Practical advice from a licensed Chicago plumber. Maintenance, warning signs, and decisions to make before the next emergency.
Practical advice from the people who actually do the work.
Your home’s sewer line is one of those things you probably don’t think about until there’s a problem. Unlike the plumbing fixtures inside your home, your sewer line is mostly hidden underground. You can’t easily see its condition, and a problem may develop for months, or even years, before you notice the warning signs. That’s […]
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Your sewer line is one of the most important (and least visible) parts of your home’s plumbing system. When everything is working properly, you probably don’t think about it. But when a sewer line develops a problem, the symptoms can quickly become hard to ignore. A sewer scope inspection gives you a look inside the […]
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When you invite a plumber into your home, you’re trusting them with more than just your pipes. You’re trusting them to work carefully around your floors, walls, cabinets, furniture, and belongings. A professional plumber should understand that protecting your home during plumbing repairs is part of providing quality service. At The Plumbing Department, we take […]
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Have you noticed your shower losing pressure or your tap water looking rusty? If you live in an older Chicago home, galvanized water pipes may be to blame. Galvanized piping naturally deteriorates with age, affecting both the amount of water flowing through your pipes and the quality of the water coming out of your faucets. […]
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If you own an older home in Chicago, there’s a good chance you have galvanized water pipes. While these pipes were once considered durable, they eventually rust and corrode from the inside out, leading to plumbing problems that only get worse over time. What Are Galvanized Pipes? Galvanized pipes are steel water lines coated with […]
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Your sump pump is one of the hardest-working plumbing fixtures in your home, especially during the heavy rainstorms we’ve experienced throughout the Chicago area this year. Its job is simple but critical: collect groundwater that enters your sump pit and pump it safely away from your home’s foundation before it can flood your basement. Unfortunately, […]
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If you own a home or multi-unit property in Chicago, your sewer line is one of the most important systems on your property. Many homeowners don’t think about their sewer until there’s a problem, but by then, the damage can already be…
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Here’s a clear breakdown of what each pump does, how to tell them apart, and why both matter for your home.
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The upfront cost gap is significant. But over the lifetime of the unit, a tankless system typically recoups that cost through energy savings and a longer lifespan.
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The result? A battery that looks fine and passes a basic test might only deliver 20-30% of its original capacity when it’s actually needed. During a six-hour power outage in the middle of a storm, that’s not enough.
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That’s where a battery backup sump pump becomes essential.
Read more If you’re planning to sell your home in the next few years, or simply want to make smart, long-term upgrades, replacing galvanized piping with copper piping should be high on your renovation to-do list. For many homeowners in Chicago, this…
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Spring in Chicago means warmer temperatures, melting snow, and heavy seasonal rains—and that combination can put your basement at serious risk for flooding. If you live in Chicago or the surrounding suburbs, now is the time to make sure…
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If you’re planning to sell your home in the next few years—especially in a competitive market like Chicago—now is the time to start thinking strategically about your plumbing system.
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Purchasing a home is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make. While natural light, updated kitchens, and square footage are important, what’s happening underground can have a much bigger impact on your long-term budget.
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Home inspections are one of the most important steps in the home-buying process. In a competitive real estate market, it can be tempting to waive certain inspections to make your offer more appealing. But doing so can come with serious…
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Your water heater is one of the hardest-working appliances in your home, yet it’s often out of sight and out of mind—until something goes wrong. Understanding the average lifespan of a water heater and recognizing early warning signs of…
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Water heaters are one of the most crucial parts of a home’s plumbing system. From daily showers to laundry, dishes, and handwashing, your water heater works constantly behind the scenes. Because it’s such an essential (and expensive)…
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When winter hits Chicago, frozen pipes become a serious and all-too-common concern for homeowners. Extended periods of extreme cold can quickly turn a minor plumbing issue into major water damage if not addressed properly. Knowing the…
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Once a water heater reaches the upper end of its expected lifespan, repairs are often no longer cost-effective. At that point, replacement usually makes more financial sense. The best way to maximize the years you get out of your water…
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When you’re dealing with a clogged or slow sewer line, two common professional solutions are sewer rodding and hydro jetting. While both methods are designed to restore proper flow, they work very differently, and choosing the right one…
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Frozen pipes aren’t just inconvenient — they can cause thousands of dollars in damage in a matter of hours. That’s why we believe in educating homeowners and condo owners on how freezing happens and what you can do to prevent it.
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With rising prices across the board—including plumbing materials—staying proactive with home maintenance can help you avoid expensive surprises. Here’s how:
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At The Plumbing Department, Inc., we source materials exclusively from trusted plumbing supply houses. This ensures that the fixtures we install in your home are of the highest quality and built to last. Even if the model numbers seem the…
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One of the most important things a homeowner can know is where your main water shutoff is located and whether it’s working properly. In an emergency—like a burst pipe or major leak—shutting off your water quickly can prevent costly damage…
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Here’s how to protect your home:
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