What Rooter-Man does

Rooter-Man, founded in 1970 and headquartered in Oak Ridge North, Texas (with corporate offices also referenced in Charlottesville, Virginia), is a privately held international franchisor of residential and commercial plumbing and drain cleaning services. The company operates a franchise network of more than 638 active franchise locations across the United States and Canada, with each territory independently owned and operated by a local franchisee. Its service portfolio spans the full lifecycle of drain, sewer, and plumbing infrastructure: drain cleaning via power snakes and hydro jetting, sewer line repair and replacement, septic pumping and system repair, video camera pipe inspection, leak detection, water heater installation and repair, pipe relining, repiping, bathroom remodeling, basement waterproofing, grease trap cleaning, and 24/7 emergency plumbing. Supporting service lines include commercial kitchen maintenance, backflow testing, sump and sewer ejector pump services, restoration, and Rooter-Can portable toilet rentals. Underlying technology is primarily physical-service equipment (high-pressure water jetting rigs, drain snakes, video pipe inspection cameras) supplemented by localized web/SEO infrastructure, a blog, multi-platform social media presence, and a national toll-free number (866) 577-1221 routing to local franchisees.

The business model is asset-light franchising at the corporate level. Rooter-Man generates revenue from initial franchise fees, ongoing royalties on franchisee sales, marketing fund contributions, and central services such as training and equipment/part sourcing, while pricing at the consumer level is transaction-based, quoted upfront per job, with location-specific discount coupons and senior citizen discounts available. Customers are primarily residential homeowners and commercial property owners seeking emergency and same-day plumbing service, with secondary demand from properties on septic systems and food-service establishments needing grease trap maintenance. Distribution runs through the franchise network — with each franchisee operating independently under the national brand — and through direct phone, website, and online booking channels. The company has earned Entrepreneur Franchise 500 recognition in 2017, 2023, and 2025, and sustains a network-wide 4.8-star rating across its reviewed locations.

Name

Rooter-Man

Legal name

RooterMan

Website

https://rooterman.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Rooter-Man is a privately held international franchisor of plumbing and drain cleaning services, operating over 638 active franchise locations across the US and Canada that serve residential homeowners and commercial property owners with drain, sewer, septic, and general plumbing work.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Plumbing & Drain Cleaning Services

NAICS

Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors (23822), Water, Sewage and Other Systems (2213)

SIC

Sanitary Services (4950), Services-Miscellaneous Repair Services (7600)

akta.pro primary industry

Sewer Line Cleaning & Root Removal (HSAOABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Residential Plumbing Fixture Installation & Repair (HSAOAAAA), Sewer Cleaning, Jetting & Root Control (EUANACAH)

Keywords

• Plumbing services
• Drain cleaning
• Sewer line repair
• Septic services
• Franchise plumbing

Headquarters

HQ city

Oak Ridge North

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices16 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Professional Plumbing Services: Service-based revenue generated through drain cleaning, sewer line repair, septic services, and general plumbing repairs performed at residential and commercial properties. Jobs are transaction-based with pricing quoted per service before work begins.
2. Emergency Plumbing Services: 24/7 emergency service offerings for urgent issues such as burst pipes, active leaks, sewage backups, and flooding. Premium pricing for after-hours emergency service.
3. Equipment and Parts Sales: Sales of water heaters, plumbing fixtures, and replacement parts as part of installation and repair services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Rooter-Man is a franchise-based provider of residential and commercial plumbing, drain cleaning, sewer line repair, and septic services delivered through 450+ locally owned and operated locations across the US and Canada. Service offerings include drain cleaning, hydro jetting, video camera inspections, sewer line repair and replacement, septic pumping and repair, water heater installation, leak detection, repiping, pipe relining, and 24/7 emergency plumbing response. Each franchise operates as an independent local business under the national Rooter-Man brand, supported by centralized training and operational standards.

Product overview

Rooter-Man is a franchise-based plumbing and drain cleaning service company operating across the US and Canada with over 450 locations. The company provides a comprehensive portfolio of services centered on drain cleaning, sewer line repair, and general plumbing maintenance for both residential and commercial properties. The core offerings include drain cleaning using power snakes and hydro jetting, sewer line repair and replacement, septic services, and 24/7 emergency plumbing. Supporting services include video camera pipe inspections, water heater installation and repair, leak detection, pipe relining, bathroom remodeling, and basement waterproofing. The business operates on a locally-owned franchise model where each location is independently owned and operated while leveraging the national Rooter-Man brand, training programs, and operational standards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Drain Cleaning Services Professional drain cleaning using power drain snakes and high-pressure water jets to clear clogs and clean drain walls in residential and commercial properties.
• Sewer Line Repair and Replacement Repair and replacement of damaged or blocked sewer lines, including pipe bursting, sewer street cutting, and full sewer replacement for residential and commercial properties.
• Water Jetting (Hydro Jetting) High-pressure water jetting services to clear sediment, debris, roots, and blockages from drain lines and sewer systems that conventional snaking cannot address.
• Video Camera Pipe Inspection Video inspection technology used to visually check the condition inside drain pipes, quickly locating defects, damages, or blockages. Inspections are recorded and available to customers upon request.
• Septic Services Comprehensive septic services including septic pumping, septic system repair and installation, septic tank cleaning, and Title V inspections for properties not connected to municipal sewer systems.
• General Plumbing Services Full range of residential and commercial plumbing services including faucet repair and installation, toilet repair and installation, sink repair and installation, shower repair and installation, garbage disposal repair, pipe repairs, and fixture installation.
• Emergency Plumbing 24/7 emergency plumbing services for urgent issues including burst pipes, active leaks, sewage backups, and flooding, with premium pricing for after-hours response.
• Water Heater Services Installation, repair, and replacement services for both tank and tankless water heaters, including gas and electric models, with sale of water heaters and replacement parts as part of installation.
• Leak Detection Professional leak detection services to identify water leaks in pipes and plumbing systems before they cause costly damage to residential and commercial properties.
• Grease Trap Cleaning Grease trap pumping and cleaning services for commercial kitchens and food service establishments to prevent thick grease from clogging sewer systems.
• Commercial Plumbing and Drain Cleaning Commercial plumbing, drain cleaning, grease trap maintenance, septic services, and sewer line repair services for businesses and commercial properties.
• Portable Toilet Rentals (Rooter-Can) Rooter-Can portable toilet rentals for construction sites, concerts, and events, with sanitized units and maintenance services.
• Pipe Relining Trenchless pipe repair technology to restore damaged pipes without excavation by lining the existing pipe with a new inner surface.
• Repiping Services Complete repiping services using PEX pipes and hard copper piping to replace aging or damaged plumbing infrastructure in residential and commercial properties.
• Basement Waterproofing Basement waterproofing services to protect residential and commercial properties from water damage and flooding.
• Restoration Services Restoration services for water, fire, or mold damage in homes and businesses.
• Bathroom Remodeling Bathroom remodeling services including bathtub installation and repair, shower repair and installation, and fixture upgrades.
• Oil to Gas Conversions Conversion services from oil-based heating systems to natural gas systems for residential and commercial properties.
• Water Softener Services Installation and repair services for water softening systems for residential and commercial properties.
• Title V Inspection Title V septic system inspections required for property transactions in Massachusetts and other jurisdictions that require this certification.
• Tree Root Removal Specialized services to remove tree roots that have entered and blocked drain and sewer pipes through pipe joints.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4.8-star rating across network of 450+ locations
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Roto-Rooter: Roto-Rooter is the largest and most recognized North American drain cleaning, sewer, and plumbing franchise, offering virtually the same core services as Rooter-Man (drain cleaning, hydro jetting, sewer repair, plumbing). It is the most direct competitor with similar target customers and service mix.
• Mr. Rooter Plumbing: Mr. Rooter is a national plumbing and drain cleaning franchise owned by Neighborly, directly competing with Rooter-Man on residential plumbing, drain cleaning, and sewer services. Operates on a similar franchise model with locally owned operators.
• Benjamin Franklin Plumbing: Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is a Neighborly-owned national plumbing franchise offering residential plumbing, drain cleaning, and sewer services. Comparable franchise structure, customer base, and service menu to Rooter-Man.
• 1-800-Plumber + Air: 1-800-Plumber + Air is a national plumbing franchise providing residential and commercial plumbing, drain cleaning, and HVAC services. Competes with Rooter-Man for the same homeowner and small-business customer.

Broad incumbents

• Roto-Rooter (company-owned operations): Beyond franchise operations, Roto-Rooter also runs a large company-owned service network with national 24/7 dispatch, giving it a broader incumbent footprint than Rooter-Man's franchise model.
• Neighborly: Neighborly is the parent company of multiple home services franchises (Mr. Rooter, Benjamin Franklin, Mr. Handyman, Aire Serv). It is a broader incumbent in the franchised home services space that competes for franchisees and acquisition targets against Rooter-Man.
• ServiceMaster Restore: ServiceMaster Restore is a national franchise providing water, fire, and mold restoration — services that overlap with Rooter-Man's restoration offering. It is a broader incumbent in the emergency services space.
• ARS / Rescue Rooter: ARS (American Residential Services) operates Rescue Rooter and related plumbing/HVAC brands, providing residential plumbing, drain, sewer, and HVAC services nationally. It is a broader incumbent with overlapping capabilities.

Emerging players

• American Leak Detection: American Leak Detection is a national franchise focused specifically on leak detection, a service line Rooter-Man offers. It is a niche competitor with partial overlap in the diagnostic services segment.
• HomeServe USA: HomeServe partners with utility companies and municipalities to offer home repair service plans, including plumbing and drain coverage. It is an emerging player in the home services market with partial overlap on plumbing and emergency service delivery to homeowners.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/RooterMan
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@rootermancharleston
• Facebookfacebook.com/RooterManToTheRescue
• Instagraminstagram.com/saskrooterman
• TikToktiktok.com/@saskrooterman

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rooter-Man