Drain Cleaning in Gurnee, IL

An Entertainment and Retail Destination

Gurnee's identity is shaped heavily by Six Flags Great America and Gurnee Mills, two major regional attractions that bring commercial drain needs distinct from the village's residential neighborhoods.

The village's older core along the Des Plaines River carries piping from an earlier era than the large subdivisions built up around the entertainment corridor.

Des Plaines River Corridor

Properties near the Des Plaines River can see groundwater-related drainage questions distinct from a typical inland sewer clog.

Des Plaines River Village to Regional Destination

Gurnee began in the 1830s as a settlement called Wentworth, later renamed for Walter S. Gurnee, a Chicago mayor and railroad official whose line passed nearby. For most of its history it was a small farming village along the Des Plaines River. That changed dramatically in the 1970s and 1980s, when Six Flags Great America opened in 1976 and Gurnee Mills, one of the largest outlet malls in the Midwest, opened in 1991. Interstate 94 made the village easily accessible, and Gurnee grew into a regional destination with hotels, restaurants and shopping, as well as a fast-growing residential community.

Most of Gurnee's homes were built from the 1970s onward in subdivisions spread across former farmland, though a small historic core near the river retains older homes. Housing ranges from 1970s ranches and split-levels to large newer single-family homes and townhome communities.

The Des Plaines River runs through the eastern part of the village, and its floodplain has shaped both development and drainage.

The Des Plaines River and Flooding

The Des Plaines River has flooded Gurnee repeatedly, most notably in 1986, 2004, 2013 and 2017, when high water closed roads, inundated homes near the river and stressed sanitary sewers across the area. The village and county have bought out and removed many flood-prone homes and built flood control projects, but properties near the river and its tributaries remain at risk during prolonged heavy rain.

River flooding and sewer backups are related but distinct. Overland flooding enters through doors, windows and foundation cracks; sewer backups come up through floor drains when sanitary sewers are overwhelmed by infiltrating groundwater and floodwater.

Homes near the river benefit from backwater valves, sump pumps with battery backups and flood-resistant basement finishes.

Ranches, Split-Levels and Newer Homes

Gurnee's 1970s and 1980s ranches and split-levels often have partial basements or lower levels close to sewer elevation, and some have ejector pumps. Their drains may be cast iron, ABS or PVC, and laterals may be clay or plastic depending on the builder.

Newer homes built since the 1990s use PVC throughout and typically have full basements with sump pits. They resist roots and corrosion but still clog from grease, wipes and debris.

Knowing your home's age and layout helps the crew diagnose problems quickly.

Trees in Established Subdivisions

Trees planted in Gurnee's older subdivisions in the 1970s and 1980s are now mature, and their roots can reach clay or poorly sealed laterals. Root intrusion is a common cause of recurring backups in those neighborhoods.

Rodding clears the blockage, and a camera inspection shows where roots are entering. Lining can seal the lateral permanently.

PVC laterals with glued joints are far less vulnerable, though roots can still enter at damaged sections.

Sanitary Sewers and Infiltration

Gurnee's sanitary sewers are separate from storm sewers and connect to regional treatment facilities. During heavy rain and floods, groundwater and floodwater can infiltrate older lines, overloading the system and causing backups into homes.

Improperly connected sump pumps and downspouts add to the problem. Routing sump discharge to the yard, as local rules generally require, helps.

A backwater valve protects your basement from sanitary sewer backups.

Hotels, Restaurants and Gurnee Mills

Gurnee's commercial corridors along Grand Avenue and near I-94 include hotels, restaurants and retail serving millions of visitors a year. Commercial kitchens should maintain grease interceptors and schedule regular hydro jetting, and hotels benefit from preventive maintenance programs.

Peak summer season at Six Flags brings heavy use; scheduling maintenance before the season helps avoid disruptions.

If you manage a commercial property in Gurnee, ask about after-hours service.

Service in Gurnee

Crews serving northeastern Lake County cover Gurnee along with Waukegan, Park City, Wadsworth and Libertyville. When you call, share your address, the type of home and which fixtures are affected, and mention if you have a sump pump, ejector pump or backwater valve.

For main line clogs, the crew will rod from the most accessible cleanout. For recurring problems, a camera inspection is recommended. Pricing is confirmed on site before work begins.

Winter, Spring and Sump Pumps

Gurnee's position near the Des Plaines River and its tributaries means groundwater rises sharply during spring thaws and extended rain. Many homes rely on sump pumps that run frequently from March through June. A pump that fails during a storm can flood a basement quickly, and power outages often accompany the same storms that raise groundwater.

Test your sump pump each spring by pouring water into the pit and watching the float trigger the motor. Make sure the discharge line is clear, extends well away from the foundation and does not freeze in winter. A battery backup or water-powered backup pump adds important protection. Replace pumps older than about ten years before they fail rather than after.

Keep gutters clear, extend downspouts at least several feet from the foundation and maintain grading that slopes away from the house. These steps reduce the water your sump pump must handle and lower the risk of seepage.

Townhome and Condo Communities

Gurnee has many townhome and condo communities built from the 1980s onward. In these developments, laterals may be shared between several units, and responsibility for drain maintenance is often split between the association and individual owners. Before calling for service, check your association's rules about who handles which lines.

When a clog in a shared line affects several units, the association typically coordinates service. Associations benefit from periodic camera inspection of shared laterals and clear communication with residents about what not to flush.

Individual owners are usually responsible for clogs within their own unit's branch lines.

Buying in Gurnee

Before buying a home near the Des Plaines River, check flood maps and ask about flooding history, sump pump age and whether the home has a backwater valve. For older homes in established subdivisions, a sewer camera inspection before closing checks the lateral for roots and damage.

For townhomes, ask the association about maintenance history and responsibility for shared lines.

Coverage Area

Local crews in our network serve the Village of Gurnee, including the historic area near the river, the subdivisions north and south of Grand Avenue, the neighborhoods near Gurnee Mills and Six Flags, and the townhome communities along Route 21 and Route 132. Share your address and nearest cross streets when you call.

Everyday Habits for Gurnee Homes

Whether your home was built in 1975 or 2015, a few habits keep drains flowing. Pour cooking grease into a can and throw it out once it cools rather than washing it down the sink. Flush only toilet paper; wipes, paper towels and hygiene products do not break down and are a leading cause of main line clogs in newer PVC systems. Use hair catchers in tubs and showers, and clean the washing machine's lint screen regularly.

Watch for early warning signs such as several drains slowing at once, gurgling from a floor drain or water rising in the tub when the toilet flushes. Calling at that stage usually means a quick, inexpensive fix rather than an emergency cleanup in a finished basement.

Frequently Asked Questions