That gurgling sound from your toilet is a warning. Water backing up into your basement floor drain when the washing machine runs is a crisis. These are not minor clogs; they are the telltale signs of a main sewer line blockage. This is one of the most stressful and unsanitary plumbing emergencies a homeowner can face, threatening your property with water damage and bringing your entire home to a halt.
When this happens, you need a fast and powerful solution. A-Keveloh Plumbing Inc. provides immediate, expert sewer rodding in Carol Stream, IL. As a second-generation, family-owned company with over 40 years of local experience, we have the heavy-duty equipment and the licensed expertise to clear the toughest blockages and restore your plumbing. If you’re facing a sewer backup, don’t wait for it to get worse. Call our emergency team now at 630-963-0433.
What is Sewer Rodding and Why Do I Need It?
A simple drain snake is no match for a main line clog. Sewer rodding (or power-rodding) is a professional, heavy-duty service. We use a powerful machine that feeds a heavy-gauge, flexible steel rod into your sewer line. Attached to the end of this rod are specialized, rotating cutting attachments.
This is a mechanical solution that physically clears the pipe. As the rod spins, the cutting head is designed to:
- Shatter hardened grease and scale buildup.
- Cut through and tear out dense mats of tree roots.
- Retrieve or break apart foreign objects and solid obstructions.
This process is the most effective method to clear a completely blocked line and restore full flow to your home’s sewer system. It is a powerful tool that requires a skilled, licensed technician to operate safely without damaging your pipes.
The Telltale Signs of a Main Line Clog
How do you know if you have a simple drain clog or a major sewer backup? A main line clog will affect multiple plumbing fixtures at once, especially on your home’s lower levels.
- Multiple Drains Backing Up: Your basement floor drain, laundry sink, or first-floor shower is backing up with dirty water when you flush a toilet or run the washing machine.
- Gurgling Sounds: You hear gurgling or bubbling sounds from your toilets or drains as water tries to pass the blockage.
- Slow Drains Everywhere: All your drains (sinks, showers, tubs) seem to be draining very slowly, and plunging doesn’t help.
- Foul Odors: The smell of raw sewage is coming from your drains, indicating waste is not leaving the line.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms in your Carol Stream home, you almost certainly have a main line clog that requires professional rodding.
Common Causes of Sewer Backups in Carol Stream Homes
Our technicians have been servicing Carol Stream and DuPage County homes since 1976. We’ve seen exactly what causes these severe backups. The most common culprits are:
Aggressive Tree Root Intrusion
This is the number one cause. The beautiful, mature trees in our neighborhoods have root systems that are naturally drawn to the moisture in your sewer line. They can infiltrate the pipe at its joints and grow into a dense, thick mat that acts like a net, catching everything that comes down the line.
Accumulated Grease and Sludge
Years of grease, oil, and fats (FOG) from kitchen sinks, combined with soap scum and detergents, can congeal on the inner walls of your sewer pipe. This buildup hardens like concrete, narrowing the pipe’s diameter until it finally chokes off flow. You can learn more about FOG prevention from DuPage County’s official resources.
“Flushable” Wipes and Foreign Objects
So-called “flushable” wipes do not break down in our sewer systems. They are a primary cause of modern clogs. They get snagged on roots or rough pipe edges and, combined with grease and waste, create a solid, immovable “dam.” The only things that should ever be flushed are human waste and toilet paper.
Why A-Keveloh is the Right Choice for Your Sewer Emergency
A sewer backup is a high-stress event. You need a company you can trust to be fast, effective, and professional. As a local, family-owned business, our reputation in the community is everything.
- Over 40 Years of Local Trust: We’ve been solving DuPage County’s toughest clogs since 1976. We’re your neighbors, and we’re accountable.
- Professional, Heavy-Duty Equipment: We invest in commercial-grade power-rodding machines that are far more powerful than any rental unit. We have the right tools and cutting heads to clear what others can’t.
- Licensed, Skilled Technicians: A power rodder can damage old pipes if used improperly. Our licensed plumbers are trained to “feel” the clog and use the equipment safely, protecting your plumbing while ensuring the line is completely clear.
- Clean and Respectful Service:One: We know this is a messy job. Our team takes precautions to protect your home, contain the situation, and will thoroughly clean the work area before we leave.
Don’t let a sewer backup flood your basement or home. For fast, reliable sewer rodding in Carol Stream, IL, call the experts who have seen it all. Contact A-Keveloh Plumbing Inc. immediately at 630-963-0433 or book your service online.
Sewer Rodding FAQs for Carol Stream Residents
How long does sewer rodding take?
For a typical clog, our professional plumbers can usually clear the line and restore flow to your home within one to two hours. This includes setup, the rodding process, and cleanup. More severe clogs (like dense roots or a collapsed pipe) may take longer to diagnose and clear.
Is sewer rodding safe for my older pipes?
Yes, when performed by a skilled, licensed professional. Our technicians are trained to use the right amount of force and the correct cutting head for the job. We understand how to navigate older pipe systems (like clay or cast iron) to remove the blockage without causing damage. This is why you should never trust an untrained person with this powerful equipment.
My sewer line was rodded 6 months ago, but it’s clogged again. Why?
This is a classic sign of a recurring, physical problem. The two most common reasons are: 1) You have an aggressive tree root intrusion that has grown back, or 2) You have a structural problem, like a “bellied” (sagging) or cracked pipe, that is constantly catching waste. After rodding your line, we will likely recommend a sewer camera inspection to see the *cause* of the clog and recommend a long-term solution.
Am I responsible for the clog if it’s in my yard?
Yes. As a homeowner, you are responsible for the entire length of your “sewer lateral.” This is the pipe that runs from your home’s foundation all the way out to where it connects with the city’s main sewer line, which is often under the street. Any clogs or repairs needed in this lateral, even if it’s under the sidewalk or in your yard, are the homeowner’s responsibility.
