Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup
Plumber · Baltimore, MD · Open 24 hours per Google listing
Our verdict
Exceptionally fast response times and skilled technicians (especially Howard and Nem), but pricing is significantly higher than competitors and there's a troubling history of billing disputes and follow-up failures on complex jobs.
Scores are our editorial reading of published customer reviews — not a verification, license check, or guarantee.
Our opinion, based on the 186 reviews we analyzed from Google, Yelp and BBB · Analysis updated Jun 2026 · How we decide ↗
Lists 24-hour service on its Google profile — and reviewers describe after-hours calls.
What reviewers praise
Arrives within 1 hour for emergency calls, even on evenings and weekends. 5 reviewers explicitly mention rapid response: one arrived within 35 minutes during basement flooding, another within an hour after a 7:35pm call, and multiple evening/late-night appointments completed same-day.
1 cited review
“responded quickly, communicated clearly, handled efficiently”
Cited in 5 of the 186 reviews we analyzed — 4 cited reviews not excerpted here.
Technicians (notably Howard, Monae, and Nem) demonstrate strong technical competence. 11 reviewers praise professionalism, knowledge, efficiency, and ability to diagnose and fix problems same-day, including major sewer line issues.
1 cited review
“professional and knowledgeable, timely efficient”
Cited in 11 of the 186 reviews we analyzed — 10 cited reviews not excerpted here.
Clear, patient communication during repairs. 5 reviewers specifically mention technicians explaining work in progress, walking through diagnostics, and offering preventive tips without pressure.
2 cited reviews
“Monae explained what she was doing and why throughout the 4+ hrs”
“responded quickly, communicated clearly, handled efficiently”
Cited in 5 of the 186 reviews we analyzed — 3 cited reviews not excerpted here.
What reviewers report — the concerns
Other directories bury these. We think you should read them before you call. Every concern below comes from the reviews it cites.
Red flag
One severe 2021 incident where a technician (Sess) flushed a toilet knowing the main line was blocked, causing 4 inches of basement flooding and damage to 5 rooms. The technician initially denied responsibility and only sent another technician to snake the line rather than help with water removal. Roto-Rooter eventually refunded the service charge but customer faced major remediation costs and alleged gaslighting.
Cited in 1 of the 186 reviews we analyzed.
Significantly above-market pricing. 1 reviewer explicitly states 'prices are very high' despite praising service quality. Multiple older reviews mention high estimates ($6,000–$11,000) for major repairs, with no competitive quotes provided.
“prices are very high but service is great”
Cited in 2 of the 186 reviews we analyzed.
Poor follow-up and scheduling delays on complex diagnostics. One review reports a 10+ day gap between initial snake service and camera inspection, with the camera request allegedly canceled without explanation or notification.
Cited in 1 of the 186 reviews we analyzed.
Two older Yelp reviews (2013, 2020) report billing disputes: one claims Roto-Rooter refused to honor homeowner's insurance estimate and overcharged; another reports a $864 charge for an incomplete drain cleaning with no follow-up resolution and dismissive customer service.
Cited in 2 of the 186 reviews we analyzed.
Keep it in proportion: these concerns are cited in 4 of the 186 reviews we analyzed. Most reviewers report positive experiences — see the full rating picture below.
The evidence — in reviewers' own words
Critical
“0 stars. THE WORST!!!!!!! I called about a main line issue that left dried sewage in my basement. I told them WSSC had been doing work in the months prior, but they brushed me off. Chal came to snake the drain. I didn't have a yard clean out so he went through the basement toilet. He said it was not clogged, but rather blocked. We needed the camera. Camera guy never came that day. Not the next day. not the next …”
“It was Saturday night. The rain was pouring and my basement was flooding in NW DC. Within 24 hours the Baltimore RotoRooter crews (plumbing and cleanup) had stopped the flooding and thoroughly cleaned the affected area. Within a few days they were able to repair the faulty underground pipe. Very pleasant to work with and very efficient. The cleanup crew promised to work with my homeowners insurance to make sure I …”
“I called Roto Rooter to handle a simple task: fix a leaky bath faucet. I attempted to fix it myself but broke a part in the process, requiring me to keep my main water supply off until the issue was resolved. Roto Rooter promised to have someone at my place within the hour, which I thought was great--but they didn't live up to their promise. The plumber showed up nearly 25 minutes late and quoted me $1600 to …”
Positive
“Monae was the plumber that Roto-Rooter sent to work on our toilets. Both toilets would not flush and gurgling noises came from the bathroom sinks and shower. Monae arrived around 4:30 pm and did not leave till almost 8:45 pm on a Sunday. Monae made several attempts at de-clogging our pipe that led to the street. Those attempts unfortunately failed. Monae then changed course a removed 1 of the toilets and began to …”
“I want to give a huge shout-out to Howard from Roto-Rooter! He was the second service professional to come out for a stubborn kitchen drain issue, and he absolutely nailed it. Howard took his time, ran the snake slow and steady, and made sure everything was done right. He even filled the sink afterward to thoroughly test the drain with both cold and hot water. The difference in care and expertise was obvious — and …”
Quotes are reproduced verbatim from public reviews on the platforms shown; we select which to feature, and selection reflects our editorial judgment. Report a quote that doesn't match its source ↗
The rating picture
Our sample skews heavily toward critical reviews — it disagrees with the Google average shown above.
Newest review in our sample: Mar 2026.
Across platforms
Major gap: Google 4.9/5 (645 recent reviews) vs. Yelp 2.8/5 (100 reviews, older). Yelp reviews (2013–2021) cluster around billing disputes, follow-up failures, and incomplete work, while Google reviews (2025) emphasize fast response and technician skill. Suggests either service quality improvement over time or review platform differences in complaint visibility. BBB A+ with zero complaints in past 3 years suggests recent operational improvements.
Should you hire Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup?
Hire if
- You need fast same-day or after-hours response
- You need a plumber who actually shows up when scheduled
Think twice if
- You want detailed upfront explanations
- You need rock-bottom prices with zero flexibility on the quote
- You need airtight scheduling and guaranteed arrival times
Look elsewhere if
- You're highly price-sensitive
- You need this for a complex or high-stakes install
Advice derived from the review analysis above — how we decide.
Own Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup?
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Find plumbers near you
Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanupisn't in one of our ranked city guides yet — the nearest covered markets are below.
Nearby: Baltimore · Pikesville · Arnold · Annapolis Junction