Rooter-Man, a national plumbing and drain cleaning franchise, has been ranked the #1 Plumbing Franchise by Entrepreneur Magazine for the 11th consecutive year (2003-2013). Entrepreneur magazine also ranked Rooter-Man#174 among the top 500 franchises. Entrepreneur Magazine determines a company’s rank by their cumulative scores in financial strength, stability, number of franchises, growth rate, years of operation, start-up costs and company-provided financing.

“We are honored by being recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine. Our Rooterman dealers deserve most of the credit for this continued accomplishment – it would not have been possible without their success and support over the years!” said founder and CEO Donald MacDonald. The continuously-growing service business has over 400 locations across the United States and Canada, uses a superhero theme, and 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week service motto for promotion. “Before expanding, we did a lot of planning and testing to develop proven systems for growth and profitability. Now that everything is in place, we are well prepared for the success we’ve been experiencing,” Donald stated.

About Rooter-Man:
Rooter-Man provides an array of plumbing and drain cleaning services to homeowners, realtors, municipalities, and commercial/industrial complexes. The company was founded over 43 years ago by Donald MacDonald and is based in Billerica, Massachusetts. For more information call 1-800-700-8062.

Rooter-Man would like to thank the news outlets and associations below for publishing this announcement!

CBS Moneywatch

Wall Street Select

Cleaner Magazine

Pumper Magazine

International Business Times

Boston.com

If you don’t want to put out hundreds or thousands of dollars over the winter season for busted pipes now is the time to prepare. As you think of what it takes to prepare your plumbing, you will need to get some supplies together. Insulated covers, pipe sleeves and other insulating material will be needed. If you don’t know what type of material you need, the answer is as close as your local hardware store. Once you have the materials together, it is time to get to work.

Storing Your Hose

Starting on the outside of your home, get those summer water hoses drained and stored properly for the winter. If you are not lucky enough to have a garage or a shed, you will need to find another location that stays relatively warm throughout the winter months to store the hoses. By keeping the hoses in a warmer climate, you will not only save your pipes, you will also lengthen the life of the hoses.

Remove Water

Along with those water hoses, you also want to remove all water for sprinkler lines and possibly even pools. Be sure to follow manufacturer’s directions on these steps as not doing so could void any warranty you may have on the products. Using insulated covers, you can protect outdoor faucets. You will then want to wrap insulating material around any backflow systems you have. Check your meter, well or any other unprotected outdoor plumbing and use pipe sleeves, or insulating material.

Protecting Pipes

Move on to the attic, basement, or other unheated areas of your home. Protect pipes in these areas by using pipe sleeves or insulating materials. Do not forget your hot water pipelines as well. They can also freeze when the water is not flowing.

Winterizing

Once all pipes are covered, you will want to continue winterizing by blocking any drafts in your attic, crawlspaces or basement. In the basement, a cracked window is a perfect example of a hidden draft in your home. Fix those windows, and any areas under doors that could cause drafts.

If you have a garage close the doors if you have plumbing in the garage, also open cabinet doors under sinks so that warm air can get into that area.

Prevent Freezing

Keep your heat above 55 degrees and keep those sinks with a small drip to ensure constant flow to prevent freezing. One afternoon of preparation can prevent a huge mess, loss of hundreds of dollars, and many headaches.

These tips have been provided by the experts at Rooter-Man. Rooter-Man provides scheduled and emergency service 24 hours a day, 7 days week. Rooter-Man has grown to service more than 350 locations across the US. Give your local Rooter-Man a call today!

Leaks seem to happen at the most inopportune times. Pipe leaks are amongst the worst, as the overall situation can quickly stem out of control. Burst pipes can result in flooded homes, high water bills and enormous repair bills. Fortunately, there are a few things that you can familiarize yourself with so that if this ever happens you know how to fix a leak. Below, you will find steps to keep the spraying water under control until a professional can make it to your home to repair the pipe leak effectively.

1. First, you want to turn the water off at the main valve. You will then want to open up all faucets to allow air and pressure to be relieved, which will also drain what’s left of the water in the pipes.
2. After you clean the pipe with a cloth, you will want to apply some epoxy, if you have it, to the area of the pipe that is leaking.
3. Next, you’ll want to get a piece of rubber and cover the leak.
4. You then need to get a clamp (hose clamp or C-clamp) and tighten it on the rubber. Let it sit for about an hour or so to ensure that it is dried and secure.
5. Turn the water back on at the main valve and check to make sure that you properly fixed the leak.

Using Tape to Fix a Pipe Leak

Ultimately, the quickest way to fix a leak would be to locate the leak and wrap it with electrical or duct tape. This will hold for a while, but it is not a permanent fix, and neither are the above steps. Therefore, a professional will still need to be called to come out and repair the leak right way to avoid future problems.

It is important not to wait too long to call a professional for help, as the longer you wait to repair the pipe – even if the leak has stopped – the pipe could rupture again resulting in a much larger, and possibly uncontrollable, situation.

Let Rooter-Man Fix Your Leak

Located all over the United States with experienced and certified plumbing professionals, Rooter-Man is the go-to source for all home leaks be it faucet, tub or pipe leaks. If you have water spraying everywhere from a pipe leak, call Rooter-Man at any time, day or night, seven days a week, to fix your leak before it causes any serious damage to your home or runs your water bill sky-high. 

Rooter-man family and friends,

We would like to wish you a happy and safe Thanksgiving!!

Sometimes, the problem can be some sort of blockage within that the small tube that provides the pilot with gas. If this is the case, the blockage can be cleared by blowing air into it or using a very thin piece of wire.

Ultimately, though, if your pilot light on the water heater will not remain lit, the thermocouple is the culprit. If so, it will need to be replaced. Luckily, they aren’t expensive and you can usually find one for under $10. What’s even better is that the thermocouple is incredibly simple to install. Here’s how:

1. You want to first turn the gas supply off at the gas controller. Double-check to make sure it is off before you proceed.
2. Along with two small gas tubes, the thermocouple is held on to the valve by three nuts, which need to be unfastened. The burner will need to be slid out of the burning chamber.
3. The thermocouple now needs to be removed from the burner. Take it with you to buy the new one to make sure you get the right one. Generally, the thermocouple is attached with a clip (or several) to the gas supply tube. The end of it can be pulled out of the pilot assembly.
4. In the exact same way that you removed the defective thermocouple, you need to install the replacement thermocouple. Make sure every piece is reconnected properly.
5. Turn the gas supply back on. Light the water heater following instructions. Use soapy water on the joints to test for gas leaks.

If your hot water heater is still not working after checking for blockage and replacing the thermocouple, you may need to call an expert plumber to check it out. Available 24/7 and for emergency calls, the local experts at Rooter-Man are skillfully trained and experienced in all plumbing problems, can easily determine the culprit of your plumbing problem, and provide a reasonably priced solution. If you need a new hot water heater, Rooter-Man can install the most suitable energy-efficient hot water heater for your home.

A leaking toilet tank is a common plumbing problem that can generally be repaired on your own. If your toilet is constantly running and you’ve already tried to repair it by replacing the flapper and adjusting the water level, then you may need to consider options. A leaky tank might be the culprit, which means that water is leaking out of the tank or into the toilet.

The repair of a leaky toilet tank is made by changing the spud washer and the rubber gaskets that are around the tank bolts. These often deteriorate with time due to minerals and hard water.

Tools you’ll need:

• Adjustable wrench
• Screwdriver
• Sponge
• Small wire brush
• Vinegar
• Replacement gaskets for the tank bolts
• Replacement spud washer

Once you have your tools ready, here are the steps you need to take to fix a leaky toilet tank:

1. Turn the water off to the toilet. The shutoff valve is located below the toilet tank. Be sure to turn the valve clockwise.
2. Drain the tank by flushing the toilet. If there is any water left, use the sponge to soak it up.
3. Use the adjustable wrench to hold onto one of the tank bolts on the underside of the tank.
4. Use the screwdriver to unscrew the tank bolts from the inside of the tank.
5. Repeat #3 and #4 to remove the bolt from the other side of the tank.
6. Pick up and remove the tank from the toilet bowl, then lay it down.
7. Remove the old, and likely deteriorated, spud washer. You may need to use the wrench if it is stuck.
8. Install the new replacement spud washer and tighten it.
9. Remove all bolts and gaskets so that you can clean around each of the holes using the wire brush.
10. Install the new replacement gaskets for each bolt.
11. Insert the tank bolts back into the tank from the underside of the toilet tank.
12. Alternate from one side to the other side as you tighten the toilet tank bolts using both the screwdriver and wrench. Be careful not to tighten them too tightly, as this can crack the tank.

Call Rooter-Man If You Need Help

If you run into any problems or discover a more serious plumbing issue, give Rooter-Man a call. With locations all over the country, Rooter-Man is a leading plumbing service provider in the United States – and for good reason. They offer quality service at a reasonable price. If you have a plumbing issue, no matter how small or large, Rooter-Man can get the job done.

The holiday season is a fun and exciting time for families, but it can also be a stressful time for your plumbing system. Having extra guests means more people using the bathroom, which can certainly impact your plumbing system. Below are some of the top holiday tips provided by the folks at Rooter-Man:

Don’t Pour Oil or Grease Down Drain

Try to avoid pouring oil down your sink’s grain. The reason pipes tend to clog is because grease, oil, and other particles build-up. After long enough, these pipes can’t endure anymore and end up clogging

Proper Disposal

There are certain foods that should not be thrown in the garbage disposal. This includes:

• Poultry
• Skins
• Carrots
• Celery
• Banana Peel
• Pumpkin Pulp
• Orange Peel

Putting these items in your garbage disposal can actually cause severe damage, not to mention a major clog in your drain. Avoid an emergency mishap, but paying attention to the foods and items that should not be disposed of in your garbage disposal.

Other Disposal Tips

-Turn on the disposal system before adding any leftover food

-Don’t put any bones in the disposal system

-Avoid pouring oil down the drain

Other Drain Tips

While we are discussing proper disposal habits, it is important to mention ways to avoid clogging the drain in the first place. One way to avoid clogging the drain is by maintaining a clean plumbing system. There are certain products that help clean your plumbing system, including CLR, and the Liquid Rooter® Drain Cleaner.

Liquid Rooter® has bacteria blasting ingredients that safely remove build up. It’s environmentally friendly and stops blockages before they hit the source and deodorize the surrounding drainage system.

Plumbing Emergency Over the Holidays

The folks at Rooter-Man understand plumbing emergencies happen all year round. That’s why we have a fully equipped team of plumbers on call every minute of the day. Rooter-Man services commercial and residential locations across the United States. For more information, or to schedule an appointment with Rooter-Man go to www.rooterman.com today.