About Central Rodding Total Sewer Service
Founded in Flossmoor nearly 70 years ago, Central Rodding represents three generations of family craftsmanship, industrial-grade sewer equipment, and unwavering dedication to protecting South Suburban basements.
69 Years of Family Service From 3718 198th Street
Central Rodding Total Sewer Service, Inc. was founded on January 1, 1957, in Flossmoor, Illinois. Established by the Hepworth family (including James, Patricia, and Laurie Hepworth), our company was created to solve a persistent infrastructure challenge: standard hardware-store plumbing tools were simply not capable of clearing the massive, woody tree root plugs that choke 6-inch vitrified clay sewer laterals in the Chicago south suburbs.
By 1958, Central Rodding was recognized in The Blue Book of Building & Construction for serving residential, commercial, and municipal clients across Illinois and Northwest Indiana with dedicated sanitary and storm sewer installation, high-pressure jet trucks, vacuum extraction units, culvert cleaning, and excavation. Nearly seven decades later, we still operate from our permanent headquarters at 3718 198th St in Flossmoor.
BBB A+ Accredited
Accredited by the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating and zero complaints over the last three years.
Owner-Led Service
Directed by Owner James Hepworth and senior field technicians like Wayne, bringing decades of hands-on expertise to every call.
Since 1957 (69 Yrs)
Documented municipal and residential sewer contractor in Cook & Will counties through seven decades.
Dedicated People Make the Difference
A sewer company is only as good as the technicians who operate the rigs. Over the decades, Central Rodding has been fortunate to work with extraordinary professionals whose loyalty and integrity defined our brand. Among them was the late William “Billy” F. Sablich (1957–2020), who began working at Central Rodding as a teenager and spent over 40 years servicing local drainage lines without a single customer complaint.
That tradition of craftsmanship continues today with senior technicians like Wayne, whose work is praised across our verified Google reviews for explaining every facet of water heater installations and drain repairs, and ensuring that homes are left completely washed down and sanitized.
Our Technical Philosophy: The Outside Cleanout Standard
As owner James Hepworth frequently reminds homeowners, we do not rod main sewer lines from inside toilets. Snaking through a toilet bowl only allows a small 2-inch cutter to enter a 6-inch lateral pipe, poking a temporary hole through the center of a root blockage while splattering contaminated wastewater across finished bathrooms.
Instead, we insist on rodding through an exterior two-way cleanout. This allows our commercial sectional rodding machines to deploy full-bore 4-inch and 6-inch expandable root cutters that shave tree roots flush against the pipe wall, completely clearing the line to the municipal main without bringing dirty cables through your living room.
Heavy Industrial Fleet & Diagnostic Rigging
Central Rodding maintains dedicated fleet assets engineered for severe Midwestern sewer conditions:
Chronological History: 1957 to 2026
Founding in Flossmoor, IL
Central Rodding Total Sewer Service was founded on January 1, 1957, by the Hepworth family at 3718 198th St. The company focused on rigid mechanical sewer rodding with heavy steel root cutters designed specifically for dense tree root intrusion in postwar vitrified clay laterals.
The Blue Book of Building & Construction Recognition
Recognized as a premier commercial and municipal sewer contractor serving Illinois and Northwest Indiana. Deployment of high-powered industrial jet trucks, vacuum units, and storm catch basin cleaning rigs.
Expanding Municipal & Commercial Capabilities
Deepened regional service throughout Cook and Will counties. Welcomed longtime dedicated team members like William 'Billy' F. Sablich, who began as a teenager and served south suburban homeowners for over four decades without a single complaint.
CCTV Color Video Camera Inspections
Pioneered early adoption of closed-circuit pipeline video cameras and 512Hz sonde radio locators, eliminating blind guesswork and pinpointing pipe offsets, cracks, and bellies beneath landscaped lawns.
Trenchless Solutions & Flood Control
Introduced trenchless pipe relining, overhead sewer conversions to prevent Butterfield Creek storm surcharges, and comprehensive lead service line replacements in full compliance with the Illinois 2021 Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act.
69 Years of Family-Owned Craftsmanship
Led by Owner James Hepworth and senior technicians like Wayne, Central Rodding continues nearly seven decades of honest diagnostics, zero hidden travel fees, and direct 24/7 emergency dispatch.
Our Spotless Cleanup Guarantee
Sewer emergencies are stressful enough without having to clean up after the plumbing crew. Our technicians lay heavy neoprene floor runners, wear sanitary boot covers, disinfect all work areas, and wash down basement slabs thoroughly before packing our equipment.
Our Flossmoor Headquarters & Service Radius
Located at 3718 198th St, Flossmoor, IL 60422. Dispatched 24/7 with zero travel surcharges across our South Suburban territory.
Central Rodding Total Sewer Service, Inc.
3718 198th St, Flossmoor, IL 60422 · Serving Central Rodding Flossmoor Shop (3718 198th St)
Got a Sewer Backup or Plumbing Emergency?
Our service trucks are dispatched from Flossmoor with full rodding cables, hydro-jetters, and camera scopes.