Roto-Rooter

Dan P.

Started off well enough, not because they were actually able to fix our drain, but because when they couldn't, got the snake stuck in the pipe, and ended up flooding our carpeted hallway, the owner came over himself and called an emergency restoration company to bring over heavy-duty fans which were used to dry out the affected area - all at no cost to us.
Now, when we've gone back to ask them to do whatever it is that's needed to be done to get the snake out - it's been tough to get a call back, and finally, today, we were told that if the snake gets stuck, it's not their problem, but our problem, because of the drain...we had a plumber come in before (who referred Roto Rooter), and his snake didn't get stuck...so a good start/bad finish.

Jennifer T.

OMG I wish I saw this YELP ad before we had them come to Jet our line and we paid $595 for 1 hour!! We own a duplex, and our tennants house line keeps backing up but that is because they are lower, and our house in the front is up higher plus we found out that our line goes out differently to the city's sewer thus why we aren't experiencing the same issues.

So anyhow, the last 2 months have been filled with visits from Roto Rooter, apparently our main line off the side of the house is just filled with gravel and slime and rocks and probably junk that fell into the line when our house(s) before we bought it was renovated, because our property was flipped. You gotta watch those contractors and what they put down the line! We are having to deal with this all now. it's loads of fun let me tell you.


Steve has been our jetter dude and he is tip top! He came last night when we had a back up again, he is coming again today with the camer a guy and only charged us for 1 hour when he was definately here for 2 last saturday. He really wants to see his customers solve their issues from start to finish, and we really appreciate his service. I'm even going to post his cell phone so if you have an issue you just call him directly!
650-642-6075 he is in the San Mateo area!

Special Assets M.

Horrible service! I called them 2 times and by the 3rd time, I went with another company. They said they would call my on-site person between 2-5 on Thursday...Friday morning, I called to check in and my on-site person had not been called. After checking in with RR they confirmed no one had been able to make it out (yet they failed to call me to tell me that- if I hadn't called, I woudn't have known). They assured me on Friday afternoon between 2-5 someone would be there this time...got a call on Friday at 5 that their technician was running late and it would be more around 7:30. I scrambled to find someone to get them access for Friday evening. Come Monday morning, I called and checked in with RR again and no one had been able to make it out AGAIN, and no one had thought to call me and let me know. They asked if I wanted to re-schedule but what makes me think they would show up...they've assured me 3 separate times that they would make it out and have not only failed to make it to each appointment but also failed to notify me so that I could try and make arrangements for another vendor. I will never call them again.

Calvin K.

Roto Rip Off called and made appointment, said they'd be there in less than an hour. an hour later I called and they said they were running late and would call before they came, but at least an hour. No quotes over the phone. left to run a errand and guy shows up and tells my wife $304!!!! to run a line from the front of our house. I get there and he is half way done running maybe 25' of line. Is done in 20 minutes and charges $304!!! internet quotes from Roto Rooter are $135 and hour!!! Have called them before and rates were much more reasonable..will never use again. Call any rooter service and getb the same service & guarantee for 1/2 price or less. Tell your friends Roto Rip Off Rooter no more!!!!!

Ms Potrero H.

so the guys that come round are great ... but here is my beef... they dont tell you its going to be almost twice as much if they come saturday... i scheduled a pretty routine visit and was suggested a saturday time... turned out its 75% more and i called RR and said that they really should say when people book appts and she was quite frankly a pain in the arse to talk to. no customer service friendlies at ALL

M H.

It took 4 service calls, but the leak under my kitchen sink is now fixed.
Everyone was very friendly, and overall the experience was pleasant - just a shame it took 4 visits to fix something so simple.
I could be wrong, but I think it was the simplicity of the job. The first tech was probably hoping for something more challenging. The second tech was more thorough, and took the extra time to investigate the problem further.
I would call them again, but would insist they take their time, and test the fix properly before they leave.

Maggie L.

I called this place after looking at yelp reviews and decided to give them a try. My tenant said the drains were slow and, not being in the area, I was worried about sending a plumber that might rip me off. Called roto rooter in brisbane and they quoted me a flat rate of $175 to snake the drains and a time period they would be at the house. The tenants said they came at the said time and sure enough, I got the bill for $175, no surprises. The tenant also said that the plumber diagnosed the problem and found the culprit pipe. =)

Glenn M.

My main sewer line backed up a couple of years ago after a couple of years in this house. The guys who came out then recommended a power wash (high-pressure hose) and a long term plan of replacing the sewer line entirely ($15-20K). I decided to fund the power wash, but essentially check and run water through the back clear out myself and see what happens.

So with the recent rains, the clear-out and garage drain have been backing up... called RR at 8:30 AM and got a ""between 10 and 12 appointment. Mauro came out and made some key points:

1) Snake is fine if it works. Powerwash is only necessary if it doesn't.
2) The line isn't broken. Replacing the line doesn't improve anything unless they can increase the slope, and you can't make the sewer lower.
3) Grease and paper products are the clog causes.

So with the web site $10 discount it was only $165! I do this every year or two and we're golden!

Screw those guys who tried to upsell me on the sewer line replacement. They're unethical.


Update: Even better than calling a plumber - hardware stores sell these things called water bladders that attach to garden hoses, fill up like balloons, and shoot water out a small slot. You can clear the sewer line yourself! Just be sure to buy the biggest bladder that will fit into your pipe, as one that is too small will overinflate and break.

Adam H.

I called 1-800-GET-ROTO from their website. Must have been a dispatch center for the region's Roto-Rooter fanchises. They asked me if it was an emergency call and I said yes. They took my number and said someone would call back within a few minutes. Nobody called. Ever. Their system failed me miserably and stuck me with a stinky clogged toilet.

The guys from Atlas came out right away.

Ken L.

What a ripoff!!!!

DO NOT USE THESE GUY!!! $175 for 15 mins of work. They also damaged our toilet.