Roto-Rooter Celebrates 90 Years of Plumbing Innovation

CINCINNATI, OH – Recently, the Cincinnati Enquirer featured Roto-Rooter, the renowned plumbing and water cleanup service that is celebrating its 90th anniversary. The article emphasizes the remarkable growth and strong presence of the company in the Queen City. The story illustrates how this downtown Cincinnati-based business has transformed from a single patented drain-cleaning invention into a nearly $1 billion organization offering extensive emergency plumbing services throughout the country.

Enquirer Feature Highlights Strategic Development

Established in 1935 by Samuel Blanc with his innovative root-cutting machine, Roto-Rooter has seen its revenue more than double in the last ten years, soaring from under $400 million in 2014 to over $900 million in 2024. This impressive growth showcases the company’s strategic shift from traditional drain cleaning to becoming comprehensive plumbing and water cleanup specialists.

“Achieving 90 years is a reflection of the hard work of our dedicated employees. We take immense pride in our legacy and look forward to what lies ahead,” stated Spencer Lee, CEO of Roto-Rooter, in a comment to the Enquirer.

Service Expansion Fuels Revenue Increase

The company’s growth strategy has involved reacquiring franchises across the nation and broadening its service range. Today, Roto-Rooter offers a wide array of plumbing and drainage solutions, including hydro jetting, sewer repair and replacement, trenchless repairs, water damage cleanup services, and water filtration systems. With a workforce exceeding 6,000 employees nationwide, including more than 200 in the Greater Cincinnati region, the company has effectively doubled its service area while upholding its dedication to quality and community engagement.

The Enquirer article also underscored Roto-Rooter’s ongoing significance in tackling contemporary plumbing issues, from the effects of “flushable” wipes on aging sewer infrastructures to the company’s unique community service of providing free pet rescues from pipes and drains using specialized equipment.

As a subsidiary of the publicly traded Chemed Corporation (NYSE: CHE), Roto-Rooter accounts for over one-third of its parent company’s annual revenue of $2.4 billion. The company’s headquarters in downtown Cincinnati serves as the operational center for nationwide services that combine time-honored expertise with modern plumbing solutions and technology.

For additional details about Roto-Rooter’s extensive plumbing and water cleanup services, visit www.roto-rooter.com or utilize their location finder to connect with local plumbing professionals.