The first ten minutes
Stop using water. That means toilets, sinks, showers, the dishwasher and the washing machine, because each one sends more water into a blocked line. Keep everyone away from the affected area, especially children and pets.
If the water is near outlets or the electrical panel, stay out and call your electric utility. Do not walk through standing sewage to reach a breaker. Open a window for air, wear rubber boots and gloves if you must enter, and wash well afterward.
Quick checklist
- No water use anywhere in the house.
- Keep people and pets out of the basement.
- Photograph the water and damaged items before cleanup.
- Call a plumber to clear the line, and call your insurer.
Is it your line or the public sewer?
Ask your neighbors. If they have the same backup, the blockage may be in the public main. If only your house is affected, the problem is in your own building sewer. A plumber can confirm by running a cable and a camera from your cleanout.
Do not assume. A plumber who can show footage of a clear private line, or of a blockage past your property, gives you evidence for the utility and your insurer.
Likely causes and what fixes them
The cause decides the fix. A plumber can usually tell from the symptoms and a camera.
| Cause | Clue | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Roots in the line | Repeat backups in the same season. | Cable or jet, then a camera. Possibly a liner or repair. |
| Grease or wipes | Slow drains for weeks before the backup. | Cable or jet, change habits. |
| Collapsed or bellied pipe | Cable stops at the same spot. | Camera, then repair. |
| Public main blockage | Neighbors affected too. | Call the utility. |
| Heavy rain overloading the system | Backup only in storms. | Check for illegal connections such as sump pumps and downspouts. |
Protecting the basement before the next storm
Move valuables and important papers off the floor, and keep stored items on shelves or in sealed bins. Know where your main cleanout is and keep the area around it clear so a plumber can reach it fast.
If your home has had a backup before, ask a plumber about a backwater valve and a sump pump with a battery backup. A valve protects the sewer side, and the pump protects against groundwater. They solve different problems, which our sump pump page explains.
Check your homeowners policy for sewer backup coverage and the limit. Take photos of your finished basement and major items so a claim is easier to document.
Sewage backing up right now?
Call the 24/7 line. We will tell you what to shut off and send the right equipment.
Who handles what in Vernon Hills
Lake County Public Works maintains the public sanitary sewer and lists Vernon Hills in its South Central service area. Its sewer use ordinance makes the property owner responsible for keeping the private building sewer watertight, clean and flowing freely. It also bars sump pumps, downspouts, footing drains and window well drains from the sanitary sewer.
Public Works lists an emergency line at 847-377-7188 and a main number at 847-377-7500. Call it if neighbors are affected or the cleanout shows a full main.
Source type: Lake County Public Works sewer use ordinance and published contactsCleanup and insurance
Sewage-contaminated materials such as carpet, drywall and insulation often have to be removed. A cleanup company with the right equipment handles that. Keep receipts and photos.
Standard homeowners insurance often excludes sewer backup unless you have an endorsement. Ask your insurer now, before the next storm. Our sewer line cleaning page explains how we clear the line, and our sewer camera inspection page explains the footage. Homes in Mundelein follow a similar process, with different public sewer arrangements in some areas.
What a plumber does when you call
On arrival, the technician asks which drains are affected and when the problem started. They locate the cleanout, open it carefully and may see standing water, which tells them the blockage is downstream. A cable machine then clears the line.
After the line flows, a camera pass shows whether roots, a crack or a belly caused the blockage. You get the footage and a plain explanation. If the pipe is sound, cleaning may be all you need. If not, we explain the repair choices and prices before any digging.
Preventing the next backup
Keep grease, wipes and paper towels out of drains. Have the line cleaned if roots are a known problem. Consider a backwater valve, which a plumber can install to stop sewage from flowing back into the house.
A camera inspection after cleaning shows whether the pipe needs repair. If the pipe is cracked or collapsed, cleaning alone will not keep it open. See our sewer line repair page for the options.
Rules and guidance note
According to Lake County Public Works, the utility runs the sanitary sewer in the South Central service area, and its emergency line is 847-377-7188. Call it if neighbors have the same backup.
If the problem is in your own line, the village permit guide describes the permit and inspection that a repair needs.
Sewer backup questions
Stop using water, keep people away, photograph the damage and call a plumber and your insurer.
Only with a sewer or water backup endorsement. Ask your insurer.
The private building sewer is the owner's responsibility under the Lake County Public Works ordinance. The public main belongs to the utility.
Small, contained areas, with protection. Large backups need a cleanup company because of the health risk.
A valve that lets sewage flow out but closes if it tries to flow back in. A plumber can install one.