
Water Heaters
Repair and replacement for tank and tankless water heaters that leak, make noise or run out of hot water too fast.
A basement bathroom that won't drain, an alarm that won't stop or a sewer smell coming from the floor. We repair and replace ejector pumps across McHenry, with a flat price before we open the basin. From our office on West Elm Street, 24/7.


An ejector pump lives in a sealed basin in the basement floor. Basement fixtures that sit below the sewer line, like a toilet, shower, laundry or bar sink, drain into it. When the basin fills, the pump pushes the wastewater up and out to the sewer line or septic system. If your home has an overhead sewer system, every basement drain relies on it.
Stop using basement fixtures and call if:
A rising basin. Stop using the basement toilet, shower and washer.
A lid seal or vent connection has failed.
A jammed impeller, often from wipes.
On and off every few seconds points to a float or check valve problem.
Many McHenry homes with a basement bathroom rely on an ejector pump.
About 4 in 10 McHenry homes went up in those years, and a basement bathroom in one of them likely has its original pump. Their original ejector pumps are now past their expected life.
Outside city sewer in McHenry County, ejector pumps often lift wastewater to a septic system. We service those setups and can tell you when the problem is the tank, not the pump.
Homes that converted to an overhead sewer system after high water depend on the ejector for every basement drain.
Mineral buildup can make float switches stick. We check them during every service.
An ejector failure is a sewage problem.
Our line is open 24/7.
Float or check valve, repair. Burned-out motor, a new pump.
Before we open the basin.

4.7 stars from 5,669+ Google reviews across all J. Blanton locations.
"Professional and on time. Did a good job replacing an ejector pump and a sump pump. Highly recommend and Derek was great to work with!"
"Greg did an outstanding job replacing our sump pumps. Always professional and courteous. Well done😃"
"I had water backing up in the basement on a Sunday. I called them and he came an hour later. John figured out the problem quickly-ejector pump, and what to do if it happens again. I did get an estimate for a new one if it needs replacing."
Usually, yes. Only basement fixtures drain to the pump.
Usually. Upstairs fixtures normally drain by gravity. Stop using everything in the basement until the pump is fixed. If your home has an overhead sewer, ask us when you call.
We check both. A full tank and a failed pump look similar.
A full septic tank and a failed ejector pump can both cause basement backups. We check the pump, float and check valve and tell you if the tank needs pumping.
Usually wipes or paper towels.
Wipes, paper towels and hygiene products wrap around the impeller. Only toilet paper should go down a toilet that drains to an ejector.
Often 7 to 10 years or more.
Many last somewhere between 7 and 10 years or more, less with heavy use or wipes.
It depends on the pump and basin. The price comes first.
Every job is priced on the pump, basin, check valve, venting and access. You'll have a flat-rate number before we open the basin.
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.


Repair and replacement for tank and tankless water heaters that leak, make noise or run out of hot water too fast.

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

Tree roots, cracked pipe and repeat backups in the line from your house to the street.

Running toilets, leaky shower valves and new fixture installs.

Hidden leaks behind walls, under floors and around fixtures, found and fixed.

Sump pump repair, replacement and battery backups to keep your basement dry through heavy rain.

Burst pipes, sewer backups and no hot water, any time of day or night.
Our McHenry office is at 3406 W Elm St, and our phone line is open 24/7.
We also serve Johnsburg, Wonder Lake, Ringwood, Spring Grove, Lakemoor, Fox Lake, Island Lake, Woodstock and more.