sewage leaks. If non-invasive methods fail to solve the problem, our technicians conduct a thorough inspection to determine whether excavation is the best course of action.
Sewer excavation is a more involved process that first involves using a sewer video camera inspection to find the location of the sewer issue. Once it’s found, earth-moving equipment is used to dig up a portion of your yard to access the sewer issue and make the appropriate repair or pipe replacement.
Sewer Ejector Pumps
If you have wastewater pipes that run below your main sewer line, you need a sewer ejector pump. Sewer ejector pumps are needed, for example, if you have a bathroom or washing machine in the basement. Contact Ravinia Plumbing for sewer ejector pump repair or replacement service.
What Does a Sewer Ejector Pump Do?
Sewer ejector pumps are designed to handle solid and liquid waste from bathrooms, laundry rooms, and other fixtures below grade. When gravity alone isn’t enough to move wastewater, the pump activates and pushes it up to the main sewer line. Without this critical system in place, you could face frequent backups and serious water damage in lower-level spaces.
Preventative Sewer and Drain Maintenance Services
Sewer and drain services aren’t just for existing problems—they’re a smart way to prevent them. With Ravinia Plumbing’s preventative maintenance solutions, you can stay ahead of clogs, slow drains, and costly backups.
Sewer Maintenance Services
Sewer maintenance keeps your home’s plumbing system in peak condition. At Ravinia Plumbing, we offer comprehensive sewer maintenance services that identify and address potential issues before they become major problems. From inspections to routine cleanings, we help protect your property from unexpected disruptions.
Tree Root Prevention
Chicago’s North Shore is full of beautiful, wooded communities. The bad news: tree roots are drawn to the nutrients in sewer lines. The good news: a small investment in keeping tree roots at bay can save you thousands in sewer excavation and repair.
Don’t let tree roots create a messy, destructive sewage backup in your home—please ask about our root-treatment system, which will kill the roots in your sewer without harming the tree.
Sewer Rodding
Sewer rodding is a highly effective method for clearing out debris, grease, and minor blockages from your sewer lines. As part of routine maintenance, Ravinia Plumbing uses specialized rodding equipment to break up buildup and keep wastewater flowing freely. Regular sewer rodding can help prevent clogs, backups, and costly repairs down the road.
Hydro Jetting
Hydro jetting is a powerful sewer maintenance technique that uses high-pressure water to thoroughly clean the inside of your pipes. Ravinia Plumbing’s hydro jetting service blasts away grease, scale, and stubborn debris that traditional methods can’t reach. It’s a safe, efficient way to restore full flow and keep your sewer lines in excellent condition.
Sewer Camera Inspection
Once our experts clean your sewer, we can inspect the entire line with our sewer camera system to determine the condition of your sewer line. A camera inspection allows us to identify potential problems before they become emergencies, or give you peace of mind if everything’s in great shape. Repairing minor issues while they’re still small can save you big headaches later on.
Drain Maintenance Services
Ravinia Plumbing can also provide drain cleaning services for your home. Your drain system should be cleaned about once per year to keep it from developing clogs that can eventually cause backups. Contact Ravinia Plumbing for drain cleaning services.
Flood Control
Ravinia Plumbing also specializes in installing flood-control devices, which can prevent your basement from flooding during heavy rainstorms. We can also install area drains to keep the low-lying portions of your lawn dry.
Contact Ravinia Plumbing for Sewer and Drain Services
If you’re noticing issues with your drains or sewer line, don’t hesitate to call for plumbing service. The longer you wait to have your sewer system repaired, the more expensive the repair becomes. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an appointment for sewer and drain services.
