Drain Cleaning in Northbrook, IL

Larger Lots, Later Construction

Northbrook developed later and on more generous lots than many older North Shore towns, with most homes dating from the 1950s through the 1980s on a mix of clay and PVC branch lines. Northbrook's ZIP code (60062) covers the entire village.

Root Intrusion on Mature Lots

Decades of tree growth on Northbrook's larger lots can still work roots into an aging lateral's joints - see tree root removal from sewer line for clearing that.

Repairing a Line Under a Landscaped Yard

A damaged line under a mature, landscaped yard can often be relined instead of excavated - see trenchless sewer lining for how that avoids disturbing the property.

Shermerville to Northbrook

Northbrook was originally called Shermerville, after Frederick Schermer, who donated land for a railroad station on the Milwaukee Road in the 1870s. The village incorporated under that name in 1901 and was largely a German farming community, known for brickyards along the West Fork of the North Branch of the Chicago River. In 1923, residents voted to rename the village Northbrook, after the river branch that runs through it. Northbrook grew rapidly after the Second World War into a prosperous suburb, and it became known as a center of speed skating, producing multiple Olympic champions who trained at its outdoor rinks. Corporate headquarters and Northbrook Court mall added to its economy.

Most Northbrook homes were built between the 1950s and the 1980s, including ranches, split-levels, Colonials and larger newer homes, with some older houses near the downtown and teardown replacements throughout.

The West Fork of the North Branch runs through the village, and clay soils and flat terrain influence drainage.

Ranches and Split-Levels

Northbrook's mid-century ranches and split-levels typically have cast iron drains and clay laterals now fifty to seventy years old. Split-levels often have lower levels close to sewer elevation, sometimes with ejector pumps.

Mature trees planted when neighborhoods were built make root intrusion common. Regular rodding prevents most emergencies.

When lower-level fixtures back up while upstairs drains work, the ejector pump may be the cause.

The West Fork and Flooding

The West Fork of the North Branch of the Chicago River runs through the heart of Northbrook, and neighborhoods along it have experienced flooding during major storms, notably in 1987, 2008 and 2013. When the river rises, groundwater climbs, basements can take on water through foundation cracks and window wells, and sanitary sewers can be overloaded by infiltration, pushing sewage back through floor drains. Northbrook has invested in stormwater projects and floodplain buyouts, but homes near the river remain at risk during extreme rain.

Homes in flood-prone areas benefit from backwater valves, sump pumps with battery backups, window well covers and flood-resistant basement finishes. Understanding whether water is entering from outside or backing up through drains helps you choose the right protection.

Clay Soils and Settling Pipe

Northbrook sits on dense glacial clay, the same material that once supplied its brickyards. Clay swells when wet, shrinks when dry and heaves with frost, stressing buried pipe year after year. Older clay laterals can crack or separate at joints, while newer PVC lines can settle into sags that trap debris. A clog that returns at the same distance from the cleanout often signals a sag, and a camera inspection confirms it.

Teardowns and Larger New Homes

Many older Northbrook homes have been replaced with larger new construction. New homes include modern drains and basement protection, but service lines still connect to older public mains. When buying a newer home, ask whether the lateral was replaced all the way to the main.

Sump and Ejector Pumps

Test sump and ejector pumps at least once a year by pouring water into the pit and watching the float trigger the motor. Replace pumps older than about ten years before they fail, add a battery backup to the sump pump and make sure discharge lines extend away from the foundation.

Sanitary Sewers and Backups

Northbrook's sanitary sewers are separate from storm sewers, but heavy rain can overload them through infiltration and improperly connected sump pumps or downspouts. A backwater valve protects your basement. If several homes on your street back up at once, contact village public works.

Downtown and Commercial Areas

Restaurants and shops in downtown Northbrook near the Metra station, along Skokie Boulevard and at Northbrook Court should maintain grease interceptors and schedule regular hydro jetting.

Winter and Spring Considerations

Frost heave and spring saturation stress buried pipe in clay soils. Test your sump pump before spring, clear gutters and have the main line checked if drains slow after a hard winter.

Service in Northbrook

Crews serving the North Shore cover Northbrook along with Glenview, Deerfield, Northfield and Wheeling. 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.

Buying in Northbrook

For mid-century homes, schedule a sewer camera inspection before closing. Near the river, ask about flooding history and basement protection. For newer homes, ask about pump age and backwater valves.

Coverage Area

Local crews in our network serve the Village of Northbrook, including downtown near the Metra station, the neighborhoods along the West Fork, and the subdivisions along Dundee Road, Lake Cook Road, Waukegan Road and Techny Road. Share your address and nearest cross streets when you call.

Old Shermerville Near Downtown

The blocks around Northbrook's Metra station and Shermer Road hold the village's oldest homes, from the Shermerville era when German farm families and brickyard workers lived here. Those houses, built in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, often have basements that were enlarged after construction, clay laterals nearing a century old and interior cast iron with heavy scale. Mature trees along these streets send roots toward aging joints, and the old brickyard lands nearby were later filled and graded, so soils can vary from lot to lot.

For owners of these older homes, a camera inspection establishes the lateral's condition and shows whether roots, cracks or settling are causing trouble. From there, regular rodding or lining can keep the line working for decades. Adding a backwater valve protects the basement during heavy storms, and descaling or replacing corroded cast iron restores slow interior drains.

Families, Skating and Busy Households

Northbrook's reputation as a family suburb, famous for its speed skating tradition, means many busy households with children. Teach kids what can and cannot be flushed, keep grease out of kitchen sinks, use hair catchers in tubs and clean the washing machine's lint screen. Watch for early warning signs such as gurgling floor drains or water rising in the tub when the toilet flushes, and call early.

When to Call

Call when several drains slow at once, when a floor drain gurgles or when an ejector pump alarm sounds. Early calls prevent basement backups.

Keep Good Records

Keep a log of each service visit, including the date, what was found, how far the cable reached and whether roots were present. Save camera footage when you can. That history helps future crews diagnose problems quickly, shows when a permanent repair makes more sense than repeated cleanings and reassures buyers when you sell.

Nearby Crews

Crews working in Northbrook also cover Glenview, Deerfield and Northfield, so response times are generally reasonable. Share your nearest cross streets when you call.

Frequently Asked Questions