Analyzing 5,760,1035.8M ReviewsFor 15,83615.8K Experts
We graded 9 companies on seven things customers actually report: satisfaction, reliability, workmanship, value, momentum, track record and how owners handle complaints.
From 26,152 Google reviews of 66 top-rated septic tank services nationwide; 9 of them in Mankato, MN. Updated October 28, 2026.
Pick the job — we re-rank companies by how customers rated that exact job.
Experts Score 0–100Experts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. and a letter grade per factor (A = top 20% of septic tank services).
| # | Company | ScoreExperts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. | FactorsFactor grades, in orderSatisfaction (54%): Recency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Reliability (24%): How rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Craft & service (0%): Google review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Value (14%): Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Momentum (0%): Penalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Replies to reviews (7%): How often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.One letter per factor score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = below 20. | ★Google star rating as shown on Google Maps. | Typical billMedian bill customers of this company reported in their reviews (needs 3+ priced reviews). |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  General Rooter of Southern MN - Sewer & Drain CleaningMankato, MN | A 97How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%96+56.3Reliability 26%96+25Value 15%100+15.2Craft & service penalty99−0.1Experts Score= 97Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAA– | 4.97 | — |
| 2 |  DrainLab ServicesMankato, MN | A 97How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%96+56.3Reliability 26%97+25.3Value 15%100+15.2Experts Score= 97Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–AA– | 4.96 | $529 |
| 3 |  Plumb-Rite Plumbing, LLCMankato, MN | A 95How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%97+56.9Reliability 26%94+24.5Value 15%100+15.2Craft & service penalty84−1.6Experts Score= 95Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAA– | 4.95 | $548 |
| 4 |  Minnesota Plumbing LLCMankato, MN | A 91How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%92+54Reliability 26%84+21.9Value 15%100+15.2Experts Score= 91Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–AA– | 4.91 | $502 |
| 5 |  SteelPoint PlumbingMankato, MN | A 90How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%91+53.4Reliability 26%90+23.5Value 15%100+15.2Craft & service penalty75−2.5Experts Score= 90Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AABAA– | 4.89 | $2.6k |
| 6 |  Jetter Clean Advanced Drain CleaningMankato, MN | A 88How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%93+50.7Reliability 24%90+21.8Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%29+2.1Craft & service penalty94−0.6Experts Score= 88Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAAD | 4.91 | $176 |
| 7 |  Jadd Seppmann & Sons Well & Septic SystemsMankato, MN | A 81How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%84+53.4Reliability 28%87+24.6Replies to reviews 8%36+3Experts Score= 81Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA––AD | 4.75 | — |
| 8 |  Armz PlumbingMankato, MN | B 75How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%82+44.7Reliability 24%72+17.5Value 14%66+9.3Replies to reviews 7%93+6.6Craft & service penalty99−0.1Momentum penalty75−2.5Experts Score= 75Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | ABABBA | 4.86 | $542 |
| 9 |  Babe Plumbing Heating and AirMankato, MN | D 34How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%48+26.2Reliability 24%20+4.8Value 14%61+8.6Replies to reviews 7%99+7Craft & service penalty69−3.1Momentum penalty0−10Experts Score= 34Grade D: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | CDBBFA | 4.57 | $1.0k |
What customers paid, from the price Google asks reviewers to report.
| Job | Low25th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid less than this. | TypicalMedian of the bill customers reported in their Google review (Google asks reviewers for a price range; we use the middle of each range). | High75th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid more than this. | FairOf customers who rated the price, the share who chose “Great price” or “Reasonable” rather than “Overpriced”. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drain cleaning | $205 | $322 | $478 | 97% |
| Plumbing pipe repair | $305 | $466 | $1.1k | 96% |
| Toilet repair | $209 | $340 | $607 | 96% |
| Plumbing leak detection | $54 | $209 | $495 | 95% |
| Water heater installation | $1.2k | $1.9k | $2.4k | 98% |
| Plumbing leak repair | $248 | $414 | $1.2k | 96% |
| Faucet repair | $271 | $399 | $659 | 96% |
| Sewer cleaning | $248 | $366 | $529 | 98% |
| Faucet installation | $292 | $486 | $786 | 93% |
| Outdoor plumbing system repair | $321 | $506 | $1.0k | 98% |
| Sewer repair | $383 | $1.2k | $2.1k | 98% |
| Shower repair | $148 | $317 | $469 | 99% |
How the 9 septic tank services we rated in Mankato, MN compare, and what customers praise most.
A = score 80+, F = below 20.
Average stars per company.
Share of Google review highlights.
All price verdicts left with reviews.
Share calling it great / reasonable / overpriced.
Satisfaction (54%) — Recency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.
Reliability (24%) — How rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.
Craft & service (penalty, up to −10) — Google review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.
Value (14%) — Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.
Momentum (penalty, up to −10) — Penalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.
Replies to reviews (7%) — How often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.
The 9 best-rated septic tank services in Mankato, MN average 4.9★ on Google across 1,480 reviews. Plumb-Rite Plumbing, LLC has the top rating (5.0★), and Jetter Clean Advanced Drain Cleaning has the most reviews (640). Updated October 28, 2026.
9 companies that meet our bar: rated 4.5★ or higher on Google, with a meaningful review history (1,480 reviews combined) and currently operating. Request a call back and the company will phone you directly.
“Amazing! Day before family was to arrive from out of state and of course the main line was backed up to the septic tank. Cody P arrived quickly, answered our questions, and got right to work. He was friendly, funny,…” — Google review
“I am so thankful for Plum-rite! We needed help with bathroom toilet, and when I reached out to inquire I received a reply within minutes from the owner - and even more surprising - she sent a plumber to our house…” — Google review
“Really great guys getting the job done and coming quick. They truly wanted to help and offered a lot of solutions for me. My go to now!” — Google review
“We have been repeat customers at ARMZ. They are extremely helpful and always get the job done quickly with great quality. Jen is always so kind on the phone and Justin does a great job of keeping us informed while…” — Google review
“Weston came and made a thorough inspection of the possible problem, and used his camera equipment to check anything that looked damaged. After not finding anything that looked to be wrong, he checked other possible…” — Google review
“Outstanding service on replacement of a propane hot water tank and unrelated bathroom plumbing. Excellent communication, reasonable pricing and always professional. Thank you.” — Google review
“Josh came out within an hour of calling. He came prepared and got a new sump pump installed quickly. We will definitely use them again for any plumbing needs!” — Google review
“After our experience with Bo and Babe Plumbing, there is no one else we’d use! From the beginning they were attentive and extremely communicative. With multiple sick people at home, Bo worked around us all and even…” — Google review
“I have worked with Todd and the Seppmann team a number of times and cannot refer them enough. They are very kind, helpful, and reasonable in all regards. Look no further!” — Google review
We scan Google Maps for septic tank service listings in and around Mankato, keep only open businesses whose main category matches the service, and require a Google rating of at least 4.5 from at least 20 reviews. Companies are ordered by a confidence-weighted score that balances rating and review volume. We do not accept payment for placement.
Plumb-Rite Plumbing, LLC has the highest Google rating on our Mankato list: 5.0 out of 5 from 122 reviews (as of October 28, 2026).
Jetter Clean Advanced Drain Cleaning has the most Google reviews among the companies listed here: 640, with a 4.9★ average.
Only open Mankato-area businesses whose Google category matches the service, rated at least 4.5★ from at least 20 Google reviews. They are ordered by a confidence-weighted score of rating and review volume. Placement is never paid.
Analyzing 5,760,1035.8M ReviewsFor 15,83615.8K Experts