Berwyn, Illinois, is an idyllic neighborhood in Cook County, located just about 9 miles southwest of downtown Chicago. This community is characterized by walkable streets and rows of cute 1920s and 30s bungalows that have earned it the moniker of the “City of Homes.” Like many desirable housing markets, demand for homes and rental services in Silicon Valley and other competitive regions reflects how communities value accessible and well-maintained housing. Berwyn has everything you would want in a Chicago suburb, except for one thing.
This welcoming city, despite its diverse mix of cultures and lovely parks, is also where you may see the worst of Illinois’ chaotic weather and adverse geography. Homes in Berwyn are frequently subject to the threat of sewer backups and other plumbing issues due to the intersection of various natural and human factors in this location.
Why sewer backups are common in Berwyn, IL homes
Combined sewer system (CSS)
Much of Chicago, including large sections of Berwyn, still relies on a combined sewer system. These are municipal sewer lines that transport sewage and stormwater in the same pipe network. This design has a fatal weakness. If the sewer line is overwhelmed by water due to heavy rainfall or snowmelt, the impact cannot be restricted to the stormwater management systems. Instead, as the lines overflow, their content spills into nearby private sewer lines, resulting in sewer backups in those homes.
Aging city infrastructure
The second problem with Berwyn’s sewer infrastructure is its age. Apart from not being built to handle the current volumes of stormwater and household wastewater that now flow through it regularly, the system is seriously outdated. As their pipes corrode and become increasingly fragile, aging sewer lines are more likely to leak and suffer blockages. Once again, these problems increase the risk that the sewer lines will be overwhelmed and overflow, diverting their contents into private sewer lines.
Intense storm events
Powerful summer storms and heavy snowmelts worsen these problems. These extreme weather events, which are quite common in Berwyn and all of Chicago, generate large volumes of stormwater. Climate change also ensures that these severe, fast-moving storms happen ever more frequently than they used to. The result is that municipal sewer infrastructures are subjected to unremitting pressure in certain seasons. When these systems exceed their capacity, the outcome is sewer backups in homes.
Extensive low terrain
Berwyn’s natural topography also makes it vulnerable to flooding. The city sits on what was once a “Mud Lake” area – an extensive flat terrain characterized by marshland. This marshy, low-lying area was eventually drained and built up. But modernization has only limited, not eliminated, its role as a natural water reservoir. Consequently, when it rains or snows heavily, stormwater from areas with a higher elevation naturally flows into and settles in this area.
Heavy clayey soil
As is often the case with low-lying waterlogged areas or marshes, Berwyn has poorly drained soil consisting in large parts of heavy clay. Soil types with high clay content are especially prone to flooding because they prevent infiltration of water. These soils tend to let rainwater pool on their surface instead of absorbing it. In urban areas with predominantly clay soils, this results in a higher risk of basement flooding and sewer backups in homes. Sadly, this is exactly the case with Berwyn.
Too many hard surfaces
Urbanization worsens the above issues by reducing the amount of natural surfaces that water can soak into. Surfaces like rooftops, paved walkways & driveways, tarred streets, parking lots, etc., dominate in Berwyn. These hard surfaces limit the amount of water that can penetrate the ground whenever it rains. Instead of being absorbed by the ground, rainwater is diverted into streets and sewer lines, often resulting in flooding and overflows.
What can homeowners in Berwyn do to protect their homes?
Protecting your Berwyn, IL home from sewer backups
Install a backflow valve
This essential plumbing device constantly monitors your sewer line to ensure that wastewater only flows in one direction inside the pipes. It is equipped with one or more valves that are designed to stay open as long as water flows downhill. The moment there is a reversal of flow, signaling an imminent backup, the valve closes, shutting off the flow and protecting your home.
Inspect your sewer line annually
The condition of your sewer lines plays a role in your home’s exposure to sewer backups. Lines with a lot of buildup are more prone to clogs and blockages. Problems in the city’s sewer line can easily trigger a sewer backup in such homes. Yearly sewer camera inspections help you stay updated with the condition of your sewer lines.
Schedule professional drain cleaning
Cleaning your sewer lines through hydro jetting or hiring a professional plumber for sewer rodding will remove any debris from inside the system. This step is essential to maintain the health and function of your sewer lines. Sewer systems that are cleaned on a schedule are less likely to leak, clog, or back up.
Lastly, the quality of the plumber you hire to manage your home’s plumbing issues matters. An experienced Berwyn, IL plumber who understands the unique challenges of homes in this location can help you identify previously unknown issues that make your home more vulnerable to sewer backups. They can also help you identify and implement the most effective solutions for these problems.
—
Having issues with sewer backups in the Berywn, IL area? We can help! Call us today at 708-801-6530.
