Cook County · Chicago–Naperville–Elgin metro

Plumbing help in Chicago, IL

Older PipesLead Lines

Chicago's plumbing story is dominated by lead. Lead water service lines went into Chicago homes into the mid-1980s, and the city now has hundreds of thousands to replace. Add very old housing, cold winters and a city-specific plumbing code, and Chicago homeowners face questions few other cities do.

Call (833) 878-1592Plumbing help in Chicago and Cook County

Water supply lines and fittings inside an open wall during renovation

Median home built: 1954
Built before 1980: 73%
Owner-occupied: 47%
Water hardness: See below
Winter: Regular hard freezes
Plumbing code: State code

Common repairs in Chicago homes

Water Line Repair
Lead service lines are common in homes built before 1986; see how lead line replacement works in Chicago.
Sewer Backup
Heavy storms can surcharge the sewer system and push water back into basements; backwater valves and cleanouts matter here.
Frozen Pipe Repair
Long, hard winters freeze pipes in exterior walls, unheated porches and basements.

Local programs in Chicago

Lead service line replacement in ChicagoHow lead water service line replacement works in Chicago: free and fee-waived city programs, who qualifies, what state law requires, and what the job involves.

What's behind the walls of Chicago's older homes

The median home in Chicago was built in 1954, and 73% of homes predate 1980. Homes from that era were typically built with copper or galvanized supply, cast iron drains, clay or cast iron sewer laterals.

Median home: 1954

1900195020002025

Galvanized steel supply (1900–1960)
Copper supply (1950–2000)
Polybutylene (some homes) (1978–1996)
PEX / CPVC (1995–today)

Typical supply-pipe materials by construction year. Many older homes have been partly repiped since.

Common projects in homes like these:Repiping Sewer camera inspection Water line repair Brown or rusty water

Emergency plumbing in Chicago

Call (833) 878-1592

Shut off your main water supply if it's safe to do so. The emergencies below are listed most likely first for Chicago homes, based on local conditions.

Frozen pipe risk in Chicago

Regular hard freezes · 73% of Chicago homes were built before 1980

Before winter:Winterizing checklist Outdoor faucets Find your shutoff

If a pipe freezes:Frozen pipe repair Burst pipe repair No water

Which plumbing rules apply in Chicago

Chicago runs lead service line programs that include free replacement for income-qualified homeowners, free replacement when a lead line breaks or leaks (report through 311), and waived permit fees for homeowner-initiated replacements. [2]

Licensing:Check a plumber's license in Illinois How to check a license

Where Chicago's water comes from

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]

Plumbing services for Chicago homes

Or start from:Plumbing problems Emergencies

Chicago plumbing questions

How do I know if my Chicago home has a lead service line?

If the home is a house or two-flat built before 1986 and the line hasn't been replaced, it's likely lead. Check where the line enters the basement: lead is dull gray and scratches to shiny silver. The city's Lead Safe Chicago program has lookup and replacement information.

Will Chicago replace my lead service line for free?

Possibly. The city offers free replacement for income-qualified homeowners and when a lead line breaks or leaks, and waives permit fees if you hire your own contractor. Program details are on Lead Safe Chicago.

Sources (3)

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (B25035) · checked 2026-10-01
City of Chicago, Lead Safe Chicago · checked 2026-10-01
City of Chicago, Lead Safe Chicago · checked 2026-10-01