
Drain Cleaning
Clogged kitchen sinks, slow bathroom drains and backed-up basement floor drains.
No hot water, a heater that runs out fast or a puddle at the base of the tank. We find what failed, tell you honestly whether it's worth fixing and give you a flat price before we start. Our Evanston office is on Orrington Avenue, downtown. Open 24/7.

Common calls:
A pilot, igniter, element or gas valve.
Sediment or a failing part.
Sediment on the bottom.
Valves can be fixed. A tank leak can't.
Evanston's water and housing both affect how long a heater lasts.
The city reports about 7.8 grains per gallon. That leaves sediment in tanks and scale in tankless units.
Many older homes vent the water heater through a masonry chimney. We check the draft.
Low ceilings and narrow stairs need planning.
A leak can reach the unit below.
We repair gas and electric tank heaters, power-vent units and tankless heaters in Evanston homes.
Read us the label when you call. If it's time to replace, see water heater installation.
With Evanston's hard water, a yearly flush keeps sediment from building up. We test the relief valve, check the anode rod and inspect the burner and venting.
Tankless heaters need descaling on a schedule.
Diagnose first, then a price.
Before we talk price.
When the heater is near the end.
Every visit.

Evanston's water is hard, around 7.8 grains per gallon. As water heats, some of those minerals settle to the bottom of the tank as sediment. Over time, that layer insulates the water from the burner, so the heater works harder, makes popping sounds and wears out sooner. A yearly flush drains the sediment before it hardens. If your heater has never been flushed, we'll tell you whether it's still worth doing.
4.7 stars from 5,669+ Google reviews across all J. Blanton locations.
"Mr. Welham Mendoza, from Blanton Plumbing, installed a water heater in our home on April 3, 2026. Mr. Mendoza was on time, friendly, professional, and clear in explaining how our system worked. He had to make a second trip to secure a water heater that fit. He was extremely knowledgeable and efficient in the installation."
"Edgar's the man. Not only did he install my water heater, but asked to test the quality of the water to see if that could've lead to the damage and the leak of my last water heater. My water was at a 7 on the hardness scale, and it's supposed to be at 2 or 3. So he reccomends a new water softener, and im thankful that he did. [...]"
"Thanks Christian for such a great maintenance! Flushing our water heater and going above and beyond rodding out our tub!"
Under 8 years, usually. Over 12, usually not.
Under about 8 years, a repair usually makes sense. Past 12, or with a leaking tank, replacement is the better value.
Sediment on the bottom of the tank.
Sediment is trapping water under it, and the bubbles pop as it heats. A flush can help if it's caught early.
Hardness adds sediment.
At about 7.8 grains per gallon, sediment builds up over time. Flushing once a year helps.
About 8 to 12 years.
Usually somewhere around 8 to 12 years.
You can, carefully.
You can, with a hose on the drain valve. Be careful with hot water and an old valve that may not close again.
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.


Clogged kitchen sinks, slow bathroom drains and backed-up basement floor drains.

Cracked clay pipe, roots and repeat backups in laterals that can be 80 to 100 years old.

Leaking water lines, hidden leaks behind plaster and worn-out pipe in older homes.

Cleaning and repair for yard and driveway catch basins that back up when it rains.

Running toilets, leaky shower valves and new fixture installs.

Burst pipes, sewer backups and no hot water, any time of day or night.
Our Evanston office is at 1603 Orrington Ave, #600-1085, and our phone line is open 24/7.
We also serve Wilmette, Skokie, Kenilworth, Lincolnwood, Rogers Park, Glenview, Winnetka and more.