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We had sewage backing up in the basement shower, toilet, and floor drain in the garage. This also happened about 3 years ago and Roto Rooter cleared tree roots out of the line so we called them again. This time, Josh Lawson, Field Supervisor, informed us that the pipe was cracking and so damaged that it would likely collapse if he tried to run his double-bladed tool through. The single blade went through and he got some flow established. He had a video scope and showed us the inside of the line where I could see roots and even an earthworm. He said that the line should be excavated and replaced which would be about $9,ooo or so. He also offered an alternative option of installing a plastic liner that is injected in, requiring less excavation and would only be $6,800. He said it had a 5 year guarantee and roots couldn't grow into it. He said we should do this less expensive option and do it now, because if the pipe was damaged more by his roto-rooting unit, then it would have to be totally replaced which was more expensive.

I trusted his opiniion because I had used Roto-Rooter in th past with no problem. We gave him half the money and arranged to have the work done the following day at 1pm. I had second thoughts and shared my concerns with several people at work the next day who all had negative things to say about this company.

I called Roto-rooter and told them to cancel the job until I got another opinion and to refund my $3400.

Then I had a second opinion from another company that was recommended by a plumbing company I have used. They found that the line just needed to be cleaned out and charged us $150. They also cleaned up the mess left by Roto-Rooter.

We celebrated by gointg out to dinner. I came close to being defrauded of thousands of dollars. Yikes that was a close call.

Location: Dayton, Ohio

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Guest

Run...don't walk away from these guys. They charged me $2,300 for 1 hours work.

They are not looking out for the consumer; they are very dishonest and opportunistic. BEWARE!!!!

Guest

I had exactly the same gig played on me by Roto Rooter. I think the numbers were the same too. Right down to the 66 feet.

Now there are a few responders on here who are deriding the people who opted to NOT put the liner in. These people are responding very angrily...calling names and such. Why so angry?

I'll tell you why.....because they have something to lose. What person is going to log on to this site on this issue who doesn't have a complaint...or a reputation to attempt to protect?

The negative blasts are from Roto Rooter. I'm sure there will be some name calling coming my way because I've said so.....and that's fine.

Don't get sucked-in folks.

Guest

Sounds like they were simply giving you a permanent solution! See you next year with your basement flooded with sh*t...Perhaps at some point the line will collapse and you will not have the option of using pipe bursting or lining!

You'll simply pay the ultimate $40,000 to somebody!The pop & go solution only works for awhile.

Take two aspirin and call me in the morning....that's if you wake up! :eek

Guest

call ed sewer service instead remember[ karma][]

Guest

Your DA would laugh in your face...

Guest

OMG Marlynn your an ***...did you view the camera he did for you? If you did then your *** should have seen the counter on the bottom of the screen saying exactly how long it was.

If they wanted to dig up your slab where did they go in to camera the line?

If the second company that you brought out said it was only grease then what did their camera cost? Or did they even do it at all?

Guest

They are being sued in Minnesota for doing what they did to you...i'd call your local DA.

Guest

What a dumb*** your line is obviously still broken, I cant wait till it fully collapses and your not able to flush anything. As for JS1 your an *** if you think a company that big on a busy day like that is going to worry about a customer who want half off the job for calling back a couple time.

Maybe 20-40$ discount, but half off!?!?!?! Wow, if customers for this company only knew how hard some of these jobs are, they would feel so ***.

Everybody wants something done for free, but wont do anything for free themselves. :upset

Guest

I won't ever call Roto Rooter again. I was told that a tech would be arriving between 6-9 p.m.

No one showed up and no one called. I had to call them, and all I got was "sorry, there are a lot of backups in your area" and "do you want us to set up an appointment for tomorrow?". I said, no I don't want to set up an appointment for tomorrow unless you're going to give me a 50% discount for my inconvenience.

The rep said "no, we can't do that". Fine - I'm taking my business elsewhere if that's how they treat people that are KEEPING THEM IN BUSINESS!

Guest

I won't ever call Roto Rooter again. I was told that a tech would be arriving between 6-9 p.m.

No one showed up and no one called. I had to call them, and all I got was "sorry, there are a lot of backups in your area" and "do you want us to set up an appointment for tomorrow?". I said, no I don't want to set up an appointment for tomorrow unless you're going to give me a 50% discount for my inconvenience.

The rep said "no, we can't do that". Fine - I'm taking my business elsewhere if that's how they treat people that are KEEPING THEM IN BUSINESS!

Guest

Root intrusion is cause for replacing your main sewer line. "Joe Schmo" plumbing can clean your drain every six months until is bursts and pushes sewage out into your front lawn and you'll end up calling roto rooter to fix the problem...

Guest

your only mistake was letting josh lawsons retarded *** in your house he cant clean a drain for *** that is why he is a field supervisor. just think your sewer wasnt broke just had roots they usually grow back once a year you could have your sewer cleaned for the next 90 years for that price

Guest

Its alleged they sometimes even play previously recorded DVD's of broken sewer lines when doing their free camera inspections to bate customers into excavating these sewer lines. They pressure people into quickly signing agreements to do the work even when some towns would do this work for free because its included in their taxes...Like what happened in Quincy Massachusetts.

Guest

If you have roots and worms in your line how do you think they got there....did the tech charge you for the camera or was that charge waived?? what was defraud?

your going to pay later for a problem thats going to come back... tell me how a $150.00 cable fixed a broken pipe, pay now or pay later

Guest

Thats always a great call listening to others from work who I'm guessing are all licensed plumbers. Great idea!!!

If roots are growing in your sewer main at all you should either spot repair or replace the whole thing. Depending on depth and city permits on what your reliable for. I'm sure the problem is fixed now but how *** are you gonna feel when your line does collaspe? Then it's gonna be the company who gets the job going out for dinner on you.

:grin :grin :grin . Please call me I'll make sure I eat well

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