
Sewer Repair
Tree roots, cracked clay pipe and repeat backups in the line from your house to the street.
When a catch basin fills with leaves and silt, storm water stops draining and starts pooling against the house. We clean, repair and camera catch basins for Northbrook homeowners from our headquarters on Techny Road.


A catch basin is a box buried at a low spot in the yard or driveway, with a grate on top and a pipe leading out. Rain and runoff flow in, sand and debris settle to the bottom, and the water leaves through the outlet pipe. When the bottom fills up, debris reaches the outlet and water stops leaving. We clean the basin, clear the outlet and repair basins that have cracked or shifted.
In Northbrook, catch basin trouble usually shows up during the first big storm of the season:
Standing water around the grate long after the rain stops means the outlet is blocked.
A full basin sends driveway and yard water the wrong way, toward the foundation.
Fall leaves and spring seeds pile up on the grate and wash in with every storm.
Ground settling around the basin points to a cracked or collapsing structure.
Northbrook has had its share of standing water. On May 21, 2018, heavy rain left high water at the Willow and Shermer underpass and on stretches of Waukegan and Dundee roads. That September, the Middle Fork of the Chicago River rose over its banks and closed Lake Cook Road at Northbrook Court.
Wide lots with long driveways collect a lot of water. A catch basin at the bottom of the driveway or a low spot in the yard is often the only thing moving it away from the garage and house.
Postwar blocks have some of the biggest trees in town. Their leaves and seeds fill catch basins faster than you'd expect, so basins under big trees may need cleaning every year.
A blocked basin pushes surface water toward the foundation, and from there into the basement. If water is already getting in, see basement flooding.
We find out why the water isn't draining before we recommend anything.
We check the basin, the grate and the outlet pipe. If the pipe is the problem, we put a camera in it.
Most basins just need cleaning. If the structure is cracked or collapsing, we'll show you and explain the repair.
You get a flat-rate price before any work begins.

4.7 stars from 5,669+ Google reviews across all J. Blanton locations.
"J Blanton came in in short notice to complete a job that needed to be done right away. The technician was thorough, answered all of my questions, and recommended some preventative steps we could take going forward. Job well done!"
"Unbelievable service and knowledge! Took the time to break down the issue and explain in a way where I felt comfortable moving forward. The work was done with no issues and they even filled me in on some work that would be needed in the future. All of this, and I only called to schedule two days before!"
Once a year under big trees, less often in open yards. Clean it before spring storms.
Basins under mature trees often need cleaning every year, ideally after the leaves drop in fall or before spring storms. Basins in open yards can go longer. If water stands around the grate after rain, it's time.
Yes. A blocked basin can send water toward the foundation.
It can. When the basin can't drain, water pools in the yard or along the foundation and finds its way into the basement. Keeping it clear is one of the simplest ways to move storm water away from the house.
They can, if the basin and outlet are sized for it. They should never drain into the sanitary sewer.
They can, if the basin and its outlet pipe are big enough to take the roof runoff. What they should never do is drain into the sanitary sewer, since that adds storm water to the line that carries your wastewater. We'll check how yours are connected.
It depends on cleaning versus repair. You get a flat price before any work begins.
It depends on whether the basin needs a cleaning, an outlet pipe cleared or structural repair, and how easy it is to reach. We give you a flat-rate price before any work begins.
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.


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

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

Slow or clogged kitchen, bathroom and basement drains, cleared and checked.

Leaky faucets, worn-out shut-off valves and new kitchen and bathroom fixture installs.

Sump pump repair, replacement and battery backups for heavy rain and spring snowmelt.

Gas line repair, leak detection and gas fireplace service.

Burst pipes, sewer backups and no hot water, any time of day or night.
Our Northbrook office is at 1945 Techny Road, Suite 11, and our phone line is open 24/7.
We also serve Glenview, Northfield, Deerfield, Wheeling, Prospect Heights, Lincolnshire, Winnetka and more.