- You're spot on about the roots issue—seen it countless times. Surface cleaning only buys you a bit of time.
- Camera inspections are definitely helpful, but even then, they're not foolproof. I've had jobs where the camera missed smaller cracks that later turned into big headaches.
- Still, regular checks do catch most problems early, saving a ton of hassle down the line. Sounds like your city learned that lesson the hard way... at least they finally sorted it out.
"Camera inspections are definitely helpful, but even then, they're not foolproof."
Yeah, I agree with this. When I bought my place last year, I had a camera inspection done, and it all looked good... until the first heavy rain came. Turns out there were smaller blockages the camera missed—mostly debris buildup rather than roots. Do you guys think flushing the lines periodically with high-pressure water would help catch or prevent these smaller issues from becoming major problems later? Curious if anyone's tried that.
Periodic flushing can definitely help, but I'd be cautious about relying solely on high-pressure water. It's great for clearing out loose debris and buildup, but if there's a structural issue or stubborn blockage, you might just push the problem further down the line. I'd suggest pairing regular flushing with occasional camera checks—maybe annually—to catch any developing issues early. Has anyone here had experience combining both methods? Curious how effective that's been long-term.
Periodic flushing and camera checks are solid, but honestly, annual camera inspections seem a bit excessive for most homeowners—especially if you're budget-conscious. I've found that doing a thorough flush once or twice a year, combined with just paying attention to how quickly water drains after heavy rains, usually gives enough warning signs. Cameras are great if you suspect a serious issue, but otherwise, it might be overkill...and pricey.
I get your point about annual camera checks being a bit much, but I've seen situations where minor blockages turned into major headaches real fast. Had a tenant once who ignored slow drainage after storms...ended up with basement flooding and costly repairs. Curious—how do you decide when it's time to bring in the camera? After a certain type of weather or just gut feeling?
