About Roto-Rooter

Our History

Founded in 1935 in West Des Moines, Iowa, Roto-Rooter has provided fast professional plumbing, drain, and water cleanup services for both residential and commercial customers for over 80 years. We’re the largest provider of these services in the U.S. and Canada, which means we can service your home(s) and your business locations from coast to coast and everywhere in between.

Most significantly, we are committed to you, our customer, and want to ensure you have an excellent experience each time you call Roto-Rooter for service.

Have A Question? We Are Here To Help!

Frequently Asked Questions

At Roto Rooter, we understand that plumbing issues can be stressful and inconvenient. Whether you’re dealing with a leaking faucet, a clogged drain, a water heater problem, or planning a new installation, you probably have questions about how plumbing systems work, costs, emergency services, and maintenance tips. This page offers clear answers to some of the most common questions we receive from our residential and commercial customers. If you don’t find the information you need here, please don’t hesitate to contact us—we’re here to provide reliable, professional plumbing solutions you can trust.

How do I know if my drain clog is a simple fix or a bigger problem?Do you offer 24/7 emergency plumbing services?

A single slow drain may sometimes indicate a localized clog, while multiple slow drains, sewage odors, gurgling sounds, recurring backups, or water backing up into lower drains often suggest a larger sewer line issue. If plunging or basic drain cleaners only provide temporary relief, a professional inspection may be necessary to identify the underlying cause. At Roto-Rooter Bradford & Chemung, sewer camera inspections are often used to help diagnose more serious underground drain problems.

How long does a professional drain cleaning typically take?

Most professional drain cleaning services can be completed within a few hours, although the exact timing depends on the severity of the blockage, the location of the clog, pipe accessibility, and whether additional inspection services are needed. More severe sewer line issues, hydrojetting services, or root intrusion removal may require additional time depending on pipe conditions.

What is hydrojetting and how does it work?

Hydrojetting is a professional drain cleaning method that uses highly pressurized water to remove grease, sludge, roots, debris, and buildup from inside sewer and drain lines. Unlike basic drain snaking, hydrojetting thoroughly cleans the inner walls of pipes to restore better flow and remove stubborn buildup that can cause recurring clogs. Hydrojetting is commonly used for both residential and commercial sewer systems.

When is hydrojetting recommended over standard drain cleaning?

Hydrojetting is often recommended when drains experience recurring clogs, heavy grease buildup, root intrusion, sludge accumulation, or severe blockages that standard snaking cannot fully remove. It is especially effective for restoring heavily used drain systems and cleaning sewer lines more completely. Roto-Rooter Bradford & Chemung may recommend hydrojetting when traditional drain cleaning methods are no longer providing long-term results.

What types of plumbing services do you offer?

We provide residential and commercial plumbing services including repairs, installations, drain cleaning, water heater services, leak detection, and pipe replacement.

Are your plumbers licensed and insured?

Yes, all our plumbers are fully licensed, insured, and trained to handle any plumbing job safely and professionally.

Do you offer 24/7 emergency plumbing services?

Yes, we’re available around the clock for urgent plumbing issues like burst pipes, severe leaks, and sewer backups.