Best Leak Detection in Chicago IL

Today's interaction with John Baethke & Son Plumbing was at least my second positive experience with this company. They are the best! They were easy to communicate with from the beginning. The plumber was awesome (Nathaniel). He was thorough, upfront, spoke in a way that I could understand (since I'm not a plumber!). I highly recommend them. And as a landlord who is almost never physically present for these repairs, I was able to pay over the phone and that means more to me than anything else. Thanks again.

Plumber was honest and professional. He could have taken advantage of me by charging for services I asked for but didn’t need. I really appreciated his honesty and professionalism. Thanks again for everything. Satisfied customer!

Vanguard Plumbing installed a new spigot and used the camera to give us a great overview of the sewer line from back to front (80 ft) and all the drains leading to the catch basin in the back patio area. We are planning to redo the back patio. They unclogged two drains, and let us know we need to replace the pipe below the ground in the downspout. George was great at communicating the problems and advising repair in a cost effective plan. Jahn, the owner, followed up with a written report for the Condo association (six units). They came on time and revised their plan as I asked to do a little extra. I recommend them for their knowledge, honesty and communication skills.

I called in to Rocket plumbing after my main sewer line water started backing up in my laundry room and bathroom. I spoke to the manager Danny who provided me with excellent Customer service and he was able to get someone out to me within the hour. Jimmy was the plumber on site and he got the job done quickly while providing great service. From this experience I will continue using rocket plumbing for all my future plumbing needs. I would highly recommend them to anyone.

This was my first experience with First Chicago Plumbing. The whole process went great. They were responsive and pleasant to talk with from the start. Quickly understood my issue and got me scheduled. The guys came to do the repair the following day. They were very nice and professional. Did an awesome job and would recommend them to anyone. Thank you!

Had a very positive experience both on the phone to set up a time for them to come out and when they actually visited. Tech was prompt and did a great job to resolve my issue. Both Rob and Ralph are good dudes!

We had a very rough time when our shower valve started leaking bad. I was amazed that 24 HR Emergency Plumber Chicago INC arrived a day after and delivered in half the time promised. I totally recommend their services and I look forward to working together if need be.

John was on time, very personable, and honest and upfront with all of the work. He gave me expectations and was able to easily solve my problem! Don’t hesitate to use this company represented so well by their employees. I would highly recommend them if my friends or I need any plumbing work done!!

Goode was very responsive, they showed up very quickly when I had a backed up kitchen sink which ended up being due to a very complicated sewer situation. They were VERY committed to solving the problem which required multiple visits (but not their fault, it was just a very complex situation). They really went above and beyond to fix the issue which even included getting a metal fabricator involved to custom make a critical part for us! I was very impressed by their professionalism and commitment to fixing the issues for us and highly recommend them.

Chicagoland Quality Plumbing Inc. is the best! Edwin was professional, punctual and extremely knowledgeable. Their prices are better than competitors and I couldn't be more pleased with their services. Edwin installed a water heater and a sump pump for us and everything is working perfectly. I will definitely use them again and I highly recommend this plumbing service!

Great experience with this father and son company. They arrived quickly after I called and gave a fair price. If you call them you will be directly in contact with either the Eddie or Luis, no robo prompts. Highly recommended and we will be calling them for future repairs.

Very responsive. Friendly and professional advise. Good honest people !

$650 for a sewer rod that took them less than an HR to get done, and wanted to charge me over $1,000

Ryan was very helpful and responsive. He was able to get me connected with 3 different Plumbing companies in Chicago!

Called due to my sewer line backing up, they came in and hydro jetted the line and showed me with their camera how bad the roots were and after they were done the line looked brand new from inside, extremely happy and will recommend. Their crew was polite and professional.

Chas, Geoff and Dave were excellent! We had an emergency sewer issue at my condo. They made us their morning priority, diagnosed and resolved the issue in the same day. Chas also explained what was happening and why and how to minimize the issue in the future. He also provided guidance on maintenance. I highly recommend APEX.

Eric was wonderful as I called him on a Sunday morning due to a clogged and over flowing toilet. He quoted a fair and reasonable price, came out immediately and provided excellent service. He fixed my toilet within 10 minutes. I’m grateful to have found him online and if need be, will use him again! I highly recommend him and he was very safe coming into my home!

Juan is our go to plumber in my old condo building, so I called him when I had leaking in my new house. He quickly diagnosed the problem and fixed it the same day. I was grateful for his efficient, honest work.

All Pro Plumbing is hands down the best. The coustmer service and the work is unmatched by an other plumber I have used. Bob explains everything in details and make you feel at easy.

I called Right Away plumbing to help solve my water hammer issue.

Day 1- Plumber Jorge shows up, drains water system, still have issue. He assures me that his colleague Tony, a master plumber will come the next day to help solve the issue. If he can't do it no one can.
I pay the pre-agreed price of $250 for the hour of work draining my system.

Day 2- Tony is convinced my issue is from air in the lines. Drainage #2 does not help. Tony tells me that removing the air chambers may help. Reading through many plumber forums, I never saw anything about air chambers causing water hammer. In fact, the reason they are installed is to prevent water hammer.... Interesting. But what do I know right? This is the master plumber we are talking about here.

Day 3- Jorge quotes me $388 to remove 4 air chambers. He removes them in 45 mins (and only removes half of 1 of them because it is hard to reach... Charge top dollar and only do half the job... what a joke). While the water is shut off and he is removing the air chambers, I tell him I want a shut off valve installed in between the shower and the sink to see if that helps isolate the issue. They scoff at the idea but I insist. This took another 45 mins. In fact, when they were installing the shut off, they almost put it in the wrong spot! I had to stop them as they were putting it in and tell them it was wrong!

They turn the water back on. Removing the air chambers did nothing. However, once they turn the shut off valve that I suggested, no more water hammer!

Jorge writes up the work order and charges me $650 for 1.5 hours of work. I am frustrated because removing the air chambers for $388 was already insane (but I was willing to pay for an EXPERT'S opinion). They add $250 for the new shut off valve install. I was NOT told that adding the valve would be an additional $250 charge. They should have told me before putting it in. Tony agrees to give me a $45 discount. I tell him that is not enough. He turns to Jorge and says, ok, pull out the new valve, we are leaving. Things were tense. I was frustrated with the price, and Tony was frustrated with me. Tony pulls out his licensed plumber card and puts it in my face to intimidate me. Very unprofessional. He says 2 plumbers for all this time, we are losing money! Well, removing air chambers and putting in a shut off doesn't require 2 plumbers. And neither of you figured out the cause of my issue, I did. I remain calm and collected the entire time, even though I am deeply frustrated.

I pay over $850 for them to drain my system, remove 4 air chambers, and add a shut off valve. And on top of being overcharged, I was bullied by Tony.

If it took their expertise to diagnose the problem, then I wouldn't have had an issue with the price because I wanted the water hammer gone. They are more knowledgeable than me with plumbing, I humbly respect that. But, it is painful to pay so much money knowing that in the end it was my suggestion that isolated the issue (while getting bullied).
Now, I am out $850 and I still have water hammer. At least I know now that my shower is the issue.

UPDATE: I search online forums and read that faulty cartridges can cause this issue. I replace the shower cartridge myself, and problem FIXED. You would think a master plumber would know this. Based on my reading it doesn't seem to be that uncommon of an issue. Now I'm left wondering if they purposely ripped me off, or just aren't very good at their jobs. What a shame. Be careful who you hire! It's sad that they have such good YELP reviews, they certainly don't deserve them.

I hope this review is helpful to others

-Peter Monteagudo, MD, MBA