The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) requires every water supply to develop and implement a cross connection (backflow prevention) control program. A requirement of the program is to send a survey to all residential water customers every two years. Visit the Village website for more information on water backflow assembly.
The Village delivers utility delinquency notices via postal service. Utility delinquency notices come in utility bill format printed on pink paper highlighting that it is a delinquency notice and showcasing outstanding balances. Payment instructions will be included. If you have any questions, call the Tinley Park Public Works Department at (708) 444-5500.
The Tinley Park Public Works Department would like to remind residents that they should disconnect hoses from outside spigots. Leaving hoses hooked up could cause damage to the outside spigots or, in some cases, the inside plumbing. With dropping temperatures, any water left in hoses could freeze and expand into the spigot and possibly into the piping beyond the spigot. Read this WikiHow article for more information.
Every drinking water system in Illinois must have a cross connection control program, more commonly known as a backflow prevention program. Backflow prevention is designed to protect the public water supply from contamination from non-drinkable sources. Backflow prevention devices are required on all commercial and residential properties where contamination hazards exist. These devices must be maintained and tested annually to ensure that they are working properly.
The State of Illinois requires that every backflow device be inspected annually by a certified backflow tester, and every city that operates a public water system is responsible for making sure that this is done. The Village of Tinley Park has contracted with Backflow Solutions Inc. (BSI) to manage the City’s backflow inspection program.
BSI has experience managing similar programs for municipalities across the country, including many in the Chicago area. BSI will serve as the primary point of contact for backflow inspections within the Village of Tinley Park and can be contacted through their website at www.bsionline.com. If you have any additional questions, please call the Public Works Department at (708) 444-5500.
The State of Illinois requires that every backflow device be inspected annually by a certified backflow tester, and every city that operates a public water system is responsible for making sure that this is done. The Village of Tinley Park has contracted with Backflow Solutions Inc. (BSI) to manage the City’s backflow inspection program.
BSI has experience managing similar programs for municipalities across the country, including many in the Chicago area. BSI will serve as the primary point of contact for backflow inspections within the Village of Tinley Park and can be contacted through their website at www.bsionline.com. If you have any additional questions, please call the Public Works Department at (708) 444-5500.
Residents who suspect they have a plumbing or sewer problem in their home, such as roots in their service line or other blockage problem, should keep the following things in mind before they sign any contract to have repairs made:
- Contact the Tinley Park Public Works Department at (708) 444-5500 to verify the existing blockage is yours and not the Village’s responsibility.
- When hiring a contractor, be sure they are licensed and bonded with the Village of Tinley Park. This is for your protection.
- Although your situation may seem urgent, please take the time to get at least more than one estimate, as they can vary by thousands of dollars. The Village is happy to supply a list of all licensed and bonded plumbing/sewer contractors registered in Tinley Park.
If you’ve already signed a contract and work has not started, by Illinois law you have 72 hours to cancel the contract. This time allows you the opportunity to get additional estimates and save money. In many cases, your sewer may not be completely blocked and may have some minimal operation, also allowing you time to get more estimates. It’s important that everyone in your household limit the use of plumbing facilities or use a neighbor’s facilities during a blockage.
For more information, please contact the Tinley Park Public Works Department at (708) 444-5500 or the Building Division of the Community Development Department at (708) 444-5100.
The three central causes of frozen pipes are quick drops in temperature, poor insulation and thermostats set too low. You can prepare your home during the warmer months.
- Before winter hits, disconnect garden hoses and, if possible, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance of freezing in the short span of pipe just inside the house.
- A trickle of hot and cold water might be all it takes to keep your pipes from freezing. Let warm water drip overnight, preferably from a faucet on an outside wall.
- Keep your thermostat set at the same temperature during both day and night. You might be in the habit of turning down the heat when you're asleep, but further drops in the temperature - more common overnight - could catch you off guard and freeze your pipes.
- Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to un-insulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.
If your pipes freeze, what might you do?
What if your pipes still freeze, despite your best preventive measures? First step: Don't panic. Just because they're frozen doesn't mean they've already burst. Here's what you can do:
What if your pipes still freeze, despite your best preventive measures? First step: Don't panic. Just because they're frozen doesn't mean they've already burst. Here's what you can do:
- If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out, leave the faucets turned on and call a plumber.
- Do not use electrical appliances in areas of standing water. You could be electrocuted.
- Never try to thaw a pipe with a torch or other open flame because it could cause a fire hazard. Water damage is preferable to burning down your house!
- You may be able to thaw a frozen pipe using a hair dryer. Start by warming the pipe as close to the faucet as possible, working toward the coldest section of pipe.
- If your water pipes have already burst, turn off the water at the main shutoff valve in the house; leave the water faucets turned on. Make sure everyone in your family knows where the water shutoff valve is and how to open and close it.
