Brick bungalows along a quiet older Peoria street under evening light

Plumbing in Peoria, IL

Sewer, drain and pipe work for Peoria's oldest streets, reached from Washington across the Illinois River.

4.8 on Google, 16 reviews
Open 7 days, 7:15 AM to 6:15 PM
Based in Washington, IL
Google reviews going back 10 years

We handle plumbing in Peoria, IL from 309 Wilshire Dr in Washington, about 11 miles and 15 minutes away in normal traffic, with a river bridge in the middle. About 11,000 Peoria homes predate 1940, and parts of the sewer network are as old as they are. The city also has its own order for a backup: call the Greater Peoria Sanitary District first, then a plumber if the public sewer is clear.

Plumbing in Peoria's Oldest Streets, Where One Home in Five Predates 1940

Peoria became a city in 1845, and its historic districts, including West Bluff, Glen Oak-Flanagan, Randolph-Roanoke and the North Side, are where the oldest pipe sits. The Census Bureau's 2020-2024 estimate counts about 11,000 of the city's 54,000 homes as built before 1940.

Houses from that era were commonly piped with cast iron drains inside and clay tile under the yard. Both crack, shift and let roots in as they age. The citywide median build year is 1966, though, so a row of 1920s bungalows can sit beside 1960s ranches. A sewer camera inspection tells us which pipe is which.

Cast iron drain stack and clay tile stub in the basement of a century-old Peoria house — A cast iron stack meeting an older clay line in a stone-and-block basement.

Combined Sewers and Cloudbursts: When the Street Pipe Fills First

Parts of Peoria drain through combined sewers, which carry storm water and household waste in one pipe. The city engineer has said these date to the late 1800s and early 1900s, and an 18-year plan that began in 2022 is working to cut overflows into the river.

When a storm fills a combined pipe, water can back up house connections and show at the lowest floor drain. A root-clogged lateral makes it worse, so sewer line cleaning opens the house side. The National Weather Service lists Peoria's wettest day as 5.52 inches on May 18, 1927. Ask your insurer about sewer backup coverage, and read our note on whether homeowners insurance covers sewer backups.

Clear water has its own rules. Peoria calls a sump pump tied into a sanitary pipe illegal and wants the discharge at least 10 feet from the house.

Rainwater rushing into a street inlet beside brick homes during a Peoria storm — A street inlet taking a heavy spring downpour.

Sewage rising in a Peoria floor drain? Call (209) 563-1400

Open 7 days, 7:15 AM to 6:15 PM. Tell us what is happening and we will give you a clear, upfront quote.

Call (209) 563-1400 Request a Quote

Jobs We Line Up for Peoria Houses

Sewer Camera InspectionBuying or renovating one of Peoria's pre-1940 houses? A camera run shows the lateral before closing, and the city counts the stretch under the sidewalk and street as yours.Sewer Line CleaningClears roots and scale from the house side of a Peoria lateral, so a storm-filled combined sewer has less to push against on its way toward your lowest floor drain.Sewer Line RepairCracked or offset clay tile under a yard near West Bluff or the North Side needs a repair, not another snaking, once the sanitary district has ruled out the public sewer.Whole House RepipingGalvanized steel supply pipe in early Peoria houses narrows with rust and scale, and a lead service line swap by Illinois American Water is a sensible time to look at it.Emergency Sewer BackupFor sewage rising in a floor drain during a storm. Peoria tells owners to call the sanitary district first, and we take the private side once the public sewer checks clear.Sump Pump ServicePeoria calls a sump tied into a sanitary pipe illegal and wants the discharge at least 10 feet from the house, so we reroute lines that fall short of that.Emergency Leak RepairA split supply line in an older Peoria basement cannot wait for morning. Shut the main first, then call. We work 7:15 AM to 6:15 PM, and we will tell you how soon the drive lets us reach you.Backflow TestingMany Illinois water suppliers require annual backflow tests, so a Peoria shop or rental with a device should check its notice. Illinois EPA requires an approved CCCDI tester, so ask to see the approval.

Which Bridge We Take to Reach Your Block

From Washington we run west on US 24 or Illinois 8 into East Peoria, then cross on I-74 over the Murray Baker Bridge or use the Cedar Street Bridge that carries Illinois 8 and 116. Which one depends on your side of town. Peoria has 29 ZIP codes, so we ask for the street address first.

Plumber's hands feeding a camera cable into a clay sewer cleanout in a Peoria yard — A camera cable entering a yard cleanout on an older lateral.

Water, Sewers and Digging Rules in Peoria

Illinois American Water supplies water across the city and says it pays to replace the lead service lines it finds. The Greater Peoria Sanitary District, formed in 1927, cleans wastewater and maintains the public sanitary sewers under an agreement with the city.

On a backup, the city says to call the district first at 309-272-4844. It inspects the public sewer at no cost. If that is clear, the problem is on the building sewer, which the owner keeps up from the house to the public connection. The city and the district each share the cost of a basement replumb, depending on who owns your main.

Call JULIE at 811 before any digging; Peoria says the marking is free. Plumbing repair in Illinois is licensed work; ask the plumber for the number and confirm it on the IDPH lookup. Across the county line? See Peoria County.

All plumbing services: Plumbing Repair, Drain and Sewer, Water Heaters, Water Quality, Commercial Plumbing, Emergency Plumbing.

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What Customers Say About Us

4.8 out of 5 from 16 Google reviews, checked November 2026. Read all reviews

“Just a superb experience in quality and customer service and price. Called these guys at 5:30p and they were here by 6:00p and Monte did his work in the dark by flashlight! Not only did he do a fantastic job he also educated us on how to prevent these problems from becoming a much bigger and more expensive issue. I would recommend this company to anyone, they are committed to doing a professional job, ensuring it is done right and with very affordable prices.”

Jason P., Google review, about 6 years ago

“Monte and Hunter came out on a Sunday (morning no less!) to help us with a mess from a backed up sewer. Lots of roots! They used two different sized cutters with a monster snake and cleaned it out all the way to the city sewer. We'd had another "sewer service" a few weeks ago and the experience was night and day different. I definitely recommend them.”

Terry S., Google review, about 4 years ago

“Had water coming up from sink in basement and tub upstairs. Called Monty and he came right over. He did an awesome job and was very knowledgeable and professional. Very reasonably priced too. He had the problem fixed in no time. I highly recommend this company.”

Nate B., Google review, about 6 years ago

Plumbing Questions in Peoria

Why does my Peoria basement drain back up in a hard rain?

Often because the street pipe is full. Parts of Peoria drain through combined sewers that carry rain and household waste together, and when a storm fills them, water can push back up the lowest floor drain. A clear, root-free lateral gives it a way out, and we can talk through a backwater valve once we have seen the line.

Should I scope the sewer before buying an older house in Peoria?

Yes. The Census Bureau's 2020-2024 estimate counts 11,006 Peoria homes built before 1940, and a pipe that old can hide cracked clay tile, offset joints or roots. A camera run before closing shows what is under the yard and gives you something specific to negotiate on.

Do you work in Peoria neighborhoods on both sides of the bluff?

Yes. Peoria sits on the river's west bank and the bluff rises behind downtown, so the difference is routing, not coverage. Give us the street address when you call and we will tell you which bridge we plan to use and when we can get there.

Areas Near Peoria

East PeoriaIllinois River-adjacent homes with flood and backup concerns.About 11 miles from Washington Creve CoeurModest homes near the river.About 13 miles from Washington Peoria HeightsMid-century homes and a rebuilt village water system.About 11 miles from Washington BartonvilleOlder river-corridor homes.About 16 miles from Washington Marquette HeightsHillside postwar homes.About 14 miles from Washington

Plumbing problem in Peoria? Call (209) 563-1400

Open 7 days, 7:15 AM to 6:15 PM. Tell us what is happening and we will give you a clear, upfront quote.

Call (209) 563-1400 Request a Quote

From the Blog

Homeowner's hands paging through an insurance policy at a kitchen table with a basement door behind

Cost and insuranceDoes Homeowners Insurance Cover Sewer Backups?

Basement floor drain with murky water rising on a concrete floor in a Central Illinois home

Emergency guidesSewage Backing Up Into the House: What to Do