Not every slow drain is a $90 snake. Not every recurring clog is a full re-pipe. Good shops use a camera before they sell either story.
Camera first, pitch second
A clean video of the line should show:
- Offset joints
- Belly sections holding water
- Root intrusion points
- Scale thickness in cast iron
If you are quoted a re-pipe with no footage, get a second opinion.
When cleaning is enough
Occasional grease or paper clogs in PVC with a clean camera pass are cleaning jobs. Hydro-jetting beats a cable when grease coats the wall of the pipe.
When repair wins
Repeated failures at the same joint, collapsed sections, or cast iron that flakes on contact — those are repair or replacement conversations.
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Northshore Drain & Pipe — Chicago North Shore · northshoredrain.example · camera inspections & trenchless spot repairs. Sample $100 Roundup inclusion format.
Ask for the recording
Keep the camera file. It travels with the house and keeps the next bid honest.
