DuPage County · Downers Grove, IL
Plumbers in Downers Grove, IL
Downers Grove is in DuPage County, Illinois. About 58,000 people live in the 2 ZIP codes we cover here, in roughly 24,000 homes, 66% of them single-family detached houses. The biggest share of the housing was built between 1960 and 1979 (39%), and that age decides most of what goes wrong with the plumbing.
- Same-day service when a plumber is available
- 2 ZIP codes covered
ZIP codes we cover in Downers Grove
60515, 60516
Downers Grove homes and their plumbing
Here is how Downers Grove's homes break down by year built, based on Census estimates for the covered ZIP codes: before 1940 9%, 1940–1959 17%, 1960–1979 39%, 1980–1999 21%, 2000 or later 14%. With that many older homes, original galvanized supply pipe and cast iron or clay drains are still common, so leaks, rust and root intrusion come up often. Neighboring areas such as Lombard, Wheaton are covered too.
| Year built | Share of homes |
|---|---|
| Before 1940 | 9% |
| 1940–1959 | 17% |
| 1960–1979 | 39% |
| 1980–1999 | 21% |
| 2000 or later | 14% |
Share of housing units in the covered ZIP codes. Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
- Residents in covered ZIPs
- 57,639
- Housing units
- 24,355
- Single-family detached
- 66%
- Owner-occupied
- 77%
- Heated with utility gas
- 84%
- Heated with electricity
- 13%
What goes wrong in Downers Grove homes
Natural gas in most homes
84% 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.
1960s and 70s homes reaching end of life
39% 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.
Long, hard winters
65% 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.
Pre-1960 homes: galvanized pipe and cast iron
26% of homes in Downers Grove's covered ZIP codes were built before 1960. Houses that old often still have galvanized steel supply lines that rust closed from the inside, and cast iron or clay sewer pipe that cracks and lets roots in. Weak pressure at upstairs fixtures, brown water after a shutoff and slow drains are the usual clues. Typical fixes are whole-house repiping and a sewer camera inspection.
Common calls in Downers Grove
- Gas Line Repair
- Sewer Camera Inspection
- Frozen & Burst Pipe Repair
- Whole-House Repiping
- Water Softener Installation
- Water Heater Replacement
- Drain Cleaning
- Main Water Line Repair
Also available in Downers Grove: emergency plumbing and every plumbing service.
Downers Grove at a glance
- County
- DuPage County
- Nearest city pages
- Lombard, Wheaton
- ZIP codes
- 60515, 60516
Downers Grove plumbing FAQ
How old are the homes in Downers Grove?
In the ZIP codes we cover around Downers Grove, Census estimates put 26% of homes as built before 1960, 39% from 1960 to 1979, 21% from 1980 to 1999 and 14% in 2000 or later. The largest group is 1960–1979 (39%).
Who licenses plumbers in Downers Grove, IL?
The Illinois Department of Public Health licenses plumbers and plumbing contractors must register; Chicago adds its own requirements.
Are water heaters in Downers Grove usually gas or electric?
Census data for the area show 84% of homes heating with utility gas, 13% with electricity. 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.
Guides for Downers Grove homeowners
Nearby areas
Also covered nearby: Westmont (2 mi), Clarendon Hills (3 mi), Woodridge (4 mi), Oak Brook (4 mi), Willowbrook (4 mi), Lisle (4 mi), Darien (4 mi), Glen Ellyn (5 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 Downers Grove, so they may include neighboring communities that share those ZIP codes.
Need a plumber in Downers Grove?
Same-day service when a plumber is available. One call connects you with a licensed plumber who serves your ZIP.