Gilk Services — Local services in Richmond

Gilk roto-rootered my pipes in 2019 when we found out tree roots had been growing in our pipes causing a blockage.

They completed service and everything was good to go for a few days. Then we had the same issue. They came back out and found out they didn’t clear all the roots far enough so the work needed be redone.

No new issue, they themselves told me it was simply the roots. They charged me fully for both visits even though the issue should have been fixed in one. It was their mistake (or them trying to do the quickest job possible and hope for the best) that the issue was not resolved on the first visit and instead of taking their loss for their mistake, I got to pay for it.

I tried to argue this point on the phone and they had nothing to defend their side besides “They had to come out twice, so there is another bill.”. I simply paid the balance and for future needs will seek service elsewhere and hope for better results. I love supporting local so I was hoping Gilk would be a good option but that was unfortunately not my experience.

Edit**

Thanks for finally reaching out!

Is it normal to need to roto-rooter for roots one month after clearing the pipe of roots?

I spoke to several plumbers and arborists who advised me it would be impossible for roots to grow back that fast.

I’m curious if you’ve had different experiences with your customers and it’s normal to need monthly roto rootering?

“Somehow” the roots have not grown back in 5 years and I’ve never had the issue happen again so far so it appears I just had an issue with the services your company provided.

I added my review 5 years after service because I found my old receipt and remembered the company never bothered to follow up with me after my clear dissatisfaction.

I did reach out to your company originally when the second service occurred but unfortunately I was told “It is what it is!” after explaining the issues. So I paid for my services then moved on.

It is delayed but I felt it was important to let the community I am a part of know of my own personal experience.

I may have had a different review and experience if Gilk would have reached out to me earlier or IMO owned up to their original errors.

Hopefully no new home owners get the same experience with your company and this can be a learning moment.

As a first time home owner, your company was the worst service experience I’ve had so far.

It was so disheartening but a good motivation and reminder to research a company and leave honest reviews so others can avoid...

I received service for plumbing. A Roto-Rooter was done to remove roots that were in our pipes. The first time the Roto-Rooter was completed the plumbers ended up staying past 5PM and you could tell they were irritated and wanted to leave as soon as possible. They put in a camera to show the roots clear and went on their way. I honestly had very little knowledge of plumbing and am a little too trusting in professionals so I thought nothing of it. About 3 weeks later I had the same back up issues with our plumbing due to “roots”. So they came out again to Roto-Rooter 3 weeks later. They just ended up Roto-Rootering a little bit further down the line. I don’t think it takes a rocket scientist to understand they should have simply Roto Rootered further down the pipe the first time they serviced house. Please note I have had no issues AFTER the second time they came and completed the job. All and all I could not recommend this...

I live in a mobile home in Cold Spring. I have a leak under my house. Gilk was recommended to me by my Park manager. I called and gave my address and asked if someone could come out today and before I could even get a response I was told because I live in the trailer park, a $250 deposit needs to be made before they will even dispatch anyone to look at it. Long silent pause. I’m thinking wow. How disgusting of this local company to discriminate. If you’re not local you wouldn’t understand why I am feeling this way. Most of my neighbors are Hispanic. My reply: ok, so when can you get someone out? Gilk: it would be after hours today so then you’re looking at time and a half. No thanks! I now have ROTOROOTER ON THE WAY, thanks anyways. They will look at my plumbing issue FOR FREE, give me an estimate before they start the job. They DONT care that I live in the...