Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

Wendy M.

We had a water main backup. RR came out and snaked (charge: $300). The next day the drain backed up worse, resulting in an inch of water in my basement and severe damage, plus an insurance claim on my homeowner's insurance. They snaked a second time but said they couldn't get through the clog (after stating the first time that the clog was removed). A field supervisor (his shirt said ""sales"") ran a camera into the drain and told us our drain pipe was collapsed and estimated a $15,000 (that's not a typo) cost to repair. He was kind enough to give us a $2000 ""military"" discount. After the initial panic wore off, some things seemed fishy. We called a second plumber who easily snaked through the clog (tree roots) and also ran a camera all the way down our main line and into the city sewer. Not only did he see no collapse, the pipe doesn't even have any kind of visible damage. The cost for this service was $246 (including a copy of our video), which, since it saved is $13,000, seems like a real bargain. The practice of deliberately scaring consumers into purchasing outrageous repairs is popping up again and again for this company.

Tom R.

During a Saturday bath, the tub's drain pipe broke and tub water spilled out over the bathroom floor. We mopped it up and fanned it dry, but some leaked through the kitchen ceiling. We mopped that up and dried it, too. To save money, we decided not to call a plumber until Monday.
After a handyman proved incapable of matching the antique parts, we called on the professionals. Roto Rooter showed up promptly--not with a plumber, but with a plumbing/water damage assessment team. Within an hour, they got hold of my insurance company, set up a claim number, and costed out a project including 3 days of room dehydration, asbestos check, and ceiling repair. They said they would fix the plumbing, too, but it wouldn't be covered by insurance. After I signed their forms, they said they would send a plumber and a dehydration guy.
The plumber arrived that afternoon and quoted his rates: $230 for first hour, $185 for each additional hour). He couldn't say how many hours it would take. We didn't have much choice, so we agreed.
The dehydration guy set up some loud machines in the bathroom and kitchen. It didn't really make sense, since the leak was 3 days ago. After one day we called off that project. They made us sign a bunch of papers to absolve Roto Rooter from not finishing the job.
The plumber didn't finish up until two days later. He did an okay job, but it cost us over $900. Add $500 (insurance deductible) for the superfluous dehydration job. It was a big expense and a bad experience.

Alex F.

I'm not one to normally write reviews but I thought I'd better give a warning to others. Had main drain line clog yesterday in my house with sewage backup into my laundry room and utility closet. Roto Rooter did come out right away and unclog the drain, unfortunately that's the only positive part of my experience. The sewage cleanup crew was suppose to start work between 8 and 9 PM. At 10PM I called the office to get a status update since they had not arrive, was told it would be another 20 mins., Ok still no big deal, I'm patient. After another hour waiting I call back. Eventually they tell me that they are unable to get ahold of any supervisors or their teams so I would have to wait until tomorrow. Now I have to call in the middle of the night to stay with family as my house smells of sewage. When I called the Roto Rotter office today I told them my issues with the lack of communication yesterday. I was expecting to get an apology but instead was given excuses. Then the supervisor I spoke to had the nerve to accuse me of trying to get them to give me something free, he basically called me a free loader. I immediately canceled my cleanup service and called another company.

Mick J.

Joe was fantastic. Water shut off valve was leaking. Emergency call on Sunday. Arrived within 2 hours. Joe quickly addressed the issue and changed the seal. All in, after the $50 coupon, the cost was $49. He certain could've replaced the valve at a much higher cost due to having to cut into the wall even more and the tight space where the valve was located. I trusted his professional judgment that the more expensive approach was unnecessary. I'll call this place (and ask for Joe again) next time I'm in a pinch.

Review G.

Paid over $300 to have the drain snaked Nov.2016 and was told that price covered a TWO YEAR warranty and if it ever clogged in that time it would be re-unclogged for free. Well, Sept2018 (within the 2 year window) they claim they only give 6month warranties but on phone they said they would honor it b/c I was told that so they went ahead and scheduled me for 3:30pm Friday..... then they didn't show up until 10:50pm!!! They walked in after the SEVEN HOURS we waited and told me it would be $329 with a 6 month warranty. I told him that it was supposed to be no charge and I was told so on the phone when I scheduled. He called his manager and then told me his manager said no! Frustrated and tired and wanting it to just be done, I said whatever and just do the work and bill me for it and he said he couldn't do the work until payment was made! Not everyone just has over $300 readily available at the drop of a hat!?! I had his manager call me - that guy interrupted me multiple times while I was talking and then called me a liar - he said there's no way that anyone here ever told you there was a 2 year warranty. I am totally DISGUSTED with this company and will warn everyone to NOT use them. A SEVEN HOUR WAIT and I was LIED TO TWICE and then accused of being the one to lie. There are far better companies out there. Never ever again with this place. I'm glad they didn't do the work and bill me now.... they certainly don't deserve a single dime!!!

Smith R.

Very very poor business practices. Harassed relentlessly via phone regarding an invoice that had been resolved. Rude workers that also harassed via Facebook messenger. Consumers beware. Overpriced and unprofessional.

Domineeka D.

Called our local brand in Marysville Ohio or how ever that works, we were folks someone would be on their way. Keep in mind we had a horrible back up issue and needed their water jet service! After our first conversation they said we needed to be pumped out before they would touch the lines. So we followed through with our end. That person never showed up but we got a phone call that someone would be out yesterday morning 11-12 husband got up and waited for them....no show

Husband calls.....they are busy but will be out as soon as they can.

4:00pm husband calls again....still no one available so we went to our local ace store and rented at rooter and 28.00$ later we were good to go! Sad they couldn't show up to fix our clog but we really dodged a bullet on this one.

Derrick B.

Absolutely over priced and will probably never consider this company an option moving forward. I had a main line back up and had the tech come out to snake the drain to clear the blockage. As soon as he had arrived (which was 1.5 hours after the quoted time window) he let me know the price of the service will be $349.00 before he even looked at the problem. First off snaking a drain for 30 mins should have no reason whatsoever cost that much money. I had to pay right then and there with no option of deferring the payment to Friday which is kind of weird on it's own. Plus to boot the problem wasn't even completely fixed and then proceeded to quote me a $10,850.00 job for replacing the line.

Crazy thing is I started doing research and 3 other drain companies in the local area cost average was between $75.00 to $200.00 and they reassured me they would assess the problem before giving a final definite quote. To add I mentioned the job the tech quoted and they said it would range from $1,500 to $4,000 depending on the length of the line.

In conclusion they did the job but for how much they charged I wouldn't be surprised if the customer base dwindles over the next few years.

Exceptionally disappointing.

Ian L.

Unbelievable! My grandmother called to have them clear a blocked drain. After clearing the drain, they told her she would need to replace the flooring and parts of the walls in her bathroom. They proceeded to pull out the toilet and tear out the less than 2 year old flooring in her bathroom. After having her insurance company confirm there was no real water damage we immediately stopped them and had them remove their equipment. I ended up having to replace her missing flooring, replace the toilet flange they bent taking the toilet off, and reinstall the toilet. They still charged her over $4000!

Elena C.

Had my toilet back up sent a guy out to run an eel down my drain was a 20 min process for 300. Never really found out reason why it was clogged. Someone coming back to run a camera through next. Job was definitely pricey. So 3 days later the micro camera guy came out to run a camera down my pipes he struggled to get it down toilet hole. Said they need to get the scaling out for proper flow. Could send another guy out to do the 600.00 job. He brought in a machine ran it on my carpet and said this is probably where the clog is. Pipes run in your walls not your floors. Where he had the machine was above my basement ceiling no pipes are there. I called another plumber they said not to have the de scaling done if the first guy ran a eel through with no problem then a tiny camera should of been able to make it through. New plumber would of charged 99.00 to wat the first guy did. No one told me I was being charged upfront to have camera guy to come out. Hidden fee . My bill just says 299.00 for him to use a eel. I didn't have option not to have guy with camera to come out. Total rip off. Don't use this company!