Seattle Plumber is Ready for Return of Familiar Seattle Rains

Thursday, October 29, 2009 by Roto Rooter Bloggers

When we think of Seattle, most of us think of rain. But this has been kind of a dry season for the Pacific Northwest, and conversely a "dry season" in terms of business demand for Seattle plumbers, Plumber Tacoma works too. Plumbing repair companies that replace lots of sump pumps and handle sewer repair work and sewer cleaning to remedy flooded basements, found themselves high and dry this fall at a time when they would prefer to be low and wet. But not many homeowners in the Seattle-Tacoma area were complaining. After all, those jobs are costly and these days extra cash is in short supply for most families.

But alas, the rains have returned. Last week saw normally tame rivers flooding beyond their banks and the abnormally dry ground became saturated once again. Looks like the humble Plumber Seattle is once again going to be a man in demand if the rain continues. Commercial plumbing as well as residential plumbing services should begin returning to their normal paces if the rain sticks around, for better or worse.

Plumbing problems are never convenient for the homeowner, but scheduling 24 hour plumbing service is as easy as pointing and clicking your mouse, using Roto-Rooter's EZ schedule tool on our web site. Finally, we've got a plumber who will work around your schedule whether at seven in the morning, nine at night or any other time that works for you.

Seattle Plumbers are one of Many Roto-Rooter Locations Available 24 Hours

Thursday, October 29, 2009 by Roto Rooter Bloggers
A while back a post was written about 24 hour plumbing that discussed Roto-Rooter's availability. A few angry replies were received from people who said they were unable to get a response after normal business hours. Unfortunately, the writers did not mention their locations. In the interest of full disclosure, it is only fair to mention that there are over 500 Roto-Rooter independent franchise locations that are not owned and operated by Roto-Rooter Services Company, which owns and operates 115 of the largest branches in North America. 

Not all of those franchises are in markets that profitably support 24-hour service, but the overwhelming majority of Roto-Rooter locations do provide repair service around the clock. Company-owned locations include most of major cities like, New York, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Houston, Atlanta, Baltimore and most relative to this post, the Roto-Rooter Seattle Plumbers are available anytime 7 days a week at any time. In addition, our largest independent franchises are 24-hour plumbing providers in many of the larger remaining cities such as, Los Angeles, San Diego, Dallas, Fort Worth, Detroit and many others.

So, in fact, there are essentially only a small number of Roto-Rooter locations that are not currently offering 24-hour plumbing services. If the locations aren't company owned, we cannot force operation hours upon the owners. We apologize for any inconvenience, but please be aware that no other plumbing company in the U.S. or Canada even comes close to doing as many after hours plumbing repair jobs as Roto-Rooter. We will continue to encourage all of our independent franchises to offer these services.  

Seattle Plumbers Work to Solve Drain Issues

Thursday, October 29, 2009 by Roto Rooter Bloggers

The Pacific Northwest is known for its rain; they get a lot of it and it is extremely important to ensure that all drains are functioning properly.  It is a good idea to also regularly clear roots and debris from drains to move rain water from structures as quickly as possible. Drain cleaning Seattle, is one of our most popular plumbing services and is a very popular online search term, along with, "drain cleaning Tacoma," "clogged drain Seattle," kitchen plumbing Seattle" etc. A root-infested pipe can cause drains to back into homes and businesses, which can cause a number of plumbing problems when associated with the area's heavy rainfall. 

People in the Northwest have learned to live with the rainfall and continue to stay on top of plumbing repair issues, which are prevalent in the region. Ignoring a slow drain or putting off a nagging plumbing repair can have serious consequences anywhere, but in Seattle the constant threat of rain can make putting off a drain cleaning Seattle a pretty reckless idea.

Roto-Rooter Seattle Plumbers have a team of experts that can quickly solve any plumbing or drain issue you may encounter. They live in the area and are more than aware of the importance a prompt and efficient fix.


Seattle Plumber Tips: Conserving water is everyone's responsibility

Thursday, October 29, 2009 by Roto Rooter Bloggers
Water is a precious resource, so we should all do our part to use less of it. I know water doesn't seem to be in short supply especially in rainy areas, but it is. If your water bill seems higher than it used to be and you feel your house is using more water than it should be, hire a Seattle Plumber to do leak detection. Seattle is an area that gets a lot of rain and appears to have a healthy and abundant water supply, but one day may come when wet areas like Seattle need to pipe excess water to drier areas. 

If you fix leaky faucets and toilets, you can easily save thousands of gallons of water per year.  Don't wait, do that faucet repair. Tacoma and other Northwestern cities have the potential to save a significant amount of water simply by fixing various undiscovered leaks. This can also limit the implementation of more extreme measures like lawn watering restrictions, etc.

If you would like assistance with these pluming problems, Roto-Rooter has the right plumber from DC to California and every state in between. They're your 24 hour plumbing provider and can provide leak detection services, faucet repairs, bathroom plumbing solutions and any other necessary Seattle plumbing and drain service.   

Call Roto-Rooter Seattle Plumbers: Kitchen Sink Smells

Thursday, October 29, 2009 by Roto Rooter Bloggers

We live in Seattle. The kitchen sink, which is the highest trap in our house, is venting a terrible smell into the house. Is this a clogged vent? Can Roto-Rooter of Seattle fix it?

It could be a clogged vent or a clogged drain, both will produce the same condition that allows sewer gas to come into your home. Roto-Rooter Seattle Plumbers fix these types of plumbing problems all the time. We are constantly removing leaves, birds' nests and squirrels' stashes from vent pipes. 

When you think of kitchen plumbing Seattle, you may not think of vent pipes. Call in professional plumbing contractors to clear the vent and/ or drain. Roto-Rooter plumbers have experience in handling these situations.

Turn your old toilet into a water miser without replacing it

Thursday, October 29, 2009 by Roto Rooter Bloggers

The newest toilets use only 1.28 gallons per flush. They save water but they're not cheap. I'm testing new parts for Roto-Rooter and I recently replaced all of the guts inside the most used 1.6 gallon toilet in the house. I replaced the fill valve with a new valve that uses less water, has a leak detection system and automatically cleans the tank of scale and debris (not the bowl).

Next I installed a new dual-flush system that allows users to press one button for a low-power half flush that easily expels urine. A larger button handles solids and wads of toilet paper using a full flush. So far, so good. My toilet is now using a fraction of the water it used to at a fraction of the cost of a new toilet. This is one of the best bathroom plumbing solutions I ever saw and the most sensible toilet repair Cincinnati ever saw!

My water bills will no doubt reflect the savings. Soon a Boston plumber at a Roto-Rooter office and a Seattle plumber at Roto-Rooter and almost every location in between will be installing these and other sensible water-saving parts as we go greener than ever before. 

Drain Cleaning Need Often Picks Up in Spring

Thursday, October 29, 2009 by Roto Rooter Bloggers

Drain cleaning Seattle is extra important as things begin blooming out this spring. New root growth often means roots infestation of sewer pipes below ground contributing to backed up drains.

Over-the-counter drain care products are not effective beyond a few feet into the line so if your sink drains don't work and a drain care product doesn't bring relief, chances are you're going to need a sewer cleaning Seattle has significant tree and vegetation growth due to its heavy annual rainfall.

Such drain problems caused by roots in the main sewer aren't limited to sinks and shower drains. Commodes are affected too. Fix toilet Seattle is a common need once roots infiltrate sewer pipes. Local Seattle plumbing companies can handle these fixes without much difficulty so reach out to a professional if your DIY remedies don't do the trick.

A Reputable Company

Thursday, October 29, 2009 by Roto Rooter Bloggers

Your employees were extremely professional and knowledgeable. We feel they went above and beyond to give the best customer service.

When water was backing up into our tub we searched the Internet for "bathtub drain Seattle " and found your website. The technician came out immediately and cleared everything out.

We had another great experience with Roto-Rooter with a second plumbing problem - the washing machine water was backing up into the kitchen sink. Again we searched the Internet for your company and found your listing when searched "drain cleaning Seattle."


We've had numerous local plumbers Seattle over the years come out who could not correct these plumbing problems. We will call Roto-Rooter if at anytime we need plumbing or drain cleaning help again.

Another happy Minneapolis customer:

Wednesday, October 28, 2009 by Roto Rooter Bloggers
Below is a statement from a very satisfied Minneapolis plumbing customer:
 
This is the second time we have used the Minneapolis Plumbers of Roto- Rooter for clogged drain issues, and always been impressed. The customer service your organization provides from the time we call until the time the technician leaves is above and beyond. Hats off to your company for continuing to impress us! It is nice to know that there is a Minneapolis plumbing company that provides such great service and does the job right.

If you too would like to receive outstanding customer service with any drain or plumbing problem visit our Web site or call 1-800-GET-ROTO.

Angie Lemke, Minneapolis Branch

Cincinnati Plumber Treats Mom Like His Own

Tuesday, October 27, 2009 by Roto Rooter Bloggers
We are very proud of one of our Cincinnati Plumbers at Roto-Rooter. Please read the following excerpts from a customer letter received after a recent service call:

"Dear Roto-Rooter, my son and I were visiting my Mom in Cincinnati on Sunday and getting ready drive back to Iowa around 5 PM when her toilet tank sprung a leak. I shut off the water supply and called Roto-Rooter. I was told a technician would be there within 2 hours. Not only was that true, but I got 2 interim calls to update me.
 
The serviceman, Mr. Lionrick. showed up on time, quickly assessed the situation. He gave us an estimate to do a toilet repair and on a Sunday evening left to go pick up a toilet my mother wanted to install. When he returned he finished the installation expertly and my Mom was all set to go, and I was ready to get on my way back to Iowa. As he and I walked back to the truck I told him I was concerned with me living so far away because I wouldn't be around to take care of things if my Mom had any further problems. He reassured me that he would take care of her and if there was an issue to call 513-631-2525 and ask for him by name. He assured me he would personally take care of my Mom.

I am unaccustomed to this level of service, expertise and even compassion. I think Mr. Lionrick. is a credit to your company and I extend my sincerest appreciation." Gary M. Lionrick, you da man!!"

We're grateful that out of all of the Cincinnati plumbing companies, this customer chose Roto-Rooter.  


Rob Tally
Roto-Rooter, Cincinnati Branch

Great Work by a Great Employee

Friday, October 23, 2009 by Roto Rooter Bloggers
As the General Manager of the Wilmington Plumbers at the Roto-Rooter office in Wilmington, Delaware, I am always grateful to receive letters of thanks from our customers.

Just this week a card came from Mr. Tom E. of Mendhenall, PA and it reads: "Dear Mr. Smith, I want you to know what a stellar employee you have in Steve Venditti #1258. He has solved difficult Wilmington plumbing issues for me on several occasions. He's smart & personable. I though you should know."
 
Thank you Mr. Ellis for your kind words. They are always appreciated. Way to go Steve! For first rate plumbing and drain service I hope you will call Roto-Rooter.

Name: Marty Smith, SGM

Roto-Rooter sweepstakes winners visit the Ghost Hunters

Friday, October 23, 2009 by Paul Abrams
The second prize winners of Roto-Rooter's Chilling Tales Sweepstakes just returned home to Nebraska from their visit to the Spalding Inn of Whitefield, New Hampshire. That's the inn that is now owned by Roto-Rooter of Providence plumbers and television's Ghost Hunters, Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson.

Craig and Amy Mortensen of Fremont, Nebraska wrote to tell me that had a great time on the trip, which was the second prize in our sweepstakes. Lucky for them that Jason and Grant were there last weekend to host the Spalding's Oktoberfest weekend and treated them to great hospitality. Here's the note:

"We just got back and have recovered enough to send you a thank you for everything! We had such an awesome time and Jason and Grant were such gracious hosts, along with their wives. We, and some of the other great couples that we met, are already talking about next year's Octoberfest! Jason Hawes, Amy Mortensen, Craig Mortensen and Grant Wilson at The Spalding Inn

[editor's note, Roto-Rooter reserved the notorious and allegedly haunted room #38 for Craig and Amy] The room we had did not disappoint either. We had several things happen and well we didn't sleep much but wouldn't have changed anything, except staying longer!

 The scenery was awesome, the employees were more than awesome, the food was great and we wouldn't have traded it for anything! We would never have gotten an opportunity like this without Roto-Rooters help! Thank you so very much!"

- Craig and Amy Mortensen
 P,S,,, Just so you know, we are thinking, if at all possible, we would like to relocate to the area we visited, Thanks again!
 
Great letter, Craig. We're glad you had a great time. But what you saw and heard in your room may have just been a clogged drain making noise or some other plumbing problem. I'll ask Jason and Grant to check into it. Our grand prize winners will be joining Jason and Grant on a ghost hunt at Colorado's Stanley Hotel.


Pleasantly Suprised

Friday, October 23, 2009 by Roto Rooter Bloggers
I am always surprised when a customer calls telling us that they did not know that Roto-Rooter is a full service plumbing company. They think of us as just a sewer and drain cleaning company. The fact is that as Memphis plumbing companies go, Roto-Rooter is among the biggest and best in the area. If you need a skilled Memphis plumber, call us! 

A traditional sewer line excavationA customer Ms. Jones, recently had some drain problems in her home. When Roto-Rooter of Memphis service technician, Felix, came to her home and diagnosed the problem, he discovered that a simple sewer cleaning wouldn't fix the problem. Unfortunately, it was very old and entire sections of it had collapsed underground. We did a video camera inspection and showed her the problems over a TV monitor. She needed a complete sewer line replacement. No customer likes to hear that sort of news because any way you do it, a sewer replacement is expensive.

Ms. Jones was very surprised to find out that Roto-Rooter of Memphis could handle the complete excavation and pipe replacement. We do these jobs all the time and our expertise is second to none. The next day, we dug up the old pipe and replaced it with a new, modern sewer that will serve her well for years to come. 

Jon-Lise Frazier
Roto-Rooter of Memphis, Tennessee

Happy Roto Rooter Customer

Thursday, October 22, 2009 by Roto Rooter Bloggers
We received a great compliment from a new customer recently. He was very pleased when he called Roto-Rooter on Saturday and a St. Louis Plumber from our office responded immediately. Here's the testimonial he sent in:
 
"I called several St. Louis plumbing companies on Saturday only to discover that most aren't open on weekends or they just have an answering machine or a service taking calls. I didn't have time to wait a couple of hours for someone to call me back. We made an emergency call to Roto-Rooter and a real person answered the phone, listened to me explain our problem then dispatched a well qualified St. Louis plumber. 

Glen from Roto-Rooter responded within the hour, and shortly thereafter our plumbing and drain problems were resolved! Glen knew his stuff and handled the kitchen plumbing job within twenty minutes before going to work on our sewer repair. It was clogged with roots and debris and nothing was draining properly. Everything works great now though! We really appreciate the prompt response and very professional job by Glen. We will highly recommend Glen and Roto-Rooter."  

- Jim R.
St. Louis, MO

That's the kind of letter that makes our day at Roto-Rooter. I've said it before, Roto-Rooter is the "911 of the plumbing world." Emergency service is our specialty and there's not extra charge if we come out at night, weekends or holidays.

John Marhanka
Roto-Rooter of St. Louis

Quality Plumbers in Seattle

Thursday, October 22, 2009 by Roto Rooter Bloggers
For a service company repeat business, satisfied customers and referrals are essential for maintaining and growing your business. When it comes to needing a highly skilled Seattle plumber, Roto Rooter is just a phone call away. Here is what our customers have been saying for years. Lisa K. in Seattle writes:

"What a competent and polite technician you sent out! The response time was excellent and Greg was outstanding! I will recommend Roto-Rooter to all my friends and business associates who need an outstanding Seattle plumber." Steve was able to unplug our kitchen sink in no time! We had been trying to do it ourselves and ended up washing dishes in the bathtub UGH! But Steve makes kitchen plumbing jobs look easy. He was very professional and explained what he was doing and how to prevent future back ups."

Doris T. wrote to say: "When it comes to Seattle plumbing companies, I will always call Roto Rooter. You have kept my apartment buildings free of problems with a preventative maintenance program and I have no more damaged carpet due to overflowing clogged drains. Thank You!"

Toilet Vent Issues

Thursday, October 22, 2009 by Ray & Lee, Master Plumbers

When the water in a toilet bowl drops and the tank is full without leaks, it generally means you have a clogged vent.  When water enters a pipe, it has to push ahead the air inside the pipe. After water goes through a vent, it replaces the water that was lost when the toilet is flushed.

When a vent is not working properly due to a blockage, the water will leave a vacuum causing the air from the outside to be drawn into the inside of the pipe. If the outside is blocked by water in the trap of the toilet, water will also be drawn in to replace the air. Until the air in the pipe is replaced by another vent or the water is able to run level in the pipe it will be able to then refill.

An Alexandria plumber would be happy to provide further assistance, if you are in need. For Alexandria plumbing service call 1-800-GET-ROTO and a licenses plumbing specialist will be sent out at your convenience.

You can also check out the Ask the Plumber section of our Web site if you have other inquiries about this or other plumbing problems and we will get back to you with more plumbing advice.


Best plumber in Madison County Illinois

Thursday, October 22, 2009 by Roto Rooter Bloggers
Roto-Rooter is proud to announce that we were recently voted Best Plumber in Madison County, Illinois. This was a vote through The Alton Telegraph and will be published in the October 24, 2009 edition.

Our service technicians and Alton plumbers serving all of Madison County, take pride not only in in their skill but the customer service they provide. Roto-Rooter is the East St. Louis plumbing company to call for the entire region. This is yet another example of our customers demonstrating the appreciation they have for what we do. If you need an East St. Louis plumber or in any of the surrounding communities, you ought to call Roto-Rooter.

Rick Maloney
General Manager

Dealing with Sump Pump Setbacks

Thursday, October 22, 2009 by Ray & Lee, Master Plumbers

If your sump pump is starting and stopping over and over again or surging, it is most likely due to a few plumbing problems. Any Merrilleville plumber will be able to determine one of the possibilities below:

  • The pressure switch may need to be replaced.
     
  • The expansion tank may have no air inside.
     
  • There may be a blockage of the opening of the impeller pump.

The best advice would be to do a bit of investigation on your own. Check the expansion tank to see if water is coming out of the top of the air bleed valve. If there is, this is a sign that the diaphragm, which separates the water and air has failed and the tank will need to be replaced. To test the pressure switch you will need to call in an electrician and go from there. Lastly, you may need to pull and check the submersible pump. 

Roto-Rooter's Merrillville plumbers would be happy to assist you with this or any other Merrillville plumbing problem. Feel free to contact us at 1-800-GET-ROTO or check out our Web Site.

Preventative Maintenance

Thursday, October 22, 2009 by Roto Rooter Bloggers
Being proactive about maintaining the health of your drains is the first step to avoid any messy and unnecessary surprises, like clogged drains, when you least expect it. We can help you customize a drain maintenance program that can be performed on a regular basis that will minimize the need for any emergency work whether it is residential or commercial.

The North St. Paul plumbers at Roto-Rooter can put together a preventative maintenance agreement for your house or place of business. To ensure that it is being kept up on, we will personally call to remind you when it's time for us to clean your drains and schedule your next appointment. These customers receive significant discounts off the regular rates and the agreement never expires unless you choose to discontinue service.

So, if your home and/or business are having frequent drain issues, Roto-Rooter, your local North St. Paul plumbing company, is here to assist. If you want to prevent kitchen sink clogs and keep your garbage disposer operating properly, avoid any stringy vegetables such as celery, asparagus, rhubarb, corn husks, etc. Also, avoid putting pasta down the drain and use plenty of water. LET THE WATER RUN FOR ABOUT 1 MINUTE AFTER THE DISPOSAL HAS STOPPED GRINDING. The same goes for peelings from carrots and potatoes and others. Positively no grease should ever go down the kitchen sink drain. It will harden in the pipes. Put grease into a jar and throw it out in the trash. Wipe greasy plates and pans off with a paper towel before washing them. 

Use a lint trap on laundry discharge hose, use a hair snare for the bathtub and dhow drains. Only toilet paper should go into a toilet bowl, no pre-moistened wipes, feminine hygiene products, facial tissue or paper towels. Never throw dental floss or Q-Tips down a toilet.

Angie Lemke
Roto-Rooter of St. Paul, Minnesota

Great Service

Thursday, October 22, 2009 by Roto Rooter Bloggers
A customer recently sent in a nice testimonial about the good work the South St. Paul plumbers from Roto-Rooter did for her:

"Recently I had a floor drain backing up. I called Roto-Rooter and they sent over a South St. Paul plumber to take care of the issue. Technician #654 came to my house very promptly and while looking over the situation he noticed that there were multiple plumbing problems that needed to be resolved. He made his recommendations and after discussing them with me he proceeded to accomplish the tasks in a most professional manner.

We had a couple of minor kitchen plumbing jobs that he solved quickly and he also took care of a clogged drain problem. I was relieved to find out that I didn't need a sewer repair, but some of our branch lines just a good drain cleaning. I hope we never have this problem again but if we do please send technician #654 back to hour home."


- Sylvia B.
St. Paul, MN

We always like to hear from our customers. We especially like to get compliments like Sylvia's. Who doesn't? But, if we make a mistake, we want to hear about it so we can make it right.

Angie Lemke
Roto-Rooter of St. Paul