Yeah, that’s a good call. I’ve seen folks snake the same line over and over, thinking it’s just a clog, but sometimes there’s something bigger going on. Cameras aren’t always cheap, but man, they can save a ton of hassle in the long run.
I get the camera angle, but honestly, I’ve fixed a lot of these backups without ever needing one. Sometimes it’s just a matter of using the right size snake or hitting it from a different cleanout. Cameras are great if you’re stumped or suspect a break, but for routine clogs, they can be overkill. Just my two cents—sometimes old-school methods still do the trick.
I’m with you on the old-school approach—sometimes a good snake and a bit of patience are all you need. I’ve had a few stubborn basement backups over the years, and more often than not, it was just a wad of paper towels or some gunk that got caught at a bend. The right size snake makes a world of difference, especially if you can get to it from a different cleanout like you mentioned.
That said, I did run into one situation where I kept snaking and nothing was working. Turned out there was a small root intrusion that I never would’ve found without borrowing a camera from a buddy. So, I guess it depends on how persistent the clog is and whether you’re seeing any weird stuff like slow drains elsewhere in the house.
For most routine clogs, though, I agree—no need to overcomplicate things. Just make sure you’re not forcing the snake too hard if you hit resistance... learned that the hard way when I cracked an old clay pipe once.
Yeah, totally agree about not forcing the snake—old pipes can be way more fragile than folks realize. I’ve seen a couple jobs where someone got a little too aggressive and ended up with a much bigger mess to fix. One thing I’d add: if you’re getting repeat backups in the same spot, it might be worth checking for a belly or dip in the line, not just roots. Sometimes it’s not obvious until you run water and see how slow it drains. Those cameras are super handy, but even just keeping an eye on patterns helps catch stuff early.
I hear you on the bellies and dips, but I’ll be honest—sometimes those cameras just make me more paranoid than anything else. Had a plumber show me a “minor dip” once, tried to sell me a whole new line. That was five years ago and it’s still chugging along, just needs a good snaking every now and then. Not saying ignore the signs, but sometimes a little old-fashioned maintenance goes a long way before you start digging up the yard.
