May 2017 Pro of the Month: Steve Metcalf

Spartan Tool takes pride in the many businesses with whom we’ve had the pleasure of working since we opened our doors in 1943. We are honored to support plumbers and drain cleaners with our finely-crafted, professional grade equipment.

Join us every month as we highlight customers who have become part of our Spartan Tool family in our Pro of the Month Series.

Steve Metcalf opened Steve’s Sewer & Drain Cleaning Service in 2010. Recently, he thought he was going to have to close the business. He credits Spartan with helping him stay in business.

When Steve was a kid in Kentucky, he used to ride along with a guy from his church as he cleaned drains. Even from that young age, he realized he would enjoy the sewer cleaning business. When Steve got older, he went to work for the guy from church and learned the trade.

Steve is so appreciative of the skills, knowledge and advice that the man gave him, that now he tries to pass that mentoring on to the younger generation of drain cleaners moving up the ranks. In 2010 he bought a van and some equipment from his boss and opened his own shop. “I just took his name off the van and put my own in its place” he said. Some of the machines on that van were 30 year old Spartan machines, and he is still using them today.

He likes to specialize in drain cleaning because the machines are always on the truck, and you don’t have to go get different equipment and travel back and forth to a job site. He always had the vision for this, and he says he wouldn’t do anything different. He can run his business out of his house, it provides well for his family, and he just went down and picked up the newest van he’s had.

Yet Steve was concerned that he might not be able to continue with his business. In recent years, Steve has begun having knee and shoulder problems. It got to the point where it was painful and difficult to get his Spartan Model 2001 up and down stairs in homes, and turn around corners on landings.

His Territory Manager, Mike Sekach, stopped by one day to see if Steve needed anything. Steve was explaining the physical pain he was having with carrying the 2001, even when it was taken apart. Mike recommended the Spartan Model 300. Steve was wary that a smaller machine couldn’t handle some of the tough jobs he faces, but agreed that he would think about it.

Not long after that, Spartan ran a 1-day sale on the Model 300, so Steve decided to take a chance on it. He bought one, took it out to a job, and was amazed at how well the Model 300 worked. “When I got this machine, it was like someone took 20 years off my life. I’m not kidding! It is stable, doesn’t vibrate, and pulls roots out as well as the 2001.”

Steve says he started out with Spartan, and has stayed with it through today. “I’ve tried to stray, but I keep coming back to Spartan” he said. “I’ve bought a [different brand] machine a few times, because they were cheaper and I thought I’d try it.” But ultimately he says he kept coming back to Spartan because he can’t get that level of quality anywhere else.

Recently he was able to buy the newest van he’s ever had for the business, and he’s so glad he can keep cleaning drains. “Every time I clear the drain and the water starts flowing, I know it’s a great way to be in business for yourself.”