
Sewer Repair
Root intrusion, cracked pipe and repeat backups in sewer lines that are now 60 to 80 years old.
Continuous hot water and a basement with more room. We install, repair and descale tankless water heaters and tell you upfront whether your home's gas line and venting are ready for one. Our office is on Lincoln Avenue.

Instead of keeping a tank of water hot all day, a tankless heater fires only when a hot tap opens. Water flows through a heat exchanger and comes out hot for as long as you need it. The limit is flow rate: a unit can only heat so many gallons per minute, so it has to be sized for your busiest moment, like a shower running while the washer fills.
The trade-offs:
| Tank | Tankless | |
|---|---|---|
| Hot water | Runs out when the tank empties | Continuous, up to its flow rate |
| Floor space | A tank in the basement | Mounts on the wall |
| Venting | Often the chimney | Its own vent, usually through the wall |
| Upkeep | Yearly flush | Yearly descaling |
Many Skokie homes can switch, but a few things need checking first.
Postwar gas lines were sized for a furnace and a tank heater. A tankless unit may need a larger line.
Tankless units can't use the old chimney. They vent through the wall or roof.
Freeing up floor space is a plus in compact basements.
Even Lake Michigan water leaves minerals in the heat exchanger over time.
We check the house before we sell the heater.
Before any recommendation.
Your busiest hour, not an average.
Approved before we begin.

In a ranch or Cape Cod with a basement utility area, a wall-mounted tankless heater can open up floor space for storage or laundry. The vent usually runs out through the rim joist to the side yard. The gas line from the meter may need to be larger. We look at both before quoting, so you know the full scope of the job.
4.7 stars from 5,669+ Google reviews across all J. Blanton locations.
"Vincent and his partner (I don’t remember his name, I’m sorry) they did an awesome job, kept me informed the whole time and were very polite and friendly. Great job boys"
"The guys did a great job. Andrew and Enrique were able to figure out the issue quickly and move me towards a reasonable solution. Kyle came out the next day and finished the work efficiently. Appreciate them a lot and will continue doing business with them in the future!"
"Andrew and Ty did a great job installing a replacement water heater in our home today. Thanks for your service guys!"
No. It needs its own vent.
No. Tankless units vent through their own pipe, usually through a side wall.
Often it needs to be upsized.
Often. Many postwar gas lines are too small for a tankless unit. We check before we quote.
About once a year.
About once a year for most homes.
Yes.
Yes. We diagnose error codes, descale heat exchangers, clean sensors and replace failed parts.
Sometimes.
Sometimes. Smaller households save less, but gain space and endless hot water.
It depends on the unit and the gas and venting work. You'll approve a flat price first.
It depends on the unit and how much gas line and venting work is needed. You'll approve a flat-rate price before we start.
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.


Root intrusion, cracked pipe and repeat backups in sewer lines that are now 60 to 80 years old.

Slow, gurgling or backed-up drains in kitchens, bathrooms and basements.

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

Running toilets, leaky faucets and new fixture installs for kitchens and bathrooms.

Leaking water lines, low pressure from old galvanized pipe and hidden leaks behind walls.

Sump pump repair, replacement and battery backups to keep your basement dry through heavy rain.

Burst pipes, sewer backups and no hot water, any time of day or night.
Our Skokie office is at 8001 Lincoln Ave, Suite 301, and our phone line is open 24/7.
We also serve Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Evanston, Wilmette, Glenview, Golf and more.