When water stops going where it should, or starts going somewhere it should not, the next call is the one that matters. A burst pipe, a backed-up drain, a water heater that quit overnight. Whatever brought you here, MCM Plumbing & Drain Cleaning takes calls in Waukegan every day of the week, from early morning through the evening, and same-day service is often available when the problem will not wait. We handle the full range of residential and commercial plumbing work, from a single dripping faucet to a complete repipe.
Waukegan has a mix of housing that keeps plumbing calls varied. Older properties on original supply lines, rental buildings where a tenant problem needs fast coordination, and commercial spaces that cannot afford downtime. We work across all of it. Call for a quote at (414) 414-2993 and a plumber will follow up.
Not every plumbing concern starts with a leak or a clog. In parts of this region, water quality is its own issue, and it shows up in the plumbing long before anyone notices a taste or a smell. Hard water leaves mineral buildup inside water heaters, inside supply lines, and on the internal components of faucets and fixtures. Over time that buildup restricts flow, shortens the life of appliances, and puts extra strain on connections that should last decades.
We install water softeners and water filtration systems for properties where the supply is causing wear or where the quality at the tap is a concern. For homes on a private well rather than a public supply, the picture is different again. A well system needs pressure tank service, pump diagnostics, and filtration suited to what the ground water actually contains. We assess what is coming in before recommending what goes in.
A water softener or filtration installation is a straightforward job when it is planned. It becomes a more involved one when it is done as a retrofit around existing supply lines. Either way, we walk through what the property needs before anything is scheduled. Give us a call and we will take it from there.
The price for a plumbing job depends on what the fault turns out to be and what has to come apart to reach it. A slow drain that clears with a cable auger is a different job from one that needs hydro jetting because the blockage is deep in the main line. A leaking supply connection under a sink is a different job from a leak inside a wall that requires opening the surface to find. The starting point is always a look at what is actually happening.
When you call, we ask enough questions to give you a realistic sense of what the work involves before anyone is dispatched. The rate is confirmed before anything is scheduled. What can change a quote is what the job reveals once a plumber is on site: a shutoff valve that will not close, corroded pipe behind the fitting, or a drain problem that sits further along the line than the symptom suggested. We explain what we find before we continue.
There is no charge invented on this page, because the price belongs to the job, not to the category. What we can tell you is that the quote is given before the work begins and covers what was discussed. Ask what it includes and you will get a straight answer on the call.
We answer calls in Waukegan from 5:30 AM to 9:00 PM every day. Same-day service is available in most cases, and for urgent situations like a burst pipe or a complete loss of hot water, we treat those as priority calls within those hours. You are told who is coming and when before the plumber arrives.
For rental properties and commercial spaces, we understand that the schedule is not always flexible. A tenant cannot be without water for two days. A restaurant kitchen cannot have a backed-up floor drain through a lunch service. We work around those constraints when we can, and we communicate clearly when something needs to be staged across more than one visit. Reach out and a plumber will follow up.
A disposal that hums but will not spin, one that leaks at the base, or one that has simply seized up after years of use. We repair disposals where the fix makes sense and replace them when it does not. Installation is straightforward on a planned job. On an older kitchen sink where the drain configuration is not standard, we assess what is needed before committing to a price.
A toilet that runs constantly is wasting water every hour it sits. A toilet that leaks at the base is doing slow damage to the floor underneath. Both are worth addressing sooner rather than later. We diagnose the cause, whether it is a worn flapper, a failed fill valve, a cracked wax ring, or a problem further into the drain, and we repair or replace what is causing it. If a toilet is old enough that parts are no longer practical to source, we can replace the whole unit.
In a region where temperatures drop hard and stay there, pipes in exterior walls, crawl spaces, and unheated areas are at real risk every winter. A frozen pipe that bursts can release a significant amount of water before the shutoff is reached. We thaw frozen lines, assess whether the pipe has cracked or split, and make the repair. We also look at why the pipe froze so the same section is not a problem again next season.
A single slow drain is usually a fixture-level clog. Multiple drains backing up at once points to the main line. We clear both. For fixture clogs we use a cable auger. For main line blockages, grease buildup, or root intrusion in the sewer line, hydro jetting is often the more effective approach because it clears the pipe rather than just punching through the obstruction. We run a camera where it helps confirm what is in the line and whether the pipe itself is in good shape.
Before booking anything, our plumbing page is worth a read.
Most calls start here. Something has stopped working or started going wrong, and the first job is finding out why. Water pressure that has dropped across the whole house, a fixture that leaks even after the supply is shut off, a drain that backs up repeatedly in the same spot. Fault finding is not a separate service. It is the first part of every repair call, and it is where the quote gets built from. We do not guess at a cause and charge for the wrong fix.
Some jobs start as repairs and become replacements once the condition of the existing component is clear. A water heater that is past its useful life, a shutoff valve that will not close fully, a section of galvanized supply line that has corroded from the inside. Replacement is not always the first recommendation, but when a repair would only delay the same call by a year or two, we say so. You get the honest assessment and you decide.
Fixture upgrades, tankless water heater installation, new sump pump systems, water filtration and softener installation. These are jobs that come in with a clear scope rather than an unknown fault. They are easier to price accurately on the call because the variables are known in advance. If you are planning a bathroom update, a kitchen renovation, or a utility upgrade and need the plumbing side handled, call us before the project starts so the work can be staged correctly. The full breakdown of what each type of installation covers is on the service page.
We serve Waukegan and the surrounding communities throughout Lake County. If you are in Park City, Gurnee, North Chicago, Beach Park, or Green Oaks, we cover you. Plumbing here gets handled by people who answer to this community. Coverage extends across the wider Lake County area, and if you are unsure whether your address falls within our range, a quick call to (414) 414-2993 will confirm it.
Larger jobs require more scheduling lead time than a single-fixture repair, and the exact amount depends on the scope and what materials are needed. Call us to describe the project and we will give you a realistic picture of when we can get it started.
Most homes in this region are built on basements rather than slabs, and the water table rises significantly during spring snowmelt and heavy rain. A functioning sump pump is what keeps that water from finding its way inside. If your home does not have one, or if the existing unit is old or struggling to keep pace, that is worth addressing before the next wet season rather than during it. Call us to talk through what installation or replacement involves for your property.
Older properties in this area are more likely to have galvanized steel supply lines that have corroded from the inside, which shows up as reduced water pressure or discolored water at the tap. They may also have cast iron drain lines that have deteriorated over decades. A plumber can assess what is in the walls before recommending a repair or a more thorough replacement, and a call is the right starting point for figuring out where your property stands.
A tenant can be on site to provide access in place of the property owner, as long as they can reach you if a decision needs to be made about the scope of the work. When you call, let us know the situation and we will work around the access and communication setup that makes sense for your property. Same-day service is often available for urgent tenant issues, and we confirm the appointment window before the plumber heads out.
Permit requirements vary depending on the type of work and the jurisdiction. We can tell you whether a permit applies to your job when we scope the work, and we handle the plumbing to the standard an inspection would expect regardless of whether a permit is formally required.
Yes, and it genuinely helps. Knowing whether multiple drains are affected, whether there is an odor, whether pressure has dropped, or whether the problem is intermittent or constant lets us bring the right equipment and give you a more accurate picture of what the visit will involve before we arrive.
It depends on where the pipe is and what needs to be done. We access only what the job requires and explain beforehand if opening a wall or floor is necessary. When it is, we work carefully and let you know what the opening will look like when we are finished.
It can. If the blockage is in the main line rather than at a single fixture, running water through other drains pushes more water into a line that has nowhere to go, which can cause sewage to back up through floor drains or low fixtures. Limiting water use until the line is cleared is the safer approach.
That depends on what it is and how it was done. We assess any existing work as part of the job and let you know if something needs to be corrected. Work that does not meet code or that is likely to fail creates a larger problem down the road, and we flag it rather than ignore it.
When the job is done, we leave your home clean and dry. That applies whether the call came from Waukegan proper, from a property in Gurnee, from a rental unit in North Chicago, or from a home in Beach Park or Green Oaks. Every community in this part of Lake County is covered, and the work is handled to the same standard regardless of the address.
MCM Plumbing & Drain Cleaning is available from 5:30 AM to 9:00 PM every day. If you are in Waukegan or anywhere nearby and need a plumber, call (414) 414-2993 for a quote. We'll make your plumbing sound again.
We cover these neighboring areas too: Gurnee, North Chicago, Beach Park, Zion. See the whole of our service area list.
Below is a plain look at the plumbing work we handle in Waukegan and across Lake County. Each row covers what the service includes, who it fits best, and one practical note worth knowing before you call. If a job on your list is not here, ask on the call and we will tell you whether it falls in our scope.
| Service Type | What the Job Covers | Typical Situations | Helpful to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sump Pump Installation | new sump pit and pump installation, replacement of failed units, discharge line routing, assessment for homes without existing systems | Basements at risk during spring snowmelt or homes without an existing sump system | The water table in parts of Waukegan rises significantly in spring. A working sump pump is real insurance. |
| Frozen & Burst Pipe Repair | locating the frozen or burst section, supply shutoff and flow stop, pipe repair or replacement, assessment of why the pipe froze | Homes with pipes in exterior walls, crawl spaces, or unheated garages during Lake County winters | We look at the cause after the repair so the same pipe does not freeze again next season. |
| Emergency Plumbing | burst pipe response, major active leaks, complete loss of hot water, main shutoff and supply isolation | Any situation where water is actively damaging the home or service cannot wait | We are open every day from 5:30 AM to 9:00 PM. Same-day service is often available for urgent calls. |
| Water Heater Repair & ReplacementMost Popular | tank and tankless units, diagnosis of heating and pressure issues, full unit replacement, sizing and option walkthrough | Households with no hot water, rusty water, or a unit past its useful life | Replacement is often the more practical call once a tank is showing multiple symptoms. |
| Water Pressure & Shutoff Valve Repair | pressure regulator diagnosis and replacement, shutoff valve repair and replacement, whole-house pressure check, fixture-level valve service | Homes with pressure that has dropped, spiked, or varies room to room | Galvanized pipe that has corroded from the inside is a common cause of pressure loss in older Waukegan homes. |
| Faucet & Fixture Installation | faucet repair and replacement, shower and tub valve service, sink and fixture installation, remodel rough-in and finish work | Renovation projects or fixtures that drip, leak, or will not hold temperature | Proper connection at installation prevents slow leaks that show up weeks later behind the wall. |
| Toilet Repair & Installation | running and leaking toilets, flush valve and fill valve replacement, full toilet replacement, new installation for remodels | Homeowners dealing with a running toilet, a leak at the base, or a full replacement | A running toilet can waste a significant amount of water before it becomes obvious on the bill. |
| Drain Cleaning & Clog Removal | sink, tub, and shower drains, floor drains and laundry lines, main line clearing, hydro jetting for stubborn blockages | Homeowners or tenants with slow or fully blocked drains | Multiple slow drains at once usually point to the main line, not individual fixtures. |
| Pipe Insulation & Winterization | insulating exposed supply lines, frost-free hose bib installation, outdoor line shutdown and drain, crawl space and rim joist pipe protection | Homeowners preparing for winter or following a prior freeze event | Scheduling in fall, before temperatures drop consistently, takes far less time than repairing a burst pipe in February. |
| Leak Detection & Repair | supply line and joint leaks, fixture connection leaks, hidden leak tracing, pipe repair after locating the source | Anyone seeing water damage, high bills, or moisture with no obvious source | Finding the source before cutting into walls saves time and material on the repair. |
| Garbage Disposal Service | disposal repair and reset, full unit replacement, electrical and drain connection check, installation for new or remodeled kitchens | Kitchens with a disposal that hums, jams, or leaks at the sink flange | A humming disposal that will not spin usually has a jammed plate, which is often a quick fix. |
| Sewer & Main Line Service | main line clearing and cleaning, root intrusion removal, camera inspection of the line, repair or replacement of the line to the city tap | Homes with backups affecting multiple fixtures or suspected line damage | We work the line from the cleanout to the city connection. We do not service septic tanks or drain fields. |
Call us at (414) 414-2993 and we will walk you through what the job involves, what it typically runs, and when we can get someone out to you.
(414) 414-2993