Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup: Hiring, Background Check & Employment Verification FAQs

Roto-Rooter says it was founded in 1935 and calls itself the largest provider of plumbing, drain cleaning, and water cleanup services in North America. Its About Us page says the brand operates businesses in more than 100 company-owned branch and independent contractor territories and approximately 400 independent franchise operations, serving customers across the United States and parts of Canada.

The company's corporate office page says Roto-Rooter Group has two divisions. Roto-Rooter Services Company, based in Cincinnati, Ohio, owns and manages the company-owned service locations and national marketing, while Roto-Rooter Corporation, based in West Des Moines, Iowa, manufactures Roto-Rooter machinery and oversees agreements with independent franchises. The group is a wholly owned subsidiary of Chemed Corporation of Cincinnati, Ohio, which trades on the NYSE under the symbol CHE.

Roto-Rooter's careers page lists paths for plumbers, apprentice plumbers and service technicians, excavator operators and general laborers, water damage cleanup technicians, sales and management staff, and customer service representatives and dispatchers. Several of those pages list a valid driver's license among the basics, and the company's job board shows openings in many cities and at call centers.

Because some Roto-Rooter locations are independently owned and operated franchises, who does the hiring depends on the location. The company says pay, benefits, and training programs may vary for that reason, and candidates can work for either a company-owned location or a franchise.

Company culture and employee programs: Roto-Rooter says it provides free training, including an initial paid training period for service technicians that it describes as lasting 11 to 13 weeks, and it says it helps trainees collect apprentice hours toward a plumbing license. The company lists medical insurance, paid training and vacations, tuition reimbursement, and 401(k) plans among its benefits and notes that they may vary by location because some locations are franchises. Candidates should confirm specifics with the location they apply to.

Yes. Employers in the plumbing and home services industry, including Roto-Rooter, are legally permitted to run pre-employment background checks, provided they follow the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and applicable federal, state, and local laws. The FCRA requires written disclosure and the candidate's authorization before a consumer report is obtained for employment purposes.

Roto-Rooter is generally reported to conduct background checks as part of its hiring process. Technicians visit customers' homes and businesses, so employers in this field commonly screen candidates for field roles. The scope of the Roto-Rooter background check may vary by role and by whether the location is company-owned or a franchise.

The Roto-Rooter hiring process typically starts with an online application. Company-owned locations generally post openings on the Roto-Rooter job board, while franchise locations may hire through their own channels. Qualified applicants are usually interviewed by a manager, and candidates who receive a conditional offer are typically asked to consent to a background check and any other required screening before they start. New technicians usually begin in a paid training program, and licensed plumbers may be asked about their license.

Most background checks return within a few business days, though the timeline depends on the searches ordered and on the courts and agencies being queried. Checks that add driving records or records from several counties can take longer. Candidates who want more detail can review background check turnaround times.

The specific components of a background check are set by the employer. For a field or service role at a company like Roto-Rooter, a background check may include some or all of the following:

Candidates should review any disclosure and consent forms provided during the hiring process to understand which searches will be run for their role.

Roto-Rooter may require a drug test for certain roles, but its careers pages do not publish a drug testing policy. Employers with field and driving jobs vary: some screen all new hires, while others test only for certain positions or after a conditional offer. Requirements may vary by role, location, and whether the location is a franchise, so candidates should read their offer paperwork and ask the hiring manager what pre-employment testing, if any, applies.

The lookback period for a background check depends on the type of search and the laws of the state or country where the candidate lives or worked. In the United States, the FCRA generally limits consumer reporting agencies from reporting most negative information older than seven years, with certain exceptions for higher-salary positions and specific record types such as convictions. Some states have stricter limits. Candidates with records in multiple jurisdictions may see different lookback windows applied to different searches within the same report.

Roto-Rooter does not publicly detail how it treats criminal records, and decisions are typically made case by case. Factors that may matter include the type of offense, how much time has passed, and the duties of the role, such as working in customers' homes or driving a company vehicle. State plumbing boards may also have their own rules for licensing. Many states and cities have enacted "ban-the-box" laws that limit when employers can ask about criminal history, and candidates should answer application questions honestly.

Candidates applying to Roto-Rooter will typically be asked for written consent before a background check begins, usually on a disclosure form. They should be ready to provide a full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and address history, along with a valid driver's license for roles that involve driving. Licensed plumbers may also need to share license details, and accurate information helps searches run in the right places and prevents delays.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act is a US federal law that governs how consumer reporting agencies collect, use, and share background check information. Under the FCRA, employers must obtain written consent before running a background check, provide a copy of the report and a summary of rights if they intend to take adverse action based on the results, and allow the candidate an opportunity to dispute inaccurate information before a final decision is made. For a detailed overview of how the FCRA applies to background checks, visit Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

It depends on the location. Roto-Rooter says some of its locations are company-owned and others are independently owned and operated franchises, and that pay, benefits, and training may vary between them. Company-owned openings are generally posted on the Roto-Rooter job board, while a franchise may hire directly. Candidates should confirm which kind of location they are applying to and ask that location about its screening steps.

Possibly, because Roto-Rooter's careers pages list a valid driver's license for plumber, apprentice, and water damage roles. A review of driving history may therefore be part of screening for those jobs. The company does not publish its screening steps, and practices may vary by location. Candidates with a recent driving violation should be ready to explain it and can ask the hiring manager how driving records are used for the role.

Running a personal background check with Checkr lets you preview what Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup may see and help you identify potential inaccuracies before they affect your job application. In one secure report you can review:

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The resources and information provided here are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Always consult your own counsel for up-to-date legal advice and guidance related to your practices, needs, and compliance with applicable laws.