Sewer Cleaning

Cesspool/Septic Tank Maintenance

Thursday, November 5th, 2009 by Roto Rooter Bloggers

As the Holiday season approaches, hopefully our customers on Long Island will begin to think about having their Cesspool and/or Septic Tank serviced. Preventive Maintenance on Cesspool and Septic Pumping is always a good idea to eliminate the embarrassment of A Roto-Rooter septic tank pumpking technician

A Roto-Rooter septic tank pumpking technician

having a backed up toilet during a wonderful Thanksgiving Dinner!

If you would like a Long Island septic tank pumping technician to come and take a look at your Cesspool and/or Septic Tank to determine if service is needed, please give us a call at 631-694-3805.

Additionally, don't forget that Roto-Rooter is your full service Long Island plumbing company. We can take care of any and all local plumbing jobs from faucet repair to complete sewer repair. If you need a skilled Long Island plumber, look not further than Roto-Rooter. Click here to visit our home page and learn more about what Roto-Rooter's Long Island plumbers can do for you.

Name: Erick Rodriguez
Roto-Rooter of Long Island, NY

Full Service Northern Virginia plumbers

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 by Paul Abrams

We know a lot of customers only think of Roto-Rooter as a sewer and drain cleaning company. Sometimes we'll in the middle of a drain cleaning job one of our service technicians will mention to the customer that he discovered a problem requiring a sewer repair, only to have the customer say, "do you know a good Northern Virginia plumber I can call to take care of the problem?" The answer is usually, "Yes, you're looking at him."

Roto-Rooter got its start as a sewer cleaning company but we've been a full service national, as well as Northern Virginia plumbing company for almost 30 years! Make no mistake, Roto-Rooter can handle any and all plumbing repairs from the simplest faucet replacement or water heater repair to a complete sewer replacement. Feel free to call us in Northern Virginia at 703-257-1025 or schedule service on-line for any time that fits your busy schedule. If you want to know more about our local capabilities in Northern Virginia, just visit our home page.

Septic System Savvy

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 by Roto Rooter Bloggers

Any Raleigh plumber will assure you that septic systems can last a lifetime with the proper care. Here are some maintenance tips below:

Keep trees and brush at least 100 feet away from the drain field to ensure proper flow and functionality
Use a root destroyer on a yearly basis to prevent roots from interfering with your septic system
Get your septic tank pumped every two years to remove any buildup of grease and/ or other dense matter that could prevent the drain field from draining well

Other beneficial recommendations would be to utilize low flow aerators in your faucets, low flow toilets, low flow shower heads and a water saver washer, which in general, lessen water usage. Using less water will most definitely have a positive impact on your septic system and will help prolong its life as well.

Check out our Web site or call 919-366-3045 to schedule Raleigh plumbing services. The Raleigh plumbers of Roto-Rooter would be happy to assist you at any time 7 days a week.

Drain Cleaning Need Often Picks Up in Spring

Thursday, October 29th, 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.

Seattle Plumber is Ready for Return of Familiar Seattle Rains

Thursday, October 29th, 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.

Pleasantly Suprised

Friday, October 23rd, 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 excavation

A traditional sewer line excavation

A 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

Dealing with Sump Pump Setbacks

Thursday, October 22nd, 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.

Very professional staff!

Monday, October 19th, 2009 by Roto Rooter Bloggers

It’s always reassuring to get a complimentary letter from a satisfied Roto-Rooter customer. This one from Barbara H. of Grayslake, Illinois made my day.

"We had a sewer backup in October, so we called the local Roto-Rooter office in Glenview, IL to schedule an appointment for the plumber to come to our home. We didn’t know any particular Grayslake plumber to call but when we saw the ad for Roto-Rooter in the phone book, we recognized the name and took a chance.
They were very fast and the staff was very professional. We learned that not only does Roto-Rooter clean drains and sewers but they can also do sewer repair work and they are a full service Grayslake plumbing company. Fortunately, our problem wasn’t that serious. Thank you!"
- Barbara H. Grayslake IL

We’ve now provided plumbing service and sewer cleaning for this customer three times. Our local office in Glenview, IL prides itself in providing fast, professional and courtious plumbing service to its customers for all thier plumbing and drain cleaning needs. We at the Roto Rooter Plumbers Glenview office thank our customers for their feedback. We’re here to offer sewer cleaning, sewer repair, bathroom plumbing solutions and any kitchen plumbing jobs you may have.

Name: Glenn W. Roto Rooter Plumbers, Glenview IL

Roto-Rooter Plumbers Customer Survey .

Friday, October 16th, 2009 by Roto Rooter Bloggers

Roto-Rooter Plumber received a positive customer comment recently that I'd like to share:

How a sewer line is excavated and repaired using traditional digging methods

How a sewer line is excavated and repaired using traditional digging methods

"The Minneapolis plumbers at Roto-Rooter were very helpful with my plumbing emergency from start to end. The crew did a great job handling our sewer repair. Thank you. I know who to call for my all of my plumbing emergencies from now on. Roto-Rooter is my Minneapolis plumbing company of choice."

During her emergency, we noticed a problem with her main sewer line. We sent out a sewer solution specialist to locate the problem underground. Our Technician noticed an offset and other breaks in her main line, which we fixed with an excavation. We know that it's reassuring for our customers to have a Minneapolis Plumbing company that has all the tools to get the job done, whether it's a sewer cleaning, complete sewer repair, kitchen plumbing jobs or a simple faucet repair in the bathroom.

Name: Angie Lemke, Roto-Rooter of Minneapolis

One Stop Cincinnati Plumbing Company Gets an “A” on Their Report Card

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009 by Roto Rooter Bloggers

On a recent service call our Roto-Rooter Cincinnati Plumbers were recognized for doing it right. Below are excerpts from the actual customer letter.

I had a pretty serious problem over the weekend, and called Roto-Rooter. Nick W. came out and we assessed the dilemma. He called Tom L. to pump the septic tank and then Nick W., returned to finalize the job and clear the line. Upon our last inspection with a video camera (which is invaluable) we discovered a bow in the discharge line.

I decided to fix the problem and Nick gave me an estimate and had Jim G. on site in a short period of time to dig up the spot and make the necessary repairs. I have dealt with many companies in my 60 years, and can honestly say that these gentlemen were experienced Cincinnati plumbers and had the customer's best interest in mind. As the president of our local homeowners association, I will notify our neighborhood about this outstanding service! - Tom R. Homeowner New Richmond, OH

Good job guys, you did great!! Way to show Roto-Rooter is the place to call when you need a great Cincinnati Plumber!!

Name: Rob Tally

Man falls into septic tank: Neighbor’s dog alerted rescuer

Friday, October 9th, 2009 by Debbie Smith

In the news recently there was a story about an 80-year-old man who fell into his septic tank while cleaning it. He was rescued after his neighbor’s dog wouldn’t stop barking in direction of the septic hole. The neighbor found the man in the hole and called 911. This elderly man was trapped in his septic tank for over five hours.

For those of you unfamiliar with a septic tank, it’s a system for disposing of sewage where public sewage systems are not available. Typically, it’s a buried watertight holding container in which waste solids settle to the bottom and become sludge. Enzyme and bacterial action break down liquid waste before it is discharged into a drain field for further treatment by the soil to remove harmful bacteria and viruses. Septic tanks require periodic pumping and cleaning of sludge in order to ensure proper water levels and treatment of wastewater. Flooding and drain backups can occur if the sludge is not removed and the water level gets too high.

Periodic inspections and regular pumping are important factors in maintaining a septic system. Septic systems should be inspected at least every three years by a professional who will check for leaks, measure the sludge level and recommend a pumping schedule based on the size of the system and number of people using the system. Failure to properly maintain a septic system can be expensive if the entire system has to be replaced and dangerous to humans and the environment if untreated wastewater leaches into the ground.

The man mentioned above was fortunate that he was rescued with only minor injury. He was swimming in wastewater—full of bacteria—and could have been overcome by toxic gases or been seriously injured in the fall. He is not the only person to become trapped in a septic system.

Lessons to be learned:

Septic system cleaning and maintenance should be performed by a professional with proper equipment.
Septic tanks should be kept covered with an approved lid.
Never enter closed spaces without proper safety equipment.

Rely on Roto-Rooter for complete plumbing and drain cleaning services, including septic and sewer cleaning, sewer repair, bathroom plumbing solutions, clogged drains – 24 hours a day, every day!

Grease Traps

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009 by Roto Rooter Bloggers

A strange incident happened a few days ago. I received a plumbing service call from a potential customer requesting a quote on what I thought was an overflowing grease trap. As it turned out the container that holds used fryer grease located in the enclosed dumpster area somehow was damaged and the fryer grease ran down the parking lot area and into the storm basin. You may know what happened next. The fire department and EPA were on site. Fortunately we were able to mobilize our vactor truck and jetter within an hour. We did some sewer cleaning in the storm lines between the manholes as well as the parking area per EPA personnel.

Call 1-800-GET-ROTO to schedule service or visit our Web site for more information.

Name: Ralph Fumo

Septic Tank Inspections

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009 by Roto Rooter Bloggers

Septic systems should be inspected and pumped at least once every three to four years. Though you may not be currently experiencing a problem, a full septic tank can lead to unwanted solids flowing into a drain field.

The drain field is the part of the system that consists of a distribution box with a series of connected pipes. Each pipe allows water to flow into a bed of stone that drains into the ground. If paper or other solids flow into the drain field it becomes blocked and ineffective, clearly a problem we'd all like to bypass.

FYI: A blocked drain field is costly to repair or replace. This is one of the many plumbing problems that Boulder plumbers are fully capable of assisting with but would like to save their customers from if at all possible.

If you have any further questions or would like to schedule Boulder plumbing service feel free to call 1-800-GET-ROTO.

Fall Tips

Monday, September 21st, 2009 by Ray Lee Master Plumbers

The fall is quickly approaching and is a great time to prep for the winter. Each and every Cleveland plumber would agree that just a few simple preparations now can prevent costly repairs that commonly occur in the winter.

Be sure to disconnect outside water hoses. If left connected, water is able to freeze, which can lead to frozen and/or broken pipes. Check for drippy/leaky faucets. Make sure to repair them before freezing temperatures arrive. Just one small crack in a pipe can easily unleash over 250 gallons of water in a single day.

If you have interior shut-off valves leading to outside faucets, close and drain them. Insulating pipes in unheated areas (like garages and crawl spaces) with heat tape or thermostat- controlled cables is an option as well.

Your water heater works harder in the winter, so make sure it is functioning properly- for optimum performance check that it is set at 120°F. Inspect your sump pump and pit too. If not properly maintained and exposed to extreme cold, pumps can freeze and stop operating.

If vacationing, make sure the heat is set no lower than 55°F. Additionally, shut off the main water valve and drain the faucets at the lowest and highest points of your home. Note: if leaving for an extensive period of time it is recommended to seek professional help for Cleveland plumbing winterization.

Camera Inspections Vital with Older Home Purchases

Thursday, September 10th, 2009 by Ray Lee Master Plumbers

Camera inspection is essentially the only method to determine if tree roots have reached the pipe lines of a home. This is becoming a prerequisite of buying an older home and is definitely recommended by many Columbus plumbers, especially when large trees are involved.

If the house you are planning to purchase is less then 30 years old, you most likely have a plastic sewer. But, this is not guaranteed and a major reason for camera inspection. The inspection only takes about a half hour and the sewer cleaning usually takes place in the basement.

If a camera inspection is not an option before purchase, ask for an escrow of the amount to reline or replace the sewer to be put into the contract. Most definitely do the inspection after your home purchase if you were unable to do one prior. If the sewer line is good then they will get their money back. If the sewer line is bad and the sellers know it is then they probably won't agree to an escrow. In most contracts they can't knowingly deceive you.

If you would like further information on camera inspections or other Columbus plumbing inquiries, check out our Web site or call 1-800-GET-ROTO for a variety of Columbus plumbing services.

A Bit of Roto-Rooter History

Friday, September 4th, 2009 by Ray Lee Master Plumbers

In the late 1920s, Samuel Oscar Blanc (1883-1964) was motivated by a stubborn clogged drain in his son, Milton's apartment (Des Moines, Iowa) to seek a better solution. By 1933, Samuel and Milton Blanc were able to fashion a sewer-cleaning machine.

This new and innovative machine was constructed from a washing machine motor, roller skate wheels and a 3/8" steel cable. The cable rotated sharp blades to cut tree roots out of sewer lines, which ultimately eliminated the need to dig. Blanc's wife, Lettie, dubbed the invention, a heavy-duty plumber's snake, the "Roto-Rooter."

From this point on, Roto-Rooter then began to guarantee results without having to dig up lawns to reach underground sewer pipes. This method was more efficient and cost effective and is still used today to clear roots, grease and scum from plumbing pipes, without pipe replacement. It is now one of our most common plumbing services and we continue to build off of Blanc's ambition.

If you would like more information, feel free to visit our Web site or contact 1-800-GET-ROTO for plumbing service calls.

Deconstruction on DIY Network

Wednesday, July 29th, 2009 by Paul Abrams

A great episode of Deconstruction last night featured some cool Roto-Rooter footage. Deconstruction airs on the DIY Network, which is part of the HGTV family. The show followed a Roto-Rooter Denver plumber on the job as he cleared tree roots from a main sewer line. He used a fiber optic sewer inspection camera before and after he took care of the sewer cleaning.

The show then used some outstanding footage to show how the Roto-Rooter drain cleaning machines are manufactured at the Roto-Rooter Corporation factory in West Des Moines, Iowa. The sewer machines are still made in America as is all Roto-Rooter branded equipment.

Finally, they showed one of our Denver plumbing guys demonstrating a high-pressure water jetter as it blasted through simulated grease, drywall mud and concrete clogs. Yes, we can handle just about any clog because we have the experience and the best machines and cable that money can buy.

Roto-Rooter on Social Networks

Wednesday, July 1st, 2009 by Paul Abrams

We're Roto-Rootering our way through the social networks in the Web 2.0 world. You won't have to look far to get advice on kitchen plumbing jobs on our blogs, Tweets about where to find coupons on Twitter, information about the science of sewer cleaning on Facebook or a local page or two on MySpace.

The point is that we're trying to go where you are, not to be a spammer but a helpful friend that is easy to find when you need a friend most...like say when the commercial plumbing fails in a bottling plant on a Sunday afternoon or when someone is dealing with a leaky faucet in Baltimore. Social networks are just another way to stay within easy reach. After all, shouldn't a 24 hour plumbing company be highly accessible?

Follow us at Twitter under @RotoRooter and here's our main page on Facebook. You'll even find a Roto-RooterTV channel on YouTube where you can see pet rescues, old commercials and instructional videos for DIYers. Then check out our photos on Flickr.

Swimming Pool Line Clogged – Call a Plumber?

Thursday, June 25th, 2009 by Ray Lee Master Plumbers

You would think to call Roto-Rooter if you had plumbing problems or are in need of a sewer cleaning, but what if your pool is clogged? We often get calls about unclogging swimming pools too.

We suggest you consult with a pool installation company or have a plumber come out to your house with a jetting machine. Depending on the number of turns in the pipe, the plumber should be able to

get the blockage.

You may also be able to use high pressure air to force the blockage out of the pipe. Or you could use a blow bag and high pressure water. A blow bag attaches to the end of a hose and expands in the pipe then water pressure fills the pipe and forces the blockage out the open end at the opposite side.

Talk to both the plumbing company and the pool people first.

We take the Pain out of Commercial Drains!

Monday, June 22nd, 2009 by Chris Roach

If you're a business owner or manager you know how much pain plumbing emergencies can cause. Nothing is worse than seeing your customers leave, or pass on by, due to an unexpected plumbing or drain problem. We at Roto-Rooter, specialize in emergency routing and understand the damage that plumbing problems can cause to your business. Lost revenue, lost potential customers, health issues, not to mention internal issues such as employee morale, lost wages and poor job satisfaction are only some of the effects that can be caused. After all, your systems and processes are representations of you and your business.

Whether you're dealing with a Hartford toilet repair at the front of the store, a Raleigh three compartmentt sink repair behind the bar, or a Chicago floor drain backup in the kitchen area, you want your Roto-Rooter Plumber there right away. We'll, we can't teleport a service technician....yet... but by calling or clicking your local Roto-Rooter Plumbing and Drain will have help on the way FAST! In fact, we can have most commercial plumbing emergencies back to normal within hours of the incident and a tech on the way immediately after your call.

Let Roto-Rooter be your partner in helping you keep your Boston plumbing, Baltimore drain systems, Nassau County Septic systems, Orlando Grease Traps, or wherever your business, in top shape! We're your local one-stop-shop and we have what other local plumbing companies don't have... the Roto-Rooter reputation and your helpful Roto-Rooter staff!

http://www.rotorooter.com/commercial/