
Sewer Repair
Cracked clay and cast iron sewer lines, roots and repeat backups under century-old homes.
No hot water in the upstairs unit, a leak in the basement or a heater that won't stay lit. We find what failed, tell you whether it's worth fixing and give you a flat price before we start. Our office is on Ravenswood Avenue. Open 24/7.

Common calls:
A pilot, igniter, element or valve.
Sediment or a failing burner.
Valves can be fixed. Tanks can't.
Often a thermocouple or venting problem.
In two-flats and older homes, water heater setups vary.
Many two-flats have a heater for each unit, side by side in the basement.
Gas heaters may share a chimney with boilers or furnaces. We check the draft.
Low ceilings and narrow stairs take planning.
A leak can reach the unit below.
We repair gas and electric tank heaters, power-vent units and tankless heaters in Ravenswood homes and two-flats.
When you call, read us the label. If it's time for a new one, see water heater installation.
A yearly flush clears sediment and helps the heater last. We test the relief valve, check the anode rod and inspect the burner and venting.
Tankless heaters need descaling on a schedule.
Diagnose first.
Before talking price.
When the heater is near the end.
Every time.

Many Ravenswood two-flats have a separate water heater for each unit, often installed at different times. When one fails, it's worth checking the other. If they share a chimney, both vents need to draft properly. If one heater is much newer, there's no reason to replace both. We'll look at the age and condition of each and tell you honestly what makes sense for the building.
4.7 stars from 5,669+ Google reviews across all J. Blanton locations.
"Anthony was our technician to take out our old water heater and install a new one as well as install new inside parts to two of our toilets. He was very professional, courteous, respectful of our home, and very pleasant with whom to deal. We were very happy to have had Anthony as our plumber."
"Couldn’t recommend J. Blanton enough. Thomas came to replace a tankless heater and was so knowledgeable and friendly. We will be using them for all plumbing services moving forward!"
"Once again J Blanton got us scheduled quickly. Their technicians were efficient and left the workspace immaculate."
Only if both are at the end.
Only if both are near the end. If they're the same age, replacing them together can save a second visit.
Under 8 years, usually. Over 12, usually not.
Under about 8 years, usually yes. Past 12 or with a tank leak, replace it.
Often a thermocouple or a draft problem.
Often a worn thermocouple. In older buildings, poor draft in a shared chimney can also do it.
About 8 to 12 years.
Usually somewhere around 8 to 12 years.
Distance and sizing.
Hot water cools on a long run, and the heater may be sized too small for that unit's use.
It depends on the part. You'll approve a flat price first.
It depends on what failed and the type of heater. You'll approve a flat-rate price before we start.
Annual Protection Plan
Most plumbing problems start small. The No Drip Club brings a J. Blanton plumber to your home for regular maintenance, so small issues get caught before they turn into big repairs.


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

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

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

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

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

Burst pipes, sewer backups and no hot water, any time of day or night.
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.