A single blocked drain is a clog. Several fixtures backing up at once, sewage appearing in the lowest drain in the house, a persistent smell outdoors, or an unexplained lush green patch in the lawn — those point at the main sewer line, and they don't resolve on their own.
Most failures come down to a handful of causes:
Nobody should quote a sewer repair without seeing inside the pipe. A camera run shows what the problem actually is, how far from the house it sits, and whether the pipe is damaged or just blocked. It's the difference between a quote for clearing roots and a quote for replacing a section — those are very different numbers, and you want to know which one you're buying.
Traditional repair means excavating down to the pipe. Trenchless methods — lining the existing pipe, or pulling a new one through the old path — avoid digging up the whole yard and are usually faster. Trenchless isn't possible on every line; a fully collapsed pipe generally needs excavation. The camera inspection determines which applies.
Recurring blockages at the same distance from the house is the classic sign, especially with mature trees nearby. A camera inspection confirms it.
Often not for the line itself, though resulting water damage may be covered. Some policies offer a service line rider. Check your policy before assuming either way.
You can, and it buys time. But if roots or a pipe defect are the cause, you're clearing the symptom every few months. The inspection tells you whether you're managing a problem or postponing one.
Send the details and we'll route it to a licensed local contractor. Free, no obligation.
