Video camera for my sewer line?

Question

Rescue Rooter cleaned up my sewer drain last week (I know nothing about sewers, so I just picked first company to do the job...).

During the cleaning (which cost me whooping $254 for one hour of work!), guy mentioned to me that I might have broken sewer pipe under my driveway (which might be true - I also suspect that because of some other factors). He recommends me to run video camera into my pipe to see what is in there.

I was wondering if anyone knows some other company that does it as well? - I am looking for someone who does video for free? - I most likely will have same guy who does video do the repairs....

I also need to have my sewers cleaned with "jet water" (whatever that means - I understand they run water down the pipe really fast...).

House is in 94546 zip code.

Can I also please have some range estimates? - One Co. gave me an estimate (geez - if I charge THAT per hour, I would be leaving next to Bill G.!), another company wants $29.99 just to give an estimate - ridiculous. Estimates should be free...

So, what would be the range for the job?

I think I might have problem with either with pipe or with "container" (pipe from house to place covered by "gate" that hosts "container" and then from "container" to street).

My neighbors keep telling me that they think water from my sewer gets on their property, so I sort of need camera inside for all of us to have peace of mind.

Answer 1

I did this for years. they are trying to "sell" you a job. how many times has your sewer line backed up in the last few years? if is backs up often, you might want to have a camera job done. but be sure to be there when you do it and watch. Most sewer lines have minor problems like "bellies" and "humps". I highly doubt you need a hydro jet job done. this is for stuff like grease build up in the line. And know this, Rescue rooter tells everybody they need a Camera job. I would wait a few months, if you lines doesnt back up again for a while, then dont worry about it. feel free to email me with more questions, i used to be a plumber. Remember, these sewerline jobs are like takeing your car to get the breaks done, they will tell you you need to replace everything even if you dont.


tryed to reply to your email, but it didnt work.


this raises some questions. They only ran 5+feet of
line?? And what is this spring thing you speak of?
How many times has it backed up before? Do you have a
septic tank? And what do you mean when you say there
is water to the right of it? ALL sewer lines have
problems that will cause them to clog in the right
conditions. Only a very small % of sewer lines are
"perfect." Email me back, i can help.

Brad

Answer 2

Rusty has some good points. I would not do anything until it backed up again or started doing it frequently. If your line is PVC then there is virtually no reason to jet, unless you pour alot of grease down the drain because few things will stick to the PVC anyway. As far as it leaking onto your neighbors property, the sewer is a gravity drain and will flow with no pressure until it is clogged so it will go on down the line. The line would have to be open to the top of the ground, like an open cleanout or something like that, and clogged for it it get onto their property

Answer 3

Look in the yellow pages for sewer companies that do replacement lines without digging up yhe old. "Trenchless"
They'll run a camera anyou can watch.
I've had it done twice at two houses. They will charge by the foot. Stay away from the "rooter companies" They all over-charge!
I'm at 94530 and 94598

Answer 4

The equipment to see inside the pipe is very expensive. You won't find anyone doing it free. Getting an estimate on this type work is worthless (except to the person getting paid) because unless he has x-ray vision, he can't tell you anything.

Answer 5

I highly doubt that you will find anyone that would do it for free.
Those guys get paid by the job and no charge = no pay.