Drain Cleaning
Slow, gurgling or backed-up drains in kitchens, bathrooms and basements.
Serving Chicagoland Since 1993
Sewer Rodding in Highland Park, IL
Water coming up through the basement floor drain means your main line is blocked. We show you what's clogging it on camera, then quote one flat price before we rod it clear. Our plumbers serve homeowners across Highland Park and the North Shore, 24/7.
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.
When You Need Sewer Rodding
Sewer rodding fixes a blocked or clogged main line, not a minor clog. Here's how to know it's time to call:
You Have an Active Backup
Water or sewage coming up through a basement floor drain or laundry drain means your main line is blocked. Call us any time, including evenings, weekends and holidays.
Your Line Keeps Backing Up
If you've had your sewer rodded more than once in the past year, roots or a pipe defect are likely growing back between visits.
Tried a Snake and It Didn't Work?
A handheld drain snake can clear a sink or tub drain, but it doesn't have the reach or cutting power to break through a main sewer line clog.
Every Drain Gurgles at Once
When the toilet gurgles as the washer drains, or water rises in the tub when you flush, the blockage is in the main line, not one fixture. On tree-lined streets, roots are the usual suspect.
Why Highland Park Sewer Lines Need Rodding
Highland Park has two things that are hard on sewer lines: older homes and big trees. Nearly half of the homes here were built before 1960, and many still have their original clay pipe.
Roots Find Old Clay Joints
Clay pipe comes in short sections joined end to end. Roots from ravine woods and mature street trees slip into those joints and grow into a net that catches everything else. Rodding cuts through them and restores flow fast.
Your Line, Your Responsibility
In Highland Park, the homeowner owns and maintains the private sewer line from the house to the city main. A clog anywhere in that line is yours to clear, which is why a quick, accurate diagnosis matters.
When Rodding Isn't Enough
If roots come back within months, hydro jetting scours the whole pipe wall clean. If the camera shows a crack or a separated joint, a sewer repair is the fix that lasts. We'll tell you which one your line needs.
"It was filled with tree roots that had found their way through the joints in the pipes. He gave us several options."
The J. Blanton Difference773-724-9272
What We Do Differently
Most customers say the worst part of calling a plumber isn't the clog. It's wondering whether a simple fix turns into a rebuild you didn't need. Here's how we do things differently.
1. Camera Inspection Included
Nobody tells you there's a problem you can't see for yourself.
2. Upfront Pricing. No Upsells.
You get a written quote before any work begins. If the camera finds more than a standard rod-out, you decide what happens next.
3. Fully Equipped
Our trucks carry the rod, the camera, and more. We can do it all in one visit.
Customer Stories
Sewer Rodding Reviews
5.0 stars from 64 Google reviews for our Highland Park office.
★★★★★
"Edgar is a fantastic tech and was extremely professional and fantastic to work with. He was upfront and allowed me to view the issues from the camera before any money changed hands. He had multiple suggestions on how to further prevent issues, but was never pushy on trying to sell additional fixes."
★★★★★
"So it's Christmas Eve and my sewer is backed up. J. Blanton did not hesitate or cancel my appointment. George and Mike were excellent! They were not rushed, answered all my questions. Very knowledgeable and honest, which goes a long way especially as a first time home owner."
★★★★★
"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."
Got Questions?
Sewer Rodding Questions From Highland Park Homeowners
For older clay lines near mature trees, once a year is the standard. Heavy root problems may need every six months.
For homes with older clay pipes or mature trees near the line, annual rodding is the standard recommendation. Homes with a history of root intrusion may benefit from rodding every six months. With so many Highland Park homes built before 1960 on tree-lined lots, a camera inspection is the best way to set the right schedule for yours. See sewer maintenance.
Usually not. Most backups start in the private line you own, from the house to the city main.
Usually not. In Highland Park, the homeowner owns the private sewer line from the house to the city main, and most basement backups start with a blockage in that line. Stop running water, keep people away from the drain and call us any time. We'll rod the line and show you on camera what caused it.
Cost depends on the blockage and how easy your cleanout is to reach. You get a flat price before we start.
Sewer rodding costs vary depending on the severity of the blockage and how accessible your cleanout is. We give you a flat quote before any work starts, so you'll know exactly what you're paying before your tech touches a tool. If the camera inspection reveals something beyond a standard rodding job, your tech walks you through what they found and provides a separate written estimate on the spot.
We run a camera first so you see the blockage, then rod it clear at the flat price we quoted.
Your technician starts by running a camera through the line to see exactly what's causing the backup, roots, grease, a pipe belly, whatever it is. You see the footage before any work begins. Once you know what you're dealing with, you get a flat price for the rodding, and it doesn't change once work starts.
A professional sewer rod will clear most clogs. A handheld hardware-store snake typically won't.
A professional-grade sewer rod (sometimes called a power snake) will clear most residential sewer line clogs. A handheld drain snake from a hardware store typically won't. It's designed for sink and tub drains, not the 4-inch or 6-inch main sewer pipe.
Rodding clears the blockage. Hydro jetting scours the whole pipe wall, which matters if buildup keeps coming back.
Rodding breaks through roots, debris, or a clog and restores flow fast. It's the right call for a first-time backup or a line that's never been serviced. Hydro jetting scours the entire pipe wall clean, not just the blockage, so if you've had the same line rodded more than once in the past year, jetting is worth discussing with your technician.
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
Sewer Repair
Tree roots, cracked clay pipe and repeat backups in the line from your house to the street.
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
Sewer Backing Up? Let's Get It Moving.
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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