Heavy rain can turn a normally reliable sewer system into a bottleneck. When pipes can’t move water fast enough, pressure builds and wastewater may flow backward into homes through sinks, tubs, floor drains, and toilets—often leaving residents dealing with cleanup costs and health concerns.

While sewer backups can be disruptive, many incidents are preventable with a mix of household readiness and neighborhood-level infrastructure awareness.

Why sewer backups happen after storms

The most common trigger is rainfall that exceeds the capacity of local collection and treatment systems. Stormwater can enter sewer pipes directly during storms, or it can infiltrate them through cracks, aging joints, and manholes—especially where lines are old or poorly sealed.

Another factor is flooding. If nearby streets or low-lying areas become inundated, water can move into sewer openings an ... Read more »

With summer BBQ season in full swing, many outdoor kitchens see a surge in cooking volume—and with it, more grease, food residue, and cleaning runoff heading toward drains. When grease traps are misused or neglected, they can fill faster than expected, clog, and trigger backups that disrupt entertaining and increase repair costs.

Why grease traps clog during heavy grilling

Grease traps are designed to capture fats and oils before they travel further into a home’s plumbing system. During peak grilling, the trap can become overloaded if grease is introduced in large quantities, if cleaning practices send solids into the system, or if the device isn’t maintained on a schedule that matches actual usage.

Outdoor setups are especially vulnerable because they’re often connected to multiple activities—grilling, washing utensils, dumping ice melt or marinade containers, and draining coolers ... Read more »

Chicago’s spring thaw is a high-risk window for household plumbing. Water expands when it freezes and can push past weak spots, while thawing also reveals problems that were dormant during the cold months. A quick, systematic check now can help you catch leaks, backups, and stress fractures before they escalate.

1) Start with the cold-water “hot spots”

Before you run a lot of water, inspect areas where pipes typically take the hardest winter hits—especially along exterior walls, in uninsulated basements, crawl spaces, garages, and near any plumbing that runs through cold zones. Look for damp drywall, floor discoloration, ceiling stains, or musty odors that can signal slow leaks.

Next, check visible supply lines under sinks, behind toilets, and around shutoff valves. Even small drips can worsen quickly once thaw water starts moving through systems and the ground shifts after freeze-thaw c ... Read more »

Drain lines that serve multiple lots—such as common lateral pipes, stormwater connections, or sewer leads—can trigger confusing questions in HOA communities. Homeowners may assume the HOA pays because the system is shared, while associations often argue the pipes benefit specific properties or lie within an owner’s boundaries. The truth is usually document-driven: the governing documents and local law typically determine who must maintain and repair these lines.

The first question: are the drain lines part of the HOA’s common area or part of an individual lot?

Most HOAs operate under a framework defined by their CC&Rs (covenants, conditions, and restrictions), bylaws, and applicable state statutes. Start by looking for definitions of common areas, limited common elements, utility systems, and the scope of what the HOA must “maintain,& ... Read more »