Right Away Plumbing & HVAC Local Services

Choosing the right page in this directory

This directory is organized by location first and service second. Chicago addresses use the Chicago pages and 773-250-6060; Des Plaines and the northwest suburbs use the suburban pages and 847-550-3322. Picking the right location first gets your call to the right number.

Then pick the symptom: no heat or uneven heat points to furnace or boiler service, an air conditioner that runs but does not cool points to AC repair, slow or backed-up fixtures point to drain cleaning, and repeated basement backups point to sewer repair or sump pump service. Each service page lists what the technician inspects and what to have ready before the visit.

How to choose the right page

Each local service page explains the common causes of that problem in the area, what our technician checks, and the repair or replacement options. If you are not sure which service fits, start with the symptom: no heat usually points to furnace or boiler repair, water on the basement floor may be a sump pump, water heater or sewer issue, and a slow drain in several fixtures often means the main line.

Chicago and the suburbs have different housing patterns. Many Chicago buildings have steam or hot water boilers, older cast-iron drains and shared sewer laterals, while many suburban homes have forced-air furnaces, central air and sump pits. The pages above reflect those differences.

Which number to call

For Chicago properties, call 773-250-6060. For Des Plaines and the suburbs, call 847-550-3322. Both lines reach Right Away; using the local number helps us route the call to the right schedule.

When you call, it helps to have the property address, a short description of what is happening, and the type and age of the equipment if you know it.

Typical problems by season

In fall and winter, most calls are about furnaces that will not ignite, boilers that lock out, thermostats that lose power and frozen pipes along exterior walls or in crawl spaces. In spring, heavy rain brings sump pump failures, floor drain backups and sewer line problems, especially in older homes with clay or cast-iron laterals. Summer brings air conditioners that run without cooling, frozen evaporator coils and condensate drains that overflow.

Water heaters can fail any time of year. Signs include rusty hot water, popping or rumbling from the tank, water around the base and hot water that runs out faster than it used to. A slow leak at the tank itself usually means replacement, while a leak at a fitting or valve can often be repaired.

Commercial properties have their own patterns, including rooftop units, makeup air, backflow devices and larger water heating equipment. Our mechanical pages cover that work in more detail.

Hours and how to reach us

Our office hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Saturday 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM, closed Sunday. Same-day visits are often possible when the schedule allows, and urgent problems like no heat in cold weather or an active leak are prioritized.

If you would rather not call, the Contact page has a form where you can describe the problem and attach the details a technician needs. Include the property address, the type of equipment and when the problem started, and we will follow up during office hours.