Plumbing emergency · Chicago, IL
Emergency Plumbing in Chicago, IL
For a burst pipe, major leak or sewage backup in Chicago, shut off the water first, then call. Problems on the street side of the meter go to City of Chicago; anything on your side goes to a licensed plumber, and we connect you with one.
By calling, you agree to be connected with an independent plumbing contractor serving your area. Calls may be recorded for quality and training. The call and referral are free, and you are never obligated to hire.- Licensed local plumbers
- Free call and referral
- You approve the quote first
Call now for
- Burst pipes
- Major leaks
- Sewage backups
- Overflowing toilets
- Leaking water heaters
Emergency plumbing services in Chicago
- Burst Pipe RepairStopping and repairing burst or split pipes.
- Sewer BackupSewage coming up through floor drains, tubs or toilets.
- Water Heater RepairNo hot water, leaking tank, strange noises or uneven temperature.
- Leak DetectionHidden leaks behind walls, ceilings or floors, or a bill that suddenly jumps.
- Frozen Pipe RepairThawing frozen lines safely and fixing freeze damage.
- Sump Pump Repair and InstallationSump pumps that fail, run constantly or need replacing.
Emergencies we connect you with help for
- Burst or split pipes
- Water leaking through a ceiling
- Sewage backing up into drains
- An overflowing toilet that won't stop
- A water heater leaking from the tank
- No water in the house
Emergencies most likely in Chicago homes
- Chicago sees regular hard freezes. Burst pipes usually show up when the pipe thaws, so check exposed lines, garages and crawlspaces after a hard freeze.
- 73% of Chicago's homes were built before 1980 (median year built 1954). Aging galvanized supply pipe and cast iron or clay sewer lines are behind many sudden leaks and backups in homes of that age.
- Lead service lines are common in homes built before 1986; see how lead line replacement works in Chicago.
- Heavy storms can surcharge the sewer system and push water back into basements; backwater valves and cleanouts matter here.
- Long, hard winters freeze pipes in exterior walls, unheated porches and basements.
- Typical home built
- 1954
- Homes before 1980
- 73%
- Winter freezes
- Regular hard freezes
The first five minutes
- 1Shut off the waterMain shutoff, or the fixture's own valve.
- 2Cut power near waterOnly from a dry spot.
- 3Gas smell: leave firstCall the gas utility or 911 from outside.
- 4Call and describe itSay what failed and when.
What affects the price
The plumbing company sets the price after seeing the job; ask for it in writing before work starts.
- Time of day, weekends and holidays
- What failed and how much water got out
- Access to the pipe or fixture
- Whether a temporary fix or a full repair is done first
- Parts the plumber has to source
Plumbing work we connect Chicago homeowners with
Sewer BackupSewage coming up through floor drains, tubs or toilets. Water Heater RepairNo hot water, leaking tank, strange noises or uneven temperature. Leak DetectionHidden leaks behind walls, ceilings or floors, or a bill that suddenly jumps. Frozen Pipe RepairThawing frozen lines safely and fixing freeze damage. Sump Pump Repair and InstallationSump pumps that fail, run constantly or need replacing.
Emergency Plumbing in Chicago: questions
Who fixes a water main break on my street in Chicago?
City of Chicago handles mains and the service line up to the meter. A plumber handles the line from the meter to the house and everything inside.
What should I do if a pipe bursts during a Chicago freeze?
Close the main shutoff, open the faucets to drain the lines, and keep heat on. In Chicago, check garages, crawlspaces and exterior walls first.
Are older Chicago homes more likely to have plumbing emergencies?
Age matters: the median Chicago home was built in 1954 and 73% predate 1980. Homes of that era typically have copper or galvanized supply, cast iron drains, clay or cast iron sewer laterals.
Is water line repair a common emergency in Chicago?
Lead service lines are common in homes built before 1986; see how lead line replacement works in Chicago.
Is sewer backup a common emergency in Chicago?
Heavy storms can surcharge the sewer system and push water back into basements; backwater valves and cleanouts matter here.
Emergency Plumbing near Chicago
- Emergency Plumbing in Rockford, ILPlumbing emergency in Rockford, IL? Who to call (City of Rockford or a plumber), what to shut off first, and the emergencies most likely in Rockford homes.
- Emergency Plumbing in Naperville, ILPlumbing emergency in Naperville, IL? Who to call (City of Naperville or a plumber), what to shut off first, and the emergencies most likely in Naperville homes.
- Emergency Plumbing in Joliet, ILPlumbing emergency in Joliet, IL? Who to call (City of Joliet or a plumber), what to shut off first, and the emergencies most likely in Joliet homes.
- Emergency Plumbing in Elgin, ILPlumbing emergency in Elgin, IL? Who to call (City of Elgin or a plumber), what to shut off first, and the emergencies most likely in Elgin homes.
- Emergency Plumbing in Peoria, ILPlumbing emergency in Peoria, IL? Who to call (Illinois American Water or a plumber), what to shut off first, and the emergencies most likely in Peoria homes.
More plumbing services in Chicago
- Sewer Backup Cleanup in Chicago, ILSewer Backup Cleanup in Chicago, IL: heavy storms can surcharge the sewer system and push water back into basements; backwater valves and cleanouts matter here.
- Frozen Pipe Repair in Chicago, ILFrozen Pipe Repair in Chicago, IL: long, hard winters freeze pipes in exterior walls, unheated porches and basements.
- All plumbing services in ChicagoEvery plumbing service available to Chicago homes.
Local rules and details for Chicago
Who to call in Chicago
Leaks on the street side of the water meter, a broken main or no water on the whole street are for the water utility: in Chicago that is City of Chicago. Check its website or your water bill for its emergency line.
Leaks, backups and failures on your side of the meter, inside the house or in your sewer lateral, are a plumber's job. Call us and we connect you with an independent, licensed plumbing company that handles emergency calls in Chicago; when they can arrive depends on that company and the time of day.
Chicago facts behind this page
- Chicago has nearly 400,000 lead service lines. The city says a house or two-flat built before 1986 is highly likely to have a lead service line unless it was replaced during a renovation or addition. [1]
- The median home in Chicago was built in 1954. [2]
- About 73% of Chicago's housing units were built before 1980, the era of galvanized steel supply pipe, cast iron drains and clay sewer laterals. [2]
Sources (2)
- City of Chicago, Lead Safe Chicago · checked 2026-10-01
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (B25035) · checked 2026-10-01