Drain Cleaning
Slow, gurgling or backed-up drains in kitchens, bathrooms and basements.
Serving Chicagoland Since 1993
Sewer Repair in Highland Park, IL
Tree roots, cracked clay pipe and backups that keep coming back all point to trouble in the line under your yard. We find the cause on camera, show you the footage and give you one flat price before we start. Our plumbers serve homeowners across Highland Park and the North Shore, 24/7.
Does Your Sewer Line Need Repair?
A sewer line problem doesn't always mean a full replacement. Most issues start smaller than that, and catching them early is what keeps them that way. Here's how to know where you stand:
Slow Drains or Gurgling That Keep Coming Back After Rodding
If rodding clears it but the same slow drain or gurgling returns within a few months, the clog isn't the real problem. Something further down the line is catching debris again.
Recurring Backups or Pooling Water in the Yard
A backup that keeps happening, or a soggy patch in the yard, points to something wrong with the pipe itself, not a one-time clog. Rodding alone probably won't hold this time.
Confirmed Crack, Joint Separation, or Root Intrusion on Camera
Once a camera inspection confirms damage to the pipe, this isn't a rodding job anymore. We'll walk you through what repair looks like for your line.
Why Sewer Lines Fail in Highland Park
The median home in Highland Park was built in 1963, and about 1 in 4 went up before 1940. Add wooded ravines and mature trees, and you get the three causes we'd check first on any Highland Park sewer line.
Clay and Cast Iron That Have Reached Their Age
Homes built before the 1970s often have clay or cast iron sewer lines. Clay typically lasts 50 to 60 years and is especially vulnerable to cracking at the joints. Cast iron usually lasts 50 to 75 years, but corrodes from the inside as it ages. Nearly half of Highland Park homes were built before 1960, so many lines here are at or past that range.
Roots From Ravines and Tree-Lined Streets
Roots grow toward any source of moisture, and a sewer line is exactly that. Once a root finds a crack or a loose joint, it keeps growing until it blocks the flow or cracks the pipe further. If roots are the only problem, hydro jetting can clear them. If they've already broken the pipe, it's a repair.
Freeze-Thaw and Shifting Ground
Lake County winters mean years of ground freezing and thawing around your pipe. Joints take the strain and can separate, or the pipe can settle into a low spot, called a belly, where waste collects instead of flowing through.
The Line Is Yours to Fix
In Highland Park, the homeowner owns and maintains the private sewer line from the house to the city main. When that line cracks or collapses, the repair is on you, not the city. That's why we show you the footage and the exact location of the damage before recommending anything.
"Scott B came out to do a full sewer scope and review options as we have a very old home with clay pipes."
The J. Blanton Difference773-724-9272
What Happens When You Call J. Blanton
Nothing is worse than a plumbing service where you don't understand what you're being charged for. Here's how we work the other way.
1. Camera Inspection
We run a camera down the line first, always. You see the same footage we do, so nothing about what's wrong is a guess, ours or yours.
2. Honest Diagnosis
We'll tell you straight whether it's a repair or a replacement, and why. If a smaller fix holds, that's what we recommend, not the bigger job.
3. Upfront Pricing
Once we know what we're dealing with, you get a flat rate before any work starts. No surprise numbers once the job is underway.
How We Repair a Sewer Line
Once we know what's wrong, there's usually more than one way to fix it. Which method makes sense depends on the pipe's condition, location, and how it failed.
| Method | What It Involves | Typical Disruption |
|---|---|---|
| Trenchless Pipe Lining | A resin-coated liner is pulled through the existing pipe and cured in place, creating a new pipe inside the old one. | Minimal digging, usually just small access points |
| Trenchless Pipe Bursting | A new pipe is pulled through the old one while a bursting head fractures the old pipe outward to make room. | Minimal digging, works even when the old pipe is badly damaged |
| Traditional Excavation (Spot Repair) | The damaged section is dug up and replaced directly. | More digging, but sometimes the only option depending on damage location and access |
On wooded Highland Park lots, a method that saves mature trees and landscaping is often worth asking about. Your technician will walk you through which method fits your situation after the camera inspection.
Customer Stories
Sewer Repair Reviews
4.7 stars from 5,669+ Google reviews across all J. Blanton locations.
★★★★★
"I had an exceptional experience with Andreas from J. Blanton Plumbing. He came out to perform a camera inspection of my sewer line and was incredibly professional, thorough, and knowledgeable. He took the time to walk me through everything on the screen, explained each detail clearly, and answered all my questions with patience and honesty."
★★★★★
"I had J. Blanton Plumbing come service a potential sewer line back-up and I was super impressed with the entire experience. My technician was Stephen Walen and he was fantastic. He scoped our entire line so we could see where our main line hooks up to off-shoots of our other pipes. He walked through all different short & long-term scenarios so we could make informed decisions."
★★★★★
"I had another company come out first to fix my sewer line that got blocked in this cold weather, but the issue was not fully resolved. [...] They all were professional, knowledgeable, offered solutions, and answered all my questions. They all went above and beyond to make sure my issue is fixed efficiently and as soon as possible."
Got Questions?
Sewer Repair Questions From Highland Park Homeowners
The homeowner. You own the private sewer line from your house to the city main.
In Highland Park, the homeowner owns and maintains the private sewer line that runs from the house to the city main. If that line cracks, separates or fills with roots, the repair is yours to handle. A camera inspection shows exactly where the problem is before you commit to anything.
Often, yes. Trenchless methods work through small access points. The camera shows if your line qualifies.
Often, yes. Trenchless lining and pipe bursting fix the line through one or two small access points, which matters on Highland Park lots with mature trees, ravine slopes and established landscaping. A fully collapsed section or a severe belly may still need a spot dig. The camera tells us which applies to your line. See trenchless sewer repair.
Not necessarily. Clay lasts 50 to 60 years, so a camera check tells you where yours stands.
Not necessarily, but it's worth checking. About 1 in 4 Highland Park homes was built before 1940, and clay typically lasts 50 to 60 years before the joints start to crack and let roots in. Age alone doesn't mean something is wrong. A camera inspection shows the real condition so you can plan a repair instead of reacting to a backup.
It depends on the damage, the depth and the repair method. You get a flat price before work begins.
It depends on what the camera finds: the type of damage, how deep and long the affected section is, the repair method, and what's above the line, like a driveway, patio or mature trees. We give you a flat-rate price before any work begins, so you know the cost going in. Give us a call and we'll walk you through it.
A single damaged section usually means repair. Damage along most of the line usually means replacement.
If the damage is limited to one section and the rest of the pipe is sound, a repair usually makes sense. If the camera shows cracks, root intrusion and corrosion along most of the line, replacing it can save you from paying for repeat repairs. We'll tell you straight which one we'd pick for your line, and why.
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 Highland Park
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.
Sump Pumps
Sump pump repair, replacement and battery backups to keep your basement dry through heavy rain and snowmelt.
Burst & Frozen Pipes
Repair for pipes that froze or burst, from basement water lines to outdoor spigots.
Gas Lines & Fireplaces
Gas line repair, leak detection and gas fireplace service.
Emergency Plumbing
Burst pipes, sewer backups and no hot water, any time of day or night.
Serving the North Shore, 24/7 Phone
Ready to Get Your Sewer Line Fixed?
Our Highland Park office is at 1904 Green Bay Rd B, and our phone line is open 24/7.
We also serve Highwood, Fort Sheridan, Deerfield, Bannockburn, Riverwoods, Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, Glencoe and more.
Need a Plumber?Call our Highland Park Office
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