Cook County · Evanston, IL
Plumbers in Evanston, IL
Evanston is in Cook County, Illinois. About 81,000 people live in the 6 ZIP codes we cover here, in roughly 36,000 homes, 34% of them single-family detached houses. The biggest share of the housing was built before 1940 (40%), and that age decides most of what goes wrong with the plumbing.
- Same-day service when a plumber is available
- 6 ZIP codes covered
ZIP codes we cover in Evanston
60201, 60202, 60203, 60204, 60208, 60209
Evanston homes and their plumbing
Here is how Evanston's homes break down by year built, based on Census estimates for the covered ZIP codes: before 1940 40%, 1940–1959 20%, 1960–1979 17%, 1980–1999 9%, 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 Skokie, Glenview are covered too.
| Year built | Share of homes |
|---|---|
| Before 1940 | 40% |
| 1940–1959 | 20% |
| 1960–1979 | 17% |
| 1980–1999 | 9% |
| 2000 or later | 14% |
Share of housing units in the covered ZIP codes. Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
- Residents in covered ZIPs
- 81,285
- Housing units
- 35,686
- Single-family detached
- 34%
- Owner-occupied
- 58%
- Heated with utility gas
- 77%
- Heated with electricity
- 18%
What goes wrong in Evanston homes
Pre-1960 homes: galvanized pipe and cast iron
61% of homes in Evanston's covered ZIP codes were built before 1960, 40% of them before 1940. 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.
Natural gas in most homes
77% 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
77% 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 34% 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 Evanston
- Whole-House Repiping
- Gas Line Repair
- Frozen & Burst Pipe Repair
- Drain Cleaning
- Water Softener Installation
- Water Heater Replacement
- Main Water Line Repair
- Sewer Line Repair in Evanston, IL
Also available in Evanston: emergency plumbing and every plumbing service.
Evanston at a glance
- County
- Cook County
- Nearest city pages
- Skokie, Glenview
- ZIP codes
- 60201, 60202, 60203, 60204, 60208, 60209
Evanston plumbing FAQ
How old are the homes in Evanston?
In the ZIP codes we cover around Evanston, Census estimates put 61% of homes as built before 1960, 17% from 1960 to 1979, 9% from 1980 to 1999 and 14% in 2000 or later. The largest group is before 1940 (40%).
Who licenses plumbers in Evanston, IL?
The Illinois Department of Public Health licenses plumbers and plumbing contractors must register; Chicago adds its own requirements.
Are water heaters in Evanston usually gas or electric?
Census data for the area show 77% of homes heating with utility gas, 18% 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 Evanston homeowners
Nearby areas
Also covered nearby: Kenilworth (3 mi), Wilmette (3 mi), Lincolnwood (3 mi), Golf (5 mi), Morton Grove (5 mi), Winnetka (5 mi), Niles (6 mi), Glencoe (7 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 Evanston, so they may include neighboring communities that share those ZIP codes.
Need a plumber in Evanston?
Same-day service when a plumber is available. One call connects you with a licensed plumber who serves your ZIP.