Short answer
Runhome gives Aurora homeowners an estimate in minutes from a description or photos, then handles the phone calls: it contacts local contractors, collects quotes and books a visit. Gas heats 83% of homes, so furnace and basement water heater repairs come up constantly.
Aurora homes at a glance
- Median year built
- 1987
- Built before 1960
- 25%
- Built since 2000
- 25%
- Owner-occupied
- 66%
- Median home value
- $274,800
- Main heat
- Gas, 83%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates
What Aurora’s housing means for repairs
Aurora is Illinois' second-largest city, and its housing splits along the Fox River. About 25% of homes predate 1960, mostly brick and frame houses on the east and west sides near downtown, while about 25% went up after 2000 in the far east side subdivisions that reach into DuPage and Will counties. The median home was built in 1987.
Detached houses make up 59% of homes, and 66% are owner-occupied. Nearly every house has a basement holding the furnace, the water heater and a sump pit, and gas heats 83% of homes. In the older neighborhoods, expect original wiring, clay sewer lines and chimneys no longer in use. In the newer tracts, expect first-round replacements of furnaces, water heaters and builder windows. The median home value is $274,800.
Weather that wears on Aurora homes
Aurora has cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers, with many freeze-thaw swings in spring and fall. Freeze-thaw cracks and heaves concrete steps, stoops and driveways. Heavy spring and summer rains raise groundwater in the clay soils of the Fox Valley, and basements without a working sump pump flood fast. The Fox River rises after big storms and floods low ground near it. Long cold snaps keep gas furnaces running for days and can freeze pipes near rim joists and in garages. Severe storms and the occasional tornado also pass through northern Illinois in spring.
Common repairs in Aurora
Sump pump replacement and basement water
Heavy rain raises groundwater, and a failed sump pump floods a finished basement quickly.
Gas furnace repair
Furnaces run through long winters and wear out igniters, inducer motors and pressure switches.
Basement water heater replacement
Gas tanks sit next to the furnace and leak onto the basement floor when they fail.
Concrete stoop and step repair
Freeze-thaw cracks and tilts front steps toward the house.
Dryer vent cleaning
Long vent runs from basement laundry rooms fill with lint.
What these repairs cost
The middle half of Runhome repair estimates nationwide for each kind of job. Your price depends on the scope of the work.
| Repair | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Plumbing repair | $260 to $480 |
| Heating or cooling repair | $310 to $580 |
| Water heater repair | $310 to $450 |
| Deck, porch or patio repair | $350 to $1,550 |
Fix guides for Aurora homeowners
Sewage backs up into the basement floor drain
Heavy storms push water back up through Aurora basement floor drains.
Water heater is leaking and you can't find the source
Basement water heaters in Aurora leak as they age, often near the drain valve.
Furnace condensate drain pipe is broken at the neutralizer
High-efficiency furnaces in Aurora's newer homes have condensate lines that crack at the neutralizer.
Outlet is dead or the breaker trips when you plug in an appliance
Older homes near downtown Aurora have circuits that trip under modern loads.
Seasonal checklist
- Spring
- Pour a bucket of water into the sump pit to confirm the pump kicks on, and add a battery backup.
- Fall
- Have the furnace serviced and change the filter before the first cold week.
- Winter
- Keep snow clear of the furnace and water heater vents on the side of the house.
Common questions
- How do I keep my Aurora basement dry in spring?
Make sure the sump pump works, add a battery backup, and extend downspouts at least several feet from the foundation. Cracks in the walls may need sealing.
- How often should an Aurora dryer vent be cleaned?
Once a year is a good rule, more often if the vent is long or runs from a basement laundry room. Long drying times are a sign it is clogged.
- What drives the cost of furnace replacement in Aurora?
The size and efficiency of the new furnace, whether the venting has to change for a high-efficiency model, and the condition of the ductwork.
Neighborhoods served
- Downtown Aurora
- Stolp Island