Flooded Basement in Northalsted Chicago

Basement Flooding Due to an Ejector PumpBasement Flooding Due to an Ejector Pump

A flooded basement is a homeowner’s nightmare, and it isn’t always caused by a major storm hitting Chicago. For this family in the Northalsted neighborhood, the source of their stress wasn’t heavy rains, but a sudden failure of their home’s flood control system. While Chicago’s weather can certainly cause issues, the city’s sewer systems can also become overwhelmed during heavy precipitation, leading to backups and flooding inside basements. To safeguard against this, Rescue Plumbing strongly recommends the installation and regular maintenance of a dedicated flood control system to keep your property dry and secure.

Flooded Basement Panic

The customer’s basement began to flood late in the evening, a time when finding help can feel impossible. They frantically tried to place towels and blankets to mitigate the spreading water and prevent serious water damage, but it was clear this was a losing battle. They needed a professional plumber, and fast. Understanding the urgency, they called our 24/7 hotline. Our emergency plumber was dispatched immediately and arrived at their home in Northalsted that night, ready to diagnose and solve the problem.

Flood Control System Fails

Upon arrival, our plumber conducted a thorough investigation of the property to identify the source of the water. The inspection revealed that the home was equipped with an ejector pump in the basement. Ejector pumps, much like sump pumps, are critical components for homes with below-grade plumbing. They are responsible for pumping wastewater up to the level of the city sewer line. However, if they are not properly maintained or if improper items are introduced into the system, they can fail and cause significant flooding. For this Chicago homeowner, the cause of the failure was clear: wipes and other non-flushable paper products had been flushed down the toilet. These items do not break down like toilet paper and had become entangled in the ejector pump’s motor, causing it to burn out and fail completely.

Rescue Plumbing Installs a New Flood Control System

Rescue Plumbing technicians are experts in all types of Chicago sewer systems and frequently install and repair ejector pumps, so our plumber had a brand-new, high-quality pump ready to go in his plumbing van. He worked quickly and efficiently to remove the broken unit and install the new pump, ensuring all connections were secure and tested. This swift action immediately stopped the basement flooding and restored the home’s sewer function, allowing it to flow smoothly once again. With the plumbing emergency resolved, we also referred the homeowners to our trusted partners at Rescue Restoration to professionally handle the water damage cleanup and ensure their basement was returned to a safe, dry condition.

For any plumbing needs, from emergencies to new installations, don’t hesitate to contact us at (773) 900-8164

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