Both sides of the river, all hours
Joliet is split east and west by the Des Plaines River, and a small part of the city lies in Kendall County. From Romeoville we reach the city to the southwest. Our emergency plumbers take calls 24/7 from downtown near Rialto Square Theatre to the neighborhoods around Joliet Junior College.
Route 66 runs through downtown. If you are calling from a commercial address, give the cross street, because many downtown blocks look alike on a navigation screen at night.
Water coming up through a floor drain in Joliet?
Stop using sinks, tubs and the washer. Do not run the dishwasher. Call the 24/7 emergency line and tell dispatch whether the water is clear or dirty. Dirty water means a sewer problem, and we plan the visit around that.
Houses that were built in the 1800s
The East Side Historic District has mostly homes built between 1852 and 1873. The Upper Bluff district west of the river holds houses from about 1850 to 1930. Many large homes were later split into apartments, which means extra kitchens and baths sharing old drain lines.
| Era | What we often find | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Before 1950 | Galvanized supply, cast iron drains, possible lead service line | Low pressure, rusty water and slow drains that return |
| 1950s to 1970s | Copper supply, cast iron or early plastic drains | Pinhole leaks and cracked fittings |
| 1980s onward | Copper, CPVC or PEX with PVC drains | Failed supply connections and heater trouble |
That table is general plumbing history, not a promise about your house. We confirm what is in your walls before recommending a fix. A line that fails often may need repiping rather than another patch.
City well water, with Lake Michigan coming
Joliet's water comes from 21 deep bedrock wells and 5 shallow gravel wells. The city's 2024 water report says Lake Michigan water purchased from Chicago is expected at the tap in May 2030. The report does not list a hardness number, but it does say groundwater minerals cause hardness and the new supply should be softer.
If you own a softener, do not remove it now. Watch the city announcements before changing anything. Meanwhile, a water heater replacement is a good time to add a drain valve so the tank can be flushed.
Lead lines, main work and your service line
Joliet has replaced lead service lines since 2019. The city says it will replace a line at no charge to the homeowner after a leak repair disturbs it, when a test shows lead above the limit, or when it rehabilitates the main. Its lead inventory targets homes built before the 1940s.
The city is also replacing mains built before 1970, with about 30 miles planned in 2025 according to local news. Street work can stir up discolored water. Run the cold tap until it clears, and call if it does not. Before we repair a leaking service line, we point you to the city's lead page.
Storm sewers, lift stations and a flooded road
Public Utilities manages three wastewater plants, 598 miles of sanitary sewer, 556 miles of storm sewer and 50 lift stations. After heavy rain on August 1, 2026, news outlets reported several flooded roads, including County Line Road, Hammes Avenue and Republic Avenue. When roads flood, so do low basements and floor drains. Tell dispatch which road you can use.
Before we arrive in Joliet
Name the river side
East or west of the Des Plaines River. It decides which bridge the truck takes.
Mark the shutoff
Tape a note on the main valve or tell us where it is. In older houses it can sit behind stored boxes.
Skip the chemicals
Do not pour drain cleaner into a backed-up line. It stays in the pipe and burns whoever opens it.
Park clear
Leave room in front of the house or a driveway spot for the service truck.
Permits for plumbing in Joliet
The city enforces the current Illinois State Plumbing Code. Its inspections cover underground plumbing, sewer and water services, rough-in and final. Contractors must hold an Illinois plumbing contractor registration, carry insurance and file a letter of intent per project before a permit issues. We work under those rules for sewer line repair and other larger jobs.
Joliet customers near the border also reach us from Crest Hill and Lockport.
Joliet plumber needed tonight?
Call the 24/7 emergency line. Stop the water first if you can.
Call (630) 822-9290Our Joliet service area on the map
Joliet plumbing emergency FAQ
Yes. Our line is answered 24 hours a day, including nights, weekends and holidays. Call and a plumber is dispatched to your Joliet address.
Yes. We serve 60431, 60432, 60433, 60435 and 60436. A PO box ZIP is not a service address, so give dispatch your street address.
From city wells now. The 2024 report expects Lake Michigan water from Chicago to arrive in May 2030.
The city says it has replaced lead lines since 2019 and offers a lead map and inspection. Check its program before paying for work on the street side.
Tell dispatch. We can shut the water at the curb valve if needed, or find the hidden valve when we arrive.
After-hours work can carry a different rate. We state the price before the work starts so you can decide.