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Serving Chicagoland Since 1993
Sewer Rodding in McHenry, IL
When the basement floor drain starts filling or the toilet bubbles every time the washer drains, your main line is blocked. We rod it clear, camera it so you can see the cause and give you a flat price first. From our office on West Elm Street.
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 McHenry Main Line Needs Rodding
One slow sink isn't the main. These are:
Water Rising at the Floor Drain
Most McHenry basements have a floor drain at the lowest point. A main line clog shows up there first.
Gurgling Toilets
Air pushing back up through other fixtures when water runs means the line ahead is blocked.
Every Drain Is Slow
Kitchen, bath and laundry slowing at the same time point to one shared line.
A Sewer Smell Downstairs
Standing wastewater in a blocked line can push odor back through drains.
What Blocks Main Lines in McHenry
With most homes built since 1970, McHenry clogs come more often from what goes down the drain and how the line was laid than from century-old pipe.
Paper Catching in a Sag
A low spot in the line holds water and paper. Rodding opens it, but it tends to come back until the sag is fixed.
Wipes and Grease
Flushable wipes and kitchen grease build into plugs in otherwise healthy lines.
Roots in Older Lines
In homes from the 1970s and 1980s, roots from maturing trees find joints and grow into mats.
When It Keeps Coming Back
Buildup on the walls calls for hydro jetting. A sag or crack on camera calls for a sewer repair.
The J. Blanton Difference773-724-9272
How We Handle Sewer Rodding
Clear it, then show you why it happened.
1. Access the Cleanout
We find the cleanout and work from there so the house stays clean.
2. Rod and Camera
We clear the line to the main, then camera it so you see the cause.
3. Flat Price, Clear Options
If there's damage, you get options and a price for each.
Customer Stories
Sewer Rodding Reviews
4.7 stars from 612 Google reviews for our McHenry office.
★★★★★
"On 11/25/2025 technician Mr. Edgar Herrera did amazing job fixing problem what we have. He spent long hours making sure that everything worked. He was very professional and also understanding our needs. Thank you so much Mr. Herrera."
★★★★★
"Jovany was super helpful and got the job done, explaining everything to me in detail, dealt nicely with the fact that we had to reschedule the service due to weather issues. Great service."
★★★★★
"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 Rodding Questions From McHenry Homeowners
Only as often as your line needs. The camera tells us.
It depends on the cause. Lines with roots usually need yearly service. Lines that clogged from wipes or grease may not need regular rodding at all. A camera look after the first clearing tells us.
Usually a sag or a root-filled joint at that spot.
When clogs keep forming at the same distance from the house, there's usually a sag or a damaged joint there. The camera shows it, and fixing that one spot often ends the problem.
Yes, with the right head and a camera check.
Yes. We choose a cutting head sized to your pipe and check the line on camera afterward.
Yes, between the house and the tank.
Yes. Some homes outside city sewer in McHenry County drain to a septic tank. We can clear the line between the house and the tank, and we'll tell you if the problem is the tank itself.
It depends on access and the blockage. You get a flat price first.
It depends on access to the cleanout, the length of the line and what's blocking it. We give you a flat-rate price before any work begins.
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 McHenry
Learn More
Drain Cleaning
Slow, gurgling or backed-up drains in kitchens, bathrooms and basements.
Sewer Repair
Tree roots, cracked pipe and repeat backups in the line from your house to the street.
Toilets & Showers
Running toilets, leaky shower valves and new fixture installs.
Leak Repair
Hidden leaks behind walls, under floors and around fixtures, found and fixed.
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 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.
Need a Plumber?Call our McHenry Office
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