Sewer Repair
Tree roots, cracked clay pipe and repeat backups in the line from your house to the street.
Serving Chicagoland Since 1993
Sewer Rodding in Northbrook, IL
Water rising through the basement floor drain or every toilet gurgling at once means the main line is blocked. We camera the line, show you what's in it and rod it clear for one flat price. Our Techny Road headquarters is a short drive from every part of Northbrook.
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
A plunger fixes one fixture. These signs point to the main line under your house and yard:
Water Comes Up Through the Floor Drain
The floor drain is the lowest opening in most Northbrook basements, so a main line blockage shows up there first. Stop running water and call.
The Washer Backs Up the Basement
In many split-levels, the laundry drains to the lower level. If the floor drain overflows when the washer empties, the main line can't take the flow.
Gurgling in Every Bathroom
A toilet that bubbles when the tub drains means air is being pushed back through the system. That's a main line clog, not a toilet problem.
You Rodded It Last Year Too
If the line needs rodding every year, roots or a damaged joint are growing back between visits. The camera shows which.
Why Northbrook Main Lines Clog
Most of the main line clogs we clear in Northbrook come from the same two places: the clay joints in postwar homes, and the trees that grew up around them.
Roots at the Joints
About a third of Northbrook homes were built between 1940 and 1969, many on clay sewer pipe. Roots squeeze into the joints, form a mat and catch everything that flows past. Rodding cuts them back and gets water moving again.
Storm Season Makes It Worse
A partly blocked line can handle a normal day. During a heavy storm, when extra water is moving through the system, it can't. That's why many Northbrook backups show up in the middle of a downpour.
When Rodding Isn't the End
If roots return within months, hydro jetting cleans the whole pipe wall. If the camera shows a cracked or separated joint, a sewer repair is the fix that lasts.
The J. Blanton Difference773-724-9272
What We Do Differently
The worst part of a backed-up sewer isn't the clog. It's not knowing if a simple rod-out is about to turn into a big job you didn't need.
1. Camera Inspection Included
We look before we quote, and you see what we see.
2. Flat Price, No Upsell
You get a written price before any work. If the camera finds more than a clog, you decide what happens next.
3. Everything on the Truck
Rod, camera and cutting heads are on every truck, so most lines are cleared in one visit.
Customer Stories
Sewer Rodding Reviews
4.7 stars from 761 Google reviews for our Northbrook 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 Northbrook Homeowners
Older clay lines near big trees: once a year. Newer lines without roots: only when needed.
If your home has an older clay line and mature trees near it, once a year keeps roots from closing the pipe. Homes from the 1970s and 1980s with no root history often go years without needing it. A camera check sets the right schedule for your line. See sewer maintenance.
Maybe. If the line is partly blocked, a storm pushes it over the edge. The camera shows if it's a clog or the system.
Maybe. A line that's partly blocked by roots can handle normal flow and still back up in a downpour. We'll rod and camera the line to see if a clog is the cause. If the line is clear and the backup only happens in big storms, a backflow valve or an overhead sewer system is the better fix.
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.
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 Northbrook
Learn More
Water Heaters
Repair and replacement for tank and tankless water heaters that leak, make noise or run out of hot water too fast.
Drain Cleaning
Slow or clogged kitchen, bathroom and basement drains, cleared and checked.
Faucets & Fixtures
Leaky faucets, worn-out shut-off valves and new kitchen and bathroom fixture installs.
Sump Pumps
Sump pump repair, replacement and battery backups for heavy rain and spring snowmelt.
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.
Local Office, 24/7 Phone
Sewer Backing Up? Let's Get It Moving.
Our Northbrook office is at 1945 Techny Road, #11, and our phone line is open 24/7.
We also serve Glenview, Northfield, Deerfield, Wheeling, Prospect Heights, Lincolnshire, Winnetka and more.
Need a Plumber?Call our Northbrook Office
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