Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

How often should a septic tank be pumped?

Most septic tanks need pumping every three to five years, depending on household size and usage. Sludge and scum accumulate in the tank over time, and once they reach the outlet baffle, solids move into the drainfield and clog the soil pores - a much more expensive repair than routine pumping. Roto-Rooter pumps the tank and inspects the baffles and inlet line during the same visit.

What is hydro jetting and when is it better than snaking a drain?

Hydro jetting uses a high-pressure water stream - typically several thousand PSI - directed through a specialized nozzle to scour the interior walls of a drain pipe. A cable auger punches through a blockage but leaves grease, mineral scale, and debris coating the pipe. Hydro jetting removes that coating entirely. Roto-Rooter recommends it for drains with recurring clogs, calcified grease buildup, or root debris that an auger cannot fully clear.

Can tree roots really get inside my drain pipes?

Tree roots enter drain lines through hairline cracks at pipe joints, especially in older clay or cast iron sewer laterals. Once inside, roots absorb moisture from the pipe and expand, eventually blocking flow entirely. Roto-Rooter's auger cuts through root masses to restore drainage. A sewer camera inspection afterward shows the extent of root intrusion and whether any joints need repair to prevent re-entry.

What happens during water damage restoration after a pipe bursts?

The first step is water extraction - removing standing water from floors, carpets, and wall cavities using truck-mounted and portable extractors. Once the bulk water is out, technicians place air movers and dehumidifiers to dry framing, drywall, and subfloor. Wet drywall not dried within 48 hours typically has to be removed. Roto-Rooter also treats surfaces exposed to contaminated water with antimicrobial sanitization before rebuilding begins.

Can you clear a main sewer line backup, not just a single drain?

Yes. When multiple fixtures - toilets, tubs, and sinks - back up at the same time, the blockage is almost always in the main sewer line between your house and the street. Roto-Rooter uses a heavy-duty auger to cut through the obstruction. A camera inspection can then confirm whether roots, a belly in the line, or a collapsed section caused the backup.

What causes low water pressure throughout the whole house?

Whole-house low pressure typically points to one of three sources: a partially closed main shutoff valve, a failing pressure reducing valve (PRV) that regulates incoming supply pressure, or a leak somewhere in the supply line bleeding off pressure before it reaches your fixtures. A Roto-Rooter technician diagnoses the specific cause and repairs or replaces the faulty component to restore normal flow.

Why does my kitchen drain keep clogging even after I use drain cleaner?

Kitchen drains clog from cooking grease that cools and solidifies on the pipe wall in layers. Liquid drain cleaners dissolve a narrow channel through the buildup but leave the coating behind, so the clog returns within weeks. Roto-Rooter's hydro jetting sends high-pressure water jets down the line to scour the pipe wall clean, removing grease and scale that a chemical treatment cannot reach.

My water heater is making a rumbling noise - what does that mean?

That rumbling usually means sediment has settled on the bottom of the tank. As the burner heats water trapped beneath the sediment layer, it pops and rumbles. Over time, sediment reduces efficiency and accelerates corrosion of the tank wall. A Roto-Rooter technician flushes the sediment, inspects the anode rod, and checks the pressure relief valve to restore safe, efficient operation.