About Us

In 1933, Samuel Blanc created a funny-looking sewer cleaning machine from a 1/6 HP Maytag washing machine motor, roller skate wheels and 3/8" cable to turn the blades. The device used a combination of special blades or "knives" to cut tree roots out of sewer lines. No digging was required. A year later, Sam's wife Lettie christened the prototype the "Roto-Rooter."

Founded in 1935, Roto-Rooter is the largest provider of plumbing and drain cleaning services in North America. In 1980, the Blanc family sold Roto-Rooter to Cincinnati-based Chemed Corporation, and Roto-Rooter moved its headquarters to Cincinnati. In 1986, Roto-Rooter was spun off as a public company, with Chemed retaining majority ownership. In August 1996, Roto-Rooter again became a wholly owned subsidiary when Chemed bought back all outstanding shares.

As always, Roto-Rooter will continue to listen to customers and expand service offerings to meet and exceed their changing expectations.

Roto-Rooter operates businesses in more than 100 company-owned branch and contractor territories and approximately 500 franchise operations, serving approximately 90% of the U.S. population and parts of Canada. Master franchise operations have been established in Japan, Philippines, Mexico, United Kingdom, Hong Kong/China and Indonesia/Singapore.

In 1948 Laurence "Mud" & Helen Lee purchased the Dane County Roto-Rooter franchise from F. Wiggleworth Plumbing & Gas Fitting. Along with the client list came an official Roto-Rooter machine and a 1937 Ford Panel truck. From those humble beginnings; it began to grow. In late 1986 the next generation took the reins. With residential service firmly in place we began to grow and expand the commercial side of the business. Rock County joined our franchise family in early March 2001, both residential and commercial service began shortly after.