Bill's Plumbing and Sewer

Drain clogs

The daily shower is about getting clean and relaxing and time for you to take care of your body. Now imagine this: You’re mid-shower, and the bathroom drain starts clogging up with hairballs or other dirt residues that have been accumulating over long periods, dirty water begins pooling while you make futile attempts to avoid stepping anywhere near its shores.

Suddenly, an activity meant to serve as some lovely “me” time turns into “ew” time as you’re now busy trying to figure out how to unclog the drain… while also trying not to throw up at the disgusting sight. At this point, you should call Bill’s Plumbing and Sewer serving Evanston, IL, to come and rescue you from this disaster and let them inspect your plumbing to prevent any other issues from surfacing.

Here are five things notorious for drain clogs. By making sure you do not mindlessly flush them into the sink, you will be able to prevent your bathroom sink or vanity from becoming blocked again.

1. Hair

Shaving is an everyday bathroom activity, and you are quick to flush all the hair down the drain mindlessly. The tiny hair may appear harmless, but it will accumulate and form a horrible and filthy drain clog with time.

2. Grease

Grease, like hair, does not clog the system immediately and does not appear to be as awful at the moment. It takes a long time for the oil to build up and become an obstruction in the system, but once it does, it can cause a tough and disgusting clog.

3. Plants 

Tree, leaf, and shrub debris can clog drains, and if they come into contact with the pipes, they can quickly produce a blockage.

4. A Burst Pipe

Foreign materials will be able to leak into your drainage system once a pipe has broken. This could be anything, from soil to stones to any other stuff. Excess materials accumulate, making it difficult for liquid to flow through the pipes.

5. Personal hygiene products

Toiletry and sanitary goods (such as diapers, baby wipes, napkins, feminine products, and sanitary items) are another common cause of clogged drains these days. The number of objects blindly dropped down the drain has increased substantially in recent years, increasing the likelihood of a clogged pipe or sewer.

Conclusion

What good is a wonderful, soothing shower if it barely lasts? When a drain is clogged, it can seem like the end of the world. Well, despite how repulsive it is, it is a widespread problem. Regardless of how much you despise it, you can’t seem to steer clear from it unless you’re smart enough to practice “prevention is better than cure” by calling Bill’s Plumbing and Sewer serving Evanston, IL, for a timely inspection. Get your free estimate.

The heart of your house lies in the kitchen. It’s where we prepare our food, gather to enjoy a meal, laugh our hearts out, and it’s where homeowners spend most of their day. There is potential for excellent storage, display, and use in every kitchen. The bad news is that all kitchens don’t have enough of any of them. A kitchen island resolves these issues while looking incredible. If you’re lucky enough to create or choose a home in Morton Grove with a grand kitchen island, you’ve got yourself a treat.

If you’re not sure whether to have one or not, look at these six advantages of having a fantastic kitchen island shared by the professionals at Bill’s Plumbing and Sewer.

More Counter Space

This is especially helpful if you like to cook or bake. The extra counter space can come in handy when you need to prepare multiple dishes at once.

Added Storage

Sometimes cabinets can’t provide all the storage space you require to organize your kitchen. A kitchen island can provide additional storage for your pots, pans, utensils, plates, and glasses. This can help keep your kitchen counters clutter-free and make them appear more organized.

A Place to Eat

If you don’t have a breakfast bar or dining area in your kitchen, a kitchen island can serve as a makeshift eating area. It’s perfect for enjoying a quick snack or meal. Get hold of some lovely bar stools, and you’re good to go.

A Place to Entertain

If you like to host parties or gatherings in your home, a kitchen island can be the perfect spot for your guests to gather. It provides them with additional seating and gives them a convenient place to set down their drinks and snacks.

Kids-Friendly

A kitchen island is a fantastic location for kids to feel involved and close watch. Another alternative for kitchen islands is to put kid-friendly features such as a microwave and a refrigerator drawer within easy reach. Adding amenities that the children can utilize independently after school snacks and Saturday morning breakfast is a good idea for some families.

Extra Floor Space

Do you need extra counter space but also require more floor space? A movable kitchen island provides an additional area when you and your friends want to cook a huge meal together. When your dinner is ready, roll your kitchen island out of the way for more room. Movable kitchens are fantastic for couples who desire the benefits of both a standard kitchen and an eat-in kitchen.

DIY Tips

Make sure you choose a kitchen island that is big enough for all the things you’ll need it to do but not so big as to take up too much room. If you’re short on counter space, opt for one with wheels instead – then it’s easy to move around when needed and tuck away into a corner when it isn’t being used.

If you want to make a stunning focal point in your kitchen, pick a countertop material and style that reflects your taste. There’s a countertop for you, whether you are using it for practical purposes or making it the star of the show. From plastic laminates to bespoke exotic wood finish, the options are unlimited.

Get in touch with Bill’s Plumbing and Sewer for details regarding kitchen remodeling services in Morton Grove. Get your free estimate.

Like most homeowners, you probably also have a hot water tank in your home. These tanks are essential for the household, as they provide hot water for showers and other needs. Unfortunately, these tanks can become clogged with sediment if not flushed out regularly. To help you avoid this scenario at your home in Glenview, IL, we at Bill’s Plumbing & Sewer have created this guide to show you how to flush your tank!

No. 1: What is Sediment?

Sediment is a term used to describe minerals, sand, and dirt that can collect in your water heating tank over time. This sediment often builds up slowly, so homeowners may not even realize it’s there until their tanks are clogged or begin malfunctioning!

However, some red flags may indicate you have a sediment problem in your tank. These include:

  • Rusty water;
  • Low water pressure;
  • Noise from the tank, such as gurgling or hissing sounds.

If you notice any such problems, it’s best to address them sooner rather than later by flushing out your tank.

No. 2: Just Keep it Running

The first thing you can do to clean your tank is to run the water for about an hour or two. This will help flush out any sediment clogging up the system. Be sure to keep running the water until it’s hot, as this will ensure that all of the sediment is flushed out.

No. 3: Greener is Cleaner

You can also use a natural cleaner to help the process when cleaning your tank. Distilled white vinegar and baking soda (not detergent) is one such cleaner that is often recommended for this purpose.

Chemicals like chlorine bleach or ammonia can damage the tank and even seep back into your water supply. They can also harm other areas in your home, like toilets, bathtubs, and sinks.

No. 4: Keep to Schedule

Hot water tanks are prone to sediment buildup, as mentioned earlier. This means that it’s crucial to stay on schedule with water heater maintenance and cleaning.

The longer you wait before dealing with the problem of a dirty hot water tank, the worse things will get for your appliance! It can result in expensive repairs or replacement costs down the road.

We recommend you flush the sediments out every few years as part of a regular maintenance routine. This will help keep your water heater running smoothly and reduce the risk of any long-term damage.

No. 5: Involve the Professionals

Flushing sediments out of a water heating tank is a relatively simple do-it-yourself project. Still, it does require care and attention. You’ll need to shut off the main water line before beginning this process.

To avoid any hiccups during the process, it’s a good idea to consult a professional plumbing company.

Conclusion

By following all the tips we’ve mentioned above, you should be able to flush out sediments from your hot water tank.

Don’t hesitate to contact Bill’s Plumbing & Sewer if you have any questions or concerns about this process! We’re dedicated to providing quality plumbing services to homeowners in Glenview, IL.

Get your free estimate today!

‘Tis the season of long waits before the morning shower heats up. Imagine stepping reflexively into it and experiencing a cold blast.

Water lines are underground utilities, and plummeting ground temperatures in winters can drastically affect the efficacy of your residential water heater as the cold-water rushes through. The irony is not lost on our need for more hot water in winters, which outs the heaters into overdrive.

Morton Grove, IL is experiencing negative digits by now, so it’s best to call Bill’s Plumbing & Sewer, your local plumbing & heater maintenance experts, for a checkup. Meanwhile, we have a few things to share that you can expect from a faulty water heater.

1. Disintegrating Insulation

Insulating your pipes from the cold is one thing, but taking care of your heaters is an equally important step to ensuring an endless supply of hot water. As per heater types, neoprene is suited to electric water heaters, while fiberglass & aluminum wraps are best for gas. If it’s been a long stretch since your last water heater checkup, and this coincides with poor water heating, chances are your insulation is disintegrating. That lowers the water heating temperature and racks up energy costs for the season.

2. Faulty Heater Components

Gas heaters are notorious in this category. One needs to monitor the pilot light, the thermocouple, and the control valves. If the pilot blows out, you are guaranteed to get a cold splash. The thermostat and the heating coils are of significant concern in electric heaters. A faulty thermostat will not regulate water heating uniformly, and a heating coil can become encrusted with deposits that could create a hazard.

3. Mineral Deposits

Natural, treated, & filtered water all have minerals in them with some sediment. These substances form deposits in pipes and water heater tanks. They are a pest because not only do they become a contamination hazard in high quantities, but they also compromise the heating capacity of water heaters. And if you have foregone your water heater maintenance too long, the sediment alone can clog your pipes this winter.

4. Rouge Temperature

When we said faulty components, in the case of electric heaters, the thermostat can create a potential chemical hazard that will undoubtedly degrade your heating tank faster. On average, the thermostat regulates water at 120F in water heaters. Any higher and heat will cause the electrodes to flake and dissolve in the water, making it acidic. The acidic water will eat away your tank from the inside. In simple terms, your water tank will fall apart like wet papier- mâché.

If reading this evokes an odd feeling of guilt regarding the state of your water heaters, it’s best to let Bill’s Plumbing & Sewer in on the secret. We will discretely come and remediate that hot mess of a water heater to get you that clear and hot flow every morning as desired.

Check our impressive services in all things plumbing for your home to the hydrant on your pavement, and avail of our free quotations in Winnetka, IL.

Don’t let your water heaters down this merry season!

There are almost 8.9 million fire hydrants dispersed across the United States, and the number continues to grow. So many of these hydrants are on active duty that some of them are bound to fault at some point, which calls for some good ol’ repair time.

Fire hydrants are essential underground utility outlets that are remarkable for firefighting efforts across American neighborhoods. But you might be wondering how something as sturdy as a fire hydrant might get damaged? Well, Bill’s Plumbing & Sewer in Evanston, IL, will tell you how!

What Damages Fire Hydrants?

Just as fender benders occur to cars, they are heavily dispensed upon poor fire hydrants. Car collisions are among the leading causes of damage to hydrants and can crack the utility or bend the feed shaft.

The climate isn’t that fair to hydrants either; the supply lines can freeze in winter. Depending on the type of hydrant installed in your neighborhoods, a wet-barrel hydrant will freeze, while a dry-barrel hydrant will manifest failed valves.

And then dogs – dogs relieving themselves copiously over hydrants. The acid content in their urine is another weathering agent and can rust valves over time without maintenance.

What is Entailed in a Fire Hydrant Repair?

  1. The first step is to determine the nature of the damage.
  2. The hydrant’s O-rings are inspected and replaced with new OEM parts if found damaged.
  3. The opening nut & stem attachments have to be degreased, cleaned, the lubricated on annual checks to ensure firefighters can easily use the hydrant in an emergency.
  4. Any surrounding construction work might shift the ground level around the hydrant. The utility has to be aligned to the altered ground level for safety issues when that happens. An extension kit is designed for this purpose.
  5. In the event of complete removal of the hydrant during a surface accident, the entire exposed unit is retrofitted with an OEM replacement.

    How Can We Protect Fire Hydrants?
  1. Ensure the hydrant is painted the usual bright red for maximum visibility to motorists. For a more profound effect, use reflective paints for nighttime visibility.
  2. Conduct flow testing regularly to ensure any debris is cleared out. Open valves to the full range to release water in frigid temperatures to excise flow. The test also helps determine any leaks or damaged valves inside the hydrant.
  3. Ensure you have a fire hydrant repair kit on hand if you happen to be responsible for maintenance duty because hydrants suffer automobile damage most often in icy weather when traction on roads is the greatest issue.

Bill’s Plumbing & Sewer are your local plumbing experts in Evanston, IL, for fire hydrant repairs & maintenance. We also dabble in residential & commercial plumbing installation, repair, and maintenance across locations in Illinois.

Winters are a trying time for your plumbing and the municipal water lines, so never let your guard down to frozen or bursting pipes. If you need any pipes replaced in your residence or commercial establishment, we are the plumbers to call.

Get your free estimate for our plumbing services.

The best way to prevent frozen pipes is by making sure your home stays at or above freezing point. If this doesn’t happen, then there are five steps you can take that will help you avoid costly repairs. At Bill’s Plumbing and Sewer, serving Glenview, IL, we offer many services including fixing clogged pipes and leaky faucets.

Take it from us.

Keeping the Heat On

The heat should never exceed 50°F, but a low enough setting to prevent pipes from freezing. If you and your tenant are at home for longer periods, you need to make sure the heat is kept adequately on. But if the tenants pay their own bill, it might be difficult to ask this of them. An always-on heat costs you. However, frozen pipes are an issue to be dealt with by you both.

Tell them how it will help prevent property damage, and they should play along.

Let the Faucet Drip Water

If you are afraid a pipe will freeze, don’t open it to relieve pressure – instead, let the drips from that faucet flow freely. If anything is blocking its way (i.e., ice), then opening up the tap just slightly might be enough for now. This should keep your pipes safe. To prevent bursting when faced with such emergencies in future times of need, always make sure both cold and hot water sources come through well-maintained taps.

Keep Interior Doors Open for Flow of Heat

Keeping your home’s pipes warm when temperatures dip by keeping cabinet doors and interior doorways open is important. Ensure that there are no blocked vents or broken fan coils for the heat to flow throughout the house. Pipe insulation keeps homes cozy during the winter months. Using natural gas becomes quite common because of space heating needs; however, you don’t want to block any ventilation systems.

Seal Any Cracks and Holes

When it’s winter and your house is drafty, there are a few things you can do to make sure the cool air doesn’t flow out with every gust of wind. Seal up any gaps around holes in pipes running through walls or floors so that cold air from below when rising back up does not deter the temperature. Use caulk (or spray foam insulation) for this task if possible because it will prevent any air from entering. However, be careful with this. We recommend professional help. Call us in, we’ll do it for you.

Make Use of Heating Tape

Heating tape works like an electric blanket for pipes, supplying heat directly to keep it warm during cold spells. This can be a good solution for short sections of pipe at high risk for freezing and are easily accessible, so you can install the tape and monitor it for problems.

We hope you are all set to keep your pipes from freezing this winter. But should anything unseemly come to pass at your residence in Glenview, IL, you know where to find us.

The cold weather can be particularly unforgiving in the northern states below the Great Lakes. Illinois is known for its scenic winter landscapes and windy Chicago, but that’s hardly the tip of the iceberg with the surprises that winters bring; frozen plumbing!

Glenview experiences a lot of inclement weather, which means frozen pipes & plumbing are just as common as clogging and sewage backup. As your trusted plumbing contractor, Bill’s Plumbing & Sewer know it’s a bit early, but you need to prepare your plumbing for the coming winters.

Potential Hazards of Frozen Pipes

1. No Running Water

The most apparent inconvenience is the lack of water accompanied by weird groaning sounds when you turn on the shower. If you’re a property manager with top dollar tenants, that’s your top dollar frozen by the appeal. No water is like a domino effect; it affects the way a person’s day will go.

2. Pipes Bursting

Frozen pipes can go beyond a mere inconvenience to unreasonable forces of nature. If you’ve seen enough burst beer bottles left forgotten in the freezer, you know that water expands on freezing. When winters freeze the water in your feed pipes, be ready to hear some horrendous sounds coming from your crawlspace as the pipes burst.

3. Clogged Drains

Forget your landscaping for the season and think about your drains. If they’re French, they’re just frozen. Even with no water present to flow about, your drains need to be clean for any deiced melts.

4. Overworked Sump Pumps

Oh, this one won’t start bothering you until it’s time for the spring melt, but still. Winter is sump pump maintenance time, so clean out that sump pit of organic debris and grime before it freezes around the contraption and clogs it by the time of the melt.

5. Icy Sewage & Septic Tanks

Sorry to be the bearer of such malodorous news, but if your septic tanks are not insulated properly, then that hell shall indeed freeze over and cause you much grief with waste disposal. Sewage and septic lines are heavily reliant on sufficient soil insulation to protect against frigid temperatures.

How To Deal with Frozen Plumbing?

Don’t wait for the freeze to progress. Take reactive measures to thaw your frozen pipes. Pour hot salty water down your house’s drains. Deicer solutions work best for basic frozen clogs. But if your feedwater lines and septic tanks have solidified, then it’s time you called Bill’s Plumbing & Sewer to conduct a thorough inspection and get started with the thawing process.

Every frozen situation is unique. You can thaw a frozen kitchen sink with a hairdryer, or you can switch up to sewer pipe repair to get your pipes unblocked. Feedwater lines require more sensitive care so as not to contaminate water fit for human consumption, and we are also equipped to deal with that.

It’s best if you schedule an inspection with us in Glenview to proactively clear & insulate your plumbing before winters arrive in full effect. You are welcome to request free estimates on our services, so don’t hesitate!

The winter season is upon us, and it’s time to prepare for the cold. One of the most important things you need to ensure is that your home has a working water heater. Multiple options are available in the market today, each with its benefits and some drawbacks. There are several types of water heaters available in the market these days; you should research the options so that you can decide which type is best for your needs while shopping around!

This blog post shares some basic details about the most common types of water heaters!

1) Conventional Storage Tank Water Heater

Conventional storage tanks are a typical water heater type that has been around for decades. It’s relatively inexpensive, making it more popular, but they tend to run out of hot water quickly during peak hours. These tanks have limited storage capacity, and they get damaged easily. The good news is that you can install a larger capacity heater if needed, and it’s also reasonably easy to replace the old tank with a new, better option when it does break down. Regardless of the type of heater you are having installed, it is essential to hire a professional plumbing company like Bill’s Plumbing and Sewer.

2) Tankless or On-Demand Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters feature modern technology, which ensures you get an uninterrupted water supply. This type heats the water as you use it, which means that they are energy-efficient. Their main drawback is the price tag since tankless models can be expensive; other than that, there’s no denying that these devices have a lot of benefits to offer over traditional storage tanks. When choosing a tankless water heater, some people struggle with installing them, so bear this in mind.

3) Solar Powered Water Heaters

If you’re looking for energy efficiency, then a solar-powered water heater is the way to go. Solar powered water heaters don’t just save you money, but they also help reduce harmful greenhouse gasses. The price of solar-powered devices varies depending on the model you get, so do your research beforehand and decide how much you want to spend if this option interests you.

4) Heat Pump Water Heater

This unique water heater uses heat in the ground and air to heat the water. This water heater is energy efficient, and it can save you a lot of money in the long run if you use it for your entire household.

The water heater uses electricity to move heat from the ground and air to the water to heat it. These water heaters use 60% less electricity than the other water heaters as they do not use electricity to generate heat. Since the pump is placed on the top, you need quite a bit of room to install this water heater; sometimes, homeowners need eight feet of vertical clearance.

Bill’s Plumbing and Sewer can help you prepare for the winter ahead by installing or repairing your water heater or plumbing. Our advanced residential and commercial plumbing services in Evanston, IL, ensure your water heaters are up and running before the winter strikes. Get your free estimate now!

Winter is almost here! The time of year when the common cold is rampant, and many people are sick. It is also a perfect time to talk about common problems with heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems during the winter months. For example, if your heating system seems to have stopped working altogether, it could be because the thermostat is set incorrectly. Or maybe you’re experiencing drafts in your home when you shouldn’t be? All of these issues are common problems with HVAC systems during winter, which will need to be addressed by professionals!

There are many unfortunate issues you may encounter with your HVAC system during this season. Let’s see what they are.

Defective Heat Pump

When your heat pump breaks down, it could cause several problems. The first thing you will notice is no heat coming from the vents in your house. This means that either the fan motor is broken or there’s a coil blockage. Another problem is when heat pumps don’t defrost during winter. There must be no frost on the coils or fan. If there is frost, then you will need to defrost your heat pump.

Stained Heater Filters

Your heating system’s filter is responsible for preventing dust, dirt particles, and other impurities from entering the heater. If these are not removed or filtered out properly, they can cause various problems with your HVAC during the winter months. A dirty filter means that it cannot work effectively. This causes overheating, which leads to common problems like clogged coils.

If your filter is dirty, it means that the heater cannot adequately heat up and cool down. This leads to common problems like slow defrosting or an unusual noise during operation. It is essential to ensure that your filter is clean and in good condition.

Smashed Thermostat

One common reason for having a smashed thermostat is putting something too heavy on top of it or dropping anything on it. If your home has more than one level, you should consider investing in a programmable thermostat to avoid common mistakes like this. 

Programmable thermostats can be pre-set to only turn the heating system on at certain times during the day. This is common sense for people who are at work all day and don’t need their home to be heated with no one there, but it can also help save money.

When the problem of a smashed thermostat occurs, it is essential to get help from an experienced technician. You face the following issues when this problem occurs:

  • High energy bills due to nonstop heating and cooling in your home
  • Broken and inefficient air conditioner and heater
  • Lack of proper ventilation in the home that causes mold to grow

These problems can be dealt with by calling an experienced professional!

Here, at Bill’s Plumbing and Sewer in Northbrook, we know that many of our customers experience problems with their heating during the winter months. We also understand how difficult it is to find a reliable technician for your HVAC repair and maintenance needs. That’s why we want you to know about these common issues and what you can do address them. If you’re experiencing any of these issues at your home or business, get in touch with us. Get a free estimate from our experts here!

Winter is quickly approaching, and the cooler weather means your home or office’s heating system will be working overtime to keep the building warm. As we come to winter, you may expect an increased risk for freezing pipes, leading to burst pipes if left unattended. You should have your HVAC system prepared for the road ahead and ensure that you look after all maintenance and repair needs. Many homeowners take their heating and AC systems for granted; however, seasonal variations and changing demands expose the system to significant issues.

Professional companies like Bill’s Plumbing and Sewer can help you get your HVAC system ready for the winter.

In this blog post, we share three critical tips to get your HVAC system ready for the winter.

Replace the Air Filter

In the summer, your air conditioner runs non-stop to keep the building cool; this excessive use wears out the system, especially its air filter. The air filter should be changed at least every 30 days and no longer than 90 days after you start winterizing. The dirt that enters the HVAC system plays a significant role in causing HVAC systems to break down. A dirty air filter also makes your system less efficient.

Check the Furnace Before It Gets Cold Outside

When it is still mild outside, make sure you turn your heating system on at least three times in order for it to work correctly. You don’t want to switch on the furnace on a cold day only to discover that it doesn’t work anymore. There may be a variety of issues with your heating system during the off-season.

The furnace is one of the essential parts of the system. It has a variety of moving components that need to be maintained and repaired periodically. Most importantly, you should take care of regular servicing and maintenance so you can prolong the life of your heating unit and keep it running for years.

Annual Maintenance

A furnace is equipped with a combustion chamber that uses natural gas to produce heat and emits carbon monoxide. Both of these are dangerous components, so homeowners shouldn’t experiment with them. Have an HVAC expert check the system at least once every year to verify that it’s burning safely and effectively. Your HVAC technician will clean the whole ventilation system; this improves the indoor air quality and extends the life of the system.

If your HVAC unit displays any signs of trouble, then it means there is something sinister building up. You should not wait for things to go haywire to consult professional plumbers and HVAC technicians; instead, call them after every season to ensure smooth and efficient running.

Bill’s Plumbing and Sewer, the premier plumbing contractor in Morton Grove, is here to care for your cooling unit. We offer complete HVAC repair and maintenance services in addition to our diverse plumbing offerings. Get an estimate now and fix your system!