Written for J. Grey. The nightmare started in March 2025 with Mr. Rooter out of Peru, Illinois. I…read morehad my house on the market at this time in Earlville, IL. I had a problem with the sewer line and they came out and said it was roots in the sewer line that could not be cleaned out, a 6ft pipe would need to be replaced. Cost of $6,500.00. Full payment was made which they insisted.
A few days later I was told additional 30ft pipe would need to be replaced. Cost of $25,000.00, I paid in full, insisted by them. Mr. Rooter came out in March 2025 and dug a 10-15 ft wide trench. While trenching- they mangled the water line (had to have city come shut my water off), hit the neighbors garage leaving damage. I asked again for invoice.
We were told by Mr. Rooter- all good, inspected (they did the inspection). Hole was covered by dirt, middle of April 2025. I asked again for invoice.
April 25, 2025- I had mud coming up in the basement drains. I called Mr. Rooter and they were sending a manager and inspector on May 5, 2025- they did not show up. Mud still coming up.
I had to take my house off the market. Water was still shut off.
During this time of no water, I had a pond with over 40 Koi fish, some very large. The pond needed water after the winter so the pump would run. I lost over half my Koi fish and gave away the rest so they would not die.
No show by Mr. Rooter on May 16, 2025. Mud still coming up in basement drains.
Between May 17th and May 21st, they came out and dug 10-to-15-foot trench, Mr. Rooter admitted the new pipe that was installed by them did not get attached to the existing pipe before the hole was covered by dirt. It was inspected by them????
June 9, 2025- July 8, 2025. Same. Trench with pipe sitting on the ground. I sent pictures to Mr. Rooter
After July 8, 2025- Mr. Rooter must had fixed it, the hole was covered with dirt. Mr. Rooter said all good, inspected, had video of the inspection. (they will not send us) Still needed a copy of the invoice.
July 19, 2025- I put the house back on the market- water was turned on by city.
April 15, 2026- I had a contract for the sale of my house. The potential buyer had a sewer inspection done and it did not pass the inspection. The buyer would not go forward.
April 21, 2026- (had to take day off work) Met with the supervisor from Mr. Rooter, he performed a camera inspection and said "yes" there is a problem. He met with the neighbor about the damage to her place and assured her they would fix it along with bringing in a load of dirt to level the large area where they had dug. He took pictures of everything.
April 28, 2026- Mr. Rooter said the pipe was full of mud because when the pipe was reattached, they did not clean it out. Mr. Rooter said good to go after they flushed the pipe. Camera inspection no signs of any issues. Asked again for the invoice.
May 3, 2026- I had my 2nd contract for the sale of my house. The potential buyer had a sewer inspection done on May 11, 2026 and it did not pass. The buyer would not go forward. The inspection completed by the potential buyer showed gravel in the pipe, pipe not attached (space in pipe). We have copy of it.
May 11, 2026- Called Mr. Rooter. No call back. No copy of invoice. No copy of their inspection. I can't sell my house, my neighbors garage is not fixed.