Permits are such a headache, but honestly, I’d rather deal with the paperwork than risk a flooded basement or some inspector showing up later and making me rip everything out. I get why people try to skip them, but it just seems like tempting fate, especially with drains.
I’m still figuring out my own house’s quirks, but I had a similar backup last fall. Thought it was just a clog from all the laundry lint and maybe some hair, but nope—turned out to be roots from the neighbor’s tree sneaking into the old clay pipes. I tried snaking it myself at first (YouTube made it look way easier than it actually is), but after about an hour of fighting with the auger and getting nowhere, I caved and called a plumber. Best money I’ve spent so far, honestly. He scoped the line and showed me the roots on camera... kinda gross but also fascinating.
If you haven’t already, I’d say getting someone with a camera is worth it. It’s not cheap, but at least you know exactly what you’re dealing with. Sometimes it’s just a clog, but if it’s roots or a collapsed pipe, you don’t want to keep guessing. Plus, if you ever sell, having proof you fixed it the right way is a huge relief.
It’s wild how much stuff can go wrong in a basement that you never even think about until you own a place. I used to roll my eyes at all the “homeowner horror stories” but now I get it. Hang in there—it gets less overwhelming once you’ve dealt with a couple of these surprises.
- Permits are a pain, but sometimes I wonder if we overdo it. I’ve fixed a couple minor drain issues myself with enzyme cleaners and a manual auger—no paperwork, no drama, just some elbow grease and biodegradable goo.
- Not saying skip the pros if it’s major (roots are no joke), but for smaller stuff, DIY can be less wasteful and honestly kind of satisfying.
- Plus, less waiting around for inspectors who may or may not show up on time... just saying.
You’re not wrong—permits can feel like a headache for what seems like simple stuff. Honestly, a manual auger and some enzyme cleaner go a long way for minor clogs. I’ve seen folks get more tangled up in red tape than in actual roots. That said, once you start seeing repeat backups, it might be time to peek a little deeper. Sometimes what looks like a “small” issue is just the tip of the iceberg... or, well, the tip of the root. Still, nothing wrong with a little DIY elbow grease—just keep an eye out for the warning signs.
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from about DIY fixes—they’re super tempting, especially when you’ve got a manual auger handy. But I’ve seen those enzyme cleaners just mask a bigger problem for a bit, then it’s back to square one. Sometimes the issue’s deeper in the line or even outside the house. It’s not always roots either; could be a collapsed pipe or old grease buildup. I dunno, I’d rather deal with permits than jackhammer my basement later...
I get where you’re coming from about the quick fixes, but I’ve actually seen enzyme cleaners work pretty well on some older lines—especially when it’s just slow buildup and not a total blockage. Have you scoped the line with a camera yet? Sometimes it’s surprising what turns up... not always as catastrophic as we think.
