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When a mower, snowblower, generator, pump, saw, or pressure washer stops working, the problem usually shows up at the worst possible time. The lawn is already high. The first snow is coming. The jobsite is waiting. The crew needs the saw running today. The generator has to start when the power goes out. That is why having a reliable small engine repair shop in the Chicago area matters. At A&A Equipment & Supply, we help homeowners, contractors, municipalities, and jobsite cre

When a saw, pump, rammer, or generator goes down on an underground utility job, most contractors do not just lose a piece of equipment. They lose momentum. Downtime on sewer and water work creates a ripple effect across the whole job. Crews get delayed. Labor keeps burning. Inspections get pushed. Restorations get rescheduled. And the real cost usually ends up being much higher than the repair bill or replacement cost. For Illinois sewer and water contractors, understanding t

On a jobsite, equipment decisions get made fast. A saw stops running. A pump will not prime. A rammer loses power. A generator starts acting up. The default reaction is often to replace it. But that is not always the smartest move. A good contractor does not just ask, “Is it broken?” The better question is: Does it make more sense to repair it or replace it based on cost, reliability, and downtime? Start with the Real Decision The decision is not just repair cost versus new p

On a public works job, a good supplier does more than quote material and make deliveries. A real supplier helps keep the job moving. That matters because public works work is rarely clean on paper. Lead times shift. Inspectors ask questions. Existing conditions change. Crews need answers fast. When that happens, the wrong supplier creates friction. The right one helps solve problems. What a Good Supplier Actually Brings to the Job A strong supplier helps before material ever

Small underground jobs do not usually lose money on the big items. They lose money on the forgotten ones. Pipe gets counted. Fittings get counted. Structures get counted. But the high-margin support items often get missed: adjustment rings, couplings, sealants, bagged materials, box extensions, repair clamps, and jobsite consumables. That is where profit leaks out. Start With the Job Sequence Do not build the list around a catalog. Build it around the job. Ask: What are we re

In sewer and water construction, most delays do not start with the excavator, the weather, or the crew. They start with materials. A missing fitting, the wrong ring size, a substitute product that does not match the application, or a late realization that a part is not approved can turn a productive day into a scramble. For Illinois contractors, especially in the Chicago area, these issues are even more common because underground jobs often involve tight streets, aging infras

If you’ve bid underground work in Illinois, you already know the real decision isn’t “PVC is cheaper” or “ductile iron is stronger.” The decision is: what material gives you the lowest risk and best lifecycle value for this specific job —given soil conditions, traffic loading, municipal preferences, installation constraints, and schedule. Below is a field-practical way to choose between PVC pipe and ductile iron pipe (DIP) for sewer and water materials in Chicagoland and ac

Certified Independent Repair Center for Miller Gas and Electric Welders If your welding equipment is down, the job is down. That’s why A&A Equipment & Supply Co. is proud to announce we’re now Miller Certified —a true, certified independent repair center for Miller equipment. We provide warranty and out-of-warranty repairs on both: Electric welders / power sources (inverter and transformer-based) Engine-driven welders / generators (gas and diesel engine drives) Whether y

If you’ve ever built or rehabbed a sewage lagoon , lined an earthen basin, or fought seepage in a pond, you already know the job comes down to one thing: controlling permeability . That’s where powder sodium bentonite shines. At A&A Equipment & Supply Co., we supply powder sodium bentonite in 3,000 lb super sacks for contractors who need a dependable, field-proven sealant for sewage lining, ponds, lagoons, and other water-control applications —without introducing harmful ad

10-gauge wire mesh, #4/#5 rebar, and form lumber—what to use, when to use it, and where to get it fast in Chicagoland If you pour concrete in the Chicago area, you already know the difference between a clean pour and a callback usually comes down to three things : the right reinforcement, proper placement, and forms that stay straight. At A&A Equipment & Supply , we’re stocking the everyday flatwork materials concrete crews ask for— 10-gauge welded wire mesh, #4 and #5 rebar,

Trenchless rehab usually comes down to two big families of solutions: CIPP (Cured-In-Place Pipe) tube liners : a resin-impregnated tube installed (often by inversion) and cured to form a tight-fitting new pipe. Spin-cast / spray-applied linings : cementitious or geopolymer mortars applied centrifugally (spin-cast) or by spray to rebuild/restore the inside surface and, depending on design, provide structural capacity and sealing. Both can extend asset life dramatically—but the

How It’s Installed and What A&A Equipment Keeps on Hand When installing or repairing a water service line in Illinois, having the right brass fittings on hand can mean the difference between a smooth job and a costly delay. Whether you’re a newer contractor or an experienced crew looking to streamline service work, understanding flare vs. compression , proper installation order, and the most common fittings used locally is critical. At A&A Equipment & Supply , we stock the m

Understanding where and why each valve is used helps contractors avoid rework, failed inspections, and future service calls. When it comes to water main construction and service connections, few components are as misunderstood—or as critical—as curb stops and corporation stops . While both play essential roles in controlling water flow to properties, they serve very different functions , are installed at different locations , and are governed by distinct municipal standards

At A&A Equipment and Supply , we provide residential power equipment repair, rentals, and on-site service in Chicago for homeowners, landlords, and small property managers who need dependable equipment year-round. From lawn mowers and snow blowers to generators and chainsaws, our certified technicians deliver fast, affordable, and professional service designed to keep your equipment running safely and efficiently. For more than 40 years , Chicago homeowners have trusted A&A

At A&A Equipment and Supply , we power Chicago’s jobsites. For 40+ years, contractors, utility crews, property managers, and homeowners have relied on us for professional-grade equipment , underground utility materials , and expert repair service that keeps projects moving. Whether you’re cutting ductile iron, pumping out an excavation, compacting trench backfill, or maintaining concrete structures, we deliver the tools built for real-world field conditions. Power Equipment

Precision Cutting Tools for Sewer, Water, Concrete & Utility Contractors At A&A Equipment and Supply , we provide Chicago’s sewer, water, concrete, and utility contractors with high-performance cutting and coring equipment designed for speed, precision, and durability. Our inventory includes abrasive blades, diamond blades, carbide-tipped saw blades, and professional core drilling systems—stocked locally for fast contractor pickup and delivery. Whether you’re cutting ductile

At A&A Equipment and Supply , we provide Chicago’s contractors, plumbers, utility crews, and municipal maintenance teams with a complete line of plumbing and sewer products built for dependable performance. From copper and PVC piping to flexible couplings, fittings, sealing rings, and drainage components , our inventory supports new installations, emergency repairs, and long-term infrastructure improvements across the Chicagoland area. For more than 40 years, A&A has suppli

Your Source for Precast Concrete Products in Chicago At A&A Equipment and Supply , we support Chicago’s contractors, utility crews, and municipal teams with high-quality precast concrete products engineered for reliability, precision, and fast installation. Whether you're building a storm sewer system, adjusting grades, repairing an existing structure, or outfitting a new commercial site, our concrete components provide the consistent performance needed for underground utili

Chicago’s Trusted Source for Foundry Products At A&A Equipment and Supply , we provide Chicago’s contractors, municipalities, and utility crews with durable foundry products engineered for strength, precision, and long-term performance. From storm drain frames to manhole lids , our foundry materials are built to withstand heavy traffic , harsh weather , and high-use municipal environments . We proudly supply construction , paving , and public works teams across Chicago an

High-Performance Bagged Materials for Contractors and Crews At A&A Equipment and Supply , we provide Chicago’s contractors, builders, and municipal maintenance crews with high-quality bagged materials engineered for reliability, consistency, and ease of use. From asphalt patching and concrete pours to de-icing and emergency repairs , our products are built to perform under pressure and stand up to Midwest weather conditions . Whether you’re repairing a city street, laying a