Sewer Line Repair & Replacement in Historical Oak Park
- 4.9 Star Rated
Sewer Line Problems in Oak Park? We Know These Homes.
Sewage backup? Tree roots? We’re on it.
- Licensed & Insured Oak Park Plumbers
- Fast Response Throughout Oak Park
When You Start Noticing the Signs
Maybe it started small. Your toilet’s been slow to drain lately. There’s a gurgling sound when you run the washing machine. Or you notice a smell in the basement that wasn’t there before.
Then one day it’s not small anymore. You’ve got sewage backing up into your basement drain, or worse—coming up through your toilet. Now you’re dealing with a real problem.
If you’re in Oak Park, you’re probably living in a home with some history. These beautiful bungalows, vintage two-flats, and classic Oak Park homes—many of them dating back to the 1920s and 30s—have a lot of charm. But that charm sometimes comes with original plumbing. And after 80 or 90 years, those old clay or cast iron sewer lines start to show their age.
Add in Oak Park’s magnificent trees—all those mature oaks and elms lining every street—and you’ve got roots that have been quietly working their way into your sewer line for decades.
Whether you’re dealing with a backup right now, or you’ve been told you need a sewer line replacement and you’re trying to figure out what that actually means, here’s what matters: you need someone who knows Oak Park, knows these houses, and can give you straight answers about what needs to happen.
That’s us. Grayson Sewer & Drain Services. We’ve worked on hundreds of Oak Park homes, and we know exactly what you’re dealing with.
Don’t wait for the next backup.
Why Oak Park Homeowners Keep Our Number
When your sewer line fails, you need more than just someone with a truck—you need people who understand these neighborhoods, these homes, and what’s actually happening underground. Here’s why Oak Park residents call us:
We Know Oak Park's Plumbing History
Your 1925 bungalow? Your Prairie-style two-flat? That classic Oak Park home on a tree-lined street? We've worked on dozens just like it. We know what materials were used, where the problems usually show up, and how to fix them right.
We Understand the Tree Root Reality
Oak Park's trees are gorgeous. They're also one of the biggest reasons sewer lines fail here. Those roots are relentless, and they find every crack and joint in old clay pipes. We've seen it all, and we know how to deal with it.
We're Local—Actually Local
Our trucks are usually somewhere on the West Side. We're not coming from the far suburbs. When you call with a backup, we can get to you fast. Time matters when sewage is involved.
We Work With Oak Park's Requirements
Oak Park has its own codes and permit processes, especially for properties in historic districts. We know what the village requires, and we handle the paperwork so you don't have to figure it out.
Straight Talk About What You Actually Need
Some companies see an old sewer line and immediately push for a full replacement. We don't work that way. We'll camera inspect your line, show you exactly what's going on, and give you honest options—from a simple repair to a full replacement—with real prices, not estimates that balloon later.
Trenchless Options When Possible
Got established landscaping? A driveway over your sewer line? We offer trenchless repair and replacement options that minimize disruption to your property. Not every situation qualifies, but when it does, it saves you a lot of hassle and restoration costs.
What We Actually Do for Sewer Line Problems
Sewer line issues aren’t one-size-fits-all. Here’s how we handle them from start to finish:
1. Camera Inspection First
We don't guess. We run a high-resolution camera through your sewer line so we can see exactly what's happening—roots, cracks, collapses, bellies in the line, whatever it is. Then we show you the footage.
2. Clear Immediate Blockages
If you've got a backup right now, we'll get your drains flowing again with professional hydro-jetting or mechanical cleaning. That buys you time to plan the next step.
3. Root Removal
Oak Park's trees are beautiful but brutal on sewer lines. We can clear roots that have infiltrated your pipes and discuss long-term solutions to keep them from coming back.
4. Repair vs. Replace
Sometimes a targeted repair is all you need. Sometimes the line is too far gone and replacement makes more sense. We'll talk you through what we found, what your options are, and what each one costs.
5. Trenchless Pipe Lining
For eligible situations, we can install a new pipe liner inside your existing line—no digging up your yard. It's faster, less invasive, and can last for decades
6. Traditional Excavation & Replacement
When trenchless isn't an option, we excavate and replace your sewer line with modern materials that will outlast both of us. We handle everything from permits to restoration.
7. Connect to Village Main
If your issue involves the connection to Oak Park's main sewer line or if you need compliance work, we coordinate with the village and manage the entire process.
8. Landscape & Hardscape Restoration
After the work is done, we restore your property—whether that's re-sodding your lawn, repairing your driveway, or putting your garden back together.
Signs Your Sewer Line Needs Attention
Don’t wait for a full-blown sewage backup. Here are the warning signs Oak Park homeowners should watch for:
Multiple Slow Drains
One slow drain is usually that drain. Multiple slow drains—especially if they're on the lowest level—usually means your main sewer line
Gurgling Sounds
When you flush the toilet and the bathtub drain gurgles, or when you run the washing machine and hear bubbling in the basement sink—that's air trapped in your sewer line.
Sewage Odors
If you smell sewage in your basement or yard, something's wrong. Either there's a break in the line or gases are backing up.
Soggy Patches in Your Yard
A perpetually wet or extra-green spot in your yard—especially near where your sewer line runs—often means leaking sewage is fertilizing that area. Not good.
Frequent Backups
If you're calling for drain cleaning more than once a year, the problem isn't the drain cleaning—it's your sewer line.
Basement Floor Drain Backing Up
This is usually the first place sewage appears because it's the lowest drain. Don't ignore it.
What to Do Right Now (If You're Dealing With a Backup)

1. Stop Using Water
Don't run sinks, flush toilets, use the washing machine, or shower. Every gallon you send down makes the backup worse.

2. Contain the Mess
If sewage is coming up through a drain, put towels around it to limit spread. Don't try to clean it up yet—just contain it.

3. Keep People and Pets Away
Sewage contains bacteria and pathogens. Keep everyone away from the affected area until we can assess and clean it properly.

4. Turn Off Your Main Water If Necessary
If the backup is severe or if someone in your house might forget and use water, just shut off the main supply until we arrive.
What Your Neighbors Are Saying
Posted on Graham Alvey It had been several years since our sewer line had been rodded / jetted. With a quick camera inspection, Jeremy discovered multiple cracks in the 100+ year old pipes through a section of the line. He did not pressure me to replace anything, only stating it would eventually become a problem and that he could continue the jetting as requested or could replace the damaged section. I opted for replacement, and Jeremy and his crew were able to pull the permits and dig out and replace ~10ft of badly damaged line. They did it efficiently, kept our sewer line flowing, and kept me informed all along the process.Posted on John Lattyak Called Grayson Sewer and Drain Services on Saturday because shower in basement was backing up. Jeremy said he could come out early afternoon after he took care of 3 customers before me. He came on time and did a video inspection of my main sewer drain that showed root growth. They hydro jetted the main sewer and cleaned out the root growth. They also rodded the drain from shower to the connection at the main and got my sewer drains working again. Pricing was reasonable for the amount of work they had to do. Would use them again.Posted on Jasmine Williams Mr Grayson and his team did an awesome job, very quick and efficient. As well as affordable. Truly appreciated them solving the problem for me as swift as they did. ♥️Posted on Linda Wiley They were very professional and arrived on time. I'll be using them again for keeping my catch basin clean.Posted on Kim Kim This company went above and beyond to do a thorough sewer and drain scope inspection for a property I'm considering buying. When they came, the corroded cap made it impossible to remove. Since they needed to wait for the seller's approval to cut the cap, they had to make a second trip. And they didn't even charge me for this! They even replaced the cap for the seller free of charge. This company stands behind integrity and a genuine desire to help people. Thank you!!Posted on Zoli Laczko Jeremy and the team was extremely responsive and fast in repairing a gas leak. Great communication. Honest Work. Highly recommend their services.Posted on DeAnne Meisner Easy to contact. Fast, efficient and professional!Posted on Donna Rae A great plumbing company. Great customer service and quality craftsmanship. We will call Grayson for all our sewer and plumbing needs in the future. Their prices are great and their work is even better. We highly recommend Grayson sewer and drain services to everyone we know.
Stop the Problem Before It Gets Worse. Call Now.
Sewer line problems don’t fix themselves. They only get worse, more expensive, and more disgusting. Whether you’re dealing with a backup right now or you’ve been putting off that camera inspection, let’s get it handled.
Grayson Sewer & Drain Services
24/7 Emergency Plumbers Serving Lakeview, Wrigleyville, and Greater Chicago