Flooding is a natural disaster that can cause significant damage to homes and properties, leading to costly repairs and emotional distress. As climate change continues to exacerbate weather patterns, the frequency and severity of floods are increasing. Homeowners need to consider investing in flood control systems to protect their homes and assets. But when is the right time to make this investment, and why is it crucial? This article will explore the factors influencing this decision and the benefits of proactive flood management. Assessing the Risk of Flooding The first step in determining w ..read more

According to a recent article in Angie’s List Magazine, 78% of homeowners surveyed did not know their broken or cracked sewers could be repaired or replaced without digging up their properties.  73% said they would be willing to pay more for such a repair if it meant that their decks, patios, gardens, or walkways could be saved. The great news is that they can have their cake and eat it, too.  The Scottish Plumber’s Trenchless Sewer Repair process can save both your yard and your money.  Most procedures are less expensive than traditional excavation, and there’s no need for exp ..read more

Spring home flooding can occur due to heavy rainfall, snowmelt, or a combination of both. To prevent spring home flooding, here are some tips: Maintain your gutters and downspouts: Ensure that your gutters and downspouts are clear of debris and are directing water away from your home’s foundation. Make sure that the downspouts are positioned at least five feet away from the foundation. Install a sump pump: A sump pump can be installed in the basement or crawl space to pump water out of your home if it starts to flood. Make sure to test it regularly to ensure that it is working correctly. Elev ..read more

Plumbing problems can be costly but if you don’t address them, you can cause irreversible damage to your home. It’s important to pay attention to the signs, no matter how small they may seem in the beginning. Sometimes you might not even know that there’s a problem. Therefore, it’s crucial to analyze the following hidden signs. 1.     Low Water Pressure There’s nothing more annoying than wanting to take a refreshing shower and it does not go according to plan. Low water pressure may be an indication that there’s something clogging up your pipes. A leaking pipe can block the flow of w ..read more

It is estimated that homeowners spend in excess of $3,000 each year repairing the damage done by water. However, with proper planning and preparation, this cost can be completely avoided. As such, consider any of the following 5 tips for protecting your home from water damage. 1. Apply Step Flashing to the Roof Upgrading the roof is a necessary step in making your home water-resistant. After all, the roof is one of the most common locations for leaks that can trickle into your home and create an entire trail of problems. However, a new roof will not last long without the proper step flashing ..read more

So you’ve just had your sewer repaired. You’re still recovering from the shock of learning that a pipe that carries waste out of your home was broken and cost thousands of dollars to fix. Let’s face it, before this happened, you hadn’t given much thought to your sewer and its function. You probably didn’t even remember it was there. Now your yard has been torn up and your pocket book is substantially lighter. A rude awakening, no doubt. But now to top this all off, you come home from work and find a 4-foot tall mound of dirt in your front yard. Thinking that the job is incomplete, you call the ..read more

Spring is almost here again and the one thing we can count on is that water will fall from the sky!  Chicago has averaged close to 37 inches of rain per year over the last 30 years with approximately 2/3 of it coming in the spring and summer months, and these figures are trending upwards. More rain means more problems for the already inundated system of Chicago sewers. With every major storm, it seems, some municipal storm and sanitary sewers become filled to capacity and pressurized, and too often the path of least resistance leads the sewer water directly into someone’s basement. What ..read more

When it comes to Chicago flood control, the Tramco Pump Company is a local icon.  Tramco has been building pumps for the Chicago market since the 1950’s and their systems are designed to handle the kind of conditions that only Chicago weather can bring. Besides sump pumps, ejector pumps, and batter backup systems, the Tramco Pump Company also manufactures the 900 series of flood control systems.  These systems can be installed inside or outside of the home, depending on homeowner preference and the configuration of the existing pipes.  The Tramco 950 is typically installed in th ..read more

1. Make sure you have a working sump pump. 2. Make sure your sump pump pit is properly sized. 3. Clean out the bottom of the sump pump pit to prevent debris from entering the pump. 4. Install a battery back-up system to ensure that your sump pump continues working during power loss. 5. Have your foundation inspected for cracks. 6. Have your drain tile inspected. 7. Convert to overhead sewer to prevent city sewers from backing up into your basement. 8. Install a double-check valve flood control system. 9. Install a Tramco flood control system. 10. Move somewhere where it doesn’t rain. &nbs ..read more

Here in Chicago we dread our winters.  That’s why when the old man came and went with barely a whimper, we all let out a collective sigh of relief.  No snowmaggedon this year!!! But, that doesn’t mean we’re out of the woods, weather-wise.  The strange winter could be a harbinger of more weird weather to come. That means the potential for many torrential downpours, thunderstorms, and flash floods.  And that’s not very good news for the aging municipal storm sewer systems all over Chicagoland. In just the last two years, we’ve seen some of the worst flooding to ever hit Chica ..read more