Roto-Rooter

What Roto-Rooter does

Roto-Rooter is the largest provider of plumbing, drain cleaning, and water cleanup services in North America, founded in 1935 by Samuel Blanc and headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. The company operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chemed Corporation (NYSE: CHE) and serves approximately 90% of the U.S. population through a hybrid network of roughly 110 company-owned territories and over 400 independent franchise locations. Its service portfolio spans emergency plumbing, drain cleaning using proprietary hydro jetting and video camera inspection equipment, water damage restoration, water heater service, commercial plumbing, sewer line repair, and water quality systems. The company holds a stated 28.4% share of the global sewer line repair market and generated over $900 million in 2024 revenue with 6,000+ workers.

The company manufactures its own sewer and drain cleaning machines, cables, cutting blades, fittings, and spare parts at its West Des Moines, Iowa facility, alongside a line of proprietary chemical products including the patented RootX root control formula (EPA-accepted in all 50 states) and the EcoLogo-certified Pipe Shield drain care product. Roto-Rooter monetizes primarily through flat-rate, per-job service billing with average tickets exceeding $600, priced 20-40% above independent plumbers in exchange for 24/7 availability, standardized service, and national warranty coverage. Distribution runs through company-owned branches, franchise operators, a 24/7 phone dispatch line (800-768-6911), a mobile app for iOS and Android, online scheduling, and a branded product store.

Operationally, Roto-Rooter is in a transition phase: a September 2025 strategic partnership with ServiceTitan is rolling out across company-owned branches to standardize dispatch and field operations, while a multi-year franchise buyback program now has the company owning 51 of its largest markets alongside 71 middle-market franchises. Recent headwinds include a Q4 2025 residential revenue decline attributed to private equity consolidation in home services and Google algorithm changes affecting paid search, followed by a 0.9% segment revenue decline in Q1 2026 due to weather disruption and elevated marketing spend. Management has framed 2026 as a transition year before expected reacceleration.

Name

Roto-Rooter

Legal name

Roto-Rooter Group, Inc.

Website

https://rotorooter.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1935

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Roto-Rooter is the largest North American provider of plumbing, drain cleaning, and water cleanup services, operating through company-owned branches and 400+ independent franchises covering 90% of the U.S. population. Founded in 1935, this Chemed Corporation subsidiary generated over $900 million in 2024 revenue.

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), Septic Tank and Related Services (562991)

SIC

Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900), Services-Miscellaneous Repair Services (7600)

akta.pro primary industry

Sewer Line Cleaning & Root Removal (HSAOABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sewer Cleaning, Jetting & Root Control (EUANACAH), Sump Pump Discharge & Exterior Drainage Connections (HSAIAKAJ)

Keywords

• Plumbing services
• Drain cleaning
• Water damage restoration
• Sewer line repair
• Commercial plumbing

Headquarters

HQ city

Cincinnati

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Plumbing and Drain Cleaning Services: Roto-Rooter generates revenue through plumbing repair, drain cleaning, and water cleanup services billed on a per-job basis using flat-rate pricing. Average tickets exceed $600. The company operates approximately 110 company-owned territories and 71 franchises in middle-market cities.
2. Water Damage Restoration: Revenue from water extraction, structural drying, dehumidification, and sanitization services following water damage events. Services available 24/7 for emergency response.
3. Commercial Services: Commercial plumbing services including high-pressure water jetting, underground leak and line detection, video camera line inspections, automated drain care programs, grease trap and liquid waste pumping, backflow protection, and pipe repair and replacement for property management, food service, healthcare, hospitality and other commercial sectors.
4. Water Softener and Filtration: Water softening and filtration system installation and maintenance services, including ion exchange softener sizing, installation, and regeneration cycle programming.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Roto-Rooter provides residential and commercial plumbing repair, drain cleaning, sewer line services, water damage restoration, and water quality (softening/filtration) services across North America, available 24/7 with same-day emergency dispatch. The company also manufactures its own drain cleaning machines, branded drain care products (Pipe Shield, RootX), and operates a mobile scheduling app. Services are delivered through approximately 110 company-owned territories and over 400 independent franchises serving about 90% of the U.S. population.

Product overview

Roto-Rooter offers a comprehensive suite of plumbing, drain cleaning, and water damage restoration services through both company-owned branches and independent franchises across North America. The core service portfolio includes emergency and routine plumbing repairs, drain cleaning with hydro jetting and camera inspection capabilities, water damage restoration, water heater service, and commercial plumbing services. The company also markets a line of branded drain care and septic treatment products for both residential and commercial applications, including Pipe Shield, Septic Tank Treatments, and RootX. Additionally, Roto-Rooter provides a mobile application for iOS and Android enabling service scheduling, order tracking, and access to DIY resources. Services operate 24/7 with free estimates and are available across approximately 90% of the U.S. population through over 100 company-owned territories and approximately 400 franchise operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Roto-Rooter Racing: NASCAR racing sponsorship program including partnerships with JR Motorsports and Dale Earnhardt Jr., providing brand exposure through racing events
• Roto-Rooter for Business

Products and services

• Plumbing Services Full-service residential and commercial plumbing including emergency repairs, water heater service, leak detection and repair, pipe repair and replacement, fixture repairs, sump pump service, garbage disposal, toilet, sink, faucet, shower, dishwasher, and washing machine installations. Available 24/7 with free estimates.
• Drain Cleaning

Quantifiable outcome

• Customer acquisition cost of $150-$180 per job
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Kubota High Limit RacingflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Roto-Rooter continued as title sponsor of the Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing Midweek Series for a third consecutive season in 2026, with the partnership expanding to 15 races at 14 tracks across 11 states. Five events broadcast on FS1 with additional coverage on FloRacing and the NASCAR Channel. Series champion receives $25,000 bonus.
• ServiceTitancoreTechnology or Integration · 4 September 2025Roto-Rooter announced strategic partnership with ServiceTitan (Nasdaq: TTAN) to implement ServiceTitan's all-in-one software platform across Roto-Rooter's company-owned branches in the US. The implementation covers nationwide call centers and branches in major metro areas, supporting residential and commercial services including sewer repair, water restoration, and water treatment. The partnership aims to standardize operations across hundreds of locations, boost revenue opportunities, improve dispatching efficiency, and enhance the overall customer experience.
• JR MotorsportsflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 July 2025Roto-Rooter expanded its partnership with JR Motorsports to become a primary sponsor for seven NASCAR Xfinity Series events per year beginning in 2026, in addition to serving as a full-season associate partner for the team's Late Model program. The expanded relationship also includes a personal service agreement with NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr., with plans to leverage the partnership for brand and product awareness across commercial and residential markets.
• Dale Earnhardt Jr.flagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 July 2025Personal service agreement with NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. as part of expanded JR Motorsports partnership, leveraging his brand recognition for Roto-Rooter marketing across commercial and residential markets.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Mr. Rooter Plumbing: National plumbing and drain cleaning franchise network owned by Neighborly, offering residential and commercial plumbing services with similar 24/7 dispatch model. Most direct head-to-head competitor to Roto-Rooter in the U.S. franchise plumbing category.
• Benjamin Franklin Plumbing: Neighborly-owned national plumbing franchise focused on residential and commercial service with on-time guarantees and upfront pricing. Competes directly with Roto-Rooter for the same homeowner customer base.
• ServPro: Largest U.S. franchise network in water damage restoration and cleanup, directly overlapping Roto-Rooter's water damage restoration service line. Both serve insurance-driven residential and commercial restoration markets.
• ARS / Rescue Rooter: American Residential Services operates the Rescue Rooter brand, providing plumbing, HVAC, and drain cleaning across multiple U.S. metros. Direct regional competitor to Roto-Rooter's company-owned territories.
• ServiceMaster Restore: Major commercial and residential water damage restoration franchise brand with national footprint. Direct competitor in the water damage restoration segment that Roto-Rooter has expanded into.

Broad incumbents

• Mr. Electric: Neighborly-owned national electrical services franchise. Sibling brand within Neighborly's portfolio of home services franchise concepts; competes for the same home services customer wallet and franchisees.
• HomeServe USA: Home warranty and repair service provider partnering with utilities and municipalities to offer plumbing, electrical, and HVAC coverage. Competes for the same residential service relationships via subscription rather than on-demand dispatch.
• Neighborly (formerly Dwyer Group): Parent franchisor of Mr. Rooter, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, Mr. Electric, and other home service brands. Aggregate competitive threat to Roto-Rooter across multiple home service categories through coordinated franchise networks.

Emerging players

• Mister Sparky Electric: Neighborly-owned residential electrical services franchise emphasizing on-time service guarantees. Comparable customer experience positioning and national brand footprint to Roto-Rooter's residential service model.

Regional players

• Len The Plumber: Mid-Atlantic-focused residential plumbing and drain service company offering 24/7 emergency service. Comparable service model to Roto-Rooter but concentrated in DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Delaware markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/RotoRooterTV
• Facebookfacebook.com/RotoRooter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/roto-rooter
• Instagraminstagram.com/rotorooterplumbing
• Pinterestpinterest.com/RotoRooter1
• Xx.com/RotoRooter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors3 records

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 Roto-Rooter