
Sewer Repair
Tree roots, cracked clay pipe and repeat backups in the line from your house to the street.
Sewage coming up through the floor drain, a basement shower or a toilet is a health risk, not just a mess. Call us any time. We clear the line, find the cause on camera and help you stop the next one. J. Blanton is headquartered on Techny Road in Northbrook.

A sewage backup is a health risk as much as a plumbing problem. Here's what to do while we're on the way:
Don't flush, run the dishwasher or do laundry. Every gallon that goes down a drain has nowhere to go but back up.
Sewage carries bacteria. Keep everyone out of the affected area and don't try to clean it with bare hands.
Our phone line is open around the clock, including weekends and holidays. Tell us which drains are backing up and we'll take it from there.
Most backups we see in Northbrook come down to one of these. The camera tells us which:
Homes built between 1940 and 1969 often have clay sewer pipe. Roots enter at the joints and build a mat that catches everything else.
During heavy rain, extra water enters the sewers through cracks and leaky joints. When the system fills, sewage takes the lowest way out, often your floor drain.
Grease hardens in the line, and so-called flushable wipes don't break down. Together they close a pipe one layer at a time.
If a basement bathroom drains through an ejector pump, a failed pump backs up sewage even when the main line is clear.
Northbrook backups tend to cluster around storms. The September 2008 floods, the April 2013 storm that hit while the ground was still frozen and the June 2013 storm all sent water into Northbrook basements.
When heavy rain falls on frozen or soaked ground, almost none of it soaks in. More water reaches the sewers at once, and the risk of a backup goes up.
A sump pump or downspout tied into the sanitary sewer adds stormwater to a pipe that wasn't built for it. If yours is connected that way, we'll show you and reroute it.
Once the line is clear, the right fix depends on the cause: hydro jetting for roots and grease, a sewer repair for broken pipe, or an overhead sewer system for storm backups.
When sewage is in your basement, you need a plumber who shows up and explains what's going on, not a sales pitch.
We run a camera down the line and show you what we see, in plain language.
We walk you through your options, short-term and long-term, and tell you which one we'd pick for your line.
You get a flat rate before any money changes hands.

4.7 stars from 5,669+ Google reviews across all J. Blanton locations.
"We had an emergency situation on a weekend when our sewer main broke in the basement, and this company was an absolute lifesaver! They responded quickly, offered very reasonable rates, and immediately sent someone out to diagnose the problem. Within no time, they had a crew on-site to tackle the issue."
"Updating to also call out Emanuel and Gio, who worked on lining our 110 year old sewer for the past two days. They were flexible, friendly, and professional. No one wants to deal with plumbing issues so we’re thanking for the people who do! 5 stars for Shane Waychoff! He rescued us from a small sewage issue in our basement. [...]"
"Zachary did a great job clearing out our sewer line after a clog. He was very professional, friendly, and knowledgeable. I would highly recommend him and J. Blanton Plumbing."
A plumber first, to stop the source. Cleanup comes after.
Call a plumber first. If sewage is still coming in, cleanup won't hold. We clear the line, find the cause on camera and fix it. Once the source is stopped, a restoration company can clean and dry the space.
Storms push extra water into the sewers. A partly blocked or cracked line makes it worse.
Heavy storms push much more water into the sewer system than a normal day. If your line has roots, a crack or a sag, it has less room to handle that surge. We'll camera the line to see if your pipe played a part, and tell you what will protect the basement next time.
It can if it drains into the sanitary sewer. Sump water should go outside.
It can. A sump pump that discharges into the sanitary sewer adds a lot of water during a storm, right when the system is already full. Sump water should go outside, away from the house. We'll check where yours goes.
It depends on the cause. You get a flat-rate price before any work begins.
It depends on what's causing it: a clog that clears with rodding is a different job than a broken line or a failed ejector pump. We give you a flat-rate price before any work begins, so you know the cost going in.
Annual Protection Plan
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.


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.