Provider profile
Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup
Provider snapshot
What this listing says
Erie homeowners dealing with water damage from lake-effect storms, basement flooding, or aging cast iron plumbing who want a single company to handle both the plumbing repair and mold remediation.
Best for
- Erie and Erie County homeowners who need mold remediation tied to a plumbing failure like a burst pipe, sewer backup, or sump pump failure
- Owners of older East Side or West Side homes with cast iron or galvanized plumbing where water damage and mold risk go hand in hand
- Anyone who needs emergency water extraction and mold prevention at 2 AM during a lake-effect storm — they answer 24/7
- Commercial property managers in Erie who need water damage and mold work handled under one contract with insurance documentation included
- Homeowners who want the plumbing source fixed and the mold addressed by the same company rather than coordinating two contractors
About this company
Roto-Rooter in Erie operates out of 163 E 26th St as an independent contractor under the national Roto-Rooter brand. Their primary identity is a plumbing company that also handles water damage restoration and mold remediation — mold work is a secondary service tied to their water damage division, not a standalone specialty. Mike Wetmore manages the location.
What sets this Erie location apart from mold-only companies is the in-house plumbing capability. When a sewer backup or burst pipe causes water damage that leads to mold, they fix the plumbing problem and handle the cleanup and remediation without subcontracting either piece. Their website references IICRC-certified water restoration technicians and mold remediation crews trained to IICRC and AMRT standards. They list HEPA vacuums, air scrubbers, dehumidifiers, and antimicrobial treatments as part of their mold remediation equipment.
The national brand dates to 1935, but the Erie location operates independently with its own staff, pricing, and service hours. They hold Pennsylvania plumbing license #4315, HIC #PA133345, and Erie license #995. The location covers Erie County, including Millcreek, Harborcreek, Fairview, Edinboro, North East, Girard, Waterford, Wesleyville, McKean, Albion, and Lawrence Park.
4.7 stars across 324 Google reviews is a solid rating for a high-volume franchise plumbing operation. The review pattern shows a consistent roster of named technicians drawing repeat praise, which suggests staff retention and consistent field performance rather than one-off lucky visits.
Services
Service area
Headquartered at 163 E 26th St in Erie, Pennsylvania. Serves Erie and surrounding communities in Erie County including Millcreek, Harborcreek, Fairview, Edinboro, North East, Girard, Waterford, Wesleyville, McKean, Albion, and Lawrence Park. Coverage claims are limited to the Erie metro area, which is reasonable for a single-location operation.
Review consensus
Vince is the standout name across the Erie location's reviews — more than a dozen customers praise him for fast response, clear explanations, and willingness to work on holidays (he cleared a drain backup on his birthday and another on Christmas Eve). Scott draws repeat praise for efficiency and teaching customers how to handle minor issues themselves. Jason is described as knowledgeable and thorough by multiple reviewers, with one customer saying she will always request him by name. Patrick earns praise for water heater work and sump pump service. Matthew handled same-day water heater installations that impressed two reviewers. Bob is described as patient and kind by a repeat customer. Speed is a recurring theme — same-day service, quick diagnoses, and jobs completed in a single visit appear across the majority of positive reviews.
4 found across 324 total reviews at 4.7★. One customer paid $145 for a 45-minute visit where the technician could not solve the problem, then waited over 48 hours for a promised follow-up quote. The owner responded that the issue was eventually resolved and that invoices with estimates are sent automatically when the tech closes the job. A second reviewer reported calling three times without reaching anyone despite the 24/7 availability claim; the owner provided an alternate direct number. A third reviewer called pricing excessive without detailing what service was performed. A fourth complaint was about the physical appearance of the business property, not about any service received.
The owner responds to every negative review, but the responses lean toward template language — each offers a phone number and brief acknowledgment rather than engaging with the specific complaint in detail. The one exception is the quote-delay complaint, where the owner explained their automated invoice system. The 4-star review from NL Brugger offers a useful signal: the field technician was great, but the remediation estimate from a separate sales rep was inflated. This suggests a possible gap between field technician quality and office-side pricing or scoping.
Vince (plumber/drain technician — overwhelmingly positive, 15+ mentions). Jason (plumber — positive, 6+ mentions). Scott (plumber — positive, 6+ mentions). Patrick (plumber/water heater tech — positive, 3 mentions). Matthew (plumber/water heater installer — positive, 3 mentions). Steve (plumber — positive, 3 mentions). Bob (plumber — positive, described as patient and kind). Brandon (plumber — positive, 1 enthusiastic mention). Donald/Don/Donnie (plumber — positive, 2 mentions). Eric (plumber — positive, 2 mentions). Ben (plumber — positive, sump pump replacement). Jon/John W. (plumber — positive, 3 mentions). Penny (technician — positive, 1 mention). Jacob (technician — positive, 1 mention, different from the negative reviewer Jacob Jones).
Ask for Vince, Scott, or Jason by name when you book — they have the strongest track records across dozens of reviews. Get the remediation estimate in writing before approving the work, and compare it against at least one other local quote, especially if the scope goes beyond basic water damage cleanup into standalone mold remediation.
Keep in mind
- Mold remediation is not their core business. They are a plumbing and water damage company that adds mold work as part of restoration. If you have a mold problem unrelated to plumbing or water damage, a dedicated mold company may be a better fit.
- Pricing runs high compared to local competitors. Multiple reviewers mention cost, and one 4-star review noted remediation pricing from a separate rep was "way over what was needed." Get a second estimate for any remediation scope over $1,000.
- The Erie location operates as an independent contractor under the Roto-Rooter brand. Service quality, pricing, and guarantees are specific to this franchise, not the national company.
- One reviewer reported calling three times without reaching anyone despite the 24/7 claim. The owner responded with a direct office number (724-200-7177) — worth saving as a backup if the main line does not connect.
- Their website does not detail their mold remediation process for the Erie location specifically. The mold page is a national template. Ask what the Erie team's actual mold remediation workflow looks like before committing.