Provider profile
Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup
Provider snapshot
What this listing says
Nicholasville and Lexington-area homeowners dealing with basement flooding or sewage backups who want plumbing repair and water damage restoration handled by one company in a single visit.
Best for
- Nicholasville, Lexington, and Jessamine County homeowners who need mold remediation tied to a plumbing or water damage event.
- Basement flooding emergencies where you need same-day water extraction and the source plumbing repair done by one crew.
- Insurance-covered water damage or mold jobs where you want a company that handles documentation and works directly with your adjuster.
- Commercial properties in the Lexington metro area that need scalable water damage and mold work with minimal downtime.
- Homeowners who want 24/7 availability, including nights and weekends, for water emergencies that could lead to mold growth.
About this company
Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup in Nicholasville, Kentucky operates as an independent franchise under the national Roto-Rooter brand. They handle plumbing, drain cleaning, water damage restoration, and mold remediation out of their 101 Kemper Drive location, managed by Dale Lay. Their key selling point for mold work: they can fix the plumbing problem that caused the moisture and then remediate the mold in a single engagement, so you are not coordinating multiple contractors.
Their mold remediation page describes IICRC-trained technicians using HEPA vacuums, air scrubbers, dehumidifiers, and antimicrobial treatments. They also reference AMRT (Applied Microbial Remediation Technician) credentials. For water damage, they follow a structured process: containment, extraction, removal of unsalvageable materials, sanitation, drying with monitored moisture sensors, and final inspection. They document each step with photos and drying logs for insurance claims.
The Nicholasville location has operated as part of the broader Lexington metro Roto-Rooter territory, covering 15 counties across central Kentucky. The Roto-Rooter brand has been around since 1935, though this particular franchise's exact founding date is not stated. They are a member of the Greater Lexington Apartment Association and hold Kentucky plumbing license M8400.
4.7 stars across 208 Google reviews is strong for a franchise operation. The overwhelming majority of reviews focus on plumbing and drain work rather than mold remediation specifically, which is worth noting. Only 1 review in the last 18 months fell at 3 stars or below, and that reviewer ultimately updated their rating after the manager sent a second technician to finish the job.
Services
Service area
Headquartered in Nicholasville, Kentucky (Jessamine County). Serves 15 counties across the Lexington metro area: Anderson, Bath, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Fayette, Madison, Franklin, Jessamine, Garrard, Montgomery, Mercer, Woodford, Scott, and Rowan. Named cities include Lexington, Nicholasville, Georgetown, Frankfort, Richmond, Danville, Winchester, Versailles, Morehead, and Harrodsburg. That is a wide geographic spread from a single office, so response times for outlying counties may be longer.
Review consensus
Jeff Johnson is the most frequently praised technician by a wide margin, with at least 10 reviews calling out his knowledge, punctuality, and clear communication. Kevin draws praise for sewer line work and sink repairs, often paired with Jeff on larger jobs. Charles gets recent mentions for being quick and explaining his findings. Cody earned multiple 5-star reviews in January 2025 for pipe repairs and friendly service. Dylan is praised for listening to customer concerns and giving honest recommendations. Joseph and Sarah Dent are highlighted for water damage restoration work, with one reviewer crediting them for same-day pipe replacement and daily progress updates during a multi-week restoration. Reviewers consistently mention fast response times, clear cost explanations, and techs who clean up after themselves.
1 found across 208 total reviews at 4.7★. (1 found across 208 total reviews at 4.7 stars) The single recent negative came from a Local Guide with 29 reviews who called for a backed-up sewer drain. The technician cleared part of the line but left pools of sewage in the basement, saying cleanup was a different department. The reviewer was charged $527 for roughly 45 minutes of work and found the basement sump still blocked. The reviewer initially left 1 star, then updated to 3 stars after the manager sent a second technician who cleared the critical clog and cleaned the mess. The reviewer noted they were apologetic and seemed sincere.
The plumbing-versus-restoration department split is a structural feature of how Roto-Rooter operates nationally. Plumbing technicians clear drains but water/sewage cleanup falls to the restoration division. This is the exact scenario the one negative reviewer encountered. It is worth asking about before booking, especially for sewer backups where the line between drain clearing and damage cleanup is blurry.
Jeff Johnson (plumbing technician — overwhelmingly positive, mentioned in 10+ reviews for knowledge, punctuality, and craftsmanship). Kevin (plumbing technician — positive, praised for sewer installs and sink repairs). Charles (plumbing technician — positive, recent reviews praise quick service and clear explanations). Cody (plumbing technician — positive, multiple January 2025 reviews for pipe repairs). Dylan/Dylan Luthe (plumbing technician — positive, praised for listening and honest recommendations). Joseph (water restoration technician — positive, praised for fast basement flood cleanup). Sarah Dent (water restoration — positive, praised for rapid inspection and coordination of mitigation teams). Sarah (office/insurance — positive, one review credits her with insurance help). Noah Taulbee-Martin (water restoration — positive, praised for same-day pipe replacement during restoration). Jameson (plumbing technician — positive, praised for drain clearing and protecting furniture). Zach Morton (plumbing technician — positive, praised for locating problems quickly). John Davis (plumbing technician — positive, paired with Zach Morton for repeat customer). Joel (plumbing technician — positive, praised for fixing issues and cleaning up). Flagg (plumbing technician — positive, praised for faucet install and leaving area cleaner than he found it). Tyler (plumbing technician — positive, praised for detailed explanations and water heater work). Zane (technician — positive, praised for tankless water heater install). Tim (technician — positive, praised alongside Zane for courtesy during installation). Brian (plumbing technician — positive, praised for clog fix and septic work). Jacob (plumbing technician — positive, praised for efficiency and responsiveness). Mike (plumbing technician — positive, praised for fast Sunday morning response). Jeff J. (likely Jeff Johnson — positive, praised for efficient and timely work). Dale (technician/manager — positive, one review praises his investigation skills and patience).
This location has a deep bench of technicians who earn high marks for fast response and clear communication. If you are booking mold remediation specifically, confirm that this office handles it locally rather than subcontracting or routing it through the Lexington office. Ask upfront whether your job's cleanup is included in the quoted price or billed separately through the restoration division.
Keep in mind
- Mold remediation is listed as a service on their national website, but none of the 208 Google reviews for this Nicholasville location mention mold work specifically. All reviews reference plumbing, drain cleaning, or water damage. Confirm this location actively staffs mold remediation technicians before booking.
- This is a franchise (operated as an independent contractor). Pricing, service availability, and staffing vary by location. The national website's promises about equipment and certifications may not reflect what this specific office has on hand.
- One reviewer was charged $527 for a drain cleanout and was surprised that sewage cleanup in the basement was billed as a separate department. Ask upfront whether cleanup is included or quoted separately.
- Their service area spans 15 counties across central Kentucky. That is a wide territory for a single office. Confirm response times for locations farther from Nicholasville.
- The owner did not respond to the one recent negative review. With only 1 negative in 18 months this is not a pattern, but it means you cannot see how they handle complaints publicly.