Provider profile
Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup
Provider snapshot
What this listing says
Columbia and Middle Tennessee homeowners dealing with water damage that could lead to mold, who want one company to handle plumbing repair, water extraction, and remediation under a single IICRC-trained crew.
Best for
- Columbia and surrounding Middle Tennessee communities needing mold remediation triggered by water damage, where the same crew can fix the plumbing source and handle cleanup.
- Homeowners facing emergency water intrusion on nights, weekends, or holidays who need a company that answers the phone and dispatches the same day.
- Property owners across Maury, Lawrence, Giles, or Marshall counties who want to avoid coordinating separate plumbing and restoration contractors.
- Commercial properties needing water damage response with full insurance documentation and adjuster coordination.
About this company
Roto-Rooter in Columbia, Tennessee operates as a family-owned independent franchise of the national Roto-Rooter brand, managed by Brian Carter. They run a plumbing-first operation that also handles water damage restoration and mold remediation, all from 106 E 18th St in Columbia. The franchise covers eight counties across Middle Tennessee, from Maury County out through Lawrence, Giles, Marshall, Dickson, Hickman, Lewis, and Wayne.
What stands out is the single-provider model. Most water damage restoration companies have to wait for a separate plumber to fix the pipe before they can start water extraction. This franchise does both under one roof, which means plumbing repair and water cleanup start on the same visit. Their water damage crew carries IICRC training, and their mold remediation page references HEPA vacuums, air scrubbers, dehumidifiers, and antimicrobial treatments. They also handle insurance documentation directly.
The brand has existed since 1935, and this Columbia franchise positions itself as a local operation with national backing. They run 24/7/365, including holidays. The website mentions video camera line inspections for sewer diagnostics and hydro jetting for commercial drain work, which points to a well-equipped truck fleet.
4.9 stars across 1,404 Google reviews is exceptionally strong. That volume at that rating in a mid-size Tennessee market suggests a franchise that has figured out consistent service delivery. The overwhelming majority of reviews praise technician courtesy and speed of response.
Services
Service area
Headquartered in Columbia, Tennessee at 106 E 18th St. Serves eight counties: Maury, Lawrence, Giles, Marshall, Dickson, Hickman, Lewis, and Wayne. Named cities include Columbia, Chapel Hill, Spring Hill, Lewisburg, Lawrenceburg, Dickson, Centerville, Hohenwald, Ethridge, and Pulaski. The service area extends well beyond the immediate Columbia metro into rural Middle Tennessee.
Review consensus
Shawn draws the most mentions, praised across at least seven reviews for explaining problems clearly, cleaning up after himself, and handling stressful situations calmly. Lance appears in multiple reviews from the Columbia website page, with customers praising his patience, knowledge, and willingness to take photos of crawl space work. Isaac shows up in four reviews for diagnosing problems quickly and being personable. Trey and Andrew each appear in multiple reviews for going above and beyond. Across the board, reviewers praise same-day or next-day response, technicians who explain the work, and willingness to show up on holidays and weekends.
4 found across 1404 total reviews at 4.9★. One reviewer reported being told someone would call back within 10-15 minutes and then never receiving a call or visit. The owner responded that two callback attempts were made but acknowledged a possible miscommunication. This is the only 1-star review in the recent window. The three 3-star reviews all involve pricing: one called the minimum charge too high, another paid $283 for a drain snake that took five minutes, and a third gave 3 stars without a clear pricing complaint. None of the negatives fault the quality of the actual work performed.
The pricing disconnect is structural. Roto-Rooter does not quote prices over the phone, and the franchise model means local pricing may differ from what customers expect based on brand recognition. Reviewers who complain about cost consistently praise the technician who did the work. The owner responds to 100% of recent negatives with personalized, detailed replies that engage with the specific complaint rather than using template language.
Shawn (technician — praised in 7+ reviews for communication, cleanliness, and calm under pressure). Lance (technician — praised in 5+ reviews for patience, knowledge, and going the extra mile). Isaac/Isaac W (technician — praised in 4 reviews for quick diagnosis and friendliness). Trey/Trey F (technician — praised in 3 reviews for above-and-beyond effort). Andrew/Andrew S (technician — praised in 3 reviews for knowledge and politeness). Garrett/Garrett M (technician — praised for speed and clear explanations). Colt Hughes (technician — praised for punctuality and professionalism). Roger (technician — praised for experience and knowledge). Zach (technician — praised for efficiency). Sam Smith (technician — praised for craftsmanship). Sage Reyna (technician — praised alongside Sam for septic work). Daniel Crumley (technician — praised for courtesy during holiday emergency). Jeremiah (technician — praised for friendliness). Seth (technician — praised alongside Shawn for communication). Chase (technician — praised alongside Shawn for installation work). Randall (technician — praised for punctuality). Jace (technician — praised alongside Shawn for code compliance work). Nick (technician — praised alongside Garrett for professionalism).
Ask for Shawn, Lance, or Isaac by name if you can. Get a written cost estimate before any work begins, because pricing is the only consistent complaint and Roto-Rooter does not quote over the phone. If your issue involves mold specifically, ask the dispatcher how many mold remediation jobs the Columbia crew has handled recently, since the review base skews heavily toward plumbing and drain work.
Keep in mind
- Pricing runs high and is not disclosed over the phone. Multiple reviewers report surprise at the final bill, including one who paid $283 for a five-minute drain snake. Ask for a written estimate before work starts.
- Mold remediation is listed as a service on the national website, but the Columbia franchise's Google reviews are almost entirely plumbing and drain jobs. Ask directly about the local crew's mold remediation experience and how many mold jobs they have completed in the past year.
- The eight-county service area is broad. If you are in an outlying county like Wayne or Lewis, confirm response time and whether an emergency surcharge applies.
- This is an independent franchise. Services, pricing, and guarantees vary from corporate Roto-Rooter locations. What you read on the national website may not match what this franchise offers.