What is a Plumber Roto Rooter?
Roto-Rooter is a large company that provides plumbing, sewer & drain cleaning and water damage restoration services. With more than 500 locations across North America and thousands of plumbers and service technicians on staff, Roto-Rooter boasts an impressive roster.
The company’s most iconic tool is an auger machine that chews through tree roots that have infested your sewer line. This machine, used since the 1930s, has helped clear thousands of clogged sewer pipes.
Augering
Plumber roto rooters are one of the most frequently used tools by plumbers to unclog drain pipes. While these devices offer greater power than plungers, they can still cause harm if misused improperly.
A metal helix-shaped wire is attached to a tool with gaps between each coil and a crank that turns it as it travels down your pipe. The technician rotates this helix so that any blockages inside are cut through by its rotating action.
In 1933, an American named Samuel Blanc created a device to cut through tree roots lodged within sewer pipes. He called it the “Roto-Rooter,” and after his patent expired in 1953, other companies copied his design.
These machines were designed for main line plumbing, but can be utilized to clear away any type of clog – from hair to soapy residue, grease and solid pieces of debris. Not only that, but they’re great at unclogging sinks and tubs as they can fit into even small pipe spaces.
To use, the technician threads a small hose onto the device and connects it to your plumbing fixture. They then utilize either a hand crank or motorized device to spin the helix as it travels down your pipe.
If the clog is large enough, an auger will break it up into smaller pieces that can be easily pulled away from the pipe. For smaller and lighter objects, however, the helix may snag or corkscrew them and allow for easy removal by pulling. Furthermore, the auger also scrapes against interior walls of your pipes, scraping away oils and minerals that may have become trapped within.
The snake’s helix will pass through any obstructions in your drain, such as soapy or sticky residue. With the auger, you should be able to grab onto the clog and dislodge it by pulling on its wall; alternatively, pull the clog off by hand for extra leverage.
Toilet and closet augers are an indispensable tool in the plumbing arsenal. They feed through a hook-shaped metal tube with a short cable that provides just enough reach to reach into your toilet’s trap, where most clogs occur. At the other end, there’s usually a plastic boot to protect your porcelain finish from scratches.
Sewer Line Video Inspection
Plumbers usually insert a sewer video camera connected to a flexible cable into the main sewer line cleanout of your home. The technician watches live video feed on a monitor as the camera snakes through pipes to check for clogs or other issues.
It’s an incredibly efficient way to identify any issue with your drain or sewer lines in real time. It can help diagnose root intrusion, broken pipes, misaligned joints, leaks, grease accumulation, corrosion and more.
When a blockage in your sewer line occurs, there are several methods for clearing it. From hydro jetting and snaking to root cutters and more, plumbers have various options for unclogging the drain. While these solutions can be effective, they may damage or break your sewer pipe in the process.
That is why it is essential to get a professional sewer video inspection before investing in any clog removal methods or sewer cleaning services. Doing this could ultimately save you money in the long run.
One of the advantages of a sewer line video inspection is that it’s non-invasive and doesn’t necessitate digging in your yard. A plumber can insert the camera directly into your sewer line from multiple access points without damaging your property or leaving behind a mess for you and your neighbors to deal with.
Additionally, sewer video inspection is a great tool for homeowners and realtors who want to guarantee the plumbing in their home is working optimally before they purchase it. If the sewer system in a new home isn’t functioning optimally, a sewer video inspection can identify hidden issues that could require major sewer repairs down the line.
If you need your sewer or drain system inspected, contact your local Roto-Rooter plumber. They can conduct an exhaustive assessment of your plumbing system and suggest cost-effective solutions to any problems. Furthermore, they offer preventative evaluations of pipes so that future issues with sewerage or drains won’t occur.
Drain Cleaning
When dealing with drain clogs, it’s essential to get the job done right the first time. You can achieve this by hiring a professional plumber who can identify the issue and use more advanced tools to resolve it.
Are your toilet overflowing or kitchen sink not draining properly? A Plumber roto rooter can assist with the issue. Our professionals offer 24/7 services for residential and commercial customers, including drain cleaning, sewer line video inspection, water heater repair and more.
Store-bought drain cleaners offer several methods for clearing clogs from pipes. The most popular is chemical drain cleaner, which contains lye and caustic potash to physically dissolve stubborn build-up by breaking apart its chemical bonds.
Some drain cleaning solutions come as liquids that can be poured directly into the pipe. Others are powdery or paste-like substances you add to the drain along with water for additional effectiveness.
You may also purchase a plumbing snake that extends through pipes and helps remove blockages. This tool, commonly referred to as a plumber’s snake, can be acquired at most hardware stores or rented from an experienced plumber.
Although a plunger can be an economical solution to deal with small clogs, it won’t suffice if the problem is larger. In order to tackle a more serious clog, you will need either rent or purchase a plumber’s snake with longer cable.
Clogged sewer lines should never be ignored, especially if it has been some time since your last inspection. The best way to prevent one is by having it inspected annually.
Once a plumber roto rooter technician arrives, they will assess the issue and make an estimate for work needed to fix it. Pricing will depend on how severe the issue is and how quickly you require resolution.
Leak Detection
Once a leak is identified in your home or business, it’s essential to take immediate action. Doing so can help avoid major water damage and save you money on utility bills in the long run.
Many pipes, including those in your home’s plumbing system, can leak if they become damaged or worn down. Fortunately, Roto Rooter plumbers possess specialized underground leak detection equipment to detect these issues quickly and fix them before any real financial harm is done.
Pipes can be found in many places, from beneath the sink and toilet to underneath the floor or in your basement. All of these areas are vulnerable to water leakage, making leaking pipes one of the most frequent sources of wasted water in homes.
You may be able to detect a leak yourself by monitoring your water bill. Simply set aside a day when no water will be used in your home (e.g., 3 hours), and check the reading on your meter to see if there has been an increase. If so, there’s likely something wrong somewhere in your household – don’t wait until then to investigate!
Other signs of a leak include mold or mildew, musty odor, peeling paint or wallpaper, or warped walls. You may also observe a drop in water pressure or an accumulation of water on floors or ceilings.
It is possible to detect a hidden leak by inspecting your home’s foundation. A crack or hole in the slab could indicate an issue with drainpipes or water supply lines running underneath the concrete slab, and these types of issues require careful examination by a plumber for detection.
Roto Rooter offers a comprehensive suite of tools and techniques for leak detection and repair, using highly advanced detection equipment that can locate underground, non-metallic, or metallic ducts and pipes at minimal cost while avoiding disruptive digging.