Plumbing Resources for COVID-19
OPEN AND FULLY STAFFED
Learn how we're responding to the COVID-19 virus concerns.
We know many people are working from home and self-quarantining, which can put additional stress on your plumbing system and create serious plumbing and drain problems. Roto-Rooter is ready to help with service anytime you need us. Your local Roto-Rooter is operating normally and continues to schedule service appointments for homeowners and businesses. Roto-Rooter is considered an essential service provider in cities with curfews and travel restrictions.
FLUSHING RULES
Toilet paper may be in short supply. If you're all out of toilet paper, there's no perfect solution, but you should never flush wet wipes, paper towels and napkins. They don't dissolve quickly in water and are likely to cause your toilet to back up. Facial tissue is another bad idea, but in the absence of toilet paper, you can use it in small amounts if you flush frequently.
Learn more about what not to flush and watch this video on why you shouldn't flush wet wipes.
HERE'S HOW TO KEEP YOUR PLUMBING OPERATING
We've created a special playlist of how-to videos on our YouTube channel to help you fix your own minor plumbing and drain problems. Click here to see our entire YouTube playlist.
WATCH VIDEO: HOW TO PLUNGE A TOILET LIKE A PLUMBER
WATCH VIDEO: HOW TO UN-JAM A GARBAGE DISPOSAL LIKE A PLUMBER
SEE OTHER PLUMBING RESOURCES
RotoRooter.com is a great source of helpful information to solve most plumbing problems. Besides our library of How-to Plumbing Videos, you'll find helpful Roto-Rooter Infographics, useful Blog posts and Frequently Asked Questions about most every kind of plumbing problem.
Please contact your local Roto-Rooter office if you have concerns about specific Roto-Rooter safety precautions, procedures, or operating hours. Please note that the COVID-19 situation is changing rapidly, and we must adjust our processes accordingly to best serve our communities but also ensure the safety of our employees and customers.
CLEANING TO KILL GERMS & VIRUSES IN THE COVID-19 ERA
Even the best housekeepers are stepping up their game during the COVID-19 outbreak. What we all considered “clean” before is now getting an extra spray, an extra wipe, and more scrutiny than ever before. The COVID-19 virus can live on metal surfaces like doorknobs and silverware for up to five days! It survives on wood surfaces like tabletops and headboards for up to four days, and on glass and ceramics like windows and plates for up to five days! Fortunately, the virus is easily killed with antiseptics and common disinfectant cleaners – but you have to know where the virus is most likely hiding if you’re going to attack and kill it.
Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup is taking extra steps to prevent the virus from spreading too. Whenever our essential service provider plumbers or service technicians go into homes and businesses to provide service, we’re following the guidelines established by the CDC. That includes cleaning touch points with disinfectant sprays, wearing disposable gloves and other personal protective gear (PPE) as needed. Our highest priority is protecting our customers and employees. We’ve also created a helpful infographic to help you eradicate the virus and other germs that may be hiding in plain sight inside your home.
Our new infographic is called Virus & Germ Prevention in the House. The information may be shocking to some people. For instance, do you know that a kitchen faucet handle can harbor 44 times more bacteria than your toilet seat? How about the fact that stove knobs are one of the top 10 common places for germs to hide in our homes? Additionally, the infographic has outstanding visual instructions for effective handwashing. You might think you’re washing your hands effectively, but you probably aren’t doing it as well as you could be. All the information was supplied by National Sanitation Foundation International and Centers for Disease Control.
We invite you to download this useful infographic or share links with your friends and family. Information is power, especially when the stakes are as high as they are right now. If we all take steps to clean potentially contagious surfaces in our homes and wash our hands often and effectively for at least 20 seconds, we can feel confident that we’re doing our part to slow and stop the spread of COVID-19 and other viruses and germs.