Serving Chicagoland Since 1993

Sewer Rodding in Ravenswood, Chicago

When the basement floor drain fills or every drain in the building slows down together, the main line is blocked. We rod it clear, show you what caused it and price it before we start. Our office is on Ravenswood Avenue.

J. Blanton plumber feeding the cable from a drum rodding machine into an outdoor sewer cleanout in a front yard
Diagram showing a rodding cable fed through a cleanout access point into the main sewer line, with a cutting head clearing the blockage toward the street connection
The Basics

What Is Sewer Rodding?

Sewer rodding clears a blocked main line with a long, flexible steel cable fed through a cleanout access point. A cutting head on the end breaks through roots, grease, and debris and pushes the blockage toward the street connection, restoring flow through the pipe. It's the standard first fix for a clogged or backed-up sewer line. For most homes, it's the only fix needed.

Know the Signs

Signs a Ravenswood Main Line Is Blocked

Look for:

Water at the Basement Floor Drain

The lowest opening fills first.

Every Unit Is Slow

In a two-flat or three-flat, the shared line is the culprit.

Gurgling in the Garden Unit

Air pushed back through the lowest fixtures.

It's Spring Again

Roots in old clay come back on schedule.

Local Knowledge

What Clogs Main Lines in Ravenswood

Century-old pipe and shared buildings make clogs common.

Root Mats in Clay

The most common cause under older homes.

Grease From Several Kitchens

In multi-unit buildings, it all ends up in one line.

Scale in Cast Iron

Rough pipe catches paper.

When Roots Return Fast

Hydro jetting or a repair lasts longer.

The J. Blanton Difference

How Our Rodding Visits Work

Clear it, then show you.

1. Find the Cleanout

Basement, yard or under the stoop.

2. Rod and Scope

Cleared to the city main and recorded.

3. Price First

Plus options if there's damage.

773-724-9272
J. Blanton plumber in shoe covers on a home's front steps with a sewer camera
Shared Lines

Rodding a Line Several Units Share

In a Ravenswood two-flat or three-flat, every kitchen, bath and laundry eventually drains into one lateral. When it clogs, the garden unit floods first and everyone upstairs loses the use of their drains until it's cleared. We ask the other units to stop running water while we work, clear the line to the city main and run the camera so the owner can see whether roots, grease or a break caused it. Then the building can plan the next step together.

Customer Stories

Sewer Rodding Reviews

4.6 stars from 3,563 Google reviews for our Ravenswood office.

"I had a camera inspection as well as a Hydrojet cleaning, rod, and flush of my 70' main 6" sewer line... The camera inspection was done by George and Raul. They were prompt, professional, and detailed with the description of the process... we were able to see together where the problems were in the main and at what specific distances. I was given several options for resolution on the spot with price quotes up front."

fixedweasel
Verified Customer

"Had a camera inspection of a clogged sewer drain by George. He was very helpful, polite, professional and informative. We ended up moving forward with a sewer trenchless liner service and look forward to a good experience for the main service."

Tyler Ko
Verified Customer

"Scott from J Blanton Plumbing was great! He fixed out toilet clog and explained things really well. Also, our dog loved him!"

Margaux Shields
Verified Customer
Got Questions?

Sewer Rodding Questions From Ravenswood Homeowners

Yearly if roots are a problem.

If roots have blocked it before, once a year is common, ideally in late winter.

Usually, or we can add one.

Usually through a toilet or vent. Adding a cleanout makes future service much easier.

Yes, with the right cutter.

Yes, with a cutter sized for the pipe. The camera afterward shows its condition.

The owner, or whoever manages the building.

The building owner. We'll clear the shared line and show everyone what caused it.

Usually not.

Usually not. We work from the basement or an outside cleanout.

It depends on access and the clog. You'll approve a flat price first.

It depends on the cleanout location, the length of the line and the blockage. You'll approve a flat-rate price before we start.

Annual Protection Plan

Join the No Drip Club for Year-Round Sewer Protection

Prevent catastrophes before they disrupt your life. The No Drip Club ensures your waste and sewer lines are monitored and serviced regularly by J. Blanton’s absolute best.

  • Two Free Professional Maintenance Visits per Year
  • 10% Discount on All General Plumbing & Sewer Services
  • 5-Year Parts and Labor Warranty on Approved Projects
  • VIP Priority Scheduling Status (Skip the Queue)
Learn More About the No Drip Club
No Drip Club mascot: an illustrated J. Blanton plumber holding a red pipe wrench
What We Fix

Plumbing Services in Ravenswood

J. Blanton plumbers working a sewer lining machine connected to the cleanout at a residential sewer repair

Sewer Repair

Cracked clay and cast iron sewer lines, roots and repeat backups under century-old homes.

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Plumber feeding a drain cleaning cable into an outdoor drain pit to clear a clogged line

Drain Cleaning

Slow, gurgling or backed-up drains in kitchens, bathrooms and basements.

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Water spraying from a split copper pipe along a basement foundation wall

Burst & Frozen Pipes

Repair for frozen or burst pipes, from basement water lines to back porch spigots.

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J. Blanton plumber replacing the filter cartridges on an under-sink reverse osmosis water filtration system

Water Testing & Filtration

Water testing and filtration systems, from under-sink filters to whole-house units.

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J. Blanton plumber checking the controls at the base of a basement water heater

Water Heaters

Repair and replacement for tank and tankless water heaters that leak, make noise or run out of hot water too fast.

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J. Blanton plumber showing a tablet photo of the garbage disposal installed under a kitchen sink

Garbage Disposals

Repair and replacement for garbage disposals that jam, leak or just hum.

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Local Office, 24/7 Phone

Ready to Get Your Drains Flowing?

Our Ravenswood office is at 5126 N Ravenswood Ave, and our phone line is open 24/7.

We also serve Lincoln Square, Andersonville, Edgewater, North Center, Uptown, Albany Park, West Ridge and more.

Call Now: 773-724-9272
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