Drain Cleaning in Des Plaines, IL

Des Plaines' Drains, Sewers and Housing

Des Plaines' older core near the river dates back to the early 20th century, with cast-iron and clay infrastructure typical of that era, while the wider town grew substantially in the postwar decades on newer piping. That split means a genuine mix - a house near downtown Des Plaines is more likely to see the same root-intrusion and scaling issues as Chicago's older neighborhoods, while a home in a later subdivision is more likely dealing with ordinary hair and grease clogs on PVC lines. Des Plaines' four ZIP codes (60016, 60017, 60018, 60019) border Park Ridge and Mount Prospect.

Cleanout Access in Older Homes

Some of Des Plaines' oldest homes, built before main cleanouts were standard, genuinely lack direct access to their main line - see cleanout installation and access for what that means for a first visit.

When a Drain Keeps Coming Back

A drain that clogs repeatedly in the same spot, especially in the older parts of town, is worth a proper look rather than repeat clearing - see recurring clog diagnosis.

The River City and the First McDonald’s Franchise

Des Plaines takes its name from the Des Plaines River, which French explorers named for the plaine, a type of maple tree along its banks. Settled in the 1830s, the town was known as Rand, after early settler Socrates Rand, before incorporating as Des Plaines in 1869. It grew as a railroad town on the Chicago and North Western line, and Methodist camp meetings held on grounds along the river drew thousands of visitors each summer. In 1955, Ray Kroc opened his first McDonald's franchise restaurant on Lee Street, and a replica museum stood on the site for decades. After the Second World War, Des Plaines grew rapidly with subdivisions, and its location next to O'Hare International Airport made it a hub for hotels, offices and industry. The Rivers Casino opened in 2011.

Housing ranges from Victorian and early twentieth-century homes near downtown and the river to postwar ranches, Cape Cods and split-levels, apartment complexes and newer condos near the Metra station. Plumbing varies from century-old cast iron and clay to modern PVC.

The Des Plaines River runs through the city, and its floodplain has shaped both development and drainage.

The Des Plaines River and Flooding

The Des Plaines River has flooded the city repeatedly, most notably in 1986, 1987, 2008, 2013 and 2017, when high water inundated neighborhoods along its banks, closed roads and overwhelmed sewers. Des Plaines and regional agencies have built levees, reservoirs and flood walls and bought out many flood-prone homes, but properties near the river and its tributaries, including Weller Creek and Farmers Creek, remain at risk during extreme rain.

River flooding and sewer backup are related but different. Overland water enters through doors, windows and foundation cracks, while sewer backup comes up through floor drains when sanitary sewers are overloaded by infiltration. Homes near the river benefit from backwater valves, sump pumps with battery backups and flood-resistant basement finishes.

Older Homes Near Downtown

Homes near downtown Des Plaines and the river, some from the late 1800s and early 1900s, often have clay laterals nearing a century old and cast iron with heavy scale. Mature trees send roots into aging joints. A camera inspection shows the lateral's condition, and lining can seal it without excavating established yards.

Postwar Ranches and Split-Levels

Most Des Plaines homes were built between the late 1940s and the 1970s, with cast iron drains and clay laterals now fifty to seventy-five years old. Root intrusion from mature trees is a leading cause of recurring backups. Split-levels often rely on ejector pumps for lower-level fixtures; when lower drains back up while upstairs fixtures work, the pump may be the cause.

Combined and Separate Sewers

Parts of older Des Plaines are served by combined sewers, while newer areas have separate sanitary and storm systems. In combined areas, heavy rain can surcharge mains and push water through floor drains; in separate areas, infiltration and improperly connected sump pumps can overload sanitary lines. A backwater valve or overhead sewer protects your basement either way. Ask city public works which system serves your street.

Near O’Hare and the Hotel Corridor

Hotels, restaurants and offices along Mannheim Road, River Road and near O'Hare have heavy, continuous drain use and commercial kitchens that generate grease. These properties benefit from preventive maintenance programs with hydro jetting of grease lines and camera inspection of mains. Homes near the airport may have received sound insulation through the airport's program; keep that paperwork, since it may note work near utility areas.

Downtown Condos and Apartment Complexes

Downtown Des Plaines has seen new condo and apartment construction near the Metra station, and older apartment complexes line major streets. In multi-unit buildings, kitchen stacks accumulate grease and can back water into lower units. Associations benefit from scheduled stack jetting and main line maintenance. Unit owners should check who is responsible for each line before calling.

Clay Soils and Settling

Clay soils expand and contract with moisture and frost, stressing buried pipe. Older clay laterals can crack or separate, and newer lines can settle into sags. A camera inspection shows whether settling is causing recurring clogs.

Buying in Des Plaines

Before buying near the river, check flood maps and ask about flooding history, sump pump age and whether the home has a backwater valve. For postwar homes, schedule a sewer camera inspection before closing.

Everyday Habits

Keep grease out of kitchen drains, flush only toilet paper, use hair catchers in showers and keep the basement floor drain clear so early warning signs are easy to spot. Keep records of every service visit.

Drainage Notes for Des Plaines

Des Plaines sits along the Des Plaines River, and the river has shaped the city for generations, with major floods in 1986, 1987, 2013 and other years pushing water into riverside neighborhoods. Housing ranges from early twentieth-century homes near downtown to large postwar neighborhoods and newer townhomes and condos near the Metra station. Many homes have basements, cast iron stacks and clay laterals, and older public sewers can surcharge when the river runs high. For homes in or near the floodplain, backwater valves, overhead sewer conversions and sump pumps with battery backup are the most important protection. Away from the river, root intrusion in clay laterals is the most common reason for main line trouble. Condo buildings near downtown should keep maps of their shared lines and schedule jetting before problems reach lower units.

For year-round upkeep that applies to most homes (sump and ejector pump testing, winter care, kitchen habits, warning signs and keeping service records), see the Drain Care Guide.

Service in Des Plaines

Crews serving the northwest suburbs cover Des Plaines along with Park Ridge, Mount Prospect, Rosemont, Niles and Elk Grove Village. 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 older homes or recurring problems, a camera inspection is recommended. Pricing is confirmed on site before work begins.

Coverage Area

Local crews in our network serve the City of Des Plaines, including downtown near the Metra station, the neighborhoods along the Des Plaines River, Weller Creek and Farmers Creek, the areas near O'Hare and the subdivisions along Rand Road, Algonquin Road, Oakton Street and Golf Road. Share your address and nearest cross streets when you call.

Frequently Asked Questions