A kitchen sink that drains slowly, a basement floor drain that gurgles when the washer runs, or sewage that appears in the lowest part of the house each need a different response. Lockport homeowners can call TR Miller Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical for drain cleaning, sewer inspection, and sewer repair. We have served Chicago-area homeowners since 2008, and we explain what we find and provide pricing before approved work begins.
Lockport began as a canal town, platted in 1837, and the City’s Public Works and Engineering Department now maintains the public water and sewer systems, including the Division Street Wastewater Treatment Plant. That public system ends at the property line. The line that runs from your house to the main is generally the homeowner’s responsibility, so knowing where the public system stops and your line starts is the first step in deciding who to call. If you are not sure where that line is, call City Hall at (815) 838-0549 and ask.
Whether you are dealing with one slow drain or a backup that affects the whole house, our goal is to find the cause, show you the options, and help you decide what to do next. If the problem keeps coming back, we can use a sewer camera to look at the actual condition of the line before recommending a repair.
We provide the following services to Lockport homeowners:
- Drain Cleaning
- Drain Repair & Replacement
- Main Line Cleaning & Clearing
- Sewer Video Camera Inspection
- Sewer Line Repair
- Sewer Line Replacement
- Pipe Lining Services
- Tree Root Removal from Sewer Lines
- Hydro Jetting
- Cabling & Snaking
- Sewer Main Line Clearing
To learn more about the quality of our service, take a look at our customer reviews!
If Sewage Is Backing Up Into Your Home
- Stop using water. Do not run the sink, shower, dishwasher, or washing machine, and avoid flushing toilets.
- Keep people and pets away from the affected area.
- Call the City. The City of Lockport’s Public Works and Engineering Department maintains the public sewer system. Call City Hall at (815) 838-0549 and ask whether the public sewer main needs to be checked.
- Call TR Miller if the main is clear. If the public main is not the cause, the blockage is on the homeowner’s side of the connection, and we can inspect and clear it. Call (815) 912-0028.
If you are unsure whether the problem is on your side, tell us what you are seeing when you call. We will help you work out the next step.
Drain Cleaning
If one fixture drains slowly, the clog is usually close to that fixture. Hair, soap scum, grease, mineral buildup, and objects that fall into drains are common causes. TR Miller uses cabling and snaking to break up or pull out a blockage. Store-bought drain cleaners can clear a minor clog for a short time, but they do not address the cause, and the blockage may return. For recurring slow drains, a professional cleaning and a look at the line can find what is going on.
Main Line Cleaning and Clearing
When several drains back up at once, or a toilet gurgles when you run water elsewhere, the restriction may be in the main sewer line. Causes include grease buildup, debris, tree root intrusion, and a damaged or collapsed section of pipe. We use a sewer camera to locate the blockage before clearing it, so we are working on the actual problem. If multiple drains back up, shut off your water and call.
Sewer Video Inspection
A sewer camera lets us see inside the line. We can find cracks, offset joints, root intrusion, buildup, and low spots, and show you what we see. That helps you decide between cleaning, spot repair, lining, or replacement based on the line’s condition, not a guess. An inspection is also useful before buying a home, or if your drains have backed up more than once.
Hydro Jetting
Hydro jetting uses a high-pressure water stream to scour the inside of a pipe, removing grease, mineral scale, and debris that cabling may not fully clear. It can be a good fit for recurring clogs, kitchen lines with heavy grease, and older pipes with scale buildup. We will tell you whether jetting suits your line after we look at it.
Sewer Line Repair, Replacement, and Pipe Lining
Warning signs that a sewer line needs attention include slow drains throughout the house, sewage odors in the yard, soggy or unusually green patches in the lawn, and sewage backing up into floor drains. After a camera inspection, repair options may include a spot repair, trenchless pipe lining that restores the pipe from the inside without digging up the yard, or replacement of a damaged section. We will explain the choices and what each involves, and give you a price before approved work begins.
Basement Water and Sump Pumps
Backups and basement water can look alike, but they have different causes. A sewer backup comes up through floor drains and fixtures. Groundwater and storm runoff enter through walls, floors, and sump pits. If your basement takes on water, we can help work out the source. Learn more about our plumbing services, including sump pump service.
Permits for Sewer Work
The City of Lockport’s Building Department reviews plans, issues permits, and schedules inspections, and its permit applications include sewer and water repair. The City states that no work can occur before a permit is issued, and that work without a permit can be subject to double the permit fee. Requirements vary by project, so confirm the scope with our team and the Building Department at (815) 838-0549, option 5, before work begins.
Why Lockport Homeowners Call TR Miller
A drain problem can also involve plumbing, so one team that handles both helps. TR Miller works across plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical, and we provide a price before approved work begins. We will tell you if a repair is not the best use of your money. Contact us or call (815) 912-0028 to schedule service. You can also read what customers say in our reviews. To see everything we offer in your area, visit our Lockport home services page.
If you want to use our residential plumber services, contact us today.
Clogged Drain Repair Services
We are a professional drain cleaning company and can remove any blockages in your sink, shower, or bathtub drains. You can also contact us if you have a clogged toilet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does TR Miller provide drain and sewer service in Lockport, IL?
A: Yes. TR Miller serves Lockport homeowners with drain cleaning, sewer inspection, and sewer repair. Call with your address and a description of the problem so our team can confirm service availability.
Q: What should I do if sewage backs up into my home?
A: Stop using water and keep people and pets away from the affected area. Call the City of Lockport at (815) 838-0549 and ask whether the public sewer main needs to be checked. Contact TR Miller if the problem is on the homeowner’s side of the connection.
Q: Who is responsible for the sewer line between my house and the street?
A: The City maintains the public sewer main, and the line on your property is generally the homeowner’s responsibility. If you are not sure where your line connects, call City Hall at (815) 838-0549 and ask.
Q: How often should I have my drains cleaned?
A: There is no single schedule for every home. If you have recurring slow drains, a history of backups, or mature trees near your sewer line, ask us whether regular cleaning makes sense. A technician can look at your drains and recommend a schedule.
Q: What is the difference between drain cleaning and hydro jetting?
A: Drain cleaning with cabling or snaking breaks up or pulls out a blockage. Hydro jetting uses high-pressure water to scour the pipe walls, removing grease, mineral scale, and debris along the line, not just at the blockage point.
Q: Can a sewer camera inspection find the cause of repeated backups?
A: Often, yes. A camera lets us see cracks, root intrusion, buildup, and low spots in the line. That helps determine whether cleaning, lining, or repair is the right next step.
Q: Do I need a permit for sewer work in Lockport?
A: The City’s Building Department issues permits and schedules inspections, and its permit applications include sewer and water repair. Requirements vary by project. Confirm the scope with our team and the Building Department at (815) 838-0549, option 5, before work begins.