Old Home, New Pipes: Drain Challenges in North Shore IL Owners of historic homes on Chicago’s North Shore—particularly in towns like Evanston, Wilmette, Winnetka, and Glencoe—are increasingly confronting a familiar problem: the drain lines beneath their properties were built for another era. As fixtures, laundry loads, and water use patterns have evolved, many older systems are struggling to keep up, leading to slow drains, recurring backups, and costly emergency repairs. While drainage issues can appear “random,” plumbing professionals say they often trace back to predictable limitations of older materials and layouts. In many cases, the piping itself is still physically present, but performance has declined over decades due to corrosion, settlement, and buildup inside the pipe. Why older drains underperform North Shore historic properties frequently feature drainage components installed when building codes, soil conditions, and plumbi ... Read more »
Do Residential Homes Need Grease Traps?
Grease traps are designed to capture fats, oils, and grease before they can clog sewer lines. While they’re standard for many commercial kitchens, residential use is less straightforward. Whether a home “needs” a grease trap depends largely on local regulations and the household’s plumbing practices.
In most single-family homes, grease automatically enters the wastewater system after washing dishes and cooking—often without a trap. That’s because typical household volumes are generally lower and many communities rely on conventional sewer infrastructure to handle routine residential waste.
When residential grease traps may be required
Some jurisdictions require grease management at certain properties, even if they aren’t restaurants. The trigger is usually the presence of regular grease-producing activities that create higher-than-normal discharge. For example, inspecti ... Read more »
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