Village of Skokie Home Improvements Program

Your house should be protected from sewage backup that can cause costly damage and unsanitary conditions. The Village has made improvements to the sewer system to handle most normal rain storms; however, in severe rain storm sewers can fill up causing water to backflow into basements. Although there are several ways of preventing this, the two best methods are to install overhead sewers or a backwater valve flood control system. In an overhead system, waste water from the first or second floor is removed from the house through a pipe connected to the Village sewer that is at a higher level than the Village sewer. The higher elevation of the pipe helps prevent water from backing up into the house. An electric pump in the basement ejects any water from basement bathrooms, laundries or drains into the pipe that is connected to the sewer. Backwater valve flood control systems, on the other hand, stop sewage backup before it can enter the house with a check valve on the sewer line. This system generally requires the construction of an underground structure in the yard where a check valve is located. This valve lets waste water flow out of the house while keeping sewage from coming back in. It is important to maintain this valve annually to prevent failure during a storm event. These systems often contain an electric pump to force water out of the house system if the sewers are full. Both systems require electricity and should have a backup battery or generator system to assure their continued operation if the electricity goes out. The pumps in these systems require regular maintenance and may need replacement because of heavy usage. Homeowners can perform some of these home improvements themselves, while other improvements require a contractor or licensed plumber.

Financial assistance is available to income qualified households to make repairs as part of the Village’s Home Improvements Program. Please contact the Building and Zoning Division at 847/933-8223 to discuss your home repair issues, determine if a permit is required, get a list of contractors who have done work in the Village and to see if you are income-qualified for a grant or loan.