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The 15 24/7 plumbers serving Sparks Glencoe

These 15 plumbers list 24/7 hours on their Google profiles — a claim they publish, not something we tested. We read 924 of their reviews for what actually happens after hours: where reviewers describe a real 2 a.m. call, that evidence is quoted below; where no review mentions after-hours response either way, the card says that too. Rankings are not for sale.

Updated Jul 11, 202620-mile radius of downtown Sparks GlencoeHow we rank
How we rank — the 60-second version

What we read: for each plumber, up to 100 recent reviews from Google, Yelp and BBB — the full text, not just the stars. For this page: 924 reviews across 15 businesses.

What moves a plumber up: repeated, independent evidence of showing up when promised, fair and upfront pricing, and work that holds. One glowing review counts for little; twenty that agree count for a lot.

What moves a plumber down: repeated complaint patterns — surprise fees, missed appointments, pressure sales — especially when they show up on more than one platform.

What never moves the ranking: money. One clearly labeled sponsored slot may appear above this list; it never changes the order below it.

Our take on each plumber is our opinion, grounded in the reviews we quote on this page. Full methodology ↓

Before you call anyone: shut off your main water valve. Then start at the top — every card is one tap to call. Not urgent? See all ranked plumbers in Sparks Glencoe

Our top picks

Consistent evidence of showing up, honest pricing, and work that lasts
1

Victory Plumbing Services, LLC

Top pick24/7 per Google listing
4.9 (51 Google reviews) 16.9 mi from downtown Sparks Glencoe

Lists 24-hour service on its Google profile — and reviewers describe after-hours calls.

Owner-operator Jeff: 46 of 48 analyzed reviews 5-star, fast_response=12, answers emails within an hour. One 1-star cites a sink not sealed and no call-back on the redo.

Rating mix — of the 15 reviews we analyzed51 total on Google
514
40
30
20
11

Why we're cautious

  • 1-star review: sink not secured with silicone, customer had to redo the work after no response to a callback request (1 of 48 reviews)
  • One reviewer reports a new sink left unsealed and got no reply when asking for a fix (1 of 48 reviews)

To be fair

  • Highly responsive owner who answers within an hour and shows up on time (fast_response=12) (cited in 2 of 48 reviews)
  • Fair, upfront pricing with no upselling (fair_pricing=5, 15 plumber-cost mentions) (cited in 2 of 48 reviews)
  • Thorough water-heater removal/installs explained step by step (9 water-heater mentions) (cited in 1 of 48 reviews)
What reviewers praise
Jeff is very responsive, timely and does a good job. Have needed a bunch of plumbing work recently and Jeff was able to take care of it all very quickly. Highly recommend Victory Plumbing!
Andy Arismendi · ★★★★★ · Google · Dec 2025
The most critical take we found
The second job that Jeff came out and did was to install a new sink in master bathroom. The sink was not secured down with silicone. The other sink was the example to replicate. A bunch of ugly white caulk was applied. I contacted Jeff to come back and fix it …
J Fox · · Google · Oct 2023

We read 48 of 51 reviews · newest from Dec 2025

2

Afternoon Plumbing

Top pick24/7 per Google listingSmall track record
5.0 (14 Google reviews) 15.5 mi from downtown Sparks Glencoe

Lists 24-hour service on its Google profile — and reviewers describe after-hours calls.

Small shop (14 Google reviews), all 23 analyzed 5-star. Christopher does same-day/same-evening water-heater repairs at fair prices when bigger companies couldn't schedule for a week.

Rating mix — of the 14 reviews we analyzed
514
40
30
20
10

What reviewers keep saying

  • Same-day, even same-evening, response when larger companies booked out a week (fast_response=3) (cited in 2 of 24 reviews)
  • Fair pricing with free estimates and payment plans (fair_pricing=2, 6 plumber-cost mentions) (cited in 2 of 24 reviews)

What reviewers complain about

  • Only 14 Google reviews total, so the track record is thin compared to larger competitors
What reviewers praise
Very knowledgeable and professional. Friendly and efficient. My family has worked with them for years. Always great.
Andrew Danner · ★★★★★ · Google · Dec 2025
The most critical take we found
Top 10 Best Plumbers in Aberdeen, MDAngie's Listhttps://www.angi.com › ... › Plumbers in AberdeenAngie's ListRead real reviews and see ratings for Aberdeen, MD plumbers for free! This list will help you pick the right plumbers in Aberdeen, MD.
Angi Aggregate · · Angi

We read 24 of 14 reviews · newest from Dec 2025

3

Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

Top pick24/7 per Google listing
4.8 (4,085 Google reviews) 17.3 mi from downtown Sparks Glencoe

Lists 24-hour service on its Google profile — and reviewers describe after-hours calls.

Big-volume Roto-Rooter (4,085 reviews) shines on after-hours emergencies — Thanksgiving and Sunday calls resolved in under an hour — but pricing draws fire.

Rating mix — of the 14 reviews we analyzed4,085 total on Google
512
40
30
20
12

Why we're cautious

  • Reviewer quoted ~$1,000 to unclog a kitchen sink after minimal assessment, with pricing justified only as 'standard' (1 of 81 reviews)
  • Pricing is the recurring gripe — one reviewer quoted roughly $1,000 to unclog a kitchen sink, another called the price 'a bit high' (2 of 81 reviews)

To be fair

  • True 24/7 emergency muscle — sewer backup at 10pm Thanksgiving and a Saturday water-heater swap both resolved within an hour of the call (cited in 2 of 81 reviews)
  • Sunday main-line clog handled with no extra emergency fee charged (cited in 1 of 81 reviews)
  • Technicians repeatedly praised for explaining the job clearly and cleaning up (themeCounts.professional=41) (cited in 2 of 81 reviews)
What reviewers praise
Zauza Dochung was the technician that came out and fixed the reported link. He showed up with a smile and a good since of humor. He assessed the issue and was able to fix it without an issue. He was very patient and able to walk me through the issue and the …
Sonia McCleary · ★★★★★ · Google · Jan 2026
The most critical take we found
called for a technician to come over to fix a clogged kitchen sink (asian guy). He asked 3-4 questions max (if its clogged from upstairs level or around the house or only the sink), asked how old the house was, and say maybe they would need a long snake to …
Skape Arts · · Google · Apr 2026

We read 81 of 4,085 reviews · newest from Jan 2026 · BBB A+ accredited

4

Brian B. Quick Plumbing

Top pick24/7 per Google listing
4.9 (1,094 Google reviews) 10.2 mi from downtown Sparks Glencoe

Lists 24-hour service on its Google profile — and reviewers describe after-hours calls.

4.9★ across 1,094 reviews — weekend emergency leak dispatch confirmed when others couldn't make it; water heater replacement included full warranty walkthrough with zero surprises; 3 toilets replaced in one visit with zero cleanup left behind.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed1,094 total on Google
55
40
30
20
10

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 1,094 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

What reviewers keep saying

  • Weekend emergency dispatch confirmed — showed up for a leak when other companies couldn't make it; job done quickly by tech Dion (cited in 1 of 5 reviews)
  • Full pre-work explanation and warranty walkthrough on water heater replacement — tech detailed scope, process, and warranty terms before touching anything (cited in 1 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers complain about

  • No repeated complaints found in the reviews we've read.
What reviewers praise
We had a great experience! The service was quick when we had an emergency leak, even when other companies couldn't make it out on the weekend. Our tech Dion was very knowledgeable and helpful. He got the job done quickly and was very professional.
Ray Boarman · ★★★★★ · Google · Mar 2026
The most critical take we found

No critical reviews among the 5 we analyzed — there is nothing negative to quote yet.

We read 5 of 1,094 reviews · newest from Mar 2026

5

Warrior Plumbing & Heating

Top pick24/7 per Google listing
4.9 (426 Google reviews)4.0 on Yelp (26) 14.2 mi from downtown Sparks Glencoe

Lists 24-hour service on its Google profile — and reviewers describe after-hours calls.

Owner Brent answers calls at 11pm and diagnoses emergencies over the phone, but charges $250 diagnostic fees and has priced some jobs 40-80% higher than competitors.

Rating mix — of the 15 reviews we analyzed426 total on Google
58
40
30
21
16

Our sample skews heavily toward critical reviews — it disagrees with the Google average shown above.

Why we're cautious

  • Use of third-party contractors without price transparency: One reviewer was quoted a price based on Warrior's contractor, but Warrior then subcontracted the work, could not meet the original price/timeline, and refused to discount for inconvenience or reschedules. (1 of 120 reviews)
  • Cleanliness/mess issues on 2 separate occasions: Two reviews (from 2024 and 2021) mention leaving messes—clogged sink work resulted in bathtub mess; unclear if operator error or systemic. (2 of 120 reviews)
  • High diagnostic fee ($250) that may deter initial contact: One reviewer explicitly criticized the $250 site visit charge as a barrier to getting quotes, and chose a competitor partly for this reason.

To be fair

  • Exceptional after-hours responsiveness: Owner Brent personally takes emergency calls late at night and troubleshoots problems by phone to avoid unnecessary visits. (cited in 2 of 120 reviews)
  • Fast scheduling and same-day/next-day service: Multiple reviewers report being fit in quickly, with service completed same day or within 24 hours. (cited in 5 of 120 reviews)
  • Strong specialty in complex/niche systems: 5 reviewers praise expertise with steam heat, boiler systems, frozen pipes, and difficult diagnostics that other plumbers couldn't handle. (cited in 4 of 120 reviews)
What reviewers praise
Excellent customer service. Gave me tips on how to handle things before I might need to use them. Also, gave an estimate over the phone without having to come into the house. I didn’t have work done this time, but they did excellent work in the past:
dawn garner · ★★★★★ · Google · Feb 2026
The most critical take we found
TWO WARNINGS: WARRIOR MAY NOT SCHEDULE YOU UNTIL YOU PAY A DEPOSIT! They told me they would be arriving on Monday between 9:30 - 10:30 am, but then cancelled on Saturday because I did not pay their deposit quickly enough. WARRIOR MAY SEND 3RD PARTY …
Vijay I. · · Yelp · Dec 2024

We read 120 of 426 reviews · newest from Feb 2026

6

Abbott Brothers Plumbing & Heating of Maryland

Top pick24/7 per Google listing
4.8 (374 Google reviews)2.0 on Yelp (11) 14.9 mi from downtown Sparks Glencoe

Lists 24-hour service on its Google profile — and reviewers describe after-hours calls.

89 of 100 sampled reviews are 5-star with 90% positive sentiment, owner Mike answers the phone directly, and water-heater/main-line work draws the strongest praise.

Rating mix — of the 15 reviews we analyzed374 total on Google
510
40
30
20
15

Our sample skews heavily toward critical reviews — it disagrees with the Google average shown above.

What reviewers keep saying

  • Owner Mike answers the phone after-hours - one customer sent photos of a leaking water heater on a holiday weekend and had Tim onsite by 8 am next morning. (cited in 2 of 100 reviews)
  • Repeat customer relationships on major jobs - one reviewer used them for main-line replacement (100+ year-old pipes) and preventative water heater swap (themeCounts.fast_response=20). (cited in 2 of 100 reviews)
  • Same-day gas-line and cooktop install completed with <24 hr notice on appliance delivery. (cited in 2 of 100 reviews)

What reviewers complain about

  • Sink-valve repair didn't actually fix the leak, then a follow-up appointment ran 2 hours past window before the customer called. (1 of 100 reviews)
  • One report of toilet/shower-drain rework requiring concrete to be reopened. (1 of 100 reviews)
What reviewers praise
Very happy with the services provided provided by Abbott Brothers. I called on a Monday for a failed and leaking water heater, and they showed up promptly Tuesday morning as promised , and the fee was reasonable and exactly what they quoted me over the phone.
Walter Starr · ★★★★★ · Google · Mar 2026
The most critical take we found
This review isn't for Abbott Brothers' plumbing services, because I wasn't able to actually get a plumber to my house. I made an online appointment for Friday and immediately got a confirmation that someone would come look at a possible sewer gas leak from …
Joel P. · · Yelp · Nov 2021

We read 100 of 374 reviews · newest from Mar 2026 · BBB A+ accredited

7

Straight Plumbing Llc

Top pick24/7 per Google listing
4.9 (222 Google reviews) 15.3 mi from downtown Sparks Glencoe

Lists 24-hour service on its Google profile — and reviewers describe after-hours calls.

4.9★ Google across 222 reviews; BBB B- (not accredited) — 5 of 5 sampled are 5-star with main water line replacement, same-day emergency drain clearing, and a water treatment system install all cited as successful.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed222 total on Google
55
40
30
20
10

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 222 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

Why we're cautious

  • BBB rating is B- (not accredited) — contradicts 4.9★ Google profile; no complaint detail provided but the gap warrants scrutiny (1 of 5 reviews)
  • Scheduling miss flagged in 1 of 5 reviews — team did not show on the originally scheduled sewer replacement day (though job was ultimately completed satisfactorily) (1 of 5 reviews)

To be fair

  • Full main water line replacement (yard excavation + concrete break) completed in a few hours — no upselling, upfront communication throughout (cited in 1 of 5 reviews)
  • Cleared washing machine drain clog that prior plumber couldn't resolve and had quoted a basement floor jackhammer — brought right tools, identified cast iron rust issue correctly (cited in 1 of 5 reviews)
  • Same-day emergency response for root-blocked terracotta drain line — opened the line and scheduled replacement; stayed calm with new homeowner in crisis (cited in 1 of 5 reviews)
What reviewers praise
I had an excellent experience with Robert unclogging my washing machine's drain. Before calling this company, another plumber tried to snake the line through the traps, couldn't get through, still charged me, and suggested my basement floor would need to be …
Theresa Varipatis · ★★★★★ · Google · Mar 2026
The most critical take we found

No critical reviews among the 5 we analyzed — there is nothing negative to quote yet.

We read 5 of 222 reviews · newest from Mar 2026

Worth a look — with caveats

Real strengths, but read the concerns first
8

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Harford County

Caveats apply24/7 per Google listing
4.7 (207 Google reviews) 18.3 mi from downtown Sparks Glencoe

Advertises 24-hour service on its Google profile — no reviews we analyzed mention after-hours response either way.

Israel earns praise across many reviews, but 8 of 73 reviews are 1-star and several cite $650-$700 quotes for jobs others price at $350-$400.

Rating mix — of the 15 reviews we analyzed207 total on Google
59
40
31
20
15

Our sample skews heavily toward critical reviews — it disagrees with the Google average shown above.

Why we're cautious

  • Reviewer quoted $700 to replace a faucet that a $20 cartridge fixed — flagged as an unnecessary upsell with no troubleshooting (1 of 73 reviews)
  • $650 charged for a 40-minute kitchen-sink snake, roughly double the $350-$400 reviewer says others charge (1 of 73 reviews)
  • $800 quote to replace a sump pump drew an explicit 'don't use this company' warning (1 of 73 reviews)

To be fair

  • Tech Israel repeatedly named for thorough inspections and clear explanations across multiple jobs (cited in 3 of 73 reviews)
  • Same-day diagnosis with techs going the extra mile — one bought and installed a filter on site (cited in 1 of 73 reviews)
What reviewers praise
Israel, the plumber, was great! Highly recommend!
Michael Hutchison · ★★★★★ · Google · Dec 2024
The most critical take we found
Israel was expert, friendly, explained things well, and fixed the problem with our sump pump quickly. Unfortunately, two days later at 12:25am the sump pump alarm is going off and no one can come out until possibly noon tomorrow. Another sleepless night …
Jim Cigliano · · Google · Dec 2024

We read 73 of 207 reviews · newest from Dec 2024

9

Michael & Son Services

Caveats apply24/7 per Google listing
4.7 (8,275 Google reviews)3.9 on Yelp (100) 18.0 mi from downtown Sparks Glencoe

Lists 24-hour service on its Google profile — and reviewers describe after-hours calls.

Excellent emergency responder with strong workmanship, but pricing has reportedly increased significantly and occasional diagnostic misses can lead to expensive callbacks.

Rating mix — of the 15 reviews we analyzed8,275 total on Google
56
41
30
23
15

Our sample skews heavily toward critical reviews — it disagrees with the Google average shown above.

Why we're cautious

  • Major liability dispute: Misdiagnosis led to $23,000+ in water damage; company initially refunded diagnostic fee but charged $4,426 mitigation fee, then re-invoiced after 1+ year. Customer indicates possible future litigation and was ultimately forced to pay. This suggests potential pattern of shifting responsibility for diagnostic errors to customer. (1 of 187 reviews)
  • Warranty service avoidance: One reviewer reports being unable to get warranty service appointment for 3 weeks on work that failed, despite company knowing issue is a public safety concern, suggesting they may be deprioritizing warranty claims (1 of 187 reviews)
  • BBB rating is B- and non-accredited: Combined with 0 complaints in past 3 years suggests either recent issues or avoidance of BBB complaint resolution process

To be fair

  • Fast emergency response: Multiple reviewers report same-day or rapid after-hours service (45 min at 10:30pm, Saturday next-day installation, 3-hour response during holiday crisis) (cited in 3 of 187 reviews)
  • Strong technical workmanship and diagnostics: 8+ reviews specifically praise quality of repairs, thorough troubleshooting, and expert installation (cited in 7 of 187 reviews)
  • Excellent communication and customer care: 6 reviews mention clear explanations, updates on arrival, maintenance education, and courteous demeanor (cited in 6 of 187 reviews)
What reviewers praise
Jesse James was awesome 😎 explained everything in detail about what needed to be repaired/replaced with the water heater. He gave us options and great pricing. 0% financing for 18 months. We had another company come out first. Didn't like the approach and …
Michael Hastings · ★★★★★ · Google · Feb 2026
The most critical take we found
We contacted Michael & Son in September 2023 because our basement toilet was not flushing correctly. A technician came to our residence, snaked the basement toilet, and claimed to have cleared debris from the line. We paid the $737.00 fee charged. Despite our …
Mary H. T. · · Yelp · Dec 2024

We read 187 of 8,275 reviews · newest from Feb 2026

10

Catons Plumbing, Drains & Water Cleanup

Caveats apply24/7 per Google listing
4.7 (1,716 Google reviews) 18.6 mi from downtown Sparks Glencoe

Lists 24-hour service on its Google profile — and reviewers describe after-hours calls.

75 of 89 analyzed reviews are 5-star but 10 are 1-star and themeCounts.surprise_fees=2; multiple detailed complaints describe invoiced services that were never performed.

Rating mix — of the 15 reviews we analyzed1,716 total on Google
56
40
31
20
18

Our sample skews heavily toward critical reviews — it disagrees with the Google average shown above.

Why we're cautious

  • Two detailed 1-star reviews describe being billed for work that was not performed — one for a camera scope listed on the signed invoice, one for a toilet removal/replace the customer had to hire someone else to do (2 of 89 reviews)
  • One reviewer alleges a working main-supply valve broke 'suddenly' during a small pipe replacement, turning the job from a few hundred dollars into $1,200+ (1 of 89 reviews)
  • Upsell-to-replacement pattern: one 3-star reviewer says Caton's quoted $13,000 to replace the sewage system before a camera scope located a trap as the real problem (1 of 89 reviews)

To be fair

  • Late-night and weekend dispatch confirmed — one customer got an 8 PM Super Bowl Sunday estimate and a Sunday-night 2-hour callout from another (cited in 3 of 89 reviews)
  • Technician Henry named in multiple reviews for fixing problems other plumbers couldn't diagnose (cited in 3 of 89 reviews)
What reviewers praise
Highly recommended. When another plumbing company cancelled on me last minute, Caton’s was able to send someone same day. They arrived on time after calling to confirm they were on the way. Henry and his associate were very friendly, respectful and explained …
Courtney Moore · ★★★★★ · Google · Mar 2026
The most critical take we found
If I could give them zero stars I would. The plumber that repaired my leak flooded my lower level of my townhouse. Now it has mold and they refusing to fix it.
Katlin C · · Google · Nov 2025

We read 89 of 1,716 reviews · newest from Mar 2026

11

Catons Plumbing, Drains & Water Cleanup

Caveats apply24/7 per Google listing
4.7 (575 Google reviews) 17.9 mi from downtown Sparks Glencoe

Advertises 24-hour service on its Google profile — no reviews we analyzed mention after-hours response either way.

Excellent emergency response and workmanship, but inconsistent follow-through on promised services and occasional communication breakdowns can leave customers frustrated.

Rating mix — of the 15 reviews we analyzed575 total on Google
512
40
30
21
12

Why we're cautious

  • Two serious emergency-response failures: one technician made a burst pipe worse and left ($400 damage), and another replaced QPVC piping with bent material causing continued stress on the damaged area—both required customer follow-up repairs (2 of 85 reviews)
  • Poor accountability for water damage—in one case, supervisor Dennis refused responsibility for flooring damage caused by inadequate remediation despite contract obligations, offered only anti-fungal spray, and went silent after initial contact (1 of 85 reviews)
  • Aggressive customer service during complaint resolution—scheduler became 'immediately heated' when customer could not return call within 72-hour window and blamed customer without acknowledging lack of clear deadline communication (1 of 85 reviews)

To be fair

  • Exceptional emergency response times—multiple reviewers report arrival within 2-4 hours on weekends and evenings, with one technician (Jason) arriving Friday at 5:30pm and completing work in 45 minutes (cited in 2 of 85 reviews)
  • Strong technical skill and problem-solving—10+ reviews highlight plumbers diagnosing issues quickly, performing repairs cleanly, and explaining work upfront; technicians frequently praised by name (Henry, Ryan, Leo, Alphonso, Jason, Brandon) (cited in 5 of 85 reviews)
  • Water restoration crew handles secondary damage professionally—multiple reviews praise thorough cleanup, mold remediation, and professional handling of water damage aftermath (cited in 2 of 85 reviews)
What reviewers praise
We have used Catons for several different projects and each time the service is excellent and the team we have worked with is superb. They arrive when they say they will and the projects are done with perfection. We will continue to use them for all our …
Just Jason · ★★★★★ · Google · Feb 2026
The most critical take we found
Called them for a frozen pipe that burst. Sent out a plumber who did okay work. Have to redo the pipe he replaced because it's QPVC and his replacement piping is bent putting stress back on that area. Water remediation crew didn't check my flooring which had …
Rj · · Google · Feb 2026

We read 85 of 575 reviews · newest from Feb 2026

12

Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

Caveats apply24/7 per Google listing
4.8 (572 Google reviews) 17.2 mi from downtown Sparks Glencoe

Lists 24-hour service on its Google profile — and reviewers describe after-hours calls.

Roto-Rooter Bel Air: 4.8★ / 572 reviews, BBB A+ accredited; fast_response in 3 of 5 sampled reviews and Sunday hours confirmed — technician correctly triaged a water-vs-gas leak on arrival and dispatched specialist same day.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed572 total on Google
55
40
30
20
10

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 572 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

What reviewers keep saying

  • fast_response in 3 of 5 sampled reviews; Sunday availability confirmed; same-day gas specialist dispatch after initial tech identified wrong trade — triage and coordination on the spot (cited in 3 of 5 reviews)
  • BBB A+ accredited; written estimate provided before work; camera inspection with full explanation cited in 1 review (cited in 2 of 5 reviews)

What reviewers complain about

  • No repeated complaints found in the reviews we've read.
What reviewers praise
Dai Pau was my service person and ensured that all the repairs that were done were functioning properly in tip top shape. He was really fast detailed with his work with a great attitude. Thank you Dai Pau and Roto Rooter once again for great service.
Benito Gomez · ★★★★★ · Google · Feb 2026
The most critical take we found

No critical reviews among the 5 we analyzed — there is nothing negative to quote yet.

We read 5 of 572 reviews · newest from Feb 2026 · BBB A+ accredited

13

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Baltimore

Caveats apply24/7 per Google listing
4.9 (330 Google reviews)1.0 on Yelp (4) 14.5 mi from downtown Sparks Glencoe

Advertises 24-hour service on its Google profile — no reviews we analyzed mention after-hours response either way.

Excellent plumbing work and emergency response, but Yelp complaints about HVAC upselling and a documented billing dispute suggest inconsistent service quality across service types.

Rating mix — of the 15 reviews we analyzed330 total on Google
511
40
30
20
14

Why we're cautious

  • HVAC service failures and aggressive upselling: 2 separate Yelp reviews document oversized HVAC system installation with wrong specifications, 2+ years of failed service calls, and alleged upselling tactics; customer pursued $10K replacement and legal action (2 of 92 reviews)
  • Upselling accusations on HVAC: Second Yelp review alleges pushy technician attempted to scare customer into unnecessary unit replacement and monitoring devices for a minor drainage/refrigerant issue (1 of 92 reviews)
  • Documentation delays: One review reports waiting several months for a receipt after plumbing work, creating insurance claim complications (1 of 92 reviews)

To be fair

  • Same-day and weekend emergency response: 6 reviews explicitly mention rapid scheduling or weekend/after-hours availability for burst pipes and major leaks (cited in 6 of 92 reviews)
  • Transparent pricing and options: 9 reviews highlight multiple price-point options, upfront quotes, and no pressure to upsell (cited in 9 of 92 reviews)
  • Expert diagnosis and thoroughness: 5 reviews praise detailed troubleshooting, identification of root causes, and preventive suggestions (cited in 4 of 92 reviews)
What reviewers praise
Ira did a fantastic job closing off the pipes and drain for an old sink that was removed. He explains everything and gives you different options.
Jonas H · ★★★★★ · Google · Feb 2026
The most critical take we found
Failed in EVERY ASPECT! Installed an HVAC system while I was at work-- TOO LARGE for my ductwork. The system short cycled for 2LONG years ( where my car was warmer than my home) Sure , they would show up w/in 24 hrs -- performing scam measurements that NEVER …
David M. · · Yelp · Dec 2024

We read 92 of 330 reviews · newest from Feb 2026

We'd keep looking

The average rating hides complaint patterns we can't ignore
14

Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup

We'd call someone else first24/7 per Google listing
4.8 (976 Google reviews) 19.9 mi from downtown Sparks Glencoe

Lists 24-hour service on its Google profile — and reviewers describe after-hours calls.

Excellent emergency response and workmanship, but pricing can shock you—one customer paid $450 for a simple toilet auger job and felt nickeled-and-dimed on coupons.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed976 total on Google
54
40
30
21
10

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 976 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

Why we're cautious

  • Upsells proprietary products at premium prices during service visits. One customer was charged $100 for 'Pipe Shield' drain treatment during a routine visit without initial discussion of cost. (1 of 5 reviews)
  • Pricing can be steep for straightforward jobs. One customer was charged $450 for auger work on a clogged toilet and deemed it excessive. (1 of 5 reviews)
  • Staff showed reluctance to honor valid manufacturer coupons, with a technician implying he was doing the customer a favor by accepting a $50 discount that hadn't expired. (1 of 5 reviews)

To be fair

  • Responds quickly to after-hours emergencies, including holiday weekends. Three reviewers explicitly praised fast arrival and same-day scheduling. (cited in 3 of 5 reviews)
  • Technicians demonstrate strong technical skill and professionalism. Four of five reviews highlight thorough, competent work and courteous behavior. (cited in 4 of 5 reviews)
  • Communicates clearly during service, explaining work and next steps so customers understand what they're paying for. (cited in 3 of 5 reviews)
What reviewers praise
We got absolutely superb service from Roto-Rooter. We had a sewer backup in our basement and also a clogged toilet. Jarrett Mc million inspected for water damage from our sewer backup And happily it was on a concrete floor so there was none. We were very …
Marilyn Schiff · ★★★★★ · Google · Feb 2026
The most critical take we found
Plumber was nice but $450 to use an auger a couple times to unclog a toilet is excessive. He also almost refused to take a $50 coupon from the roto rooter site. He basically implied he’d take it not because it was valid and didn’t expire until April but …
Quilla · ★★ · Google · Feb 2026

We read 5 of 976 reviews · newest from Feb 2026

15

Stilwell Plumbing & Drain Cleaning

We'd call someone else first24/7 per Google listing
4.3 (334 Google reviews) 17.7 mi from downtown Sparks Glencoe

Lists 24-hour service on its Google profile — and reviewers describe after-hours calls.

Fast emergency response and strong workmanship when things go well, but quality control and follow-through on restoration work can be inconsistent.

Rating mix — of the 5 reviews we analyzed334 total on Google
54
40
30
20
11

Small sample — we've analyzed only 5 of 334 reviews so far. Treat this as a first read.

Why we're cautious

  • Major scheduling delays on quote-based work: One customer reported crew arriving 5.5 hours late (1:30pm vs 8:00am appointment), even after final inspector arrived first (1 of 5 reviews)
  • Significant service quality variance: High-touch emergency calls (4-5 stars) contrast sharply with large project execution (1 star), suggesting inconsistent crew quality or supervision (2 of 5 reviews)
  • Poor restoration and site cleanup on major jobs: One water line replacement left the lawn and newly replaced sidewalk damaged, with promised spring repairs never completed by May (1 of 5 reviews)

To be fair

  • Exceptional emergency responsiveness: 3 of 5 reviews specifically praise rapid response to urgent calls, including answering during non-business hours (cited in 3 of 5 reviews)
  • Strong technical expertise and communication when crew is properly equipped: 4 of 5 reviewers mention detailed explanations, attention to detail, or confident problem-solving (cited in 4 of 5 reviews)
What reviewers praise
Stilwell Plumbing came out really quickly when I needed help, which I appreciated. The plumber was friendly, professional, and knew exactly what he was doing. He got straight to the problem and fixed it without wasting time. Everything was handled smoothly …
Elona Shannon · ★★★★★ · Google · May 2026
The most critical take we found
Be aware. My experience with Stilwell Plumbers was horrible. I was told the crew would arrive at 8:00 am to start on my water line replacement from the meter to the house. They showed up at 1:30 pm. In fact the final state inspector showed up for …
Ronald Becker · · Google · May 2026

We read 5 of 334 reviews · newest from May 2026

How we rank the plumbers on this page

  1. We read the reviews — all of them we can get. For each plumber serving Sparks Glencoe we pulled up to 100 recent reviews from Google, Yelp and BBB and read the full text. For this page: 924 reviews across 15 businesses.
  2. Patterns beat anecdotes. A plumber moves up when independent reviewers keep describing the same behavior: showing up when promised, quoting before working, work that holds. One rave changes nothing.
  3. Complaints count double when they repeat.Surprise fees, missed appointments, pressure sales — when the same complaint appears across reviewers (or across platforms), it caps how high we'll rank a business regardless of its star average.
  4. Money never moves the ranking.A plumber can buy the clearly-labeled sponsored slot at the top of the page — visibility, not endorsement. A business we wouldn't recommend can't buy the slot at all, and no payment changes the ranked order.
  5. Our take is our opinion.It's grounded in the reviews we quote and count on this page — check our evidence and disagree with us if you like. That's the point of showing it.
Every quotation on this page is reproduced verbatimfrom a publicly posted review and attributed to its author, star rating, platform and date. Star averages and review counts are Google's (or Yelp's) as of our last data pull. “Rating mix” charts describe only the set of reviews we analyzed, which we state on every card. Read the full policy — including what we do not do — on our methodology page.

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