Gas smell rules before any gas plumbing job
Gas piping is the one part of plumbing where a small mistake can hurt a whole household. Gas can collect in basements, closets and attics, where a spark or pilot light can ignite it. Nicor Gas tells residents who smell gas to leave the area immediately and move a safe distance away.
- Leave the building at once and take everyone with you
- Do not turn lights or appliances on or off
- Call Nicor Gas on 888-642-6748 and 911 from outside
- Do not return until the utility or fire department says it is safe
- Call us afterward for repair or inspection work
We never promise a response time for a suspected gas leak, because the right first call is the utility. More on the process is on the Nicor emergency information page.
Gas lines, stove hookups and fireplaces
New gas work usually falls into three groups. The first is running a branch line to a stove, dryer, grill or fireplace. The second is replacing flexible connectors or shutoff valves on existing appliances. The third is inspecting piping you already have, often before a sale or after a renovation.
After any gas connection, the joints are tested for leaks before the appliance is used. Do not tighten a gas fitting yourself, and do not mix up natural gas and propane equipment. Converting a stove from natural gas to propane takes the right conversion kit and orifice for the specific appliance, and it is not something to improvise. A gas fireplace or insert needs the same care and a clear plan for the shutoff.
Permits on installation work in Woodridge
The Village of Woodridge lists all electrical and plumbing work as permit-required work. Its Community Development Department is at 5 Plaza Drive, 630-719-4750, open Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Village has adopted the Illinois State Plumbing Code, 2014 edition, with local amendments.
That matters before you hire. Plumbing contractors must be licensed under State statutes, and the Village asks for a copy of the plumber's license. You can verify any plumber yourself with the IDPH plumbing license verification tool. For a project you are planning, read the Village's permits FAQ and ask us which items need inspection.
What we install, and what to have ready
| Project | What the work involves | Have ready |
|---|---|---|
| Gas stove, dryer or grill line | Run or extend a branch line, add a shutoff, test joints | Appliance model and fuel type |
| Bathroom fixtures | Set toilets, sinks, tubs and showers and connect supply and drain | Fixtures on site and a floor plan |
| Kitchen sink and dishwasher | Connect supply lines, drain, and dishwasher hose | Sink model and cabinet clearance |
| Backflow preventer | Install or replace the device on the right line | Where the line enters and what it serves |
| New construction rough-in | Water supply and drain runs before walls close | Approved plans and permit status |
| Whole-house water line work | Replace or extend supply lines | Access points and main shutoff location |
If a job turns up unexpected conditions behind a wall, we stop, show you, and revise the plan before going further.
Backflow preventers and testing
A backflow preventer keeps used water from moving backward into the clean supply. Lawn irrigation, boiler feed lines and commercial equipment are common places for them. The device has check valves inside, and those valves wear or foul over time.
We install and replace backflow preventers and can discuss testing on the phone. Which devices need periodic testing depends on the type and on who supplies your water, so ask Public Works or Community Development what applies at your address. Woodridge's water arrives from the DuPage Water Commission, which gets it from Lake Michigan, and Public Works delivers it to roughly 9,500 customers.
New construction, additions and bathroom work
New water lines, gas lines and drainage often mean digging. Illinois utilities mark buried lines through JULIE 811, also reachable at 800-892-0123, at no cost to you. Call at least three days before work starts. Marking tells you where pipes and cables are before a shovel finds them. If your project reaches the supply side, our water line repair team can plan around the marks.
A bathroom remodel works the same way on a smaller scale. If the old drains and valves are tired, replace them while the wall is open. When water lines are corroded, a full repiping job is cheaper to do once than in pieces.
Before you dig, call JULIE
New water lines, gas lines and drainage often mean digging. Illinois utilities mark buried lines through JULIE 811, also reachable at 800-892-0123, at no cost to you. Call at least three days before work starts. Marking tells you where pipes and cables are before a shovel finds them.
See the JULIE homeowner page for the request steps. Even small projects such as a fence or a new hose bib line can strike a buried line.
What drives the cost of a plumbing installation
Installing a stove connector and roughing in a bathroom are very different jobs, so we do not publish one figure. You hear a clear price before work starts, after we have seen the site.
Insurance generally does not cover planned upgrades. If an installation is replacing something damaged by a sudden loss, read your policy or ask your agent first.
The Village lists all electrical and plumbing work as permit work. The Village of Woodridge has adopted the Illinois State Plumbing Code, and permitted work is inspected against that standard.
Questions we hear
Leave the building immediately, move a safe distance away, and call Nicor Gas on 888-642-6748 and 911. Do not call a plumber first and do not use switches or phones inside.
The Village lists all electrical and plumbing work as permit-required. Contact Community Development at 630-719-4750 for your project and ask what inspections apply.
Yes, with a shutoff and a leak test of the joints. Tell us the appliance model and fuel type so we bring the right connector.
Some can, with a manufacturer kit and the right orifice. We confirm the appliance supports conversion before we start.
We run and test the gas line, install the shutoff, and connect the appliance. Venting and clearance rules come from the manufacturer's instructions, and we go through them with you.
Call and describe the project. We tell you what the plumbing needs, which permits to ask the Village about, and what could change the plan.
Check that the main shutoff inside is open, then call. If you see water bubbling from the ground, call Woodridge Public Works at 630-719-4753 on weekdays, or 911 after hours.
Yes, our plumbers are licensed. You can verify any plumber with the IDPH lookup on the state plumbing licensing page. Our crews also serve nearby Bolingbrook.
For a bathroom with aging pipes, a water line repair review before installation can save a second opening of the wall.