Plumbers You've Trusted For Over 90 Years
Mentor Plumbers Near Me
Frequently Asked Questions in Mentor
Can tree roots really get inside a drain pipe, and how do you get them out?
Roots enter through hairline cracks at pipe joints, drawn by the moisture and nutrients inside. Once inside, they expand and catch debris until the line backs up completely. The Roto-Rooter Machine cuts through the root mass and restores flow. A sewer camera inspection after clearing confirms whether the pipe wall itself is cracked or collapsed, which would require a repair beyond cleaning.
When toilets and the shower back up at the same time, is that a main line problem?
Yes. When multiple fixtures fail at once, the blockage is almost always in the main sewer line rather than an individual drain. Waste from every fixture in the house travels through that single line on its way out. Roto-Rooter clears main line blockages with the Roto-Rooter Machine and, when needed, follows up with a sewer camera to confirm the line is fully open and undamaged.
What does a sewer camera inspection actually show, and do I need one?
A sewer camera is a flexible cable with a lens that travels through the drain line and transmits live video. It shows the exact location and cause of a blockage - root intrusion, a collapsed section, a belly where the pipe sags and holds standing water, or simple buildup. If you have recurring backups that clear and return, a camera inspection identifies whether cleaning is enough or whether a structural repair is needed.
My old galvanized pipes are corroding - should I repipe the whole house or just fix the leaks?
Galvanized steel corrodes from the inside out, gradually narrowing the flow path and weakening the pipe wall. Patching individual leaks on corroded galvanized pipe is a short-term fix because the corrosion continues everywhere else. Roto-Rooter technicians assess the condition of the full pipe run and can convert galvanized sections to copper or PEX, which eliminates the corrosion problem rather than chasing it leak by leak.
Is there a plumber available if a pipe bursts late at night or on a weekend?
Roto-Rooter dispatches technicians 24/7, 365 days a year - including nights, weekends, and holidays. A burst pipe doesn't wait for business hours, and water damage compounds quickly the longer flow continues. Shutting off the main valve buys time, but a technician needs to assess and repair the pipe as soon as possible. Call 440-357-5610 to reach Roto-Rooter in Mentor, OH any time, day or night.
My basement floor drain backed up during a heavy rain - what does that mean?
The basement floor drain sits at the lowest point of your home's drainage system, so it's the first to back up when the main sewer line is overwhelmed or blocked. It's a warning sign, not just an inconvenience. Roto-Rooter technicians clear the main line and inspect the floor drain trap to determine whether the backup came from an internal blockage or a surcharge from the city connection.
How does water damage restoration actually work after a pipe floods a room?
The first step is extraction - removing standing water with truck-mounted or portable equipment before it soaks deeper into flooring and framing. After extraction, air movers and dehumidifiers run continuously to dry structural materials. Wet drywall that isn't dried within roughly 48 hours typically has to be removed. Roto-Rooter technicians document moisture readings throughout the process and treat surfaces exposed to contaminated water with antimicrobial solution before any rebuilding begins.
What actually causes a kitchen drain to keep clogging every few months?
Cooking grease cools and solidifies on the pipe wall as it moves away from the sink. Each cycle adds another layer until the opening narrows enough to back up. A cable auger punches through the clog but leaves the buildup intact. Roto-Rooter's hydro jetting sends a high-pressure water stream down the pipe to scour the walls clean, so the clog doesn't rebuild in a few weeks.
My water heater is making a rumbling noise - what's going on?
Rumbling from a water heater almost always points to sediment that has settled on the tank floor. As the burner heats the water beneath that layer, trapped pockets steam and pop - that's the noise. Flushing the tank removes the sediment and restores heating efficiency. Roto-Rooter technicians also inspect the anode rod, thermostat, and pressure relief valve to confirm no other component is failing.
Why does my whole house have low water pressure all of a sudden?
A sudden drop in pressure across every fixture usually points to a supply-side issue - a failing pressure reducing valve, a partially closed shutoff valve, or a leak somewhere in the main line. A Roto-Rooter technician checks the PRV setting first, then traces the supply line to rule out a hidden break. Restoring the correct pressure range protects fixtures and appliances downstream.
How do I know if I have a hidden water leak behind my walls?
Hidden leaks often show up as soft spots on drywall, unexplained spikes in your water bill, or a musty smell in a room where nothing visible is wet. A Roto-Rooter technician uses moisture meters and visual inspection to trace the source without tearing open walls unnecessarily. Finding the leak early limits the damage and keeps repair costs from escalating. Call 440-357-5610 to schedule a leak detection visit.