Sewer Repair
Tree roots, cracked clay pipe and repeat backups in the line from your house to the street.
Serving Chicagoland Since 1993
Trenchless Sewer Repair in Northbrook, IL
Your sewer line probably runs under the front lawn, a parkway tree and maybe the driveway. Trenchless repair fixes it from the inside through one or two small access points. We're headquartered on Techny Road and serve homeowners across Northbrook and the north suburbs.
Know the Basics
What Is Trenchless Sewer Repair?
Trenchless sewer repair, also called no-dig sewer repair, fixes a damaged pipe without digging a trench along its full length. Instead of opening up your yard from the house to the street, we work through one or two access points and repair the pipe from the inside or replace it in place. There are two main methods: cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) lining and pipe bursting. Both fix the line underground, so what's above it stays untouched.
Why Trenchless Fits Northbrook Homes
Northbrook homeowners tend to stay put: about 87% of homes are owner-occupied. When you've spent years on a lawn, a patio or a driveway, a repair that skips the trench is worth asking about.
Long Runs Under Finished Yards
Many Northbrook homes sit back from the street on wide lots, so the sewer runs a long way under lawn, walks and plantings. Lining or bursting the pipe in place leaves all of it alone.
Postwar Clay Is a Good Candidate
Root-cracked clay joints from the 1950s and 1960s are exactly what lining is built for. The liner seals every joint at once, so roots have nowhere to get back in.
Older Parkway Trees
A trench along the line cuts through the same roots you'd like to keep. Working underground protects the trees on your lot and on the parkway.
"Tree roots had broken the remaining clay pipes under my front lawn and ramp. Inserting a liner with a 25 year warranty was the most logical choice I could make."
When Does Trenchless Apply?
Backups, slow drains, sewer odor, soft or unusually lush patches of grass, and gurgling drains are the most common signs of a damaged sewer line. Which repair method fits comes down to the type and extent of the damage.
| Situation | Trenchless Usually Works | Needs Traditional Excavation |
|---|---|---|
| Root intrusion cracking the pipe | Yes | Not typically |
| Corroded or aging clay, cast iron, or Orangeburg pipe | Yes | Not typically |
| Minor cracks or offset joints | Yes | Not typically |
| Slow drains or backups traced to pipe damage | Usually, after a camera inspection confirms it | Not typically |
| Fully collapsed section of pipe | Not typically | Yes |
| Severe belly (a low spot where the pipe has sunk) | Not typically | Yes |
| Major structural misalignment | Not typically | Yes |
Not sure which category applies to your line? A camera inspection shows exactly what's happening underground before any repair method gets recommended.
The Two Methods773-724-9272
How Trenchless Sewer Repair Works in Northbrook
Both methods replace the work of a trench. Which one we recommend depends on what the camera shows.
Cured-in-Place Pipe (CIPP) Lining
We clean the line, pull a resin-coated liner through it and cure it in place. The result is a new, seamless pipe inside the old one. Our trucks run light-cured lining, which cures faster than older steam or water methods.
Pipe Bursting
When the old pipe is too broken to line, we pull a new pipe through it while a bursting head breaks the old one apart. The line is replaced end to end without a trench.
Camera Before and After
We record the line before we recommend a method and again when we're done, so you can see the new pipe for yourself. You get a flat rate before any work starts.
Customer Stories
Trenchless Sewer Repair Reviews
4.7 stars from 761 Google reviews for our Northbrook office.
★★★★★
"The technicians and plumbers involved were prompt, friendly, courteous and explained everything with the sewer lining project. The sewer lines were cleaned, repaired, and inspected before the new lining was installed. I recommend them with no reservations!"
★★★★★
"We had a sewer liner installed yesterday by Mason Lanier & his crew from J. Blanton Plumbing. They were on time, worked efficiently & diligently to complete all the work in difficult weather conditions. We are very pleased to have this work completed & impressed with Mason & Co."
★★★★★
"The ENG team did an amazing job installing a liner on our sewer line. It was a very technical job that required a full days work, but they managed wonderfully despite the unexpected snow and inclement weather conditions. Just as important, they were very kind through the process. Thank you!!!"
Got Questions?
Trenchless Sewer Repair Questions From Northbrook Homeowners
In most cases, yes. We work through small access points, planned around what's on your lot.
In most cases, yes. We work through one or two small access points instead of digging along the whole line, and we place them after looking at your trees, driveway and landscaping. A fully collapsed section may still need a small spot dig, and we'll tell you up front if it does.
Usually. Cracked or root-damaged clay is a good candidate once it's cleaned.
Usually, yes. Clay with root intrusion, cracked joints or minor offsets is a good candidate. We clean the line first, often with hydro jetting, so the liner bonds properly. A severe belly or a collapsed section may still need a different approach.
It depends on length, method and access. You get a flat-rate price before any work begins.
It depends on the length of the damaged section, the method (lining or bursting), how many access points we need, and what the camera finds. No trench also means no driveway or landscaping restoration afterward. You get a flat-rate price before any work begins.
Sometimes. Older lines can have more than one weak point. The camera shows which applies.
Sometimes. Older lines often have more than one weak point, so fixing the obvious problem doesn't always mean the whole line is covered. Only a camera inspection tells you which one applies to your home, before any repair method gets recommended.
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
Ready to Fix Your Sewer Line Without the Trench?
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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