Reliance Plumbing Sewer & Drainage, Inc. Blog: Archive for the ‘Drain and Sewer’ Category

Pipe Lining and Brush Coating: Do Your Pipes Need It?

Monday, August 11th, 2025
view-through-interior-of-pipe

Over time, even the most reliable plumbing systems can show signs of age: corrosion, cracks, root intrusion, and scaling can all threaten the integrity of your pipes. While traditional pipe replacement is one option, modern trenchless technologies like pipe lining and brush coating offer efficient, long-lasting solutions.

If you’ve recently needed drain cleaning in Des Plaines, IL, or noticed recurring issues with your plumbing, it may be time to consider whether your pipes need more than just a quick fix.

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When Is a Drain Cleaning Necessary?

Monday, July 14th, 2025
water-swirling-down-a-kitchen-sink

A clogged or slow-moving drain is more than just an inconvenience. It’s often a warning sign that your plumbing system needs attention. Ignoring early signs of trouble can lead to messy backups, foul odors, and costly damage to your home’s pipes and foundation.

So how do you know when drain and sewer line cleaning in Des Plaines, IL is necessary, and when should you schedule preventative service? Let’s break it down.

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Trenchless Tech for Sewer Repair Without Lawn Damage

Monday, May 19th, 2025
Severely cracked sewer pipe filled with roots, highlighting need for trenchless sewer repair.

If you’ve noticed unpleasant smells in your yard, gurgling drains, or frequent sewage backups, your home’s sewer line may be in trouble. Traditional sewer line repairs often meant tearing up your lawn, driveway, or garden to access the damaged pipe—but not anymore. Thanks to trenchless sewer repair technology in Glenview, IL, our qualified plumbing team can now fix most sewer issues without wrecking your landscaping.

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Valentine’s Day Tips for Glenview Customers

Monday, February 10th, 2025
elegant-kitchen-with-vase-of-red-roses

Happy Valentine’s Day! How will you be spending it? Whisked away to Paris for the weekend? Hmm, perhaps that would be a bit much to ask. Might you be spending it at home, cooking for your beloved, or maybe making a meal together? That can be even more romantic than a fancy getaway. But not if your evening plans are interrupted by plumbing problems!

When you’re cooking a special meal for a holiday or special occasion, you’re likely to do things that put extra strain on your plumbing. (This is why the #1 busiest day for plumbers in the US is the day after Thanksgiving!) What should you do to make sure you can enjoy your romantic dinner in peace rather than running around looking for a plunger? Here are our tips.

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Clogs? We Have Cutting-Edge Drain Cleaning Tech!

Monday, December 2nd, 2024
clean-water-swirling-down-a-sink-drain

Nobody enjoys a clogged drain. It slows down or stops everything you need to do in the kitchen or bathroom, and sometimes it creates a deeply unpleasant smell. And then what can you do? Should you get a bottle of liquid drain cleaner and pour that down on top of your clog? Absolutely not! 

Today’s plumbers have tools and technology far beyond what you might remember from years ago. Our cutting-edge drain cleaning system will work much better than liquid drain cleaner, and more safely, too! Here’s how.

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Prevent Plumbing Holiday Disasters!

Monday, October 21st, 2024
a-family-sitting-down-for-a-holiday-meal

Nobody wants an emergency during the holiday season. Even worse if it occurs when you have guests visiting your home. And one of the most dreadful kinds of emergencies to have in that situation is a plumbing emergency. When you have family or friends staying with you, it’s awful if the shower or sink drain is blocked

Plumbing emergencies like these can almost always be avoided completely. Yes, that’s right. We’re telling you that you shouldn’t have to worry about having problems like this fixed. Plumbing disasters can be prevented with routine maintenance, and it’s ideal to have it done this time of year, before the holidays. Here’s how it works.

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Slab Leaks: All You Need to Know!

Monday, May 6th, 2024
Finger Plugging Water Leak

Have you ever heard of a slab leak? It’s not a term that comes up often in everyday conversation, but understanding what it is and how to deal with it can save you from significant headaches down the road. This comprehensive guide will give everything you need to know about slab leaks in Evanston, including what they are, how to spot them, what causes them, the risks of ignoring them, and crucial prevention tips.

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How Can You Get Your Sewer Line Repaired?

Monday, April 8th, 2024
Blue sewer pipe laid in a trench during sewer line repair work.

Maintaining the integrity of your home’s sewer line is crucial for the overall functionality of your plumbing system. However, issues such as blockages, leaks, or corrosion can arise over time, necessitating sewer line repairs. Common signs of a broken sewer pipe include slow drains, frequent clogs, and unusually lush patches of grass in your yard, which may indicate a sewer leak.

With over fifty years of experience, an Angie’s List SUPER SERVICE Award Winner, and an A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau, you can trust Reliance Plumbing Sewer & Drainage, Inc., for sewer line repair in Glenview, IL. Importantly, choosing a reputable company with qualified technicians ensures your trenchless sewer repair is handled efficiently and professionally. Many companies offer video inspections to accurately diagnose issues before repair, and trenchless repairs are available in the city of Chicago, Naperville, Elgin, Wheaton, and Schaumburg. Homeowners can opt for trenchless repairs, which are often cheaper and more efficient than traditional methods, as they minimize disruption to the ground and surface by using small access points instead of digging large holes or trenches. Most trenchless sewer repairs can be completed in a single day, restoring service quickly and efficiently, and are the preferred option for houses with mature landscaping to avoid putting your property at risk of unnecessary damage. The length and material of the repair area affect the cost, but trenchless sewer repair is often less expensive overall due to reduced restoration costs, avoiding the additional expenses homeowners pay for landscaping after traditional excavation. Homeowners should inquire about the specific trenchless methods used, check if repairs are covered by homeowners insurance, and take into account all factors when diagnosing sewer line issues.

Causes of Sewer Pipe Damage

Sewer pipe damage can happen for a variety of reasons, many of which are beyond a homeowner’s control. Over time, aging infrastructure can weaken the structural integrity of your sewer line, making it more susceptible to cracks and breaks. Corrosion is another common culprit, especially in older pipes made from outdated materials, leading to leaks and eventual failure. One of the most frequent causes of sewer problems is tree root infiltration—roots naturally seek out moisture and can invade even the smallest cracks, causing stubborn clogs and significant damage to the pipe.

Other factors, such as poor installation, shifting soil, or heavy traffic and construction near your property, can also contribute to sewer line issues. These problems can result in broken sewer pipes, sewage backups, foul odors, and costly repairs if not addressed promptly.

Fortunately, modern trenchless sewer line repair methods offer a solution that avoids the mess and disruption of traditional excavation. Techniques like pipe relining and pipe bursting allow plumbers to repair or replace damaged sewer pipes without digging up your entire yard, driveway, or sidewalks. Pipe relining involves inserting a durable liner coated with resin into the old pipe, creating a seamless new pipe within the existing line. Pipe bursting, on the other hand, breaks apart the old pipe while simultaneously pulling a new pipe into place.

These trenchless repair options are especially popular in Chicago, where aging infrastructure and dense neighborhoods make traditional sewer repair challenging. By choosing trenchless sewer repair, homeowners and businesses can address sewer problems efficiently, with minimal disruption to their property and daily routine. The process typically starts with a camera inspection to assess the entire line and pinpoint the source of the issue. Once diagnosed, the repair can often be completed in a single day, restoring your sewer line’s function and protecting your property from future damage.

Trenchless sewer repair not only saves you money on landscaping and restoration costs but also provides a long-lasting solution. The new pipe installed through these methods is designed to withstand decades of use, giving you peace of mind and safeguarding your investment. For homeowners in Chicago and beyond, trenchless sewer line repair is a smart, cost-effective way to solve sewer problems and maintain the health of your plumbing system—without the mess and hassle of traditional digging.

Step-by-Step Sewer Line Repair Process

  • Inspect the sewer line using a video camera to locate the damage. Many trenchless sewer repair companies offer video inspections to accurately diagnose sewer line issues before proceeding with repairs.
  • Assessment and Diagnosis: Plumbers take into account various factors and signs, such as cracks, blockages, or collapsed sections, when assessing the condition of the sewer line.
  • Select a repair method:
    • Pipe patching for minor leaks
    • Pipe relining for internal damage
    • Trenchless or full replacement for severe damage
  • Obtain necessary permits before starting the repair.

After reviewing repair options, homeowners should inquire about the specific trenchless methods used by their service provider to ensure they are suitable for their sewer line issues.

Schedule regular maintenance to prevent future issues.

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Sewage Pump vs. Sump Pump: What’s the Difference?

Monday, February 26th, 2024
birds-eye-view-of-sump-pump-system

You probably have heard about sump pumps and sewage pumps. In fact, your home may have one or the other or both. We’ve discovered that there’s often confusion in people’s minds when it comes to sewage pump vs. sump pump. Are they really the same thing, and if they’re different, what jobs do they do? The most important question: Do you need them? 

We’ll look into these questions in this blog post. However, the best way to get an answer to the last question is to talk to our professional plumbers. We have extensive experience with all types of plumbing installations for both homes and businesses.

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Sewer Line Materials: Knowing When You’ve Got an Outdated Line

Monday, January 1st, 2024
sewer-tunnel

Sewer systems go back to ancient times: they’re a necessary improvement that allowed cities to thrive in the first place. Today, most of us take the sewer systems that serve our communities for granted, as well as the sewer lines that connect our homes to the sewer system. But if you’ve got an old sewer line made of outdated material, you may find yourself in a bad situation where you need either sewer line repair or replacement right away.

You can depend on us for these services in the Northshore and Northwest Chicagoland area. To help you know when it’s time to schedule an inspection of your sewer line, we’re going to look at the recent history of sewer line materials so you know what “outdated” means in this case.

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