Sewer Repair
Cracked clay laterals, roots and repeat backups in sewer lines from the 1940s, 50s and 60s.
Serving Chicagoland Since 1993
Sewer Rodding in Elmhurst, IL
If the basement floor drain is filling up or every drain in the house is slow, the main line is blocked. We rod it clear, run a camera so you see the cause and give you a flat price first. Our office is on York Street, downtown.
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.
Signs Your Elmhurst Main Line Needs Rodding
Call before it backs up all the way:
The Laundry Drain Overflows
The washer empties faster than the line can carry it.
Gurgling Throughout the House
Air pushed ahead of the clog escapes through other drains.
A Toilet That Bubbles When the Tub Drains
They share the line to the street.
Every Spring, Like Clockwork
Roots in clay come back on a schedule.
What Clogs Main Lines in Elmhurst
With so many homes from the postwar decades, we see the same causes again and again.
Root Balls at Clay Joints
The number one cause in Elmhurst's older neighborhoods.
Scale in the Cast Iron Under the Floor
Rust buildup inside the pipe snags paper.
Grease Downstream of the Kitchen
It hardens where the kitchen line meets the main.
When Rodding Isn't Enough
If you're calling every few months, hydro jetting or a repair is the better fix.
The J. Blanton Difference773-724-9272
How Our Rodding Visits Work
Open the line, then explain it.
1. Protect the Basement
Floors covered, work done from the cleanout.
2. Rod, Then Scope
Clear to the city main, then on camera.
3. Price Before Work
Plus options if the camera finds damage.
Rodding Lines Under Elmhurst's Mid-Century Homes
About 4 in 10 Elmhurst homes went up between 1940 and 1969, and many still have their original clay laterals. Those pipes have short sections with a joint every few feet, and mature trees on established blocks have had decades to find them. A yearly rodding keeps roots from closing the line. If roots come back within months, the camera shows whether jetting or a liner would be a better use of your money.
Customer Stories
Sewer Rodding Reviews
4.8 stars from 285 Google reviews for our Elmhurst office.
★★★★★
"J. Blanton was great. I was not the nicest this morning when I called because I was super stressed about my plumbing being totally backed up for the second time in 6 weeks, and they were so sweet. They got someone out same day and communicated constantly until he arrived. Stephen was absolutely amazing. [...]"
★★★★★
"The technicians and plumbers involved were prompt, friendly, courteous and explained everything with the sewer lining project. The sewer lines were cleaned, repaired, and inspected before the new lining was installed. I recommend them with no reservations!"
★★★★★
"They showed up quickly only 45 min after I called. Steve was awesome. Extremely knowledgeable and friendly and most importantly fixed our clogged drain line. Steve also clearly explained options for a more permanent fix of our drain line."
Got Questions?
Sewer Rodding Questions From Elmhurst Homeowners
Yearly if roots are a known problem.
If roots have blocked your line before, once a year is common, usually in late winter.
Jetting lasts longer. Rodding is faster and simpler.
Rodding cuts a path through the roots and works well for routine maintenance. Hydro jetting removes more of the growth, so it usually lasts longer.
Not with the right cutter.
Not with the right cutter. The camera afterward shows whether the pipe was already cracked.
Usually in the basement near the floor drain.
Usually in the basement near where the line leaves the house. Some homes also have one outside.
Yes, to show us the cleanout.
It helps, so you can show us the cleanout and see the footage.
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 what's blocking it. 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)
What We Fix
Plumbing Services in Elmhurst
Learn More
Water Heaters
Repair and replacement for tank and tankless water heaters that leak, make noise or run out of hot water too fast.
Hydro Jetting
High-pressure sewer cleaning that scours roots, grease and scale off the pipe walls.
Drain Cleaning
Slow, gurgling or backed-up drains in kitchens, bathrooms and basements.
Burst & Frozen Pipes
Repair for pipes that froze or burst, from basement water lines to outdoor spigots.
Sump Pumps
Sump pump repair, replacement and battery backups to keep your basement dry through heavy rain.
Emergency Plumbing
Burst pipes, sewer backups and no hot water, any time of day or night.
Local Office, 24/7 Phone
Ready to Get Your Main Line Flowing?
Our Elmhurst office is at 116 S York St Ste 212, and our phone line is open 24/7.
We also serve Villa Park, Lombard, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, Westchester, Glen Ellyn and more.
Need a Plumber?Call our Elmhurst Office
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