What does Chicago's code say about the building sewer?
That repairs on public property are the city's unless the owner let it clog. The municipal code makes the Department of Water Management responsible for repairs to the part of the building sewer on public property, with an exception where the owner intentionally or negligently let it become obstructed.
In practice, keeping the line clear is the owner's job throughout. Sewer line jetting is one thing to ask a pro about, and a camera inspection turns a guess about the pipe into video of it. Phone to get information and book a visit.
Why do downspouts matter for Chicago laterals?
Because roof water can end up in the lateral. The regional district notes that downspouts feeding the lateral add to its load and can contribute to backups.
Disconnecting downspouts from the sewer is a separate job from cleaning the pipe, but both lower backup risk. A camera shows connections inside the lateral that you cannot see from the basement.
Who maintains which part of the line in Chicago?
Chicago's code and the regional district split the system as shown here.
| Part of the line | Who maintains it | What it means when a line clogs |
|---|---|---|
| Building sewer on public property | Department of Water Management | The city repairs it, unless the owner negligently let it clog |
| Lateral on private property | Property owner | The owner keeps it clear and maintains it |
| Downspouts connected to the lateral | Property owner | They add load and can contribute to backups |
How do Chicago's combined sewers shape the problem?
Rain and sewage share pipe across much of the city. A big storm can fill them, sending water back toward low basement drains.
A clear lateral keeps your wastewater moving out, while an overhead sewer or backwater valve addresses flow coming back. Both are for a plumber to assess, and neither replaces regular cleaning.
Which Chicago properties book jetting?
Two-flats, greystones and six-flats across the neighborhoods, plus West Loop, Pilsen and Fulton Market restaurants.
Commercial grease line jetting clears kitchen lines, drain jetting handles stack branches in multi-unit buildings, and tree root removal clears parkway-tree roots.
Hydro jetting services in Chicago
All seven services are available across Chicago, for bungalows, two-flats, high-rises and restaurants.
- Sewer line jetting on the building sewer from cleanout toward the main
- Sewer camera inspection for early-1900s clay laterals
- Tree root removal for parkway-tree roots
- Drain jetting for branch lines in two-flats and six-flats
- Commercial grease line jetting for West Loop, Pilsen and Fulton Market kitchens
- Sewer backup help for flooded basement drains
- Storm drain jetting for alley, garage and lot drains
Neighborhoods and nearby cities
Calls come from across Chicago, including Logan Square, Lincoln Park, Bridgeport, Pilsen, Rogers Park, Beverly, the West Loop and Edgewater.
See the Illinois page for the state overview. Help is also available in Evanston, Oak Park, Cicero, Skokie, Berwyn, Naperville and Joliet.