Cincinnati’s Plumbing Giant Celebrates 90 Years with Nationwide Growth

CINCINNATI, OH – The Cincinnati Enquirer recently spotlighted Roto-Rooter, the iconic plumbing and water cleanup company celebrating 90 years of service, highlighting the company’s extraordinary growth trajectory and deep roots in the Queen City. The feature story reveals how the downtown Cincinnati-based company has evolved from a single patented drain-cleaning innovation into a nearly $1 billion enterprise providing comprehensive emergency plumbing services across the nation.

Enquirer Feature Spotlights Strategic Evolution

Founded in 1935 by Samuel Blanc with his revolutionary root-cutting machine, Roto-Rooter has more than doubled its revenue over the past decade, growing from under $400 million in 2014 to over $900 million in 2024. This remarkable expansion reflects the company’s strategic evolution beyond traditional drain cleaning to become full-service plumbing and water cleanup experts.

“Reaching 90 years is a testament to the efforts of devoted employees. We are incredibly proud of our heritage and excited about the future,” said Spencer Lee, CEO of Roto-Rooter, in a statement to the Enquirer.

Service Expansion Drives Revenue Growth

The company’s growth strategy has included reacquiring franchises nationwide and expanding its service offerings. Today’s Roto-Rooter provides comprehensive plumbing and drains solutions including hydro jetting, sewer repair and replacement, trenchless repairs, water damage cleanup services, and water filtration systems. With over 6,000 employees nationwide, including more than 200 in the Greater Cincinnati area, the company has successfully doubled its service footprint while maintaining its commitment to quality and community service.

The Enquirer feature also highlighted Roto-Rooter’s continued relevance in addressing modern plumbing challenges, from the impact of “flushable” wipes on aging sewer systems to the company’s unique community service of providing free pet rescues from pipes and drains using their specialized equipment.

As part of publicly traded Chemed Corporation (NYSE: CHE), Roto-Rooter now represents more than one-third of its parent company’s $2.4 billion annual revenue. The company’s headquarters in downtown Cincinnati serves as the hub for nationwide operations that blend time-tested expertise with modern plumbing services and technology.

For more information about Roto-Rooter’s comprehensive plumbing and water cleanup services, visit www.roto-rooter.com or use their location finder to connect with local plumbing experts.