DeKalb County · Dekalb, IL
Plumbers in Dekalb, IL
Dekalb is in DeKalb County, Illinois. About 42,000 people live in the ZIP code we cover here, in roughly 18,000 homes, 41% of them single-family detached houses. The biggest share of the housing was built between 1960 and 1979 (34%), and that age decides most of what goes wrong with the plumbing.
- Same-day service when a plumber is available
- 1 ZIP codes covered
ZIP codes we cover in Dekalb
60115
Dekalb homes and their plumbing
Here is how Dekalb's homes break down by year built, based on Census estimates for the covered ZIP codes: before 1940 13%, 1940–1959 9%, 1960–1979 34%, 1980–1999 22%, 2000 or later 22%. Most homes are old enough that original pipe, valves and water heaters are wearing out, but young enough that full repipes are a case-by-case call.
| Year built | Share of homes |
|---|---|
| Before 1940 | 13% |
| 1940–1959 | 9% |
| 1960–1979 | 34% |
| 1980–1999 | 22% |
| 2000 or later | 22% |
Share of housing units in the covered ZIP codes. Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
- Residents in covered ZIPs
- 42,461
- Housing units
- 18,175
- Single-family detached
- 41%
- Owner-occupied
- 43%
- Heated with utility gas
- 65%
- Heated with electricity
- 32%
- Heated with propane
- 3%
What goes wrong in Dekalb homes
1960s and 70s homes reaching end of life
34% of the housing here dates from 1960 to 1979. Original copper supply lines in those homes are now 45 to 65 years old, and cast iron drains of that age scale up inside and crack. Seized shutoff valves, pinhole leaks and recurring main-line clogs are common calls. A camera inspection shows the condition of the sewer line before anyone digs.
Natural gas in most homes
65% of occupied homes here heat with utility gas, so gas water heaters, ranges and dryers are common. That means gas line extensions for new appliances, flexible connector replacements and venting checks when a water heater is swapped. If you smell gas, leave first and call the gas utility from outside. See gas line repair.
Long, hard winters
56% of homes here were built before 1980, when pipes were more often run through exterior walls and uninsulated crawl spaces. In a long Illinois winter those are the lines that freeze and split. See frozen and burst pipe repair.
Apartments, condos and attached homes
Only 41% of homes here are single-family detached houses. In attached buildings a leak or clog often involves a shared stack or a neighbor's unit, so it's worth knowing which lines are yours and which belong to the building or HOA, and where your unit's own shutoff is.
Common calls in Dekalb
- Sewer Camera Inspection
- Gas Line Repair in Dekalb, IL
- Frozen & Burst Pipe Repair
- Drain Cleaning
- Water Softener Installation
- Water Heater Replacement
- Main Water Line Repair
- Sewer Line Repair
Also available in Dekalb: emergency plumbing and every plumbing service.
Dekalb at a glance
- County
- DeKalb County
- ZIP codes
- 60115
Dekalb plumbing FAQ
How old are the homes in Dekalb?
In the ZIP codes we cover around Dekalb, Census estimates put 22% of homes as built before 1960, 34% from 1960 to 1979, 22% from 1980 to 1999 and 22% in 2000 or later. The largest group is 1960–1979 (34%).
Who licenses plumbers in Dekalb, IL?
The Illinois Department of Public Health licenses plumbers and plumbing contractors must register; Chicago adds its own requirements.
Are water heaters in Dekalb usually gas or electric?
Census data for the area show 65% of homes heating with utility gas, 32% with electricity and 3% with propane. Water heaters often use the same fuel as the home's heat, so utility gas is the most common here, but check the label on your tank before you shop for a replacement.
I rent in Dekalb. Who pays for plumbing repairs?
About 57% of homes here are renter-occupied. In most cases the landlord is responsible for the building's plumbing, and tenants should report leaks right away and in writing. Damage a tenant causes, like a clog from something flushed, may be billed back. Your lease and Illinois landlord-tenant law set the details.
Guides for Dekalb homeowners
Nearby areas
Also covered nearby: Cortland (4 mi), Sycamore (6 mi), Maple Park (7 mi), Genoa (11 mi), Creston (12 mi), Kirkland (12 mi), Hinckley (12 mi), Burlington (13 mi).
Housing, heating and population figures are US Census Bureau American Community Survey 2023 5-year estimates for the ZIP code areas we cover in Dekalb, so they may include neighboring communities that share those ZIP codes.
Need a plumber in Dekalb?
Same-day service when a plumber is available. One call connects you with a licensed plumber who serves your ZIP.